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156 Public Reviews Given
156 Total Reviews Given
Public Reviews
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26
26
Review of The Way Out  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
Well done, with an amazing twist at the end. This is one of those stories that after you read the ending, you need to go back and re-read the beginning. You did a great job of writing descriptions that could easily lead to a false conclusion.
A person trapped. Why? How?
And then you let us have it with your brilliant ending.
Great story in so few words. I'm glad you won the contest with this.
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Review of Strip Tease  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
That was so wrong. :) Absolutely brilliant!
I could easily picture him standing there, jaw on the floor, realizing he'd been had. (And not in a good way)
Excellent setup.
Brilliant execution.
Great descriptions.
All in one hundred words.
Amazing.
Even more amazing is that you managed to toy with my emotions as well. I wanted him to succeed. I felt the letdown too when I read the final note.
Very well written. I can see why this won the contest.
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Review of Restless  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with The Dark Society  
Rated: 18+ | (4.0)

In answer to the questions you asked.

This story doesn't unnerve me, but then I like to read and write horror stories. In fact it seems a little on the tame side. When you label it Paranormal, readers should know to expect something of this nature. My suggestion would be to also use the label 'Occult' for a story like this, just to give the reader an extra warning of what they're getting into.

As for what works. Your descriptions are magnificent. They set the scene quite well. Having the main character be a teenager adds an extra layer of depth. I enjoyed the humor of worrying what his mother would say.

As for what can be improved. You could greatly improve the readability of this story by putting a space in between each line. For example, the way I wrote this review. After every paragraph, I hit 'Return'. This spaces out the narrative and allows your readers eyes to take a break. Large blocks of text are hard to read.

I would also italicize the character's thoughts. It separates them from the narrative and reduces confusion.

Your story was good, entertaining, and believable. With a little work, it could be great.
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29
Review of Precious Gift  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
I agree, a child is a precious gift, sent into the lives of the parents. We do the best we can but sometimes we make mistakes. Blaming ourselves for those mistakes isn't fair, but it is human.
If we live our lives as parents being so afraid of making mistakes that we do nothing, that is also a mistake and could lead to even worse circumstances.
I can't imagine losing a child. (Losing a spouse was bad enough) But I'm sure I would shoulder the blame as you have.
I would hope that my eventual outlook would be the same as yours. To look at the positive of that child's life and not focus on the negative.
A very emotional and well written story of dealing with loss.
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30
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
Wow! I hope he doesn't end all of his relationships in life this way. :)
Well told story. Good, believable interaction between the two characters.
Well described setting. I could easily picture the playground next to the road.
At first I thought there was a problem with POV, but after a re-read, I found it was fine.
I would've put the last line in italics, to indicate thought, but it worked okay this way.
In the end it just seemed jarring to treat someone who was a friend for so long, that harshly.
I get the separation thing, but maybe he could've just said goodbye and left him at the playground.
It's also a little less than believable that a child who is obviously very young would have such homicidal tendencies.
That's just my opinion.
Your story was well done, with a great twist, I'm just not sure his actions were age appropriate.
Congrats on placing third in the contest.
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Review of Backseat Driver  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.0)
My first thought is that this story is a dream. I see the comedy. It was good, right up until the end.
Your operator and George characters were excellent and played well off of each other.
My problem came with the ending.
I don't know if I missed something or not, but the end didn't quite make sense to me. The only way I can explain it that makes sense is for it to be a dream.
Your dialogue was awesome. I would've liked to have seen more of it.
Good story, just a little confusing.
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Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 18+ | (4.5)
I can easily picture men all over the world dying of malnutrition as the nutrients are literally sucked out of their bodies. I can also picture not a single one of them complaining or making any attempt to cease the activity that would cause their own extinction.

A very imaginative story. You covered the true nature of this 'superfood' very well and kept it for a surprise ending.

I also liked the author's notes, explaining some interesting facts about your research.

