Hey Harry!
I did not think I would be back so soon with this review, but here I am!
So, we have reached the end of the line. Congratulations to you on completing your novel! I wish I could have reviewed this when it actually came out!
Okay, so I will be honest and straight out admit that I am not a big fan of sci-fi stories. I mostly read and write realistic stories, and stay far from this genre because of how little I actually know about it. I remember the first time I read the first chapter of your story, I was thoroughly interested by the sweet bond between Harry and Aria. It will be fair to say that they are the reason I came back for the next chapter, and the next, until I got completely invested in this world you have created. I care more for the characters than I do about the plot, but this time, I joined the characters on their fight. I was really surprised that I would like a sci-fi story like this one and stay until the end. So, I will give a short overview of what I thought of the story in general.
I have already said that the characters are what pulled me into this world. You have created really interesting and different characters in Harry, Aria and Daisy. They have all such contrasting personalities, and yet they compliment each other so well that they have managed to build such a sweet and beautiful friendship in such a difficult and harrowing world. The relationships they share with each other remind us that humanity exists and flourishes even when it is trapped and confined. I loved their fun bantering, Harry's optimism, Aria's pessimism and the constant teasing and support in their friendship.
As for Ryan and Kate, they entered a little late in the story, and we learned more about them (still very little) later in the story. At first, their presence felt a little intruding upon our already established trio's, especially because we do not know much about them. However, throughout the mission, we saw them coming together as a team and actually getting along as persons. However, just when we were actually starting to get familiarized with them, they seemed to be pulled out of the story altogether. Especially in the last two or three chapters, their roles had been reduced so much, that I had actually completely forgotten about them until I thought about all the characters together for this final review. So you should try to make their appearances a little more consistent. I understand if you want their characters to develop in the future books, but since you have introduced them here, you have to make sure that they can stand in the story without getting blown away due to lack of identity or roles.
The plot was really great and I think the title of the story tells you all that you need to know about this story. You have a more direct way of telling your stories. While it almost always moves the plot forward in a rather refreshing pace, sometimes, it also makes you skip certain aspects of storytelling. For example, descriptions. They have never really been a very big focus of yours in this story. It was a surprising choice, especially because you are building a very new and different world here - there were many places for you to showcase your creativity and go all out with the descriptions. Since, we don't know very much about this world, it was a little difficult to imagine it at times because of this shortage of descriptions. If we are not told what we should see, we don't see anything. And descriptions also add color to the worlds we build and help solidify its base and ground it reality.
The other thing I think you should work on is the thoughts and the feelings of the characters. Every so often, it feels like we are simply going through the scenes instead of actually experiencing them. It gives it a more robotic and mechanical edge (if you get what I mean), and since this is a story about the humankind's struggle for independence under the aliens, I think you should put more focus on what makes human beings, 'human beings' (its a little confusing, I know). So by exploring their thoughts and emotions, you showcase where the aliens and the humans differ - their humanity. And you also make us all the more attached to the characters and their struggles. Otherwise, it gets a little bit difficult to remain invested in the story. For example, in the final chapters, it felt like the main focus was on reaching the end. The story was more rushed, the characters forced into the background. I think there is some room for improvement in that part.
Overall, this was a really incredible ride, and I am glad I stayed until the end. You have built a very great world, introduced some great characters and I am really excited to see where they go from here.
I really look forward to reading more such amazing works from you.
Keep writing and have a great day!
Until next time!
Points: 82352
Reviews: 659
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