Winners!
Personally message me with your email, book title and category to claim your prizes 💎

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED!

Winner or not you will get your review as promised. It will be directly messageed to you from our community account Sapphire_Community in the course of this week.

If you do not get your reviews by this Wednesday the 22nd, Do reach out to us.

THIRD PLACE🥉

Total score: 90/100

When Love lasts by AziaElga
Judge:Ashlynx

Title: 8/10

I think the book title is appropriate to the content of the book and appeals to the target audience. However, I don't find it striking or unique.

• Cover:4/5

I think the cover is aesthetically pleasing, easy on the eyes and applicable to the target audience. However, I think I'm ignorant to the significance of the images. I get a sort of yin-yang feel, but I'm not smart enough to figure what themes you are expressing.

• Blurb:7/10

Straightforward and accurate to the contents of the book. It does little to intrigue or sway an indecisive reader, though.

• Setting:8/10

We don't get too much description of the setting. I had the feeling this was taking place anytime before 1950.

• Character and emotions : 10/10

This was a rollercoaster. It started fanciful and happy and quickly turned into a dark tale.The familiarity and affection of Zhi-Ni and Ying-Tai's relationship is illustrated in their candid body language and dialogue. You did well to introduce the lore surrounding the story while revealing the personalities and dynamic of the couple. As usual, you have a talent for taking ordinary and otherwise mundane interactions, and revealing the sensuality in a simple gesture or wayward touch.

• Plot and detail: 20/20

The story took a darker turn when Zhi-Ni reveals what she's stolen. A highly valuable "pill" that turns mortals into immortals.

"Isn't that awesome, Ying-Tai? You can be with me forever!"

I was pleasantly shocked and intrigued to see Ying-Tai didn't immediately accept this gesture; she turned away from her lover's embrace and kiss. Perhaps, mortals are wiser than the Gods?

"I do want to be with you, Zhi-Ni"

"I just... I don't know if I can leave my family behind."

"You won't be leaving them behind. You can come down and see them occasionally, like what I'm doing now with you."This signals the first conflict of the story and a depth and maturity I did not initially expect. This was a piece written for the Rewind Classics and I was pleasantly surprised that this story was more than gumdrops, butterflies and fairy tales.

• Flow and style:18/20

• Grammar and Spelling: 10/10

Perfect grammar, nothing to improve;

• Personal Enjoyment: 5/5

I loved it and thought it functioned perfectly as a short story. It highlighted the flaws of Zhi-Ni's thinking and she paid dearly for it; the sad part is. They were so madly in love with each other they would give up everything just to avoid seeing the other suffer.

Additional Feedback-

Zhi-Ni & Ying-Tai

The familiarity and affection of Zhi-Ni and Ying-Tai's relationship is illustrated in their candid body language and dialogue. You did well to introduce the lore surrounding the story while revealing the personalities and dynamic of the couple. As usual, you have a talent for taking ordinary and otherwise mundane interactions, and revealing the sensuality in a simple gesture or wayward touch.

The story took a darker turn when Zhi-Ni reveals what she's stolen. A highly valuable "pill" that turns mortals into immortals.

"Isn't that awesome, Ying-Tai? You can be with me forever!"

I was pleasantly shocked and intrigued to see Ying-Tai didn't immediately accept this gesture; she turned away from her lover's embrace and kiss. Perhaps, mortals are wiser than the Gods?

"I do want to be with you, Zhi-Ni"

"I just... I don't know if I can leave my family behind."

"You won't be leaving them behind. You can come down and see them occasionally, like what I'm doing now with you."

This signals the first conflict of the story and a depth and maturity I did not initially expect. This was a piece written for the Rewind Classics and I was pleasantly surprised this story to be more than gumdrops, butterflies and fairy tales. Zhi-Ni carelessly loses the pill. THE IMMORTALITY PILL.

And we get a darker glimpse into Zhi-Ni's possibly juvenile mind."What was the point of anything when Ying-Tai did not want to be with her?"This is an immortal thinking like this! We do not know their ages. Either way, this is childlike, nearing dependence and a grim show of loneliness.We meet Zhi-Ni's sister, Yue-Ni, titled "Heaven's Librarian" and we learn Zhi-Ni is "Weaver of the Sky" explaining her ability to travel by tearing the sky asunder.

