EDITOR'S FEEDBACK Book Review (Un)Graceful Cat by B.A. Gabrielle

EDITOR'S FEEDBACK

Category: Paranormal Fantasy / Novella

(Un)Graceful Cat by B.A. Gabrielle

Blurb:
Fifteen-year-old Amelia Fafnir was born into a high-class family, but she has had zero confidence ever since her mother canceled her piano lessons and told her she had no talent. However, a shocking truth suddenly rattles her daily life. The home economics room is the base of operations for the Spirits (humans who have died with regrets and remain in the world until their regrets are erased). However, their sworn enemies are the Dark Fairies (evil beings who take advantage of human weaknesses) and their target is Amelia. Which side is "good" and which is "evil"?


About the Author:

B.A. Gabrielle writes young adult and new adult romance, fantasy, and paranormal books. She loves Japanese manga, anime, and reading. All her book covers are illustrated by her. When she’s not writing, she’s found studying Japanese, drawing a certain unidentified dessert, or spending time with her family.

You can find her here:

Website: https://www.bagabriellebook.com/

Twitter: @bagabriellebook

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33409017-un-graceful-cat

As an Editor's Feedback, I did not finish reading this book, but not for lack of writerly upcoming talent. The book truly reminds me of my writing progress, and how my writing was ten years ago. I still have manuscripts similar to this book tucked away on my cloud waiting to resurface with some tender love and care. 

The (Un)Graceful Cat has a great story line potential and lots of promise. It was not full of grammar or spelling errors. I stopped reading because the development of the story needed work. It was very play by play, and reads like a fun anime. The author definitely finds a place in my heart for her love of Japanese influences, but I like to see and read manga for this kind of story. When I read an actual novel or book, I expect to get more out of the story, think along the lines of Battle Royale, all of that story depth and character growth. 

There was too much tell and not enough show, that is fine to get the story out of your head, but once it's on paper then it's time to hack and slash, add, and detail. The story should, if I were the developmental editor, start where she sees an aura around her sister, and have met the spirit, but not know it's a spirit, then proceed to develop the feelings around the mom's disdain for setup and have the spirit save her and then find out about spirits and fairies. But really develop the scenes and not gloss over the adventure of the fantasy, show the story, don't explain everything through dialogue.

Please do keep an eye out for this young budding writer, because I know with her imagination and more time developing her story telling skills, she'll be one to look out for. I recommend everyone in a similar place in their writing career read as many books in the genre they like as possible, but with a writer's eye, picking out why you like the novel and emulate that in their own writing, making it their own. Then read lots of writing how to books. I make it a point to continue growing my learning from others and read a writing craft book between every one of my novels, making every book better than the last.

This post has inspired me to create a writer's resource page of all my favorite writer craft development books, I've put up five so far, I'll add more later!

This book was provided to me generously by the author. And I am happy to re-read this novel once the author has honed her skills for a wing-review.

A note to all writers in every stage of their development:

No novel, or writing is a waste of time or effort. Even our abandoned projects are merely exercises that have helped us become better writers. Every project is a stepping stone to better work, don't lose sight of your goals.

Keep writing. Keep Reading. Keep Learning.