"His work reasserts the belief that all writers try to keep believing: What we write on the page can become an agent of change."
Welcome to Books by Joe King
REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
A Salted Slug: Such an interesting absurdity and I loved it!
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Amy's Bookshelf Reviews
King pens an interesting story in A Salted Slug by Joe King. Yes, it's a grand as the title (I get the pun of the title, and loved that). I am a big fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I read. Reading King's work before, I knew what to expect from his writing style, and it has grown, and yet, his keen wit and story ideas seem endless and yes, absurd (which I love this word, especially in such a compliment when talking about this author's work). This author brings the story to life. I love it when a Legacy author sends me more of their work! King's imagination takes on a new level as he tells the tales of conspiracy and what could this red orb possibly be? The story brings in the believable, even if almost impossible. This book deserves a second read! (and maybe more). The characters are so engrossing. I just love, love, love this story. This author not only tells the story but shows it with words as well. Definitely an unpredictable story, my favorite kind! Wow! A Salted Slug is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
A Salted Slug: Celebrating the daunting quest for the truth in a compelling, strangely-familiar dystopian society
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Steph Cabell
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King immediately dips the reader into world that is all-too-easy to picture for imaginative readers who delight in a healthy dose of skepticism and conspiracy.
The author balances the heft of the reality he paints with the even loftier plight of the preservation of certain freedoms and for truth in journalism.
The subtle, yet poignant details that he carefully litters throughout this book make it effortless to slip into the world he depicts.
The main character is a former "government" reporter who is fired and continues to pursue journalism through the only other option left - an "entertainment-only" outlet, in which they have to bury the truth carefully in warped pieces, as the government has a stronghold on "non-approved" journalism.
While the author alludes to the daunting direction our own reality finds us heading in, it leaves the reader with a sense of an almost-personal victory and pride in cheering on the protagonist as he persistently fights to unveil the truth for the greater good in this nail-biting mystery.
A Salted Slug: What's the truth behind that red orb?
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Author P.S. Winn
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This is a different kind of story that blends a man's struggles with a conspiracy. Governments are known to hide secrets and Zander Kain is a reporter trying to find out what is really happening. Zander, once an insider, is fighting against those who fill the airwaves and newspapers with dangerous lies. The author writes a book that is a page-turner and reader-friendly. I like the way the author's storytelling draws the reader in and makes you feel like you are in the story.
RAW EGG: This Book Will Keep You Guessing
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Nancy Winterburn Tulloch
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This book will keep you guessing and wondering; if the main character is crazy or just a little out of touch. For me, I found this story highly imaginative, creatively written with characters who lent feelings and emotion to the story. Secondary characters also added excitement and new angles to this ever-evolving story. Poetry lovers will appreciate the added verses of poetry the author uses to break up the story and or to add to the feelings of the moment.
I like the visual of the young would-be author, typing tirelessly on his ancient typewriter all the while crumpling pages up and throwing them away as he wrote.
I don't like to give spoilers away in my reviews; just know that for me, this was a first class story, funny and sad at times but definitely a story to be read when craving something totally different from other indie-author offerings available now.
"Clara's leg bounces up and down. She takes a series of deep breaths and exhales a gust of cherry scented air. Clara holds her hand inside of mine and I fixate on the bump in her French nose. My work is finally unleashed to the world."
"Intolerance and impatience nibbled at my soul."
RAW EGG: PUTS THE READER IN THE STORY
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Washington Foot Team Staff Writer Zach Selby​
This book is an interesting take on a classic premise. The characters are full of life and make you want to get to know them and see how they develop.
But it isn't just the characters that make this book worthy of being picked it. It's the delightful and entertaining storytelling that keeps you going from beginning to end. The description is so immersive that it makes the reader feel like they are actually in the story, rather than just being a spectator.
Gregor is the embodiment of the every writer. Dry, sarcastic, funny (and a bit arrogant at times). Every aspiring writer can find something to love about this book, whether it be Gregor's self-perception as a literary genius or his family's constant jabs at finding a job that pays better.
All in all, it's difficult for me to find the time to sit down and read a book from cover to cover, but this one made it easy. A tip of the hat to Mr. King and the mastery of literature he has displayed.
RAW EGG: Sartre Meets Seinfeld
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Rosemary Pooser
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If Jean-Paul Sartre, risen from the grave, was asked to re-write Seinfeld, the result would be Raw Egg. When the noted French philosopher and playwright, asked why he removed the slapstick humor and turned it into an absurdist existential piece, he might have said, "Every existing thing is born without reason, prolongs itself out of weakness and dies by chance." Of course, Sartre didn't write it. Joe King did. It's creative and unique, but you'll have to stay on your toes to follow the narrative. If you do, the result is a satisfying experience.
HUMAN ANTS: Intense and Eclectic Poetry
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Amy's Bookshelf Reviews
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King's Human Ants is a collection of ... well ... eclectic poetry. Each poem was intense and raw and delved from deep within the psyche of this talented writer. It is not the first book that I've read from King, and it won't be the last. I re-read several of the poems, wondering what would come next and what jumped into the mind to write interesting things, and it doesn't matter. In some ways, the words could be confusing to everyone but the mind it came from, but I found it easy to follow and interpret if you take a minute to do so.
HUMAN ANTS: Captivating and Powerful
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Author Cameron J. Quinn
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Human Ants was the first book of poetry I have picked that wasn’t Edger Allen Poe, in a very ling time. I had completely forgotten how captivating it can be and how powerful so few lines can effect you.
My absolute favorite was one toward the beginning of the book called Advice to a younger Sister. I’m not sure if this piece spoke to me because I’m a younger sister or because I have two younger step sisters but it filled me with familiar feelings. Feelings of resignation as well as protectiveness and that fierceness that fills you right before you contradict someone or make an opposing argument.