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lanixlanyfantasyauthor's review
2.0
Really expected a bit more wing action and description... I didn't even get the whole image of Hamilton. I didn't stop reading it though. Its good.
carina_shephard's review
Made it maybe halfway through, then decided it wasn’t work my time.
bookflutter's review
4.0
The Starlight Chronicles is the story of Hamilton Dinger aka Hammy or Dinger. High School sophomore, foot ball player, and as you may have already guessed typical high school boy until the night of the football party when an event of epic proportions will cause Dinger to be chosen as a hero. A calling he is not sure he wants to have or can handle. Dinger gradually realizes that he must step up and accept his fate so that he can help others and once he does he is helped by a dragon named Elysian and fellow hero Starry Knight. I liked the dynamic between Dinger and his friends. I also enjoyed the fact that Dinger was far from perfect and life didn't always go the way he wanted, these things made him seem more like a real person. I liked the fact that he struggled with his new calling and that he didn't instantly just accept it. I don't think anyone would take on something like that lightly and I liked the fact that much of the book is devoted to the challenge of trying to be both a normal kid and a hero and figuring out how to mesh both parts of his life. I am looking forward to the next story where I Hope we will learn more about why he was chosen to be a hero and how he accomplishes his mission, some more time with his friends would be great too,they are a likeable bunch.
inked_up_bookshelf's review
3.0
While listening to this audiobook via Scirbd while working kept my boring job somewhat entertaining, I’m not sure I would have continued the book otherwise.
At first this was promising, what seems like the typical teenager attitude (my sh*t don’t sink I’m perfect blah blah) I wouldn’t call him narcissistic as the blurb described him.
Leaning towards 3.25 ish stars. I enjoyed the story itself but not it’s execution. The humor was that of a “dad joke” and again the teenager football jock attitude.
With dragons, demons and humans and a decent plot I may continue this story via audiobook at a later date.
At first this was promising, what seems like the typical teenager attitude (my sh*t don’t sink I’m perfect blah blah) I wouldn’t call him narcissistic as the blurb described him.
Leaning towards 3.25 ish stars. I enjoyed the story itself but not it’s execution. The humor was that of a “dad joke” and again the teenager football jock attitude.
With dragons, demons and humans and a decent plot I may continue this story via audiobook at a later date.
sstarke's review
3.0
I actually have the Kindle and Audible version of this book, and it was really fun to read along while listening. Reading that way was interesting because I normally form my own "voice" in my head for each character. The audible narration wasn't quite "right," at least in my opinion. The narrator wasn't animated enough for the tone of this book, and the pacing was too slow. The narration needed as much excitement and enthusiasm as the book itself.
The lead character, Hamilton, is grating, but that was intentional. The premise is, at least partially, what would happen if the superhero was not very likable. On that front, Johnson nails it. The character is very believable as someone who is shallow, self-involved, narcissistic, and very unlike the normal superhero stereotype. The story itself takes off, and it is a wild ride that includes dragons, angels, adventure, some romance, and several fights. Despite an unlikeable protagonist, or maybe in part because of it, I enjoyed this book. There is certainly never a dull moment, and I was glad that I had the next few books in the series already because I jumped right to them.
I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this honest review.
The lead character, Hamilton, is grating, but that was intentional. The premise is, at least partially, what would happen if the superhero was not very likable. On that front, Johnson nails it. The character is very believable as someone who is shallow, self-involved, narcissistic, and very unlike the normal superhero stereotype. The story itself takes off, and it is a wild ride that includes dragons, angels, adventure, some romance, and several fights. Despite an unlikeable protagonist, or maybe in part because of it, I enjoyed this book. There is certainly never a dull moment, and I was glad that I had the next few books in the series already because I jumped right to them.
I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this honest review.
morebookspleaseblog's review
4.0
Hamilton Dinger is your average 16 year old boy. Quite intelligent, athletic, popular, self-absorbed, "My parents are ruining my life!", "I don't understand why Gwen doesn't want me?! I mean, I'm quite the catch!" As I said, your average teenager. Until a meteorite hits his town. Turns out Dinger, not so average!
The meteorite released the deadly seven sinister and they have broken out of their prisons. To sustain themselves, they need human souls. With Dinger's abilities no longer dormant, can he overcome his narrowmindedness and willful ignorance to help save his city?
It's entertaining, even though Hamilton drove me bloody bonkers. He was so into himself that he couldn't see the bigger picture. You wanted to root for him, to end his willful ignorance once he realized the world needed to be saved, but we're also talking about a 16 year old boy who has his life mapped out.
I thought this was entertaining, and I can't wait to see where this goes.
quirkycatsfatstacks's review
4.0
I received a copy of Slumbering in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Slumbering is the first novel in the Starlight Chronicles series by C.S. Johnson. It's a young adult fantasy series that it sure to please fans of both genres. Slumbering follows young Hamilton Dinger, AKA Dinger, AKA Hammy, on a surprising and unexpected journey in his very own hometown.
Dinger is used to be the best in school. He's brilliant, he's a great athlete, and everything comes naturally to him. Especially when it comes to making friends. But things are about to change in his life, and the question is, how is he going to handle it?
The series takes a new perspective on superpowers and saving the world, and is really quite a lot of fun to read. If you're looking for a story with a protagonist that has a lot to learn, then this is the one for you.
Also, side note: I just want to point out how much I adore this cover. It's absolutely stunning! And honestly I know that I would have picked up this book for that reason alone, even if I hadn't been approached to give it a read.
I really enjoyed Slumbering, and once again found myself completing this novel in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down. And trust me, I tried to put it down for a bit to get some work done – it didn't work.
