Cat Voleur's (cat.voleur) Reviews

Cat Voleur

Review Requests: OFF

1,115 Public Reviews Given

1,116 Total Reviews Given

Review Style

Versatile: I'm good at reviewing different types of writing in different ways. Honest: While I do my best to be honest and encouraging in reviews, I don't omit things. If I tell you I like something about a piece, you can trust that I'm not just saying it. All-Inclusive/Well-Rounded: I look for the good and bad in writing. I'll give you an overall opinion as well as the highlights and what needs worked on.

I'm good at...

Giving feedback within set parameters. If you're looking to receive opinions on something specific, let me know and that's what I'll focus on when giving a review.

Favorite Genres

Horror - all time favorite. Science Fiction and Fantasy are tied in a close second.

Least Favorite Genres

Romance. (Exceptions: Dark erotica intrigues me if it's, you know, dark.) I will happily read and review romance pieces, but I might be a little tougher on it than on other genres.

Favorite Item Types

Static Book/Collections.

Least Favorite Item Types

N/A

I will not review...

N/A I'll review anything. If for some reason you don't think I'll want to, feel free to email me with your concerns before submitting a request.

351

Only reviews from the past
14 days may be credited.

#4236243

Review of ~A Thanksgiving Story~

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 13+

| (5.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Ԝ€ß☆ԜiʈCH

of The White Walkers,

This anniversary review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

This is without a doubt one of the more entertaining nonfiction pieces I've written on the site. A lot of writers (and this absolutely includes myself) have trouble making nonfiction something that will appeal to an audience, but you did a wonderful job. The conversational tone and casual voice that you used to write the story made it feel almost like you were having a conversation with the reader and telling them a story in person. It was amusing, and it was easy enough to relate to - since I'm sure most people have had some sort of crazy holiday mishap at some point or another.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

The one thing that I would have liked to see was a little more elaboration, and perhaps a little more context. You gave enough for the reader to get the idea of the setting and everything, but I remember thinking to myself on a couple instances that I'd be interested to have a couple more details about your life and the events surrounding the story. I think a little more info would have really sold the conversational style of the piece.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

To wrap up the review, I really liked the story. Again, it's not the best thing I've read from you, but it is one of the best holiday stories I've ever read in the nonfiction genre and as always, I've had a blast talking about it.

All the best,
Cat

** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **

My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .

352

Only reviews from the past
14 days may be credited.

#4236242

Review of The Not So Calm Before the Storm

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 13+

| (4.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Ԝ€ß☆ԜiʈCH

of The White Walkers,

This anniversary review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

I thought this was a very cute concept. Crazy cats that only like their human are always fun to read about, but the isolation created by the storm makes unfriendly felines seem a little bit more threatening than they might be normally.

In addition to that I really liked the set up. You did a good job including enough details to give a sense of depth, but you didn't overload the readers with too much information. Overall I thought it was paced pretty well.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

The one thing that I didn't really like about this story was its structure. If you just look at the first line and the last line, they give you too very different impressions of when the narrator is, you know, narrating the story. The last line left me sort of confused as to the point of the story and perspective it's told in. It's not a huge deal or anything, but in my personal opinion it wasn't the best line for you to have ended on.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

Aside from the last line and structure that I mentioned, I thought the story was very entertaining. It was a fun read and even though it wasn't my favorite piece on your portfolio, it was still exceptional.

All the best,
Cat

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My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .

353

Only reviews from the past
14 days may be credited.

#4236238

Review of Final Goodbye

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 13+

| (5.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Ԝ€ß☆ԜiʈCH

of The White Walkers,

This anniversary review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

This has without a doubt been my favorite of the things on your portfolio so far. It was very sad, but it was also very worth it.

It was touching - there were such deep emotions that you were able to concisely yet effectively illustrate, evoking the same sense of loss in your readers as your characters.

The piece was well paced, well-structured and as far as I could tell, flawless from a technical standpoint.

