Looking for honest feedback or review on my books

Joined
Aug 14, 2024
Messages
3
Points
18
I've been writing my first book for a few months already but got really little feedback from readers.
I'm at a point where I doubt everything I write, including in my second story. Therefore, I'd be grateful to have real opinions from you guys. It'll help me improve and fix the problems in my writing. :D
Thank you in advance for your help, and have an enjoyable weekend.
 

Tsuru

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 5, 2019
Messages
1,441
Points
153
Tsuru-gordom-ramsay-lazyreviewer here (don't be offended by what i say, just pure neutral review)
-----------------
Hm....

I glimpsed through your first chap1 of "I refused to be reincarnated"

In a good and bad (at same time) point, your writing is very "young". (the style, the words choices, etc)
By that, your writing seems very amateur, and seems like straight from the imagination of a child that dreamed/phantasmed of it during class/break/free-time.
BUT !!!!!!! that also means, there is the positive part : unlike a well-written one, full of details, and chosen carefully of which the author probably learned from other people tips/advices/other books, its easy to feel the EXPLODING IMAGINATION that can only come from purity of the innocent of the young. Which sadly often escape people when they grow up.
(ofc in lot of cases, like me for example, i keep my childishness + imagination despite not ultra young anymore / not that old)

One thing i can recommend you though, which i am not sure would help you or do an adverse effect,
is try to not simply write "1 line sentence" and "jump to next line (ENTER KEY)"

To better explain, look at first chap of "Refused" and your 2nd "Imp" series
2nd series, seems more pleasing to the eyes, when there was the BIG STATUS data. and/or had some small paragraphs.
vs 1st series, 1 sentence, next line, 1 sentence, next line. Its like written in a diary / memo of someone.

I said this but dont force yourself if you can't/dont like it. Also i'm NOT saying to write BIG 4+ lines paragraphs but to at least try to not write 1 lines and jumping. The big empty spaces is sometimes problematic for human brains.
----------
The quality is very GOOD though. (unlike some other people asking for reviews [if you check them on SHF, you would see i was very harsh to them])
Continue like that.
Also dont be sad for no comments. Its 2024.
People disliked commenting before, but now its ultra low rate of happening.
And your numbers (viewers/favorites) are also promising.
---------
Another point :
Try to read some JP or CN novels.
And change your chaps titles to be more like them, (but again, not asking for you to write a 200 words-long chapter title, but to atleast make them memorable AND easier to identify)
+ dont forget to add "numbering": [Ch1 : The start of a gamer's infernal journey]
+ don't release all at once (even if like some other authors said : i simply want to share it with others fast and i got a stockpile of chapters)
if too much at once, its like asurascans translator releases, people wont comment and simply bing it all, and comment on latest chap. (i speak from experience)
---------------
Bonus : Also you got like 4.3/5 score (of 6 reviews)
I think its indicative enough you are good enough ^_^b

(now you just need to stick to it, and cross fingers/hope the algorythm of SH will put it in front page in "Trending" / you will then get a SMALL BUNCH of readers trying it)
(also some decent authors were also clueless how they appeared to front page lol but were happy by the small spike of readers, anyway just have patience. Just don't drop halfway nor lose motivation like lot of authors did.)
----------------
Bonus 2 : You could also add a small note at end of next chap : "Please comment, i would love some feedback" (if you are desperate) (or want to communicate with your readers)
 
Last edited:

melchi

What is a custom title?
Joined
May 2, 2021
Messages
2,867
Points
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1.) Don't post more than 3 chapters a day. It'll now show up on new chapters list on the front page because of an anti-bump measure.

2.) Numbering chapters is nice, I'd suggest doing that to make it easier for readers that might lose their spot.

3.) Parallel prose detected (bad)
Tension filled the air in the manor's hall as a father and his son prepared to confront each other.
This sentence is backward (Tension in the manor) pops at the subject because it is at the _START_ of the sentence. Having father + son at the end make that less noticeable. Also, mid sentence AS....bad... Written works needs to be made to be consumed linearity because that is how they are read.

A good rule: "As is for comparison."

4.) Who is the father who is the son?
Lucius's eyes widened in shock after witnessing the item Gaston took out. Fear gripped his heart, and cold sweat ran down his spine as he realised how insane Gaston had become. Using this kind of thing... even to achieve one's ambitions, was pure unadulterated madness.
Is Lucius the father or son? (Unclear) It could be either.

