The First Ten Focus Group Feedback for Seven at Two Past Five

Manang Muyang

The title, cover, and blurb all combined to baffle me. A mystery buff, I would have taken a peek into the book even outside the program. What I read in the first ten pages fascinated me. This is the story of Abi, and it is so weird. Her day was usually spent at her workhouse making buttons, and her night was usually spent in her bunk-bed-coffin, experiencing nightmares. And she was usually all alone. But one day, things were different. She did not have nightmares the night before, but she was banned from making her precious buttons, her life's sole purpose. Suddenly, my own life was beyond beautiful to me. I liked that realization. I decided to buy the book and keep reading about Abi. I have no suggestions for improvement. I also found no errors in what I read. The official OBC reviewer called the book "refreshingly unique" and "creative" and further encouraged me to finish Abi's story.

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 4:58 am by Manang Muyang.

Adrian Rondon Salazar

I would have been interested in reading this book outside the program because of the cover. It is a dark but very original illustration. It looks like a drawing made by hand and not digital, and I love that. The sample seemed confusing to me. I didn't understand what that entity that appears in dreams was, if it was something normal for everyone and if it was an entity that is also tangible. Nor did I understand the matter with the coffin. Errors: none. It would have been better if the author had given context about that world before the first chapter. Nothing that I liked. The official review on OBC was very helpful.

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 4:57 am by Adrian Rondon Salazar.

Gabriella H

I wasn't attracted to the book cover and title of this book because I felt the title didn't pop in the design. I wouldn't have sampled it without this program. I became interested in the plot after reading the OBC official review. This book is certainly different and strange, but a bit too descriptive and narrative for me. It didn't excite, captivate, or pull me into the story. I see it as something I could start out of curiosity but be unable to finish because it's quite plain to me. I won't be completing this book. I couldn't make sense of Abi's judgment hearing. I wonder who all the Marys are and their role in the book, but I found it too chaotic. This decision not to complete this book is based on the first ten pages, and it was influenced by some of the Amazon customer reviews I read. I didn't see any editorial review or OBC blurb. My decision wasn't influenced by this. I think the book was professionally edited, even though I saw one error while sampling the book. This is the error I saw, "What I have forgotten, all the terrible minutiae, the Black Box of my subconscious remembers and it is kept tight shut and locked." It should've been, "What I have forgotten, all the terrible minutiae, the Black Box of my subconscious remembers, and it is kept tightly shut and locked."

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 4:56 am by Gabriella H.

Jeremie Mondejar

Though I'm a part of this program, I may not sample this book based on the cover photo and title because it's quite a bizarre thing for me. I read the sample after reading the OBC review. The setting is quite creepy, like sleeping in a bunk-bed coffin. It's a bit weird for me to imagine. The Amazon reviews and numerous OBC reviews give a clearer synopsis of the book. The sample deals with Abi, a button maker who wonders why she doesn't have any night terrors that day. The sample didn't entertain me because it's a bit weird for me, and my assumption is right upon reading one of the comments in the Amazon reviews. I don't like anything about the book because I don't understand it, honestly. I don't see any errors or anything that needs improvement. The reviews, especially in OBC, affect my decision. 

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 4:54 am by Jeremie Mondejar.

Asma Aisha Ansari

I found the cover and title of this book intriguing and would've picked this book up based on them alone. The OBC review also convinced me further to sample the book. I loved reading the sample and especially liked how the protagonist's mundane and lonely life was described. The writing created an eerie and dystopian atmosphere which pulled me in further. There's nothing that I disliked about the sample. I'm going to read the rest of the book because I loved this unusual story and because I'm a fan of the sci-fi genre.

The book seems professionally edited, as I didn't encounter any grammatical errors. I've no suggestions for improvement to offer. I didn't read the Amazon blurb, other editorial reviews, or customer reviews to make my decision to read the whole book.

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 4:48 am by Asma Aisha Ansari.

Shrabastee Chakraborty

Based on the quirky premise, the official OBC review, and other published reviews, I intended to read this book. I found no errors in the first ten pages. The protagonist, Abi, narrated his routine of leaving his workhouse at two past five. He was a button-maker. His nighttime terrors drained everything from him. I liked the intrigue the author created. There were the barest hints of magical realism that I also liked. I had no reason to suggest improvements. Based on my reading experience, I would love to read the whole book.

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 3:55 am by Shrabastee Chakraborty.

Rita Nuncia

I would not have read this book without being a part of the first ten programs because of the customer reviews. Some had negative things to say. I do not have any problem with the cover, genre and title, and the official OnlineBookClub review. It has no blurb. After reading the first ten pages, I would say it seems like a good read for someone who is interested in the book. However, I’m not going to read the whole book because of the reason previously mentioned. The first few pages seem professionally edited because I didn't see any errors in them. What I like the most is the cover and title of the book, it captures the content of the book. I have no suggestions for improvements. The OnlineBookClub official review gave a detailed look into the book, and it did not affect my opinion of the book.

