Faiza's Review book

The Montclairs

@naomilaird
Requested review
Chapters read: blurb, chapter 1

Title:
The title is straightforward, clearly indicating the family at the center of the narrative, which sets a clear focus for the reader.

The Blurb:
The blurb presents the book as a tale about an extraordinary family. While it offers an introduction to the characters, fails to hint at the genre or plot specifics. The grammar and punctuation are flawless. The blurb is engaging and flows well. It does not however intrigue me enough to want to pick this book off the shelf and delve deeper. I would appreciate more details about what I can expect from the story so I can make an informed decision about whether to read this book.

First Chapter:
The first chapter revolves around Sable and is both interesting and engaging. There is a natural build-up of intrigue regarding the family's constant movement and the nature of the powers or gifts they are concealing. The narration is descriptive, effectively utilizing the technique of "showing" rather than "telling."

The cafeteria scene is particularly well crafted, with vivid imagery that draws the reader in. However, I found myself uncertain about Sable's age or gender identity, as there are no clear indicators of whether Sable is a boy, girl, or non-binary.

Despite the intriguing start, I still feel unclear about the overall direction of the story and what themes or conflicts I will be exploring as I continue reading.

Overall:
The writer demonstrates considerable potential, showcasing a strong command of descriptive language and a solid grasp of grammar and tense, with only occasional SPAG errors. However, the blurb requires more substance to attract readers, and the first chapter could benefit from generating additional questions or intrigue to compel readers to turn the page to chapter two. With a few adjustments, this story has the potential to captivate a wider audience.