It also comes across as very honest for a work of fiction. Your characters are believable, they react realistically, and it is all too easy to believe that this could be a real story based off of real people.

You seriously did outstandingly well with this story.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

I honestly don't have any suggestions. This piece is perfect the way that it is and if I were you I wouldn't change a single word.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

To wrap up all my ramblings here for this piece - it was wonderful. I was incredibly impressed to find a couple that I believed in so much and felt so strongly for. I'm usually not a romance person, but this was a fantastic love story. Thank you so much for sharing it.

All the best,
Cat

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My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .

354

Only reviews from the past
14 days may be credited.

#4236236

Review of One Long Day in Chicago

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 18+

| (4.5)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Ԝ€ß☆ԜiʈCH

of The White Walkers ,

This anniversary review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

I really liked that this one was told in the third person. There's a good chance I'm reading too much into your style choices (and please forgive me if I'm overstepping or assuming too much) but I feel like I understood the sense in writing detective stories in the first person HOWEVER, I think I liked the story better in the third person. That's just a personal reading preference I suppose, and it's not a big deal, but you did a great job with it, the style was fantastic, and the descriptions were on point. Fantastic job.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

My one suggestion would be to move the Author's Note up to the top. I know a lot of authors prefer to have their notes at the bottom, but that note is all information that I for one would have liked to have going into the story. All of the things I disliked about this and was planning on bringing up in my review are things that are addressed in the note. I was going to tell you I thought this one felt rushed in comparison to the others, that it's weird to have only one be written in the third person, and that I thought it was too short. But of course, those are all because this isn't a standard part of the series - it's a contest entry about the same characters.

I enjoyed it anyway, but I think I would have liked it better had all my complaints been addressed going in instead of explained after, you know?

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

To wrap this all up, I thought this was another great piece. Overall I don't like it as much as the other Lou Ryan shorts you've shared on your portfolio, but it's still a wonderful showcase of your amazing writing skills.

I am sad that I'm done with this folder, but I'm looking forward to reading some more of your other stuff.

All the best,
Cat

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My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .

355

Only reviews from the past
14 days may be credited.

#4236232

Review of No Appointment Necessary

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 18+

| (4.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Ԝ€ß☆ԜiʈCH

of The White Walkers,

This anniversary review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

I can't believe I only have one more of these to read after this! They've been going by so quickly. Anyway, onto the review:

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

One thing that I liked about this installation of Lou Ryan's story was that it read a little smoother than the last one overall. I think this is because the dialogue was worked into the story a little more. There seemed to be a better balance between action and dialogue and they didn't seem to be split up into sections quite as much. Not only did it flow better but you kept up the amazing high standard of each that make these stories so entertaining.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

I do have a couple quick suggestions for this one.

The first is that you go back and format it. I didn't notice any grammatical errors or anything that needs immediate attention, but it does look like a couple of the paragraphs are spaced differently than others, and there's a huge blank space at the end of the story.

I also feel like the word "dame" is getting used a lot. I know it's a word that was in common usage back then, but it felt like overkill here. (Of course, maybe that's also just from me reading these three stories back to back.)

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

To wrap this up, I liked this story. I think I liked it better than the second one, but still not as much as the first. Regardless, this has been wonderful to read and I can't believe how quickly I've gotten invested in your character. I'll be sad to read the last one, but that's what I'm about to go do.

All the best,
Cat

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My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .

356

Only reviews from the past
14 days may be credited.