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 3:51 am by Rita Nuncia.

Soraya Bayah

Reading the sample, I was intrigued by Abi and her view of the world. I would not have picked up this book from the cover, title, or genre, as I never felt inclined towards such works. Still, the OBC’s review and the sample were new to me and engrossing. I found myself wondering about the mysteries of Abi’s life, who she was, who were the Terrors, and how come everything stays neat. Evoking this much questions in as short as 10 pages is commendable. I found a possible error. Location 127, “It is hard to say exactly what happened and when(,) inside my glacially evolving universe.” - unnecessary comma. I did not encounter anything negative so far except for the possible error. I am excited to continue the book and discover why it is that Abi is restricted from button making. Truly, well written. I wish you luck with the sales of this book.

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 3:48 am by Soraya Bayah.

Ntokozo Joy Ndlovu

In the sample of this book, a button maker who has lived his life following a routine wakes up happy one morning after not having nightmares for the first time in his life. I thought the cover and the title were mysterious, which made me interested in this book. I love fantasy books based in parallel universes. The editorial and customer reviews called this book bizzare but brilliant, some going as far as comparing it to literal classics. The OBC review was quoted as the editorial review on Amazon. I loved the simple writing style. For example, the portion of the book I sampled was written in the first person, from the perspective of Abi, and its context highlighted his personality. I found no errors in the sample and nothing I did not like. Based on the title and cover, I would have sampled this book even if it was not part of the First Ten program. After reading the sample, I want to read the rest of this book.

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 3:15 am by Ntokozo Joy Ndlovu.

Dzejn_Crvena

Based on the cover, I'd have sampled this book outside this program because the cover looks mysterious and the title sounds catchy. I like getting intrigued by the vague description of "other fiction", so I'd have sampled it based on the genre. However, the blurb, editorial reviews, and customer reviews didn't convince me to sample it because of the missing details of what the book is actually about. Also, the OBC review and the sample didn't influence me to buy and read it when I learned that it has themes of philosophy, absurdism, and surrealism. I don't enjoy reading about things that I find confusing, and I don't like to figure out why they have to exist. For instance, the absence of the Terrors in the protagonist's sleep is the reason she's put on trial for "Disturbance Potential". She's just living her life making buttons, and now she's on a journey to prove her innocence. I don't understand the explanation as to why the Terrors should exist. I like the straightforward writing style that made the book very engaging to read, but I'm not interested in the outcome of the protagonist's trial. Thus, I won't read further. The book seems professionally edited, and I don't have suggestions for improvements.

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 3:04 am by Dzejn_Crvena.

Kirsi Cultrera

Judging by the cover, I thought this was some fantasy book. Checking the book's Amazon page with its blurb, editorials, and customer reviews revealed that it was not, and I felt a bit confused. I would have checked the book out even without the First Ten since I generally like fantasy, which was what I first thought this was. The information on the book's Amazon page made me curious, but I would not have bought the book based on those. However, reading the sample convinced me. What I read so far was magical, and I simply could not stop. I found Abi's little universe with her bunk bed number 7 amusing, and how the author revealed more of Abi's thinking and her life was enchanting. The scene with the red phone and all multiple Marys on the other end was described brilliantly, and Abi's situation with the judgment felt so unfair. Everything in this book, including the language, the plot-building, and the author's creativity, was simply brilliant. I cannot think of anything to dislike. This has never happened to me before with books in the First Ten program, but this time I read the whole sample and immediately bought the book. I was completely enchanted by this story which somehow distantly reminded me of the movie Truman Show. I checked the Official OnlineBookClub review after I had already gotten the book. I noticed that this review had been quoted on the book's Amazon page. I don't know if I would have bought the book based on the review. This time, the sample spoke to itself. I did not notice any obvious grammatical errors that would have disturbed the flow of reading, and I believe this book has been professionally edited.

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 2:24 am by Kirsi Cultrera.

Jennifer Garcia 555

I like this genre, the cover, and the odd title of this book, but based on the description I would not pick this book to read. It sounds like a confusing and pointless story. I read a few official OnlineBookClub reviews and the sample pages, and I was surprised at my enjoyment of the storyline. Abi’s life is so routine and boring but the story kept my attention. I saw no editing errors, so this book seems professionally edited. I have no suggestions for improvement. If you like odd and unique stories, you will probably enjoy this book. The many good official OBC reviews and the sample pages convinced me to give this book a try. I will buy and finish reading it. I’m curious to find out what the twist at the end is.

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 2:19 am by Jennifer Garcia 555.

Sou Hi

Even without this program, I would have sampled this. The ratings on Amazon, the official review from OnlineBookClub, and the blurb look fine. The genre is also my cup of tea.

I like the book's dystopian theme and the well-executed plot. While the setting is not stated clearly, I can understand how Abi's society works through her words. It's interesting to find out more about how Abi will survive her appeal. Thus, I will buy this book. The OBC review was helpful in making my decision. The editing is good, and I have no suggestions for improvement.

