Beta Reader Survey – The Devil’s Symphony

Please give me your frank and candid feedback on this book, since I believe honest criticism is a gift. I’m not looking for praise but insights and instinctive reactions to the reading experience—and thanks so much for taking the time to do this, I’m very grateful.

Note that, while I encourage as much feedback as possible, not all questions require a response (*).

Your Name *

First

Last

OVERALL IMPRESSION

What was your overall impression of the book? *

I was completely hooked—loved the characters, the plot, and the atmosphere from start to finish.
I really enjoyed it overall, though a few parts felt a bit dense or slow.
Some sections were gripping, but others dragged or felt unclear.
I liked the concept, but I had trouble staying engaged and connecting with the characters.
I found it hard to follow and struggled to stay interested throughout.

Did the story hold your interest from beginning to end? If not, where did it lag?

PLOT & PACING

Did it true

Were there any moments where the plot confused you or felt hard to follow?

Did the twists and revelations feel earned and surprising—or did you see them coming?

Were there any scenes that felt unnecessary or slowed the momentum?

CHARACTERS

Were the main characters compelling and distinct? *

Yes, each character had a unique voice and felt fully alive on the page.
I found them interesting overall, though a couple blended together at times.
Some stood out clearly, but others felt underdeveloped or too similar.
I had trouble connecting with the characters or telling them apart.
No, they felt flat and didn’t leave much of an impression.

Did you empathize with or care about their struggles and goals? *

Yes, I felt deeply connected to their internal conflicts and wanted to see them succeed.
At times I struggled to relate, but certain moments brought their humanity into focus.
Some struggles resonated more than others, but overall I cared about their outcome.
Not really; their motivations felt distant and hard to connect with.

Were there any characters you found unbelievable, underdeveloped, or inconsistent?

If you’ve read previous books in the series, did this novel stay true to the characters while allowing them to evolve?

Yes, absolutely.
No, not really.

^^^ If no, why not?

WORLD-BUILDING & ATMOSPHERE

Did you feel immersed in the setting (Vatican, archives, foreign cities, etc.)?

Was the historical/religious detail understandable, or did it ever feel like too much or too little?

Did the atmosphere (e.g., catacombs, ancient manuscripts, rituals) enhance the tension or feel ornamental?

THEMES & MEANING

Did the story provoke any philosophical or moral questions for you?

Were the book’s messages or ideas clear without being preachy or heavy-handed?

Did you finish the book feeling like you’d learned something or seen something in a new light?

CLARITY & LANGUAGE

Were there any passages you had to reread due to confusion?

Were any dialogue exchanges stiff, unnatural, or overly expository? *

Overall, the dialogue felt authentic and true to each character’s voice.
A few lines felt more like information dumps than natural conversation.
There were moments when characters explained things too directly, breaking the immersion.
Most of the dialogue flowed well, but some exchanges sounded a bit forced.
Yes, particularly in scenes heavy with background information—it sometimes read more like narration than speech.

Were technical or historical terms well explained, or did you feel lost at times? *

The explanations were clear and informative, enhancing my understanding without slowing the pace.
I occasionally felt lost, especially when unfamiliar terms were introduced without context.
Most of the historical references were easy to follow, though a few could’ve used more background.
Everything was well integrated and I never felt overwhelmed by the technical details.
Some sections were dense and confusing, but overall the context helped me keep up.