Title: Short Stories

Author: authoresta

Reviewer: Fayesther

Disclaimer: I decided to not include my usual rating system because I think it doesn't really work with this review. I hope this is okay.

Title + Cover 

I think your book needs a more creative title. One that will grab potential readers' attentions. I would suggest that you find a connecting theme between the stories and create a title along those lines. For instance each of these stories have dark undertones and there is a form of entertainment in each story. Story one and two have singing to others and the third also mentions "Fortune" enslaving people for his "entertainment". I think a title that represents these ideas would be better fir your book.

The cover is really pleasing to the eye. The picture is eye-catching and the fonts chosen stand out nicely and are beautifully placed.

Description: 

Your description is straightforward. However, I think it does lack information. Remember, this is where you need to sell your book to potential readers. I would suggest you give an introduction to the themes covered within your collection. It doesn't have to be long! Be creative.

Grammar: 

I had no issues with your grammar. All three stories were beautifully written.

Writing Style: 

What a beautiful writing style you have! You tell stories in a holistic way that truly plays with your readers emotions. Incredible work!

1. This story was fluid and gripping. Your descriptions were on point. I felt I was standing beside your main character, feeling her anxiety and her pain. The structure of this story was gorgeous; setting the scene, taking the reader into the narrator's past to explain her situation and then bringing us back to the present with great ease. Wonderful! You brought great attention to detail. I liked how you described the main character's outfit for her performance. The fact that she wore black was a nice addition.

2. This story was beautifully dark. It mirrored a similar structure to the first story. The descriptions of nature at the start opened the story nicely. It was as if you were unfolding a book. You are incredible at truly grabbing your reader's focus. Being able to do that in such a small amount of words shows great skill.

3. I loved how you from this short story like it was a written report – that was very clever. The descriptions you included were so poetic and truly intrigued me. You brought sophistication and an other-worldly air to this story that truly intrigued me.

Characterisation:

The characterisation was minimal. The reader doesn't know a lot about the characters involved really. Not even names. But that, in my opinion, does not affect your story collection negatively at all. I see these stories as perfect explorations of moments/snippets in individuals lives. You unwrapped a lot of emotions and reactions within these small windows. It really impressed me how much deep and moving emotion you managed to explore in such short stories. I truly rooted for the girl in the first story and the felt for the main character in the second. I truly found myself caring about what happened to them at the end of their individual stories.

Plot: 

The way you went about telling the first and second stories made me think of somebody holding up a framed picture full of great detail then guiding the viewer to explore the details more closely then afterwards stepping back to show the entire picture again at the end. They were paced beautifully and really easy to follow. The third story was written a bit differently but fit nicely within the story collection.

1. A simple idea for a short story, executed wonderfully. You kept my interest throughout and that ending was moving and beautifully expressed. I am a sucker for heart-warming reality TV moments – and this one touched my heart the same way as the many YouTube videos I have binged on have. Great job!

2. This story was gorgeous, dark and brooding! I love how it comes full circle. You start it off describing nature and you finish it off describing how nature reflected the main character's mood. Beautifully poetic.

3. I found this story incredibly clever. Written in a unique structure, full of mystery. Not knowing who "wrote" the report or what the report was even for was a great hook for this story. Filled with poetic descriptions and intriguing ideas I truly got sucked in. The dismissive ending paragraph was a great touch.

OVERALL: 

A beautifully written short story collection that explores complex and dark emotions and ideas. With lovely grammar and unique story structures. I truly enjoyed this book's content you just need to sell your work more through the title and description of the book. Keep writing you have such a talent!

Thank you for asking me to review your impressive short story collection. I hope you found my feedback helpful!