#4236227

Review of "I Hate Early Morning Visitors"

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 13+

| (4.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Ԝ€ß☆ԜiʈCH

of The White Walkers,

This anniversary review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

After enjoying the last installation so much I thought I would just keep reading through the folder. So, let's get to the review:

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

The dialogue was very fitting for the time period and the setting, which offered a very enjoyable bit of continuity. I think it's also worth noting that you have some exceptional atmosphere - though I would have preferred to see a bit more of it in this particular story. Still, these are two very important elements that you carried over perfectly from the first story and which I enjoyed in this one.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

The main suggestion that I would make is that you go back and add some more action into some of the scenes. This story is very dialogue heavy, both in comparison to the first installation and on it's own. Although the dialogue was exceptional and furthered your plot, your setting/atmosphere is one of the strongest elements, and I think it's important to keep working that in, even in long conversations between characters.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

To wrap this up, I enjoyed it. I think the first story was better, but this is also very solid. The characters are still entertaining, you stayed true to the story, and it made for a good read. I'm glad that I get to keep reading these.

All the best,
Cat

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My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .

357

Only reviews from the past
14 days may be credited.

#4236225

Review of One Busy Night in Chicago

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 18+

| (4.5)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Ԝ€ß☆ԜiʈCH

of The White Walkers,

This anniversary review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

I will start by saying that I don't read a lot of this sort of thing, so I don't have a lot to compare it to. There were a lot of things to enjoy about the piece though, even for someone who doesn't normally read about private detectives.

You did a great job creating an atmosphere that was appropriate for the characters and that has the reader feeling like they're actually back in the 1930's, I was very impressed by how well you did in that regard.

The story itself was also very good. It was entertaining, I didn't notice any glaring plotholes, and it did a good job wrapping up just enough to be satisfying.

It's also worth mentioning that I loved the layout - especially in addition to that amazing cover. It looks very professional and I was very impressed straight away. It's one of the nicest looking items on the site I think.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

The only concrete suggestion that I have for you would be to consider rewriting the opening line:

Example ▼

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

Aside from the one line that I mentioned, I liked the story quite a bit. It's not a genre that I have a lot of experience with, but you did an excellent job making it entertaining for anyone who should happen to stumble across it.

You can expect some more reviews coming in from me shortly.

All the best,
Cat

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My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .

358

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14 days may be credited.

#4234137

Review of Knock-Knock, Woo's There?

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 13+

| (5.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello BD Mitchell

,

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

I chose this piece because I've been reading a lot of dark stuff during the last week and I thought I could use something lighter. I'm glad I chose this one.

Now, onto the review.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

Let me start by saying how impressed I am at how well you conveyed the ghost's meaning by different variations on the word "woo." That can't have been easy, and I want to acknowledge that.

To branch that statement out a little to the rest of the piece, I've always found dialogue only pieces to be quite a feat on their own, and this has probably been the most entertaining one I've read thus far.

My favorite part however had to be the end. Since the dialogue at throughout the piece was so amusing I wasn't really expecting it to be leading up to a punchline which made it all the more surprising and enjoyable. You seriously did a fantastic job with that.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

I really don't have any suggestions for this piece - I would absolutely leave it as is.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

To sum this up, I really liked this piece. It was a little weird, pretty humorous, and it definitely lightened up my day. Thank you for writing it and sharing it with everyone here. I hope I get the chance to read more of your hilarious dialogue piece soon.

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My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .

359

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14 days may be credited.

#4234134

Review of The Luring

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: ASR

| (5.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Fairport

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

I really liked the poetic nature of this one. That probably sounds like a given because it was, in fact, a poem, but I thought the individual lines were all very well structured and beautifully phrased, which made it much easier for me to appreciate the piece as a whole.

The following was one of my favorites:

Line ▼

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

I don't really have any overall suggestions for the piece. I had one punctuation thing to consider, but that got mentioned in the dropnote - which has left me nothing to put in this section other than to reiterate, good job.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

To sum this up I really liked the poem. The writing was good, it was dark, it was a little mystical and it was a fun read. I would gladly read more of your poetry at any time based off of this piece.

All the best,
Cat

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360

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14 days may be credited.

#4234130

Review of After Rain

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: E | N/A (Review only item.)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello turtlemoon-dohi

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

I accidentally clicked on this item while looking through your portfolio, but I read it anyway and am glad that I did. It was a beautiful little poem and probably one of the best haikus I've ever read.

