Official Review: TERROR AT MIRROR LAKE by Hank Kellner
-
Jasper
- Posts: 52
- Joined: 08 Feb 2014, 12:24
- Bookshelf Size: 3
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jasper.html
- Latest Review: "The River Way Home" by Mary E. Dawson
Official Review: TERROR AT MIRROR LAKE by Hank Kellner
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "TERROR AT MIRROR LAKE" by Hank Kellner.]
Share This Review
All Hal and Pete wanted to do was fish for Old Jonah, to get away from their marital problems at home with their wives, and to forget about her. Yes her, the girl with the dreamlike, haunting eyes who they found swimming in Mirror Lake that day. She was without a doubt their plaguing fear, their lustful fantasy, their hidden terror, and not a day went by without the two friends thinking of what had become of her. By knowing her fate meant that the fate of both Hal and Pete’s were also in jeopardy.
After four afflicting months of keeping the secret they’d pretended to ignore, Hal asks Pete to go back to Mirror Lake with him. Unfortunately, their wives have decided to tag along, and before they leave Pete and Hal agree to face their demons head on. But not every plan is foolproof, and what both men had failed to notice were the other pair of eyes, the pair of eyes who stayed hidden that day. Those eyes were watching them now, even as they came back to Mirror Lake, and behind them was a determination to kill two birds with one stone, to bury the secret for good. The only problem was how?
I thoroughly enjoyed the overall themes of keeping the secret, and how lying comes easily. All the main characters in the book are strong characterizations of both. I’d like to point out that although Cindy’s eyes were compared in a variety of ways, the color was never stated in the first description. I was a bit worried about there being too much backstory though, but as it went on I realized that it led to, and connected to Cindy, except the conversation with Martha and Barbara by the water.
My biggest concern is the grammatical errors. They were subtle, but they’d make a huge difference if fixed, especially the thoughts throughout the book. Some were italicized and some weren’t. The prologue wasn’t what I was expecting, and that’s excellent, considering that I found it engaging and wanting to read more, unlike my past histories with other prologues. The story itself was fair, and the problems within it are relatable to adults and teens alike, but the relationship between Luke and Bruce was already predetermined by the time they were introduced to the story. However the ending with the two couples, Hal and Barbara—and Pete and Martha—were justified. And I think their stories ended like they were supposed to. If they had concluded in any other way it would’ve ruined the story.
I give this story a 3 out of 4 stars. Most of it was well written, but the errors are what made me give it 3 stars instead of 4. The characters and themes were relatable. I feel that the reader could dislike and sympathize any unlikable character at the same time. The concept is flowing throughout, although I would’ve liked more character descriptions. Overall it was a good read.
***
Buy "TERROR AT MIRROR LAKE" on Barnes and Noble
Share This Review
After four afflicting months of keeping the secret they’d pretended to ignore, Hal asks Pete to go back to Mirror Lake with him. Unfortunately, their wives have decided to tag along, and before they leave Pete and Hal agree to face their demons head on. But not every plan is foolproof, and what both men had failed to notice were the other pair of eyes, the pair of eyes who stayed hidden that day. Those eyes were watching them now, even as they came back to Mirror Lake, and behind them was a determination to kill two birds with one stone, to bury the secret for good. The only problem was how?
I thoroughly enjoyed the overall themes of keeping the secret, and how lying comes easily. All the main characters in the book are strong characterizations of both. I’d like to point out that although Cindy’s eyes were compared in a variety of ways, the color was never stated in the first description. I was a bit worried about there being too much backstory though, but as it went on I realized that it led to, and connected to Cindy, except the conversation with Martha and Barbara by the water.
