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✨Crooks: Betrayed by Blood-Reviews✨

Title:  Crooks: Betrayed by Blood

Author: That_One_Thespian

Reviewer: SchtxzaLore

Hello, I'm glad that I got a chance to review your book. I hope you find my reviews helpful.

Cover 3/5

Although I find the book visually pleasing and not difficult to process, I somehow find it a little bit lacking in its depth and connection with the title. The usage of the font style and size, especially the color is what I liked the most about the cover.

Title 3/5

The word Crooks is interesting enough to draw some readers who might come across it. It's not as eye—catching as other titles in Wattpad, but the phrasing of " Betrayed by Blood '' is somehow the poignant point of the story.

Blurb 4/5

Preferably, I love blurbs that leave me questioning the whole book. Although the blurb consists of no spoiler for the whole story, it somehow gave me a tiny bit of information about the prior event. Personally, I think a little bit of a letdown because a tiny piece of mystery is already answered in the blurb itself.

However, the opening part of the blurb is the most relevant piece. The quotation is aligned with the title " Betrayed by Blood", and along with this- a cohesive connection of the plot is soon to be discovered.

Overall, the blurb gives me an insight into a prior event but still manages to give no spoilers.

Writing construction 15/15

Overall writing and grammar rules are properly disclosed. It wasn't hard for me to read, the paragraphs are easily consumed. The format is pleasing to the eyes, and the set of vocabularies is fine with the tone and atmosphere that the plot is conveying. Especially in the wife's chosen words to describe her thoughts really portray her hatred in every sentence she says. The construction is perfect.

Prologue 5/5

Let me start with the title of the prologue. I believe that the chosen title for the prologue is the best way to start the book. Since the blurb introduced me to a "murder event", the prologue gives me an understanding of why such a horrendous event will take place.

The first paragraph is neatly done. The introduction was paced very well. It gives a strong opening with the chosen word "hate" which again corresponds with the main event that will circle the plot. It will justify the character's actions, and motivations. The whole prologue feels like a confession, specifically a confession of a murder. It has this tone of a desperate attempt to explain or justify the characters' thoughts.

Furthermore, I personally like that the prologue has no dialogue but rather the thoughts of the character instead. In this way, it allows me to get into the character's mind and feelings before actually meeting them.

Additionally, the use of visual art is spot on.

1st chapter 3/5

Surprisingly, the first chapter did not create an impact on me as much as I had anticipated. Considerably, the prologue really prepared me for a dark twisted mystery. Although the pacing was incredibly good, and the writing itself is organized neatly and comprehensively. It was the overall laying down of information that somehow decreased my attention. There is one thing that is perhaps memorable about chapter one is the turning point of the event. While I was expecting the murder to be just for her husband, I did not expect that the mistress would be part of it too.

Suggestively it would be more interesting if the whole thing was left in the shadow of mystery rather than putting all of her plan in plain sight.

Characters 8/15

The only memorable character for me is the wife herself. ( To justify the other characters, I just read at least 5-7 chapters, hence I have not met the characters well.)

In character analysis, the main villain or antagonist is clearly and obviously the MC's mother. Although certain parts would deduce how she was written, I can say that she is set to have a progression to be Cynthia's worst nemesis. I believe she will be the center of the plot's conflict.

For Cynthia, she is a more timid character, and the writing is somehow not evolved around her even though she is supposed to be the "mc". The writing itself is more centered on the wife's POV ( perhaps this is because it's just the first five chapters), I would recommend putting a more central POV on Cynthia and allow the readers to properly get to meet her personality rather than her thoughts about the murder.

Plot 11/15

I would say the plot is interesting, and not a bad interesting but literally interesting. It will draw readers considering how well the blurb was written. However, if a reader might want a full-on mystery that will make the reader be part of the investigation, then this is where the story falls short.

As I mentioned earlier, the allure of mystery was taken for granted because of how certain information was given in the first five chapters. This made me lose a little bit of the adrenaline of the story.

Furthermore, the story itself has a twisted catch on it, because seriously how can a mother do that to her own child? Without my biased opinions about the plot- I am positive that the story will progress more into a twisted game of catching the real killer. I believe that there is still room (chapters) that will allow Cynthia's character to grow.

Overall, the plot is interesting enough to pique some reader's attention.

Organization 10/10

The settings, the time, the pacing. Perfectly cohesive and understandable. No difficulty in processing.

Enjoyment 14/20

I enjoyed the first half of the 5-7 chapters. As an avid fan of mystery/ crime stories, I was expecting that as a reader I would also take part in putting the pieces together and try to find out who is the killer with Cynthia. The progression of the story is enjoyable I must say, considering the wife's personality is entertaining as an amateur killer.

Overall Score: 76/100

I would like to express my gratitude for allowing me to read and analyze your book. I had fun with the review and it was a great opportunity for me. I would like to disclose that my review does not necessarily define your writing and your book. But rather, take my review as just one of your reader's feedback. Thanks once again and I hope you continue writing.

• Txza