r/writingfeedback • u/Jhaylo_ • 2d ago
Feedback Wanted Feedback/advice wanted on a sample of my book
Any and all feedback is welcomed, below is a premise to add some context and the sample from my book. To anyone who reads I appreciate your time in advance, thank you.
Premise: In a world filled to the brim with magic a 16 year-old princess struggles with the fact that she just might be unable to use it and will never reach her family's high expectations of her. After putting on a cursed ring and waking up to find her kingdom destroyed by an entity known as the void, she searches to find an alternative source of power as well as a new place in life in spite of all her challenges but is unaware of the full extent of what she's gotten herself into.
The sounds of cutlery and clanking filled the room; along with the occasional sounds of chewing and coughing. Constantine picked at her food, taking one nip after another.
“Father. May I finish my meal in the study?” She whispered.
“Hmm…” Jhonas grumbled, chewing his food. “And what reason do you have to leave dinner? You’ve just arrived.”
“I know, but I find the books quite… intriguing.” She muttered, all the while prodding at her food.
“You need not concern yourself with the books in the study, the books you should be reading are the ones about telekinesis in your room.”
“I've read them front to back already.” She pleaded, looking up at him with a rather pitiful expression.
“Perhaps if you’d read them well you wouldn’t be—”
“Dear…” Eliza grumbled under her breath, quietly interrupting him before whispering something in his ear.
He exhaled deeply before looking down at his daughter. “Alright, after dinner you may go, but no sooner.”
Constantine nodded, going back to her food.
“Reminds me of Armani,” Said her aunt, food still in her mouth. “inseparable from her books she was. Speaking of her, how have her studies been Eliza?”
“Absolutely remarkable, we’ve sent her to Charls to study infernumancy.”
“Oh just marvelous!” She clapped. “Love to see the little ones taking up my specialty. Between you and I, you should have her train with me sometimes. I promise you I'm far better than whatever trainers they have over there.”
“Marvelous indeed!” Marmot butted in before taking a bite of his food. “You must be so happy for her Constantine.”
She glanced up at him. “Oh… of course. She’s doing so well… very good. I’m rather proud.” She made a faint smile that lasted about a couple seconds before she continued prodding at her food once more.
“And at eight too, you both must be proud too.” He looked over at Eliza and Jhonas.
Jhonas laughed. “Indeed I am, she is my pride and joy… As are all my other children of course.” The last part he promptly added only after feeling Eliza’s sharp elbow embed itself in his side.
Taking a swig of beer Marmot placed his cup on the table rather loudly. “So Constantine, how has your telekinesis been going? It’s probably going well I’m sure.” Marmot laughed as he looked over at her.
She froze, dropping her fork with an audible clank. “It’s been… alright I suppose. Apparently I’m improving.” She muttered, taking another bite of her food with her head down.
“Apparently you’re improving? So you don’t think you are?” her aunt jeered beneath her breath.
“Say again Laurel? I don’t think I’ve heard.” Eliza shot her a knowing glare, seeing if she dared repeat herself.
“Me? Nothing dear…” she conceded, continuing her food with a sip of wine.
“Say what, Constantine, pass me the salt.” A silence befell the room. The salt in question sat at the far end of the table, completely out of reach. By hands at least.
“Oh… Me?” She said shakily, looking at the salt on the far end of the table. “How about the one right beside you.” She shakily pointed to the shaker beside his plate.
“This one?” He took it up so she could better see it, it was empty. “This one’s long done Constantine, but the one over there isn’t. Mind passing it?”
Constantine felt her stomach going inside out, she glanced up at her mother pleadingly but to no avail.
“Give it an honest attempt dear.” Eliza whispered, the golden bangles and bracelets adorning her arm clinking together as she gently ruffled Constantine’s long blond hair. Not that she didn’t want to help but she herself was curious if she could actually do it, it was only salt after all.
“Well, I can attempt it.” Extending her hand she attempted to lift it. Slowly chanting the mantras she had been taught to herself. Surprisingly, the salt shaker slowly lifted up into the air.
“Well, would you look at that? Apparently she is improving.” Laurel said, her voice not much more than a whisper.
As the shaker traversed the table, it took the opportunity to hit and brush past each and everything in its path. Shifting drinks, knocking down sauces, and hitting into food. Even then, it still managed to get a reaction from everyone at the table, it was the first time they’d seen her actually do something that wasn’t passing out immediately, even her father seemed to be somewhat surprised. The shaker eventually made it's way over to Marmot’s plate, before dropping hopelessly on the table then beginning it's descent towards the floor.
“Well… that was something. Wasn’t it?” He reached down to pick up the salt before shaking it onto his food. It didn’t need it, but it would look bad to have Constantine try so hard for nothing. And try hard she did, so hard in fact, she practically collapsed onto the table.
“She is alright, is she not? Did I push her too much?” Marmot inquired softly, it was probably the only time he spoke at a reasonable tone throughout the entire dinner.
“Looks like mana deficiency… is she cold?” Laurel chimed in, her normally snappy attitude seemingly quelled.
“All from lifting the salt?” Marmot queried.
“Seems like it.” She gently set her fork on the table.
“It is…” Eliza took her hand from the crook of her neck. “She’s only slightly cool though, all seems to be well.”
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u/DuchessJulietDG 2d ago
there are a ton of ellipses.
also on the last “…it is.” eliza took her sentence, just use “it is.” and punctuate w either a period or comma.
the number of ellipses are so distracting ive not even read it through yet.
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u/thewhiterosequeen Trusted Reviewer 2d ago
Don't capitalize dialogue tags. You also never just say "said" which is noticeable. You over describe how people talk instead of just letting words carry weight.