Thank you God, for reviewers—besides editors, they are a writer’s greatest ally. The Braid was recently reviewed by J. Bryden Lloyd, who was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest read and review.
The following review, as with all reviews, are his personal opinions. I thank him for taking the time to read and review my work.
Writing Style – 5.0/5.0 (Outstanding)
Every part of this, very brief, short story oozed quality.
The opening scene build quickly, but the structure throughout is beautifully crafted to take you up and down the feelings of the main character, as she confronts something that is clearly NOT reality.
The dialogue, the whispering voice, the unheard sounds. Everything is just first class structure and writing.
Character Development – 4.5/5.0 (Excellent)
This was effectively a single character narrative, and as such there is really only so much the author can do.
Yes, Cambria develops during the brief story, and yes, as a reader you are pulled into her torment. For this sort of story, there is no interest in background, but even so, the author gives you a character you feel you already know.
By the end of the story, the pattern becomes all-consuming and another girl steps unwittingly into the void.
Descriptive – 5.0/5.0 (Outstanding)
There’s not really much I can say… Wow!
This truly was atmospheric descriptive from the top drawer.
Throw in a few random, uninteresting locations to push the plot toward its inevitable conclusion, and whammo!
Brilliant.
Language & Grammar – 5.0/5.0 (Outstanding)
Excellent word usage and selection. Flawless editing.
The author’s plaudits for the formatter/editor are not wasted on me, and this work proves beyond doubt how much we need a level of professionalism in these things.
They may seem minor to some, but this is a clear runaway winner from all my recent reads.
Plot – 5.0/5.0 (Outstanding) – VERY MINOR SPOILERS
This is simple, atmospheric, thriller writing. Even though you know where the story is going, something tells you that you NEED a few more pages… you know… just to see.
At the start, part of you is consumed with Missy’s fate. Where did she go?
And I will admit, I was almost disappointed with the answer.
Did that spoil the story? Hell, no!
General – 4.5/5.0 (Excellent)
I can’t fault this… I daren’t fault this.
If you are sitting there thinking, “I wanna write a horror story…”, then this has to be your starting point.
If I were to be critical; as excellent as it is, the cover art gives away nothing of the content, and knowing readers who flick through the cover pictures when they are picking a read, this is one which some may well pass over.
That aside. STUNNING read.
5 stars.
WOW!! I’d be over the moon if I got such a great review! You should be very proud! Congratulations, and have a lovely weekend. :)