Kat Reviews [CFCU]

Of Caverns and Casters | Miya

Author: avadel

Book: Of Caverns and Casters

Genre: Fantasy

Chapters Read: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Kat Tails: 9

Thank you for your patience as I worked on this review! I read 10 chapters since I'd previously read and judged the first five for awards.
Please note that this review contains spoilers for the chapters read!

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Cover: 4/5

I really, really love the text of this cover. The positioning and the glow is *chef's kiss*. The textured background works well with the "Caverns" part of the title and contrasts with the white of the shield and sparrow (not dove, Miya!) symbol. The subtext is a little harder to read, but that may be more of a Wattpad thing. I think this cover is cohesive and well put together, but it may blend in a little too well and not be as eye-catching as some others. I'd personally like more of an idea of the story from the cover, but it still gives off the "fantasy" vibe as is.

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Title: 4/5

Nice alliteration here! Your title accurately represents the genre and the story within. It's fantasy-worthy, has a nice ring to it, but I'm not really hooked by memorability or mystery. I would lean toward picking the book up because I'm a fantasy fan, but it's familiarity that draws me instead of curiosity. 

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Blurb: 5/5

This blurb is so professional! The character by character structure with the sum of the struggle at the end is such a great formula that I love on published books and this one is no exception. It gives a fantastic run-down of all the major elements without giving too much away and really rounds out the impression I got from the cover and title. I have no suggestions to make. You've done a great job with this.

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Writer Interaction: 5/5

Disclaimer: This category does not reflect on a writer's skill at all. It is merely given points as it shows the writer is invested in their readers' opinions and suggestions and can be used to project future growth. (Also, Miya is using her judging rubric and doesn't want to change it because it totals to a neat 100 points as is XD)

Writer is highly invested in readers' interactions and responds positively to constructive comments.

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Plot/Pacing: 9/10

Of Caverns and Casters has a plot that goes at breakneck speed. With Leavi and Sean trying to escape the plague and Aster doing his best to become a great caster, there's never a dull moment in the course of the story. I'm invested in the action as the characters fight and struggle to reach their goals.

The only drawback that I can see is that the tension is the main hook here and it doesn't let up. Leavi running from the patrol, Aster beating himself bloody to try and cast, Leavi and Sean on edge leading up to and while testing for the plague, Aster making his escape in the dead of night─these are all high stakes moments, but the problem is that I feel they started to lose their effect the more you used them. By the time Aster is running away from home, I felt a little numb to the action and a tad resigned because there isn't much opportunity to fail.