Heir of Skies by Rachel Higginson

Heir of Skies (Smtarbright, #1) by Rachel Higginson. Self published in 2012. Received for review from the author through Publishing Push. 236 pages. YA, fantasy. 3 out of 5 stars. 

I was contacted by the author, Rachel Higginson, way back in February regarding a review of this particular book. She wrote such an enthusiastic email that I couldn't help but say yes! It's quite a short book with only 236 pages so I flew through it in practically a day - even though it's been sitting on my shelf since early May. 

I'm quite torn to be honest, because while I really enjoyed the book I have a ton of problems with it. I haven't written that much in my review notebook - which I take notes in as I read. I have about half a page and 95% of it are mistakes I noticed throughout the book. That being said, I don't know if I have one of the first paperback editions where the mistakes haven't been corrected yet or it hasn't been properly edited. 

The other notes I've taken are; 

• Tristan Shield, best friend
• Stella, 16, can detect the nature of someone's essence 
• Okay so far, not impressed

And while I flew through it, I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd thought I would. I was packed with fantasy elements, so it wasn't because of the lack of that and I laughed every once in a while so it wasn't exactly boring. 

Stella Day is our main character, she's 16 and she's going to be the Protector of Earth once she turns 25 - if everything goes according to plan, which is obviously doesn't. Stella is also a Star, a female angel, but she've grown up on Earth and never really been to Heaven. 

We also have Seth, Stellas counterpart, her Warrior, male angel, who's going to protect the Earth with her. They are destined to be together, that's how it has always been - it's always a Warrior and a Star. 

Tristan Shield is Stella's best friend. They've grown up together and as you can probably guess, they have undiscovered feelings for each other. Tristan knows that Stella is a Star though and therefore destined to be with another guy, he also knows that she's going to be the Protector of Earth someday. 

There's definitely a love triangle in there, and that is the big problem I have with this book. Sometimes I like love triangles, for the most part I dont, but they can actually be quite interesting and intriguing. Other times I find the main character indecisive about his or her choice. Just pick one instead of going back and forth! And Stella is quite indecisive, even in the end she hasn't made her choice and that bugs me. She's stringing both of them along even though she can't be with Tristan.

We were partners. Counterparts. He was the Warrior, and I was the Protector. I protected Earth, and he protected me. We would spend the rest of our lives together, side by side, our good versus their evil, fighting for the lives of the entire human race. And yet we weren't supposed to meet this young.  

Heir of Skies (Starbright, #1) by Rachel Higginson, p. 21

Heir of Skies is the first book in the Starbright series and I'm surprised at how action-packed it is! I didn't really know what to expect of this book, but in that department I was surprised and blown away. However, I won't be continuing the series, that much I know. 

I really don't know what else to say; it's enjoyable but have issues. Like many other books. I understand why so many enjoy her books, but for me it didn't cut it. 

Cast Adrift by Mannah Pierce

Cast Adrift (Reaching out of the Shadows, #1) by Mannah Pierce. Published by Clink Street Publishing in August 2015. Received for review from the author through Publishing Push. YA, science fiction, LGBTQIA. 3 out of 5 stars. 

All I knew going into Cast Adrift was basically that it is set in space and I've been looking for books along the lines of Across the Universe by Beth Revis and Cast Adrift sounded just like that! I mean, it's set on a spaceship, just like Across the Universe so I couldn't say no...

It started out quite mysteriously, like you can read in my first impressions post about this book. Even though I'd read the entire first chapter I started over and read the first chapter again because I didn't understand anything. It helped though and I quickly read 100 pages!
It's sad that the beginning is so private because I definitely felt left out the first time around, and it only helped a bit the second time.

In the first 30 pages or so we're told that our main character, Jax or Emmanuel Rafael Jax Esteban, is the heir to the leadership of one of the five big space clans, Navajo. His mother has, with the help of nanobots, changed his appearance to keep him safe. His mission is to become a spacer, once he's of age, then challenge the usurper, his uncle, and reclaim his inheritance.

