HollyMerry's (hollymerry) Reviews

Review Requests: OFF
1,669 Public Reviews Given
1,723 Total Reviews Given
Review Style
Honest and encouraging
I'm good at...
Proofreading for grammar, letting you know which areas of your writing work and which might be improved
Favorite Genres
Fantasy, historical, adventure, sci-fi
Least Favorite Genres
Murder, horror, erotica
Favorite Item Types
I’m happy to review all types of item
I will not review...
Anything with graphic violence, sexual content or profanity
Public Reviews
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1

Review of The Ostrich Egg, Part Two  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
This was an interesting and multi-layered story. I enjoyed the blend of original ideas, such as the ostrich eggs, with typical fable elements like having to marry a crone who transforms into a beautiful young woman. The twist at the end with the couple deciding to visit the desert and the detail of the wife wearing the emerald ring worked well.
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Review of The Rubbish Realm  

for entry "Interlude 1a" 
Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
I enjoyed this interesting and tense opening to the story. The fact of Brady on the verge of death being offered immortality and taking the chance, leading to him being taken into a mysterious cavern, made an attention grabbing start. I also enjoyed the hints that something would go wrong as a result plotted at the start.
One thing which you might want to clarify is narrative voice as I was unsure how to place this. At first the story opens with omniscient commentary, then switches to Brady’s third person point of view, before ending with a first person comment. I am not sure therefore if a character or narrator (Basilius is mentioned presumably as a writer at the start) is meant to be telling the story?
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Review of 🌹Falling Rose Petals🌹  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
This is a moving poem which both conveys a sense of the loss and sorrow of grief and ends with the reassuring message that it was precious to have known caring loved ones. The road petal imagery, symbol of love, worked well as roses do not last for ever just like loved ones.
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Review of Dear Jane Austen From Santa  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | N/A (Review only item.)
What a sweet and meaningful find, I was pleased to come across this Jane Austen item I had not read by you before, especially near Christmas time. Yesterday was Jane Austen’s 250th birthday and it was nice seeing lots of posts about her online. I enjoyed the idea of Santa and Mrs Claus enjoying Jane Austen’s stories and it was very apt that Jane left tea for Santa. The letter was lovely and poignant at times and I hope Jane knew some of these heartwarming things of how she had many good things in life snd was treasured as a writer, even if she was not published in her own name in her lifetime.
5
5

Review of Finn  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
This wonderful short story was filled with an immersive snd vivid depiction of a magical system which has been dwindling and is in need of balancing itself. The contrasting characters of Aldrich the elderly wizard and his young apprentice Finn worked well and the primary focus on the two was effective in a story of this length as I felt as though I knew them well and appreciated clear sense of character development, especially of Finn. Uncovering the truth about Aldrich trying to capture the spirit of the sea in a crystal gradually worked well and gave an interesting plot twist to the tale. The magic system was easy to understand and the writing style professional and thoroughly polished.
In chapter 10 I noticed an unnecessary 0 had sneaked in: joining.0
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Review of Elf Rights  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
I enjoyed this sequel to the Harry Potter universe featuring an ex-auror Harry revisiting his childhood home and rescuing a girl whose freed House Elf was trying to exhort money from her family. The fact the elf was presented as evil and that Harry had fallen out with his old friends made an unexpected twist to the tale.
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Review of Return to Narnia  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
I was pleased to find Susan getting back to Narnia to be welcomed by Aslan and her siblings in this story. The way in which the four children and their two cousins parallel the main characters in the original Narnia stories but come from a different time era worked well. The description of the professor’s house as abandoned worked well and caught the interest of those familiar with the story.
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Review of Cult of the Created Ones  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.5)
The premise of this story was an interesting one and I liked how you had chosen a scientific development which sounded plausible due to the interest in genetics and dog training. The character of Echo and how she ages worked well, plus the way the dogs turned to worship the scientists was interesting. I would like to know how the modified dogs interacted with non-modified dogs, plus how bring able to speak affected their relationships with their owners in more detail.
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9

Review of The Special Misfit Zebra Teddy Bear  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | N/A (Review only item.)
I like the idea of a distinctive striped zebra bear, he will make a striking addition to the other bears and dolls snd having him sold to raise money for the children’s charity was a good idea. I liked how you imagine how he might get on with the other dolls and beers. At first some call him a misfit, but once they realise his special purpose they accept Stripes and he makes friends with others like Princess Diana and Prince.
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Review of Our Cottage, Now For Sale  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
This piece is evocative and beautifully written. I enjoyed the way that everyday objects in the home bear the trace of memories for the husband as if he is haunted by his wife and the memories that they shared in their house. The imagery was beautiful and poetically written. I especially liked how the fact of him adding the for sale sign at the end of the story was given a sense of gravity due to the significant events in his life which he had lived there and which he would be severed from once he left the house.
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Review of Teddy Winked Back  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
This is a lovely story full of the value of sharing and kindness for children to learn from. The beloved teddy bear and how he needs repairing as he was so well loved and played with by both siblings was described in a heartwarming way. I liked how the mother wisely made the decision to allow the bear to enjoy retirement and for two new teddies to come so the children have one each to play with whilst still enjoying the companionship of their old teddy.
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Review of The Origins of the House of Huffyndor  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: 18+ | (4.5)
An amusing blend of familiar characters from the Harry Potter universe with new and funny scenarios. The idea of the mole as narrator worked well and made the story easy to picture. The creation of an amalgamated Hufflyndor house and hint this is due to Ron and Hermione as will be revealed in a sequel worked well.
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Review of 🌌~Legacy~🌌  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
This poem is dramatic and would suit a prophecy in a sci-fi or fantasy story where generations are fighting to achieve a cause. The idea of passing on a legacy of hope from generation to generation is a moving one. The rhyme scheme works well and the way the last lines echo rhymes from the first stanza reinforces the topic of the poem of a cycle of life.
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14

