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Love at Dawn by LiebeKlara

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Reviewed on 19.11.23
Reviewed by BeckyAnyanwu

Opening scene:
🔸Does the story begin with an interesting hook, creating a desire to read more?
The old grandma in town is about to pass away.
The prologue started like this. It was an intriguing start and interesting hook. Yes, after reading the prologue, I was determined to know who the young man and grandma were in the story. In my opinion, the beginning should have been a little stronger. My first thought on starting the prologue was that this story was clearly a historical romance story so why was I reading about a grandma in the prologue? Overall, it was a good prologue. I liked it.

🔹Does the manuscript begin in the right place?
Starting from the first chapter, I can say that the story started at the right place. I was engaged in Edith’s and Andre’s story. I liked the fact that the author began the chapter with “In the summer of 1783, the city of Rouen, Kingdom of France—” It gave me a sense of the location, weather and the year.

Characterization and motivation:
🔸Are the characters compelling, sympathetic, or someone you can root for?
As always, I support the male characters in every story. Yes, I support only Andre. Please don’t come, judging me. I have reasons. How on earth could she have agreed to marry Raphael just because a dear friend heartily said so?

🔹Do the characters feel real and three-dimensional, with distinct voices, flaws, and virtues?
I love Andre. He doesn’t talk much. I definitely know when he speaks. Edith has a distinct voice too. I can almost feel their voices through the author’s descriptions. Funny how I don’t care about other characters.

🔸Are their goals clear and proactive enough to influence the plot (not passive)?
Not that clear. I didn’t understand Edith’s goal even when she grew up. Like the author didn’t give any clear detail about her goal/vision in the story. I know she was brilliant but what did she dream of using her brilliance to do? Fight for justice? I understand that Andre was a painter, but was he striving to become a better painter? A famous painter?

🔹Do their motivations seem believable, with well-drawn and appropriate emotion?
Oh, I liked Edith’s motivation. Truly believable and brave. I still don’t understand most of the characters’ motivations, though. I think the author should always make this clearer so that we know what direction the characters are going.

🔸Are the secondary characters well-rounded and enhance the story rather than overwhelming the story or seeming like they should be cut?
Margot, Philippe and Aunt Adele supported the story very well. Including some other historical characters that the author added like Madam Roland. Also, I was excited when Fiona appeared! I had been wondering who the heck was that after reading the blurb.

🔹Are the relationships between the characters believable and not contrived?
The relationships between the characters were actually believable. I could easily tell it through their words and the description of their demeanor (I suspect I have begun to speak like the characters in the story. Forgive me.)

Plot and conflict:
🔸Are the internal and external conflicts well defined for each main character?
Yes, they are well defined. As said before, the author’s descriptive scenes are concise but straight to the point and can be felt.

🔹Are the internal and external conflicts organic and believable, i.e. arising out of characterization and circumstance rather than feeling contrived or forced?
Yes. Their internal/external conflicts are believable. I don’t think any were forced.

🔸Are there enough stakes and/or tension throughout to make it a "page turner"?
I’ll have to salute the author for that. Yes, it is a page turner. I like the way the author actually incorporates historical moments and figures, making the stakes higher.

🔹Does the premise avoid cliché and/or bring a fresh perspective to an old idea?
It does bring a fresh perspective. The characters, feelings, words and not cliche.

🔸Are the plot twists believable yet unexpected?
This is where I state my hatred for the author for giving me unexpected anxiety (It’s a joke, I hope you get it though.) I thought that Charlene actually died trying to protect Edith. Gosh. I also thought Margot was dead, how cruel. Let me tell you a secret, I knew that Edith would meet Andre sooner than later. I’m happy the author didn’t prove me wrong.

🔹Do the characters act or react to events in a plausible, realistic, or believable way?
All of the characters act and react to situations realistically. I cannot deny that.

Pacing:
🔸Do scenes progress in a realistic, compelling manner and flow with effective transitions?
Yes, they do. Except for some confusing time jumps and conflicting povs of the characters.

🔹Does every scene add to and seem important to the story?
Yes, they do. I find that every scene and words spoken add importance to the story. I like it.

