I think another issue that is making me have the experience with it that I do is that I don't know the purpose of kirkus and assumed it was a straightforward honest review.  But it is actually a system for some people to get discovered. So in that way, I bought a 400 dollar lottery ticket, and receive a more negative review of my book that is really optimal. And in that way, I am not paying just 400 dollars. I pay 400 dollars plus some of my career reputation for a shot at something that has probably already been decided by my current status and biography.  I mean that is the worst that can be said about it, but they also chose to say the worst that could be said.  And who is paying? Me, twice.  Once with money, and once with my book.