On Monday my publicist sent me a list of the magazines, newspapers, and web sites that we know are planning to review Bad Monkeys. The list includes publication dates, but in most cases there’s no indication whether the review will be positive or negative (Men’s Health is reviewing Monkeys in their September “Must Have” column, so I’m thinking that one’s probably a thumbs up). One of the most important items on the list is the Associate Press review, because that one is syndicated and will run in dozens if not hundreds of places. Fortunately I didn’t have much time to bite my nails over it — it started appearing online yesterday. Here’s an excerpt:
Drawing on story lines and characters from many a science fiction novel and movie, Ruff nevertheless continually surprises. With tight plot twists and an utterly engaging main character, familiar images of the doubting psychiatrist, the suited assassin and the reluctant hero take on new life and are sustained with overflowing energy… “Bad Monkeys” is a short read and if you have the time, it will be difficult to put down. Rarely is a book that flirts with both the nature of reality and theories of good and evil so absolutely entertaining in a “do-not-talk-to-me-until-I-am-done-reading” way.
I couldn’t have asked for a better publication day present. Thanks, AP.