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greenskydragon's review against another edition
3.0
DNF'd at 11%
I really wanted to like this book. The cover is exceptional: airships, harpies, and flashy heroes. Final Fantasy IV introduced me to fantasy airships, and I can't describe just how down I am for that concept. Harpies are a pet fantasy race of mine, and they truly don't get enough love. And who doesn't like a larger than life protagonist?
Having self-published a few books myself, I can honestly say this cover is exceptional. Would I that the prose reflected the care that went into the cover.
It's embarrassingly unprofessional. Dozens of typos and missing words within the first few chapters. The prose itself needs some serious revision, from its grammar and sentence construction to its word choices and dialogue tags. It's no fun having to stop and interpret the text to fill in the gaps, and it's really mentally taxing. And I did want to keep reading the story, but I just couldn't deal with the text itself. Editors are lifeguards, and this book is drowning.
I did like Cassidy. Didn't like Zayne as much, but maybe with more time spent with him that'd change. But I couldn't wrestle with the prose. There are so many other books to read. I just wish the author had spent the effort to make the insides of the book as beautiful as the outside. The packaging is beautiful, but the vehicle of the story isn't.
I really wanted to like this book. The cover is exceptional: airships, harpies, and flashy heroes. Final Fantasy IV introduced me to fantasy airships, and I can't describe just how down I am for that concept. Harpies are a pet fantasy race of mine, and they truly don't get enough love. And who doesn't like a larger than life protagonist?
Having self-published a few books myself, I can honestly say this cover is exceptional. Would I that the prose reflected the care that went into the cover.
It's embarrassingly unprofessional. Dozens of typos and missing words within the first few chapters. The prose itself needs some serious revision, from its grammar and sentence construction to its word choices and dialogue tags. It's no fun having to stop and interpret the text to fill in the gaps, and it's really mentally taxing. And I did want to keep reading the story, but I just couldn't deal with the text itself. Editors are lifeguards, and this book is drowning.
I did like Cassidy. Didn't like Zayne as much, but maybe with more time spent with him that'd change. But I couldn't wrestle with the prose. There are so many other books to read. I just wish the author had spent the effort to make the insides of the book as beautiful as the outside. The packaging is beautiful, but the vehicle of the story isn't.
kittyg's review
3.0
* I read this as a Judge for #SPFBO *
This is a book which immediately appeals to me as it's set in a world of Fae and Airships and adventurers. We follow two main characters who are called Cassandra and Zayne. Cassy is a first-mate on the Dreamscape Voyager and she's part of a tight-knit crew. Her captain is known throughout the world for her daring deeds and they are 'the good guys'.
Zayne on the other hand comes from a sad past. His childhood was fraught with troubles, abuse and tragedy, and he still struggles with coming to terms with that. Not only is his personal life an issue, he also has a boss now who is more than demanding and exacts quite a price if you disobey.
What I liked about this was the story of the crews and their adventures. The book really seemed to allow a connection to form between reader and characters and for me I connected most with the main character, Cassy. I think the adventure was secondary to this, but it was still fun despite the prophecy and magic which it's infused with.
Zayne was a lesser character for me and it's only his backstory that made me sympathise with him as he does a lot of throwing up in his present-day storyline and I think some of this could have been cut. He's interesting still but Cassy was better IMHO.
I had issues with the grammar and editing of this story which really needs a lot of work. I know that with a solid edit throughout this could be a great story (it definitely it would have got another star from me if the edit was better) and I hope that the author is able to go ahead and get a professional editor to come and assist with tightening things up and correcting small errors.
Overall, I think this has so much potential and would appeal to a large audience if the edit happens. I gave it a 3.5*s but it could easily have had more if it was more polished overall.
This is a book which immediately appeals to me as it's set in a world of Fae and Airships and adventurers. We follow two main characters who are called Cassandra and Zayne. Cassy is a first-mate on the Dreamscape Voyager and she's part of a tight-knit crew. Her captain is known throughout the world for her daring deeds and they are 'the good guys'.
Zayne on the other hand comes from a sad past. His childhood was fraught with troubles, abuse and tragedy, and he still struggles with coming to terms with that. Not only is his personal life an issue, he also has a boss now who is more than demanding and exacts quite a price if you disobey.
What I liked about this was the story of the crews and their adventures. The book really seemed to allow a connection to form between reader and characters and for me I connected most with the main character, Cassy. I think the adventure was secondary to this, but it was still fun despite the prophecy and magic which it's infused with.
Zayne was a lesser character for me and it's only his backstory that made me sympathise with him as he does a lot of throwing up in his present-day storyline and I think some of this could have been cut. He's interesting still but Cassy was better IMHO.
I had issues with the grammar and editing of this story which really needs a lot of work. I know that with a solid edit throughout this could be a great story (it definitely it would have got another star from me if the edit was better) and I hope that the author is able to go ahead and get a professional editor to come and assist with tightening things up and correcting small errors.
Overall, I think this has so much potential and would appeal to a large audience if the edit happens. I gave it a 3.5*s but it could easily have had more if it was more polished overall.
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