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| Profanity |
None |
Mild, infrequent, casual, slang |
More frequent profanity; still blends into the storyline and is not meant to stand out or be jarring; some crude language |
Very frequent profanity; used in a jarring way to get your attention; frequent crude language |
| Violence |
None |
Violence is described briefly, without much detail; the violence happens to minor characters fairly unknown to the reader and therefore there is little emotional impact. |
Scenes are described in quite a bit of detail; mention of rape or abuse without the actual instance described; violence happens to or around the major characters to whom the reader feels connected, so the emotional impact is greater. |
Scenes are described in length or in graphic detail; scenes involve violent rape or torture or abundant violence. |
| Sexual Content |
None |
Implied sex or short scenes without much description |
More descriptive sex scenes; relationship based rather than violence based; crude sexual references |
Explicit sex scenes; extensive crude sexual references; rape and or abuse scenes |
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| Characterization |
Characters are poorly described, or described in a manner which leaves the reader eventually detached from the book. |
Fair characterization; some emotional attachment; characters are likeable. |
Good characterization; characters are believable, you can picture them and relate to them; the reader feels an emotional tie to the characters. |
Excellent characterization; characters have a strong emotional impact on the reader. |
| Plot |
Loose plot with many holes; plot lines are presented but then never followed through; fails to catch reader's interest or attention. |
Fair plot that holds together well; interesting. |
Good plot with some surprises; usually more complex. |
Excellent plot that is clever and unusually complex; tightly written. |
| Overall |
Not recommended |
Has some flaws, but is worth your time |
Excellent book, well recommended |
Highly recommended |
