At the end of the day–actually, at the beginning and middle too–there's really only one thing that puts a book in a new reader's hands.
Word of mouth.
So what is word of mouth? Yes it's you–you there on the left, you at the back, all you you-s reading this–telling your friends about that new book you read, and what you thought about it. But as well as telling your friends? Well, there's telling your not-friends. Your enemies? Tell them about that book you read. If you hated it, tell them it was great–they might go read it and suffer with you :-). That'll show them them who rules! If you loved it? Well, tell them anyway, because it shows you have better taste and better better-ness than them :-). But also?
Tell people you don't know. People you've never met, and likely never will meet. Because, yes–book reviews rule!
Book reviews are a great way of supporting an author–or even to offer honest less than positive thoughts. They can help the author grow as a writer, and help people find books they might like, even if you didn't. Or did :-). So I'd like to invite everybody here to leave book reviews. Where? Amazon is great, Goodreads is great, your web page is great (heh–but please tell me about them, so I can read them too). But no author, and no book, ever had 'too many' book reviews. So come on in–the reviewing water's fine! And just to show, here are some reviews TWICE BORN has had so far–some of them from Advance Reader copies, some of them from strangers, some of them from people who have read other books of mine. But none of them paid for or written by me :-):
AMAZON:
"Well, what can I say that hasn’t already been…well said—or is that well, said? Either way, I’m here to tell you this book is packed with supernatural charm as only Graeme Smith can bring. And brought he did. Some friendly, maybe familiar is a better term, faces and some new crew to engage your grey matter with fantastical wit and scrumptious folklore. Check out his other books too, they’re, packed with fun and fantasy, but I’m partial to a certain Idiot. Cheers!"
"another great work from mr. smith. well worth both the coin and the time! if this book is your introduction to mr. smith, i highly recommend you check out his other books, available on amazon both in print and on kindle. you will not be disappointed!"
"Graeme Smith’s Twice Born is an imaginative paranormal fantasy set against the haunting backdrop of New Brunswick, Canada. It’s a novel where folklore, history, and personal storytelling collide. Smith’s world is steeped in the folklore of many cultures—the Mi’kmaq, the Benandanti of Italy, Sardinian witch-lore—and his descriptions blend scholarly nods with campfire-story immediacy.
What makes Twice Born especially engaging is its voice. The narrator constantly addresses the reader directly, dismantling clichés and expectations about magic and folklore while at the same time spinning a story rich in mystery and tension. It reads like being guided by a witty folklorist who also happens to be a consummate liar—and therein lies the book’s greatest charm."
"From the very first pages of Twice Born, I found myself completely swept away. What starts as what seems to be a familiar, almost ordinary story quickly unravels into something far more intriguing—layer after layer of mystery, wonder, and unexpected twists that make it impossible to put down. Just when you think you have it figured out, Graeme Smith pulls the rug out from under you in the most delightful way.
I’ll admit—fantasy has never been my usual go-to genre. But this book changed that for me. Within the first chapter, I was captivated by the world Smith created and deeply invested in the characters’ fates. There’s a depth and humanity to them that makes the story feel both otherworldly and surprisingly real. Smith’s writing has a rhythm and richness that’s almost cinematic—his words paint scenes you can see and emotions you can feel.
Even if fantasy isn’t normally your thing, Twice Born might just convert you. It’s the kind of story that reminds you why you fell in love with reading in the first place—because of the thrill of being transported somewhere new and unforgettable.
So my advice?
Find a cozy spot, open this book, and let yourself be carried away. You’re in for a treat."
"I am not a Fantasy fan, but after chapter 4 I began to understand the story and really enjoyed this book. Graeme has a vivid imagination and sends you on a roller coaster ride that has twists and turns that ends with an explanation of 2 paranormal stories from the Maritime provinces. His writing style is terse, but he manages to project a vivid picture of the surroundings and characters in this book. I will definitely be reading more of Graeme books."
"I’m going to preface this with the fact that I read a sample. I found it compelling and thus will be buying the full version. I will also say that I think this is is his writing style over a true critique. There were a few lines that were a little repetitive but again I think it’s part of his writing style. That said I’ve been drawn into a supernatural world that I’ve always enjoyed being in and will be purchasing the book and look forward to more"
"Graeme Smith gives folklore an imaginative new spin, blending myth, mystery, and local legend into something that feels both timeless and distinctly Atlantic Canadian. Along the way, there are unique twists on several strange-but-true stories from the region’s past — including a magical, intriguing take on the enduring enigma of the “Legless Mystery Man,” who really did appear frozen in a river. It's probably less historically accurate that werewolves were involved, but who's to say, really!
This book is smart, funny, and full of imagination — the kind of story that starts with a bang (of thunder in teh opening line) and just keeps getting bigger from there.
If you like fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still has a lot of heart (and plenty of Maritime flavour), this is a great pick."
"What begins as a "normal" story, gets you hooked on the characters and then takes you down a rabbit hole of… well of mystery and marvel and… "what the heck is going on here?" But, by that time, it's too late. Twice Born and its collection of curious and fascinating characters has already got you hooked.
Personally, I've never been what anyone would call a "big" fan of fantasy, but I wasn't even through with the first chapter before I was thoroughly hooked, curious as to what was going on with these characters, and couldn't stop reading. If you're a fantasy fan, you'll definitely want this one on your bookshelf. If you are not normally a fantasy fan…? Don't read this one because you will seriously become a new fan of the genre. Smith has an interesting and enticing... seductive, if you will, way of painting the picture with words on a page. My advice?
Get the book.
Get comfortable.
Get reading!"
"As far as novels go, this is a fantasy story that's right up there chock full of Graeme Smith's off hand humour. There is his signature style of building up the scene while leaving you hanging. I really enjoy this concept of a modern take on a folk tale which gives insight into east coast lore. Really enjoyed the story and couldn't put it down. I have to assign five stars"
REVIEWER SITES:
longandshortreviews–science fiction/ fantasy
"Every legend must have come from somewhere.
The world building was well done and sometimes made me forget I was reading a novel as opposed to hearing true stories about someone else’s ancestors. This felt genuinely real to me which can be difficult to accomplish in this sort of fiction but has made me extremely curious to read more from Mr. Smith in the future. He is a talented writer who knows exactly how to use a few carefully selected words to make a world come alive in my imagination.
I struggled to keep up with the plot at times due to how often it jumped back and forth in the timeline as well as among the perspectives of a few different characters. As much as I enjoyed the complexity of it as far as the world building went, having a more linear sequence of events would have made it easier for this reader to keep up with what was happening versus what happened in the past or would happen in the protagonists’ near futures.
Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that explored why certain characters were terrified of witches. Many modern fantasy authors have taken a much softer approach to what exactly a witch is and how dangerous she might be, so it was refreshing to read something that brings back the fear and uncertainty that swirled around these women in older stories. This was even more true since I happened to read this shortly before Halloween season began!
Twice Born was a wild ride."
