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veetheworm 's review for:
The Well of Ascension
by Brandon Sanderson
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my take on the CAWPILE rating system from Book Roast over at youtube. Each of the sections will be rated out of 10 where each of the attributes/questions is 1 point. (Yes there is an extra 2 points per section to balance it out because not all books are "good" on the same sense)
1. Characters
[X] Memorability – Do they leave a lasting impression?
[X] Love-to-Hate Factor – Are they a compelling villain or antagonist?
[X] Originality – Do they feel fresh, unique, or different from clichés?
[X] Sympathy – Do readers feel for them or root for them?
[X] Emotional Range – Do they express a wide variety of emotions?
[X] Motivations – Are their goals clear and believable?
[X] Emotional Impact – Did they make you feel something deeply?
[X] Balance of Roles – Are main, secondary, and background characters well-proportioned?
[X] Character Dynamics – Do relationships and group interactions feel organic and meaningful?
[X] Consistency of Voice – Do characters speak and act in ways that match their personalities and roles?
[X] Perspective Variety – Do we get insights from multiple viewpoints or experiences?
[X] Use of Archetypes – Are classic character types (e.g., mentor, rebel) used creatively and effectively?
Characters: 10/10
2. Atmosphere
[X] Emotional Depth – Does the atmosphere evoke strong emotions in the reader?
[X] Sensory Detail – Are the sights, sounds, smells, and textures richly described?
[X] World Believability – Does the world feel lived-in and real, even if it’s fantasy or surreal?
[X] Temporal Atmosphere – Does the time period (past, future, timeless) feel authentic and immersive?
[X] Environmental Influence – Does the setting impact characters, emotions, or plot?
[X] Weather & Nature – Is the natural world used to set or reflect mood?
[X] Atmosphere-Plot Alignment – Does the atmosphere match the pacing and stakes of the plot?
[X] Immersiveness – Did you feel transported into the world?
[X] Memorability – Does the atmosphere linger after finishing the book?
[X] Regional Variation – Are different parts of the world differentiated (e.g., deserts vs. mountains vs. urban hubs)?
[X] Uniqueness – Does the setting feel original or distinct from other books in the same genre?
[X] Sense of Time Passing – Does the story reflect seasonal, generational, or historical changes?
Atmosphere: 10/10
3. Writing Style
[X] Sentence Quality – Are the sentences artful, carefully constructed, and varied in rhythm and structure?
[X] Figurative Language Use – Are metaphors, similes, symbolism, and imagery used meaningfully (not just decoratively)?
[X] Layered Meaning – Do lines or scenes carry deeper significance than what’s on the surface?
[X] Ambiguity or Open Interpretation – Does the writing allow space for reflection or multiple readings?
[X] Symbolism – Are places, events, or objects used symbolically to reinforce themes or character arcs?
[X] Distinctive Voice – Is the narrative voice unique, recognizable, or emotionally charged?
[/] Risk-Taking – Does the author experiment with form, perspective, tense, tone, or style?
[ ] Unexpected Insight – Are there moments that reframe familiar ideas in unfamiliar or profound ways?
[/] Intentional Structure – Is the form itself used as a narrative or thematic tool (e.g., fragmentation, nested stories)?
[X] Pacing as Style – Is tempo deliberately used to create tension, reflection, discomfort, or immersion?
[/] Memorability of Phrases – Are there lines that stay with you due to beauty, truth, or weight?
[X] Demands on the Reader – Does it require patience, reflection, or rereading?
Writing Style: 9.5/10
4. Plot
[X] Clarity of Structure – Is the plot clear and easy to follow? Or confusing and disjointed?
[X] Conflict Quality – Are there compelling internal and external conflicts?
[X] Rising Stakes – Do stakes increase naturally as the story progresses?
[X] Suspense & Curiosity – Does the plot keep you engaged and wanting to know what happens next?
[X] Reversals– Are there believable twists, setbacks, or turning points?
[X] Original Premise – Does the core idea of the plot feel fresh or inventive?
[/] Subplots & Layers – Are there secondary storylines that enrich the main plot?
[/] Hooks & Intrigue – Does the story capture your attention early on?