Error example: The tick of time passing in my head always hurries me on, past the waterfall and on through the drying place, to collect my work clothes, waiting for me on a little shelf. -> I think the comma after "work clothes" is not needed.

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 1:11 am by Sou Hi.

Justine Ocsebio

I would have sampled this book because I really found the premise interesting. The strange circumstances surrounding the accusation against the protagonist give me enough reason to be intrigued by the story. The book began with Abi waking up from a dream that was far from the usual nightmares she had. I like how poetic the language is. It is a delight to read a narrative with a very rich and vibrant diction. I don't have any issues with the book. I also do not have any improvements to suggest. With much delight, I will be finishing this book because I like the absurd yet intriguing premise. The OBC review was enlightening. The text is free of any errors, so it is safe to say that the book has excellent editing. 

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 12:57 am by Justine Ocsebio.

FunkyFlowerLady

It is the story of buttonmaker Abi, also known as Seven, who sleeps in a bunk bed coffin. The story starts by introducing the readers to Abi's daily routine, and I liked reading about the nuanced personality of Abi as presented by Tara. Although this book's concept revolves around night terrors and horror notes, the peculiarity of Abi brings a human touch to this story and makes her cute just like a button. I liked reading this book, but I wouldn't have given this book a chance if not for this programme because the cover page presents a dark, gloomy, and horror-story image. The OBC review helped me take a peek at the real inside story, and that convinced me to read this book. I would recommend a better cover for this book, as the story is not as scary as the cover portrays. Other than that, I have no complaints; the first ten pages did not contain any errors, and I will read the full book. 

First Ten review added on November 30, 2022, at 12:52 am by FunkyFlowerLady.

Kelsey Roy

I was immediately intrigued by the title and cover of “Seven at Two Past Five.” The cover art is unique and promises mystery and fantasy. The title does not make sense but intrigues the reader. The genre is humorous fiction, which I find appealing. The blurb and OBC reviews discussed a dystopian society where the main character must try to prove her innocence against ridiculous claims. I am excited to read the sample.

I found no errors in the sample pages. I enjoyed the author’s ability to bring life to the unusual setting. Their brilliant descriptions made me feel I was experiencing the button factory and night terrors myself. I found nothing to dislike in the sample. I have no recommendations for the author. I wholeheartedly would like to continue reading this novel.

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 11:59 pm by Kelsey Roy.

Jorge Leon Salazar

The title and cover are abstract and mysterious, so I think they fit with the absurd and surreal features of the story properly. The blurb indicates that Abi fights against an absurd and malevolent justice system to rediscover her true name and lost faith. Most of the customer reviews are flattering. The official OnlineBookClub review highlights the book has a fascinating and unexpected ending. Based on these aspects, I am uninclined to try this book since plots with these traits are not always easy to digest. The first ten pages confirm the absurd and surreal essence of the story. Abi lives a rare life confined to living in a bunk-bed-coffin. What I have read so far seemed difficult to interpret. I perceive it as a kind of criticism or wake-up call towards those who live a life of routines and "rituals," doing the same activities and rejoicing with that. It appears that Abi takes her surroundings as the universe. She does not reason there may be other things beyond her coffin and the limits imposed on her. She should be feeling an enormous fear since she longs for the possibility of returning to her routine of making buttons and nights with the Terrors. The fact that there was disorder when she was in the telephonic judgment reveals that the synchronized world she imagines is not like that. The editing looked remarkable, as I didn't see any details to comment on. Overall, I didn't see anything that I believed could be improved. What I read was entertaining but too complex to interpret, so it did not completely capture me. Therefore, I will not read the rest of the book.

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 9:13 pm by Jorge Leon Salazar.

Kenesha Latoya Fowler

The blurb wasn’t much to go on, but the reviews definitely sparked my curiosity. Together with the cover and title, the book struck me as strange. My experience of the sample was pretty much the same. The book was obviously well written, with a nice meandering kind of flow. Abi’s mind was a weird place, and I didn’t really understand what was going on. After a little while I stopped trying to figure it out and just went along for the ride. I can’t say that I liked or disliked anything in particular about the sample, though. This isn’t my usual kind of book, and based on my experience with the sample and the official OBC review, I don’t think I want to explore it further. I can see the appeal for other readers, but I don’t like it very much when my books frustrate me, which I understand is sure to happen if I continue. I didn’t find any errors.

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 4:00 pm by Kenesha Latoya Fowler.

Kaitlyn Canedy

If Seven at Two Past Five hadn't been the OnlineBookClub's book of the day, I would have skipped the sample of it due to my aversion to horror novels. Based on the description, customer reviews, and the official OnlineBookClub review, this book has many twists that mess with the mind. As such, I knew I was not going to finish the book. However, I sampled it anyway. I like how vivid the author is with the descriptions, especially regarding the porcelain pot at the foot of bed seven. I did not find any grammatical errors, and there is nothing I can think of that needs improvement. There is nothing I disliked about the novel; it is just not a novel I would be interested in reading. Even after reading the first ten pages, I did not want to finish the book.

