Isabelle Reviews (CLOSED FOR NOW)

Uncovered Cases (Mystery, Thriller, Drama)

Review date: October 13, 2023

Author: LORAINEJD

Note: This story was written in Taglish, so I reviewed this in Taglish as well. 

FIRST IMPRESSION: 5/5

TITLE: 5/5

COVER: 5/5

reviewed this author's work twice na before (thanks sa tiwala!), and I found that iba naman yung aura ng book. When I first read the title, I thought that it was simple yet straightforward, pero maganda parin pakinggan. Di naman need na masyadong pilit yung title, but this one did a good job kase direct lang. Uncovered cases—cases which are yet to be solved. That in itself makes sense na. The cover and the graphics appear more innovative and lively, especially for a fanfiction. Usually di visually pleasing mga fanfiction na nakikita ko since parang dinikit lang yung photo pero in this case, I love it. It looks professionally done. Nakita ko yung effort na linaan. So, good job!

BLURB: 8/10

Common maglagay ng question sa blurbs, pero nahook ako doon sa first question ng blurb. It suggests change or transformation, loss, and time. Catchy siya in the sense na it doesn't bore me to the bone na predictable na pakinggan. It makes me ask myself the "paano nga kung mawala" question.

I found the introduction of Samantha appropriate. I like na yung characteristic niya of being relatable is already seen here, and that's important kase maraming macurious sa ganun. Hindi pa naexplain ang background ng mother niya as isang detective. It sets up the interesting irony when biglang napakita yung identity crisis niya by the last question. I don't feel na may dagdag pa dito kasi gusto ko na yung length niya.

PLOT: 17/20

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 19/20

Naks may character list!

Oh anyway, yung start niya is a flashback in the form of a narration sa present. It's as if nagrerecall lang siya. When I read it, I immediately thought na...ay, this has to be good kase it may or may not set the bar. Though medyo nakakabother for me is that, parang hindi realistic agad yung event na gumising si Sam without the knowledge na pupunta siya ng America. Did they prepare beforehand? Did they ever talk about it? Bakit wala siyang clue? Parang ang bilis naman na aalis siya agad, from what my knowledge tells me. I just think na medyo ayusin ng konti yung facts para mas realistic siya. Pero don't get me wrong, intriguing yung sense of urgency nila. It builds the tension and it hooked me more. Also, madali maimagine. I don't have to try too hard to read the lines kase easy naman siya basahin. I have to commend the author sa length ng mga chapters kase it was enough naman—no info dump whatsoever. Anyway, medyo alanganin for me yung feelings ng lalaki. Di ko gaano gets kung may compassion siya, galit siya, or nalulungkot siya dahil sa nangyari kay Sam and her family.

The next parts naman, I found them clear kung ano yung pinaparating sakanya regarding her new identity as Lorraine Adriella de Verra. Napakita na sa wakas ang mixed ang feeling ng lalaki, so naging klaro sakin kung bakit iba iba nararamdaman.

So buhay naman as a new person begins sa book. She is finally accompanied by who she considers as the guardian ought to protect her. Doon na nagsastart yung social life niya. Mas naintindihan ko yung side ng main character. Maganda na yung takbo ng kwento from tragedy to new chances pero ayun nga, I believe mas realistic yung facts and details para mas credible yung setup.

DESCRIPTIONS: 14/15

WRITING STYLE: 9/10

GRAMMAR/PUNCTUATION: 8/10

Yung writing style naman is okay. Di ako nahilo though madali siya mag code-switch (switching between English and Tagalog). Pero sometimes napapansin ko na puro conversation lang sa ibang parts accompanied by "sabi ni..." and/or "tanong ni..."

I think maganda din na mabawasan yun maski konti pero add nalang ng action.

Since Taglish naman, di naman na ako naging strict sa grammar and punctuation. What I'll review about nalang is yung choice of words. Medyo conscious ako diyan.

OVERALL: 90/100

Nagustuhan ko talaga yung concept ng book. I don't read books written in Taglish pero this ignited curiosity in me. Maganda din pala magbasa ng ganito. Nag improve yung author. Pangatlo na book ito so buti nalang napareview ulit saakin para maappreciate ko yung progress. Great!

Thanks for trusting me in reviewing your work! <3, Isabelle