So, let's move onto the review:

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

I really liked that each line is used to describe a fragmented bit of connected imagery, rather than trying to describe one specific thing over the course of the poem. This tied together very well, the pacing was great, and it left me with a very distinct impression of the ideas and feelings you were trying to capture without getting into a ton of specifics or going over 17 syllables. I was very impressed.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

The one thing that I'll note here would be capitalization and punctuation. I am not going to offer specific corrections because in regards to the capitalization, I'm not sure exactly what would be correct for this poetry form and in regards to punctuation - I think how you punctuate will give the poem different tones. Just looking at how they're done now, it left me with the impression of being unedited, so it is something I thought I'd note.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

To wrap this up, I really enjoyed it. It was an expertly written haiku and although I had some questions about the technical aspect of it, I thought the words themselves were perfect.

I hope that I get the chance to read some more of your poetry in the future, because I really liked this piece.

-Cat

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361

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14 days may be credited.

#4234123

Review of There is no Prince Charming . . .

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: ASR

| (4.5)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello ruwth

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

It is so neat to be getting the chance to review again!

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

I liked the message in this piece. It was very sad, and all the way around this was a heartbreaking tale, but it was also well handled and enjoyable. I'm sure anyone who has been in an abusive relationship will appreciate reading about someone who goes through the same sort of mental process they do.

Your main character was strong - but a realistic sort of strong. Being strong and having weaknesses go together far more often than is ever depicted in literature. She stood up for herself, she got through it, but she falters with her resolve and that's absolutely okay. You did a wonderful job getting that all across in such few words.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

There was one thing that bugged me, and it was a small thing.

Line ▼

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

Aside from my brief moment of nitpicking, I thought the piece was great. It was enjoyable to read, emotionally potent, and you did a wonderful job. It's been a lot of fun doing another review for you, and hopefully there are more on the horizon.

All the best,
Cat

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My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .

362

Only reviews from the past
14 days may be credited.

#4234076

Review of The Groupie

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 18+

| (5.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Jeff

,

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

After seeing you around the forums so much, it's very cool to finally get to review one of your portfolio pieces.

So let's get to it.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

I really liked this. The concept was disturbing, clever, and it ended on the perfect note. All the way around I think it was an incredible piece.

What I liked best about it though was actually the combination of the Title and the Description. A lot of people take those for granted since they're not part of the writing, but that's the first impression anyone gets of your story. There were so many intriguing stories in your horror folder - I had no idea how I was going to pick one, and then I read the description and I knew this was the one. It seemed innocent enough, but with a title that didn't match I knew straight away there would be a horrific twist - and I was not disappointed.

That was what pulled me in, and I'm so glad that it did.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

The only thing I could really suggest would be to write more amazingly dark stories like this

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

To wrap this up, I loved the story. It was a chilling premise that was well executed and left me with nothing to complain about. I'm glad that this event led me to your portfolio and that this was the piece I chose. With any luck I'll be able to read some more of your writing very soon.

All the best,
Cat

** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **

My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .

363

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14 days may be credited.

#4234070

Review of My life in the year 2000

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 13+

| (4.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello acecorona ,

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

Let me just start by thanking you for sharing part of your personal life with us. I know that's something a lot of people would be afraid to do, but it was interesting to read and I'm really glad it's something that you've posted.

I also like the open and conversational manner in which you talk about your life and the things that you've been through. It was an interesting little window into the life of a complete stranger - and one with a positive outlook on things. That's always nice to read about and again, I'm really glad that you decided to share your story.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

The one thing that I would suggest for future writing would be to try and focus your entries around a single theme. This obviously being nonfiction I'm sure it's more of a journal, and I know all too well how difficult it can be to theme those instead of just rambling (it's something I know I personally am really bad about.) Tying all your entries together though, giving them a purpose, it makes it easier for people who just stumble upon them (such as myself in this case) to see what a talented writer you are.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

So I guess that's about it. It sounds like you've got a very interesting life story, and this has gotten me intrigued to take a look at some of your fiction as well. I normally don't do a lot of interactive stories, but hopefully some time soon I'll get the chance to check some of them out from your portfolio.