My biggest concern is the grammatical errors. They were subtle, but they’d make a huge difference if fixed, especially the thoughts throughout the book. Some were italicized and some weren’t. The prologue wasn’t what I was expecting, and that’s excellent, considering that I found it engaging and wanting to read more, unlike my past histories with other prologues. The story itself was fair, and the problems within it are relatable to adults and teens alike, but the relationship between Luke and Bruce was already predetermined by the time they were introduced to the story. However the ending with the two couples, Hal and Barbara—and Pete and Martha—were justified. And I think their stories ended like they were supposed to. If they had concluded in any other way it would’ve ruined the story.
I give this story a 3 out of 4 stars. Most of it was well written, but the errors are what made me give it 3 stars instead of 4. The characters and themes were relatable. I feel that the reader could dislike and sympathize any unlikable character at the same time. The concept is flowing throughout, although I would’ve liked more character descriptions. Overall it was a good read.
***
Buy "TERROR AT MIRROR LAKE" on Barnes and Noble
Latest Review: "The River Way Home" by Mary E. Dawson
-
hankpix
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 01 May 2013, 08:18
- Bookshelf Size: 0
Hello Jasper,
Thank you for your fine review of Terror at Mirror Lake. I appreciate your having rated it three out of four stars.
I couldn’t help noticing, however, a few errors in your work. I’ve noted these errors below, and I’ve suggested corrections that are sure to enhance your review.
Again, thanks. And keep up the good work.
1. Yes her, the girl with the dreamlike, haunting eyes who they found swimming in Mirror Lake that day.
Correction: whom they found...
2. By knowing her fate meant that the fate of both Hal and Pete’s were also in jeopardy.
Correction: But knowing her fate...
Correction: Hal and Pete’s fate was also...
3. But not every plan is foolproof, and what both men had failed to notice were the other pair of eyes, the pair of eyes who stayed hidden that day.
Correction: notice was the other pair...
Correction: pair of eyes that stayed hidden...
4. I was a bit worried about there being too much backstory though, but as it went on I realized that it led to, and connected to Cindy, except the conversation with Martha and Barbara by the water.
Correction: too much back story....
Correction: except for the conversation...
5. The prologue wasn’t what I was expecting, and that’s excellent, considering that I found it engaging and wanting to read more, unlike my past histories with other prologues.
Correction: and wanted to read... (still a very weak construction)
6. However the ending with the two couples, Hal and Barbara—and Pete and Martha—were justified.
Correction: was justified
7. And I think their stories ended like they were supposed to.
Correction: as they were...
8. I feel that the reader could dislike and sympathize any unlikable character at the same time.
Correction: sympathize with any
Thank you for your fine review of Terror at Mirror Lake. I appreciate your having rated it three out of four stars.
I couldn’t help noticing, however, a few errors in your work. I’ve noted these errors below, and I’ve suggested corrections that are sure to enhance your review.
Again, thanks. And keep up the good work.
1. Yes her, the girl with the dreamlike, haunting eyes who they found swimming in Mirror Lake that day.
Correction: whom they found...
2. By knowing her fate meant that the fate of both Hal and Pete’s were also in jeopardy.
Correction: But knowing her fate...
Correction: Hal and Pete’s fate was also...
3. But not every plan is foolproof, and what both men had failed to notice were the other pair of eyes, the pair of eyes who stayed hidden that day.
Correction: notice was the other pair...
Correction: pair of eyes that stayed hidden...
4. I was a bit worried about there being too much backstory though, but as it went on I realized that it led to, and connected to Cindy, except the conversation with Martha and Barbara by the water.
Correction: too much back story....
Correction: except for the conversation...
5. The prologue wasn’t what I was expecting, and that’s excellent, considering that I found it engaging and wanting to read more, unlike my past histories with other prologues.
Correction: and wanted to read... (still a very weak construction)
6. However the ending with the two couples, Hal and Barbara—and Pete and Martha—were justified.
Correction: was justified
7. And I think their stories ended like they were supposed to.
Correction: as they were...
8. I feel that the reader could dislike and sympathize any unlikable character at the same time.
Correction: sympathize with any
