What is your opinion?
Appreciation and Commission Request
"Hi! I’m Eloise, a digital artist passionate about visual storytelling. I just read your story and was completely pulled in the emotion, the world, the characters it all played out in my head like a comic. I’d love to collaborate on adapting a scene into a short comic! I focus on expressive characters and impactful layouts, and I think we could create something really special together. I charge reasonably and am happy to share samples of my work if you're curious. No pressure just wanted to say how much I loved your writing and share the idea. Feel free to reach out on Discord: luansousa8287. "
Jenk
"It was really a heart wrenching story and as a male reader, the grim reality of what someone can do to their partner. It's quite easy to sit back and ask why? The early warning signs were there. Of course not knowing of the emotional trapment negates all of that. Sadly the abuse of partners is still prevalent today. Thank you "
A must read!
"This is a critically important story, and it's told quite well. The author's prose is generally crisp, descriptive, and easy to read. And the narrative is an essential one for women and men alike to read, reflect on, and absorb. The story does a great job of showing the internal and external struggles that come with an abusive relationship. The characters are drawn incredibly well and produce sympathy for the MC, Maddy, even when her actions are maddeningly frustrating for the reader, as well as disgust with the abuser. In particular, the last third of the book is brilliantly paced, with short crisp chapters that pull the reader along and a great sense of tension. My only suggestion is to shift the weight of the book from the front to the back (the middle third drags just a little) and describe certain scenes toward the end in real-time vs summary (e.g., the last chapter). This is a powerful story, told with brutal honesty. The devolution of a vacation/dreamy state to horror is masterfully done. Another idea, to take or leave, is to create an annotated copy with expert/survivor commentary on the interpersonal and emotional dynamics at play at certain points of the book. Might be helpful, just an opinion."
One of my favorites
"Till far I found this book hella awesome...I mean it's addictive...Story comes in the category of "must read"... It's wow...Damm I can't just describe it in one word...Writer is amazing. I'm a silent reader. Though I don't comment..But I really really love and will love this book."
Such A Powerful Story
"Shattered Moon is a harrowing yet beautiful tale about a woman who experiences, and escapes domestic abuse. The story's first person POV allows for the reader to really get to know, and to fall in love with the MC. As her life ebbs and flows between exhilaration and terror, and finally triumph, the reader feels every emotion right along with her. The smooth and easy to read writing style made me feel like I was reading a true story, told by the MC herself. Actually, everything about this story feels like it could have really happened, and that will send a shiver down anyone's spine. Kudos to the author for shining a light on this subject. Excellent work!"
Powerful, Enlightening Story
"Shattered Moon, by Renata Lanzoni sneaks up on it's readers, aggressively grabs them by the hair and pulls them down into the depths of a tense, intense and all too scary - but unfortunately real - story of domestic abuse that can and does happen to even the most guarded and cautious of people all across the world. Not having experienced any events anywhere close to what happens to Lanzoni's mature, intelligent and emotionally guarded main character, Maddy, I found it fascinating to watch the abusive relationship formulate, develop, exhibit warning signs and ultimately devolve into the horror that it becomes by the back act of the book. Lanzoni's slow, torturous unfolding of her magnificent plot plays like a terrible accident on a highway or a train wreck that happens in ultra slow motion. Everyone but Maddy sees it coming. But, like in many unfortunate and sad moments in real life, nobody was able to stop it from happening. And the deeper Maddy descends into her abusive situation, the more dire, dangerous and ultimately life-threatening her situation becomes. Lanzoni's strength as a writer comes in the form of her simple, easy-to-read prose, organized in short, tight chapters as well as her finely drawn characters and their touching and highly believable relationships. The supporting character of Cindy somewhat represents the perspective of the reader in her affection for Maddy and her outside perspective on Maddy's emotional needs. But, unlike the reader, even Cindy misses the growing warning signs that Lanzoni expertly trickles into the opening act of her epic story. The slow burn through of events that cascade throughout the fun, romantic first act and the sexy, seductive second act linger excruciatingly for the reader like a slow simmering of emotion and anticipation. Her deliberate style of metered exposition serves as a great asset in building tension and nervous apprehension in the reader. While this serves as a great strength, it also underpins the only criticism of the novel, which is that her overly patient style of moving through the series of events that make up the plot can sometimes come at the expense of pace. The first act belabors the courtship by about a chapter or two too long and the second act simmers the sexual tension just a hair long as well. Tightening these elements would make the story that much more powerful than it already is. Despite the minor critical feedback, Lanzoni crafts not just an exciting, intense and enjoyable thriller, but rather an important one with a deep introspective investigation of the psychology behind domestic abuse and a critical message describing a not uncommon scenario of how it can begin and how far it can go. Especially impactful for someone who has never experienced anything even close to Maddy's situation, the story educates and enlightens - or at least it did for me. I suspect, it could serve an even more important role in demonstrating empathy and shared understanding among readers who may have experienced any sort of abusive situation along the lines of Maddy's relationship with her tormentor, Kiri. Shattered Moon takes its audience from the fun, romantic sunlight of a Sri Lanka beach, to the dark, dangerous depths of domestic abuse, educating, enlightening , infuriating and entertaining its readers along the way. It is a quick, wonderful read and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful and thought-provoking experience."
