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Reviewed by: Anusara12
Book Title: Forbidden Territories
Author's Name: forbiddenterritories
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Cover: 4/10
The Cover of your book is good. But when I first saw it (after reading the blurb) I didn't really get how it is related to the story. But then as I started reading the I actually got what you tried to portray in the cover. It's a well thought cover.
You used a lot of elements in the cover, like the painting, mismatched eyes and the quote. They don't actually come together well. The painting via did, the eyes and the figure in the shadow are hard to make out. So I suggest you change the cover. Not totally but having only the painting (hands reaching out for each other) will look more romantic and suit your story well too. This is just a suggestion.
Title: 10/10
When I first saw the title, it really excited me. Who doesn't love crossing the limits and the thought of entering forbidden territory is exciting. It made my thoughts run wild and that's exactly what the title should do.
It is well related to the plot, how Via wants to cross the limits that Maya set her.
Blurb/Description: 3/10
Let me talk about your prologue before the blurb. Your prologue is one of the best prologues I have ever read. The way you phrased things and how you made the effort for us, the readers, to connect with Via.
Coming to your blurb, at first I thought it was just a simple story. But after reading the prologue, I felt like you didn't put enough effort for the blurb as much as you did for the prologue.
Let me tell you what I felt while reading it. Firstly the way you started off was really good. Using a quote to start is a good idea. Then after that it was okay-ish until the last paragraph. "The artsy girl...." That paragraph at first was confusing for me. And then after reading the first few chapters I understood there is something wrong with Via and Maya is trying to hide some part of her life.
I suggest you change the blurb a bit. Instead of explaining about both of them and then about her past you can explain about her past. Like - "Scared and confused after forgetting almost the entire part of her life, she finds peace in the mismatched eyes of the goofy and sweet personality of Zach."
It's not great but something like this will maintain the thrill and will definitely pique the interest of the readers.
Creativity and originality : 10/10
I liked how you started the first chapter, the small sister banter. The way you are keeping Via's past mysterious is new. I have seen books with something happening in the past but the protagonist will know it. Here she doesn't know. It gives mystery vibes and enough to make your story unique.
Plot and Flow: 18/20
I loved how you portrayed each and every movement of the characters making it believable and relatable. The plot was good and really enough for the readers to get hooked by your book.
The flow of your book was really great. Some authors tend to skip scenes and at times rush few parts, so that they could get to the main story parts. You didn't do that. You maintained a constant pace for the readers to enjoy your book.
Character Development: 10/10
Character development is really important like the story plot. Without making the characters believable and relatable. The readers won't be able to enjoy your book. You didn't bombard us with the characters. You brought in just enough characters for us to get to know, settle and then understand them.
Via is unique from most of the female protagonists in some way I can't pinpoint what it is but she is different. All your characters have something unique to them differentiating from each other and still easily relatable.
Writing style, Grammar, spellings, etc.: 8/10
Your writing style is amazing. The Character, atmosphere and setting development totally depends on the writing style of the author. Every author has their own unique writing style. I really liked your writing style. Yours were descriptive and helped me to imagine the characters and their movements well.
There weren't any spelling mistakes but I noticed few grammatical mistakes. It may be a typo but those few might affect your story. For example, I noticed a place where you used 'for' instead of 'from'.
So, I suggest you go through your book once for those typos and mistakes.
Your vocabulary is good throughout your book.
Genre relevance: 10/10
Your book is really good and well related to the romance genre. Every scene where Via and Zach show up was cute and romantic. I really loved it. You can also say it's a mystery genre book. The way your book is written is just enough for me to get hooked with your book.
Reader enjoyment and Communication with the readers: 10/10
Should I say something here? Your book is amazing. I really enjoyed reading and reviewing it. The very first line of the prologue got me hooked to your book.
Overall: 83/100
The book is really great! I really loved everything about your book. The characters, your writing style, the plot and the way you communicate with your readers through the characters is just wow. According to me, all you have to do is work on the first impressions part (book cover and blurb) and then read through your book once. The grammatical mistakes were really rare but then It may affect your book. So I suggest you check them. Keep writing awesome books like this. All the best!
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