We also learn turning a human into an immortal is one of the biggest crimes in heaven. Showing how foolish Zhi-Ni truly is.

Is immortality a gift?

The theme of the story returns,but in a different context. And then... you break my heart.

Well done, Azia.

SECOND PLACE🥈

Total score:92/100

Shaterstar and Other Cataclysms ( Grand gesture) by  Olvaaarrdd

Judge:Ashlynx

 Title:10/10

Your title has all the whimsical musings and dramatic flair of the short story book promised by your blurb. Lovely title choice. The short story title "Grand Gesture" is perfect as well. You have lovely, lovely prose and it refuses to take itself seriously! It's like you're spitting at your English teacher or maybe the absurdity of reality itself.

• Cover:4/5

I'm fairly sure this cover goes with the initial short story of the collection. It is described in the blurb and I think the cover is appropriate and aesthetically pleasing.

• Blurb:9/10

I love your blurb. It's fun and poignant and adequately telling of the varying tones of this book. The first Star-Bit confused me in the last two lines.

"Apocalypse (?)-shell yeah! Roommates(?)-uh oh..."

Otherwise, I enjoyed reading each Star-Bit and several caught my attention!

• Setting: 8/10

This was the one element of your story I struggled with. When the pigeon has a flashback, I got lost whether they were in the street or still observing on the telephone pole. Otherwise, I loved your description and your diction was very appropriate to a contemporary tale.

• Character and emotions : 10/10

I really hate giving people full marks because no one is perfect, but your characters were great. In truth, we hardly get to meet the Boyfriend and Girlfriend but the scarce dialogue they have, their actions and body language lend to a clear depiction of their dynamics and an archetype for their personalities. The title "Grand Gesture" is a nod to the absurdity of this story. There's not even a moral theme unless you're one of those who believes everything has a purpose. Altogether, I've never been so enlightened by a pigeon in my life.

• Plot and detail: 18/20

It's starts slow and the beginning is a bit confusing for aforementioned reasons. However, about the time the boyfriend speaks, the pacing accelerates and does not stop. I was pleasantly surprised by the little twist you applied. The boyfriend leaving a condom on her doorstep like an apology letter, and then the Girlfriend raising her fist and finally the pigeons stopping the conflict by dropping little items they thought she'd find precious. This story was a trip and half tbh! A very fun read.

• Flow and style: 18/20

The first paragraph was a trip! It was whimsical almost nonsensical talking about this Girlfriend, but it did illustrate the modernity of the setting. However, that tone shift:

"This reptile will be the vessel for my feelings."

That drew me in. I know these stories are to be childlike and dark, and you've achieved that.

The second paragraph further establishes the setting and tone of the prose. That and these damn pigeons have a lot of personality!

After "The children's resume play"

You describe the pigeons in the road and the interaction with Girlfriend.

I knew some of this to be a flashback, however, the interaction with Girlfriend began to confuse me. Upon rereading it, I realized it was a flashback, but this perspective shift from the boyfriend in the street and back to the pigeons did deter me. I'm typically against this, but I would put:

In that moment... We appreciate the gesture, the kindness.

In italics.

Now at this point this scene is actually absurd. When describing the pigeons, your prose is filled with elegance, however, when reflecting on the angry boyfriend in the middle of the street:

"He wants the hood... to see his big fruitful nuts and manly warrior chest."

The narrator, or the Alpha pigeon, has reflected on the similarities between the boyfriend and the plight of pigeons. However, its clear from the onset they don't like him.

"We know who the car belongs to and we're immediately compelled to crap on the windshield. I catch one of us hunching forward, prepping for flight. Wait, says my gesture, a single raised, wing. Lets just see what he does."

"He's tall and muscled and even if he were a bird it'd take many of us to stop him. He's the one that empowers dark skin in the night. In these parts, dark people grow powerful, cloaked by the urban pitch. People around here say it, so we believe them. But we never get to see for ourselves; the streets are mostly empty at night. The people are afraid of each other."

