『 RuthRat 』

✰ cover
I'm actually a sucker for these kinds of covers, mainly because I love anything to with art (I'm an art history nerd). It just seems so elegant to me and relates well to the story.

✰ title
The title is very distinct, I've never come across a title quite like this one.

✰ blurb
The blurb is great. It tells you what you need to know about the story and ends off with a great line that ties the title in.

✰ characters
Lucretia is probably my favorite character in this novel because I resonate with her more than others. I like the idea that she doesn't want to be tied down to a man for the rest of her life. I am honestly thinking the same thing. She also seems very strong and independent as she often stands up for herself in front of others.

Titus seems like a good person but he puts his brother on a sort of pedestal even though he shouldn't. Gaius has become very cruel, yet Titus seems blinded by his affection for him. I understand that she wants to see the good in him but he has to see that the actions he Gaius is doing are not okay.

Gaius has some deeply rooted issues that he needs to deal with himself. The way he just assumed Lucretia was a slave and then assaulted her was uncalled for. I hope his character becomes better as the story progresses because right now... his actions are unforgivable.

Cal is a wonderful older sister. You can really tell how much she cares for Lucretia just through their conversations. I feel bad for everything she has to endure as the eldest, however.

✰ plot
I actually really enjoy the plot. It has elements of drama with Rome as the background. Now I love historical romances, so I might be a little biased, but I really do think the plot is super interesting.

✰ pacing
I thought the pacing was fine, we do get different points of view so make sure you let the reader know somehow that the point of view has changed. This is just a suggestion, however, as I understood while reading it who was talking. Usually, on Wattpad, authors specifically state when a point of view has changed. They typically put at the start of the chapter: Lucretia's POV, for example.

✰ grammar/language
There were a few missing commas in the prologue. Remember that before and after dialogue you must always use a comma if someone is going to speak or is finishing speaking, for example:

He got uneasy revealing the next information, "A considerable..."

"I've had enough of you excuses," interrupted his superior.

You also don't need to add a comma after punctuation in dialogue. For instance:

"Julia!" , Lucretia shrieked and her annoyance was gone.

The comma here is not necessary.

These two paragraphs should be connected as she continues talking:

I do have to note that you have very vivid imagery. For English not being your first language, I think you did a pretty good job here! There were a few errors but overall, it wasn't too bad.

✰ overall thoughts
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this story! I was so invested the entire time I read it. I plan on continuing reading, just to see what happens to Lucretia and Gaius!

✎ . . . .

Happy writing!