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 2:29 pm by Kaitlyn Canedy.

Diana Lowery

The title was confusing at first, and I found the cover to be very odd. The blurb quoted a large part of an OBC review, which I enjoyed reading. I read another OBC review and learned that the protagonist in the book is named Seven, which explained the title. I wondered if the author had seen the series "Stranger Things" which also has a character named Seven. The writing style felt very much like Poe or Kafka. I liked the description of the bunk-bed coffin and the two chambers. I am not going to finish reading the book because it is too dark and confusing for me. I did not find any errors. I do not have any suggestions for the author.

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 11:03 am by Diana Lowery.

Timothy Rucinski

Strange cover, but unique. And since I browse the sci-fi section from time to time, this would have caught my attention enough to skim through. The Official OBC Review was tempting and interested me in reading a few pages. I didn't read any other blurbs or reviews beyond the Official Review. After reading the first ten pages, I wish there was a "maybe" category. For the moment, I'm going to pass on saying I'd read this. It's extremely well written, and the short, terse sentences work extremely well in defining the day-to-day activities of the aging button-maker. This decision to write simply is what I liked most about the book, and there really wasn't anything that I disliked except, however, the overall sense of sadness. This is why I have to pass at the moment. I think if things in my personal life were a little more upbeat at the moment, I would agree to read this. But that's not the case right now. I believe that the book was professionally written as I found no errors and have no recommendations for improvement.

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 8:53 am by Timothy Rucinski.

AntonelaMaria

Literary fiction is not a genre that I read a lot, and the synopsis of this book didn't catch my attention. After reading the sample, I haven't changed my mind. The book seems very odd and thought-provoking. It requires readers' full attention, and I had to reread paragraphs to absorb all of the narratives. I still feel like I missed a lot of important things the author was saying. It is also full of metaphors. I didn't notice any errors, and I wouldn't change anything about the book. The cover captures the darker tones of the book very well. There is an official OnlineBookClub review of this book and many helpful Amazon reviews too. I'm not the right audience for this book, but I already know a fan of weird books who will enjoy it. So, I will recommend it 
 

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 8:27 am by AntonelaMaria.

Sanju Lali

I could not guess what I could find in this book after seeing its cover, title, or genre. Without the program called the first ten, I would not have sampled this book. I could not find any editorial reviews of this book. The customer reviews of this book were encouraging to me. The OBC official review was the one that motivated me to read the sample. After reading the first ten pages, I realized that the book was not professionally edited because I found some grammatical errors in the free sample. For example, the sentence, "It is hard to say exactly what happened and when, inside my glacially evolving universe." This sentence could be as follows. "It is hard to say exactly what happened and when inside my glacially evolving universe." In this sample, I liked Abi's insightful idea that only wickedness and disorder can flourish when too many things are assembled. From the sample, I learned that the story in the book is focused on Abi and Bunk-bed-coffin number Seven. Sadly, I could not dive into the story because I could not know where the story was moving. I will not buy and read this book today. My suggestion to the author is to give a brief introduction to the story before proceeding ahead. A round of professional editing would help this book to look better.

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 7:37 am by Sanju Lali.

Faith Ejai

I would still have read the sample or the first ten pages of this book if I hadn't been accepted into this program, but I wouldn't have done so based on the genre, blurb, editorial reviews, or the book's cover. This is a result of the provocative title. The narrator of this novel, a button manufacturer and the proprietor of the workhouse, discusses his two-past-five schedule in the first chapter's opening pages. For instance, he gets up before two past five and departs for work at two past five. I'm not going to buy and read the entire book after only reading the first ten pages. I'm not currently reading mystery stories, and this one sounds like one, so I won't buy and read the entire book. The first ten pages I read did not include any errors. The book's title caught my attention in the section I read. It was fascinating. I found nothing in the section I read to be objectionable. The book also appears to have undergone a rigorous editing process. I would recommend this book to people who appreciate absurdist, surrealist, or fiction works. Nothing in the section that I read could be made better. I read the OBC review of this book before deciding not to buy it and finishing it.

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 3:09 am by Faith Ejai.

kampen

I don't think I'll add Seven at Two Past Five to the list of novels I should read this month after reading a sample of it. Its cover is the reason I'm not including it on the list. I don't read anything that scares me, but this is terrifying. Both fiction and philosophical readers will enjoy this book. I therefore recommend that they do so. I only read the first ten pages of the book's first chapter. A character who appears to be the protagonist of the story is telling a tale about himself. Additionally, he explains the unfathomable cause of his nightly terrors. On the OBC website, there is a fantastic official review of this book. My choice not to add this book to my list of must-read books or to buy it was strengthened in part by the review. This book received a flawless score from the reviewer as well. This indicates that the book appears to be a great read. I didn't find any errors in the few pages that I read, so the book's author, Tara Basi, appears to have hired a professional editor. In response to the question of what I particularly liked in the section I read, I can state with certainty that it was the author's excellent writing. There was nothing in the section I read that I didn't appreciate. My choice of ordering a sample of this book or not was influenced by its cover, user reviews, and editorial reviews.