You're just incorrigible! You teeter on tension while cracking jokes.

Finally, now that the boyfriend antics are over we hear him speak for the fist time.

"I got this. Impulse. Control like momma told me."

So yea, this story flips from absurdity and humor to grim reality on a dime. It's a fascinating style and honestly, I love it for a short story.

• Grammar and Spelling: 10/10

Free of errors.

• Personal Enjoyment:5/5

If I'm being honest, I loved it. It began slow and a bit confusing because of the flashback and searching significance for this dude wilding in the street.

Additional Feedback-

I left a variety of comments for you detailing my feelings about this story

FIRST PLACE🥇

Total score:93/100

Over My Dead Body by 
Judge:Cherrywithabook

• Title:10/10

Does the title fit the story plot? Is it unique or common? Does it catch the reader's interest? Is it short and memorable?

I think the title is apt. It is ironic and says a lot about the story. Dark comedy or dark romance fans will definitely get hooked. Good job!

• Cover:4/5

Does the cover go with the storyline and plot? Is it eye-catching? Is there a nice color scheme? Is the image used relevant to the story? Can you read the font?

Good job with the cover too. It has a slight red, it's mysterious. Seems very related to the story. The font is nice as well. But I'd suggest you to not write the topic in the middle. Writing it at the top or at the bottom gives the book a more professional look.

• Blurb:10/10

Does it peak the interest of the readers? Is it appropriate for the story line? Does it make you want to read the story?

The blurb is very well written. Just the correct amount of information about the story that's needed for the audience to get hooked. The language is not too mysterious, it is clear. Which is a good thing. Writers often forget that they have to give something for the readers to proceed with the story. In order to keep it mysterious and not give away the main twists or climax they give nothing at all. So you've given just the right amount of info for the readers.

• Setting:9/10

Is the setting relevant? Is there a nice and detailed description of the setting?

The setting is nice. But I'd suggest a more shocked reaction in the beginning. "The moment I open my eyes, I realize that I'm dead" sounds very bland, as if you almost knew that you were gonna end up dead. A little confusion in the beginning would've made more sense. I know that there's a line that conveys something like that 'Oh God. I'm dead. For real.' But an exclamation starting like 'Shit! I'm dead.' would've made more sense. But apart from that amazing work with the setting.

• Character and emotions : 7/10

What are your opinions on the characters? Can you imagine them? Can you feel their emotions? Do they always stay in character or do anything out of the ordinary?

The characters are very well written. Their emotions are detailed and nicely portrayed. But there weren't enough emotions from the MC. It was understandable that she was shocked. Her behavior and movements were nicely written but a little more emphasis on her emotions would help the readers understand her better. She is dead. It's all new to her, she needs to be shocked, scared, confused, amused. Make the character more relatable to the people.

• Plot and detail: 20/20

Is it too cliché? What do you think about the plot in general? Does it flow naturally? Can you compare it to a real life situation? Do you feel it has any plot holes? Is it different or confusing?

The plot is definitely really cool, really unique. I've never come across such a plot before. The details are a 100 out of 10. Period. I love how every bit of weirdness of this whole situation has been explained. It's not very easy to write such an unusual fantasy, but you've done it perfectly.

• Flow and style:19/20

(Does the story contain a good and steady flow? Do you find yourself getting hung up on words? Is it legible and easy to read?

I love the style of writing. The flow is smooth too. Not too fast (which sometimes becomes difficult to catch up to) not too slow (which gets boring). The style of writing is apt for the genre, it's light, not too intense, but intense enough to make the story interesting. I like how you've involved friends and parties and stuff. That is always interesting.

• Grammar and Spelling: 10/10

Are there any grammatical errors or spelling mistakes? Did they mix up their tenses? Is the punctuation correct?

There were no grammatical or spelling errors. Well done!

• Personal Enjoyment:4/5

Did you enjoy the story? Why?

I myself am not a horror genre fan. I'm more of a romantic fan, but I found this story extraordinarily interesting. And of course there's the romance element which is very well written, I enjoyed every bit of it. But there's definitely scope for improvement, there's no perfect literature. But your work is one of the most interesting pieces of writing I've ever seen.