Opening

• Author Ian McEwan has firmly established himself as…
• This latest novel from …’s pen is sure to surprise readers familiar with …’s earlier work
• Most people think that teenagers don’t have the concentration to read long books.  But Rich Smith’s 2012 epic novel The Turtle and the Tortoise proves them wrong.

Summarising the plot

• In this page-turner, readers are captivated as they follow…
• Lewis Carroll creates suspense as he leads us on a roller-coaster ride of adventure through Alice’s imagination
• The novel portrays the inner turmoil of…
• The reader is caught up in the story of Harry as he…

Features of a book

• characterization
• plot
• narrative voice
• setting
• use of imagery
• dialogue

Talking positively

• compelling
• captivating
• original
• inspiring
• gripping
• fast-paced
• mesmerising
• impossible to put down
• a real page-turner

Talking negatively

• simplistic
• uneven
• clichéd
• hackneyed
• readers might have some qualms about…

Ending

• I could not recommend this book more enthusiastically
• … has pulled of a triumph with his latest work
• In the opinion of this critic…
• It’s well worth a read.
• This novel sets the standard for all future works of [science fiction].