Scarlett

Hypnotic, Dark Masterpiece

Muse's poetry takes readers to another level of linguistic art and storytelling- to the ghostly plain where the Astral Phantom reigns. Muse writes with a darkly magical flair and sophistication that is a true rarity, and it's beyond evident that not one word was nonsensically used. There is a sense in each of her poems that she mulled over every verse to ensure the prosody is as lyrical as it is profoundly emotional. Lastly, this book of poetry is lush with delightfully complex symbolism and imagery that paints hauntingly fascinating scenes with descriptive words. 🖤

Overall, this a hypnotically beautiful dark masterpiece of poetry that I would highly recommend.

Side note: I feel as though our writing styles are incredibly similar and complement one another's. It's almost as if I can remember whispering lyrics reminiscent of this poem before I even read it. 🥰

Fascinating and Unique

A fascinating paradox of the natural and the supernatural! Set in a world where the existence of the legendary werewolves is common knowledge to humans, Recrudescence enmeshes readers not into a dystopian war of werewolves against humans, but into a delightful world of bountiful blossoms and beauty residing in the natural wonders of Mother Nature. My sole concern is the repetitive use of some words such as beautiful, as is seen in "a beautiful day... a beautiful sunrise... it's beautiful darling" (Recrudescence). In light of this support, I believe your novel would improve with a few substitutions such as the words mesmeric, hypnotic and charming. Moreover, there are quite a few grammar errors, so don't forget to run your manuscript through Grammerly!

I do hope my insight will be beneficial to you,
XOXO, S

Gripping and Wonderfully Tense

Out of the Dark creates a fascinating world that is the perfect setting for a protagonist with a core of hidden strength and dark creatures that elevate the stakes even more. I can't wait for the next chapter!

My one concern is the comma splice errors (a few missing commas), but otherwise, this story is wonderfully tense and doesn't pull plot twist punches, making it all the more gripping.

Sharply Drawn

Although I've only read one chapter, the sharply drawn, compelling protagonist makes this story already worthy of its fiery name. The internal dialogue is intense and places the reader directly into the vibrant world of Phoenix.

I can't wait for updates!

My only concern is the grammar, as there's a noticeable shifting between the past and present tense.

Red Re-imagined

Wolf's Lullaby is a lush retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, but it is also unique. It has amazingly developed secondary characters, excellent plot foreshadowing, and an engaging thread of comedy. Also notable are the distinct, alternating POVs of Tara and Philip, which the author elevated by the witty and humourous character dialogue. Paired with the mystery and intrigue of the werewolves reveal, this is a richly developed fantasy world perfect for fans of the romance and fairy tale genres! My only critique is the grammar, but it's nothing that renders the novel too confusing and is easy to fix.

Overall, well done!

Cherry Skies

Cherry Skies is a delightfully dramatic romance tale written from the perspective of a strong-willed Colorado mother. Although the fast-paced plot handles the sensitive subject of toxic relationships, readers can instantly sympathize with the protagonist, Elizabeth, and her commendable ability to overcome past trauma. This quality is ever-present in Elizabeth's willingness to reconcile with her once estranged father and even mother.

When disregarding the somewhat surface-level secondary characters, the narrative is centrally character-driven, focusing on family dynamics and trauma that propels the plot forward. Ultimately, the shocking twist of an ending portrays Elizabeth in a light that contradicts the novel's theme accentuating the danger of toxic relationships and the importance of self-sufficiency. Despite this, such a romance tale remains refreshing by promoting awareness of current relevant issues with coveted originality.

My only critique extends to the frequent grammar errors containing sentences missing punctuation (mainly comma splice errors) and crude descriptions placed awkwardly through the manuscript. Lastly, the writing style pairs numerous long sentences with sentence fragments, both of which decrease the easy readability of the book.

Overall, this is a compelling romance enhanced with an intriguing main character!

Note: This is a judge's review written following the Roadmap Awards writing competition, round two.

Compelling

A compelling take on the romance genre that charmed me from the start!