There's quite the infodumps in Cast Adrift and while some of them are quite interesting, others are a bit boring and the rest makes me grimace. For example. Each spacer crew has spacers, cats and cabin boys. Spacers have been cabin boys and/or cats themselves and have since become spacers. You start out as a cabin boy (12-14) and once you turn 14 you can become a cat. The role of a cat is to relieve sexual tension amongst the crew.. Yes, I was quite uncomfortable which that piece of information, and you're a cat until 17 or 18.
We also have a hybrid, Rae, and a cyborg, Tre.
We follow a traditional crew which means only males and cats can't offer up 'their other hole' until they're 16 and it's their own choice. There's of course more.
Since it is a science fiction novel infodumps are to be expected, but there were so many! And it is a bit overwhelming even if it wasn't hard to follow.

The crew on the Willow consists of a captain, a queen, an enforcer, cabin boys, cats and more. It grows throughout the book. The queen on the Willow is still a man, his name is Ean and I couldn't picture him as a man! He's so feminine and I know that that is the point, but I couldn't picture a man!
Since I've mentioned that the crew only consists of men, or boys, it's safe to say that there's LGBTQIA features in Cast Adrift. I don't mind it, I actually found it quite interesting not following females at all - we meet a few, but that's it.
I have a problem with the 'cat' part of the story though. They have each other if they want to relieve sexual tension GOD DAMMIT! I definitely struggled with that part and I don't think I can continue on with the series if it's as big a part of Foothold as it is of Cast Adrift. I mean, it's men having oral sex with 14-17 year olds, I'm not comfortable with that. For me it definitely borders on pedophilia.

My favorite thing in Cast Adrift is the friendships! Particularly between Rae and Jax. I loved how brotherly they quickly become towards one another and I definitely looked forward to their parts! I also love the budding friendship between Rae, Jax and Kip - but that's later on in the novel.
The friendships and the missing females are actually the things I liked about Cast Adrift. 

If you've noticed I've talked more about what Cast Adrift is about than my actual feelings about it, and that's because I'm horrified. I can't look past the cats and that really ruins the book for me. Therefore a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Sorry.

So, to summarize Cast Adrift in keywords; LGBTQIA, friendship, space, men, sex (incl. borderline pedophilia).

First impressions, Cast Adrift

Cast Adrift by Mannah Pierce, received for review through Publishing Push

First impressions is yet another new feature I want to add to the blog! It's basically like first paragraphs but better!

I just started reading Cast Adrift by Mannah Pierce which is the first book in the Reaching out of the Shadows series. I received Cast Adrift for review from the author a little while ago, and I'm finally getting around to it!

So, Cast Adrift is a science fiction book which takes place in outer space! I didn't need to know anything else before agreeing to a review, I've been looking for books similar to Across the Universe by Beth Revis and this is the closest I've gotten so far!

I'm not totally sold on the cover, I like the simplicity though! And I get it more now that I've read the first chapter. It's not something I'd pick up on my own though, sorry. I'm intrigued by the story though and I can't wait to read more.

The book begins with this paragraph;

Jax had to trot to keep up with his escort. The big man's stride was smooth and effortless but deceptively quick. Jax recognised it as one of the many features that dissuaded the honourable from challenging and the dishonourable from attacking.  

Cast Adrift (Reaching out of the Shadows, #1) by Mannah Pierce, p. 1

So, Jax is our main character, thus far. I believe he's somewhere around 11 and on a mission to claim his inheritance - though, there's a while before he can do that, some years at least.
In the first chapter we meet Rae, he's a hybrid. He has fangs and whiskers and he's inhumanly fast! He's quite cute to be honest.
The first chapter is very secretive and vague, the information is definitely not handed out to you! You have to connect the dots and keep on reading before understanding anything. I'm not sure if I like it or not, yet.

I'm enjoying it though, even though the beginning is so vague.

Cover and title reveal - the next book in The Violet Hour series by Andrea L. Wells!

Last year I read both The Violet Hour and The Midnight Hour, which is the first book in The Violet Hour series and the prequel novella! I love both of them and I definitely admire the author! Me and Andrea have been in contact ever since I got a review copy of The Violet Hour. I have to admit that I'm beyond ecstatic for the next book in the series which is:

The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig. Published by Hot Key Books on March 3. 2016. Received for review from Hot Key Books. 

I've been seeing The Girl from Everywhere everywhere on the interwebs so when I was contacted by the publisher I knew I had to read it! And I have to admit, it's one of the best books of 2016!

