The First Ten Focus Group Feedback for The Eclipsed
Because The Eclipsed was Book of the Day, some of our most trusted members have carefully looked over the cover, the description, and other aspects of this book as a part of purchase-intent focus group. We then asked each participant in the focus group if they planned to buy and read the book, and why they planned to buy and read the book or not. Their answer to that question and reasons are displayed below. We call this awesome feature The First Ten Focus Group.
Keep in mind, the responses from the members are not reviews. This is purchase-intent focus group which means the participants are people who have NOT yet bought or read your book. A purchase-intent focus group is an important and extremely useful marketing tool for any product, not just books. For other products, you might walk on the street and show people an item in a package and poll them about whether they would buy if or $X or not. These kind of focus groups are one of the ways big marketing companies find the ideal price points for products and test the effectiveness of different packaging. The focus group can help you identify your market so you how to target ads of your book, and it can (but may not) provide you new useful info about your "packaging" (e.g. your book cover, your book synopsis on Amazon, etc.). The point of the focus group comments is to give you information from people who have not bought or read your book about why they plan to buy your book which will help you in marketing the book. These are not reviews or critiques of your book because they are not from people have read the book. This is a marketing tool, not reviews. The trick of book marketing and book advertising is that you have to convince people who have not read your book yet that your book is worth buying and reading. For marketing, it doesn't matter much if people love your book after reading it if you cannot convince potential buyers before they read it that they will love it.
IMPORTANT: Any score over 10% is considered very good. And any score above 0% is acceptable. This is because we only poll about 20 or so readers, and all readers have to say "no" to almost all books. Over a million books are published each year. Even a very active reader cannot come close to even reading 1% of books out there.
This is also why publishing books is such a tough industry.
Ekta Kumari
The book is centred around Eighty-nine, a luna who is entrusted with the responsibility to maintain a fixed reality on the Earth by making sure that everyone who is marked to die during a disaster actually dies on their time. However, her world flips upside down when she loses a close one. She embarks on a journey to bring her friend back during which she will get confronted with tough choices about whether to save reality or let it go astray. I found the premise to be quite innovative but wouldn't have read the book as I wasn't interested in a fantasy type story. The thing I liked the most while sampling, though, is the author's writing that incorporates enough suspense and intrigue to keep the readers hooked. I also like that the author offers a sufficient introduction for the appearance of lunas and takes the time to establish the basics of the story. As for the editing, the book looks professionally edited to me as I didn't find any errors in the portion I sampled. I did see an official review before sampling. But I wouldn't be reading the whole book as I don't think I'll enjoy its storyline. Lastly, I've no other suggestions for improvements.
First Ten review added on July 23, 2020, at 4:59 am by Ekta Kumari.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Leen282
I like the colors used on the cover of the book. I like the uniqueness of the story, I don't think I have ever come across something similar. I am not too convinced about the fantasy element in it, even not after reading the positive reviews. With many books on my reading list, I didn't think I would add this one.
After reading the first pages though, I really got into the story. The author has a captivating writing style, and I find myself wondering what she will reveal throughout the book. I am going to buy the book today and enjoy it in the next month or so. I did not find any errors in the sample.
First Ten review added on July 23, 2020, at 3:03 am by Leen282.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Jeremie Mondejar
I may glance at this book even if without the program because the cover photo looks magical. Plus, I was looking for this genre, but the sample didn't catch my attention. As I read it, the narrative looks dull. It looks like a moth is the reaper for the human species. The wing creature was snapping a man's head, which looked terrible to me. I was glad to the OBC review because the book's synopsis was explained in detailed. The OBC reviewer's question got me curious, too, especially when we were facing the pandemic crisis today. Adding more thrilling scenes will make this book a gripping tale. I like the plot, but the scenes doesn't capture my taste. I will not read this novel because of the reasons above. Fortunately, the book is well-written. I didn't notice any errors.
First Ten review added on July 23, 2020, at 2:47 am by Jeremie Mondejar.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Aditi Sapate
I wouldn't have chosen to read this book based on the title, cover and genre, as I'm not a fan of science fiction or fantasy. The official OnlineBookClub review described the book as a one-of-its-kind story. Even though the story was new and different, I wasn't really attracted to the book. When I started sampling the book, for a long time there was no way to find out what the book was about (had I not known about it from the official OnlineBookClub review beforehand). Only when the Luna killed the human and rose into the air did I get an idea of what her job really was. I will not continue reading this book due to my personal preferences. However, I do think this is a fresh story for fantasy/ science fiction lovers. The sample did not contain any grammatical errors.
First Ten review added on July 23, 2020, at 2:25 am by Aditi Sapate.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
va2016
The title is not very indicative about what to expect from the book. The cover is attractive. There are only 4 Amazon customer ratings, which is not a sufficient number to decide to sample the book. The Amazon summary is pretty intriguing, but does not enough details to decide if I should sample the book or not. One of the Amazon reviews indicates that it is a time travel story. Although I am not into time travel stories, since the review mentioned that the story is really gripping, I would have sampled the book even if not for the First Ten program. As I sampled through the book, I found the narration describing the Luna's approach to a building in flames, and the reaper's warning to her about not to display her wings in public. Since I found the narration captivating, I am going to read this book in full, even though I don't like time-travel stories. I found the sample professionally edited. There were no grammatical or mechanical errors. What I liked most about the book is the narration. I could not find anything that could be improved with the book. Although I found one OBC review of the book, my decision to read the book in full is based on my own sampling.
