Showing posts with label Alex J. Cavanaugh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alex J. Cavanaugh. Show all posts

Monday, 4 April 2016

Cassastar (Cassastar #1) by Alex J. Cavanaugh


The Blurb
To pilot the fleet’s finest ship Few options remain for Byron. A talented but stubborn young man with a troubled past and rebellious attitude, his cockpit skills are his only hope. Slated to train as a Cosbolt fighter pilot, Byron is determined to prove his worth and begin a new life as he sets off for the moon base of Guaard. Much to Byron s chagrin the toughest instructor in the fleet takes notice of the young pilot. Haunted by a past tragedy, Bassa eventually sees through Byron's tough exterior and insolence. When a secret talent is revealed during training, Bassa feels compelled to help Byron achieve his full potential. As war brews on the edge of space, time is running short. Byron requires a navigator of exceptional quality to survive, and Bassa must make a decision that could well decide the fate of both men. Will their skills be enough as they embark on a mission that may stretch their abilities to the limit?

My review
I’m a Star Trek fan (I’m only talking about The Next Generation and Deep Space 9, though). One thing I’ve never done until now was read a sci-fi set in space. Now I don’t know why I waited so long. It was amazing.

The book was full of more than I had expected. The action was well paced and kept me flipping the proverbial pages. Byron broke my heart with how difficult a time he had with forming friendships. Bassa stole the show for me. A gruff man initially, who ended up being Byron’s savior.

I expected the excitement of flying through space and risking their lives. What surprised me was how much emotion was packed into the novel. I refused to cry, but swallowing became tough in a couple of scenes.

My one issue with this book was that women played no role in it at all (other than his not so nice sister). I kept expecting to see a female pilot or navigator at some point, but nope. I know it’s the author’s prerogative, but it didn’t make me a very happy feminist at all.

I give this book five out of five space ship shaped (see the cover to envision it) chocolate bars.


I won a copy of this book as a giveaway but it can be purchased at Amazon.

Wednesday, 4 December 2013

Insecure Writer's Support Group #IWSG


A huge thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for starting IWSG. The  co-hosts for the December 4 posting of the IWSG will be Julie Flanders, Heather Gardner, Kim Van Sickler and Elsie is Writing!

In the novels I’ve been reading lately I have noticed some similarities with my work. Not enough for either party to cry plagiarism, though. It threw me off for a minute until I realized that my work was different although still similar. 

In most genres there are a few ideas which flow through most books. The most popular book in the world (the bible) tells us that there is nothing new under the sun. It's all a repeat of sorts. 

The only thing that makes a work unique is the fact that it's coming from the author's own perspective mixed with their experiences and imagination. I no longer get concerned when I see that a portion of my story is similar to someone else's. It just means we are on a similar track, hopefully the right one.

Do you find pieces of your work in other people's novels? Does it bother you?

To check out what the other members of the IWSG are up to click here.


Wednesday, 6 November 2013

Introduction as a new IWSG member

          


This is my first post as part of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. My friend and fellow blogger Cathrina Constantine invited me to join.  It took me a long time to sign up for the link. Not because I like to procrastinate, but because I didn’t actually want to admit that I was insecure about my writing.

But now I admit it, sometimes I get insecure, but I have observed that this group is more about providing support to writers than anything else, so here I am. And happy to be here.

A huge thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for starting IWSG. His cohosts this week will be CD Coffelt, Tina Downey,Isis Rushdan, and Michelle Wallace!

          
I'm looking forward to good things.

Find other members of the group and what they're posting here.