Please contact us with your reviews comments/reaction to Hell Camp, and we'll post it here! Thank you so much!
There are more reviews on Amazon and please do post your reviews here as well - it really helps us authors!
"This is one of the most poignant, moving, and heartbreaking memoirs I have read, and believe me,
over the years I have read many. For those of you who loved Mary Karr's the Liar's Club, you will relish Niki Smart's spell-binding Hell Camp. With Hell Camp, we have the arrival of a fresh, vibrant writer. I can't wait to read her next book"...Daniel Lucks (Author of "Choosing Sides")
"Just finished Hell Camp. It is really good. Seriously. Riveting! I laughed and I cried. This is the best "worst childhood ever" since Running with Scissors. Better/worse actually. It really does have it all including lots of conflict and drama. I see it as a movie"...Claire Fordham (author of "Plus One")
"I read your book, it was really incredible. It's powerful and the openness you have in your writing is so inspiring." Kate Barry (TVProducer)
"Thank you for sharing your life. This was an amazing book. I laughed and cried throughout the whole thing. I finished it in three days (which is unlike me - I never finish books) as all your adventures kept my eyes glued to the each page. Thank you again for sharing your story - it is quite an inspiration"....Bree Reardon
"I bought your book on Thursday and could not stop reading, even reading at work during many smoke breaks on Friday. There were so many things I could relate to. I'm so happy that your life has moved forward in so many positive ways - you truly deserve it"...Kevin Critchfield
“Check out "Hell Camp", a memoir written by a local here in Laguna. It is a book that you won't be able to put down; the story will have you cringing, laughing, sobbing, and saluting Niki Smart for her tenacity, incredible wit mingled with horror (simultaneously), and her relentless desire to live a life with open eyes.”…Rose Levy
"I finished your great book and really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your heart and soul; very courageous"...Noel McMurray
"Hell Camp was an amazing read. Once I started reading it went to the top of my pile of books being currently read. This is the kind of book where you peak at the next chapter thinking, "I gotta read a little more." After finishing Hell Camp the thought that stood out the most for me was: what if everyone we knew had written a book like this. Imagine the empathy and understanding that we would have for them. The world would certainly be a better place. Thank you Niki for sharing your amazing experiences and life! Incredible. . . absolutely incredible!" Jordi Mas
"I absolutely loved your book. I finished it on Sunday, and picked it right back up and started reading it again. I love your sense of humor and your writing style. You have quite a story. I can relate to many of your experiences. I, too, have traveled down a long road to get to a healthier and happier place. And I too, am grateful to be alive and to be a survivor."...Sue Salomon
"I finished Hell Camp last week and wanted to tell you how much I loved it! Your life has been a fascinating journey and your words had me reliving it with you. Crying and laughing throughout. Thank you for putting it all out there. You are as courageous as you are talented"...Joni Parenti
"A searing memoir by an unflinchingly honest new writer." ~Sean (Owner Gatsby Books)
"I am in shock/amazement of the life you have lived and the incredible woman/survivor you are.You are an amazing lady! What a read!"...Deb DeBilzan
"Couldn't put it down...Excellent!"....Dan Jackson
"Just finished your book and I absolutely loved it! I didn't want to put it down! It took me a couple of weeks to read as I'm so busy, but I always looked forward to the next time I could get a chance to read it. You did a magnificent job, magnificent, of telling the story and with such humor. Really marvelous...Jane Hilary
"After reading just the first few pages I was totally taken in by this book! Wonderful job expressing an often times hellacious journey!! You have done such a phenomenal job on the book!! I want to finish it but my husband and I are having a tug of war over it!"...Susan McMurray
"I devoured your book in two days...WOW...you are an amazing beautiful woman, with a zest for life and survival. I cried many times and laughed too.. thank you, thank you for sharing your life and allowing yourself to be heard by all of us, a very cathartic process I'm sure...peace and light to you forever"....Tanya Krajina
"Rare is a story so authentic and true. The authors honesty and humor throughout this story is riveting. Could not put this book down, awaiting to see how our heroine turned out. This is a story about survival, the triumph of the human spirit, and finally about forgiveness.
