The wind blew my cape about me. It fluttered as a flag in the dark sky. A flag of protection.
On my high perch, the city of Gotham spread before me. Its twinkling lights dared to challenge heaven's stars. I haven't always done this, shielding the metropolis from calamity. Once, I had been a normal citizen. But I hadn't a carefree life. My family is from the richest of class, but life turned me out the poorest.
This isn't where my story begins, but this is how it takes flight.
One dark stormy night, a girl stood in an alley, bidding a grieved goodbye to her parents, Keith and Anne.
"Go Emma, hurry!" Her father said.
"Dad, no! I'm staying with you!" The teen protested. Her voice rang through the dark alley and broke the quiet stillness of the summer night.
"It's okay, honey." Said Emma's mother. "We'll be alright." She gently cradled her daughter's face in her own worn hands.
Emma gazed into her mother's eyes and grasped her father's arm. She memorized her parent's features. Her father was tall and handsome. Gray, too early for his young age, streaked his dark brown hair.
Her mother's beautiful face had aged beyond her years, and her blonde hair had lost its shine.
"Mom, I'm not leaving you," Emma said. "We're a family, and families stick together, forever."
"Oh, Emma." Her mother said, tears suddenly forming in her crystal blue eyes. She hugged her daughter.
"It's time, Emma." Her father said.
"Don't forget Emma, God will always be watching over you." Her mother said. "Goodbye, baby."
"Will I ever see you two again?" Emma asked tearfully.
"Remember, a goodbye is never forever." Said her father. "Find my cousin, then come back for us. We'll be alright."
"Okay, Dad," Emma sobbed. She turned and ran down the alley, and her parents went the other way.
Emma crept through the shady street. Car tires screeched, and a gray sedan skidded to block the lonely alley. Emma slunk into the shadows. Two men in dark suits stepped out.
They held guns. Emma gasped. She fumbled for her cell phone.
Points:
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Canary word: Present
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hi, im mainly doing this review so that I can post my own novel, but that's besides the point. I liked the story so far. its pretty interesting, and the writing is pretty good. I can't really think of any major errors in the writing. its maybe slightly wordy from time to time, but its not excessive or even really noticeable if you aren't looking for it. overall, a good chapter.
Thank You!
I'm back to see what I missed in these chapters.
Ah yes, the hero who believes they can protect everyone. It's a noble idea, but really difficult when actually trying to execute it. The way this is worded is also kind of pretentious and a little bit too flowery for me, but it matches the hero I believe you are talking about in this from the many later chapters I've read through and reviewed.
I can express all of what I said above for all of that beginning sequence. I do not see any purpose for why to have that, and if it's supposed to be a prologue of sorts trying to tell us the later ideas without actually telling, I think even less of that section. Everything said here if it fits that could easily be placed into later chapters.
These people are not important at all. They really don't need to be named because I haven't seen them mentioned at all in the later parts.
If you have to mention them, maybe you could give more information about them. We know what they look like, but everything else is a mystery. We are given enough information from the way Emma interacts with them to know they have an okay to good relationship, but nothing else is ever mentioned about childhood or something.
The first chapter is the most important part when someone looks into wanting to read a story, so it should have more detail on people if you think they are crucial enough to have a given name. The same thing could be said about any kind of character depending on the writer and the readers, so that could be kept in mind too.
I am once again feeling like I have to mention plot conveniences and timing and how much those actually matter this soon in stories, but you know how I feel about all of that and this is technically before what I've read through already.
Thank you, Chikara!
Hey there! I liked your later chapter and was intrigued so here I am for the others.
Ohhhhhh okayyyyy yesssss Gotham, I'm hyped.
Each of these sentences are about the same length. While short, quick sentences are good to press the scene and create a tone of urgency, this many in a row creates a rather choppy feel. I would suggest varying up the structure and length a bit, perhaps combining some of the sentences.
Overall, ooh I'm intrigued! So a female batman? Batwoman? Or maybe it's cat girl? I don't know superheroes well, but I know this is going to have a lot of action.