This was a fun and unique experience for me. I'll confess that I really didn't like Dinger at the beginning of the book. Honestly, I'm not even sure I liked him all that much by the end of the book. But I was still curious about the plot and what was happening around him. It proves that you don't always have to like the protagonist in order to enjoy their story.
And I can honestly say that my not liking Dinger didn't take away from the book in the slightest. Instead I just happily read on, waiting for that big moment when everything would change for him, forcing a perspective shift – because I had no doubt that one was on the way.
The novel did a trick that I'm personally a fan of – starting at a later point, but then bringing us back to the beginning to explain everything. It's smart because it gives us a glimpse of the action, but then it gives us a chance to understand (and care about) everything that is happening.
The mystery about what was actually happening during Slumbering was exceptionally done. It had a gradual buildup, courtesy of Dinger's refusal to deal with the situation. The storytelling style helped here as well, since Dinger was essentially telling us the story from a later point in time – with him essentially admitting where he should have noticed that something was off here and there.
I really enjoyed that this novel was a bit of a twist on the coming of age story, or at least it felt that way for me. We have an inherently selfish character – Dinger – forced to come to terms with the evil happening around him, and make a choice he doesn't want. That doesn't automatically mean that he's going to do a better job of thinking about other people of course...but it's a start. I'm looking forward to seeing his character progress in later novels (oh I do hope he appears in the rest of the series).
The superhero names in this novel were a bit all over the place, but in a good way. I love that Dinger is Wingdinger. It's so appropriate somehow. And Starry Night is another fantastic name, which an implication of mystery, which is fortunate since we don't know much about her. Though I do have my theories on the matter.
I'm looking forward to reading the next novel in the series, Calling. There's also a novella that's #0 in the series that I apparently missed, called Searching. I'm going to have to look into that one as well!
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Slumbering is the first novel in the Starlight Chronicles series by C.S. Johnson. It's a young adult fantasy series that it sure to please fans of both genres. Slumbering follows young Hamilton Dinger, AKA Dinger, AKA Hammy, on a surprising and unexpected journey in his very own hometown.
Dinger is used to be the best in school. He's brilliant, he's a great athlete, and everything comes naturally to him. Especially when it comes to making friends. But things are about to change in his life, and the question is, how is he going to handle it?
The series takes a new perspective on superpowers and saving the world, and is really quite a lot of fun to read. If you're looking for a story with a protagonist that has a lot to learn, then this is the one for you.
Also, side note: I just want to point out how much I adore this cover. It's absolutely stunning! And honestly I know that I would have picked up this book for that reason alone, even if I hadn't been approached to give it a read.
I really enjoyed Slumbering, and once again found myself completing this novel in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down. And trust me, I tried to put it down for a bit to get some work done – it didn't work.
This was a fun and unique experience for me. I'll confess that I really didn't like Dinger at the beginning of the book. Honestly, I'm not even sure I liked him all that much by the end of the book. But I was still curious about the plot and what was happening around him. It proves that you don't always have to like the protagonist in order to enjoy their story.
And I can honestly say that my not liking Dinger didn't take away from the book in the slightest. Instead I just happily read on, waiting for that big moment when everything would change for him, forcing a perspective shift – because I had no doubt that one was on the way.
The novel did a trick that I'm personally a fan of – starting at a later point, but then bringing us back to the beginning to explain everything. It's smart because it gives us a glimpse of the action, but then it gives us a chance to understand (and care about) everything that is happening.
The mystery about what was actually happening during Slumbering was exceptionally done. It had a gradual buildup, courtesy of Dinger's refusal to deal with the situation. The storytelling style helped here as well, since Dinger was essentially telling us the story from a later point in time – with him essentially admitting where he should have noticed that something was off here and there.
I really enjoyed that this novel was a bit of a twist on the coming of age story, or at least it felt that way for me. We have an inherently selfish character – Dinger – forced to come to terms with the evil happening around him, and make a choice he doesn't want. That doesn't automatically mean that he's going to do a better job of thinking about other people of course...but it's a start. I'm looking forward to seeing his character progress in later novels (oh I do hope he appears in the rest of the series).
The superhero names in this novel were a bit all over the place, but in a good way. I love that Dinger is Wingdinger. It's so appropriate somehow. And Starry Night is another fantastic name, which an implication of mystery, which is fortunate since we don't know much about her. Though I do have my theories on the matter.
I'm looking forward to reading the next novel in the series, Calling. There's also a novella that's #0 in the series that I apparently missed, called Searching. I'm going to have to look into that one as well!
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
liz_lyles's review
1.0
This book started off a mess and just never got better. I like the Author's other works so was eager to try this one out.
merieshenanigans's review
4.0
Ever get tired of those typical fantasy stories? You know, normal, but different, plain, but pretty, awkward, but attractive teenaged female heroines whose lives are overturned when the most popular guy in school falls for them?
Yeah, well, I'm tired of those kind of stories too. Which is why I picked up this one.
You know the superpopular, egotistical, self-centered jerks who overpopulate fantasy nowadays? Hamilton Dinger is one. And you know what? That is actually viewed as problematic.
I've never read a book with someone like Hamilton as the narrator. I laughed out loud a lot. 5/5 recommended for anyone looking for their next fantasy read
Yeah, well, I'm tired of those kind of stories too. Which is why I picked up this one.
You know the superpopular, egotistical, self-centered jerks who overpopulate fantasy nowadays? Hamilton Dinger is one. And you know what? That is actually viewed as problematic.
I've never read a book with someone like Hamilton as the narrator. I laughed out loud a lot. 5/5 recommended for anyone looking for their next fantasy read