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1,605 Public Reviews Given
1,659 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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Review of Strange Ways  Open in new Window.
Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: ASR | (5.0)
This is a fabulous fantasy story full of twists. I loved friendly vegan dragon Derrick and his appearance with Reema as his guardian made a wonderful plot twist after Reema was assumed dead and Daniel thought he had to fight the dragon. I feel that the message about dragons not always being scary and evil kings having a redemption was a good one for children to hear and I like how this was situated as a tale old to Reema and Daniel's adopted daughter.
The quality of the writing was high and there was only one word that I felt should be altered: ‘outcropping’ sounds odd, maybe write outcrop or outcropping rock here?
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Review of Mister  Open in new Window.
Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.5)
What I liked best:
I enjoyed the refrain-like repetition in the structure of the poem and I could imagine this like a song being performed by the couple with them both taking single parts before singing together in the fourth stanza. I liked the ambiguity as at the end the woman is still asking him to give him name, implying there is still some mystery and some way to go in the relationship. This circular structure links back to her seeing him earlier when he is an unknown but fascinating presence in the market. You conveyed a strong sense of how he stands out from the crowd which enabled readers to appreciate how special this romance is.

Some suggestions:
A 'the' is needed here: Going through the busy market
In the first stanza you have 'Man' written in capitals when it would look better small. Miser is fine in capitals as it is used instead of his name, which the speaker of the poem does not know.
Consider using quotation marks for the words to mark them out as direct speech.
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (5.0)
What a funny poem full of humorous details as the idiom 'it's raining cats and dogs' comes true. The variety of pets and their characters come across well and I enjoyed how you set the poem with a parent and child watching the unusual rainfall which added an element of make-believe that means both children and adults would enjoy the poem.
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Review of Escape  Open in new Window.
Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
I enjoyed this snapshot of a how Jet the dachshund experiences such a longing to be outside as his owner leaves him alone for long hours, and how he finally managed to get free. You did a great job of conveying Jet’s longing from his perspective interested in the scent of tacos and the postman’s socks. The way you conveyed Jet’s reactions jumping up at the door and having his tail wagging like a windmill was realistic. I hope he finds a better owner with more time waiting for him after his big adventure.
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
Rated: ASR | N/A (Review only item.)
So many wonderful writing prompts here, I'm looking forward to selecting one and writing something to add to the challenge. I like the idea of the acrostic poem, why I'd like to live in a Jane Austen novel and Jane Austen birthday so will try and write these at first. All are lovely ideas though so I will see what inspires me. I'm pleased you are doing such lovely activities for Jane's 250th anniversary.
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
I enjoyed your creation of atompshere and suggestion of a longer story here. The hints that something might go wrong worked well and the bear appearing added a lot of tension. I enjoyed the contrast at the end where Jenny finds herself switching from a terrifying situation to one where she is rescued. I guess the man may live at the neighbouring house on the track and that would be nice as they would get to see each other easily.
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.0)
This is an interesting transposition of the form and some of the wording of the traditional Beetles song into a poem exploring betrayal, greed and lies. I especially liked the way that the first speaker appears to be the manipulator of the blind second speaker, but the second speaker actually appears to be playing them along and will end up the most powerful of the pair in their struggle. This worked well as it gave readers opportunity to guess at the true nature of the characters and their relationship. I was a little unclear whether a business or a political relationship is implied here?
'it will all work oit.' Should be 'it will all work out'.
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Review of Tuatha Dé Danann  Open in new Window.
Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
The blend of traditional Irish myths related to the Tuatha Dé Danann and sci-fi elements that reminded me of Star Wars made this an intriguing Star Wars Patrick's Day story. I enjoyed how the Kahnh's society have evolved new technology and the med unit used to create a new arm for Nauda seems a useful and plausible new invention. The fight between Nauda and Sreng was tense and I especially liked the ending which brought in the leprachaun and firmly linked the text back to St Patrick's Day.
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Review of Ode To The Earth  Open in new Window.
Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
This poem resonates the meaningful message to take better care of the planet. The juxtaposition of the greedy humans covering the land and ocean with waste and destroying trees and the more hopeful imagery of the awareness brought about by Earth Day worked well. The choice of the bumblebee worked well as these small creates play a vital role in the ecosystem, benefitting humanity as well and being found in most places on the planet. They are also a species most people would be able to help, even just by tending a pot of wildflower seeds on a windowsill.