The Girl from Everywhere is about Nix Song, Nix can time travel through maps, or rather, navigate through time using maps. It has to be handmade maps though and you're transported to the maker's version of that time and place! They obviously can't travel to the future then, and they can only use every map once! I love how specific that is!
You don't have to be on a ship to navigate through time using maps, but that way you can take everything you want with you.

The Girl from Everywhere really surprised me. I had high expectations and most were met! I haven't read anything like this, usually time travel is just 'I want to go to ______' and they're suddenly transported there. The best way to explain it is probably that it is more believable - even though we know it can't happen. I love that they have to search for maps and the fact that they can't just use any map! It's detailed and very thought through - so intriguing and interesting!

I haven't read a lot of books featuring pirates, to be honest I can only name Tiger Lily and Peter Pan, so this was quite different - even though they're technically not pirates, I get a pirate-y feel from the book. I wish there were more books like this out there because this is definitely one of the special ones you see once, or maybe less, a year.

Nix is quite the character and her upbringing is nothing to brag about! Her mother died not long after she was born and her father, Slate, sought after her, found her and took her with him. He hasn't been the most loving and caring father but she loves him all the same and while it's not apparent at first - he loves her too. Nix has never had many friends since they don't stay in a place too long, she has the crewmates and Kashmir - a persian guy who jumped on the ship a few years back.
Kashmir is Nix's best friend and well, you know what happens between best friends in YA novels, right? I loved the two of them together and I love their friendship to a degree I can't express! Too many YA novels focus on romance and The Girl from Everywhere doesn't! There's some romance in there but it stays in the background and let the story run it's course. So thank you for that Heidi Heilig!

MAP, OAHU 1884

 I absolutely love the details of the maps in this books, and yes, there's a bunch of different maps! They're all completely different in style and shape and I love that amount of details! There's so much effort that has gone into the making of The Girl from Everywhere and it just deepens my love for the book.

ONE MORE LOOK AT THE GORGEOUS COVER

The Girl from Everywhere is one of the most special, and just plain different, books I've read this year and definitely one of the best. I'd expected a bit more which is why I've given it a 4.5 rating and not the whole 5 stars. I highly recommend it!

Read with me: Half Irish by Peter J. S. Waugh

HALF IRISH by Peter J. S. Waugh. Published by The White Signature in June 2015

About Half Irish 

Follow 17 year-old Tyler from the busy streets of Manhattan to the empty beaches of Ireland. From gigging in coffee shops in Tribeca to standing on the Cliffs of Moher, busking in Belfast to late night drives with his beautiful summer girlfriend Tabitha, Half Irish takes you on a journey as you rediscover what it means to fall in love all over again and again and again. Thanks to the wistful hope-filled thoughts and a driving narrative Half Irish, the debut novel from Peter J. S. Waugh, is one of the best debuts to come out of Belfast in decades. This heart-warming coming of age love story will make you laugh until you cry, and cry until you begin to dream again.

Prologue

I usually dislike prologues, because they're so confusing, or at best I'm indifferent. This time however, I love the prologue! It begins with poetry or rather, a poem, I guess you could call it and it's so inviting! The prologue is a letter from Tyler about him and that's so clever! We get to know him a bit before we get into the story and I love that! I feel close to our narrator already.
Also, I love the writing style and I can hear Tyler speak clearly in my mind!

Chapter 1

Well, I love the relationship Tyler has with his parents! AND impromptu 'dance party'! That reminds me of Fangirl which is near and dear to my heart - definitely A+ from here!

Page 9

Thank god for a mature main character instead of a brat! Tyler's parents want Tyler to pay for his trip to Ireland by himself - so he needs to get a job - and they're not going with him. Instead of acting like a child he realizes that he has been taking his parents for granted! He's scared since it's his first trip alone and I love him for that! He's true to himself and more characters should have that trait. 

Page 24

I'm definitely a fan of using different 'formats' in books and of course Waugh does so - I think he's read my mind to be honest! So far Half Irish is everything I want in a book! There are lists - different types actually - and you know I love my lists! And Tyler writes some sort of limerick - which I adore him for and probably like more than I should. I just love all the effort!
These different formats make the story so much better because it adds a little something different - also it's more fun and I'm definitely having a good time here!

