Member Since:
Nov. 06, 2011
M W
Books
Smashwords book reviews by M W
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Dragon's Pupils - The Sword Guest (Dragon's Pupils Series Book 1)
on March 26, 2012
I'm generally not big on dragons, or the "straight stuff" of the fantasy genre, and I haven't read the whole "magical object" focus since His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman, so this was another unusual read for me. As I've again been proven in this instance, sometimes it's a really great thing to step beyond the boundaries of a comfort zone. The main characters, Henry, Sue, and Liz, at fourteen, are all younger than the steady 17-19 that the YA genre is crowded right now, and it was also really interesting to see the vast differences in their relativity. A calligraphy pen with astounding abilities, fearsome dragons, Chinese culture and classic hero-fighting (combated with the level-headedness of Tai Chi instruction rather than a grand mentor) are a fierce and stark contrast with Australia, protests/activism, terrifyingly odd animal behavior, and a couple of fourteen year olds, but that bold mixture actually worked -- and fantastically so. The tone of the story is really unique. It's observational and funny, but also kindling the scent of "wise retelling" and fresh material. The author definitely harbors an uncanny ability to embody the classic "ole' storyteller" voice, but also manages to relate to the main characters in their youth, capturing unique and interesting personalities in a very creative way. Sometimes it's a bit too excitable, but it suits the piece nearly seamlessly. Aside from that, the writing is very realistic. It captures scene and time well, especially jumping between cultures, countries, and eras. It really is a great story, embracing two very important reader needs: quick pacing and easy to understand. They contribute beautifully to the anticipation, and the reader is constantly on the edge of their seat. The Sword Guest is an engrossing tale told like a hurricane: though sometimes it's hard to catch exactly what's going on at first, it's still fierce and engaging. It begins in the calm prior, then darts between the borders and the eye. Something exciting is always happening, and the reader totally feels that. The story starts with what is first interpreted as a parable and later recognized as warned foreboding, and keeps moving. The premise is absolutely creative and different, and the themes are curiously combined. Paired with genuinely interesting and quirky characters, the Australia-meets-Chinese setting-meets-girl folds in a fascinating dynamic. The culture spun into it all is amazing. Adding in the subplots of environmental issues, protesting and noble causes, heritage, and being made unafraid to embrace one's roots, and there's something special there. It erects an encompassing world, pulls off a lovely cliffhanger, and constructs a piece like no other I've seen. It was different, and simply a fun book to read. It's definitely worth getting caught up in. Though at times it can feel a little childish - as in recommended for a younger YA, which isn't necessarily a bad thing - but the attributes that hint towards a more middle-grade audience still resonate accordingly, and fit the story quite well. Plus, it was balanced out by a great vocab and real-world-dynamic woven throughout the fantasy. Unique and enjoyable, but simple and classic too, it's a great pick for transition, cross-over readers. It's a fantastic way to leave behind Karate Kid, Avatar, Jackie Chan's Adventures, and "The Mummy" phenomena and move into an awesome genre with a lot to offer. For an indie read, the eBook is surprisingly well formatted and properly edited, giving it the smooth feel of a traditionally published piece. It's recommended :) I recommend this for fans of The Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson, Weaver by John Abramowitz, Rapture by Phillip Simpson, and any recently-graduated MG-to-YA reader interested in culture or fantasy. Original review @ http://ricochetreviews.blogspot.com
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The Void
on May 12, 2012
Teen Alex Cronlord is a lot of things - at it just so happens that a future-seeing Weaver (so she thinks) is one of them. She's having trouble deciding whether she's running from the Xorda or trying to stop them, and everyone else seems to have a forward option on it. On top of it, she's fighting to save a dead girl she can't find. Unlike her peers, she spends her time failing interviews with the FBI, conversing the foreseen future (or unforeseen past) with an overextended newly-single parent, and deciphering vague images and unconsciously prying for information that will either save her life or explain the loss of another's. Her dreams are nightmares, her nightmares are visions, and her visions are the reality only she can see - if, and only if, she can decode the confusion they bring and follow the right leads (even if that happens to be half-way across the country.) The Void opens with an exciting and frightening discovery of a body - a corpse that may not yet be dead, seen only in Alex's dreams. It pulls the reader right back into The Weaver Saga's world where it left off in book one -- caught-up and engulfed as the last novel's end. From there it speeds forward, sliding between multiple points of view, giving the story-world a completely 360: as Alex fights for and relives a woman's life (even if it's not who she thinks), her ex-military and recently spilt-up single parent father James fights to help his daughter while attempting to explain his two-faced wife's abandonment (and return), and FBI agent Moira fights for her job beneath a suspiciously replaced supervisor, conflicting feelings for the Wells Society victims she insists she has purest intentions with, and copes with the betrayal of her absent Xorda partner. As I often find with sequels, it was extremely interesting to observe both the characters, world, plot, and writing itself evolving. Not only is the series consistently clever, unique, and virtually unlike anything else in the YA genre, it steadily remains fun, quick, and easy reading that well suits the market and proofs a delightful, entertaining read with just enough twists and turns to completely capture your attention. Overall, it was a great read! Fast-paced, fascinating, creative, and curious, the entire novel sped through an insanely unique plot - pulling old and new enemies into the storm and slicing the work up with an intense journey, darker creatures (zombies, Xorda, and wolves - oh, my!) graver circumstances, worse consequences, and an epic cliff-hanger ending. I recommend this for fans The Vladimir Todd Series, Alex Rider, Suck It Up, The Reformed Vampire Support Group, Blood of a Red Rose, and The Maximum Ride Series.