TRAILER TALK - Book Trailer Reviews

Two book trailers enter, only one will leave!  Okay, so they might both leave, but I'll tell you what I think nonetheless.

TRAILER #1: Minder by Kate Kaynak

The Skinny: (Amazon product description) "Sixteen-year-old Maddie Dunn is special, but she needs to figure out how to use her new abilities before somebody else gets hurt. Ganzfield is a secret training facility full of people like her, but it's not exactly a nurturing place. Every social interaction carries the threat of mind-control. A stray thought can burn a building to the ground. And people's nightmares don't always stay in their own heads. But it's still better than New Jersey--especially once she meets the man of her dreams..."

Why the trailer is full of win: I love how they keep the narration short and sweet. It opens the trailer to grab your attention, and then they let the written words, music, and pictures do the rest. The art style is cool and teen-friendly. The soundtrack is spot-on to the content.

Why the trailer isn't, as the kids would say, 'beast': It's a little long (it lost my attention around the 1:00 mark, and I had to restart). While I loved the artwork, the story seems like an action-packed superhero kind of thing, and I'm not sure the art supports that theme.

I've seen the trailer, would I read the book? Absolutely. I think the opening hook (teen kills people by accident), and setup are conveyed well. This seems like X-Men, and I'm all over that.

Trailer # 2: Healer by Linda Windsor

The Skinny: (Amazon product description) "Sixth-century Scotland—in the time of Arthur….  "The Gowrys’ seed shall divide your mighty house and bring a peace beyond the ken of your wicked soul.”
Her mother’s dying prophecy to the chieftain Tarlach O’Byrne sentenced Brenna of Gowrys to twenty years of hiding. Twenty years of being hunted—by the O’Byrnes, who fear the prophecy, and by her kinsmen, who expect her to lead them against their oppressors. But Brenna is a trained and gifted healer, not a warrior queen. So she lives alone in the wilderness with only her pet wolf for company. When she rescues a man badly wounded from an ambush, she believes he may be the answer to her deep loneliness. Healing him comes as easy as loving him. But can their love overcome years of bitterness and greed…and bring peace and renewed faith to the shattered kingdom?"

Why the trailer rocks the block: The Etch-A-Sketch art style and music really draw you in.  It feels like something magical from the start.  I also like the lack of a voice over.  Unless it's done well, using real actors and voices can really cheapen a trailer.  This one feels professionally done.

Why the trailer isn't a hit: It takes a little too long to get into the story premise.  Despite being so immersive, the music almost lulls you to sleep.  I'm a fan of dynamic scores in trailers (start slow, end in something sweeping, etc.), because I think they keep the viewers attention better.  I also think the trailer paints the story as more of a romance, and I'm not certain (based upon the description) that is entirely accurate.

I've seen the trailer, would I read the book?  I think I'd give it a shot.  I'm not so much into the romance, but as long as there was some kind of balance I think the story idea has promise.