Most notable so far is the fascinating character development, enhanced by witty and humorous dialogue. I adored the interactions between the protagonist and Damien— so wonderfully written. Well done! My only concern is the relatively slow-paced plot, but of course, that is only a personal preference.

Overall, this story is richly developed with delightfully intriguing characters. A fantastic read perfect for lovers of the drama and romance genres!

Spellbound

Most notable so far is the wonderfully crafted plot centered on a cynical fallen seraph banished from the empyrean realm of Heaven and condemned to live as a mundane mortal.

Enter a helpful young veterinary professional, and the writing style becomes enhanced with delightful character development that fascinates readers, leaving us spellbound. My only critique is the grammar, but it's nothing that renders your novel confusing and is easy to fix.

Overall, this is a compelling romance story I very much enjoyed reading!

Intriguing

This novel's premise is very reminiscent of the folkloric tale Cinderella, as the protagonist Summer is not yet able to acknowledge her potential because of the perpetuated mental and even physical abuse she endures at the hands of her school bullies. I very much appreciate the character development and dialogue in this novel; however, I would recommend exploring different facets of Summer's personality in addition to her low self-esteem. Of course, this is simply a personal preference, but I have a tendency to prefer valiant and strong-willed protagonists, and I would love to see more of such qualities in Summer. 🥰

Overall, this is an intriguing tale that explores the nuances of those who lack self-confidence-- thus, bringing much-needed awareness to such a mental state.

Compelling

This compelling short story delves into the intricacies of being a writer, paired with a painter's creative life. I adored the dialogue between Vladimir and the protagonist, it was wonderfully witty, and definitely marital in nature. Overall, you've crafted an emotional tale with complex characters that fascinated me. Well done!

A Humorous Delight

A humorous tale of high school escapades, this short novel is the epitome of character development with a perfect hint of satire!

My only concern is the consistent use of emojis because they begin to act as essential mediums of expression and even introspection for the protagonist- which you should be cautious of, as novels should only contain icons for text separation purposes.

Overall, this is a delightfully comedic tale that I hope will be updated soon.

A Sinister Thriller

The Dare is a riveting and sinister thriller!

I adore the contrasting personalities of both melancholy Sage and sweet Salem! I love how their differences play off of one another, and this improves the dialogue tenfold. My only concern is how many times you mentioned how gloomy Sage is. Following the general rule of 'show not tell' I'd recommend that you accentuate Sage's anti-social behavior more through her interactions rather than repetition.

Overall, a compelling horror story I very much enjoyed reading!

Intriguing

A fast-paced tale brimming with intrigue and thrill

We Are Broken

We Are Broken is a very intriguing and engaging book! Most notably, I appreciated June's character arc and the dynamics between her and Miles, which really propelled this heartfelt drama forward!

Last Chance

This gripping romance book boasts excellent character dynamics and a well-developed relationship between the protagonist and his love interest.

I adored the interactions between the protagonist and Luca— so wonderfully written. Their interactions are by far my favorite element of the story! Well done! However, although the secondary characters could use more depth, and the overall writing style would benefit from some linguistic embellishments, this story portrays the tragic reality of cancer with genuine precision. Notably, these one-dimensional secondary characters are ever-present in the protagonist's interactions with his so-called friends who mainly appear stereotypical (with a few exceptions).

Lastly, the ending concludes the story with a satisfying yet bittersweet finale that provides a keen insight into the difficulties of having judgmental parents. Non-accepting parents with overtly traditional values is a relevant issue for youth these days, and I greatly appreciate how this tale explores these nuances.

Overall, this is an emotionally riveting story narrating a couple's triumph over an illness. A fantastic LGBTQ2S+ read perfect for lovers of the drama and romance genres!

Note: This is a judge's review written following the Roadmap Awards writing competition, round three.

