BookLife Prize - 2017
Plot/Idea: 5 out of 10
Originality: 7 out of 10
Prose: 6 out of 10
Character/Execution: 5 out of 10
Overall: 5.75 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: While featuring a highly inventive and original concept, this novel suffers from several clunky transitions. Readers will find it difficult to suspend disbelief and dive into what has the potential to be an excellent story, when inconsistencies in the world-building arise—particularly relating to the upbringing of the two main characters.
Prose: The flow of the book is frequently interrupted by the use of esoteric language that doesn’t quite mesh with the voices of the teenage protagonists. The action scenes, however, are where the writing shines. They’re clearly written with passion and paint a clear and believable picture.
Originality: The entire concept of the novel is wonderfully original and ripe with potential. The idea that two highly dissimilar young women living in one dimension have the abilities and heart needed to save another (and their own) has a fresh feel that will appeal to readers. The execution of that vision needs a little tweaking to make the transitions between viewpoints smoother.
Character Development: Readers will enjoy the way each young woman’s strengths and weaknesses are highlighted. However, both of them came across as curiously flat in affect—perhaps because of their excessive inner monologues. There were also times when believability was stretched to the breaking point—particularly when it came to Anorvia’s upbringing.
Date Submitted: June 07, 2017
booklife.com/project/sparks-fly-23113
Plot/Idea: 5 out of 10
Originality: 7 out of 10
Prose: 6 out of 10
Character/Execution: 5 out of 10
Overall: 5.75 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: While featuring a highly inventive and original concept, this novel suffers from several clunky transitions. Readers will find it difficult to suspend disbelief and dive into what has the potential to be an excellent story, when inconsistencies in the world-building arise—particularly relating to the upbringing of the two main characters.
Prose: The flow of the book is frequently interrupted by the use of esoteric language that doesn’t quite mesh with the voices of the teenage protagonists. The action scenes, however, are where the writing shines. They’re clearly written with passion and paint a clear and believable picture.
Originality: The entire concept of the novel is wonderfully original and ripe with potential. The idea that two highly dissimilar young women living in one dimension have the abilities and heart needed to save another (and their own) has a fresh feel that will appeal to readers. The execution of that vision needs a little tweaking to make the transitions between viewpoints smoother.
Character Development: Readers will enjoy the way each young woman’s strengths and weaknesses are highlighted. However, both of them came across as curiously flat in affect—perhaps because of their excessive inner monologues. There were also times when believability was stretched to the breaking point—particularly when it came to Anorvia’s upbringing.
Date Submitted: June 07, 2017
booklife.com/project/sparks-fly-23113