Great writing again!
Mordax
Hi, thanks for your review, Mordax! Yeah, I wrote this chapter a while back, it is definitely due for revision! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Night(whichever one it is in your part of the world),
Hi! I'm here to leave a quick review!!
First Impression: Well...this was a really fun little start to a story here. Love the excitement created right at the start here, this definitely does a very good of getting your attention and that ending is just perfect to get people wanting to read more. The family dynamic here also seemed really sweet here and ahh...that just adds beautifully to the drama here.
Anyway let's get right to it,
Well...that was a lovely dramatic entrance there...definitely introduces you straightaway to what's about to happen in this story and I am all for it at the moment. Let's see where this ends up going I suppose.
Well...that's definitely not a good plan...splitting up there in the middle of a dark alley, I have a feeling one of these people are most definitely going to die at this rate.
Well...that's a really neat trick there to give us a little description of her parents, also the last minute memorizing in case they don't see each other again, this is most definitely not headed towards a good conclusion and I can feel it.
Ahh...the slow buildup of tension here in the background as the inevitable seems to creep towards this happy family...ahhh...this is a great first chapter so far.
Well...that's not terrible reassuring but on the other hand there is some hope here at least for the moment...
Well...nevermind...they're all doomed...okay maybe not quite but on the other hand this is a brilliant place to end this part one here...I will definitely read part two if its there cause I definitely want to know what happens next.
Aaaaand that's it for this one
Overall: Overall I think this is a wonderful start to a story and this is definitely a story I would continue reading if you posted more of it. Well...that's about all I've gotta say here.
As always remember to take what you think was helpful and forget the rest.
Stay Safe
Harry
Thanks, Harry!
(Sorry, I was a little late getting back to you.)
Hiya Ashlyn here for a review!! Before I dive into it though please know that this review is not intended to offend you or make your writing look bad.
Ahhhhh I looooove that so much. So powerful <33333
I'd remove that 'Dark stormy night' and just describe the sky. Here, I'd also dive into the emotions she felt. Having to say good bye to parents can't be easy. There's probably many conflicting emotions and thoughts racing through her, more then can be summed up in 'grieved good-bye''.
Ohhhhhhh kaaay so her dads cousin is missing? Why? How? My minds spiraling right now. Does she come form a family of supers? Why is it important that they find him? How do they know he disappeared, and didn't go off on his own without telling anyone? Was there some sort of event that took place that indicated he'd gone off on his own? Or was the whole 'missing' situation just out of character?
WHat.is.the.detail.surrounding.that.situation imao?
And why her? Is she like, the only one who can save them?
Aasfjahfafhasdfjh this is just an after thought, but wouldn't it be better to mention the fact that she has to find her cousin in the start of this story?
'Shady' and 'slunk into the shadows' is a bit redundant ^^ Anywho dat suspense do :0 With men in dark suits :0 Aajfdsajfh men in dark suits always spell trouble. The hench men of the villain perhaps? Or just your common everyday criminal?
I've gotta say though, they have a poor taste in color. I mean come one, who in the heck drives a grey sedan xD. Red or be dead, that's what I say
Anyway, just one final thoughts-this chapter is a bit faced paced. You never really spend time describing her surroundings, or Emma's emotions. For a superhero story that revolves around action that works I suppose, but I wanted to learn more about Emma, her personality, and, why she had to say good bye to her parents. Things, you just mention. Also, unrelated, but just out of curiosity- is this Batfam fic? Is Emma your Batfam OC? Either way, that concludes this review. I hope you found it helpful in someway, and if it wasn't, I hope it at least made your day <33
-Asher
Hi, Ashlyn!
Thanks for your review. This is a fast-paced Batman Fanfic. The cousin isn't missing but he's been out of contact with the dad for a long time due to an argument, so they're not exactly sure where he is. The characters don't have superpowers (I wanted the story to be a bit more realistic), but they are superheroes. Thanks for alerting me to my lack of emotions and surroundings descriptions, and my redundancy! I will definitely work on that. BTW, can you guess who the cousin is?