Cruelly Enchanting

This book has a fascinating premise, with prose that blends inventive, dark, fantastical elements with the hauntingly realistic intricacies of the stripper world. Fierce loyalties, authentic romance, and sharply drawn, emotionally complex characters of distinct identities and talents, the author has weaved an intriguing, enticing world that has plenty of bite underneath the glitter of genuine attraction. The Shadow Men is a fantasy with teeth and is genuinely gripping for the brilliant main character that shines from page one. The Shadow Men's fierce and beautiful El becomes a relatable character through her strong sensibilities. Despite her best efforts, she and the charming, if privileged, Dillon share a natural chemistry that eventually develops into an inseparable bond so pure, El's self-pitying all but vanishes with the dynamic portrayal of her driven character.

The writing style has a kind of fluidity to it. It reads almost like a dream: a cruelly enchanting one, that is, in reality, a nightmare. This quality allows readers to discover the mystery of El's darkly realistic night horrors and the Shadow Men's depravities right alongside her.

My only concerns are the lack of characterization for the wickedly imaginative Shadow Men leader, paired with the grammar errors alternating between comma splice mistakes, repetitive phrases, and missing punctuation.

Overall, I would highly recommend this lush, dark thriller that intricately weaves together Greek mythology, romance, dangerous nightmares, and shattered dreams. Wonderfully tense and breathtakingly touching, this world is one where the divide between the wealthy and poor is a highway line inked in pain.

Note: This is a judge's review written following the Roadmap Awards writing competition, round two.

Soulmate

As a fan of this author's work, I very much enjoyed reading their latest story.

Soulmate is a suspenseful, if slightly predictable, mystery drama that really accentuates the quality of the author's writing style. The writing style is easy to follow and adds depth to the character dynamics and the fast-paced plot. Also, the realistic internal dialogue of the protagonist, Maddy, was very intriguing to read, especially as she became entangled in the same danger that had befallen her late friend.

My only critique is the predictability of the plot twists, most notably the killer's identity, which was a tad too easy to solve. Personally, I prefer the thrill of contemplating various suspects, analyzing motives, and such, before concluding about the killer. Thus, for instance, to add more mystery to the plot, I'd change the wording of the text Maddy receives from Jamie before she goes to the park. This change would ensure that although the last text Maddy and Sadie received on Soulmate was conspicuously similar; they shouldn't be exactly word for word, which may make some readers pause before making the connection.

Overall, this is a dramatic mystery novel lush with anticipation and the intrigue and danger of texting strangers.

P.S: Cannot wait for the update! That cliffhanger was deadly!

The Silent Skater

This dramatic romance tale is a novel of intense emotions, overcoming insecurities, and
ultimately, forgiveness. The author's themes pervade the pages of The Silent Skater with a unique
perspicuity that outlines the importance of familial relationships. Despite the story's seemingly
ordinary modern setting, there is a sense of magical realism in the writing style through literary
devices that elevate the writing quality to encourage readers to visualize picturesquely frozen
ponds.

Throughout the novel, the romance is believably and seamlessly interwoven in such an intriguing
story that offers a unique insight into the coveted life of a dedicated figure skater. My only
critique is the grammar, but it's nothing that renders your novel confusing and is easy to fix.

Overall, this story is richly developed with delightfully intriguing characters. A fantastic read
perfect for lovers of the drama and romance genres!

Note: This is a judge's review written in accordance with the Roadmap Awards writing competition, round one.

Secret Enchantment

A lot of the story is interwoven with parts of Spanish culture, which I adore. It increased the
heightened effect of world-building by adding a wonderfully exotic atmosphere to the setting of
the elite Whispers Academy. Ultimately, the plot was well thought-out, made sense, and achieved
coveted originality despite using the common boarding school trope in fantasy novels. The
romance-centric consistency of the plot didn't claim the story; instead, it complemented the
suspenseful plot of the protagonist uncovering long-buried secrets from her family's tragic past.

My favorite aspect of the book was the portrayal of the characters. Countless fantasy romance
books ensure the entirety of the novel remains solely about the female protagonist and her male
love interest. Instead, Secret Enchantment explores Sarina's relationship with her best friends and
the two mysterious brothers with refreshing originality. My only concern is the grammar, the
consistent use of unnecessary words, paired with the contradiction between the formality of the
dialogue and the age of the characters.