First Ten review added on July 23, 2020, at 2:22 am by va2016.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Annelore Trujillo
I would not have sampled this book based on the genre, blurb, OBC review, cover, and title. This book about lunas did not seem like something I’d enjoy. After reading the first ten pages, I won’t be finishing this book. I did not like the premise, and I had a hard time reading about the deaths. The Luna was talking about how the death toll had to match in the end. The “hero” was a pain in the luna’s butt because he was trying to save the people that were supposed to die. I emotionally had a difficult time with this. I also wasn’t a fan of the cursing. There wasn’t anything specific that I liked. The book did seem to be professionally edited.
First Ten review added on July 23, 2020, at 1:09 am by Annelore Trujillo.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Mai Tran
I’d never have picked up this book because I couldn't grasp what it was all about from the title, cover, and blurb. The OBC review didn’t offer a lot of information either, besides saying that the book had an interesting plot, though I didn’t see anything that could have justified that claim. Needless to say, it didn't change my opinion of the book. The sample appeared well-written without any grammar error, but I found Eighty-nine’s narrative difficult to follow because she was just so depressed and whiny. Her throwing a tantrum over ice-cream was ridiculous. The fact that she must spread calamities and death to reserve the universe also seemed dark and rather illogical. I really don’t care for any of that, so I won’t continue to read this book.
First Ten review added on July 23, 2020, at 1:03 am by Mai Tran.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
MsH2k
The colors and the illustration on the cover attracted me. I would have read the blurb even if I had not been part of this program. The sample pages were interesting, and easy to read. I did not have a good feeling about the reaper talking so much to Eighty-nine. There were too many anomalies during the first event. These immortals and their work is intriguing, but I will not buy this book. There is a fantasy element that I would not appreciate. I noticed two grammatical errors in the sample pages.
At loc 185, [whom] should be [who]: “Smart phones available to any whom desire them. . .”
At loc 195, [brown toned] should be hyphenated: “Even my brown toned, moth-like wings were still wings.”
I have no suggestions for improvement. The featured OnlineBookClub review was very good, but it didn’t convince me to buy this book.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 7:33 pm by MsH2k.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Vickie Noel
At first glance, I'd have been interested in reading this book outside the progrmam because the cover looks like a YA novel. Upon discovering that is clearly isn't, I'm not sure I'd have continued reading. Sampling a few pages didn't change my mind; I didn't like the foreboding of violence when I read, "I watched as people hurled themselves from the skyscraper in an attempt to escape being burnt alive." That was just too graphic for me. I liked the author's descriptive writing style, though. I found some grammatical errors. "...to any whom desire them" really should be, "...to any who desires them" in the sentence, "Smart phones available to any whom desire them has changed the game for many." Also, "Smart phones" should also be spelled as one word. I think the book needs another round of editing. I have no other recommendations for improvement. I saw an OBC review, but it didn't affect my decision.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 7:28 pm by Vickie Noel.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Sarah_Khan
At first glance I like the cover and title, but they made me think this was a kid's book. So, I would not have sampled it. The Amazon blurb left me confused, I had no idea what to expect. This book caught my interest from the very beginning. The luna and the reaper watching the skyscraper on fire had me at the edge of my seat. I also liked the little addition of humor as the reaper points out that wings aren't exactly normal for humans. The OBC review was positive. I am happy to say that the review helped give me a better picture of the plot. This story seems very unique and I love books that keep you thinking after you're done reading. I look forward to reading the rest. I do not have any suggestions for the author.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 6:15 pm by Sarah_Khan.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Chelsy Scherba
This book has a unique set of characters. A Luna woman is recording a disaster scene, cataloging those marked for death that have orange auras. She has a conversation with a reaper and notices a rogue mortal trying to help fellow victims when he is marked for death as well. The concept has me curious as to how the Luna will deal with him. I wasn’t particularly fond of the expletives, but overall the book is enjoyable to read. I love the cover, it caught my eye immediately. The review mentioned “Six” who does something unusual, so I’m curious about that plot as well. I saw zero errors in the text. I would not have found this book outside of the program. I’m not really in the market for a book like this today, but I enjoyed the sample and will consider reading in the future.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 5:56 pm by Chelsy Scherba.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Maria Esposito
I knew I would not be interested in this book before I sampled it. The blurb is somewhat mysterious, and I do not quite understand what the book is exactly about. It gives the impression of a fantasy, which I am not really into. Furthermore, I am not particularly drawn to the cover design and title of this book. It has a couple of positive reviews on Amazon, but this did not have an impact on my initial decision. Reading the first ten pages did not make me change my mind. The main character, that seems to be a "luna," finds herself in a new place, but she forgot to check the time frame she has travelled to. She transformed into a normal woman in order to go unnoticed. Although as the book progresses the author adds some details that make me think of the main character as a butterfly, I am still confused about what a luna actually is. The author's writing style is rather engaging, but I do not like fantasy. There was nothing about the book I particularly disliked: I am simply not into this genre. The book seems to be professionally edited as I did not detect any errors. I came across an official review on Online Book Club, but this had no impact on my lack of interest in the book.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 4:04 pm by Maria Esposito.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Juliana_Isabella
I might have chosen this book because I enjoy science fiction and fantasy. The positive review also made me want to try it. I believe the author used "whom" incorrectly on the second page ("Smart phones available to any whom desire them has changed the game for so many."). I found the opening to be unrealistic, and it was difficult for me to get engaged in the book. The reaper is speaking in some sort of old English but knows about smartphones. Also, it was confusing that the narrator was alright with the humans dying and her part in it but also seemed disturbed by death. Because of these issues, I won't be finishing the book.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 1:11 pm by Juliana_Isabella.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
