Seasons Review Shop (ON HOLD)

Review of Beneath The Surface

Many reviewers have different ways of reviewing - for example, some reviewers choose to simply comment on each chapter of the story they read/review.

However, in the case of our reviewer, Len, he has done the more common review style for review shops.

Contains  extremely minor mentions of abuse and self-harm - also violence 🤷‍♀️

Review of "BENEATH THE SURFACE".

Reviewer: Len 2storytime.

 Writer: djwinn.

Okay, let's get this show on the road. [Opens a keg.] 

 COVER & TITLE: 9/10
I freaking loved it!!!! When I saw it I remembered thinking the book was gonna be dark and intellectual, I couldn't wait. I could clearly picture Norm (this is what I'm calling him) being the guy on your cover. The title worked well with the rest of the cover. Nothing overpowered the other. The title is also very meaningful and relevant. We're all wondering wth is lurking underneath Norm's mind folds. 

 BLURB: 4/5
(my stingy arse) I have to admit that when I started reading your blurb, my overall reaction was, meh. The wall on my wall was more interesting. Or maybe that's because I was impaired. However, when I came to the section about Norm having developed the skills he needed to survive, I was sold. That was all the vague shadowy teasing I needed. And then telling me about abuse, violence and self-harm? Come on, you were just daring me to NOT read your book. Amazing!! 

 PROLOGUE: 4.5/5
I love it when a book has a prologue. I believe it serves a very important purpose. Even more so on Wattpad. Usually, a prologue either throws us into the story or gives us a taste of the past. Yours actually did both. From the prologue, I instantly sympathized with Norm and knew I'd be rooting for him. I also knew Mac was a jerk! 

 PREMISE: 10/10
Your premise was amazing. When I'm working on my own books, I usually wonder, is this interesting enough to be watchable on the screen? Well, yours is fantastic and I want it to be a Netflix show! Right now! I mean, Norm and Tris' marriage! Just amazing. Pssst, I only read up to chapter ten but damn it I'm finishing that book!!

PLOT: 18/20

What is a plot? A plot is the flow of your story. The way your story advances in a case of action and reaction. I hate plots where random stuff is just happening to the protagonist as the antagonist laughs maniacally. In your story, the characters drove the plot and had to suffer the consequences. I mean, this was actually a theme if not the main one. (I'll get to themes.)  Anyway, your plot flowed well. There was no lag or dip so, good on that. You used suspense well. X-All that being said, I did dislike something about your plot. Particularly one 'plot point'. The 'inciting incident' where the plot kicks off. This is the scene where Norm and Mac are in Mac's office. The way you just had Norm blurt out that he was getting married seemed rushed and gave the fantastic story a cheap element it didn't deserve. This is where I cut ALOT of marks. I mean, if I wasn't reviewing, I might have jumped out because that is the one time you forced your characters into the plot. Make Mac more persistent in teasing his brother. Make his comments become increasingly more hurtful and true until Norm uses him being married as a defence mechanism. Instead of them barely talking and then Norm bursting out of nowhere. X- Another problem I had with your plot is when, in chapter two, you completely copped out. I'm talking about how Norm got Tris's number. I mean, I know he gathers people's info for sport but you just told us how much he was obsessed with this woman. I'm sure he remembered how he got his number. At least by telling us just a line about how his secretary got it for him is better than completely ignoring it. It comes off as lazy. Which I know you're not.