All the best,
Cat

** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **

My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .

364

Only reviews from the past
14 days may be credited.

#4234063

Review of Whispering Walls

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 13+ | N/A (Review only item.)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Nixie

,

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

I really liked the story and can see why it won the contest. You did a really fantastic job setting up such an intricate concept in under 1,000 words and I was truly impressed.

There were a lot of strong horror elements in this and it was executed very well. Tying already existing superstitions into a more localized narrative was a great idea which you pulled off very well. It was a clever and disturbing concept, not to mention one with a very large psychological aspect.

I absolutely would read again.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

The one thing is that I think this could be extended. It works well as flash fiction, but it might work better as a short story - or even something longer. The psychological twists such as the one presented here are, in my own opinion, always a little bit more effective with some extra build up and plenty of character development.

Of course, that's just one persons idea, and as I already mentioned I enjoyed the story quite a bit at it's current length.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

To wrap this up I think you've got a great story with a great plot, and I liked it quite a bit. I think I'd like it more if it were longer, but that's definitely not an issue, because it's absolutely find how it is.

I hope that this has given you a little to think about, that you'll let me know if you ever decide to make this story longer, and that I get to read some more of your work some time soon.

All the best,
Cat

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My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .

365

Only reviews from the past
14 days may be credited.

#4233471

Review of November

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: E

| (5.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello maggie

,

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

I really enjoyed this piece.

I'm so sorry about your mother passing, I know that's the sort of experience that's rough and I'm sure this was probably painful to write, but it was a beautiful way to remember and honor her.

The phrasing was beautiful and perhaps it was the nonfiction element of the poem, but it was a very emotional and very honest sort of poem that I think was easy to relate to. You have a very healthy attitude about the whole thing and this poem really reflects that, as well as your optimism for the future despite your loss. Turning a tragedy into something beautiful is not only a great way to move on and gain some closure, but it's also a wonderful thing to do. Sharing those creations with the world is very brave and in this case, very much appreciated.

It read well and I honestly can't think of anything that would make it better. You did a wonderful job.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

To sum up my review, I really enjoyed the poem. It was well written, honest, and emotional and I'd be happy to read more from you at any time. I'm glad that I happened to stumble across this and I hope that I get the chance to do some more reviews for you in the near future.

All the best,
Cat

** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **

My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .

366

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14 days may be credited.

#4232319

Review of Ned Kelly, who loved his Mum.

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 18+

| (4.5)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Sparky

,

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

Source Material:

One thing that I think it's definitely worth mentioning is that I love you sourced your information on this. I love seeing source information on stories like this and you did a great job covering everything, which I for one really appreciate.

Premise/Genre:

There isn't a lot of nonfiction poetry. I love that you took a real story like this and turned it into a work of art (all the while citing your information.) It's a story that I think definitely deserves to be heard, and you are really making sure that it is. That's a great cause and a great reason to write.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

Meter :

The one thing that I think could use a little work in this poem is your meter/phrasing. The poem didn't flow particularly well when read out loud and I think there were a couple grammatical errors. This is something that I think you could probably work out going over and doing a basic edit on the piece, but I did include one specific example that struck me as off.

EXAMPLE ▼

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

Aside from the one suggestion I made about the flow of the poem, I thought it was phenomenal. I hope that I get the chance to read some more of your work some time in the future.

All the best,
Cat

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#4232301

Review of I'LL ALWAYS BE THERE.

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 13+

| (5.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Meg

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

I found your portfolio through the Game of Thrones event and I chose this one at random, but I'm glad I did because it was exceptional.

Now I suppose we should get onto the review.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

This was just absolutely beautiful.

