The Hook Factor | Review Shop

Welcome!

❝You can always edit a bad page. You can't edit a blank page.❞ — Jodi Picoult

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Welcome to "The Hook Factor"! If you're here, then you probably want a review of your book but this review shop is a little different from the others so, before you request, let's have a quick breakdown of what exactly I offer here.

── I only review first chapters. This includes prologues or just the first main chapter in your story. Do make sure to be specific with that when requesting. If you have a prologue but want me to skip that and review Chapter 1, tell me!

── I will focus on a variety of things but the hook of your opening chapter is the main thing I will look at. This means I will read into and tell you how captivating your first chapter was. Did it hook me? Does it make me want to read more or put the book down?

── I will not be providing scores for these reviews. Just genuine feedback on what I liked and what you could improve on.

── I will not be reviewing any further chapters. Nor will I give any review for your book title or cover as that is not the point of this shop. Everything I comment on and look at will be to do with your first chapter.

So, what is the criteria?

── Is your opening gripping? For this, I will look at the chapter overall and decide whether it made me want to read on or not.

── What is your opening line? Does it immediately draw you in or does it take a little while to get there? Is it snappy or too long-winded?

── Do you put the reader into your world? Worldbuilding can be hard and won't be fully complete in only the first chapter but do you introduce this world well?

── Likewise, who are the characters and what do they tell you about the story? Is the main character introduced and how so? Are they set up well or not?

── Do you pose a question the reader wants to get an answer to? This helps to build intrigue and mystery, giving the reader a strong cause to read on.

── Does the plot start well or is it too slow paced?

All of these are loose points I will focus on alongside the basics of grammar and punctuation. I may also dip into your use of vocabulary and descriptive writing, determining if it is well done or if there is too little or too much. Your writing overall will also be considered as this helps to contribute to the overall impact of the story from the get-go.

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