moowshiri
Based on one of the official reviews from OnlineBookClub that I read, I would have overlooked the book since I don't like reading science fiction. I'm also not going to read it entirely because of the aforementioned reason. However, I must applaud Kent for the attractive cover. I loved the use of first-person voice in the book. It made the storyline appear lively. The conversations also sounded real, especially those between Eighty-nine and Six. I didn't come across anything that should be improved in the book as it has no errors in the small section that I sampled.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 12:38 pm by moowshiri.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
LeDiplomatique
I would have chosen The Eclipsed by Dara Kent based on the title and cover picture because they are captivating. After reading the First Ten, I realized that it is the story of a creature(Luna) that takes count of dead souls and helps keep balance in the human world. However, I was put off by the brutality of the Luna, taking the lives of those who willed to fight death. Consequently, I will not be reading the entire book. I did not come across any errors and did not see anything to improve. I most like the creativity that went into creating the character of the Luna, and the fact that they could drift through two worlds. I came across the interesting official review and learnt that the creatures are named using numbers. However, it did not raise my curiosity so much that I would read the entire book.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 12:34 pm by LeDiplomatique.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
ritah
Based on the cover and genre, I would have sampled the book out of curiosity. After sampling the book and reading the official review, I could immediately tell why the book got the highest rating (if the first few pages are anything to go by - its amazing). The first ten pages had me hooked and wanting more. I liked the narrator's voice and hoped that he would have mercy on the resilient man, who seemed determined to survive. In addition to the captivating tale, the book appeared to be professionally edited and I saw no areas that needed improving. This one is hard to resist and is one I'm super excited for, which is why I will be reading the rest of the book.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 11:10 am by ritah.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
edztan15
The review and blurb for the book reminded me of the Mothman Prophecy, so this naturally piqued my curiosity. I liked the mystery surrounding this concept of luna, though I'm a little bit confused about whether a luna is a creature or a place, or both. Nevertheless, I had high hopes with this book, and I thought that this will be included in my TBR pile. Reading through the first few pages, I must say that it got me divided. On one hand, I was fascinated by the mythology the author is trying to create. On the other hand, I have a feeling that the book will focus more on the romance between the two protagonists. It seems like the book is written for teenagers. Unfortunately, this aspect put me off into reading the book. Though the book is well-edited since I didn't find any errors in it, I will have to take a pass on this.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 10:36 am by edztan15.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Sonya Nicolaidis
Initially, I wasn't sure if this was a children's book or not, as the cover is almost cartoon-like in its appearance. Also, the title made me think it might be about vampires, and hence I would not ordinarily have been interested. It was only upon reading the OBC reviewer's impressions of the book, did I come to realise that it was far more interesting, and I thought it deserved a closer look. I didn't see any grammatical errors in the sample which suggests a professional edit. The main idea of the story, that of a creature in charge of making sure people exit this life on time and without fail, was very unusual and interesting, and I was quite intrigued. Somehow, I didn't really enjoy the fact that these creatures are known by numbers. To me, that just makes an abstract idea even more confusing, and I'm afraid I would have trouble keeping all the numbers in order in my mind as the book progresses. I would prefer it if they had proper names. It's a great idea for a book, and I know lovers of oblique stories like this will love it. I would not read this whole book but I think it would translate really well into a movie which I would definitely watch!
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 10:14 am by Sonya Nicolaidis.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Catherine Hsu
If I had not read the sample, I would have read the book as the cover looks really interesting! After reading the sample, I have not changed my mind. The perspective was really interesting, and the book did a really good job of making us relate to the character while making that character seem special. Starting the book off with a distant visual of people jumping from a burning building was also really smart. It reminded me of Every Day by David Levithan as well, with the little insertion of fantasy into a recognizable world. It was professionally edited. I read the official review but it did not affect my decision.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 5:24 am by Catherine Hsu.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Susmita Biswas
The Eclipsed by Dara Kent is an other-fiction novel. The cover has a picture of a moth. I understood how the cover is related to the story, but I don't know how the title is related to it. It has a blurb, and it well-described the theme. There were a few customer reviews, and they were positive. The editorial reviews were also good. It has an official OnlineBookClub review. The first ten only described the other world and the immortals. I enjoyed reading it. I mostly liked the creation of that realm, and the species live in it. It doesn't need any improvements. I found only some minor typos. One of them was on location 211. The sentence was - I wasn’t sure how it happened, but once in a while a human was able to break a way from the planned pattern to throw things out of whack. I will buy this book because I want to know what is the eclipse here.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 5:17 am by Susmita Biswas.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
briellejee
Based on the cover and title, I think I would have sampled the book. The fantasy realm is something I always wanted to read about and both aspects seem to display it very well. The magical part of the story can also be seen in both aspects. As for the first few pages, I was instantly hooked. The way the author maintained that mystery all throughout without boring the reader is telling of the author's talent in storytelling. There are enough elements that just tug on your curiosity, making you want to know more. The writing style is also superb because even though the author keeps you in suspense and you already want to know everything about the lunas but at the same time you are drawn to the words. I just hope this book is worth it as it certainly looks promising for fantasy readers like myself. With that, I will be reading the rest of the book. I am inexplicably drawn to the story and want to know more about the world these lunas belong to. Eighty-nine's character is complex and intriguing, another reason why I chose to buy the book. By far, this is one of the well-written first ten pages. I found no errors and the official OBC review is goo enough to tell me to sample it.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 4:53 am by briellejee.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Melisa Jane
