"Stellina" - @ellieerose_

Summary:

France, 1935. It was the snow that took fifteen-year-old Lina's voice away from her. It was the snow that killed her brother, and the snow that forced her family to move to the city of Marseille. And it was the snow that led her to a mysterious and captivating pianist: Luka. Lina soon falls in love with his music, which provides an escape from her crumbling family.

Risking her mother's wrath, Lina follows him on various thrilling adventures and jobs, in exchange for learning how to play music. Yet when she finds a series of cryptic letters about a missing girl, hidden in books Luka has given her, she realizes that perhaps he is as dangerous and mysterious as her mother warned her of. Determined to solve the mystery of this girl, Lina sets out to find her and her evidently crazy caretaker. Yet it only draws her closer to Luka, and despite her fears and doubts, she begins to see him as more than just a friend. 

Lina soon discovers, however, that while Luka may be the key to saving her family, he may also be the one that destroys them.

Initial Reaction: 

A 1935 Historical Romance story?! Sign me up! I throughly enjoy reading the first five chapters. The chapter structure is magnificent! With the characterization, story's voice (mostly following Lina and sometimes Luka), and how colors match the story's emotions and tone. There's a surprise in the mystery subplot - it intrigues me as the reader. What'll happen with Lina's brother? How did the event occur? And what's with Luka's connection to Lina? Ah! All sorts of questions, I'm interested to discover. 

P.S. The book trailer and music composition got me! Love it! Strengthens the tone and gives the readers a glimpse of what's "in store" for these characters. :)  

Strengths: 

1. Mood/Colors: I'm transported in the story's mood and tone, even for each chapter and the overarching thread that connects them. Using colors within the smilies and metaphors, it made my heart flutter! As a reader, I feel the Lina's emotions; for example, the first chapter has gray tones. Physically and mentally because Lina feels in-between; she feels disconnected with the world around her as her family get off the train and start their new life. With these colors being prominent, the readers capture this element. Another example is in chapter two, A Weeping Willow Tree, (your chapter titles are so good, it's poetic!) the color is red; "For there in the center stood a robust girl with bruised fists and a frail, deaf girl with blood dripping down her face." Liliane deals with her bullies, headstrong; the color red is depicting her emotions: anger, rage, and hurt. The hurt is shown when Liliane standing up for herself and also, emotionally she gets hurt later on by her mom's words. The tool using colors to display the story's tone is marvelous! I enjoy seeing all the different colors through objects, the setting, and characters. Really good job! 

2. Imagery: The descriptions! Ah, I adore them. I know I talk a lot about imagery and descriptions in my workshop, but the reason is, it helps the reader see what's around them and sometimes even show the readers what's going on in a character's mind. The knowledge behind seeing from their perspective is huge! One example of this is in chapter one, A Fistful of Flurries, when Lina meets Luka; he's playing the piano and his music moves her soul, "He brought back a memory. It was fuzzy at first, streaks of blue and gray, but then the image sharpened. Three children standing before a vast sea of blue and salt." Gosh, I just. The words are crisp. Precise and yet as an elegance to them as they describe her memory. Lina's gray tone, mention earlier in the first strength, turns into sea of blue; peace and comfort. The music transformed her mood/tone. And through the imagery, the readers see this transformation. It's wonderful!

3. Mystery/Pacing: How did Lina's brother's death happen? What's the connection between Luka and Lina's with the letters? Through the first five chapters, the readers get a taste of the mystery, we learn information. It's a great pace because in each chapter, there's a mention as the subplot; the readers are left wanting to know more. The "how" keeps the readers engaged. We see Lina finding something (I'm trying not to reveal a lot), and then Luka and Lina's lives intersect. One example is the cliff-hanger in chapter three, Reflection in Broken Glass, "But because she could be the key to abiding by his dead mother." Ah! I clicked "next chapter" to see if chapter four would reveal anything to this moment. The pacing keeps the readers' interest and also gives them time to figure out the mystery on their own. I enjoy the subplot! 

Recommendation:

Gosh! I pondered on what suggestion to help strengthen this piece. I have to say, the pacing, chapter structure, subplots and plots, and historical accuracy is fantastic! 

One thing, as the reader, I love to see more dynamic between Lina's mom and dad. Their behaviors towards each other. How they change and adapt, how they disagree and maybe how they once agreed. Another thing to explore is seeing Lina's relationship with her dad. Maybe moments of gentleness like he sneaks candy in Lina and Liliane's coat pockets or school bag. Or dad suggests to go to the book shop instead of mom. 

Some small gesture or behavior provides a glimpse into the father's deep relationship, especially in contrast Lina's mom is. 

Adding an extra scene or gesture can make what happens in chapter four a bigger and emotional impact on the characters and with the readers. The readers would react higher to the event, which I have to say chapter four is an emotional chapter. This suggestion can help amplify the scene and reactions more. 

I hope the recommendation helps! 

Thank you!! I really enjoy reading this story. 😃