What is your opinion?
Revenge of a Monster
"Suspense & Tension: * This novel captures so much unease and that is what makes it so compelling to read, very refreshing from a perspective that deviates from the relatable, likeable character that you see in everyday books. These first two chapters left me on the edge of my seat, as I learnt more about Ronan Caesar and his flawed personality. * There are moments of both psychological and emotional tension which combine into something really powerful, both as thematic themes that reflect societal issues and the violence that can often twist individuals into distorted versions of themselves. * I definitely feel a sense of paranoia under the layers of self-confidence and cold, brusque demeanour. I am intrigued to delve into this during the later chapters of this book and I cannot wait to discover more about our mysterious boxer. Character Psychology & Depth: * The protagonist's thoughts, fears, and paranoia are well-explored and established, they provide the reader with insight into different, vulnerable layers of the character that are unique and different to what we usually, and psychologically explorative. * The protagonist certainly has a complex, layered personality that is well-developed in the first two chapters and I say this as someone who doesn't read a lot of psychological thriller books. So I applaud you here, because I feel very attached to this character already. * The character's actions are both believable and unsettling, which again creates something so exonerably powerful that I am speechless at how amazing you are at writing such intricate characters. This is very inspiring, and I am excited to see how the character develops through the rest of the novel. Unreliable Narration & Mind Games: * I think the use of unreliable narration here which is evident because of the protagonist's personal experiences and his coloured worldview as a result, provides a really strong element to this narrative, leaving suspense to the reader and allows them to question the truth of this account in more ways than one. * There are elements of manipulation and deception invoked here which adds another interesting take on the narrative, it makes it refreshingly unique compared to the linear narratives where truth and honesty are valued above all else. * For me as a reader and writer, I am certainly inclined to question what is real and what is falsified because of the character's coloured view of the world, and his narrow-minded approach to the cruelty of the world and the nature of humankind. Pacing & Structure: * The chapters here maintain a steady, gripping pace that make me suspenseful and excited to learn more about the plot, the characters and all the different elements that make this book a psychological thriller, so I think this book so far is well done in terms of pace and structure. * There are definitely elements of slow-burn with moments of intensity that evoke something strong and make the novel truly gripping to read, so I am looking forward to seeing more of these thrown into the chapters that are to come in this novel. * Definitely leaves open questions for the reader to try and puzzle together whilst waiting for the chapter that reveals the answer to them, so job well done because this novel does this really well so far and I cannot wait to see more of these in the next chapters. Atmosphere & Mood: * The setting is definitely psychologically disorienting because of the violence that is exposed here, which makes me personally empathise with the unlikeable villain, I definitely like it leaves subtle hints about the tragic past he faced and what has shaped him to be the way he is. * The writing here evokes a lot of strong emotional responses from the reader which I believe makes it so successful, it is not plain or too bland, but really thought-provocative and allows the reader to enter the world that differs from reality. * Sensory details are used correctly here to build an intimidating, and unsettling atmosphere that creates emotional responses for the readers, and tells us a lot about the character and their relationship to their setting around them. Twists & Clues & Misdirections: * A lot of subtle foreshadowing is used here which makes this novel really effective in exciting the reader, and suspenseful to know what happens in the next few chapters. I personally know that I am really amazed by the well-placed herrings here. * I haven't seen any twists yet necessarily but these are only the two chapters so I don't this is an issue, but I am curious to see what will come in the next chapters. * It certainly raises questions in the first two chapters that make me want to continue Ronan's story, a lot of intriguing and insightful psychological questions that delve into the character's personalities, experiences, and their actions moving forward. Themes of Obsession & Control & Trauma: * Both themes explore trauma, paranoia and manipulation which make it particularly effective because it conveys the elements that fit well in a psychological thriller, so I am sincerely impressed here, because you've managed to do it so well. * Psychological elements are used well to deepen the story here, reveal some of the character's tragic arc that make him such a villain who can be sympathised well, job well done here really, because I could see it reflected well in the first two chapters. * There is definitely an exploration of blurred reality here, definitely because of the character's pessimistic worldview and his coloured view of the world as I've. mentioned before so I am very pleased to say that this is done very well. Writing & Language: * The prose is immersive and emotionally charged which I really enjoy, to me that is important in any novel but it is particularly effective here as it makes the book enjoyable to read and enhances every aspect of the book, the plot, the characters, the individual elements etc... * Descriptions are unsettling and evocative which create something truly expressive when reading this novel, I am really impressed, job well done here, and I mean it :) The vivid imagery really drew me in to the novel in the first place. * The dialogue feels so natural for a character of his stature, and there definitely feels like there is a hidden layer a hidden symbolism that makes the reader want to know more, under the veiled surface that is present within the novel."
This is DOPE!!!
"You really know how to glue a reader fr!🎀 I was intrigued and its interesting way to capture my attention.. the narration and story line is too good and the images are just like cherry on top❤️"
Epic start to a captivating series!
"I thoroughly enjoyed diving into this gripping thriller, the first installment of what promises to be an exciting series! From the very first chapter, the story pulled me in with its atmospheric tension and well-crafted suspense. The author has a knack for creating a sense of unease that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, and I found myself eager to uncover the mysteries woven throughout the plot. One of the standout aspects of this story is the attention to detail in character development. I absolutely loved the aesthetics provided for each character—it added such a unique and personal touch, making them feel vivid and real. The visuals helped me connect with the characters on a deeper level, and I could easily picture them as the story unfolded. The author does an excellent job of balancing action with moments of introspection, allowing the characters to shine while maintaining the thriller's momentum. I also appreciated the atmospheric descriptions—they added depth to the setting and made the world feel immersive. A few plot points could benefit from further elaboration to enhance clarity. These are minor points, though, and they don’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. Overall, this is a fantastic start to what I’m sure will be a captivating series. The author’s creativity and passion for storytelling shine through, and I’m excited to see where the series goes next. I would highly recommend this to fans of thrillers who enjoy rich character dynamics and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. Keep up the amazing work, Eliana Stephens —I can’t wait to read more!"