I wouldn't have sampled this book based on its title because it didn't give any clue on what the book is about. After sampling this book, I won't finish reading it because I'm not a fan of fantasy novels and the idea of using numbers instead of names seems unrealistic. Since this isn't my genre, I can't point out anything likable in this book. I have no improvement suggestions. I didn't find any grammatical errors while reading. This book has an official OBC review.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 4:44 am by Melisa Jane.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Elvis Best
Based on the genre of the book, I would not have read it because I'm mostly into nonfiction books. Nonetheless, after reading the first ten pages, I still would not read it because it was just not my kind of book. When I read fiction, I love to read those filled with a lot of mystery and suspense. I believe the book is professionally edited though, as I found no errors in the first ten pages. I liked the way the book was narrated in the first person, as it helped me understand the thoughts of the main character, and I do not have any suggestions for improvement. I did read an Official OnlineBookClub review that I think presented the book very well.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 4:41 am by Elvis Best.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Nikolas Farmakis
This is a fictional novel containing supernatural elements about other worlds and time travel. I would not have read this book based on its cover, its title, or its genre, as fantasy novels do not grasp my attention. I will not read this book, as I found it unoriginal and cliche. The book did not have any errors in the sample I read, hence it has been professionally edited. What I liked most about it was that it had some deep philosophical elements that made the reader stop and think about. To improve, the author should make this book more realistic, unique, and original. The book had an Official OnlineBookClub review, which did not affect my decision.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 4:39 am by Nikolas Farmakis.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Lorraine De Vos
I would have chosen to sample this book based on the cover and title. The first ten pages were amazing. The unique storyline instantly intrigued me, and the writing style kept my attention. I love the concept of there being deities that keep record of the deaths in disasters. Compassion does not come naturally for all and I think this book might eventually show the learned compassion for Ninety-Eight. Six also seems like a fascinating character. The book does appear to be professionally edited. The official OnlineBookClub review was excellent and confirmed that I will be adding this book to my reading list. I have no recommendations for improvements.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 2:57 am by Lorraine De Vos.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
J_odoyo
The Eclipsed is an engrossing fantasy that seems to be well written. The book’s cover page was smartly designed, and the title was also relevant and attractive. I liked the author’s description on the Amazon website; it was precise and informative enough to allow for an accurate guess of what to expect in the book. Its storyline is gripping and well written. The book also had a positive official OnlineBookClub review, which gave insight into what the book entails. I didn’t find any error, and I would say the book seemed to have been professionally edited. I was engaged from the first page as the author pens her startlingly smart story, following the luna creatures. These immortal and dark-thriving creatures live in luna world, where names are unheard of—they are only given numbers. Eighty-nine has been cataloging human catastrophes. Her work is to ensure that all that is planned is done without failure—to save reality. The story is promising, and I can’t stop guessing what is next. Having read the sample and the OnlineBookClub review, I’m not going to finish reading this book, because I’m not a fan of this genre.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 2:10 am by J_odoyo.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Shrabastee Chakraborty
I like the cover. The genre is one of my favorites. The official OBC review rates it a full 4 stars. Based on the review and appearance, I would have liked to read this book. The first ten pages were without editing issues. They showed the luna appearing near a burning building to count the human deaths. She meets the reaper and also encounters a human who should have died but didn't. The writing was smooth and intriguing. The premise is thought-provoking. I don't have any suggestions for improvement. I would like to read the book.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 1:25 am by Shrabastee Chakraborty.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
MeganDJ
Wow, everything about this book is captivating, from the title and cover art, to the blurb and first 10 pages, I was glued to the pages. It seems to be a great fiction novel that piques your interest in all the unknowns about death, and makes you wonder if a similar process doesn't happen in real life. I will definitely read this book at some point, as it is a captivating read to say the least. It looks like it has been well edited, as I did not find any errors in my read. What I liked best is that it presented a disaster right off the bat and gave us a glimpse of the Lunas powers and what happens in this world in times of a tragedy. I did read an Online Book Review, and I agreed with what was said, especially that the book makes you think well after you have put it down.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 12:59 am by MeganDJ.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Sanju Lali
Nothing was evident to me from the cover and the title about the book because "The Eclipsed " meant many things to me. Therefore, I thought of reading the official review of this book before buying because I wanted to know more about the premise of the story. The official review was helpful enough to let me know that the story is set in a luna world, where everyone is born adult, and instead of names, numbers are used to identify the citizens. This idea motivated me to sample the book before making a buying decision. After reading the first ten pages, I found that this book was professionally edited, as grammatical errors were not found in it. The thing l liked the most in this book is the premise with the pocket world in which its inhabitants can move in and out just by imagination. Even though the premise was good, the sentences were loaded with more than required information from diverse fields, which made it harder for me to focus on the story. My suggestion to the author is to consider the shortcoming raised by me in the above sentence so that reading becomes easier for me. Noting all these aspects of the book, I decided not to purchase and read this book today. I decided to wait until the author considers my suggestion and makes reading the book pleasurable.
