A little medieval fishing village that worships Poseidon, a young girl with a dark memory, a mysterious young nobleman who comes riding into town on a white stallion, what brings these three things together?
Llyr is unknown to the villagers of Chelle by the sea, and unknown to Annabelle. What does he want with her? Why is he coming into town from the Duke’s castle on the cliffs over the village?
The village is abuzz with the need to know. When the real reason Llyr is there, and the truth about who he is, comes out, the answers will forever change this simple little town under the gray cliffs.
By the Sea follows Annabelle as her life is changed in ways she never could have imagined.
Quarter Finalist
Assessment:
Plot: There is much here to like. The storyline is engaging and unusual, which keeps the reader wanting more and eagerly awaiting a resolution. While word choices fall under the "prose" category for this evaluation, in some cases poor word choices also impact the plot. The author should do a careful edit to tweak little moments that are key to the story line, such as when Annabelle first meets Llyr.
Prose/Style: The author demonstrates a solid command of language, although there is sometimes a jarring repetition of names or phrases when pronouns or synonyms would flow better. These are minor edits that will greatly aid the reading experience.
Originality: The author has created an environment that is very distinct and unique. The characters are also original, offering the reader an entertaining tale that is all its own.
Character Development/Execution: The author does a fine job with character development. Annabelle, the heroine, is distinct, likable, and credible. Although her world is very different from reality, Annabelle is relatable and entirely believable.
Date Submitted: April 01, 2021
By the Sea will make you fall in love with Annabelle. A brilliant heroine, Annabelle is strong and handles the curve balls life tosses at her with aplomb. She's different from everyone in her town, and things began to change for her long before they changed for the town. You'll get wrapped up in her story before you know it. A must-read.