🔸Does the story move along at an appropriate pace, without rushing or dragging?
I would say it actually felt rushed. Somehow I feel like the author was running at a high speed when writing the story but it didn’t spoil the tension and conflict in the story.

🔹Is there a hook at the end of each chapter or scene that makes you want to read more?
Definitely.

🔸Is the story free from information dumps or backstory that slow the pace of the story?
I found that the story had information dumps but it wasn’t too much. The author made sure to put some kind of reference at the end of some of the chapters to notify us of who some people were or what some words meant.

Setting and word building:
🔸Are descriptions vivid and give a clear sense of time and place?
I clearly admire the author’s way of describing things and feelings. I could actually visualize the descriptions made.

🔹Do the details enhance rather than distract from the story?
Some details were important and other times, I could actually jump those details and still not miss any part of the story.

Dialogue:
🔸Is the dialogue natural and appropriate for the story, not stilted or overly narrative?
The dialogue is natural considering that the book is based in a historical setting.

🔹Does dialogue move the story forward and reveal the characters?
Yes, of course. It does.

🔸Are characters' voices consistent and distinct from one another?
I definitely think so. As I said before, I can tell when my Andre is talking. (I know you get it). The same goes for Edith and Charlene. I can feel their friendship in their dialogue.

Craft:
🔸Does the writing "show" the scene with the senses, using "telling" only as appropriate?
Yes, it does. It’s balanced but it could be better. As much as the descriptions are precise and straight to the point, the author can avoid crowded descriptions and make sure it is important for the readers to know in the story.

🔹Does the writing quality allow the story to shine through and draw the reader in, or are flaws jarring or intrusive?
Oh, it does. Very much. I like the writing quality. There were some little mistakes of missing words in a few chapters but it wasn’t too distracting.

🔸Is the tone appropriate and consistent for the story?
Yes, the tone is consistent throughout the story. It’s just that sometimes, I do miss the point of some breaks in a chapter.

🔹Is the point of view (and any changes) handled appropriately and consistently?
The point of view is consistent. I actually think it is good if the author can make each chapter for each pov, doesn’t matter how short.

Overall impression:
🔸Is the voice unique, fresh, or interesting?
Yes, it is.

🔹Does the story deliver on the promise of its premise and opening scenes?
Yes, the opening scenes for each chapter and breaks (in the chapter), delivered as promised. I still don’t know who the grandma is, though.

🔸From a reader's point of view, did you enjoy reading this story?
Definitely.

Additional Questions For Comments:
🔸Are there any confusing sections that should be made clearer?
Please make sure that the prologue is related to the story as a whole.

🔹Do any sections take you out of the story?
I don’t think so.

🔸Is the story a good fit for the stated genre, and if not, why not?
It fits the stated genre.

🔹Who are your favorite—and least favorite—characters and why?
My favorites: Andre, Charlene, Philippe.
My least favorite: guess who? Edith. She was always sharp-mouthed.

🔸What aspects are especially likable or unlikable about the protagonist(s)?
I did like Edith’s bravery but not the way she talked. I liked Andre, it’s obvious. He died for what he believed, though it was sad. Why do good people always have to die for what they fight for? Why can’t they live to enjoy the fruit of their labor? I liked Charlene, she was a good friend to Edith. Philippe, always supportive of Andre, quite sad he died that way.

🔹What three things worked best for you?
Descriptions.
Dialogues.
Conflict.

🔸What three things worked least for you?
The time jumps.
Prologue (didn’t seem to relate to the story, much. I have a problem with that)
Fillers—like descriptions of things that may not have concerned me. I feel like it could have been more precise, maybe reduced to a simple two-five sentences.

Note for the Author

Dear Author,

You may find this review valuable, you may not. However, this is one opinion on your work.

Your book is special as you have spent countless hours creating it from your creativity, hard work, and determination. If your book is a first draft, remember this will need to be edited.

No book, art piece is perfect. And, that's okay.

No one knows your story better than you do. As long as you feel proud of it, consider your book a success.

Reviews can only offer suggestions that could improve your book. Do not take this review to heart.

Trust yourself. You poured your heart and soul into this book, and that is something to be proud of.

Keep writing because one day your book will be someone's favorite.

In addition to all these, I enjoyed reading and reviewing your book, author Liebe Klara.

From,
Becky Anyanwu.