First Ten review added on July 22, 2020, at 12:33 am by Sanju Lali.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
unamilagra
Before sampling this book, I may have picked it up. The OBC review made the premise sound very unique and intriguing, and I like fantasy novels. In reading the first ten pages, I was very intrigued by the idea of lunas ensuring that the right people died at the right time. I also liked her interest in humans, particularly the human who broke the mold by insisting on clinging to life and helping others. This book is fascinating to me, and I can't wait to continue reading it! I didn't notice any errors in the pages I read.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 11:59 pm by unamilagra.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Jsovermyer
The cover art with the moth wing is intriguing. I also like the title, The Eclipsed. Both would make me want to take a second look at this book. This is an unusual story about creatures whose job is to cause disasters and make sure the right people die. What happens when one creature decides to break the rules? At first I didn't like Eighty-nine when she murdered the man who was trying to run back into the building to save people. But then she began to question her job and wondered why she had to kill. The official reviewer liked the book and gave it a high rating. I found no grammatical or spelling errors and believe the book has been professionally edited. This is a very strange story. Are the lunas angels or some kind of evil creatures? I want to finish this book to find out.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 10:41 pm by Jsovermyer.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Theresa Moffitt
The title and the cover of this book are interesting to me. They make me wonder what the book is about. I would have picked this book up based on the cover alone. I haven’t read a customer review of this book yet, but I did read an Online Book Club review that was very positive. The OBC review gave the book 4 out of 4 stars. The book sounded very creative but focused on death which makes me think I might not enjoy reading it. I didn’t see any errors in the first ten pages so I believe the book was professionally edited. I didn’t see anything that the author could improve upon. The first ten pages describe a scene where many people are jumping from a building to their deaths and the characters are talking about taking them somewhere after they die. The first ten pages didn’t make me interested enough in the story to want to finish the book. It also seems very dark and sad, so I will not finish reading this book.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 10:39 pm by Theresa Moffitt.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Laura Lee
If you like books that explore new storylines, this is the book for you! It's well-written and professionally edited. The Amazon blurb isn't lengthy, but it gives a good idea of the book. The review says more and is nicely analytical. What I liked the best was that this isn't your standard, done-to-death trope. This is brand new! There was nothing in the writing itself I disliked. It really is well-written. That said, I won't be finishing reading it. It's too dark for my taste and I don't care for the genre. But if you want to try something new, this is definitely that!
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 10:08 pm by Laura Lee.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Kaitlyn Canedy
I likely would have skipped the sample of The Eclipsed if it was not the OnlineBookClub's book of the day. The cover is beautiful, and I liked the quote at the beginning before the first chapter. This quote is enough to give those that are sampling an idea of what kind of plot the book has. However, this fictional book hits a bit too close to home right now due to personal issues, so I will be skipping on it. I will say that I did not find any grammatical errors at all, nor could I think of any suggestions for improvement. I could find nothing to dislike about it. There is an official OnlineBookClub review, and it is very descripive and gives potential readers a clear picture of what the book entails. Readers that enjoy fictional books may very well enjoy this one.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 9:17 pm by Kaitlyn Canedy.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Stephanie Runyon
The cover is impressive and the OBC review was done well. The science fiction genre isn't one of my favorites. The dialogue between the luna and reaper seemed short but effective. The description of the catastrophe lends to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World trade center buildings. I don't particularly like the luna character nor the duties it is assigned to doing. It seemed to be a well-edited book but I would not have sampled this due to the genre. I won't be reading the rest as I don't like the story.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 7:57 pm by Stephanie Runyon.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
kljrox
The cover and title would not have drawn me in enough to want to read this book, however, after reading the sample, I now want to read more. The author does a great job of grabbing my attention right from the beginning with the character Eighty-nine working the disaster. My favorite part is the descriptive writing style the author has and I could almost feel the heat from the burning building as she killed the stubborn human. Everything I've read so far seems to be professionally edited. Between the OBC review and the sample I read, I will definitely be reading the rest of the book. The genre is something I am interested in and the writing is captivating.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 7:54 pm by kljrox.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
elisathelvarik
I probably would have chosen this book based on its title, cover, description, and reviews. I used to read a lot of fiction with a supernatural element to it. I haven't been looking into books like this one lately, but if I found it without OnlineBookClub, I would add it to my wishlist. The official review gave me a good idea of the plot and mystery of the book which piqued my interest in the first place. I am going to buy and read this book eventually because I am curious as to what happens to Six. I thought the sample would be boring because the drama usually does not start in the sample, but I love the elements written in the sample. It sets up the world of reapers and lunas quite nicely. I feel like the immortals are very hard to understand just from reading the description, but the sample explains it very well. I love the appearance of the lunas. The cover shows a moth, which confused me, but after reading the sample, it makes more sense. I loved the ten pages that I read and could not find any notes for improvement. I did not find any errors or typos. The book seems well-edited.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 6:37 pm by elisathelvarik.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Brenda Creech
