I thought I'd collect all the professional reviews for my latest novel, Raised on Rock, in one place. Thanks for reading and supporting me.
from Kirkus
Drago departs from the horror genre in this existential tale of an ex-rocker’s
late-in-life coming-of-age.
Dante Rose is currently the assistant manager at grocery store Food Castle, but he still plays local solo gigs here and there. He also obsesses about his time, eight years ago, with Thorn, a rock band that almost made it big before its lead quitarist, Joe Mars, left to form a new group. His wife, Penny Rose, also believed in the dream of Thorn, and the couple chose not to have children in expectation of its success—a decision that’s now eating at them both in different ways. Drago painstakingly constructs his characters, revealing information during mundane events—store checkouts, employee small talk, a poker game. Several events help to define the characters and propel them toward self-discovery: Penny finds a lump in her breast; criminals pass counterfeit bills at Food Castle; Clark Gufney, one of the employees, finds his wife cheating on him; and Dante hunts down and reconnects with his former band mates. Each storyline resonates off the others like the notes of a chord. Drago generates interest through the tension of awaiting doctor appointments and test results, the camaraderie of Dante and his fellow workers, and the unraveling mystery surrounding the band’s reunion—which, in Dante’s mind, hinges on the enigmatic Thorn destroyer and possible redeemer, Joe Mars. Throughout, the book is packed with musical minutiae, from the names of famous and obscure bands, musicians, and songs to the chord structures of Dante’s songwriting. Drago also wields character names like a literary grenadier: Dante, who journeys through his own personal hell; Thorn, the memory that’s forever stuck in his side; Mars, the militaristic force that controlled the life and death of the band.
A thoughtful, elegantly written book that will particularly appeal to musicians and music fans.
Plot: The plot here is, unfortunately, an emotionally downhill ride from beginning to end. Nevertheless, readers will become invested in Dante, who is basically a "good guy" archetype who loves his wife. Overall, the storyline is strong, if disheartening, but where it falls short is with the subplots.
Prose: Drago is a talented writer who uses language discerningly and does a great job with composing dialogue, perfectly matching it to his characters and their distinctive personalities.
Originality: A has-been rocker struggling to survive is not your average subject matter, and readers will delight in this emotional roller coaster ride. Drago creates a unique setting populated with distinct and original characters that transport the reader into a whole new world.
Character Development: The author does a superb job with characterization. Dante is more than a stereotypical former rocker who gets drunk, picks fights, and writes songs, although he does engage in all of those activities. He's also a multifaceted and compassionate man who cares deeply about his wife. Ancillary characters, particularly Clark, are also well-defined.
A corker of a novel with all the hallmarks of a best seller, Raised On Rock proves an exceptional read and is recommended without reservation.
Dante Rose has been enthralled by rock and roll since he was young, and chased that rocker lifestyle for years through small-town North Carolina with his band Thorn. Although high school is now far behind him, it is difficult to shift his mindset, or find new goals besides hitting it big and getting the recognition he so desperately craves.
Dante is supported by his wife, Penny, who understands his determination, but also sees the massive toll that years of disappointment have taken on her husband. Dante believes that if he could convince Joe Mars – the old lead guitarist – to come back to the band, even just to record an album, they could finally take their shot at stardom.
The interplay of these characters is what makes the novel so striking and engaging. The husband-wife dynamics are delicate and well-crafted, and Drago is highly skilled at slowly building tension between friends both old and new. Similarly, the plot is leaked out slowly, from countless angles and small contributions from peripheral characters. The bitter history of Thorn, Dante Rose’s place in the town, his strained relationship with his parents, and the feelings of self-loathing residing in his gut develop gradually as the chapters unfold.
In some ways, Dante is also an unreliable narrator, which always makes for a compelling read. Artists of all kinds tend to look at their own lives in a more romanticized way, often making it difficult for them to accept the hardest truths about their abilities. As this novel reaches its climax, the chances of reuniting the band seem smaller than ever, and the world continues to pile on Dante’s shoulders, threatening to crush his spirit and his lifelong aspiration.
Capturing such intense emotions on the page is no easy task, but Drago seems to understand the mental space of lofty dreamers, and has personal experience in the small streets of North Carolina, where the idea of “getting out” is ever-present. There is an authenticity in every scene, from card games and dive bars to hospital visits and deeply emotional conversations. The novel is an homage to would-be rock gods, but also a portrait of small-town America, where survival is often dependent on not giving up hope, foolish as that may be. Growing up can happen at any age, and Thomas Drago provides a profound and touching peek into that painful, universally recognizable process.
The terse, choppy writing style is fitting for the characters and tone, although it somewhat limits the descriptive power of the narration. In terms of editing, the book is cleanly written and polished, with few wasted words and believable dialogue between all the characters. Furthermore, the moments of self-reflection and Dante’s inner monologues are used effectively to keep readers in the loop, without spoon-feeding them plot details or internal revelations.
As a whole, Raised on Rock is a deeply relatable novel of family bonds, loyalty, love and lies, with the sharp, passionate edge of a rock ‘n’ roll origin story.