Overall, this story is richly developed with delightfully complex characters written with a truly
captivating plot. A fantastic read perfect for lovers of the fantasy and romance genres!

Note: This is a judge's review written in accordance with the Roadmap Awards writing competition, round one.

The Skulls

The Skulls is a delightfully dark tale written from the perspective of a seductive, ruthless mafia leader. Although the premise handles the darker subjects of deception and murder, there exists also an indescribable and undeniable sense of familial importance. This is ever-present in the protagonist's interactions with her beloved and loyal siblings (her being one among a set of quadruplets).

Too frequently, when penning mafia romances, authors tend to forget how the tradition of such illegal gangs is generally centered on family bonds, but this narrative certainly conveys the opposite through wonderful character dynamics. I adore the blossoming romance between the protagonist and the love interest, paired with the dialogue, and the action scenes spread throughout. Well done!

Overall, this is a gripping romantic action tale that will urge readers to the edge of their seats in anticipation.

Selfless

Most notable in this tale is the wonderfully crafted emotional sincerity centered on describing the protagonist's raw, heartfelt struggle against the chaos and mayhem of war.

I very much appreciate the contradictions between Milos's profound affection toward his lover, contrasted with his undeniable increasing depression. There is raw intensity behind every word of each of the protagonist's letters, the writing precise as poetry to express every newfound sorrow and grim revelation.

Overall, this is a remarkable and compelling historical fiction short story that deeply resonated with me.

Partners In Arson

An excellent start to the story! I appreciate the succinctness of the chapters, as it greatly increases the flow of the writing! I also appreciate how clearly conveyed the character's emotions are portrayed without the need for overcomplications. Regarding the characters, Ethan is most definitely my favorite because of his attractive attitude, despite how, initially, most everyone saw him as suspicious.

Lastly, in terms of the technicality of your writing, I recommend revising your chapters once more to ensure there aren't any erroneous words and whatnot.

Overall, this is a delightfully quick and intriguing read!

A Light-Hearted Delight

Most notable so far is the compelling character interactions! I'm especially curious about the disagreement between Beatriz the protagonist. Speaking of, I very much appreciated the characterization of the protagonist, and found her to be delightfully sassy and energetic.

My only critique is to continue to improve upon the technical elements of this story, as I detected a few grammar errors throughout the text.

Overall, an enticing read rich with fantastical three wish spells and other folkloric, light-hearted delights!

Fascinating

The Sapphire Academy is a fascinating read imbued with intriguing supernatural mystery!

This novel adapts unique, dynamic personalities straight from the prologue, delightfully enmeshing readers into a deliciously complex realm where all manner of supernatural creatures lurk! My only critique is to continue to improve upon the technical elements of this story, as I detected a few grammar errors throughout the text.

Overall, this a suspenseful and fascinating novel I would highly recommend to lovers of fantasy narratives!

Enthralling

Pandora's Box is an enigmatic and suspenseful take on the fantasy genre.

I very much appreciate the character development of the protagonist, Pandora, as she navigates the complexities of resurrection. The plot is written with distinct foreshadowing that adds a touch of mystery and intrigue to this fantastical realm of cynical gods and goddesses! Also, the character dialogue is often witty and offers comical relief. My only concern is the grammar, but it's nothing that renders your novel confusing and is easy to fix.

Overall, this is an enthralling insight into the ancient legends of Greek mythology. Well done!

Intriguing!

An intriguing premise to a riveting thriller!

The writing style is well composed with imagery that causes shivers. I also very much appreciated the pacing of the plot, paired with the final chapter's humorous and creepy twist! Well done! My only critique would be to add more depth to the characters by elongating the narrative, which would in turn strengthen the plot.

Overall, this is a compelling thriller story I very much enjoyed reading!

A Stunning Mystery

An extremely compelling read that wonderfully explores the nuances of dangerous secrets!