I was intrigued by the title and cover of this book as soon as I saw it. I would have checked it out out of curiosity alone. After reading the official review, I was intrigued, but unsure if I wanted to delve into a genre that I typically avoid and read this book. The sample I read was engaging, well-written, and well-edited. I did not find any errors. I couldn't think of anything that needed to be changed or improved. My favorite part was how the lunas' fly at night after they have completed a job. That was, however, the only part I liked. Based on the official review, I expected the relationship between Eighty-nine and Six to be more of a love story relationship. Based on the sample I read, it was more of a buddy relationship. I was looking forward to a romance between them. The story is unique but wasn't holding my interest as I read it. I found it off-putting with Eighty-nine having to kill people with her bare hands. This genre has never been a favorite of mine and still does not appeal to me after reading part of this book. I don't plan to finish reading this book. It is not the type of story that interests me.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 6:25 pm by Brenda Creech.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Verna Coy
Had I not sampled this book through the First Ten program, I would not have chosen the book because the title and premise didn’t appeal to me. For this reason, I don’t intend to buy and read the whole book today. Reading the first ten pages didn’t change my mind. The dark concept of entities coming to earth to make sure humans die when they should doesn’t intrigue me. Based on what I read the book seems professionally edited. I didn’t see errors in the first ten pages. What I liked most about what I read is the way the author communicated how the main character craves light. I know that fans of the fantasy genre will like aspects of this book. As far as improvements, considering the genre, I could see no need for any in what I read. I did read the Official Online Book Club review and found it insightful. It didn’t affect my views of the book.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 5:53 pm by Verna Coy.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Odette Chace
I don't like the cover as I hate moths. The title didn't make a strong impression. The synopsis on Amazon is interesting but irritatingly vague. The official Online Book Club review gave the book a perfect rating of 4 out of 4 stars and made me more interested in reading the book. "Free will is a thing to a certain degree, but there were still parameters" (12% of sample). There are still parameters. I enjoyed the sample much more than I anticipated and am eager to finish reading the book. It was fascinating to learn about lunas, because they seem like many other mythical beings but are also quite unique.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 5:29 pm by Odette Chace.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
AvidBibliophile
I find the cover art to be quite visually appealing, and the layout appears to have been professionally rendered. The Amazon product description is mysteriously vague but simultaneously curious in its ability to further entice and intrigue. We all seem to ponder our ultimate purpose in life, and traumatic loss touches us all in turn, but this premise seems to approach the topic in a uniquely fresh way, especially with calamities of massive human extinguishment. Death tallies and endless existences are not for the faint of heart. This book appears to have been professionally edited, although on page 2, there is an issue with matched subject-verb plurality in: "Smart phones (has) changed the game for many." In the last portion of chapter 1, the compound verb "live streamed" should also be hyphenated. The one published OBC review is complimentary in every regard, as are the 4 currently posted Amazon user ratings. Since the genre of paranormal fantasy with occult-fiction components seems appealing to me, I will gladly read the remainder of this title. I am anxious to learn more about how the reapers and lunas fit and function as interlocking cogs within the complex machinations of our universe.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 5:25 pm by AvidBibliophile.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Adrianna Melillo
To be completely honest, the cover of this book made me think this is a children's book (this might be due to the animated moth wings and big, gold letters). Because of this, I would not have bought it or looked into it further. Luckily, the Official OnlineBookClub review was there to clear my confusion, as well as get me pretty interested in the story! In reading the sample, I really enjoyed the way this book begins in the middle of the action. Even more impressive was the author's ability to provide detailed character descriptions in the midst of the action. Additionally, I only found one grammatical error: " ... let alone etiquette[-]encouraged pleasantries." Otherwise, I really cannot think of anything that needs improving. While I really enjoyed this sample, for now I'm going to pass on this book. This is because I read so many books like it in high school (sci-fi, fantasy, etc.) that, at this point, I'm a little burnt out. Having said that, I will keep it in mind and will happily recommend it to anyone interested in the genre!
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 5:15 pm by Adrianna Melillo.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Fernando222
If I hadn't read the first ten pages of the book, The Eclipsed by Dara Kent, I wouldn't have decided to read it based on its cover because the cover doesn't portray the exact content in the book. I developed an interest to sample this book when I came across its official review on OBC. I will not be buying and reading the whole book, not because I didn't find the characters appealing, but because I'm not a fan of sci-fi books. The book did seem professionally edited, and I saw no errors/typos. I liked that the story courageous characters. I think the author could improve the cover.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 4:35 pm by Fernando222.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Caffrey_19
I was obliged to sample the book, The Eclipsed by Dara Kent, after seeing an official review and comments on OBC. The book seemed professionally edited, and I rarely encountered any grammar errors/typos. Although if I hadn’t read the first ten pages of the book, I would still have sampled it in the first place because the story reminds me of a movie titled DIVERGENT. I liked that the storyline is thought-provoking and I will buy and read the whole book based on that. I think the characters could’ve had better names.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 4:24 pm by Caffrey_19.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Twylla
I enjoyed the text I read, but I would not buy and read this book. Science Fiction Fantasy books are not a priority for me. But the story of the lunas makes a compelling plot. I just read the sample text on Amazon and in that short time, I started to care about Six and Eighty-Nine. The idea that there are lunas and reapers that preside over death is very interesting. It was sad that the lunas cannot have relationships and care about each other, although Six and Eighty-Nine were very close. I liked the author's use of language – it drew me into the story in just a short time. It is a good book; it is just not a book I am particularly drawn to.