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 3:02 am by kampen.

Vickali

Seven at Two Past Five is a book that I enjoyed reading the sample of. In addition, I relished reading its review because it was well-written and provided in-depth details regarding this book. I started the book by reading A Disturbance, the first chapter. In the first ten pages of this chapter, the narrator informs the reader that he departs for his cherished workhouse at Two Past Five, where he crafts the most basic items, such as polished and lacquered buttons. My decision over whether or not to purchase and read the entire book was influenced by the excellent review of this book on OBC. I made the decision not to purchase and finish reading this book. It appears to have had exceptional editing, as the sample I read shows. I made that assertion since there were no errors found in the first ten pages I read. The book's cover was also fantastic and perfectly tailored to the genre and subject matter. I do not read fiction. I'm trying nonfiction books right now. I won't buy and finish reading this book because of this. Sincerely, the genre had a significant influence on my choice not to purchase and complete reading this book, but neither the cover nor the editorial or official review I read on the OBC. The aspect of the section I read that I liked the most was the cover design. There was not a single component of the section I read that I disliked. After reading the sample, I believe I will recommend this book to those who enjoy fiction.

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 2:50 am by Vickali.

Vidhi Adhikari

The book makes a great first impression with it's eerie cover design, simple title, detailed description, and multiple customer and OBC reviews. Since I am a fan of politics conveyed in a creative manner, I was reluctant to read the sample. That said, I loved the simple writing style of the author. There were some minor grammatical errors, but nothing that would affect my reading experience (I leave for my beloved workhouse at Two Past Five {replace uppsercase with lowercase) Fortunately, since the genre is of my liking, I will finish this book. I would suggest making the content pictorial to better grab the reader's attention.

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 1:50 am by Vidhi Adhikari.

BruceP

I was able to read the first ten pages of Seven at Two Past Five after successfully downloading a free sample of the book from Amazon. I also found the official review on the OBC website to be very insightful. This fictional book was written by Tara Basi. We are introduced to a character telling a story in the first few pages of this book. The narrator claims that he has been blessed with the ability to forget, and that he was left with the enduring memory of having seen great sorrow. I'm a voracious reader and relish reading novels on my own. But I'm not going to buy and read this book all the way through. After reading the official review, I realized that this book contains some elements of philosophy, despite the fact that I don't typically read books about philosophy. So, I'll pass on this one. To do this book justice, I'll recommend it to those who enjoy fiction with a variety of philosophical themes. Since I didn't identify any grammatical or spelling issues in the first ten pages I read, I believe this book must have been edited by an expert. This book appears to have been well-written and edited, so nothing more should be done to make it better. In the first few pages I read, the book's cover caught my attention the most. It was effectively crafted to fit the subject, in my opinion. In the first ten pages I read, there was not a single aspect of this book that I didn't adore.

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 1:49 am by BruceP.

Carson25

I read the first ten pages of this book, Seven at Two Past Five, after downloading its sample. This is someone narrating a story. For instance, the narrator mentions that he has a workhouse in which he makes the humblest of things. He also claims that his sleep ends at various times, but always before two past five. I don't read books that are classified as fiction. This explains why I won't purchase and finish reading this novel. The plot was the element that I appreciated the most in the first ten pages that I sampled. I felt that the plot was flowing in a superb way. There was no element that I didn’t appreciate in the first few pages that I read. This book seems to have been exceptionally edited. This is because I didn’t find any errors in the ten pages that I read. I would recommend this book to readers who appreciate philosophical and absurdist novels. This book, in my opinion, seems fine the way it is and shouldn’t be improved any further. There was an official review on the OBC website. The review gave a detailed summary of what the book is all about. As mentioned above, my decision not to purchase and read the entire novel was because of its genre, which I don’t read.

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 1:47 am by Carson25.

KafeliKe

Seven at Two Past Five by Tara Basi sounds like an action-packed novel. In this novel, the protagonist appears to leave for his beloved workhouse at two past five. He goes on to say that Two Past Five has been his time for as long as he can remember. The aspect that I loved the most in the first ten pages that I read was the book’s cover. It was well-designed to fit the genre of the book. There was no aspect of this book that I didn’t like. I’m not a fan of fiction books. I’ll therefore not buy and finish reading this book. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading fiction. On the OnlineBookClub, there is a well-written and insightful review. This book seems to have been exceptionally edited, as I didn’t find any flaws in the first ten pages that I read. My decision not to buy and finish reading this book was because of its genre. The cover and the official review had no effect on my decision not to buy and finish reading it. This book seems to be Ok, and doesn’t need any kind of improvement.

