Official Review: Once in a Blue Year by Michael D. Durkota

[bookowlie]

Thanks. The main characters felt so real that I wondered if the author based them on people he knew.

[zeldas_lullaby]

Yeah, that makes sense. Well, he definitely sounds like a great writer.

[bookowlie]

I also thought the title was kind of catchy.

[zeldas_lullaby]

It is nifty. A play on "once in a blue moon," I guess?

[Cee-Jay Aurinko]

Yes, the subject matter is old, but for some reason - and this includes books revolving around the transition of soldiers to civilian life - I like reading war stories. A good one is always hard to find and considering your summary of the plot, I would definitely read this.

Excellent review, bookowlie! You never disappoint.

Well done to the author for a four star rating. Your book definitely sounds like a winner!

[bookowlie]

Yes, the subject matter is old, but for some reason - and this includes books revolving around the transition of soldiers to civilian life - I like reading war stories. A good one is always hard to find and considering your summary of the plot, I would definitely read this.

Excellent review, bookowlie! You never disappoint.

Well done to the author for a four star rating. Your book definitely sounds like a winner!

Thanks Leon! I rated the book 3 stars for a few reasons, but I still enjoyed the book.

[Cee-Jay Aurinko]

@bookowlie

Get what you're saying. I just read a similar book that was filled with realistic characters.

[bookowlie]

@bookowlie

Get what you're saying. I just read a similar book that was filled with realistic characters.

The main characters have stayed with me days after I finished the book.

[Tanaya]

I agree with everyone that this was such a great review! I particularly enjoyed your opinion on crafting characters.

[bookowlie]

It is nifty. A play on "once in a blue moon," I guess?

I assumed the same thing. I also think it's memorable and that's always good for marketing purposes.

-- 04 Aug 2015, 09:37 --

I agree with everyone that this was such a great review! I particularly enjoyed your opinion on crafting characters.

Thanks Tanaya. With the main characters, the author did a great job of making them layered and flawed. I liked that they weren't strictly good or bad, although they didn't always make the best choices.

[bluemel4]

@bookowlie

Get what you're saying. I just read a similar book that was filled with realistic characters.

The main characters have stayed with me days after I finished the book.

Having a book stay with you after reading it is always a wonderful sign.

[bookowlie]

Very true. You know, I struggled with the rating. There were reasons I didn't give it 4 stars. Still, in this case, I really wish there was a 5-star or half-star rating system.

[bluemel4]

I just added this to my to-read list. Between your review and subsequent comments this seems like a must read.

[bookowlie]

Just be prepared....it's a slow read.

[Cee-Jay Aurinko]

@bluemel4

Slow reads...

Like, "does this book have a ending?"

And when you conclude...

Like, "phew!"