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
This story was both sweet and romantic and realistic with the internal conflict experiences by Clara effectively driving the plot forward. Still crushed after the horror of her marriage to abusive Albert, it took Clara a while to feel able to develop feelings for sweet, gentle Daniel. I like how he too had a backstory of family loss which made me even more keen to see this lonely man find love. You timed the plot right introducing Emily just as Clara is opening up to love, making her realise the true depth of her feelings for Daniel.
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
I enjoyed this story and Cleo’s character and drive stood out well, especially the way that he undergoes a transformation of ideals towards the end and finds a way to combine his love of acting with his law studies. The gypsy, ring and necklace added a magical feel to this time travel story. I agree it would be nice to have more of the story if you ever return to it without the word limit.
I wondered how Cleo knows that the street lights are electric and what a television is? It would be nice to include his thoughts as he guesses what they are.
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Review of BANANAS  Open in new Window.
Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
This is a lovely poem full of heartfelt celebration of bananas. Bananas are my favourite food too and I will have to try the unripe banana recipe as it sounds delicious. It was special to hear about the links of bananas to family memories, growing different types of bananas and how healthy they were. The positive tone of the poem is lovely.
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: ASR | N/A (Review only item.)
I enjoyed the beautiful setting of this story with both the ride and picnic in Camelot and the beautiful fairy forest of Unicorn Island. The details were well described to create a romantic fairytale mood that held my interest. The part where Arthur and Morgana are saved by being taken to Unicorn Island was a good way out when some rogues turned up to kidnap them. I wondered how they got back to Camelot after going to Unicorn Island, maybe some unicorns take them back there and decide to stay?
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.5)
I enjoyed how this chapter help promise for an action and adventure story set in an everyday, ordinary setting. The mention of a distant war, mysterious letters, and the symbolic poem to unravel were great plot ideas.
In the second line you have eAvery and the e needs to removed.
Maybe WDC has messed up the paragraph format but you need to have a new paragraph each time another character speaks.
The ending with the spam sandwiches was funny but I wondered if something more related to the plot might be added afterwards to create a hook for readers? Maybe Avery thinks about the poem again or remembers something he heard about the Paragon war?
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Review of Tangled Weave  Open in new Window.
Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
This is a lovely poem blending fairytales, witchcraft and dreams in an amusing way. I enjoy how the image of Grace with her knitting yarn worked first ti create a peaceful image and then alludes to traditional tales of pixies playing pranks by knitting wool as she wakes and finds herself surrounded by tangled wool. The black cat similar might be a magical being and part of an everyday scenario, adding mystery to this enjoyable poem.
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
I enjoyed how the natural imagery of the sunset and the tree which appears like ‘a skeleton of bare twigs’ despite it being summer reflects the situation of the speaker of the poem and the departed loved one they address in this epistle poem. The fact that it was addressed to someone like a letter was only revealed at the end and this structure worked effectively.
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: ASR | N/A (Review only item.)
I enjoyed this romantic Arthurian story and the twist that you gave to the legend as here Morgana appears as the love interest to Arthur and not to Guinevere. Morgana seems a much more glamrous and likable character as she cares for those with magic and wants Arthur and his father to change their pompus ways. The dance and ride were romantic and the incident where Arthur needs to save Morgana's life after she is bitten by a snake worked well at getting them to admit their feelings. The appearance of the unicorn at the end of the story was interesting and it made me wonder what role it will play in the future of Camelot...
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Review of WRITER'S BLOCK  Open in new Window.
Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
You shared your experiences of writer's block in a heartfelt way and I was pleased to hear that at the end of it you started writing again. The detail about the cat being happy with the familiar sound of tapping key was nice! Sometimes re-reading things you have written or focusing on a bit of the story where you can use a picture for inspiration can be helpful with writer's block.
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Review of MUSIC AND ME  Open in new Window.
Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
This is a lovely and very moving piece about the power of music in lives. I liked how the music brought the family together and I think this is such a wonderful way to spend time together that it is almost a shame TV was invented to take people away from musical pursuits to bond the family. I loved reading how you took the music a stage further and overcame your initial reluctance to sing the part of Germaine in such a moving way. It was lovely to hear how welcoming the music teacher and her family were to you and how your were treated like a VIP during the performance. Although you did not become a profesional musician, life had other blessings for you and you ended up keeping your love for music alongside having a family, which made a nice conclusion to the piece.