Most notable so far is the distinct foreshadowing that enhances the plot with mystery and intrigue. The well-thought-out details depicting the character interactions between Vincent and the protagonist are fascinating. My only concern is the grammar, as I detected a few mistakes in that regard. But otherwise, this short story is a delight to read! Additionally, I'd also recommend naming your short anthology of stories just for originality purposes.

Overall, this suspenseful world you have created with dramatic betrayal and relevant issues is both breathtaking and stunning!

Vivid World-Building

TKoT is a fascinating take on the fantasy genre and is a novel enhanced both with thrilling mystery and extravagant world-building!

I very much appreciated the world-building and dynamic characters, both of which you have developed right from your novel's start. The delightfully complex narrative whisks readers away to an intricately woven fantasy world where ancient, nearly omnipotent gods are at war with one another as a slumbering dark goddess slowly awakens. The vivid world-building enhances the depictions of the power struggle between the gods and goddesses while also helping to set a background for the well-written character arcs and is very compelling. My only critique is to continue to improve upon the technical elements of this story, as I detected a few grammar errors throughout the text.

Overall, this is an intriguing read reminiscent of the renowned Game of Thrones.

A Book as Sweeping as the Sea

"The Letters of Sierra Charmonte'' is a compelling tale that brings history to mind, and not just the legendary seafaring disaster of April 15, 1912. Such is a book as sweeping as the sea that illustrates a grand love story set against a backdrop of prideful excess in an era of technological developments, where the most unlikely of individuals look beyond the rigid social classes of the 1900s.

The characters are deliciously complex, especially the fashionable Sierra, whom I found myself empathizing with because of the well-versed and well-written moments of introspection. I love historical narratives, and your captivating way of writing has made me regard the cataclysmic disaster of the Titanic's sinking with a fresh perspective. Lastly, the premeditated foreshadowing added an enthralling depth to the story, as did the character dynamics between Sierra and her two handsome love interests. This journey to the past you have enmeshed readers is both a breathtaking and stunning one with historical drama, intrigue and romance akin to the epics.

Overall, this is a positively riveting tale of adventure and romance I would highly recommend!

Sweet & Melancholy

A delightfully sweet novel with melancholic touches of mystery, The Art of Loving tells the age-old tale of tragic love with beautifully constructed originality!

I adore the masterful use of realism seen in flashback scenes at the illustrious Columbia University, as they enhance the depth of Tatiana's character while portraying pivotal scenes in the past. I also found the interaction between the two dynamic characters Matthew and Tatiana, to be endearing and humorous. My only concern is the slow-paced plot, but of course, that is only a personal preference. Lastly, comparing Travis to summer offered imagery tied into the emotional content of the protagonist. This imagery remains my favorite aspect of this book because it portrayed the addictive intricacy of poetry. 🖤

Overall, this is an intriguing read of romance that captures attention with artful grace.

Spirit of Fire

Most notable so far is the world-building, with vivid setting descriptions beautifully woven together- allowing me to visualize the scenes! The plot is written with distinct foreshadowing that adds a touch of mystery and intrigue to this fantastical realm of elementals! I especially adored the dialogue and interactions between Saffire and Courban because of how realistically their relationship developed. Also, I very much appreciated the alternating point of view in narration, as this provided insight into Courban's thoughts, explaining his motivations, vulnerabilities, and strengths.

Overall, this story is richly developed with delightfully complex characters written in a style that is truly a work of art. A fantastic read perfect for lovers of the fantasy and romance genres!

Intriguing

An intriguing tale of self-discovery that is reminiscent of its title!

This novel, though only two chapters in, is lush with profound feelings and complex emotions. I adored Madelaine's free-spirit and the resilience she displayed when standing up to her "friends". Also, the family dynamic later introduced adds an entirely new depth to the story that I appreciate. My only concern is the grammar, but it's nothing that renders your novel confusing and is easy to fix.

Overall, this is a unique insight into the stereotypical 'popular girl'. Well done!

