Valkyrie at Sea by Diana the Valkyrie
Reviewed by Warrior Poet
http://www.TheValkyrie.com/stories/valkyrie/atsea01.txt 


    I found the writing style of Diana the Valkyrie to be tight,
concise, and bearing a significant resemblance to a fellow named Doyle.
She wastes little time in making her point and moving the story.  While
it is a bit awkward to judge a story by a single part, this tale seemed
to be a bold beginning.  The story is narrated by the main character,
Diana Walker, whom possesses a charming and entertaining perspective on
things.  The use of similes and flat observations had me laughing to
myself.  She shows excellent judgement in decided when to explain in
detail and when to leave it to the reader.  Her humor is directly linked
to that wisdom.  She shows enough confidence in herself and the reader
to know what can be universally understood as funny and what humor may
need some help being understood and appreciated.
    On the critical side, I felt the story might have been a trifle
one-sided.  Had there been more interpersonal dialogue between the
characters, an appreciation for their singular natures may have been
more prominently felt.  The need for dialogue, as I saw it, could best
be understood by imagining a long, detailed journal entry.  While all
the facts are laid before you, the mood, attitudes, and personality of
the secondary characters can be overlooked or missed all together.
    The story was not what I had anticipated, nor was the narrator's
attitude what I had expected.  The story truly was a surprise for me.  I
shall not divulge why as it may spoil the surprise, but you shall see
for yourself.
    Were I put in an armlock and forced to grade the story I would rate
it as follows: (understanding that I am rating it to other works in the
genre, and not to the masters of literture.)

Cohesiveness: A+
Originality: A
Writing Style: A-

Please note:  I have said somethings that may seem controversial.  If I
am not seen after I post this, then I have been slain by a Valkyrie.

                                            Warrior Poet