Stephani’s Reviews > An Evil Premise > Status Update

There’s a twist that is so schlocky horror it’s tough not to love it.

“She touches her chest.” This lady walks around the world like she’s pledging allegiance to the flag at all times, given how often this phrase is used.

The premise is promising enough to power through. I think the author might be trying to write in the style of the main character, which is interesting. The character is so very impressed by her own talent. She sneers at other authors—her peers—because they are hacks. But the actual prose is dramatic, repetitive, and overly wordy. Are we to believe this character isn’t as talented as she thinks?

I think the protagonist is schizophrenic. It’s such a choice to say that she’s been hallucinating her entire life. I guess that would make it hard to know whether they’re actually being haunted.

The premise is interesting, but the dialogue…it’s that kind of modern “clever” that never reads as a real conversation. The author’s desire to move the plot or describe a character shows through the transparent quips. As a result, nothing feels grounded enough to carry the plot. I’ll push on for now.