Meanwhile, Gaston grasped an ancient, weathered tome. Intricate engravings adorned its surface, and an ominous purple smog wafted and twirled around it.
Not sure who the father or son is. Also it looks like there may be more siblings. Some serious purple prose going on here at least describe which one is the old one and which one is the younger one.

devilish signature smile as his voice echoed mockery.
Again, another misuse of as....

so 5 paragraphs in and already 3 strikes by my count. I'm not sure what the hook is my first impression is that clarity is low priority.
 
Joined
Aug 14, 2024
Messages
3
Points
18
Tsuru-gordom-ramsay-lazyreviewer here (don't be offended by what i say, just pure neutral review)
-----------------
Hm....

I glimpsed through your first chap1 of "I refused to be reincarnated"

In a good and bad (at same time) point, your writing is very "young". (the style, the words choices, etc)
By that, your writing seems very amateur, and seems like straight from the imagination of a child that dreamed/phantasmed of it during class/break/free-time.
BUT !!!!!!! that also means, there is the positive part : unlike a well-written one, full of details, and chosen carefully of which the author probably learned from other people tips/advices/other books, its easy to feel the EXPLODING IMAGINATION that can only come from purity of the innocent of the young. Which sadly often escape people when they grow up.
(ofc in lot of cases, like me for example, i keep my childishness + imagination despite not ultra young anymore / not that old)

One thing i can recommend you though, which i am not sure would help you or do an adverse effect,
is try to not simply write "1 line sentence" and "jump to next line (ENTER KEY)"

To better explain, look at first chap of "Refused" and your 2nd "Imp" series
2nd series, seems more pleasing to the eyes, when there was the BIG STATUS data. and/or had some small paragraphs.
vs 1st series, 1 sentence, next line, 1 sentence, next line. Its like written in a diary / memo of someone.

I said this but dont force yourself if you can't/dont like it. Also i'm NOT saying to write BIG 4+ lines paragraphs but to at least try to not write 1 lines and jumping. The big empty spaces is sometimes problematic for human brains.
----------
The quality is very GOOD though. (unlike some other people asking for reviews [if you check them on SHF, you would see i was very harsh to them])
Continue like that.
Also dont be sad for no comments. Its 2024.
People disliked commenting before, but now its ultra low rate of happening.
And your numbers (viewers/favorites) are also promising.
---------
Another point :
Try to read some JP or CN novels.
And change your chaps titles to be more like them, (but again, not asking for you to write a 200 words-long chapter title, but to atleast make them memorable AND easier to identify)
+ dont forget to add "numbering": [Ch1 : The start of a gamer's infernal journey]
+ don't release all at once (even if like some other authors said : i simply want to share it with others fast and i got a stockpile of chapters)
if too much at once, its like asurascans translator releases, people wont comment and simply bing it all, and comment on latest chap. (i speak from experience)
---------------
Bonus : Also you got like 4.3/5 score (of 6 reviews)
I think its indicative enough you are good enough ^_^b

(now you just need to stick to it, and cross fingers/hope the algorythm of SH will put it in front page in "Trending" / you will then get a SMALL BUNCH of readers trying it)
(also some decent authors were also clueless how they appeared to front page lol but were happy by the small spike of readers, anyway just have patience. Just don't drop halfway nor lose motivation like lot of authors did.)
----------------
Bonus 2 : You could also add a small note at end of next chap : "Please comment, i would love some feedback" (if you are desperate) (or want to communicate with your readers)
Sorry for the delay, I just just saw your answer.
Thanks a lot for your encouraging words and the thorough review. :D
I'll do my best to integrate your advice into my writing.
Once again, I'm really grateful.
1.) Don't post more than 3 chapters a day. It'll now show up on new chapters list on the front page because of an anti-bump measure.

2.) Numbering chapters is nice, I'd suggest doing that to make it easier for readers that might lose their spot.

3.) Parallel prose detected (bad)

This sentence is backward (Tension in the manor) pops at the subject because it is at the _START_ of the sentence. Having father + son at the end make that less noticeable. Also, mid sentence AS....bad... Written works needs to be made to be consumed linearity because that is how they are read.

A good rule: "As is for comparison."

4.) Who is the father who is the son?

Is Lucius the father or son? (Unclear) It could be either.


Not sure who the father or son is. Also it looks like there may be more siblings. Some serious purple prose going on here at least describe which one is the old one and which one is the younger one.


Again, another misuse of as....

so 5 paragraphs in and already 3 strikes by my count. I'm not sure what the hook is my first impression is that clarity is low priority.
Well, if you start with the last chapter, of course, you won't find it clear.
 

CharlesEBrown

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2024
Messages
4,557
Points
158
Bug me in a week or two - have about six that I'm slowly plodding through and want to finish before I take on another to review.
 
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