Once Upon a Good Reviewer

Raul Martinez, Jr. reviews "Once Upon A Bad Hombre"

Nobody benefits more from the efforts of a reviewer to read a book and post his or her take on it than...other potential readers. You may have thought that I would say that the author benefits most. And maybe it's equal. But I say the reader him or herself is the one who gains more at that point because a reviewer informs a reader's preferences, touching upon topics which might either make you decide to read a book or completely ignore it.

Of course, the author also benefits greatly because the more opinions about the book are out there floating around informing others about the work the better. It's the act of having a third person (not the author or publisher) giving an honest opinion or take on a newly released book that is invaluable for both the reader of the book and its author. And for those very reasons I would like to thank the most prominent reviewer in the Rio Grande Valley, Raul Martinez, Jr. (pictured above) for his great work in putting the word out about local and regional authors and their works of literature.

I am honored to have gotten such a review as you will read below. I mean, putting my book up there in the realm of storytelling the likes of Quentin Tarantino is beyond humbling and encouraging. I happen to love every movie by that director. In fact, this book started off as a movie script. If you get your own copy and read it, you will see how it flows like a movie. You can see the different scenarios and characters very clearly. But enough about my awesomeness as a writer of fiction, read the review and get the book! :) 

-Gabriel Hugo
Ps. If you leave me even a one sentence review on Amazon it would help others who want to know about my book and it would help me know what you thought of it...so thanks for that!
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Review by Raul Martinez, Jr. 
​"#OnceUponABadHombre by #GabrielHugo, is a bit over 100 pgs -- more a novella. The ending left me unsure if a sequel is intended; if not, then it emphasizes the NOIR feel to this story (reminding me of the ominous conclusion to one novel by Brian Allen Carr). The title hints at present-day xenophobia taken to its extreme here, in a type of dystopian horror... w/ a shade of Quentin Tarantino.

In fact, that director's style is reflected by a couple of bizarre scenarios, e.g. when one character acts like a vigilante, only to suddenly exude sympathy. My only critique is toward the notion of Catholic clergy willing to bless penitents w/ ashes not strictly from burnt palm leaves -- but I willingly suspended my disbelief, due to the tale's unusual circumstances. I got a kick out of the over-the-top host of the "Ancient Aliens"-type TV show."