Photos of Us by illwhiskit.

OVERVIEW

TO THE POINT: Great story, realistic and relatable, sounded professional, few problems experienced overall.

MORE DETAILED:

Photos of Us is a good work in progress thus far. From what I've read of the first 3 chapters, I honestly have no problems or issues with the story and where it is heading, except it's quite ordinary, if not a bit bland.

It still manages some amount of entertainment but at the same time, nothing stood out about it to me.

I don't have any problems with the story, and I'm not sure if that in and of itself is a problem, but overall the story and execution seem professional, similar to other teen fiction I've read, albeit very ordinary, mundane and tasteless, if not just plain regular.

And while I didn't have much of a problem with it, I do believe I have a few pointers that I expound upon below.

FULL REVIEW

I review with the following criteria.

COVER:

STORY CONCEPT:

GRAMMAR:

CHARACTERS AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

WRITING STYLE:

PACING/ORGANISATION:

IF IT WAS ENJOYABLE!

for a final score out of 35.

After I multiply it by a 100 and give it an overall rating.

COVER: 3/5

I have no problems with the cover, however, it seems bland and while it shows a city view and two persons—who can be assumed as the main characters—nothing about the cover insinuates something related to photos, or anything that pops out to me that would somehow compel me to take up the book (digitally of course).

The only problem with the cover is the photo in the background. 

And nothing about it would convince me that it was worth reading or worth my time unless someone went out of their way to recommend it to me or submit it here as you have done, illwhiskit.

STORY CONCEPT: 3/5

The story concept is something I've surely seen before and even conjured in my mind a few times. 

The overall novel seems like a romantic teen fiction, that is supposed to have some elements of sadness and tragedy?

These are only assumptions of course, but from what I've read, again, nothing stands out to me. 

And the momentum to the plot is slowly building up, and while I can greatly appreciate the way in which Conor narrates and the thoughtful, life-like comments made, and while it does seem relatable enough for its target audience, something about it is off. 

There is an element that Photos of Us lacks—an element that it is missing. 

And while I can't fully place my finger on it, my impression of your novel is one of, just, well, ordinary. 

GRAMMAR: 5/5

Whilst reading the novel I had no major problems with GPS. 

CHARACTERS AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 2.75/5

Character development would be premature. 

However, the characters, from what I've read so far, among them Conor somehow stands out to me the most.

He is presented as the epitome of awkward, sarcastic quiet boy who dreads regular social interaction and is unlike any of the other boys—any of the other people—his age. 

I, whilst reading the novel, found him relatable enough yet there is still a stigma attached to him, a cliche if you will. 

And the character, Connor in himself is not completely original. 

WRITING STYLE: 2.5/5

Nothing, in particular, stood out about the writing style, which is why I've given this section an exact half out of five. I

t wasn't bad, but it wasn't particularly mind blowing and awe-inspiring either. 

PACING/ORGANISATION: 4/5

Ahah! Ok, so I didn't really find any issues with pacing, but only a few issues here and there which popped up. 

They weren't about pacing itself though, they were more or less about random things that just didn't add up or have enough 'build up' to expressing that particular idea or presenting a specific point. 

I made comments where I found such instances, and all you need to do if you plan to address them is to kindly refer to the comments I've left on your work. 

Other than that, I had no other issues with pacing, except that the beginning chapters seem aimless as if they aren't really going anywhere, and I felt myself drifting in a limbo at times, straining to keep attention and grasp the words. 

Connor's remarks at times, however, helped to dull the blow I guess, 😅.

But overall, the pacing was fine.

WAS IT ENJOYABLE? 2.5/5

Overall, again, nothing about Photos of Us had a WOW factor, at least nothing in the first chapters, and as much as I'd love to read full novels for all my reviews, front to back, I can't, and I won't. 

Photos of Us was regular, and while it has potential, it doesn't have anything that's making me want more as it is now. 

TOTAL SCORE: 22.75

OVERALL RATING: 6.5

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