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237 Public Reviews Given
251 Total Reviews Given
Review Style
I give accurate and detailed reviews. I emphasize the points that I liked and point out the aspects that could stand improving. But if I can't find something nice to say, I make it a point to say nothing at all.
I'm good at...
Well, courtesy of the obsessive traits that are inherent to my personality, I tend to be very meticulous. So I read very closely and I pay attention to both the writing style and the message that you are trying to convey.
Favorite Genres
I'd read almost anything and everything, but fantasy, comedy and psychology based writings are more up my alley. I also enjoy romance, cuz, you know, who doesn't.
Least Favorite Genres
Horror. I am definitely not a horror type of person.
Favorite Item Types
No favorites.
Least Favorite Item Types
None.
I will not review...
I will not review any item if I can't find at least one nice thing to say about it. I am a counselor, it's in our DNA to lead with the positive. So, no positive, no review.
Public Reviews
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Review of Sally  
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
Wow! That was spooky. It was made even more spooky by the fact that I absolutely did not see the end coming.

Very nice story and it is commendable that you managed to tell it in full using only a few words.

I loved the suspense, and as is the case with all great stories, this one left me wanting to read more.

Poor John though!

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In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
You have taken quite a unique angle on this. I would have never thought it possible to write such a serious and moving tale from a cat's point of view. But somehow you pulled it off.

At the beginning, I have to admit, I was not very excited, because it was a cat speaking and all. But somehow, when the true story started, the fact that it was a cat speaking made it much much better.

You also infused some very good philosophical points in there, what with the animal not really understanding how humans could be that cruel. That was quite thought provoking.

Your characterization is very good, you stayed true to the cat; he's a-political, he keeps his head down and stays out of harm's way, he is very loyal to places and he loves attention. Yup, that's a well-rounded, perfectly believable character.

Your story is very well written.

I really enjoyed reading it.

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Review of Hanakotoba  
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
I am not an expert on the language of flowers but I loved reading this!

Your characterization drew me in. You constructed two flawed human beings and made me feel very deeply for them.

I also quite enjoyed the way this poem flows, it has a quick pace that did not leave me with a second of boredom.

What I enjoyed most about this is the way you transitioned from the flower to the "womb-flower." This transition was so smooth I actually had to go back to admire the way you've implemented it.

I really enjoyed reading this, and I have absolutely nothing to offer up by way of critique.

Thanks for a great read!

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Review of Never Was  
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
I slowed down when I first started reading this; for some reason I just started reading very slowly. And then I realized that it was because your words have so much impact.

Your metaphors are so vivid and your choice of words is quite potent even on the first line: "Nine thousand, million voices fade," no wonder I slowed down.

This is very well written and I really enjoyed the way it rhymes; it just flows easily which lends it even more of an impact.

When it comes to the story you're telling, I particularly enjoyed the progress. You didn't just describe the destruction and despair, but you continued on to describe what happened next. The way you portrayed the insignificance of human kind on the larger scale of things is quite mesmerizing.

"So here the sun will set, indeed !
when no one's left to pause;
for we were but a simple seed
in the land of ... " Never Was." Those are my absolute favorite lines.

Beautifully written and incredibly thought provoking.

I enjoyed it immensely.

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80
Review of Butterfly  
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
Your title and your description are what first drew me; a world of feelings is contained in those three simple words: "I let her fly away."

And once I started reading I was not disappointed.

This feels like the story told from the other person's point of view. It's the point of view that is often left untold and unseen. I see it as the way the situation would seem to the person who is often demonized and blamed when the story is told.

But you actually made me sympathize with that person. You used some amazing metaphors and such potent turns of phrase and managed to very vividly convey both the regret and the pain.

"now the open air is your world
with the sky your big playground
even when it rains you smile
inside I can't be found" those were my favorite lines.

Alongside of course: "like a butterfly you swooned
into my net of change"

I often try to be constructive and look for something to critique but there's honestly nothing that I would change about this.

Thanks for sharing this.

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Review of Blood Moon  
Rated: E | (5.0)
Oh God! I am so glad I got to read this.

Yes, as my name implies, I am a big fan of red moons.

And this is just beautiful!

I love the way you captured the transition: "From full gold - To silver gold,
From silver gold - To full burgundy." You made it come to life for me.

