The Blurb of Weaver by JA Ellis

I'm going to do something interesting this time around for my literary criticism: critique the blurb for the novel release I helped out with yesterday, JA Ellis' novel Weaver.

Here it is again:

"As a Weaver, Myra Castor has always depended on her ability to read the lines of the universe, and create new possibilities in the fabric of reality to keep her footing in a world that most people have no control over. But when she hears that her mentor, Susan, has died of a heart attack, Myra's world begins to fall apart.

Before Myra can process the news, Jack, another of Susan's students - and Myra's former lover - appears on her doorstep. He tells her Susan's death wasn't a heart attack, and when he shows Myra an anomaly - a hole in the universe - that leads to a dead world full of ghosts, Myra begins to question her perception of reality. She knows that without intervention, the lines holding the universe together will unbind, and slip away into oblivion, and their world will cease to exist.

Together, Myra and Jack work their way through the anomalies riddling their part of the universe, searching for a portal that will bring them closer to the source of the chaos. But an ambush ending in tragedy sends Myra across the universe in a desperate bid to save her world."

I don't read very many blurbs, but this is one of the better ones I've read.  Some may consider it overbearing compared to back cover blurbs on most novels, but I like the depth behind it.

Using the title, a very important term for the book, as the third word was the right choice.  It gives the blurb a professional feel, throwing you right into the story.  Giving the protagonist's name directly afterword allows that feel to continue on as a soothing wave.

The first paragraph does two important things.  One, it introduces the novel's magic system.  Two, it identifies the initial conflict.  That's what it should do, so good job.

Paragraph two serves as a flesh-granter to the plot, setting, and character pool.  It could have a few words rent, but other than that it does nicely.

The final paragraph gives away just enough to keep you interested.  This is a common trait in blurbs so far as I have found, a trait I fully respect.  The use of "together" in that way, coupled with "and Myra's former lover" from the previous paragraph, have me thinking "romantic sub-plot?".

Overall, this is a very nice blurb.  I shall try to read this novel as soon as I can.