(R31 is short for Review 31)

REVIEW : Book31 (Fantasy)
BOOK TITLE: The Burden of dreams
AUTHOR: @themysticaldevil

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 (9/10)
Cover is good and the title with it's font size & formatting is eyetching. The cover image is satisfactory and depicts a girl (representing MC) and the nightfall representing the dreams.
Title is good and supports the storyline of a person who can bend dreams, simultaneously conveying the burden they might prove to be, to the protagonist. The title's font type, size and formatting is good on the book cover. The Author's name and the caption font type & size is appropriate and fitting too.
Summary is very appealing for readers -not very long, not very short. The inclusion of the term 'Dream Bender' with it's one line definition is very appealing and pulls the reader in for exploring the depth of the term and the story mystery.

2. Images/photos etc., audio, video, GIFs- Graphics (2/10)
Apart from the cover image, no graphics are used.
Including graphics in a fantasy novel isn't easy as they need a lot of effort and I don't particularly judge any book based on graphics. But, it sure does give an extra effect on readers (if used moderately and relevantly).

3. Grammar, Spelling, vocabulary (7/10).
There are mistakes in this part, though not much distracting for a reader but still can be edited.
Spelling mistakes- some, not many, and those which are present are mostly typos.
Grammar: There are mistakes in this part but can be easily edited. Some punctuation (comma and period placement) errors and tense mistakes are observed.
Word mistakes - couldn't spot any, except some typos.
Sentence formation mistakes are present. At many places, the sentence seems incomplete or missing conjunctions/words; at other places the meaning of the sentence is unclear.

4. Literary elements: plot, setting, characterization, conflicts, POVs, mood, tone (7/10)
The plot is very interesting for a fantasy story with the magical creatures namely dream benders. The subject is different and it attracts readers.
Settings (meaning living environment, clothing, conversation styles, food, transportation means, etc.) are taken into account well, but require more attention in furnishing small details, at some points, in the book (Read Advice section).
Character development is good and the character arc of Ashley is drawn well. But  the character development of Lee seems lacking in many aspects (till  chapter 5).
The conflicts of the story are interesting and in sync with the story pace and twists.
The book is written in third person POV. A third person POV gives a flexibility to the author to put their opinion from the perspective of any character. Its expressed from Ashley's perspective in the book and thus Lee's character couldn't be developed much. You may have wrote later chapters from Lee's perspective too, but I haven't gone through them so can't say about them.
Moods (emotions aroused in reader)- mysterious, fascinating.
Tones (author's attitude)- mystical, intriguing.
The POV and tones are good and the author has managed grabbing the readers' attention.

5. Diction, writing style, pacing (7/10)
Diction means the choice of words (nouns, adjectives, adverbs etc) for the narrative, as per the genre and subject. Diction is good but is lacking in descriptions.
Writing style is third person narrative and is very interesting.
Pacing is neither fast nor moderate, and the reader enjoys as the story progresses and the new twists unfold.

6. Allusion, epigraphs, euphemism, foreshadowing, metaphors/simile, imagery, other literary devices (7/10)
Foreshadowing is used in most chapters. 
Author has used imagery satisfactorily.
Other devices used- metaphors, simile.

7. Structuring (8/10)
Text structuring-Starting and ending of chapters clearly presented in text. Paragraphs, dialogues are very well structured.
Book structuring-Chapters are numbered sequentially. It's easier for a reader to memorize the chapter number at which he/she left, to continue reading later.

8. Cliffhangers, twists/turns/incident presentation (8/10)
Cliffhangers are good and present in almost all chapters. The storyline is good.
The description about the abilities of Lee are slight vague till chapter 5 and could be described more vividly (Read Advice section). Ashley's state after waking up from her dreams is also slight confusive to readers, which can be described more specifically.
The twists and turns are good but lack in description at some points.

9. Originality, creativity (4/10)
The story is about Dream Benders. Their ability to bend the dreams as per their wish to control reality, seems very interesting. Though the topic isn't new and is explored by authors like Ronald Kidd, yet it's presentation and author's take on the same subject doesn't appear to be the same.

Rating/Marks :
9+2+7+7+7+7+8+8+4= 59/90

Reviewer's comments:
The book is interesting. The only thing lacking are the descriptions which need to be incorporated in book at some points.

Reviewer's note (to readers) :
It is a fantasy story of a Dream Bender. A Dream Bender, as author describes it, is a person who can manipulate his/her own dreams to make things happen their way.
It's a good read and the subject itself is enticing.

ADVICE (to author):

Suggestions:

1) The magical world built is interesting. But in the absence of proper explanation of the general environment of the fantasy world, the interest is lost gradually. The descriptions of forest, birds, animals etc you provided is like a simple forest, nothing magical is described. Also regarding the looks of the mansion, appearance of Ashley's father etc is not anything other than normal. I would suggest you to add more details of the magical land and the looks as well as abilities of the magical beings - the descriptions may be improved.

2) The way Ashley woke up with her hands covered in blood is described very well. Ashley cried and panicked- also explained in a nice way. She didn't remember the  dream still she panicked. The question is why she panicked (is there some vague memory from the dream haunting her as if  happened in real; is there any bruise/wound/mark on her body which was induced while she was dreaming etc)- needs to be incorporated in the description. The reason being nobody becomes terrified from the dream if he/she can't remember any of it (only if someone remembers it's vague parts or some images or visions, can one be panicked). So to make it realistic and pull readers in to it, you may improve the descriptions here.

3) Wherever the purple light is described which Lee emanates and Ashley loses consciousness; you may describe it with slight more details, consider answering the following questions for this:
- is it fog like dense or more concentrated beam of light like laser?
- where does it emanate from- Lee's fingers or eyes or another particular body part?
- from Ashley's perspective how does Lee do it (by snapping fingers, clapping, just closing his eyes and concentrating or by some other means)?
This will make it more interesting and vivid to read and explore.

The next review will be 'Rambles and shambles' by -getwellsoon