Compelling

A creative take on the romance genre that charmed me from the start!

I was drawn in by the argumentative dialogue between the heroine and the hero that had a notable flirtatious undertone. My main concern is the immature temperament of the protagonist, as Lily is prone to whining. But honestly, that critique is a personal preference, and of course, your character has room to grow and develop into a dynamic person.

Finally, several grammar errors render your novel confusing, such as the repetitive use of the word 'dint' (by which I assume you meant to write 'didn't') so watch out for that.

Overall, a compelling novel penned by a talented writer.

A Riveting, Unique Tale

As a lover of vampiric lore, I can say in full honesty that Forevermore has made it the top of my favorite supernatural reads! 😊 The characters are deliciously complex, especially Vladimir, whom I found myself empathizing with because of the well versed and well written memory flashbacks. I love "villain" narratives, and your captivating way of writing has made me regard Vladimir with conflicted feelings- despite his violent tendencies and ruthlessness. Overall, this Gothic world you have created with historical drama and realistic, relevant issues is both breathtaking and stunning!

I've only made it halfway through the book, but I am extremely impressed with your writing finesse and will definitely continue reading!

P.S: I love Roland- such an amazing character.

Paranormal With a Twist

To the fascinating paranormal genre is added a unique werewolf tale of enigma and romance!

I really appreciated the beta-wolf, Coraline's free spirit and impulsiveness. Her character is refreshing and she certainly propels the plot forward with finesse! Moreover, the fact that this novel's protagonist isn't an alpha and the story-line doesn't revolve around alpha wolves makes Crossing the Line a very refreshing and unique take on supernatural stories. My only concern would be the amount of grammar errors and the odd extra spaces before punctuation marks.

Overall, a riveting tale of forbidden romance.

Unique Novella

A unique novella that is sure to intrigue readers of the supernatural romance genre!

A couple of the most notable aspects in "Hauntly Romance" are the character dynamics in Will as his perception on reality becomes more focused, as well as the captivating fast-paced plot. This being said, I would have preferred a more in depth writing style that delves into the core of the protagonist's emotions, and of course longer chapters. Moreover, there are numerous grammatical errors, so be certain to always run your manuscript through Grammarly before submitting.

Overall, you are a talented writer and I cannot wait to read a more developed work of yours. ❤

Enthralling

Tormented's enigmatic and suspenseful plot is absolutely riveting!

The conspicuous shadows darkening Salem's past add delightful depth to this novel, and the character dialogue is often witty and offers comical relief. Moreover, I very much appreciate how the poignant reminders of Salem's past persona are written, (while she compares her current melancholy temperament with her previous audacious one), as this is the epitome of the word 'torment'.

A word of advice, when penning complex mysteries, strive to provide readers with more thought-provoking clues, (IE: peculiar occurrences that can later be unraveled by readers as the novel progresses). This being said, I truly hope that Salem isn't the witch who decimated that poor town, as this would be too obvious a plot twist.

Overall, an enticing novel that I cannot wait to continue reading.

Captivating

A very captivating and engaging novel! I was drawn in by the sense of mystery woven into Silent Noise as well as the fascinating plot. However, there are several grammar errors which render your novel confusing, so watch out for that.

Profoundly Interesting...

I found your prologue to be an intriguing, unique take in the romance genre. I especially appreciated how you introduced one of your main topics, (themes) by exploring the restraints of fate and how insidious the expectations of those closest to you can be. One thing I would recommend altering is a specific line recounting Ella's anguish, "to go up to the tree house after the boys... Christian wouldn't look out for the nest and the eggs would fall out an die" (Once Bytten). In this instance, I feel as though by creating a personal attachment to these bird eggs (for Ella), like saying she fondly took care of them as she eagerly awaited their hatching, would accentuate Christian's indifference to Ella's emotions and better hint at the "controlling, manipulative billionaire" he is to become. Moreover, this will emphasize young Ella's unassailable determination when she proclaims she will never wed Christian.

I do hope my insight will be beneficial to you,
XOXO, S