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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/profile/reviews/hollymerry
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1,643 Public Reviews Given
1,697 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 🌌~Legacy~🌌  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 is dramatic and would suit a prophecy in a sci-fi or fantasy story where generations are fighting to achieve a cause. The idea of passing on a legacy of hope from generation to generation is a moving one. The rhyme scheme works well and the way the last lines echo rhymes from the first stanza reinforces the topic of the poem of a cycle of life.
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: 18+ | (4.5)
I enjoyed this tale full of fantasy characters — a witch, dwarf who has been turned into a toad, naiads and a Kelpie. The story worked well with lots of interest when Tamalia sees the water dwelling creatures and I enjoyed the ending where her mission to transform Podolfo back from a toad is spelled out.
Some parts describing what Tamalia is wearing are detailed and I feel that the simple names of colours eg red and yellow, might be made more vivid with similes. A lot of focus is given to her look and what she is wearing. Could some more character be shown by mentioning how different items appeal to her personality and values, where she got them from, to give more purpose to including these details in the story?
I think the first ‘treat’ isn’t needed here: ‘treat afternoon treat.’
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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 discussion of AI and writing with two examples of human and AI written work on the same story premise. The human written information is far more characterful and the AI very scripted and moralistic like a traditional fairytale. Whilst AI might help with editing, it still has a long way to do and isn’t something I hope will ever replace true writing.
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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 love this fun adventure reimagining a dragon as a friendly reptile with an allergy to corn and love of. Cinnamon rolls. The moral of the tale not to assume the worst of someone or something without knowledge of the truth came across well. Your dragon was a unique and easy to picture character and the reactions of the protagonist were easy to relate to in this fantasy setting.
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Review of CASCADE  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 learning about the cascade poem format and this poem themed around the act of writing poetry with imagery taken from the Niagra Falls works well in demonstrating the form. I could clearly see the pattern created as each line in the first stanza gets repeated in succeeding stanzas.
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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.)
The campfire diary was an enjoyable read and you express the joys and problems arising in the autumn well. Downton Abbey was a good movie but I agree Maggie Smith is missed, lovely to see the characters and fabulous costumes and settings though. The Jane Austen festival was lovely with beautiful costumes and thousands of people in Regency dress like going back in time! It’s sad Meghan doesn’t give more support to her dad, especially when he faced the earthquake. I was sorry to hear of the hurricanes in the US and I hope your health improves soon.
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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 this poem about Sam Adams, an old man who finds comfort from everyday problems in the nostalgia of classics like Narnia. The symbolism of the door opening at the autumn equinox was perfect. I liked the fact San chose not to come back as it was always sad that the children in the Narnia stories had to return to the real world in the end.
With the words written on the door telling Sam to enter I think italics or quote marks would make them stand out. I also think the pork would benefit from more descriptions to make it easier for readers to picture the scene.
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Review of The May Queen  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)
I enjoyed this tale about how those who do not conform to rigid and traditional ideals can still enjoy themselves and celebrate their individuality. I like how you shifted the tone as Annabel is initially despondent as she feels left out and overlooked by others during the May dance. However, she learns from older woman Molly to be a free spirit and enjoy herself no matter what.
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Review of The Last Chapter  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)
This story covered a lot of ground and I enjoyed the change of narrative voice and flashbacks. The opening of the story (which turns out to be part of the Allen Cromwell story being written) was vividly described and the quality of the writing made it believable that it was by a bestselling crime author. The details about the books, such as the titles, increased this impression. I enjoyed the intersection of the writer’s home life with the reviews and opinions of the publisher.
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Review of Rowan's Song  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)
What a gorgeously written story full of the beauty and symbolic poetry of the natural world, myths and finding a sense of self. The quality of writing is superb and each description is worth savouring for its beauty and novelty, I can tell you have great talent. The story built pace and interest well and the repeated details like the feathers left as gifts and swan curse from the wind added a fairytale quality. I like how both Aisling and Rowan found their voice and purpose after being lonely and enduring hardship.
Here you missed a capital I in It’s and instead of fit it should be fitted him.
My name. it’s Rowan.”

The name fit him,
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Review of Enchantment  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 the musicality and sense of movement in this poem. The active verbs, mentions of a swan song and light and final change to calm create a sense of the enchantment growing in power and taking hold of the enchanted speaker of the poem. The mood is both one of restfulness and concern as the speaker of the poem feel as though they have lost themselves.
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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)
The refrain and stave stanza structure work well. I was interested to hear that the form is typical of a Scottish drinking song as the celebratory mood perfectly fitted a WDC anniversary celebration poem. The mentions of how WDC brings writers together across the world in a supportive community and how it constantly evolves and inspires writers was well put.
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
This is a beautiful story celebrating WDC in a surreal way which makes sense given how AI and technology is developing. I like the positive vibe created by mentions of the Storymistress picking flowers and the many happy faces of family, friends and fellow writers all connected via the wonderful web of the written word. The warm tone, humour and well visualised scene was a perfect tribute to WDC.