As for these lines: "Just like that.
I am very old." They just sealed the deal. I didn't see that coming and it's such a powerful image.

Quite amazing!

Many thanks for sharing this.
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Review of Harm's Way  
Rated: E | (5.0)
I must have read this more than three times. I was attempting to pinpoint my favorite part. But I failed miserably. My favorite part is all of it!

It's very nicely done. Your metaphors are so potent: "Changing your name to match with the day" I loved that one. And this one: "At night you lie in the Devils arms where you feel safe at last" is just amazing. And this, I love this: "But you left your sacred soul in the clouds because home was in heaven, and in hell rests your throne."

I honestly loved all of it. You captured the feelings of both being abused and of being the abuser.

And congratulations on breaking free. I am glad you're on the other side of it now.

Amazing!
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Rated: E | (5.0)
I honestly don't know where to start. At the end you spoke of a journey, and reading this was a true journey.

Every line made me reflect on various aspects of my own life.

"My family could never answer the question of why" that was the first line that drew my attention. Yes, surprisingly "why" is always the big question in such situations. It feels like finding a reason for what happened might actually alleviate the pain. But there is no rhyme or reason, which causes people to struggle. But in this story faith is the rhyme and reason and it lent a lot of much needed stability.

"I have never lost the sorrow" this is such a strong line. We live life struggling to be happy, but sorrow and strife are always lurking around the corner; they are ever-present. But what I truly enjoyed is that you managed to convey the sorrow and the pain, and still make this an inspirational piece. The sense of faith and peacefulness that you portrayed is something to aspire for.

This is a truly thought provoking piece!

And I love the way you have written the end. You actually managed to seamlessly integrate positive messages into a death scene, which actually translated into one of the most heart warming death scenes I have ever read (an oxymoron indeed).

Thank you for this amazing read. It gave me some much needed hope.
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Review of Doughnut Saga  
Rated: E | (5.0)
Congratulations, you just ruined my diet!

I loved this, definitely going to get a Doughnut now, but before that let me just take a moment to say that this is such a beautifully written piece. And I really enjoyed the humor.

But aside from the humor and the Doughnuts, I really loved the little metaphors here and there: "They’re messing with my soul" .... Amen!

Thank you for an uplifting read!
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Review of Darkness  
Rated: E | (3.5)
"providing a vague sense of hope and faith equally essential to my prevention of an internal eclipse" That was a very nice and uplifting way to close this piece.

I really enjoyed the depth that you portrayed, many well crafted thoughts presented in succession and all of them propel the reader to ponder his own mornings.


If I have to name just one little area for improvement I would say that this sentence: "who's beauty unfortunately coexist amidst a fear of that unknown" kind of distracted me as I read. I feel like it was not completely clear, especially the "coexist amidst" part.

Other than that I absolutely enjoyed reading it.

Well done!
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Rated: E | (4.5)
"An Ode to a Peach," well, now I've seen it all.

I have to say that once I stopped laughing, I couldn't help but notice that this is a very well written piece.

It flows very nicely and has a very funny conclusion.

And I could really feel your love for the peach (forgive me, I had to).

It must have been quite a task to write an ode to a fruit but you pulled it off nicely.

Very well done!
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Review of Begend: Summary  
Rated: E | (4.5)
I have to say I was kind of on the fence about this until I read this line: "as he sweeps through the battlefield in a pair of slippers," and then you had me.

I'm intrigued. I love action, I love fantasy, and I detect a hint of humor; a perfect combination.

So bring it on!
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Review of Your Doing  
Rated: E | (4.0)
"There's nothing left in my soul
You've taken it away"

Those were my favorite lines.

I enjoyed reading your poem, it's filled with so much emotion. It caused me to recall times when I had similar feelings.

The only criticism that I have is that I would have liked to read more of it and better understand what happened.

Very well done!
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Review of Life  
Rated: E | (4.5)
"Fate, luck, uncertainty, anxiety,
Are all friends standing tall"

That part really got me. Your poem is filled with such deep meanings that I couldn't help but read it a couple more times just to enjoy.

It's definitely well written and I particularly enjoyed the beginning part.

Very, very well done.

