R15: The Oceanic Call, @Urvisha_keshri
(R15 is short for Review 15)
REVIEW : Book15 (Mystery)
BOOK TITLE: The Oceanic Call
AUTHOR: @Urvisha_keshri
NOTE :
--This is my personal analysis, with the present contents of book, and the mentioned judging criteria. It may change after author edits the book or if criteria is changed.
--Any other person judging the same book, on same criteria/points, may hold different opinions/comments/suggestion/advice, than highlighted here.
--Nothing is written/criticized to offend anyone. If you don't agree, it's alright, I don't mind others having different opinions.
REVIEW :
1. Cover, Title, Summary (6/10)
Cover is very well made. But, the font color and size dulls it's appearance. The colors must be dark and bright, font style and size may be changed to some appealing parameters.
Title is good, and supports storyline.
Summary is precisely written with appropriate information, and is hooking, for a reader. But, it contains grammatical errors, and a spelling mistake ( 'worthly', in place of 'worthy'). The gist of the story is outlined, in summary.
2. Images/photos etc., audio, video, GIFs- Graphics (5/10)
Cover image + pictures of cast. No other graphics used. But all cast are chosen very well, and cover too, is relevant and attractive.
I am not a fan of these either, but they give you an extra leverage, on Wattpad. The only thing, to be kept in mind is, all graphics attached must be relevant to the story. Unnecessarily adding aesthetics, book covers, GIFs and many others, leaves a negative impact on the readers than a positive one.
3. Grammar, Spelling, vocabulary (2/10)
I am afraid there are many mistakes, in all the fields here.
Spelling mistakes- few
Grammar: Punctuation - comma, single & double quotation marks mistakes, apostrophe, exclamation marks, at many places. Period placement mistakes are lesser.
Usage of verbs & verb tense mistakes are present too in a large number (eg.- 'was' in place of 'were' etc.)
Usage of singular/plural nouns and pronouns is erroneous (eg- 'it' used, in place of 'they' etc.)
The relative clauses (defining as well as non defining clauses), though few, need attention too, to convey the proper sentence meaning to the reader.
Word mistakes - I couldn't trace any.
Word repetitions- present in a large number, and gives a bore feeling when used repetitively (Eg.- and, that, etc., used twice or more than two times in the same sentence).
At more than a few places the selection of words as nouns, adverbs and adjectives is not judicious. They may be replaced with some suitable ones, as per the contextual meaning and context.
Sentence formation mistakes are also present.
Vocabulary is satisfactory.
4. Literary elements: plot, setting, characterization, conflicts, POVs, mood, tone (7/10)
The plot environment is appropriate for a supernatural elements' book with mystery and fantasy elements. The story and plot chosen is intriguing and engaging.
Settings (meaning living environment, clothing, conversation styles, food habits, etc.) are satisfactorily mentioned wherever needed. The place of the story is mentioned, but the time at which the said events are assumed to take place, isn't mentioned (eg-17th century, near future, or present etc.)
Characters are developed gradually with their thoughts, feelings, behavioral patterns, concerns etc.,
Conflicts are linked with the story plot, characters and events/incidents, but should be refined.
The book is written in first person POV (with chapters based on POVs of various characters)
Moods (emotions aroused in reader)- appealing, enjoyable, entertaining, mysterious, fantasy. Tones (author's attitude)- hurried, speculative, and mysterious. The author can try not to present the story in a hurried manner.
5. Diction, writing style, pacing (6/10)
Diction means the choice of words for the narrative, as per the genre and subject. Here, book needs improvements, at some places, as, inappropriate word choices are made, for nouns, adverb and adjectives. Sentence formation also, is incorrect at many places.
Writing style is narrative. Pacing seems slightly fast and not exactly in synchronism with events & conflicts. This is due to hurried description (meaning the people, situations, events, incidents etc need more elaboration in terms of detailing and illustration). I understand that, incorporation of all elements need time, so I wish good luck to the author.
6. Allusion, epigraphs, euphemism, foreshadowing, metaphors/simile, imagery (6/10)
Foreshadowing is properly used throughout book chapters. The author divulges little information, with each chapter.
Author attempted to use imagery, and have been quite successful. Still, it needs to be developed, for providing the readers a good visualization of the story happenings.
Other devices not used, but epigraphs/quotations/simile can be used (if required by the story).
7. Structuring (7/10)
Starting & ending of chapters clearly presented in text. Paragraphs, dialogues are satisfactorily structured, but need slight improvement, at some places.
However, the beginning & ending of flashbacks is not indicated (although it's in italics font, but still a text indicating the start and end, would be professional and good). Chapters are numbered sequentially. Book structure can be improved- the parts like prologue, introduction, cast etc., are presented before beginning the main story (the story is then developed and structured into chapters). Your book contains prologue, but embedded in chapter 1. Prologue proves to be a book's strength, and in mystery novels, it would be an asset (as the plot & character explanation in such a novel, is a vigorous task).
8. Cliffhangers, twists/turns/incident presentation (9/10)
Cliffhangers are maintained throughout Chapters.
The storyline is intriguing & engaging and the inter related sequence of events makes it more interesting.
Intensity of emotions isn't felt due to lack of related vocabulary. Some scenes need elaboration at a few places. The mystery is properly woven, with the various incidents cited in each chapter. The linking of incidents in chapters is presented interestingly.
Twists and turns are abundant which maintains reader's curiosity & keeps him bound.
9. Originality, creativity (6/10)
The concept of a girl having supernatural abilities, is although not new, but, the author has added some new elements to the lead character's abilities (like making the others forget everything supernatural that happened in their presence, etc.).
Every author has a different style of narration and that's observed here, too.
Rating/Marks :
6+5+2+7+6+6+7+9+6= 54/90
The chapters are short and really add to the strength of the book. This story has a great potential, if the author makes it more believable, edits the mistakes and makes it more interesting.
Reviewer's note (to readers) :
The book has some original ideas concerning the supernatural abilities of the lead character, although the subject isn't very new. But, readers will enjoy the story, as it is interestingly presented. Moreover, the chapters are short, but contain a vast amount of information (i.e. twists), which makes the reader flip pages rapidly.
ADVICE (to author):
To take the advice or not, is at author's discretion, however, my suggestions, are listed below:
1) The story gives a vibe of being hurried, and lesser description of events, characters' traits, thoughts etc. It may be worked upon to include more details and their precise description.
2) You may redo the font style, size and color of title on the cover image, to make it more catchy.
3) Prologue may be separated from chapters (providing only the background information). The text from the point where it states '20 years later', can be included in chapter 1. That will look more meaningful.
If there is anything you don't understand, let me know, as an inline comment here. I will surely explain, if I find time for it.
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