It's one of those instances where a fictionalized story can convey so many real and important things to the people who need it most. Obviously you're not a ghost writing to your wife, but by writing this I think you gave a very real (and needed) hope to those among us who have lost someone - especially to something as tragic as a war.

It was well written, emotional, and I think a very important piece of writing. It's something that I would recommend to anyone who has lost a loved one for the message, and something I'd recommend to anyone else because of the narrative.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

I honestly don't have any suggestions for you. I think this poem is perfect as is. It definitely deserves the wonderful ribbon that it has earned. I wouldn't change a thing.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

I'm sure this wasn't an overly helpful review (since I failed to make even a single suggestion) but I think it's important you know what an amazing piece this is. Hopefully you're not tired of hearing that.

This poem deserves the ribbon and the high rating, and I'm very thankful to have read it.

All the best,
Cat

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368

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#4232298

Review of Closer

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 13+

| (5.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Shannon

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

Story:

What I liked best about this poem was the story that it told. We got to see into this woman's life and see where she's come from, what she's thinking about, and most importantly what's driven her to this point in her life.

It's a very sad narrative, but a very powerful one.

Phrasing:

You have a gift for expressing yourself through poetic phrasing, and that's something that I can really appreciate. There was one stanza in particular that I was drawn to and feel really stuck out.

EXAMPLE ▼

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

Notes:

My one suggestion (and this isn't really a way to improve the poem itself, because I don't think it needs any changes) is to consider adding a note at the bottom of the poem about the structure that you used. I don't think it harms the poem by being absent, but a lot of poems do have notes about the style being used, and as a poetically challenged reader I know it's something I always appreciate.

Just something to consider.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

To wrap this up, I thought it was fantastic! I'd happily read more of your poetry at any time, and I hope that I get the chance to do so sometime soon.

All the best,
Cat

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369

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#4232282

Review of Hidden

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 18+

| (4.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Mitchopolis

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

I was initially drawn to it because the description and the rating didn't seem to match. I was a little horrified as to why a "hallway dispute" needed a rating of 18+, and I just had to find out. All in all, I think probably 13+ would have been an alright rating, but I'm glad that I chose it to read and review all the same, because it was very interesting.

Now, on to the review!

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

Unique Voice:

One thing that I really enjoyed about it was the unique voice that it's written in. It made it instantly stand out and was incredibly distinctive. There were a lot of little things such as your word choice, perspective, and language that made the style really pop, but I think the best example of this would be the following:

Characters ▼

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

Clarify:

The one thing (and really, the only thing) that I didn't like about the piece was that it was very confusing. The fragments of story pain a picture, but I feel like that picture is still blurry by the time that the story concludes, and I would enjoy it more if I had a firmer grasp on what was going on.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

To wrap this up, I think it was a good concept told in a great way. If it were a little less vague I think it would have been an exceptionally rare sort of story. I hope that this was at least somewhat helpful.

All the best,
Cat

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370

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14 days may be credited.

#4231819

Review of Our Poor Mailbox

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: E

| (4.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello Pico ヨハネス

,

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

I was drawn to this item mostly because I was intrigued, and it was definitely interesting.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

Style:

What I liked most about the piece was your style. A lot of nonfiction gets boring because most nonfiction writers have a tough time explaining bits and pieces of their lives out of context in a way that's interesting. You have a conversational and very friendly, open style of writing that really helps to keep the reader interested in what you're saying.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

Play up the Nostalgia:

One thing that I felt like you were going for (and by all means, correct me if I'm wrong) was to evoke emotions. I think a really good way to get the reader more invested in your mailbox story would be to really play up how it impacted your lives. You actually touched on this a little bit here:

EXAMPLE ▼

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

This is definitely the best mailbox story I've ever read, and I think it's a great start. I think working on it a little more and expanding just enough to get the reader emotionally invested in the mailbox would really help the story, but it's not bad by any mean's.

I hope this was at least a little helpful to you. Thank you so much for sharing a little piece of your life here with us members as WdC and in this case, the members of House Stark.