Based on the text that I read, the book seems well written and professionally edited. I did not see any errors in the text that I read. My favorite thing about the book is the artwork on the cover. Beautiful!
A possible improvement would be to include a definition of the words “lunas” and ”reapers” at the beginning of the book, including their purpose and the details of their existence. The official review on onlinebookclub.org was great and represented the book well.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 3:23 pm by Twylla.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Kelyn
Even if I hadn't been a member of this program, it is entirely likely that the cover, title, and genre of this book would have encouraged me to pick it up. I am a huge fan of sci-fi/fantasy, and the cover and title taken together point solidly in that direction. The author is unknown to me, so that would not have affected my decision. The blurb gave just enough information to intrigue my curiosity, but to be honest, I made my decision to read the book the moment one of the customer reviews compared it to "Sixth Sense." Unfortunately, I did not see a review explicitly identified as being from this program. If I had, I would have been interested in what the reviewer had to say. The sample did not disappoint. This seems to be a dystopian novel, not on a human level, but on a supernatural plane. I've fallen in love with eighty-nine and six's relationship (even if it is platonic) and am anxious to discover what will happen next. Although the book did seem to be well-edited, I found one error in the sample. This was: “No, any in the Archives were there to do a job, and didn’t relish being interrupted for any reason, let alone etiquette encouraged pleasantries.” “encouraged” should be “encouraging”
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 3:13 pm by Kelyn.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Laura Ungureanu
I like the book's cover, and the title is intriguing. The OBC review didn't make a compelling case since it confused me a lot. I didn't understand what lunas were, so I'm glad that I checked out the book for myself. The sample captures the conversation between a luna and a reaper. I loved the writing style, but I'm still confused as to what is happening. Although this was a nice experience, I don't think I would enjoy this dystopian world filled with calamities. It's not something I tend to go for in books. The sample seemed professionally edited.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 2:20 pm by Laura Ungureanu.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
aacodreanu
Had I not actually sampled the first ten pages as part of this program, I would have chosen to read or sample this book based on the cover: the wing represented there seems to be that of a butterfly but then there is a light globe behind, which, corroborated with the title, ”The Eclipsed”, makes one guess it is the moon. Also, the heavy-duty fantasy genre is to my liking, and the editorial review that I saw confirmed that this is a book that I would like to read. I hope I will be able to buy and read the whole book. I would much prefer to also review it, otherwise, as much as I want to read it, the books that I am supposed to review take precedence. Reading not just the first ten pages, but the entire section offered for sampling, reinforced my first mind so to say. The book seems like it was professionally edited. I did find a typo somewhere but the pages were not numbered so I cannot give the exact spot. They forgot one ”o” in ”look”, so instead of ”have a look” it remained ”have a lock”. I liked the idea of supernatural beings having feelings and habits and behaviors just like us, mortals. I do not see anything that could be improved.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 2:19 pm by aacodreanu.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Diana Lowery
I wish that I liked science fiction. There are so many good books on the market, but they just do not hold my interest. So, for that reason, I will not finish reading the book. At first, I thought this was a children's book because of the colorful cover. The blurb and the review assured me that this was an adult book. There were a few comma errors in the first ten pages such as "...its dark garb [,]and familiar power signature." The comma is not needed. I did notice some profanity, so if the author wishes to appeal to a larger or younger audience, she might think about removing those words.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 2:17 pm by Diana Lowery.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Jorge Leon Salazar
The story is narrated from the perspective of the third person from the point of view of a supernatural female. Eighty-nine was a being of a luna kind, who arrives at sites where deaths must occur, where she meets a reaper. Eighty-nine aimed to finalize the deaths of humans and then consumed their souls from which she fed. There was an apparent rule that when someone is marked to die they should do it and it was part of luna's job to get it done. The lunas were born adults they had no parents, they were only identified as numbers.
With what I read in the sample, the plot is not completely clear. I found the luna species a bit strange, the relationship with humans is not clear. I found it odd that being supernatural they craved chocolate and were sexually allured to humans. The plot is interesting, although a complex one since it is uneasy to place all aspects in context. Some facts seem to be key later, for instance, reincarnation since the lunas realize they recognize the taste of a soul that they have already consumed before.