Page 28

A whole chapter dedicated to his parents, mainly his mom! And even though it's quite a short chapter I love that! I love how close we get to the characters - even if it's only Tyler and his mom and dad so far. I like that we get their lovestory! Tyler is definitely a good guy who loves his parents.
The only problem I have so far is that during this chapter he called his mother 'Esther' instead of mom while telling their story and I don't like that shift in narration - he couldn't have known all those details either. I really like Tyler's way of narrating though.

Page 38

Another poem! I'm not one for poetry but it's quite good to be honest - maybe I do like poetry after all.

Page 57

So, so far we have lists, poetry, a song and a tweet. I'm not sure I'm totally on board with all the #'s from Tyler's side - but we'll see. I'm still enjoying it a lot though.

Page 65

And now a RAP! Tyler is on fire! I didn't realize how into music he is in the beginning but now I know! A singer-songwriter even.
I was actually very much into music in 'my younger years' and I still sing in our local church choir so I can definitely relate to Tyler - also, we're very close in age. And go him for getting so many gigs! Performing is a great way to find yourself!
I'm also surprised that there is so many, or two so far, who are religious. It's not a problem yet but I hope it doesn't become too prominent - cause even though I sing in a church doesn't mean I like to read about religion.

POEM FROM THE PROLOGUE WHICH I ABSOLUTELY LOVE

Page 82

I quite like how 'realistic' Tyler's way of narrating is. When you tell a story you usually, or always, forget some vital part and have to go back and tell it - or you get ahead of yourself and skip to the best part and then have to go back and tell the entire thing. And that's what Tyler does! It feels realistic and he makes me laugh quite often.

Page 101

Texts! Totally forgot to mention them!
Also I'm quite excited because Tyler makes to do lists and his packing list is actually in the book! I love my lists and I always make a packing list! I especially love when characters make lists - it makes me feel like less of a dork.

Page 103

His friend, Rodriguez, has made a hand made guide book for Ireland for Tyler! What a friend! I wish I'd had my own hand made guidebook when I went to Ireland!

Page 114

Tyler, I like you more and more for every page I turn! Instead of ignoring the old guy, Chris, on the plane he's very friendly and takes an interest in Chris! I definitely like that about Tyler!
I also love how Waugh has chosen to deal with descriptions of characters: (brown/messy hair/stubbly beard/grey hoody/etc). It's quick and to the point - and I can actually visualize the characters opposed to her eyes where the color of some beautiful weather phenomenon - yes, it sounds beautiful, but I can't really use it.

Random thought

 I seriously wish I had some apple cider right now! We drank apple cider - or we chose to call it apple beer because in Ireland they don't have 'sweet' apple cider like here in Denmark with 1. something % alcohol. No, it contains as much alcohol as beer and is quite strong! But I always think of Ireland when I drink apple cider! 

Page 116

I need to confess something. I don't really travel. I've only ever visited Dublin, Ireland and a few cities in Netherlands - and trips to Germany. Which means I usually have a hard time visualizing how a place looks - I know it's never accurate and I hate that. However, this time I can see everything perfectly. I can smell and taste the BBQ pulled pork and fries Tyler eats - because that's something I got when I was in Dublin. I can also see the Temple Bar area clearly and it's such a different experience to be able to see the scenes happening and so on! It definitely takes me back!

THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT LOVE IS THAT IT CAN STRIKE THE HEART WITCH MORE POWER THAN A HURRICANE, YET FEEL AS SOFT AS A SUMMER'S BREEZE

Page 128

Major in English Literature!? I could love you Tyler! I also love the fact that he writes a little something in his notebook everyday, or at least tries to. It was definitely a beautiful entry he wrote just now!

Page 151

I like the small history lessons Tyler gives us! Some of it I know and some are new to me. I don't know if I'd enjoy it in another book or this is a special case because it's Ireland... But I like it!

Page 173

Turns out Patrick, Tyler's cousin, is quite funny and makes me laugh out loud #doesourbromancemeannothingtoyou. Maybe I do like the #'s just a bit.
Also, we're getting to the good stuff now! Tyler is such a sweetheart with Tabitha.

Page 175

GOD I love the family relationships in this book! Tyler just got home from his first date and they end up having an impromptu family meeting talking about dates; the awkward, the horrible, the romantic etc. I especially love that his aunt says she's going to put a kettle on and his uncle immediately declares 'family meeting in 5'. It's such a lovely atmosphere and I wish more books included family in this manner.