Thanks for a great read.
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Rated: E | (4.0)
Well, let me start by the saying that I am not even closely qualified to judge poetry. But I did enjoy reading this. Its message is very beautiful and I particularly enjoyed the opening lines, especially these: "You see not what is,
But see what is not seen,
You go not where roads are,
But wander where roads have never been;"

And more importantly I really like the fact that you ended on such a positive note.

Thanks for posting his, it was so much fun to read.
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Review of The Quran  
Rated: E | (3.5)
"These bodies we have are borrowed and eventually we will all return to him" I love the term "borrowed" it really speaks volumes and sums up a lot of feelings.

I enjoyed reading this, and the only thing I could say is that I would love it if you were to incorporate the concepts you spoke of into a story because it would make for a very interesting read. I am thinking along the lines of the "40 Rules of Love" or something.

I say give it a whirl.
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Rated: E | (4.5)
This is a such a well written poem!

You have a very strong start that drew me in right away and the ending delivers a potent message.

All in all, I really enjoyed how fluidly this poem flows and how uplifting it is. There's definitely a shortage of positive uplifting poetry, which made me enjoy this even more.

Nicely done.
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Review of To Rosewell  
Rated: E | (4.5)
This got me interested in the story you're about to write.

Such strong metaphors and your poem really flows well.

I particularly enjoyed these lines: "I need a present/ I want a now," they're very powerful and moving.

Very well done and good luck with your story.
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Review of Only A Soul  
Rated: E | (4.5)
This is very beautiful and very well written.

The heart, the body and the soul, what are we really?

That's the question.

And what you did in that poem is amazing. You portrayed so much pain and such a huge struggle, the sense of being trapped is almost palpable.

I really enjoyed reading this.
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95
Rated: E | (4.5)
Ahhh, poor Rachel!

This was really funny.

I had to read it twice just to get what it's really about.

I really loved it and it is really impressive how you told the whole story in a few short lines. Very nicely done and very well written.

Best of luck with the contest!
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Rated: E | (5.0)
This was very enjoyable to read.

I started out feeling apprehensive about the creature you're describing. Yet somehow you managed to draw me in and I started to admire him and understand that he has a role to play.

What surprised me even more was that I actually felt for him: he is lonely and I felt like he is predetermined to play a role that he could never escape. It was like he was stuck and the only way he could relate to others was through violence; such a lonely place to be.

This is very thought provoking and while I do not know enough about poetry to judge, I do believe that it flowed perfectly and is incredibly well written.

And it's filled with powerful descriptions, I mean this: "Life and death/ Kill or be dethroned/ Abandonment/ By those in servitude" is quite moving.

Thanks for a wonderful read!
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Rated: E | (4.0)
I must say, when I read the title I did not expect that you would be discussing this sort of love. And I was pleasantly surprised.

As someone who has not had any children yet, I am not that knowledgeable about parenthood, but reading this makes me happy. It also makes me reflect on my own parents and other parents around me.

Such a profound form of love and you captured it perfectly.

It is also very well written, and I enjoyed the quick pace and the swiftness with which you delivered the message.

Nicely done!
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Review of Madame Zara  
Rated: E | (5.0)
This piece grabbed my attention from the get go. But what was great was the fact that you managed to keep me interested until the very end.

I was surprised that it ended happily. That, to me, was actually a great twist, since the skeptical nature of today's society would probably cause your readers' minds to stray the other way.

Your characters are well constructed, and your descriptions are well done. You provide clear, colorful and engaging descriptions of the people and places without overdoing it, which is quite a feat to accomplish.

And finally, the hints of humor made this even more fun to read "You are a…cat, is that right?" I did not see that one coming, and it had me giggling for a few good moments.

Nicely done!

Best of luck with the contest.
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Review of *Title Needed*  
Rated: E | (4.0)
This was so much fun to read.

It reminded me of my childhood and the joys of relying so heavily on one's imagination.

Definitely a thought provoking and fun little piece, and I love your metaphors and the beautiful imagery entailed.

I am not very knowledgeable about poetry though, so I can't offer you much critique on the technical side.

What I can say is that, for what it's worth, I really enjoyed reading it.
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Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
I really enjoyed reading this. Your characters are very well crafted and your writing style is engaging!

I would definitely read this story!

The only thing that threw me a bit was the details on the two main characters' history together. Had this part been a bit shorter I would have loved it even more.

Very nicely done.

Thanks for a great read.
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