First Ten review added on November 29, 2022, at 1:37 am by KafeliKe.

Rodel Barnachea

Following my reading of the title’s Amazon page and official OBC review, I opted not to acquire the novel. I am not fascinated by the simple life that the old button maker, Abi, has led. I am not intrigued by how Abi is accused of "Disturbance Potential" just because her Terrors are gone. I am not interested in finding out if Abi, with the help of Zero, will be able to clear her name and reputation. Perusing its sample did not change my mind. I would not purchase it because nothing in the text convinced me I would enjoy poring over the rest of the title. The first ten pages contain Chapter One: A Disturbance, Chapter Two: A Black Mark, and a few pages of Chapter Three: Zero. My favorite part is when Abi realized that her nightly Terrors are giving her a message: “[w]hen too many are assembled together, only wickedness and disorder can flourish.” I did not identify any errors in the text; I believe the book is professionally edited. I have nothing to suggest to the author.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 10:22 pm by Rodel Barnachea.

Shanesha Sammerson

Seven at Two Past Five I found the title to be weird; the genre isn’t one I would normally read, and the cover of this book looked like horror, so I was two-minded about reading it. However, the blurb and editorial reviews on Amazon praised this book, so I gave it a try. If I were not part of OBC, I would not have sampled this book because the book looked like it would give me nightmares. Yes, I would buy and read this book after reading the first 10 pages because, although it started off confusing and slow, eventually some excitement started when Abi was accused of disturbance potential. I want to find out what she did to cause it and what adventure is ahead of her as she follows the bright lights. I found no errors in the first 10 pages. I am unsure if there is anything to change because this book is so unique that I cannot compare it to anything else I have ever read. The OBC review was well-written and would strongly recommend this book to anyone. 

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 10:07 pm by Shanesha Sammerson.

Jay_shon03

After reading the book's review on the OBC platform, I became a bit skeptical about it, even though the title piqued my curiosity; the title and the cover will make a curious person sample this book. As someone who loves to know things for himself, I tried reading the few pages. I must admit that I struggled with the first five pages. I had to reduce my pace and start reading it meditatively; instead of reading it like a mere story, I tried to attach meaning to each line; I started seeing each line as a metaphor. Fortunately for me, I started enjoying the book. For instance, I related well with the part where Abi spoke about the dilemma of the way her life is defined by rules and ordered by rituals. She couldn't dare to change the narrative even though it was all within her power to change it. At this point, I realized that many of us are just like Abi.

Thanks to the author's writing style, the book has reminded me of a valuable lesson not to stereotype something based on people's opinions of that thing. This is a book I will want to finish reading.

I am impressed with the editing of the book because I am yet to spot any errors.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 9:57 pm by Jay_shon03.

Julie Gebrosky

If I had not been part of this program, I would have sampled this book based on the OBC review. The cover makes me uneasy, but the review made it seem excellent. I do plan to finish the book because the story drew me in. The description of the world Abi lives in is detailed and very unique. I want to know more about how this world functions. I did not find any drawbacks or ways for the author to improve. I did not find any errors.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 9:03 pm by Julie Gebrosky.

Ari Martinez

If it hadn't been for this program, I would have still sampled this book based on its title, cover, genre, blurb, OnlineBookClub review, and other reviews because I thought the book cover looked cool and creepy, and I was curious about the "strange world" and "bizarre nature" of the characters. My favorite part of what I read was that the protagonist was comfortable with her routine and did not want to change it. Usually, the protagonist is adventurous, social, and different from everyone right from the beginning. Therefore, it was a welcomed change to find a character like Seven. I also loved the setting because it was very unique and well written. After reading the first ten pages, I will read the rest of the book because of the same reasons mentioned previously – I liked the protagonist and the setting. I don't think the book needs improvement, and it seems professionally edited.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 8:37 pm by Ari Martinez.

MsH2k

I have seen this book around OBC for a while, and I wasn’t drawn to the cover. The title was interesting, but I never checked it out. If I were not part of this program, I would never have read the blurb or sampled this book. The sample pages were engaging. I liked Abi and found her innocence and fear of change endearing. I felt sorry that she lived such a sparse existence, but I appreciated that she settled into her life over the years. I was shocked by her terrors every night and that she lived in a coffin. That gave the cover a bit of context. I enjoyed the sample pages, but I will not buy this book. I hope Abi has a happy rest of her life, but I can’t get past the underlying dark setting. The book appeared professionally edited; I did not notice any grammatical errors in the first ten pages. The featured OnlineBookClub review was excellent and had me reconsidering this read, but I will pass for now. Other editorial reviews or customer reviews did not influence my decision. The genre had no bearing either. A suggestion for improvement would be to make the blurb more concise. The OBC review included in the blurb was well written, but it made the blurb too long.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 5:57 pm by MsH2k.

