Book Review – When Stars Die

Posted on 06/29/2014 by Wanda S. Paryla | Leave a comment

WHEN STARS DIE, By Amber Skye Forbes (Review)

*Please note, I purchased this book and the author did not solicit this review.*

My overall Amazon Star Rating – 4 stars for this paranormal YA.

This book is available in paperback & Kindle.
Here I am with another book review. I started to read When Stars Die, by Amber Skye Forbes, a couple months ago, but into only about the first 5 Kindle pages I had to put it down due to some personal matters. Technically, I was not reading anything at all really. I picked this book back up on a Tuesday, if I remember correctly, and finished it on Friday. I started at page one and began again. I read the book during my work commute and lunches at work. I found that I didn’t want to stop reading and needed to know what was going to happen next.

If you’ve read my reviews in the past, then you’ll know I do not synopsis of a book, since so many other reviewers do that so I just don’t bother. Please check Amazon for the back cover and other reviews of the book. The link will be posted at the end.
I’m not really certain what type of book When Stars Die is, for me. I do believe it’s YA/fantasy or dark fantasy. But, I believe it’s suitable for any age group really. So if you’re a little older, don’t hesitate to pick this one up.

I’ll start with what I liked most – a new, interesting concept; taking old ideas and weaving them into new stories, different stories. The book is edited pretty well – I didn’t catch any big errors or anything that rocked the flow of the story, and the story is remarkably written. It has a fantastic cover! – but, I must admit, I’m not sure exactly what the cover has to do with the story or which character that might be on the cover.

The truth is I did not like the opening of the book. I hated Mother Aurelia, and I didn’t like that Amelia felt she had to be professed to save her brother. I even hated that she did something so naive as to run away from home and disregard her parents. But, I guess an author’s done their job when they evoke such extremes from their readers.

This book was dark and emotionally stirring, indeed. I was caught off guard by it. In fact, I am the type who writes such darkness herself, therefore, I allowed the darkness of the tale to sweep me away because I am the type that lives for such a thing. And the book made me happy through its darkness.

The darkness and the heavy subjects nearly pulled me under. I wanted this book to take me away to someplace else and it did. I think if this book is truly YA, it will take strong young minds to get through the emotional ride.

However, there were a few holes in the story…or maybe it’s just things I personally didn’t like. You know how that goes. Just because I didn’t like how a scene turned out, doesn’t make it bad. They are not poorly written scenes, but sometimes we don’t like the outcome. I do feel Amelia carries on and explains things in her mind to a fault at times and it sort of got on my nerves.

I have read a few other reviews for When Stars Die and I see a chief complaint – that the author didn’t reveal everything in the first 3 chapters. She wasn’t supposed to. This is a mystery – it unfolds. She wasn’t supposed to tell you right off the bat all about Amelia and her family. Or how she got to Reims. That stuff was revealed as it should have been, in my opinion. While, yes, some of it should’ve been explained in more detail, I do think the timing of the events and revelations of the story were okay. If she did reveal everything in the first pages, what would be the point in finishing the story?

I think as far as story and plot, it was revealed all in good time. Now, yes, there are a few missing pieces, and I do feel this book could’ve been longer. We could have known more by the book’s end. But the author wrote what she wrote and maybe in the next books she’ll slow it down a tad and give us more info.

I liked this story overall. I feel the idea was innovative and her fantastical places and people were captivating. She took things that have been written about for centuries and put a new spin on them and I liked this idea very much. I definitely give the storyline and inspiration in the book 5 stars because a witch tale has not been done quite like this before. Freshness…some readers are just afraid of it.

Some of the characters needed a bit more development. Some of them were not as smart as I’d like them to be, but the main characters are young. However, none are less than three dimensional. I do feel that Amelia spent most of the time a bit too confused, but who wouldn’t be. I feel she came off as weak yet she was strong at the same time. Maybe she was a complainer, but she always did what she felt needed doing and it was for selfless reasons. She’s naïve and, dare I say, wishy-washy at times, but she is only 18, and she has had little experience with the outside world…and remember, she’s been in a convent for 3 of those years. So her actions or train of thought might seem more like that of a 15 year old than an 18 year old…just remember where she’s been. She’s learning the hard way.

