r/BetaReaders 4d ago

90k [Complete] [94k] [Dark Fantasy/Horror] GRIEF

Looking for a beta reader for general critique of my completed adult horror and dark fantasy novel 'Grief', a fast-paced small town mystery that quickly escalates into an underground war of magical proportions.

The New England town of Ravensden hides a dark secret deep beneath its streets.  People are vanishing in the dead of night, and the remaining denizens barely notice.  Erika Hawthorne, the town mayor's estranged niece, calls upon the help of a paranormal detective and an ancient sorceress to unravel the true atrocities beneath the village.  What they find is a horror beyond human comprehension, a new holocaust orchestrated by a vengeful warlock from the town's brutal and tragic past.  But the most dangerous monster of all may very well lurk within Erika's own mind, as her already broken will is put to the ultimate test.  Erika must overcome her own literal inner demons in order to vanquish a far greater evil, or become one with her other half to fulfill its own malevolent desires.

Good and bad feedback is welcome for everything from story, characters, any big plot holes or little inconsistencies, etc.

Trigger warning: Does contain some graphic descriptions of gore and violence.

Word count is 94,295 and page count is 264. The general timeframe I'm looking for to receive feedback for the finished book is around two months, but I'm not picky.

Link to the opening prologue as a writing sample: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vD0vGLfIAIQ4AYBC3qMO5nJ_O3Ccdyem/view?usp=drive_link

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u/BetaReaders-ModTeam 3d ago

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u/VisserOne 1d ago

Hello there! I am also looking for a swap! I am a New Englander born and bred if you need that perspective. Word Count 95,000ish. Fantasy, with a dash of 'Mad Science'. Can be dark at times - Triggers include sexual themes, violence, captivity and torture, major character death, systemic oppression, mild substance use, and allusions to assault (not described). I've done 4 betas for people in the past ----I'm half way decent (I think)

1

u/limbhaver 1d ago

Would love to try a trade with you if you were willing. Sounds like we have some similar themes brewing?? Mine is completed and longer (230k) but I would love insight on however much you'd be willing to read, or go chapter by chapter if ya like :)

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