It is already visualized that Eighty-nine and Six question their existence and presume it can be a punishment for things they did in past lives. The official review helps to elucidate the plot a little more but ultimately I think I will not read the rest of the book. The cover is beautiful and plain but it is in keeping with the title and content of the book. The edition seems outstanding as I didn't observe any errors.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 1:07 pm by Jorge Leon Salazar.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Howlan
The cover looks simple and nice. The synopsis does not give us much information about this book. The Amazon reviews and the official OBC review provide us with a much better understanding of what this book is actually about. The first ten pages present Eighty-Nine, a luna whose job is to make sure the designated people die during any particular disaster. If anything happens out of the ordinary her job is to make sure everything falls in place. The first ten pages start off with her at a disaster and later returning back to base and meeting with her best friend Six. She describes more about the luna and her recent blues over the discrepancy that occurred at her recent mission. The story is fairly unoriginal and the first ten pages really fail to grab my attention. The story is quite mediocre and I do not feel much thrill or action in the first ten pages. So, I am not going to buy and read this book as I am not interested in the story. No typos were found in the first ten pages. I found nothing to improve in the first ten pages. The Official Review is present, and the reviewer rates it highly.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 12:46 pm by Howlan.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Emy Katherine
I found the cover captivating, but I would not have read and sampled the book without The First Ten program. Because I am not fond of paranormal novels, I am not interested in reading the adventure story of an immortal creature named Eighty-nine, who embarks on a dangerous journey to bring her dead friend back to life. Therefore, I did not change my mind after reading the sample and OBC review. The dialogues were engaging, and I had no problem connecting with Eighty-nine thanks to the author's descriptive writing style. I could easily feel her feelings of insecurity and neediness and her desire to live a different life. However, I would suggest another round of editing because of some distracting errors I noticed while sampling the book. For example, it should be written "brown-toned" in the following sentence: "Even my brown toned, moth-like wings were still wings." (location 196 of 578 • 34%) There should not be a comma after "vision" in the following sentence: "As I entered the building, smoke clouded my vision, and burned my throat." (location 219 of 578 • 38%)
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 12:12 pm by Emy Katherine.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
LinaJan
‘The Eclipsed’ by Dara Kent immediately captured my attention. I found the cover mesmerizing, and the title ominous. After reading the description on LinkedIn’s ‘Book of the Day’ page, I felt overcome by anticipation of something menacing and eerie. By a suspicion that this is one of those books which, upon putting it down, leaves the reader with a thought, ‘My world will never be the same again.’ It was a while since I was overcome by such strong emotion just by reading ABOUT a book. The official onlinebookclub.org review had confirmed my impression of this piece. Having had the opportunity to sample ‘The Eclipsed,’ I learned that the books had been professionally edited and proofread, as well as written in a very reader-friendly flow. When I approached the end of the available sample, I felt a sort of emptiness, like lunas do. I could not help but purchase it. I cannot wait to be brought back into their world of eeriness and longing.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 10:26 am by LinaJan.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Imperio
Before reading the first ten pages, I would have still chosen to read this book because I really like imaginative stories like this. The book review on Online Book Club did a great job of assuring me that this book was right up my alley. After reading the first ten pages, I am even more sure that I would read this whole book. The first ten pages were captivating. I was right in the middle of an eventful fire and within the very first chapter, I understood the world that I would be sucked into (or rather, the universe). I most liked the narration present within the first ten pages; the main character had a very strong voice. There was nothing I really disliked, though I will mention that there were one or two sentences that seemed choppy. Another round of editing might do this book well. Overall, though, I am not only sure that I would read a book like this after the first ten pages, I think I'm going to continue reading this book now.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 9:45 am by Imperio.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Gabrielle Sigaki
The Eclipsed by Dara Kent is a fiction book with fantasy, time travel, and friendship. It's about the lives of beings who are responsible for maintaining the world's reality, bringing questions and reflections about existence. Its Official OnlineBookClub review encouraged me to sample this book, making me interested in the premise. After reading the first pages, I decided to continue to read it. The story is very gripping, the characters are captivating, but what I most liked were the inquiries about their lives, their origin, the meaning of their existence. Besides, the book seems professionally edited, and I don't think there's anything to be improved.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 8:59 am by Gabrielle Sigaki.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
From my first impressions, I wouldn't have chosen to read the book because I thought this was just another young adult fantasy. Even if the blurb is attractive and concise, and the book has good ratings, this is not a preferred genre of mine.
But I was so wrong! I loved the first ten pages. The opening quote: "To the light I fly, to watch you all die" truly scared me. My favorite assets so far are the descriptions and the though-provoking questions that this novel presents. The descriptions are accurate without being verbose. For example, "I was the real life equivalent to background noise." I also like how, through the eyes of the moth, one can ponder questions about our own nature. She (she? it?) wonders, for example, "What is it about certain humans that make them different? How and why is he able to act outside of the pattern the universe has planned for him when so many can’t?" The author acknowledges the unpredictability of human nature and the challenges modern age pose and this makes for a very unique and intriguing plot. I've always had a soft spot for urban legends and the sliver of truth that could be in them and this book explores this and so much more.
I didn't find editing mistakes. The book has an official review that heightened my enthusiasm. I would suggest including a passage or even the opening quote in the blurb to make it more attractive.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 8:57 am by María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Scerakor
From the cover, blurb, and review of this book, I might have read it. The concept behind the book seemed interesting and the review was glowing. After reading the first ten pages I changed my mind and therefore will not be buying and reading the rest of this book. I enjoyed how the premise and the promise of action was apparent immediately in the first chapter. After reading about the luna breaking the man's neck, it was clear how this book was likely to flow. That being said, I got the impression from the first ten pages that the book was going to be a little bit too far into the fantasy realm for me. I didn’t see anything specific that I would have wanted to change within the sample that I read, but it did seem well written and edited. The official review did not affect my decision at all.
First Ten review added on July 21, 2020, at 7:29 am by Scerakor.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Total ~ 39%
The Eclipsed earned a score of 39%.
In other words, out of the top-level reviewers who read at least the first 10 pages of this book, 39% plan to read the whole book.
IMPORTANT: Any score over 10% is considered very good. And any score above 0% is acceptable.
Over a million books are published each year. Any given person could not even read .0001% of the books out there. This means readers have to be very selective. Even taking the time to look over reviews and blurbs, let alone read samples, is more time than most readers can afford for most books. The First Ten is a powerful focus group that addresses those issues. It creates a helpful tool for authors, publishers, and other readers.
Go to main Bookshelves page for The Eclipsed
