Not sure where this individual saw the author or even sure of which author/poet being referred to(there were 2 authors of this book). While I respect the opinion of the review "zero stars", I certainly don't agree with it. Eric Farrell is a man whom I happen to know personally--not because I went to school with him or grew up with him, but because he took the time to approach a stranger in the mall years ago.

I understand if you don't like the book;that's one man's entitled opinion, but to attack the character of someone without ever getting to know them beyond a viewing is a bit premature and ineffective as indicated by the lack of user helpfulness of the review.

I have purchased both of his books and have seen Eric Farrell many times live...all thumbs up! He is quite creative, passionate, and humble. This book is good not only because it involves Christ, but also because the poet is gifted in such an area. He (Eric Farrell) is a full-time author/poet by choice--not because he can't do anything else, but because its his call and passion that he might richly bless others. I encourage anyone interested in poetry or seeking solace to purchase this book.

While I respect others right to voice their opinion, and believe it is perfectly fine for someone to genuinely dislike something. S. Patel's comment does not appear to be truthful and should be discredited for the following reasons:

1) S. Patel claims to have seen the author live, and that he/she heard better from highschoolers performing. If he/she really thought that the author's poetry performance was so bad, then he/she would not have bought the book. So Patel contradicts her/himself.

2) Patel's review is for the hardcover version of the book. Unlike most books, the hardcover and paperback versions were both released at the same time, the content of both hardcover and paperback are identical, and the hardcovers sold 3 to 4 times faster than the paperback, which means paperbacks were always available for purchase wherever there were hardcovers. This means that S. Patel willingly chose to spend the extra money to buy the hardcover instead of the paperback. Buying the hardcover proves that S. Patel was actually impressed enough by the author's performance and character to spend some extra money on him, contrary to what Patel claims in his/her review here.

3) This book contains nothing about being an outcast, contrary to Patel's claim. There is a poem in Verbalizions of Enlightenment about being an outcast, but that's a completely different book, and that poem clearly celebrates being an outcast, so there is no whining there, contrary to Patel's claim.

4) When Patel says the author "didn't even mention a certain outcast who was crucified" then Patel is, in effect, claiming to have read the whole book. Or else, Patel couldn't say what the author never mentioned the crucified one in the book. If Patel really thought the book was so bad that it was "zero stars," he/she is not likely to have read through the whole book. Most people don't finish books they actually do like. Patel is claiming to have finished a book he/she absolutely hated. It sounds like book must have been quite the page turner for Patel to finish it. Patel's claims do not add up at all.

5) S. Patel's other reviews are all about dungeons and dragons and magic/witchcraft type of books, not this type of book. That's the type of book and view on life S. Patel clearly prefers. This book is an anomaly in his/her reading behavior, not a book of poetry where the authors hold a favorable view of God.

6) As Jess A. Servant points out in his/her comment, Patel neglects to say which author he/she is even referring to, since this book is equally written by two authors. It's likely that Patel met Farrell, because Holmes rarely did events, especially not a year after the books release, when this review was posted.

7) While reviewing a different book than this one, Patel reveals that he/she grew up Hindu. The problem here is that the authors of Seeking Solace speak from a Christian perspective, and Seeking Solace contains bible scriptures, which is far different from Hindu. So while Seeking Solace does not say anything at all about Hinduism, Patel may have tried to rip this book and author to shreds simply because it is Christian based, which doesn't mix well with Hindu concepts. I say that because in that other review, Patel says about that book "I cannot understand why anyone would give this book a single star. Having grown up Hindu, I can say that Calasso has given me a retelling of stories from my childhood..." Patel titled that five star review "Incredible for all interested in Hinduism" for a book called "Ka: Stories of the Mind and Gods of India." Patel's own words in that review prove that his/her rating is biased by his/her Hindu belief.

So why did Patel buy this book and read it, if she hated it and the author so much?

Given the observations above, my personal conclusion is that S. Patel was actually impressed by the author and his work in person, not seeing him as an egomaniac as he/she claims, but upon reading the book, he/she came across Christian viewpoints that he/she (being Hindu) disagreed with, and therefore sought to try to punish or hurt the authors and book by writing a "zero star" review and falsely attacking the author's character.

I believe Patel bought the hardcover book, but I don't believe Patel actually read through the book. Here's why. Patel says the author "didn't even mention a certain outcast who was crucified" while speaking of being an outcast. Patel probably heard a poem performed on stage that's not in Seeking Solace, but the poem doesn't mention "Jesus Christ/Bible," so Patel probably loved the poem and performance enough to buy the hardcover book, but was later disappointed to find that the author was a Christian, and upset that the author didn't happen to reveal that in the poem he/she heard.

If Patel had read through the book, he/she would have found out that "outcast" poem is not even in the book, but Patel seems not to know that. Patel also doesn't seem to have read enough of the book to even know there were two authors.

I don't believe S. Patel's comment is to be trusted. It appears to be an attack against the author for being Christian, yet Patel won't admit that being the reason, because that would show Patel to be hateful and abusive against Christians. Since Patel claims other reasons, which don't add up, his/her review appears completely dishonest, not credible. It is also a clear anomaly among Seeking Solace's other reviews.

Yours Truly