'Libertine Dissolves' by Toxic Brodude (Self-published, 2025)
"Crosses to Bear"
“Sometimes, your hand touches writing that feels so fragile and delicate, you are petrified of its weight. You immediately understand that you hold something deeply personal in your hands and with that comes a great responsibility.”
This is how Dinah Kolka opens her review of my debut novella, Libertine Dissolves, published in DECADENT SERPENT MAGAZINE. That opening line gives you some indication of how the piece was approached, with the same kind of earnest interest I hold when reading anything with emotional weight.
It goes without saying that I’m extremely thankful to Dinah for taking the time to read and review the novella. Her response goes a long way toward validating my decision to publish and promote the book this year. I’ve received positive reviews before in bands I’ve been a part of, but there’s something distinctly different about getting a glowing review for a piece of fiction, something born entirely from solitude.
When I opened the email and I read the words. Immediately, I had the same feeling I had when my first band put out its first demo CD back in 2003, and the reviews started rolling in day by day.
No matter how cool you think you are, or how cool you pretend to be, reviews are a thrill like no other for anyone who creates.
Thanks again to Dinah for taking the time to read the novella, and write this review.
Read the full review here: Crosses to Bear – A Review of Libertine Dissolves
Buy Libertine Dissolves on Amazon here: - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5YL43FD
Dinah on X: @DinahKolka
Decadent Serpent on X: @DecadentSerpent