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
I enjoyed this story outline and the opeing caught my interest with the stormy weather reflecting the character of the girl and the rooftop suggesting she is maybe going to face danger or being on the brink of something. I was also interested to read in the description that the girl has superpowers. The contrast between her character and that of the popular new boy in school will work well at creating and intriguing plot.
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Review of Resolve of kings  Open in new Window.
Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.5)
I enjoyed this story-like poem told in rhyming couplets. The sense of devastation was strong and the message about finding hope in bad times worked well as the king who had lost nearly everything due to the war helped a homeless child and grew the resolve to make a fresh start. The fact that the end of the story was left for time to tell worked well.
There is a point where you used a small letter for I when it needs to be capitalised and the lines might work better as a poem if they were slightly shorter, but generally this was a moving and interesting piece.
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Review of The Dugs O' Largs  Open in new Window.
Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
The picture of Nickel and the statue commemorating the battle with the Vikings is wonderful and adds a personal touch to the poem that makes it yet more interesting to read.
The notes also work well as they not only are a feature found with versions of Robert Burns’s poems but enable readers from a broad areas to appreciate the Scottish dialect words. The notes not only capture the distinctive voice and pronunciation to give an evocative local air, but include historical notes which are full of interest to create a picture of the culture of the area. I enjoyed many of the words which are humorous and I imagine reflect the Celtic and Viking heritage of the area.
The opening lines remind me of a bard giving a warning before their tale and promise an interesting tale full of legendary happenings. I found the language easy to understand despite being in dialect and enjoyed how it brought the Scottish speaker to life as I read the poem.
I enjoyed the way you presented the events in the bar and the approach of the Viking raiders consecutively, using juxtaposition to contrast the jolly and feisty inhabitants at the bar with the Vikings who seek revenge as they sail hungrily over the moonlit sea.
The description of Hamish and Dougal was vivid and enjoyable as I could easily picture the pauper who acts like a fool in his cups, plus his loyal dog. As a dog owner myself, I feel that having Dougal in the poem added interest and made Hamish a likeable character despite his faults! I loved how it is Dougal who is the true hero of this piece as he bravely faces the Viking ghosts, recalling how the dogs of Largs chased the Vikings away historically and the Vikings moved further along the coast. This is a great story and very unexpected and deserves to be more widely known, hence why your writing a poem about it is such a good idea and the poem deserves to be widely read. You should defiantly try sending this to publishers, I’m sure that local newspapers and magazines would be interested.
There are some wonderful, evocative descriptions in the poem, such as ‘The landlord’s glare, as ripe as dung’ and ‘Ancestral sages cast their runes, An Berserkers woke frae water’d tome’s.’

Suggestions:
I don’t think canine needs to be capitalised.
I also wondered if you could include the year that Hamish and Dougal face the Vikings? It seems like it might be 18th or 19th century, maybe you might add a paragraph to relate this lifetime to the time of Robert Burns. I’d recommend this after you reveal that the Vikings are not ghosts but real though!


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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
This is a well thought through and inspiring piece and I agree that altering James Joyce’s original text into a message of perseverance and personal growth makes for a more inspiring story. In life troubles often ultimately bring about a strengthening of character, especially in younger people who learn from life lessons. Although painful at the time, these experiences of dissolutionmemt can be reflected upon as positive. The explanation of the piece feels almost religious in the moment of epiphany described on the boy’s life journey.
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | N/A (Review only item.)
This was a complicated and challenging wordsearch and I enjoyed how having the words spelled backwards, and diagnoally backwards, added to the challenge. There were so many relevant Alice in Wonderland themed words and you did an excellent job of disguising them in the wordsearch. The variety made me picture a well laid table with something for everyone and I like hoe Jane Austen and Downton Abbey also made an appearance.
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Review of 12-13 Charm  Open in new Window.
Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: 18+ | (5.0)
Miss Norton is truly terrifying and enjoyed the way that throughout the plot there were increased hints of her sinister, sorcerous nature which made the climax fitting. I especially found the fact that she has taximdermy and porcelain dolls in her office sinister. Her obsession with class made it realistic that she would single out nouveau riche Olivia and Alice for punishment and again this was plotted as a significant element in the story.
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