Set in a unstable region, one feels this pulse thru out the story. Thank you, Niki, for allowing us to not feel shame about our own crazy childhoods. How brave you are!!!" ...Lauren Howell
"My brother told me about your book - I downloaded it and couldn't put it down!!! Loved it Well done you and I could relate to SO much of your story" - Leslie Erwee
"Love your book, thank you so much for who you are and for sharing the depths of it; you've got mountains of courage"...Celia Shambaugh
"You are a very talented, entertaining writer"...Dean Badillo (author of Molly the Molecule)
"The most riveting, turbulent and redemptive literary ride since The Glass Castle; Smart has more than a compelling story, beyond stormy, it's so unbelievable, it must be true. She has the gift of expression. Like stones, you can feel her roll the words around in her hand and rearrange them for your pleasure. Hell Camp will provoke you to care deeply about characters you’ve never met, and it will give you the outcome you'll find yourself praying for. Pick this book up. This is a read that has no rivals".....JP Parenti. Composer, Record Producer
"This book takes you back in time, through history, and into the depths of one horrifying childhood. I found myself yearning for brighter days ahead, as Niki Smart recounted her darkest days in Hell Camp. Her love, hard work, and determination pulled her through hell, and is what makes this a powerful story of hope and inspiration"...Giorge Leedy
"The book is hilariously sad....sadly hilarious, you are good"...Allen Hinds (Musician/composer/session player)
"Are you one of the millions who struggle to understand why you do the things you do? If so, you are not alone, and Niki Smart will tell you why! Ms. Smart has just authored her first novel, a memoir, of her upbringing in South Africa. The author faces a staggering challenge to learn functional internal and external life skills while attempting to individuate from an overbearing mother with a severe case of BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder). Throughout the author's life story, the reader is exposed to a child protagonists long and colorful battle with alcohol, with sex, with violence, and even nihilism -
The ending is worth getting to, though, as through tragedy and triumph, the family, incredibly, makes it full circle."...Jimmy Bird
Thank you Niki for sharing the intimate and sometimes shocking details of your life with us. You are a courageous woman! I really enjoyed your book. - Kathy Reed
I love your book - too much to say here. I couldn't put it down. I loved your transparency throughout. Thank you! ox Joan Grandizio
There are more reviews on Amazon and please do post your reviews here as well - it really helps us authors!
"This is one of the most poignant, moving, and heartbreaking memoirs I have read, and believe me,
over the years I have read many. For those of you who loved Mary Karr's the Liar's Club, you will relish Niki Smart's spell-binding Hell Camp. With Hell Camp, we have the arrival of a fresh, vibrant writer. I can't wait to read her next book"...Daniel Lucks (Author of "Choosing Sides")
"Just finished Hell Camp. It is really good. Seriously. Riveting! I laughed and I cried. This is the best "worst childhood ever" since Running with Scissors. Better/worse actually. It really does have it all including lots of conflict and drama. I see it as a movie"...Claire Fordham (author of "Plus One")
"I read your book, it was really incredible. It's powerful and the openness you have in your writing is so inspiring." Kate Barry (TVProducer)
"Thank you for sharing your life. This was an amazing book. I laughed and cried throughout the whole thing. I finished it in three days (which is unlike me - I never finish books) as all your adventures kept my eyes glued to the each page. Thank you again for sharing your story - it is quite an inspiration"....Bree Reardon
"I bought your book on Thursday and could not stop reading, even reading at work during many smoke breaks on Friday. There were so many things I could relate to. I'm so happy that your life has moved forward in so many positive ways - you truly deserve it"...Kevin Critchfield
“Check out "Hell Camp", a memoir written by a local here in Laguna. It is a book that you won't be able to put down; the story will have you cringing, laughing, sobbing, and saluting Niki Smart for her tenacity, incredible wit mingled with horror (simultaneously), and her relentless desire to live a life with open eyes.”…Rose Levy
"I finished your great book and really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your heart and soul; very courageous"...Noel McMurray
"Hell Camp was an amazing read. Once I started reading it went to the top of my pile of books being currently read. This is the kind of book where you peak at the next chapter thinking, "I gotta read a little more." After finishing Hell Camp the thought that stood out the most for me was: what if everyone we knew had written a book like this. Imagine the empathy and understanding that we would have for them. The world would certainly be a better place. Thank you Niki for sharing your amazing experiences and life! Incredible. . . absolutely incredible!" Jordi Mas