Stephanie Runyon

Before this program, I have seen this book on various sites. I have often thought about sampling it, but the cover did not hold my attention as much as the title. Therefore, I would have sampled this book. The writing style used in this book is excellent when describing Abi's environment. Abi relies on routine. I felt empathy for Abi with the disturbing note in the black envelope destroying her routine. Professionally edited, I wouldn't change anything. The OBC review added to the curiosity I mentioned above. As stated before, I have seen this book on other sites, but they didn't influence my choice to read the BOTD as much as the OBC review. I liked the vivid detail used to describe Abi's emotions. I will read the rest of the book.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 5:32 pm by Stephanie Runyon.

IconReviews

The cover and title of this book are a bit bland so I would not read it based on those. I would read it based on the blurb, genre, customer reviews, and the official OnlineBookClub review. I liked how suspenseful it was. I wanted to know why Abi kept doing the same thing at the same time each day and where she was being held. I think the book has a unique storyline. It was professionally edited and needs no modifications. I will be reading this because I'm curious to know what will happen if Abi breaks any of the rules.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 5:29 pm by IconReviews.

Andrada Madalina

"Seven at Two Past Five" by Tara Basi is a mystery novel that presents the journey of an old button maker. I liked the simplicity of the book cover and found it suitable for its catchy title and descriptive blurb. I sampled this book because of its fascinating editorial review from the blurb, positive customer reviews, and excellent Official OnlineBookClub review. The book seems exceptionally well edited since I discovered no single error while reading its first ten pages. I would not improve anything on the book because I liked the viewpoint narration and captivating descriptions of Abi's daily rituals. Nevertheless, I will not buy and read the whole book because I am not interested in surrealism and fast-paced stories.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 4:58 pm by Andrada Madalina.

Kira Bonita Reece

The cover of this book is a turnoff for me because it looks like a horror story. Outside of this program, I would not have read this book based on the cover, blurb, title, genre, or the official OnlineBookClub review. The book had some positive customer reviews but they did not convince me to read it. I did not like that the beginning of the book seemed long and drawn out. We met Abi, a button maker who kept repeating the same words over and over. I would recommend adding a prologue to provide some intrigue. The book was professionally edited. I will not be reading it because the first ten pages were a bore.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 4:02 pm by Kira Bonita Reece.

Yvonne Monique

The book cover is quite sinister and would not draw my attention if I would see it in a bookstore. The customer reviews, blurb and OBC review give an excellent description of the book, and make the story sound very mysterious and different. For that reason, I looked forward to reading the sample. The first ten pages seem to be professionally edited, and, in spite of the mysterious context, written in an understandable way. The story contains many unusual concepts, such as the Terrors, bunk-bed coffins, and button making, that show that the author has an impressive imagination. As I am curious to find out how this story evolves, I will buy the book. I have no suggestions for improvement.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 3:33 pm by Yvonne Monique.

María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda

The cover is eerie, and the title is unique, which intrigues me. The blurb, however, needs to provide more information about the plot. Despite the high ratings, I wouldn't have bought the book based on my first impressions due to this lack of information.
The first ten pages were a pleasant surprise, and I decided to buy the book. The author's bizarre narrative style changes everything. Usually, I'm not too fond of descriptive texts, but I was enthralled with Abi's description of a chamberpot, of all things. I usually despise complacency, but I think there's wisdom in Abi's apparent complacency: "If you test assumptions, I think you must be very brave. What if they are false? You could be confronted with choices you did not want." And, of course, the judgment intrigues me. There was nothing I disliked. There are some minor editing mishaps. For example, "free will," when used as a noun, not as an adjective, should be spelled as two separate words: "It gave evil button-maker freewill, Mary C." (p. 12). I suggest adding more information about the plot in the blurb. The official OBC review furthered my enthusiasm for this read.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 3:14 pm by María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda.

Nemanja Jankovic

The book's cover appears creepy, but the title offers no indication of what the book will contain. I wouldn't be interested in the book based on the cover and title alone. I read the blurb, the customer reviews, and the Official OnlineBookClub review, but none of them had any influence on my decision. One of the customer reviews revealed that the book has numerous religious allegories, which I was able to confirm. There is no editor reviews online. I won't read the book since I don't currently find absurdist and surrealist literature appealing. Since I couldn't identify any errors or typos, the book must have undergone competent editing. I appreciated how skillfully the author portrayed the bunk-bed coffin's ambiance, including the scents, darkness, and general gloom. I believe the novel might have benefited from a stronger opening.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 3:14 pm by Nemanja Jankovic.

Amy Luman

After reading the OBC review, which made me wonder about Abi, I was ready to read this. The sample that I read, however, went very slowly, so I won't be reading the rest of this novel. My favorite, but also the most disturbing, part was that Abi had never seen another person; even the "carers" who emptied her chamber pot, cleaned her bunk--bed --coffin, and did her laundry were anonymous. The editorial and customer reviews of this novel were very good. The cover is a little creepy, with just the silhouette of a person and the title telling how she was identified. This has been professionally edited, in my opinion. I didn’t have a least favorite part and can't suggest any changes.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 2:07 pm by Amy Luman.

