Book Reviews

ᴛʀᴜᴛʜ ᴏʀ ᴅᴀʀᴇ

Cover: I quite like the cartoon look of the cover, I think it works very well!! I would recommend maybe changing the color of the lips, just to red maybe? I think that it would make the cover stand out, as it is a bit monotone at the moment. 

Your name being at the bottom is putting me off. When searching for your book, you can't read the title that well. Also, the sticker on the front is a bit off-putting due to its size. I would recommend moving your name and the title to the middle, and moving the sticker down to the bottom- just to make it look more coordinated. I haven't read the book at the point, as to get a 'first impression'. 

To me, your book cover doesn't show me a boyxboy relationship, because of the face on the book being more feminine. I think that changing it to a more masculine figure would be nice? (I haven't read yet, so I don't know if a female will be a dominant character, so ignore this if it has other meaning!!)

Here, I have made an idea of what your cover could look like. Bear in mind, I don't have the original picture, and sticker, so they can't be included <3

(Ok, OK, I changed almost everything and spent like half an hour on this haha, I got DISTRACTED) But you see what I am trying to do here? 

Blurb: I think that it is a tad bit short at the moment, and I think that just adding a tiny bit more information will make it more enticing!! I do feel a large urge to read the book just from the blurb, however!!

YOURS:

Elliot, Jess and Marcus are all friends but when a secret texter starts a school wide game of truth or dare thats all about to change. Secrets are exchanged and hearts broken as the texter tightens its hold on the school, because whoever they are, they have power and boy dont they know it.

FYI this book contains BxB relationships so if you're homophobic please leave because I'd rather not have nasty comments about characters who mean so much to me. It also contains suicidal stuff so if this isn't your vibe or whatever this isn't the book for you. Thank you✨ E L O D I E ✨ Btw I got the idea from Karen McManus and her book 'One of us is next' but I promise the storyline is completely different.

ADAPTATIONS:

Elliot, Jess, and Marcus are three friends, living every average teenager's life. All is well until somebody starts a whole school game of truth and dare, where everyone is involved. The three go for a ride in their friendship, could this game be the thing that tears them apart, or bring them closer together? Secrets are exchanged; hearts are broken as the sender tightens their grip on the school's weaknesses. Whatever. . . whoever they are, have the power, and boy don't they know it.

Originality: Obviously, you have been inspired by one of us is next, (CAN I JUST SAY THAT I LOVE ONE OF US IS NEXT, ITS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS!!) suggesting that the idea has been adapted slightly to be your own. I really love the storyline, and-even though I have only read a few chapters- I would definitely like to keep on reading!! I also don't know if you took the name Bronwyn from one of us is lying? Or is that just a complete coincidence. 

Flow: I think that there is a strong start for the book, and the chapter is very interesting, but I would focus on grammar. Some places are missing punctuation, and it can be quite tricky for some readers to understand. I would be tempted to change the whole start of the story. I would start at 9:47 when he receives the message. I would have him go about her day, and then getting the message. I think this would make the start more interesting!!

In the second paragraph, you read the message from the sender. I think that there needs to be more development in it. The person says ''I'm very disappointed. Now....''. This needs developing slightly. We need to learn WHY the person is disappointed. It appears like they just jump straight into the punishment. I'll show you an example:

YOURS

I would make it more detailed:

Ominously Anonymous: Students of Meadow Ridge High. I have got to say, I am very disappointed. (Insert some insight as to why they are disappointed). Moving on, let's go onto your punishment. We are all going to play a little game. Now, this is not the sort of game you choose not to play. Everyone will be affected. You see, I know things. . . a lot of things, about all of you and I will use them. This is how it works. Every week, someone will be chosen. You can assign yourself ONE person to tell, no more. I will ask you- Truth or Dare? Pick truth, and I will reveal something to the whole school. Pick dare, and you will do everything I say. If you don't reply, well, you'll see what happens. Good luck to all, and to quote Effie Trinket, 'May the odds be ever in your favor'.

Basically, I made it more enticing, more sinister. It leaves the reader edging on what will happen next. I just need to know why the sender is disappointed, what did the students do? I also added more grammar to make it more interesting.

Chapter size: They are all about 6 minutes long, which is okay, but I would extend them. Your entire book is 40+ chapters, but only an hour and a half long. It should be quite a lot higher than that. An average book takes around 5 or fewer hours to read (quick readers), which would put your quite low on the spectrum. I will continue reading to see if it works though!!

Basics: The ends of each chapter are very suspenseful, and overall, I really love the plot. I would definitely like to keep reading!! I like the development of Elliot and Marcus's relationship aswell!! I have only read about 8 chapters, but the plot is great, and seems to be going in the right direction. I also read the 20 years later chapters as you suggested. WHAT OMG I SPOILED THE BOOK BUT OMG THATS SO CUTE AHGHG. Overall, I would work more on paragraph descriptions, making them better to read. I think you would just work on clarity. I do however notice that you have the book on a different website? And you say the grammar is better. I'll take your word for it ;)