Page 190

So we've known that something was going on with Patrick for a while - we just haven't known what. I've been thinking a variety of things but his sudden revelation actually surprised me - and I'm not often surprised when it comes to characters and secrets. More often than not it's so easy to guess what's wrong but Waugh - you fooled me.

Page 216

You know when you come across words you don't know and the author, or publisher, has made a footnote explaining said word - just to be kind. Well, Waugh has technically done that too, but instead of a footnote the explanation is on the last page in that particular chapter and it's quite a hassle having to find the last page of said chapter to get an explanation. I don't really know how I feel about it entirely.

Page 226

I'm glad it's not 'all about Tabitha'! Too many YA books become centered around 'the love' and forgets 'the family' and 'the friends' and other important stuff.
Also, props to Tyler for acting like a man and texting Tabitha after their fight. Even though she should apologize to him! Another plus for you in my book Tyler!

Page 314

Again, Tyler, you're such a sweetheart! Taking your grandma out for afternoon tea and pampering her definitely wins you some points! Also, you've grown and I love your and Pat's bromance. It's the best.

Page 350

Even though the entire book is full of life lessons, the letter Tyler receives from his Granda is jammed to the brim with life lessons. It's poetic, hauntingly beautiful and something to treasure. I'll definitely follow his advice.

THE BEAUTIFUL BACK! LOVE THE QUOTE AT THE TOP

The end

I really think Half Irish was a great read even though I had some problems with it. Definitely a solid 4 star read!

Even though Half Irish is just over 400 pages long it's a quick and easy read - perfect for summer! Well, an Irish (or Danish) summer..  I love the fact that friendship and family took an important role in this book and the love part stayed in the background. I will definitely read more of Peter J. S. Waugh's work (if he writes more) because I love his way of writing. It's youthful yet beautiful and a joy to read. 

Buy the book
Amazon UK ⎜Amazon US ⎜Petewaugh.com

Guest post: Why YA

This guest post i brought to you from R.P. Channing

Why YA?

Young Adult is the one genre where a writer is pretty much free to do anything he likes.

Too many people look at the “Young” part of Young Adult and miss completely the “Adult” part.

Young Adult and MG are galaxies apart in content. Young Adult is the one genre read far and wide by almost all age groups.

We were all seventeen once (some of us still so), and Young Adult appeals to a market that knows what it’s like to be seventeen. That’s pretty much everyone who reads.

The stories deal with issues that we, as a adults, face every day. And it deals with them tastefully.

Young Adult stays firmly within boundaries that I feel comfortable with as a writer, without reducing anything in the quality of the story.

Some of the scariest scenes I ever read were in The Hunger Games. I had chills. And yet, when I move into Horror itself as a genre, I find all the gore to be in bad taste. I lose interest, and I’m even a little repulsed sometimes.

Young Adult focuses on the story without getting into excessive details that we don’t really need in order to tell that story. The romance in YA is endearing, gentle, sweet, kind, loving. Who didn’t think Twilight was one of the most romantic books ever written?

A Young Adult author has free rein in many genres. He is not stuck too firmly into a classification such as “Fantasy” or “Romance” or “Horror” because YA can encompass all those genres and still remains “Young Adult.” There are people who liked Twilight and yet didn’t like The Host. They are both “Young Adult” but they are also in different sub-genres.

I’m working on two stories right now, both in completely different genres, but both “Young Adult.” I’d hate to stay firmly within “Fantasy” or “Romance” or “Horror.” With YA, I can move around, I can act freely, I can write what I feel like writing, and write about characters that I look up to and that I’d like to be like.

The age of YA characters is a magical age. Nobody likes moping character. Teenage characters don’t mope. They have spunk, verve, sass.

In other words, they have all the qualities we find good in people.

And what is a story without good characters?

Website ⎜Twitter ⎜Amazon

R P Channing started writing three years ago, but never published anything even after churning out over a million words of fiction. Thirst: Blood of my Blood is the first book he dared to publish. When asked why, he said, “Because it’s the first thing I wrote that my wife actually enjoyed reading.” When not hammering away (most literally) at his keyboard, he can be found buried in a book, reading anything from romance to horror to young adult to non-fiction to comedy.