hi all! how have you been?
i've finished judging for round 1, which focuses on the first impression as mentioned in the criteria. you'll find your score and a short first impression review below to justify why and how your book is eliminated. you passed if you got a ✅️
THE BOOKS ARE NOT ORDERED IN ANY WAY.
this is lengthy, so skip to the part about your book if you want.
don't forget to read the summary and the note at the end!
DISCLAIMER: no way i'm trying to be rude or belittle any work. i'm simply giving my personal opinion besides pointing out some glaring mistakes that everyone can agree on (like grammar). in no way is this meant to disparge the quality of your work. i hope this will be rather helpful than frustrating.
you're not forced to listen to me as well! do what works for you.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Damsel In Business by BluNoor ✅️
cover (7/10): the background photo is great. however, sadly, the font makes the text a little unclear. everything else besides the title is barely visible.
title (9/10): this title wins! unique, sets the vibe, and matches the blurb. one thing: don't capitalise 'in' as it's not needed in titles. a minor word.
blurb (12/15): ah, love the tone. mysterious, hooking, with a little background on why everything is happening. i have two suggestions:
1) fix the paragraphing and slight grammatical errors. only cut the paragraph if you're changing the topic or for dramatic pause. or, of course, if it's getting too long.
2) the conversation at the bottom, although great, is lengthy. i'm not sure most readers will go through it all.
hook (15/15): i've never read a mafia book because i wasn't into them, so i'm not sure how original the ideas are, hence the way i'm hooked could simply be because i'm new. nonetheless, i look forward to reading your work. besides, love me some mature content, and it looks like you'll provide.
final score (43/50)
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Her Purpose by sulkytae ✅️
cover (10/10): somehow, i prefer this cover over having face claims or background photos. especially if you're not a designer, don't take the risk of editing a photo into a cover. the sentence above the title shines a whole new meaning to 'her purpose'.
title (7/10): nth special about the title, until i read the sentence above it in the cover. maybe if you add a suitable adjective to purpose, it'll be more intriguing.
blurb (15/15): oh, cool. but sad :(
i'm not into sad stories, unfortunately. that aside, the blurb is clear, clean, and has the right amount of intrigue.
hook (10/15): i'm definitely hooked by the clean first impression and the tease in the blurb, although i dislike sad stories! i really want to know what she wants to do before she dies, and i hope she doesn't actually die. didn't need to read the first chapter to feel hooked, which is great!
final score (42/50)
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Sperm: on demand by ihskasii_u ✅️
