Seeking beta reader for 47K magical realist novel

[Robin]

Hi all! I'm currently seeking thoughtful beta readers experienced in magical realism for my novel Lady Lo, a literary work set in contemporary Hong Kong. Here's a quick blurb:

In Lady Lo, Hong Kong is alive—a spectral presence that shifts and breathes alongside its forgotten inhabitants. In the city, the cardboard collectors work, their invisible labor folding into the city’s ever-moving rhythm. At the heart of the novel is Lo Ting, a woman who has learned to navigate the city’s serrated edges, flattening and stacking cardboard as if ordering the chaos of her life. But when she trips in the street, her world ruptures. The wound on her leg refuses to heal, glowing with an unnatural sheen.

As the pain spreads, so does something stranger: time bends, hallucinations seep into reality, and the city begins speaking to her. Soon, her cart disappears—not stolen, but lost to forces she cannot name. With it, the last semblance of control she clings to disappears, and she embarks on an unexpected search—one that unravels not just the mystery of her stolen livelihood but the secret lives of magical beasts, her estranged son, and the ghosts she has long tried to outrun.

In capturing Lo Ting’s voice through a stream-of-consciousness style, the novel forces us to confront what we often refuse to see. Lady Lo is both an elegy and an ode to a city in flux, and to the lives that continue to haunt its periphery.

I'm looking for feedback on a few specific things:

Does the magical realism feel murky in a frustrating/confusing way, or murky in the way that suits the genre’s tradition?

Is the pacing smooth throughout—or too fast/slow in certain areas?

Are the characters, especially Lo Ting and those around her, developed enough for you to feel connected or intrigued?

Does the language or dialogue ever veer into sounding juvenile or out of place?

The manuscript is around 47K words and I’m aiming for feedback within the next few weeks if possible. I've worked with beta readers who asked for 0.0012/word which totals to around 56 dollars for this entire novel.

Let me know if you're interested; my email is robinhuang42@gmail.com—I'd love your eyes on this.

[Blessing]

Hello Robin!

This is certainly new. I'm super interested in this! I would like to experience life through Lady Lo's eyes and can't wait to see the discoveries she makes.

I am able to accommodate and provide the type of feedback you require. I would love to work with you on this.

Here's my website; https://bibliobeastreads.wordpress.com/

Thank you and Good luck🧚‍♀️!

[Preye]

Hello!

Your book sounds fascinating! I just sent you an email with details about my services, including pricing and deliverables. Feel free to reach out here on Goodreads or via email (preyeiwo@gmail.com).

— Preye :)

[Emmanuel]

Hi Robin,
Well done.
I'm available to beta read your manuscript, and give you the required feedback, plus my honest thoughts, if you'd have me do so. Here's my Fiverr gig link: https://www.fiverr.com/s/Ldz2r2A
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Regards

P/S: emmanbetareader@gmail.com

[Kate]

Robin wrote: "Hi all! I'm currently seeking thoughtful beta readers experienced in magical realism for my novel Lady Lo, a literary work set in contemporary Hong Kong. Here's a quick blurb:

In Lady Lo, Hong Kon..."

Hi Robin,

I own Beta Reader Bookings LLC. I sent you an email from admin (at) bookabetareader.com.

[Ayesha]

Hi Robin,
I am interested in beta reading for you.
My website, www.wordcraftedits.comr has more information about my services, examples of my commenting style, and testimonials. There are also more testimonials on my Goodreads thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[K.]

Hi Robin!

I'd love to be considered. Please check out my editing services on my website: https://tutinediting.carrd.co to see if you would like to discuss further!

[Racheal]

Hiii Robin,

Your book certainly sounds interesting and I would love to be a part of it.

If you're looking for answers to your questions as well as a reader report detailing my thoughts on plot, pacing, character, genre and worldbuilding, you shouldn't look too far. My current rates are $1/1000 words.

If you would like to know more, send me a message via jegedetemitope78@gmail.com. I can't wait to hear from you!

[Lana]

Hello!

I'd be very interested in working with you.

I am an experienced and affordable beta reader. I can provide you with samples of my work, and I will provide you with the following:

- Detailed in-line comments on your text
- A full document detailing feedback and thoughts about plot, characters, setting etc.
- I will give you a "review" and a "rating" after finishing the manuscript
- I will fix grammar and spelling mistakes
- I will answer any questions you have about my feedback or any questions you specifically have about your manuscript or writing
- I can promise a quick turnaround rate (depending on the length of your work)
- If there's anything additional you would like me to do/give feedback on, I'll be more than happy to do that as well

If you're interested please email me at stillwritingforever@gmail.com. I am more than happy to give the help needed!

[Alex]

Hi Robin! I'm very intrigued by your book. I have some availability coming up in April, so I sent over an email with my rates and website. Hope to hear from you :)

[Anna]

Hello Robin,
I am very interested in connecting with you. Your story sounds fascinating.
In addition to beta reading i am an audio book narrator and I bring that perspective to the reading.

My fee is $100.00 for a manuscript this size and i am available immediately.

Anna

[Mamta]

Hi,

I’d love to work with you. I have sent you an email with all of the details.

My email id is menonmamta02@gmail.com


Here is my link with testimonials:


https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


Looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Mamta

[Thecla]

Hi Robin,

I'm very interested in beta reading your novel and just sent an email with details! I look forward to hearing from you.