[X] Surprise – Are there unexpected turns that still feel believable?
[X] Character Subplots – Are side characters given storylines that contribute to the whole?
[X] Layering & Weaving — Are multiple storylines interlaced smoothly and satisfyingly?
[X] Why This Story? — Does the plot feel inevitable or necessary, not arbitrary?
Plot: 10/10
5. Logic
[X] Internal Consistency – Do the rules, culture, geography, and history make sense within the book’s logic?
[X] Geographical Believability – Is the setting spatially coherent (maps, terrain, distance, etc.)?
[X] Logical Flow – Do events follow a believable and natural sequence?
[X] Cause and Effect – Are character actions and story consequences logically linked?
[X] Character Consistency – Do characters act in ways that align with their established traits, history, and motivations?
[X] Plausibility of Coincidences – Are coincidences rare, justified, or addressed as meaningful rather than lazy?
[X] Emotional Logic – Do feelings (love, fear, grief, joy) drive decisions in ways that make psychological sense?
[X] Reader Immersion Test – Does the logic hold up while reading, or only fall apart after you stop to question it?
[X] Narrative Honesty – Does the narrator or text “play fair” with readers, giving them enough clues without misleading?
[X] Chekhov’s Gun — Are elements introduced as important actually used meaningfully later?
[X] Believability of Mistakes — When characters make poor choices, are those mistakes believable given their flaws, not contrived for drama?
[X] Trust & Betrayal Logic — If characters betray or forgive each other, does it feel earned and consistent with their personalities?
Logic: 10/10
6. Enjoyment
[X] Emotional Impact — Did the story evoke strong emotions (joy, sadness, excitement, suspense)?
[X] Entertainment Value — Was the book fun, thrilling, or otherwise enjoyable to read?
[X] Satisfaction of Resolution — Did the ending feel fulfilling or rewarding?
[X] Re-readability — Would you want to read this book again?
[X] Sense of Wonder or Awe — Did the book inspire curiosity or amazement?
[X] First-Time Reading Experience — Would you like to relive the excitement or emotions of reading this book for the first time?
[X] Recommendation Likelihood — Would you recommend the book to others, showing confidence in its enjoyment and value?
[X] Regret or Discomfort — Did the book leave you feeling dissatisfied or uncomfortable enough that you wish you could undo the reading experience? (MARK IF ANSWER IS NO)
[X] Desire to Continue — Would you want to keep reading if the story were longer or a series?
[X] Emotional Attachment — Did you care about what happened to the characters?
[X] Mood Match — Did the book’s mood fit your personal taste or current mood?
[X] Narrative Voice Liking — Did the narrator’s voice add to your enjoyment?
Enjoyment: 10/10
7. Development
[X] Foreshadowing & Setups – Are key events prepared for in earlier chapters?
[X] Satisfying Climax – Does the story build toward a powerful and meaningful peak?
[X] Resolution Quality – Are the major storylines resolved (or intentionally left open)?
[X] Deus ex Machina Avoidance – Does the resolution emerge from what has been established, not from a last-minute miracle?
[X] Complexity Increase — Do characters gain depth and complexity as the story progresses?
[X] Expansion — Does the worldbuilding grow richer or more detailed over time?
[X] Point of View Shifts — If multiple POVs are used, do they develop distinctively and contribute meaningfully?
[X] Pace of Growth — Is the timing of the character’s changes believable (not rushed or too slow)?
[X] Transformation Significance — Is the character’s growth meaningful to the overall story or themes?
[X] End State Comparison — How significantly different is the character at the end compared to the beginning, and is that change satisfying?
[X] Subplot Relevance — Do subplots contribute to character development, themes, or main plot?
[X] World Impact — Does the plot development affect the story’s world or setting in believable ways?
Development: 10/10
Total: 9.9/10
P.S.: I made this to fit my taste and what I look forward to in a book. So this rating, it's completely subjective. I post this mostly with the intention of keeping a record for future me and consistency throughout my ratings. Also to me a 5/10 is a good enough rating... the average, I consider that my baseline if something is above that it means I enjoyed it.