This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
A Very Religious Man by D. M. Smith is a well-written story about religious manipulation, a compelling narrative with strong elements of dystopia. Brother Tom is a driven man and while he appears imperturbable, he has his inner demons to reckon with. In another life, he haunted street alleys by night, went into hiding by day, and ate whatever scraps of food he could steal or find. Now, he has returned to Andersonville to preach a new truth, and every morning the number of people listening to his early morning sermon increases. The town survived the Cargo Flu but people have struggled to survive, depending on the land for the past twenty years. As Brother Tom's faith finds new believers, the membership grows. Yet one convert sees something wrong in the new faith and starts questioning its dissonance with the truth. Is Brother Tom's faith helping the town to create a better life or is it stopping them from embracing the liberating truth that can help them take control of their destiny?
D. M. Smith writes in lyrical prose and the setting in a coastal town is stunningly depicted. From the first page, readers are drawn in by the wonderful imagery of a figure emerging from the waters. The descriptive prose is seasoned with intriguing and lively dialogues. The post-apocalyptic world is vividly brought to life, with the remnants of a lost civilization serving as a haunting backdrop to the narrative. The stark contrast between the desolation of the land and the flicker of hope represented by the two young innovators working on electric power is a strong plot element on which the tension is built. The conflict between Brother Tom's faith and the burgeoning optimism of the town's inhabitants is central and readers will be keen to know how this conflict ends. I enjoyed the way Smith builds motivation in the characters, the intelligence with which he develops the theme of religious manipulation, and the unique care given to the setting. A Very Religious Man is one of those stories that absorb readers, making them feel they are part of the plot.