Well done.
33
33
Review of In My Rearview  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
I'm giving you an extra half star just for using the word 'rigmarole'. I have known and use that word for a long time, but this is the first time I've ever seen it used in a poem.
I love the picture of looking back in the mirror. It perfectly sets the tone for the poem. The irony of looking back and looking forward at the same time was simply splendid.
It's also interesting how you seemed to be in conflict even to the end. Still looking back and forward.
Well done.
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Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.0)
Ah the great demon 'alcohol'. Or is it the great demon 'addiction'? How many kings has it laid low? How many has made into paupers and worse. Sitting upon their cardboard throne, begging for alms.
A very interesting poem about royalty laid low. Or is it about a lowly man with delusions of grandeur?
I'm sure there is a deeper meaning in this poem, but I'm just looking at the surface.
I liked it. It had the feel of a modern fable.
Well done.
35
35
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
Ah, boredom can be a terrible thing. I had a sneaking suspicion that he was going to ask something stupid or of little consequence.
I loved the banter between Michael and Emma (who I assume is death) nice goading too. All the wordplay and her just ignoring it. Nice comedic timing.
I tripped up in one spot though. When Michael slapped Adam. You never said he did it until afterward. It was a little jarring.
I did like the continuity. Wasn't Adam the one who was possessed in a different story and had to make a choice in the end?
Well done story. I'm really liking this character. Especially his name. :)
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Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.0)
I agree. Although it's nice to see family, it's nice to have some time alone too.
Your poem was cute, funny, and spoke of a holiday truth all at the same time. I especially agree with being force to shop for family. That can get to be a hassle, and you don't really know if they'll like your present or not.
Good poem. I don't think it will stop the rampaging rhino that is Christmas, but it's worth a try.
Happy Holidays.
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Review of The Ghostly Heart  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
Another great Michael Reeve story. His reckless feeling of invincibility was present once again. I wonder if that feeling will ever be tested by an immovable force.
I like the explanation of where his magic comes from. I'm curious. When he mentions his bosses. Do they know he's a wizard? Or does he have two sets of bosses?
Once again, very entertaining.
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Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
Doggone you. I'm starting to get hooked on these Michael Reeve stories. :)
I like the confident, smart aleck way he goes about things. Nothing seems to worry him too much.
I liked his unintended assistant. Good for him, deciding to do the right thing.
I do have a question though. These demon names, do you make them up or are they real?
A great story, character, and series.
So well done, it gives me every reason to continue reading.
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Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
Excellent. So well crafted was this story that I couldn't even guess where it was going. Your characters were well done and believable. At first I thought he was having some sort of mental breakdown and his own mind was arguing with him. Then you brought in the wizard to muddy the waters as I had to decide if he was telling the truth or not.
That was quite an interesting choice he had to make. I have to wonder if he would've been a vegetable if he had chosen removal.
The ending was at least semi-happy. But I have to wonder what it would've been like if she had approached him with anger and revenge in her eyes.
An excellent story. So well written that I may have to read some more chapters of this.
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Review of The Drift  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
Excellent and very imaginative. I never really thought about snow attacking before. At first I thought there were creatures under the snow.
You did an excellent job of making this story believable. Who knows what happens out in the wilds where there's no one for miles.
Incredible tension and storytelling, especially for only 300 words.
Well done.
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Review of Lest I Forget...  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.5)
Amen, brother. I'm not quite to your age, (eleven years younger) but I still need a list to go to the store. My memory feels more like a colander every day. In fact...what was I writing about?

Seriously, a very funny poem about a very unfunny subject. You carried it off well.

Great job.
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Review of Saturday Morning  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.5)
Hi, I'm reviewing your poem as part of our Power Raid!

This poem was very cute and funny. It also explains a very natural phenomenon. I myself find the lure of the pillow nearly irresistable in the mornings. It's like a giant magnet that draws me back and won't let go until I'm late for work.
Nice rhythm and rhyme to this poem.