"I absolutely loved your book. I finished it on Sunday, and picked it right back up and started reading it again. I love your sense of humor and your writing style. You have quite a story. I can relate to many of your experiences. I, too, have traveled down a long road to get to a healthier and happier place. And I too, am grateful to be alive and to be a survivor."...Sue Salomon
"I finished Hell Camp last week and wanted to tell you how much I loved it! Your life has been a fascinating journey and your words had me reliving it with you. Crying and laughing throughout. Thank you for putting it all out there. You are as courageous as you are talented"...Joni Parenti
"A searing memoir by an unflinchingly honest new writer." ~Sean (Owner Gatsby Books)
"I am in shock/amazement of the life you have lived and the incredible woman/survivor you are.You are an amazing lady! What a read!"...Deb DeBilzan
"Couldn't put it down...Excellent!"....Dan Jackson
"Just finished your book and I absolutely loved it! I didn't want to put it down! It took me a couple of weeks to read as I'm so busy, but I always looked forward to the next time I could get a chance to read it. You did a magnificent job, magnificent, of telling the story and with such humor. Really marvelous...Jane Hilary
"After reading just the first few pages I was totally taken in by this book! Wonderful job expressing an often times hellacious journey!! You have done such a phenomenal job on the book!! I want to finish it but my husband and I are having a tug of war over it!"...Susan McMurray
"I devoured your book in two days...WOW...you are an amazing beautiful woman, with a zest for life and survival. I cried many times and laughed too.. thank you, thank you for sharing your life and allowing yourself to be heard by all of us, a very cathartic process I'm sure...peace and light to you forever"....Tanya Krajina
"Rare is a story so authentic and true. The authors honesty and humor throughout this story is riveting. Could not put this book down, awaiting to see how our heroine turned out. This is a story about survival, the triumph of the human spirit, and finally about forgiveness.
Set in a unstable region, one feels this pulse thru out the story. Thank you, Niki, for allowing us to not feel shame about our own crazy childhoods. How brave you are!!!" ...Lauren Howell
"My brother told me about your book - I downloaded it and couldn't put it down!!! Loved it Well done you and I could relate to SO much of your story" - Leslie Erwee
"Love your book, thank you so much for who you are and for sharing the depths of it; you've got mountains of courage"...Celia Shambaugh
"You are a very talented, entertaining writer"...Dean Badillo (author of Molly the Molecule)
"The most riveting, turbulent and redemptive literary ride since The Glass Castle; Smart has more than a compelling story, beyond stormy, it's so unbelievable, it must be true. She has the gift of expression. Like stones, you can feel her roll the words around in her hand and rearrange them for your pleasure. Hell Camp will provoke you to care deeply about characters you’ve never met, and it will give you the outcome you'll find yourself praying for. Pick this book up. This is a read that has no rivals".....JP Parenti. Composer, Record Producer
"This book takes you back in time, through history, and into the depths of one horrifying childhood. I found myself yearning for brighter days ahead, as Niki Smart recounted her darkest days in Hell Camp. Her love, hard work, and determination pulled her through hell, and is what makes this a powerful story of hope and inspiration"...Giorge Leedy
"The book is hilariously sad....sadly hilarious, you are good"...Allen Hinds (Musician/composer/session player)
"Are you one of the millions who struggle to understand why you do the things you do? If so, you are not alone, and Niki Smart will tell you why! Ms. Smart has just authored her first novel, a memoir, of her upbringing in South Africa. The author faces a staggering challenge to learn functional internal and external life skills while attempting to individuate from an overbearing mother with a severe case of BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder). Throughout the author's life story, the reader is exposed to a child protagonists long and colorful battle with alcohol, with sex, with violence, and even nihilism -
The ending is worth getting to, though, as through tragedy and triumph, the family, incredibly, makes it full circle."...Jimmy Bird
Thank you Niki for sharing the intimate and sometimes shocking details of your life with us. You are a courageous woman! I really enjoyed your book. - Kathy Reed
I love your book - too much to say here. I couldn't put it down. I loved your transparency throughout. Thank you! ox Joan Grandizio
