The Comfy Cottage || Review Shop (Cottage Core Community)

The Mirage Hunt | 🌺

Author: MaxFrench7.
Reviewer: DragonOrchid24.

First Glance:

Cover Image: 5/5
Title: 4/5
Blurb/Synopsis: 4/5
First Paragraph: 3/5

Cover Image: Really well done! It seems to match the intended genre, and is quite eye-catching. I like that it helps to add visuals to the characters.

Title: Great title, seems to tie into the story's premise.

Blurb/Synopsis: Very thorough, but still leaves out enough to entice the reader to open the book.

First Paragraph: Good opening, doesn't introduce much but seems like a good intro into two of the characters. I would like it to be a bit more exciting, though the chapter adds more.

Prologue:
Characters: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
Storyline: 5/5
Engagement: 4/5

While the description is really good, you already feel emotionally invested in the characters. I think the prologue moves along too quickly. I'd like more description and a slower pace for Noah's scene.

Chapter 1:
Characters: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Storyline: 5/5
Engagement: 4/5

Interesting, and it gives you more of an idea of what the characters are facing and what they are dealing with. The writing is very good, and I really like the overall idea.

Chapter 2:
Characters: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
Storyline: 4/5
Engagement: 4/5

I would have liked to have known from the beginning what the time jump difference was between this chapter and the one before, as I believe it would have made things clearer. I would have also liked it to be more clear that SAM was voice-activated. There were a few small things that made this chapter a little confusing. However, the action scenes are very exciting and have you rooting for the character, despite only having been really introduced to them at the beginning of the chapter.

Chapter 3:
Characters: 5/5
Writing: 3/5
Storyline: 5/5
Engagement: 5/5

Good descriptions, really easy to picture the scenes. I really like the exciting plot point that is revealed halfway through this chapter. Very intriguing, and definitely made me want to keep reading.

Notes for Author: I was a little thrown off by the timing of how long they would be gone, but I think I missed that there were repairs taking place. Also, are the injuries healed already by the time they're walking? And the shower - how does that work in this type of aftermath?

Chapter 4:
Characters: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Storyline: 4/5
Engagement: 4/5

Engaging. There is a lot happening in this chapter, but it's well done and doesn't seem too packed. I like the connections between the characters and how it's starting to come together more. There is a definite feeling of things shifting and I'm excited to know what happens next.

Conclusion:

A captivating take on a siren-like being (monster? Creature? thing?). Very engaging. Really good imagery and description, and it was easy for me to imagine most scenes. The characters are well written and will have you rooting for them from the very beginning. The storyline is captivating and driven and seems to keep you on your toes.

Personally, I think it moved along too quickly in spots, but that might have just been me, or something to do with the time at which I was reading it. And there are a few concepts and timing that made me question things, but overall it seems like a great story.

Overall, it seems very well written and the storyline is engaging. I am excited to keep reading and see what happens.

Thank you!

(3/13/23)
Cottage Core Community