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#1964984 by Not Available.
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Review of End Of The Line  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
Hi, I'm reviewing to celebrate you in our Power Raid!

Excellent story. Well written and fully realized in under 300 words. Your character was very believable. I thought something would come of him ignoring the strike, it turns out he was a victim of his own creation. Cruel irony or poetic justice?
Exceptionally well done.
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Review of Down to Earth  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (3.0)
Hi, I am reviewing to celebrate you in a Power Raid.

I liked your interesting, if very short, story. It seemed more like a character sketch than an actual story.
I liked the point that you need with, that he had felt fulfilled with his life knowing that he had helped others.
I very admirable way to go in the end.
Good story. Good moral.
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Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
This was a great poem. It had the feel of one of Aesop's fables.
While reading the first two stanzas, all I could picture was Calvin and Hobbes, the old cartoon where the boy had a stuffed tiger he thought was real. Then it took a dark turn.
A wonderfully written cautionary tale about the dangers of taking love and devotion a bit too far.
Excellent job.
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Review of Together  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.0)
A very passionate poem, full of meaning. Full of regret of a lifetime spent searching for a true love that was only found through the ashes of many false ones.
I have to wonder though if the one that is said to be the fire will soon become more ashes as the search begins for another.
Well written poem with vivid imagery.
I hope that the person has found true love at last.
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Review of This I Believe  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
Your essay is exceptionally well stated. Starting from the beginning, telling the entire story, drawing us in for the punch in the gut that I felt as a reader when you were crushed by the unfiltered 'honest' opinion.
While I do agree that truthful opinions can be helpful, I also believe that they can be delivered with more tact and delicacy than your classmate.
I also believe that there are times when you come across that perfect story, poem, artwork, that needs no improvement. It is at those times that we should simply appreciate it for what it is rather than trying even harder to find fault with it.
This is merely my opinion.
This essay is one of those times.
It was so well written, that I believe that there is nothing wrong to point out.
Very well done.
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Review of New World  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (4.0)
This was a good story. I became involved in it rather quickly. The tension level rose steadily, even after agent Bryce came on the scene. You did a great job with his character. He was believable and likable. The interactions between him and the Director were mostly believable too.

There were a few things that need a little attention:

'The cramped feeling of space' I would eliminate 'of space'. The word space sends a message of openness and room, rather the opposite of cramped.

'A small gap but with it let in air' I would eliminate 'with'.

'It landed on all (fours) an rocked back on its heels. (Breath) roaring into his lungs.'

Using the name 'Bryce' so many times became distracting. You could replace some of them with 'he'.

Other than that, this was a good story with excellent descriptions.
Good job.
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Review of The Scream  
Review by michaelk2
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 18+ | (4.5)
That was an awesome twist. The ghosts were trying to warn him.
Your story was loaded with fantastic descriptions. You established mood so well that I found myself shivering.
One thing that bothered me is that he never asked how she knew he was a cop, even though you said how smart he was and what a good cop he was. I thought his cop instincts would've kicked in a little sooner.
But this is a minor nit in an otherwise well written story.
Your imagery was amazing. Especially the clouds.
Well done.
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Review of A Lesson Learned  
Review by michaelk2
Rated: 18+ | (5.0)
A well crafted story. I was engaged by it from the very start. You did an excellent job of describing your characters and making them believable.
The switching back and forth between past and present was done good enough that it wasn't jarring. It was actually quite smooth.
I did have two minor problems with the story.
When Marie pulled her 'reveal' I thought she was the bartender, and I wondered how she got away after being stabbed in the throat. It was only on re-reading that I understood.
The other problem was when Marie went home and you went out of your way to say how her husband was never thus sweet. I thought you were casting suspicion on him for having some involvement in this. Unless that was just a red herring.
Neither of these things spoiled my enjoyment of this great story.
Very well done.
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