Book review from the USA

The English version of my book, A Separate Reality, has been reviewed by Christine Rodriguez!

Christine is a high school English teacher in Connecticut (USA) for grades 7 to 12, a library assistant, and a true bookworm with a passion for good literature. She has a keen eye for quality books and reads across genres. Her favorites include dystopian literature, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary fiction.

The review will be published on April 23, 2025, and will then be available at:

👉 https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/a-separate-reality-richard-neubersch.

Here is a preview of the review:

I just finished A Separate Reality by Richard Neubersch, and I have to say—it's one of the more unusual and thought-provoking reads I've picked up in a while. I'm always curious about a book that steps outside traditional narrative conventions and tries to offer something entirely its own. Neubersch's novel definitely does that. It is a passionate blend of spiritual memoir, science fiction, and metaphysical exploration. A Separate Reality is bold, imaginative, and brimming with earnest intention.

A Separate Reality is instantly intriguing: Richard, the narrator, is whisked away to a hidden island called Libidos—an advanced, matriarchal society that has cloaked itself from the modern world using technology and spiritual power. What follows is nine days of revelations, both philosophical and sensual, as Richard introduces a way of life that challenges everything he thought he knew about reality, love, sexuality, and the potential of the human spirit.

There are a few things I really liked about A Separate Reality. First, the worldbuilding is genuinely compelling. I've never encountered anything like Libidos' population of spiritually evolved humans who've preserved ancient wisdom and unlocked dormant abilities like telepathy, intentional manifestation, and self-healing. This is definitely catnip for anyone with an interest in the esoteric. Neubersch weaves in references to Atlantis, Shangri-La, and the Hollow Earth, which adds an extra layer of mythic mystery. I was especially fascinated by the matriarchal structure of Libidos and how that reshapes power dynamics and intimacy.

I also appreciate how sincerely the book engages with spiritual questions. Neubersch isn't trying to be clever or ironic; the story is asking earnestly, what if we've forgotten who we really are? That level of vulnerability is refreshing.

From a literary perspective, the execution could use a little polish. The prose leans more toward exposition than immersion. There are long stretches of philosophical monologue that slow the pace. The dialogue sometimes reads more like a transcript rather than an organic conversation. I also found the sexual content—while thematically tied to the island's worldview—occasionally feeling more idealized than embodied. I would've liked a bit more emotional nuance or internal tension.

Still, A Separate Reality is a memorable read. It feels like a love letter to awakening, and it will absolutely appeal to spiritually curious readers and open to unconventional storytelling. It's not perfect, but it's passionate—and that, to me, always counts for something.