POSSIBLE SPOILER — I’m trying not to “spoil” here as I usually do not intentionally include spoilers. As for Oliver – he was my favorite character and I think he had further potential. Maybe he was the character I identified with. I wish Amelia had made a better choice when it came to him. I mean, she became a shadowman anyway and what happened between them was the let down in the book for me. It’s the spot that broke my heart. And it just seemed like their final scene went way too fast. I understand Amelia had to make a quick decision but I just feel there was room for more where the two of them are concerned. It was even told to her by Collette that Oliver did love her. Perhaps, Oliver could have made it further down the story line. Maybe even into the next book. But that can’t happen now and I’m hoping that Amelia will redeem herself in my eyes in future books. I do understand her POV – Oliver had an agenda that he really couldn’t help. Even if he allowed him his “exaltation” and became a shadowman to be with him, he still had another agenda which she may not have been able to stop him from accomplishing, or talk him out of.

As for the other characters, many had parts where they flowed in and out and I think their personalities were well defined enough for their roles. But, if some of them are returning, we’ll need more background on them in the subsequent book. I am hoping Nathaniel makes his return in a blaze of glory and I hope he doesn’t break my heart too.

In the end, the surprise for me was Mother Aurelia. She redeemed herself to me. I was glad someone did. I wonder what became of her?

I’m looking to the next book for the author to slow it down a bit, and write until it really is finished. The ending of When Stars Die was a bit rushed. Good, but rushed. Things could have been more developed. Expanded.
I will definitely be giving the next book a read.

Check out When Stars Die, for sale on Amazon here:
http://www.amazon.com/When-Stars-Die-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00H7PCAV8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404060002&sr=1-1&keywords=when+stars+die

Book Review – Kydona

Posted on 05/15/2013 by Wanda S. Paryla | 1 Comment

Greetings, once again, my readers and friends.

My latest read is Kydona, by T.K. Krug III.

I must say, I should stick to reading new and/or indie authors. They seem to be the ones surprising me at every turn.

If you like hard fantasy without a straight and forward plot, and are not shy about a bit o’ erotica…written by a man, real life possibilities, and twisted egos…this one’s for you. You will enjoy it for the hard romance, a handsome prince, a war-worn king, royal friends who act more like court jesters, and then there’s those scheming wenches and the mystery and intrigue that surround them all. Much of which they create themselves, I must add.

Kydona is a character-driven tale that reads like historical fiction based on true past accounts. The author’s knowledge of what I perceive to be ancient weaponry and war, and history all together leads me to believe he’s done his homework and/or research. That is important to me. I kept trying to read between the lines thinking that the backdrop of this story…the area, the people, the languages…have to based upon something that already happened. Just the search in my mind for the real life countries, wars and Kings kept my interest as I constantly wondered…is Kydona maybe Russia in fantasyland?

T.K. Krug’s knowledge of what he wrote about and his ability to describe it and make one “see” is amazing in this book. In fact, when he describes the defense mechanisms of a fort, not only did I see that clearly, I recalled reading some of that in my own studies years ago. He just didn’t make that stuff up.

I enjoy character-centered stories. You know, there doesn’t have to be a well-thought out plot to everything we read. As a sociology major I tend to prefer character driven. I want to know as much about the people as I do plot. I like themes, or the “prize” types of tales.

You might find that the story drags on a bit here and there if you are a plot lover. If you are a lover of characters and their plights and lives, you’ll like this story. You’ll want to follow some of them into the future.

As for characters, I think Vernon is the one who surprised me the most… I won’t tell you why, of course. I don’t want to spoil. But let’s just say…I thought for the longest that he was terribly superficial. It turns out he’s actually more faithful and brave than shallow.

Truthfully (& for your information), I did not realize that there was to be a sequel for this book. So this brings me to my reactions at the end. When I was about 90% done with the book, I was a bit weary. I thought, wow, I’m nearly to the end, but I don’t see an ending in sight. When I read the last words of this book I had a couple different reactions. The first was shock…it felt like the book slammed shut on me because I expected a final ending (not a beginning) so the final words hit me like a brick. Maybe I was disappointed after the shock. Then the realization hit me that there is to be a sequel…actually, I would call this book and its forthcoming counterparts a “saga” as this book’s ending actually, for me, is the beginning of what’s to come next.

Regardless, when I realized that there will be another, I felt relief because I do want to read it. I have to read it. And I hope if you read Kydona, you’ll have the same feelings when you read the last word. Let’s follow these characters to their futures.

Admittedly, the cover art, while lovely as it is, threw me for a loop as did the title. I’m just going to throw this out there to get it out of the way because while reading the book – for the longest – I wasn’t truly sure why there was a graphic of a female on the cover. I did recognize her quickly as probably being Kaelyn. After reading the author’s interview I see why he chose that cover art. However, I cannot say I would’ve gone that route, but his explanation makes sense.

