@Literary_Titan Review: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1913388856?source=link_share

I’m still buzzing from Literary_Titan’s review of Designed by Flaws (Novella edition), and honestly, I had to sit with it for a moment before writing this response. There’s something incredibly validating about having a reader not just enjoy your work, but truly understand what you were trying to accomplish.

The Magic of Being Seen

What struck me most about this review wasn’t just the praise—though believe me, I’m grateful for every kind word—but how Literary_Titan picked up on the intentional contrasts I wove throughout the story. The way they described the shift from Reo’s intense, cinematic chase through Kyoto to Llia’s more grounded narrative in Seattle? That’s exactly what I was going for.

I wanted readers to feel that tonal whiplash, that sense of moving between different worlds that somehow belong to the same story. When you’re dealing with characters from vastly different backgrounds—a disciplined demon/Yokai slayer from Japan and a very special young woman in Seattle grappling with supernatural trauma—those contrasts aren’t just stylistic choices. They’re essential to understanding who these people are and why their collision matters.

The Heart of the Story

Literary_Titan called out something that means the world to me: the cultural specificity and emotional honesty, particularly in how I approached Black and Asian-American identity through Llia and Iris’s conversations. Writing those scenes, especially Iris’s confession about the arranged marriage pressure, It required me to dig deep into experiences that are both deeply personal and universally relatable.

The mythological elements woven throughout the story come from a decade of studying various mythologies—not just surface-level research, but deep dives into the cultural contexts and belief systems that birthed these supernatural entities. Whether it’s the Yokai terrorizing Kyoto or the ancient forces threatening modern America, every mythological element is grounded in authentic tradition while serving the larger narrative.

That’s the thing about supernatural fiction—the monsters might be fantastical, but the human emotions driving everything have to be achingly real. When Literary_Titan noted that the book is “not just about monsters—it’s about identity, survival, and picking up the pieces after everything falls apart,” they nailed exactly what I hoped readers would take away.

The Choreography of Combat

I’m particularly thrilled they picked up on the choreographed nature of the fight scenes. Writing action sequences that feel both “brutal and lyrical” is one of the hardest balancing acts in fiction. You want readers to feel the visceral impact of every blow while also appreciating the artistry of the movement.

This attention to combat detail comes from years of martial arts training and my deep love for series like Bleach and Naruto. As a huge fan of both, I’ve studied how masters like Tite Kubo and Masashi Kishimoto craft their fight sequences—not just the spectacle, but the emotional weight behind every clash. My martial arts background gives me the physical understanding of movement and impact, while my anime influences provide the larger-than-life cinematic vision. Knowing that those bamboo forest scenes and Yokai showdowns landed with the intensity I was aiming for? That’s pure gold.

What’s Next

The enthusiasm in this review has me even more excited to share what’s coming next. Book 2 is incredibly close to completion, and I’m targeting a 2025 release. Without spoiling anything, I can say that everything Literary_Titan loved about the first book—the cultural depth, the character dynamics, the brutal poetry of the action—gets amplified in ways that surprised even me during the writing process.

And for those who’ve been asking about accessibility options, I’m thrilled to announce that the audiobook for Designed by Flaws will be available in 2025 as well. There’s something special about hearing these characters’ voices brought to life, especially during those intense dialogue exchanges that Literary_Titan mentioned.

The Honest Critique

I also appreciate Literary_Titan’s honest feedback about moments where the dialogue leaned expositional or tried too hard for “college TV show witty.” That kind of constructive criticism is invaluable. It’s the difference between a reviewer who just wants to be nice and one who’s genuinely engaged with the craft. Those observations are already influencing how I approach similar scenes in Book 2.

Final Thoughts

Reviews like this remind me why I write. It’s not just about creating entertainment—though I’m delighted Literary_Titan found the book entertaining—it’s about creating connections. When a reader can see the threads you’ve woven between anime-inspired fantasy and real emotional depth, between fast-paced action and intimate character moments, you know you’ve accomplished something meaningful.

To Literary_Titan: thank you for taking the time to really engage with Designed by Flaws. Your review didn’t just make my day—it reminded me why this story needed to be told and why the next one is worth finishing. For a more complete story, try the enhanced 2nd Edition of Designed by Flaws at 360 pages and 26 chapters.

And to everyone else: if you’re on the fence about diving into a story that blends Bleach, Buffy, and Attack on Titan energy with real-world cultural complexity, maybe this review will help you take the plunge.

Book 2 is coming. The audiobook is coming. And I couldn’t be more excited to share what’s next in Reo and Llia’s journey.

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