Location: United States
Member Since:
July 05, 2013
Amanda Wheeler
Biography
Gamergirl! Mother of two!
Amanda Wheeler's favorite authors on Smashwords
Smashwords book reviews by Amanda Wheeler
-
The Rostical Users - Sceldrant's Comet
on July 05, 2013
I had the time to read this while the kids were in day care. After reading the first instalment of The Rostical Guild, I found this book to be inferior, but it was still enjoyable. I've always enjoyed the fantasy stories where people from Earth find themselves in another world (even more so when there's magic/technology involved). It kind of reminded me of Spellbinders (if anyone can remember that series). Half way in the story, we find out what Rostical is and how exactly it works. I found the mechanics behind it very well described and it was like I was watching a movie. What I didn't like; First, why Lance is one of the main characters, that confuses me. He's a character you grow to hate. Awkward sentences, how Lance would ignore when people are trying to tell him something vital... Okay, I realized, I just don't like Lance hehe. What I did like; Since I was already used to the format, I've really grown to like it. It's fun and I can read it quite quickly. The way the story is delivered (nearly everything in dialogue), I couldn't imagine how hard it would be to write such a feat (respect to all screenwriters). The suspense and genuine interest of wanting to know more. I've already started the next book in the series. I'm positive it can only get better. I rate this 3.5 stars, but dropped it down to 3 because I really don't like Lance. I hope he either gets character development or the Author focuses on the other characters. - Mandy
-
The Rostical Guild - Sceldrant's Comet
on July 08, 2013
The Rostical Guild: Sceldrant's Comet. The first chapter follows different characters at different worlds. You have young adults to teenagers from Earth and another set of characters that live in a mystical world where fantasy lovers can drool over. The way the Author skips between these characters is well written as you'd either get bored and the scene would drag out. Later in the book their stories combine and the story follows the whole "party". Each character is vastly different. My favorite is Rachel. She's strong willed, powerful and down to Earth. She's a strong lead despite not knowing much about the new world. Luna, her reaction to finding out about her situation was well done and little funny (to me). I found her swearing a little rude, but it gave her character depth and I would probably do the same. There's really interesting ideas like the interaction between a creature named Destiny that can understand what Luna wants. Like in the book's description, it's like I'm reading a script of some sorts and I'd really think this would be an amazing audiobook. Due to some errors and confusing sentences, I would rate this a 4.5. I would never rate anything a 5 unless I cried (just the kind of reader I am). Since there's another series called The Rostical Users, I'll give that a try while I wait for the other instalment to this series. - Mandy