Best of luck with your writing endeavors,

-Cat

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371

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#4231746

Review of Dollar Bill

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: E

| (5.0)

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:

Hello tYpO/T.Boilerman

,

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

I was instantly drawn to this item because of the description and the story pulled me in just as fast. I'm very happy to have this piece and am thrilled to be reviewing it now.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:

Beginning:

I really liked how the piece starts off. The discussion about coffee is one that's universal, and it breathes a little bit of life into your character and personality into your writing, establishing a great atmosphere before getting into the premise. That's very rare in flash fiction, but you did a good job with it and it really contributed to your story.

Premise:

What drew me into the piece was the ominous description, and the piece absolutely delivered. It was a little creepy, a little mysterious, and a ton of fun to read.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:

The Ending/Expansion:

The one thing that I really didn't like was the end. It was very open, which I think works sometimes, but wasn't my favorite in this instance. I think because the premise was so intriguing and the beginning so mysterious - that having the ending be too open was just a little bit of a let down. I didn't need everything laid out perfectly for me, but as the reader it would be nice if there was some kind of hint, or that it was set up in a way that I believe more strongly that you had a really good explanation - I just don't get to know what it is.

I would either try to work a little more hinting in there, or just expand the piece entirely. I think this is definitely the sort of plot that could support being fleshed out into a full story - and a long one at that.

Of course, that's just my own personal opinion, and I have always leaned toward longer stories.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:

Overall I thought it was a good piece. I think it would be a better piece if it were longer, but then again, I think that about most things. I do hope that you consider expanding on this idea one day, but in the meantime I'm sure you've got some other, wonderful writing to be getting done.

All the best,

Cat

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#4231105

Review of The Carousel Ride

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: E

| (4.5)

______________________________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

______________________________________________________________________

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:
"Dark wings, dark words, me mother used to say, but when the birds fly silent, seems to me that’s even darker."

Hello Merry Mumsy

,

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:
"Fear is for the winter, my little lord, when the snows fall a hundred feet deep and the ice wind comes howling out of the north."

Emotional Aspect:

I really enjoyed how you were able to tie something as cheerful as a carousel to something that was as emotionally deep as losing a loved one. You were also able to convey those feelings very briefly and effectively.

There was a section that I particularly enjoyed:

EXAMPLE ▼

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:
"Nothing burns like the cold."

Premise:

The one thing that didn't work for me about this piece was that the overall concept seemed a little unlikely. It seems like your narrator went through a lot of work to have this experience, and there was one line in there that made it sound like it wasn't particularly worth it:

EXAMPLE ▼

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:
"Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well."

So sum this all, aside from the one nitpicky little thing, I thought it was very good. You did a great job tying deeper meaning into the prompt response, and as a story it reads very well. I hope that this was at least a little helpful, and that I get to review some more of your stuff in the future.

All the best,

Cat

______________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________

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373

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14 days may be credited.

#4231004

Review of No Rest For The Weary (my baby killdeer)

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: E

| (5.0)

______________________________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

______________________________________________________________________

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:
"Dark wings, dark words, me mother used to say, but when the birds fly silent, seems to me that’s even darker."

Hello ~WhoMe???~

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:
"Fear is for the winter, my little lord, when the snows fall a hundred feet deep and the ice wind comes howling out of the north."

Premise:

I just think that this is such a sweet sentiment, to write poetry for (and obviously inspired by) little animal friends. It's very endearing and it immediately put a smile on my face.

The poem itself was nice as well. It wasn't very long, but it didn't really have to be. The length and style I think went a long way to reflect the fleeting moments you get to see your killdeer friends while honoring the appreciation you have for them. It's always nice when the style of a poem so perfectly reflects the content.

In particular, I liked the following excerpt:

Excerpt ▼

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:
"Nothing burns like the cold."

I really don't have any suggestions on how to make this better. I think that it's already very good, and has achieved everything you wanted (at least, as far as I can tell.)

