5 Stars Reviewed By Asher Syed for Readers’ Favorite
Welcome to Milestoneville by Golden November is a dialogue-only book in the author's signature style that continues to follow the lives of the memorable melange of characters in the titular fictional town on Milestoneville. For readers unfamiliar with November's writing style, the Milestoneville books are what my family now refers to as the “book-game” because it is meant to be acted out in its entirety. There are no other instruments of direction aside from character names, what they are saying, and a photo prompt to provide a basic visual of where they might be. In this, the final installment of November's Collector's Edition, a crash course in hot air balloon flying may or may not be on the adventure menu, a show is pitched, a favorite character is engaged, another mystery tour is in the works, Click-Clack becomes the golf ball whisperer, and the antics of Milestoneville carry on with witty abandon.
Out of all the books in the Collector's Edition, Golden November's Welcome to Milestoneville is definitely my favorite. The primary reason is due to me now feeling like I know all the characters pretty intimately, which indicates the effectiveness of this means of storytelling where most would presume there is no real way to do that. The second reason is that the photographs used in this book were really good. I mean, they always are, but these are standouts. And finally, there is no way I can be anything but chuffed when a group of Ren Faire folk says things like, “Why doth the chicken cross the road?” Just kidding, sort of. Actually, with the Renaissance re-enactment troupe, the dialogue was much more thorough than usual for these stories. The use of entire paragraphs was well done and, considering the characters were ancillary, I definitely got to know them. Great fun and I'm happy to recommend it.
5 Stars Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite
Welcome to Milestoneville is the fourth book in the Characters of Milestoneville Collector’s Edition series by Golden November. The story of G and JBT continues as the duo gets ready for the next challenge. JBT and G were in the middle of their typical shenanigans when G receives a surprising call from Flower Rose. Flower Rose needs a strange favor from G. His brother is the president of Channel 1994, and Flower Rose has a television show to pitch. Before they know it, JBT and G are once again on a hunt to find something far more exciting than they anticipated, and this time it looks like they will have the time of their life. They now have a hunt and, in the meantime, G, JBT, and the crew will have some fun that they will remember for a long time.
In true Golden November fashion, the story opens with a serious yet not so serious discussion between JBT and G. As always, I love the unique and refreshing narrative style the author adopts. The mood is set by the picture above each dialogue section and not by hundreds of sentences written. Golden November’s dialogues are the highlight of the story. They are genuine to the characters. Readers familiar with the characters can listen to the dialogue with closed eyes and guess correctly which dialogue belongs to which character. JBT’s wedding was a surprise to me, but nothing could have prepared me for Elizabeth and Martin. And the ending is perfect; it suits G and JBT, and it is fitting too! As always, fabulous! Another job well done by Golden November.
5- Stars Reviewed By Vincent Dublado for Readers’ Favorite
The Characters of Milestoneville Collector’s Edition Series reaches its culmination with its final installment, Welcome to Milestoneville. Author Golden November once again gives you a story filled with interesting characters that will take you on a surprising twist. Everything begins when Flower Rose asks G for a personal favor. She already owes G one favor after he helped her rescue her brother. This time, she wants G to help her land a talk show on Channel 1994, a network where G’s brother is the president. Flower Rose wants to have a book talk show where she can interview authors and discuss books. It sounds boring for the studio executives, as the idea has a small viewership and readers care about reading, not TV. Meanwhile, G wants to focus on recovering the stolen book that he and JBT are hired to find.
As the final book, Welcome to Milestoneville doesn’t disappoint. I find a certain fascination in the avant-garde style of storytelling that Golden November has presented in this series. There’s a charm in the dialogue-based story that serves as the main instrument in moving the storyline. The dialogue novel is nothing new, but the way November infuses it with arresting photographs makes this work unique. You have conversations among characters that serve as the only means of narrative advancement, and this allows you to effectively visualize mentally what is taking place. This, for me, is part of the wonder that makes the Milestoneville Series entertaining because it’s purely a cerebral experience that doesn’t require too much representation. Welcome to Milestoneville, like the rest of the book in the series, is a fun read, as it will make you rethink conversations and the power that lies in the simplicity of interaction.
5- Stars Reviewed By Vincent Dublado for Readers’ Favorite
The Characters of Milestoneville Collector’s Edition Series reaches its culmination with its final installment, Welcome to Milestoneville. Author Golden November once again gives you a story filled with interesting characters that will take you on a surprising twist. Everything begins when Flower Rose asks G for a personal favor. She already owes G one favor after he helped her rescue her brother. This time, she wants G to help her land a talk show on Channel 1994, a network where G’s brother is the president. Flower Rose wants to have a book talk show where she can interview authors and discuss books. It sounds boring for the studio executives, as the idea has a small viewership and readers care about reading, not TV. Meanwhile, G wants to focus on recovering the stolen book that he and JBT are hired to find.
As the final book, Welcome to Milestoneville doesn’t disappoint. I find a certain fascination in the avant-garde style of storytelling that Golden November has presented in this series. There’s a charm in the dialogue-based story that serves as the main instrument in moving the storyline. The dialogue novel is nothing new, but the way November infuses it with arresting photographs makes this work unique. You have conversations among characters that serve as the only means of narrative advancement, and this allows you to effectively visualize mentally what is taking place. This, for me, is part of the wonder that makes the Milestoneville Series entertaining because it’s purely a cerebral experience that doesn’t require too much representation. Welcome to Milestoneville, like the rest of the book in the series, is a fun read, as it will make you rethink conversations and the power that lies in the simplicity of interaction.