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Review of Walls Could Talk  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 the haunting and vivid atmosphere of this poem, especially the contrast of the Christmas time ball with its cherry colours, music, food and happy dancers with the sobs and manic cries. The further contrast with the chilling sight of the haunted and desolate mansion which is falling into ruins elevated this into a memorable poem. I enjoyed how the reason for the haunting was hinted at but never made explicit, plus the use of repetition.
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Review of Freckled  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 mystical and ultimately rewarding story about a girl who is outcast because of the constellation of freckles on her palms. The caste system and jungle with its associated warring gods made an immersive world and I liked the convincing pattern of names. I was pleased that Ananya escaped her village to become a fortune teller herself and presumably her long lost father found her to train her.
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Review of Everywhere  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)
What a lovely and intriguing fantasy fairytale. I liked how the dragon became obsessed with the kindly, quiet princess watching her from afar and then transforming into a lizard to sit in her windowsill as if she had enchanted him. Having a size changing dragon who can get past the guards is a great idea and worked well to further the plot. I liked how the princess was contrasted to her sisters and we never find out why she was locked away and they weren’t, adding to the mystery of the tale.
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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 beautiful poem full of the wonder of nature. Both majestic and powerful big cats and colourful birds like peacocks and macaws have a significant place in the poem and this variety was well chosen as these are widely admired and easy to picture animals. The lannet form was interesting to see and this poetic form seems easier to write than some, which means the poem is inspiring. The ten syllable per line rhythm enabled you to write expansive and natural sounding lines whilst maintaining the equalised poetic format.
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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.)
I enjoyed this piece which is part of a series travelling around the States. The name New Hampshire interested me as Jane Austen was from Hampshire so I imagine how historically people from this county journeyed to the USA and named this area after their home county. The autumn colours on the hotel room walls and lighthouse sound lovely sights and were well pictured.
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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 updated version of the traditional Three Little Pigs fairytale was full or original twists and a modern vibe. My favourite part was when Flowerina the female pig who lives in the brick house fell in love with the wolf and the story ended with her wanting to introduce him to her brothers who he had already eaten. The message about being kind to others despite differences conveyed by Flowerina’s character was a positive one, with her brothers punished for their selfish attitudes.
In the middle of the story there is a link to an image that does not work.
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Review of Troubled Waters  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 short story was perfect at capturing the swashbuckling excitement of a pirate tale focused on treasure and danger at seas. I especially like the names The Devil’s Mercy, Black-Eye Blackburn and Captain Scarlett.
‘Then Black-Eye saw it chests stacked in the captain’s quarters;’ either delete the it or put a dash or ellipses between it and chests here.
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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)
You have some beautiful artwork here, the flying coach logos are beautiful. Having a badge or other award delivered by such a service would be very special. You have clearly put a lot of thought into this and the large variety of genres it can relate to works well as it means there is something for everyone and not just fantasy fans.
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Review by HollyMerry Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: ASR | (5.0)
This was an interesting twist on the Red Riding Hood fairytale. I enjoyed how atmospheric the descriptions were, especially of the palace in the storm, as the settings felt vividly real. Having Rory as the daughter of a queen who makes her daughter have a claustrophobic lifestyle was an interesting twist and worked well.
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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 funny short story about George being made a laughing stock by the mischievous squirrels who live in his back garden reminded me of the new Peter Rabbit movie and would appeal to children who would enjoy the talking animals playing a prank on the man putting a new bird feeder out to please his wife. The reversal of situation as George falls over whilst trying to help whatever has been calling for help (actually a naughty squirrel) added a lot of humour to the ending of the story.
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Review of Mamabear  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 poem uses the technique of zoomorphism to describe the wife as a Mama bear and the speaker of the poem as a monkey to add humour and warmth to the poem. The scenarios suggest that they have been together for long years and seen good and bad times but that their relationship is strong and timeless. The rhyming couplets were a good choice as they suggest the focus on the two characters that is central to the poem. The use of repetition, refrain and direct speech was also well done and I got a strong sense of poetic voice from the informal language used. Overall this was a poem that came across like a song and focused on the specific and individual qualities of the relationship in an interesting way.
The only suggestion that I would make is maybe set the content rating from E to 13+ as children might read the poem thinking that it is about animals when it includes some sex references as it unfolds and readers realise the bear and monkey are zoomorphism for a married couple enjoying a loving relationship.
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Review of Bella  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)
What a wonderful and deeply meaningful piece full of the humour, cute moments, special qualities and trials that come with owning a pet. Although the prompt words have been included I guess from the realism that you convey in the story that this is a true story. The characters are effectively conveyed and Bella, with her intuitive nature, is clearly a special dog. I enjoyed the twist at the end where instead of being reluctant she welcomes to puppy and invites it to play in the snow as it hesitates.
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