Quest Reviews (CLOSED FOR CATCH UP)

Nazeefa's Express Review

Book Title: Epoch in Time

Author: zhinched

Genre: Romance/Fantasy

Chapters Reviewed: 6 (Express Review)

Reviewer: @MidnightKoala

Note: I will try and be as constructive and as polite as possible regarding areas that I think can be improved but still remain honest. It is not my intention to be harsh or rude but if any of my comments come across that way, I do apologise sincerely. I am not always right and sometimes my opinions may be different to yours so please do tell me if you don't agree with something I've said or want to discuss further - I am more than happy to. I hope the review is helpful! ❤️

TITLE/COVER/BLURB:

Your title is quite unique - it is definitely intriguing and catchy. It's also a nice length - not too short that it loses its purpose but not too long either which would sound clumsy to read. Overall, a nice choice. Just one small thing - grammatically, it should be 'Epoch in Time' where the word 'in' has a small i.

Your cover is also very interesting - I like the placement of the people and the background and the way you've written your title is very attractive. The clock at the back gives it a nice effect too. It's professionally done and definitely catches my eye. Nice work.

The first line of your blurb doesn't particularly make me want to read more. You have written 'as cliché as it sounds' but it doesn't change the fact that the first line is still cliché.

The next part is much better: Not only did he accidentally call someone who had disappeared from the world three years ago, but he was also able to meet her by going back to the past. This line is much more intriguing and grabs my attention as a reader. I would suggest having this as your first part but, of course, changing the wording slightly so it makes more sense.

E.g. Nicco Thompson never really expected an extraordinary life. But when he accidentally called someone who had disappeared from the world three years ago, and was also able to meet her by going back to the past, his life couldn't be further from ordinary.

This is just a suggestion and you don't have to use it if you have another idea in mind. 😄

P.S. Nicco is a great name - I love how unique it sounds yet it's still a variation of the more common name Nico. I'm kind of a fan of creative names. Great choice! 😉

The next questions you ask feel a little generic and vague to me. With a plan set on his mind, will he be able to reach the stars and succeed? Or will the plan just find its way downhill? Maybe you could hint at what his plan might be (at this point I haven't started your story yet so this might not work - you know best as the author 😊) or perhaps you could ask slightly more specific questions that would hook the reader in more. It just doesn't feel personal enough to your character and story.

I definitely like the next part when you talk about calling someone from the past being horrid for most people. But I feel like the last line 'It's all about family and relationships' isn't as strong as it could be. The last line of a blurb should ideally leave your reader in suspense and force them to open your book. Perhaps try using a rhetorical question or a more powerful statement such as:

But in his story? Family means everything. (Again, I'm not sure if that would work as I haven't started reading your story yet but it's an idea of what kind of ending would sound more gripping.)

OPENING:

I always like seeing images of characters but personally, I prefer them at the end of a story just so I can imagine what they'd look like in my head by your writing and descriptions rather than through the pictures. A little old school, I know, but there's nothing wrong with the way you've done it - that's just my personal preference. 😄