Review of Tamalia and the Kelpie Revised 6-23-2025  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: 18+ | (4.5)
I enjoyed this tale full of fantasy characters — a witch, dwarf who has been turned into a toad, naiads and a Kelpie. The story worked well with lots of interest when Tamalia sees the water dwelling creatures and I enjoyed the ending where her mission to transform Podolfo back from a toad is spelled out.
Some parts describing what Tamalia is wearing are detailed and I feel that the simple names of colours eg red and yellow, might be made more vivid with similes. A lot of focus is given to her look and what she is wearing. Could some more character be shown by mentioning how different items appeal to her personality and values, where she got them from, to give more purpose to including these details in the story?
I think the first ‘treat’ isn’t needed here: ‘treat afternoon treat.’
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Review of CASCADE  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
I enjoyed learning about the cascade poem format and this poem themed around the act of writing poetry with imagery taken from the Niagra Falls works well in demonstrating the form. I could clearly see the pattern created as each line in the first stanza gets repeated in succeeding stanzas.
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Review of Autumn Winter Hearth Reflections 2025  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | N/A (Review only item.)
The campfire diary was an enjoyable read and you express the joys and problems arising in the autumn well. Downton Abbey was a good movie but I agree Maggie Smith is missed, lovely to see the characters and fabulous costumes and settings though. The Jane Austen festival was lovely with beautiful costumes and thousands of people in Regency dress like going back in time! It’s sad Meghan doesn’t give more support to her dad, especially when he faced the earthquake. I was sorry to hear of the hurricanes in the US and I hope your health improves soon.
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Review of Narnia Portal Opens on Fall Equinox  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.5)
I enjoyed this poem about Sam Adams, an old man who finds comfort from everyday problems in the nostalgia of classics like Narnia. The symbolism of the door opening at the autumn equinox was perfect. I liked the fact San chose not to come back as it was always sad that the children in the Narnia stories had to return to the real world in the end.
With the words written on the door telling Sam to enter I think italics or quote marks would make them stand out. I also think the pork would benefit from more descriptions to make it easier for readers to picture the scene.
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Review of The May Queen  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
I enjoyed this tale about how those who do not conform to rigid and traditional ideals can still enjoy themselves and celebrate their individuality. I like how you shifted the tone as Annabel is initially despondent as she feels left out and overlooked by others during the May dance. However, she learns from older woman Molly to be a free spirit and enjoy herself no matter what.
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Review of The Last Chapter  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: 18+ | (5.0)
This story covered a lot of ground and I enjoyed the change of narrative voice and flashbacks. The opening of the story (which turns out to be part of the Allen Cromwell story being written) was vividly described and the quality of the writing made it believable that it was by a bestselling crime author. The details about the books, such as the titles, increased this impression. I enjoyed the intersection of the writer’s home life with the reviews and opinions of the publisher.
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Review of Rowan's Song  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
What a gorgeously written story full of the beauty and symbolic poetry of the natural world, myths and finding a sense of self. The quality of writing is superb and each description is worth savouring for its beauty and novelty, I can tell you have great talent. The story built pace and interest well and the repeated details like the feathers left as gifts and swan curse from the wind added a fairytale quality. I like how both Aisling and Rowan found their voice and purpose after being lonely and enduring hardship.
Here you missed a capital I in It’s and instead of fit it should be fitted him.
My name. it’s Rowan.”

The name fit him,
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Review of Enchantment  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
I enjoyed the musicality and sense of movement in this poem. The active verbs, mentions of a swan song and light and final change to calm create a sense of the enchantment growing in power and taking hold of the enchanted speaker of the poem. The mood is both one of restfulness and concern as the speaker of the poem feel as though they have lost themselves.
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Review of The Joys of Inspiration  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
The refrain and stave stanza structure work well. I was interested to hear that the form is typical of a Scottish drinking song as the celebratory mood perfectly fitted a WDC anniversary celebration poem. The mentions of how WDC brings writers together across the world in a supportive community and how it constantly evolves and inspires writers was well put.
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Review of The Legacy We Wrote  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
This is a beautiful story celebrating WDC in a surreal way which makes sense given how AI and technology is developing. I like the positive vibe created by mentions of the Storymistress picking flowers and the many happy faces of family, friends and fellow writers all connected via the wonderful web of the written word. The warm tone, humour and well visualised scene was a perfect tribute to WDC.
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Review of Walls Could Talk  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
I enjoyed the haunting and vivid atmosphere of this poem, especially the contrast of the Christmas time ball with its cherry colours, music, food and happy dancers with the sobs and manic cries. The further contrast with the chilling sight of the haunted and desolate mansion which is falling into ruins elevated this into a memorable poem. I enjoyed how the reason for the haunting was hinted at but never made explicit, plus the use of repetition.
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Review of Freckled  

Review by hollymerryMail Icon
In affiliation with The Power Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
This is a mystical and ultimately rewarding story about a girl who is outcast because of the constellation of freckles on her palms. The caste system and jungle with its associated warring gods made an immersive world and I liked the convincing pattern of names. I was pleased that Ananya escaped her village to become a fortune teller herself and presumably her long lost father found her to train her.