Next is the name of the book, Kydona. It’s seems the beginning through to the middle is more about the characters and their ongoing drama (which is how character-centered stories go usually) and less about anything else. I did not see Kydona as the focal point right off the bat. However, I seen by the last quarter of the book that everything these characters did has propelled Marcus and Vernon to Kydona, so the country does become the focal point. But the name threw me off at first as the subject.

On Amazon and Goodreads, I awarded this book 4 stars for great character development, colorful characters with huge selfish agendas, the author’s wonderful knowledge of all things ancient war and his ability to keep me searching my mind for these places in real life. And I have to say, despite my shock at the end, I am glad that there will be more books because I have come to care for some of these characters and I have to know how it turns out in Kydona. If you like steadily moving sagas like I do, this one is for you.

Oh yes. I just have to mention for a bit o’ fun… I asked the author in the interview if his book(s) were going Hollywood, what actor would he choose to play the main character, Marcus. You can read his reply on the interview blog. But, my vote goes to Theo Thomas (Golden Boy). Hey…I just thought I’d throw that in to give the ladies something to dream about as they read.

Book Review – Crystal Promise: The Shattered Crystal

Posted on 04/02/2013 by Wanda S. Paryla | 1 Comment

Hello Readers!

I recently finished reading Crystal Promise: The Shattered Crystal, by indie author, James Funfer, and left my review on Amazon and Goodreads. I’m copying it here to share with you as well.

I am not great at reviewing. Some reviewers like to start with “This story is about a…”. I don’t do that because I’ll end up retelling the story and spoiling it for everyone. So here’s my review. I’d like to add that this book is a quick read and it keeps one questioning. There was barely a dull moment. It’s a little YA, a little fantasy, a little sci-fi. Happy reading!

My review re-posted from Amazon:

“When I read the blurb on the back cover, I was not sure what to expect. It didn’t relay the same message as the description here on Amazon. I was a bit confused at first. When I downloaded the book, I knew it would involve or center around young people, but at the same time I expected a whole lot of adult conspiracies going on, weaving in and out of the story, and more of an adult-packed novel with elders trying to take over this world. I expected a lot of young victims from the story in my head.

While there are young victims, it’s not the adults who totally stir them, but they, themselves, who do the stirring. I did not get what I expected. What I found is a pleasing array of personal stories nicely intertwined into the fabric of a place I’ve never been (and in the case of Novem, a place I’ll never go except in Funfer stories!) along with history, culture and war. Not just former war, but looming revolt. I saw a truth about how everything we do affects others down the line, in the fabric of time, and how no matter what, we have to do what’s best for us at any given moment. Yes, it’s a good thing to be selfless, yet at the same time we sometimes – given the circumstances – have to do what we need to in order to live. Oh how love, survival, and friendship can be thorny roses, indeed. I found myself racing through the pages to see what would happen next and to whom and was barely bored a moment.

I was drawn to several of the characters, my two most favorites being Jacoby and Julio. I was even angered by some of the characters to the point that I talked out loud to myself! When a character incites me in such a way, the author’s done their job. I’ve read books by well-known best selling…I mean, really best sellers with high sales…and their characters didn’t evoke feelings like some of these characters did for me. I tend to observe characters more than story in books; I have to know they’re not the author. I want to see that they are themselves, and are alive and well. James Funfer does that in this story. He lets these characters live.

Because there’s truth behind it, I thoroughly enjoy when an author includes young people facing situations that might change their lives drastically, forever, and there are seemingly no level-headed adults around to lend guidance. And the ones who try end up sucked up in the darkness. It’s like this for the teens in this novel. Dare I say, although it’s not described this way here on Amazon, this makes a great young adult or coming of age novel that adults, both male and female, can enjoy.

I refuse to add any spoilers, so let me just say… I got to the end and did not find the result I anticipated, or assumed I might find. I also realize that while this book is a story in and of itself, and some of the tales told in it have been tied up, this story is also a seed. It’s not meant to be an end, but a beginning. This is not a tale of what was, but what will be. If you like a series with a “book 1″ that plants the seeds for more…that will only get better…this one’s for you.

I’ll be waiting for the next book.”

Link to the book & other reviews on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Promise-The-Shattered-Book/dp/0615665195/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1364917068&sr=8-6&keywords=crystal+promise

The author & this book are also on Goodreads. Incidentally, it’s listed as a Giveaway. Enter to win March 19 – May 1, 2013. Link to the book on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15790188-crystal-promise?ac=1