4.5/5
Dante Rose is currently the assistant manager at grocery store Food Castle, but he still plays local solo gigs here and there. He also obsesses about his time, eight years ago, with Thorn, a rock band that almost made it big before its lead quitarist, Joe Mars, left to form a new group. His wife, Penny Rose, also believed in the dream of Thorn, and the couple chose not to have children in expectation of its success—a decision that’s now eating at them both in different ways. Drago painstakingly constructs his characters, revealing information during mundane events—store checkouts, employee small talk, a poker game. Several events help to define the characters and propel them toward self-discovery: Penny finds a lump in her breast; criminals pass counterfeit bills at Food Castle; Clark Gufney, one of the employees, finds his wife cheating on him; and Dante hunts down and reconnects with his former band mates. Each storyline resonates off the others like the notes of a chord. Drago generates interest through the tension of awaiting doctor appointments and test results, the camaraderie of Dante and his fellow workers, and the unraveling mystery surrounding the band’s reunion—which, in Dante’s mind, hinges on the enigmatic Thorn destroyer and possible redeemer, Joe Mars. Throughout, the book is packed with musical minutiae, from the names of famous and obscure bands, musicians, and songs to the chord structures of Dante’s songwriting. Drago also wields character names like a literary grenadier: Dante, who journeys through his own personal hell; Thorn, the memory that’s forever stuck in his side; Mars, the militaristic force that controlled the life and death of the band.
A thoughtful, elegantly written book that will particularly appeal to musicians and music fans.
from The BookLife Prize by Publishers Weekly
Plot/Idea: 8/10
Originality: 10/10
Prose: 10/10
Character/Execution: 10/10
Overall: 9.5/10
Plot: The plot here is, unfortunately, an emotionally downhill ride from beginning to end. Nevertheless, readers will become invested in Dante, who is basically a "good guy" archetype who loves his wife. Overall, the storyline is strong, if disheartening, but where it falls short is with the subplots.
Prose: Drago is a talented writer who uses language discerningly and does a great job with composing dialogue, perfectly matching it to his characters and their distinctive personalities.
Originality: A has-been rocker struggling to survive is not your average subject matter, and readers will delight in this emotional roller coaster ride. Drago creates a unique setting populated with distinct and original characters that transport the reader into a whole new world.
Character Development: The author does a superb job with characterization. Dante is more than a stereotypical former rocker who gets drunk, picks fights, and writes songs, although he does engage in all of those activities. He's also a multifaceted and compassionate man who cares deeply about his wife. Ancillary characters, particularly Clark, are also well-defined.
from Book Viral
A step change from his previous releases Raised On Rock is Drago at his very best delivering an elemental story simply and superbly written. Rock stars come ago and so do their stories but Drago’s fourth novel is a winner from every possible angle. A grounded and thoroughly enthralling exploration of what happens when a former headliner becomes a wannabe headliner, what Drago gives us is not a comeback story but something much rarer: a rounded, original portrait of a good but flawed man and the choices he has made. Drago’s writing style is simple and spare whilst his ear for dialogue once again proves exceptional. Here he succeeds equally in his evocation of Dante’s glory days with the band he formed with his boyhood friends and his love for Penny whilst delivering a message about what’s really important. On one hand, Dante is solid, dependable, torn, on the other, there’s his easy charm, the anxious modesty, the never-distant hint of frustration, and the other virtues of a deserving winner.A corker of a novel with all the hallmarks of a best seller, Raised On Rock proves an exceptional read and is recommended without reservation.
from Self-Publishing Review
Anyone who has ever set a personal dream aside understands the pain and nagging doubt that can come along with such a decision. Youthful ambition drives us to pursue even our most outlandish hopes, but as the years pass, those old possibilities dwindle and narrow, even if we hate to admit it. In Raised on Rock, a novel by Thomas Drago, this challenging shift in reality is explored in stark detail.Dante Rose has been enthralled by rock and roll since he was young, and chased that rocker lifestyle for years through small-town North Carolina with his band Thorn. Although high school is now far behind him, it is difficult to shift his mindset, or find new goals besides hitting it big and getting the recognition he so desperately craves.
Dante is supported by his wife, Penny, who understands his determination, but also sees the massive toll that years of disappointment have taken on her husband. Dante believes that if he could convince Joe Mars – the old lead guitarist – to come back to the band, even just to record an album, they could finally take their shot at stardom.
The interplay of these characters is what makes the novel so striking and engaging. The husband-wife dynamics are delicate and well-crafted, and Drago is highly skilled at slowly building tension between friends both old and new. Similarly, the plot is leaked out slowly, from countless angles and small contributions from peripheral characters. The bitter history of Thorn, Dante Rose’s place in the town, his strained relationship with his parents, and the feelings of self-loathing residing in his gut develop gradually as the chapters unfold.
In some ways, Dante is also an unreliable narrator, which always makes for a compelling read. Artists of all kinds tend to look at their own lives in a more romanticized way, often making it difficult for them to accept the hardest truths about their abilities. As this novel reaches its climax, the chances of reuniting the band seem smaller than ever, and the world continues to pile on Dante’s shoulders, threatening to crush his spirit and his lifelong aspiration.
Capturing such intense emotions on the page is no easy task, but Drago seems to understand the mental space of lofty dreamers, and has personal experience in the small streets of North Carolina, where the idea of “getting out” is ever-present. There is an authenticity in every scene, from card games and dive bars to hospital visits and deeply emotional conversations. The novel is an homage to would-be rock gods, but also a portrait of small-town America, where survival is often dependent on not giving up hope, foolish as that may be. Growing up can happen at any age, and Thomas Drago provides a profound and touching peek into that painful, universally recognizable process.
The terse, choppy writing style is fitting for the characters and tone, although it somewhat limits the descriptive power of the narration. In terms of editing, the book is cleanly written and polished, with few wasted words and believable dialogue between all the characters. Furthermore, the moments of self-reflection and Dante’s inner monologues are used effectively to keep readers in the loop, without spoon-feeding them plot details or internal revelations.
As a whole, Raised on Rock is a deeply relatable novel of family bonds, loyalty, love and lies, with the sharp, passionate edge of a rock ‘n’ roll origin story.
4.5/5
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