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:
"Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well."

To wrap this up I would say that this is a cute poem written with a cute purpose. I hope that I get to read more similar poetry from you soon, because I really enjoyed seeing something like this on the site.

All the best,
Cat

______________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________

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374

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#4230961

Review of Othello's Adjustment

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 13+

| (5.0)

______________________________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

______________________________________________________________________

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:
"Dark wings, dark words, me mother used to say, but when the birds fly silent, seems to me that’s even darker."

Hello ♥Hooves♥

,

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

As someone who likes reading about cats and the second world war, this was an obvious selection for me the second I saw it on your portfolio, and I knew I would have to read it. I'm so glad that I did.

So, let's move onto the review:

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:
"Fear is for the winter, my little lord, when the snows fall a hundred feet deep and the ice wind comes howling out of the north."

Concept:

Without a doubt one of my all time favorite things in literature is the depiction of terrible things from the point of view of someone too innocent to understand. This usually pertains to children, but in this case it applies to Othello.

You touched on some iconic and horrible truths about what was going on during that period of history, all the while creating a character that the audience cared for and genuinely wanted to see make it to the end.

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:
"Nothing burns like the cold."

I honestly wouldn't suggest that you change anything. In an abstract sense I think a little more subtlety would have been nice, but I really don't think you could have found a better balance of incorporating real historical events into a work of fiction without really skewing the perspective of the narrator.

This really was a fantastic piece, and I can't imagine it being much better than it is right now.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:
"Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well."

To wrap this up, I loved the piece. It fit in well to a lot of my interests (which of course didn't hurt) but you tackled a difficult subject very well and that's always something I can appreciate. I can see why you've called this your best piece because it's incredibly well done.

All the best,
Cat

______________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________

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375

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14 days may be credited.

#4230894

Review of Olc and Maitheas

Review by Cat Voleur

In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers

Rated: 13+

| (4.5)

______________________________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

I am not a professional editor or critic. All the opinions in the following review are just that; opinions.

______________________________________________________________________

A RAVEN FROM THE NORTH: AN INTRODUCTION:
"Dark wings, dark words, me mother used to say, but when the birds fly silent, seems to me that’s even darker."

Hello Fhionnuisce

,

This ally battle review is written on behalf of House Stark for "Game of Thrones"

.

I am very glad to be representing my House in this review, and am glad that the event has led me to your portfolio, which I've found to be quite intriguing so far. I really enjoyed this piece specifically, which of course is the topic of this review.

So, let's get down to the reviewing portion:

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: WHAT I LIKED:
"Fear is for the winter, my little lord, when the snows fall a hundred feet deep and the ice wind comes howling out of the north."

Premise:

What I think really drew me to this piece was how you took something as seemingly innocent as capturing fireflies and turned it into something so chilling. I know that this is a piece I'm going to be thinking about for awhile, and the idea was brilliantly executed.

Showing cruelty in children is always something that's creepy when done well, and tying it to an event that I'm sure a ton of people can very innocently relate to makes it hit home all the harder.

EXAMPLE ▼

DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS:SUGGESTIONS:
"Nothing burns like the cold."

Expansion:

I think that you've done an excellent job. I wish I could do flash-fiction this well to be honest, and overall I was really impressed. The overall idea was very strong and you captured that in a very short amount of time.

One thing though, is that there are a lot of questions that didn't get covered because the piece is so short, and the characters really are interesting enough that I'd like to read more about them. If you ever find the time to revisit this idea and expand on the characters some, I hope you'll shoot me an email to let me know so that I can read them.

WINTER IS COMING: A CONCLUSION:
"Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well."

In summary, I thought it was a great piece. Though I would love to know more about the characters, their relationship to one another, and the setting, the strong premise and chilling implications made this an enjoyable read.

I hope that you'll continue writing great pieces like this, and that I get the chance to review some more of your work in the future.

All the best,

-Cat

______________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________

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