This is my fourth challenge and Im glad to see more participants. Its so refreshing to read all the different writing styles. I still seem to be confusing people. Hopefully, Ill start to make sense as I progress through other challenges. Here are my votes and feedback. Many great stories, and some that I would have considered for a vote, but unfortunately did not incorporate the theme.
1. Suicide by Mob by QuantumBro
2. A Harsh Whisper in a Storm by Aaron
3. Eternal Garden by chris.trejo
HM: Mike & Nezumi
ThLunariun Welcome to Paradise Gardens This was a fun read. Paradise Gardens didnt seem like a bad idea, even if the robed men were controlling their minds. They are probably better off than in the real world post apocalypse.
**Aaron A Harsh Whisper in a Storm I like the wiser female assassin character. It reminded me of Helen Mirren in the movie Red. Very clever way to beat the other assassins to the game.
Itisinmyveins The Greenhouse Flower Beds Im not sure how I feel about your story. It started out with the mc reminiscing of good, warm memories and then he turned into a cold blooded killer. In the end, he was peaceful.
Mike M. Multiversal Marty Awesome concept. But perhaps Martys road to finding the Author could have added some drama or action through obstacles, but it was still such a clever story I couldnt stop reading. Also, I did not notice the garden theme.
Azih Legacy Sorry, I thought your story was a bit dull. A specific memory with his cousin to show their closeness rather than how different their families were would have helped better connect the characters to the reader.
***QuantumBro Suicide by Mob As I was reading this I was imagining it was scene out of Sin City with a character cross between Marv and Hartigan. I think it would fit right in to that type of genre, which I find to be very entertaining.
*Chris.trejo Eternal Garden Love the supernatural tale of a garden bringing back the people you love, because why would you want to wish for anything else. I feel the pain and emotional conflict of your mc. Im curious though, where did Josie and James go?
Charade Rekindle Extra points for doing the poetry challenge. Double points for mentioning Ancient Aliens (my fav pastime). Im confused about the italic narrating. What was your purpose behind that? Also, I didnt notice the garden theme.
Metaphoreus The Red Token The story is well written. I like the flow and description for what your character does for a living. I am a little confused as to what type of world they live in. I thought maybe apocalyptic, but then there was a sorcerer at the end. Also, I did not notice the garden theme.
Sober Second Date Seems like your mc has a lot of issues to clear up before he starts dating again lol but overall an interesting read about a boy waiting on a date alone with his thoughts. I think it lacked depth though. Also, I did not notice the garden theme.
Ashes - toi et moi nous sommes amis Ashes, where are you located? My guess is youre French (given the title) and from your past stories I've noticed your style of writing is European. Awesome to have such a long reach within our writing community. Having said that, I would have liked your story to have a more emotional connection. The end was clear that they were friends and both cared for each other. However, I didnt quite get that feeling from the rest of the story.
Cyan Red Queen Incomplete, but better something than nothing. Your narrative descriptions are always top notch. Ive yet to master that. You paint a great description of the cabin, the woods, and the woman. Not sure I understand the first sentence? A stranger arriving at the cabin is your last sentence. Because your mc is an old woman, perhaps a youthful soul should arrive. And as she is the Red Queen (I presume) she may want to steal her youth by means of blood. Sounds a bit cliché doesnt it? You decide as you are the author in this story! But there must be blood for the Red Queen!
Nezumi The Gardener First of all, Congratulations on being a soon to be aunt! Extra points for doing the poetry challenge as well. I thought your story had a wonderful childlike feeling. You captured the heart of a child and how they would feel to own a garden they thought no one tended to but remained immaculate. That
would make it a magical place. I almost thought it would end with a disappointing reality that her parents hired a gardener to tend to the garden, but Im glad the magic was recreated with a fairytale gardener type character.
Tangent Racing to the fall Tangent, being unhealthily addicted to writing is a wonderful thing! I stopped writing for a long time for personal reasons. I started again and have been continuously participating for the last 4 challenges. Im going to visit the Chichen Itza ruins next week on my trip to Cancun and was not planning on joining the next challenge. But now I feel ashamed
Thank you for that! Even though your story is late, it deserves to be read and reviewed if it meant you spent part of your vacation writing it. Your story was probably inspired by a trip; a roaring rapids adventure with a bit of mystical imagination. I definitely felt like I was going down the river myself.