Compelling Reading
"This is a powerful and emotionally intense novel written in a deceptively simple first person present style. The characters are real - disturbingly so - and the story psychologically convincing and compelling. The simple, often under-stated narrative carries a power which draws the reader from chapter to chapter until the end is reached. It is utterly compelling. I can only congratulate the author on a fine achievement."
Excellent Book of Domestic Abuse!
"Shattered Moon by Renata Lanzoni is one of the most heartbreaking stories I have ever read on the topic of domestic violence, and no one before has written about this topic better than Renata. I was transfixed by her story! In the beginning, her marriage to Ben is dead and before she suffers the worst abuse I've ever read from a younger boyfriend named Kiri, she is insistent to her friend Cindy, that she does not want to get into a relationship. She's looking for Kyle her 18-year old that left home and she has a daughter Lucy in college. On vacation on a tropical beach Kiri reluctantly meets a handsome younger man, a waiter, named Kiri. Almost from the beginning, he is accusatory. Unfortunately, the abuse is ongoing, it's deep and painful; yet, it's illuminating for the lessons we will learn by reading Shattered Moon. I loved this book! And, the idea that it is written with a great level of benevolence and giving towards other women who are abused is astounding. As a matter of fact, once one views the abuse that Maddy suffered at the hands of a man she truly loved from her heart, it won't be the kind of abuse any of us have seen before. From chips in her shoulder to a destroyed leg, imprisonment and more, Kiri abused Maddy incessantly, while she sought to find the good in all of the bad. I think it's a great tribute to women and men across America that after all she's gone through that Renata will be donating funds to a charity in the spirit of her character's abuse. Shattered Moon does not hold back in highlighting how women over 40 can feel useless and underservant of love. When women are particularly nurturing figures towards men, it's easy for someone like abuser Kiri to take advantage of Maddy's kindness and understanding of his abandonment issues that he said began when he was a year old. He's troubled. But I love the way the author describes his oncoming sets of destruction and jealousy, I took them as red flags, signifiers that all women can learn from. The book is ever so captivating for this; and, it's very sad to watch the abuse grow within a romance that could have otherwise been quite captivating were it not for the abuses. This is a fantastic read. The book is very well written in that it describes the onset of Kiri's abuses in great depth, that begin with jealousy by Kiri. I cried when he rendered Maddy unconscious. Later, she woke up with her abuser Kiri ready to put her back together again, in a monstrous manner in time for more verbal and horrendous physical abuse. I commend this book to all readers. It's a page turner, indeed. The author is a hero to women who seeking subject matter on how to deal with such issues."
Great description of this kind of relationship and a very important message
"I like the style - it is engaging. honest and easy to read."
Promising Start
"Your story is refreshing. I really like your MC. Your writing style is crisp and precise and flows well. Other than suggesting proofreading a couple of times to remedy some grammar and punctuation overlooks, I have no real criticisms from what I've read so far. Good luck with your book :) "
Really enjoyed it
"I havent gone throughout the whole book. However, I've loved what I've read till now. You have an immense ability to describe with a great amount of precision. Any reader would find himself in the scene being told. Few improvements should be done of course, but only to make the book perfect ♡"
First few chapters
"So, I finished the first few chapters. Your writing style is interesting and I'm sure many people will like it. It's easy to understand but it's just not my cup of tea. The plot is also something I, on a personal level, am not attracted to mainly because I have other preferences. Grammar and punctuation could be worked on, I think if you spell check certain things twice it'll be fine. Your story is interesting and emotional so I will recommend it :) Keep going and good luck with your future works!"