Hazel Arnaiz

The cover looked like a novel about fantasy and magic. It did not grab my attention. Meanwhile, the title and description sound intriguing and customer reviews are mostly enthusiastic. It piqued my interest enough to sample the book outside the program. Sampling encouraged me even more to get a copy and finish reading the book. I liked the storyline and the worldbuilding. The oddities and surrealism made me curious. For improvement, I suggest adding graphics to showcase the peculiar worldbuilding. The visuals will enhance the reading experience. For editing, I did not notice any issues from the sampled pages. The official OnlineBookClub has helpful insights.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 12:12 pm by Hazel Arnaiz.

Sushan Ekanayake

Seven at Two Past Five by Tara Basi belongs to the Other Fiction genre, which I usually do not prefer reading. The title and the cover page did not say much, and it did not make me interested in the book either. The blurb revealed that the story was about a button maker who had to face some strange encounters just because his routine was changed. The editorial reviews and the customer reviews spoke highly about the book. Anyway, based on the above facts, I would not have sampled this book if I had not been a part of this program.

Then I read the first ten pages, which described the button maker's usual routine and how it was broken. Since the story was not much interesting to me, I decided not to read further after reading the first few pages. But the author's attempt on creating a unique story should be appreciated.

There were no errors in the first ten pages and I did not see any area that could be improved. I saw the official OBC review, which spoke highly about the book. But it was not influential enough to change my decision.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 12:02 pm by Sushan Ekanayake.

Ohna Martin

I will skip this book, whether I was part of this program or not. I do not like the genre. The name fits the story, and the cover as well. There is not much about this book that I liked. I disliked the way the author described things I found it overly descriptive and lagging to get to a point. There is nothing in this book that held my attention. I have no suggestion for the author. I found no spelling or grammar mistakes. No other review, OBC or otherwise, or blurbs influenced my decision. This was solely based on the first ten pages of this book.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 11:50 am by Ohna Martin.

Christell Lindeque

Although I am a member of the program, I have no intention of reading this book. If the goal was to make the reader uneasy just by looking at the book's cover, then the title and cover art were successful.

I got the impression after the first ten pages that this was a children's story with a horror twist. I find it unsettling, and it's not something I care for. Because of this, I will not be reading the book.

The first ten pages of this book have not contained any mistakes that I have been able to locate.

The book is easy to read and moves quickly, both of which I appreciated. Abi, also known as Seven, is the protagonist. Abi makes buttons, and when she doesn't, she has night terrors.
Without these terrors, she would get into serious trouble.

The emotions it provokes in me are very unpleasant. It's unsettling, especially since the only places I've ever seen button-makers depicted were in picture books for kids.

Despite the OBC review, I still won't be able to bring myself to read this book. Not only does the topic not pique my interest, but it also gives me the creeps.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 11:31 am by Christell Lindeque.

Chinazo Anozie

I knew I wouldn’t be interested in this book from the title, cover, description, genre, customer reviews, and the official OnlineBookClub review. I didn’t particularly like anything about the storyline, and I wasn’t intrigued by it, so I will not buy and read this book. I didn’t understand the world the author was trying to create with Abi, her buttons, and the Terrors. This book seems professionally edited because I didn’t notice any errors in the first few pages I read. I don’t think anything needs to be improved.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 10:55 am by Chinazo Anozie.

Bertha Jackson

I enjoy reading fiction books, and the cover with the person covered in a cape and hood grabbed my attention. The title did not give me any idea what the book was about. I base my decisions on my enjoyment of reading the first ten pages, and the blurbs, customer reviews, editorial reviews, and the OnlineBookClub review do not influence my choices. The first ten pages revolve around the mystery of Abi’s time and her terrors. I am curious about what Abi’s crimes are, but I had difficulty understanding why she lived in a coffin and worked in a workhouse making buttons. I could not make sense of any of it, so I will not continue reading the free copy of the book. I recommend the author provide some background information about Abi and her circumstances that brought her to this way of life within the first ten pages. The first ten pages make the book appear professionally edited, as I did not see any errors.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 10:42 am by Bertha Jackson.

Danielle Briggs

The blurb and cover art both drew me in, so I think I would have tried this book even outside the program. After sampling, I would buy and continue this book. I enjoyed the author's writing style because it transported me into Seven's thoughts and world flawlessly, and it gave me an eerie, but welcome, feeling. I also liked the mystery of such a strange setting where people do not interreact with one another and follow a strict routine. I found nothings negative in what I read and had no improvements or errors to mention. The OBC review helped in my decision to continue reading.

First Ten review added on November 28, 2022, at 10:24 am by Danielle Briggs.

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