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Review by Elysia: The Stuff Heroes Are Made Of

Title: The Stuff Heroes Are Made Of

Author: LyrasRhythm

Reviewer: ScarredHeroes

Grammar/Punctuation: 3/5

Your story is not much of a narrative, but a compilation of heartfelt letters from various people who have benefited from a young girl's sacrifice. As of grammar, there is not much to say, but you are using the appropriate vocabulary to describe your situation.

I recommend some spacing between your paragraphs and maybe even try rephrasing them. This will allow you to establish an even more effective way to express the emotions to your readers and to make it easier for people to grasp and feel.

For example:

I don't know how longer I can stay stronger for your mother and Raksha. I'm trying so hard but we see a person selling cotton candy and all three of us would start crying together, shaking. They're hurting in different ways. I think like me, they're blaming themselves for you going away. Maybe it's because we still see you everywhere. In the garden, sneaking calls to Karthik, smiling to yourself while listening to music. Ramya's there. That was enough for us. That was some unspoken strength we had until we realised it was gone.

What I'm trying to say is, rephrase it like this: 

I don't know how longer I can stay strong for your mother and Raksha. I'm trying so hard but the moment we see a person selling cotton candy, all three of us would start crying together, shaking as grief overwhelms us.

They're hurting in different ways like me, they're blaming themselves for you going away.

But maybe it's because we still see you everywhere. In the garden, sneaking calls to Karthik, smiling to yourself while listening to music. And I would sigh in relief thinking to myself.

Ramya's there. She's right here, within our sight.

And that was enough for us.

That, was some unspoken strength we had until we realised it was gone.

Forever. 

I would also recommend you to use more than just sentences. Probably poetic verses or something that allows the readers to divulge into what Ramya was like. Because the story revolves around Ramya and her sacrifice, shouldn't we get to know what she was like?

Writing Style: 3.5/5

Your letter writing was impeccable, as I found myself reading more. I loved the way how you've weaved in her role of saving them and the lives of the people she saved either becoming better or worse.

But somehow, I found certain places where you could've intensified the emotions that each person feels after the incident. It could certainly add to the essence of your book that delivers melancholy.

Your writing style is unique, but not yet developed to a level where it shines in the spotlight. I like the way you deliver a hero's story through various people whom she is connected to. It's truly mesmerising to read about how one good act, helps so many lives.

Characterisation: 3.5/5

There is not much scope of any solid character as the only one that matters is dead.

You've done a formidable job in bringing in different characters through various letters that are written to Ramya.

But none of them resonated as I was not able to empathise with the characters- this is because of the things I specified earlier in the 'Grammar/ Punctuation' segment- spacing, rephrasing and utilisation of more powerful words.

But every scenario you present that connects Ramya to various people whom she never knew is so beautiful!

Plot + Originality: 4.5/5

There's not much story telling, dramatic scenes or any form of action apart from reciting, but it's still nice to read a unique book like this from time to time.

This book, with some important changes, can be used as a medium to extend people hope and allow people to know the real heroes who save people almost everyday.

It's an uncannily beautiful yet melancholic take on how a heroic act that costed one's life, saved so many people, who begin their life anew.