Official Review: Shrouded Realities: by Wesley Signer

[sphillips44]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Shrouded Realities:" by Wesley Signer.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live differently? Shrouded Realities, a compilation of short stories written by Wesley Signer provides a glimpse of what it’s like to live outside the realm of normality. Ranging from blood-thirsty night owls to ghost-like creatures of other ‘worlds’, the suspense and thrill from these stories is intriguing.

In his first short-story Graveyard, readers get a taste of blood as they work the night shift with Victor at the hospital. However, while Victor is on his lunch break, a crime takes place that leaves everyone feeling unsettled.

The Appointment introduces readers to Elizabeth, a hard working lady who finds herself sitting at a café waiting for a lunch date when she meets Azra. While he isn’t her date, Azra is unlike anyone she has ever met before. He puts her at ease instantly, despite her pounding headache. Only when the tension subsides do readers find out the real reason behind Azra’s comforting ways.

Screenplay, the third installment of the compilation dives into the life of single mother Sarah and her five year-old son Jack. Sarah does the best she can as a single mother and raises her son to the best of her ability. However, one night after she leaves to go to the grocery store she comes back to find her worst nightmare has come true. Jack is gone, but not in the sense that readers may think.

Last but not least readers come to know Michael Thompson, a depressed man who no one knows or remembers. In The Last Words of Michael Thompson, readers are brought through a day in the life of an invisible man caught between worlds with no sense of time or feeling. The chilling last words will definitely leave readers thinking and on their toes.

While this is an easy and light read, I found myself wanting more from each story. I wanted a little more backstory, a little more detail. In reading this short compilation of stories, I found quite a few spelling and syntax errors that took away from what I was reading. Had Signer added a little more detail to each of the stories and spent a little more time editing before publishing, this would be a real page turner and 4-star novel. With the extra TLC, I would have easily had a higher recommendation. That being said, I am giving this book 2 out of 4 stars.

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Shrouded Realities:
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[Kappy]

Good review. It sounds like the author has an excellent imagination, but needs more experience to polish his technique.

[bluemel4]

Wonderful review. The descriptions of the short stories sound so compelling and interesting. I hope the author takes your insightful critique and applies it to these short stories.

[zeldas_lullaby]

Great review! I agree that if he wrote only the four stories, then he should develop them a bit more. Their premises sound macabre indeed, but execution matters too! You did a good job of articulating the positive and the negative of this collection.

[Levi]

Amazing job for a second review. Sounds like an active imagination at work on the part of the author, your summation of the short stories left me wanting to know what happened. I get the feeling this is a three start book at least, without the errors. That should be easy for the author to correct.

[gali]

Intriguing premise. Too bad it fell short. Thank you for the nice review.

[sphillips44]

Amazing job for a second review. Sounds like an active imagination at work on the part of the author, your summation of the short stories left me wanting to know what happened. I get the feeling this is a three start book at least, without the errors. That should be easy for the author to correct.

I would definitely rate this book a 3 out of 4 stars if there was a little more time spent on the editing process. With added detail, this compilation could easily be a 4 out of 4 star book as well. I enjoyed what I read, I just wanted to know more which in one sense is great, but on the other makes a book feel rushed.

[LivreAmour217]

Great review! This book sounds like a perfect October read! Grammatical errors drive me insane, but I might have to check this one out to satisfy my curiosity!

[wes1001]

I wanted to thank you for the great job you did on the review. It was everything I could have asked for as an author. I looked over the book and found that you were definitely right about the amount of errors. Since then, I have spent more time in the revision process and all new copies of this book will be going out with revisions in place.
Again, thank you for doing such a great job on this review.

[Levi]

@wes1001 I have just picked up a copy as it's a great time for a little horror (well, it's always a good time for that, but anyhow). I think @sphillips44 sucked me in with her description of Screenplay. How is the kid gone? I must know, dang you sphillips! Ha ha.

[sphillips44]

I wanted to thank you for the great job you did on the review. It was everything I could have asked for as an author. I looked over the book and found that you were definitely right about the amount of errors. Since then, I have spent more time in the revision process and all new copies of this book will be going out with revisions in place.
Again, thank you for doing such a great job on this review.

Thank you! I was so excited to read this and am hoping there may be some expansions in the stories? I loved the intrigue of all four with just enough creep factor to really get the reader thinking. Great job and thanks again for the feedback!

[wes1001]

I am currently working on a much longer collection of stories that will expand upon a few of my favorite ideas from this one and include a whole list of new stories, as well. I have big plans for Victor.