Val Muller

About The Book

About the Author

Giveaway Details

• $50 Amazon gift card (INT)
• 3 x Stuffed Animals (US)

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My Review

If you know me, you know that I love stories about freedom. 1984 is probably my favorite book. So when I read a new dystopian story, I have high expectations. There were things about this book I enjoyed and things I would like to see improved.

First, the good. I love the concept of the society: each person is assigned a number (that is subject to change), indicating how useful he or she is compared to society. I love reading about the theme of the individual being forced to submit his will to the “greater good.” This brings out the best in a protagonist as he is pushed to fight for justice, as Charley does in Meritropolis. I enjoyed the concept of the world–a post-“event” landscape in which society is kept safe within a wall (this aspect first reminded me of The Handmaiden’s Tale, and I was curious to see what was kept beyond the wall). Turns out, there are all kinds of weird hybrid creatures out there. Each chapter is divided with an illustration of some kind of hybrid–mostly terrifying creatures that Charley has to fight during the course of the story. I especially liked the moments when the author spent time and depth on moments of “human interest,” such as the time when Charley’s disabled brother had been forced beyond the wall because his score was too low, or when Charley decided to stand up for a young girl whose score fell too low after an illness. Charley’s questioning of the “system” in place is hauntingly reminiscent of what must have happened during the Nazi era and any time period during which a dictator is able to impose his will to be carried out by otherwise-good people. I wanted to see this passion flourish throughout the novel–that question of good men standing up to wrong and in so uniting, defeating evil.

While I liked the concept behind the story, there were two things I wish had been done more effectively: point of view and the balance of showing vs. telling. I felt that the point of view used never really got deep enough into any of the characters. I found myself craving more information about Charley–but not just factual information. I craved emotional information. I wanted to experience what Charley felt. The shallow point of view made me feel distanced from the characters, like I didn’t really know them. The other element, over-explaining, left me impatiently speed-reading through certain scenes. I like being shown images and emotions and being left to come to conclusions on my own. When I’m being told what a character is thinking, or the reason behind an action, the tone becomes slightly too dogmatic for me. At times, the novel relied too heavily on telling rather than showing.

Don’t get me wrong: the book definitely has moments, and I found myself relaxing on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and indulging in the chapters. But it was just missing that omph factor that so many of the classics have. It ended on a cliffhanger following a major battle, definitely leaving it open for a sequel. While I understand the importance of leaving it on a cliffhanger, I miss the satisfaction of having a story come full circle, able to stand on its own regardless of what follows.

Today I’m taking part in a book tour for The Lightbound Saga by S. G. Basu. I signed up because the premise for the book intrigued me. The tour includes an excerpt and overview, directly below, and my review, which follows.

About the Book

The chance of living the life of a regular thirteen year old was never hers, Maia knows that much. Her dead mother is an alleged turncoat; her people are practically slaves to the Xifarians-a race of ruthless, space travelers; her planet is near extinction. Maia keeps hoping, however. Of evading the Xifarians and of someday atoning for the sins of her mother. Maia has learnt to be careful, she is cautious. Until the day she gives in to the charms of a gypsy boy and the allure of flying his glider. And then, all Maia’s plans fall apart.

Spotted by Xifarian scouts, Maia is recruited into a dubious peace initiative. She had never considered visiting the galaxy roving planet-spaceship of Xif; she had never imagined meeting or befriending a Jjord – the reclusive people from the under-ocean colonies. But all that is about to happen, and Maia’s life is about to change forever . . .

Maia and the Xifarian Conspiracy is a daring space adventure and a coming-of-age story. It is a riveting tale in which the young hero’s journey of self-discovery parallels the timeless search for friendship, knowledge, and truth.

Excerpt

Excerpt from The Lightbound Saga by S.G. Basu:

 Carefully, she opened the small lid, slipped her hand cautiously inside, and reached for the crystal. A flash of light followed by a searing pain that shot through her arm stunned Maia for a moment. Blinking rapidly, she focused her eyes and screamed. The L’miere crystal had vanished. A thin wisp of smoke rose from the moss where the crystal had lain just moments ago. Maia pulled out her hand and shook the pod, hoping that she had maybe . . . somehow . . . just maybe . . . pushed it into a crevice or something. But the pod remained empty; only the lava rock sat on its mossy bed, in blissful ignorance.

 

Ren would know.

 

She ran out of the room, up the staircase toward the Snoso, and smack dab into the middle of a portly frame. Maia would have gone flying and crashed into the wall had it not been for the hands that gripped her firmly by the shoulders.

 

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t my old friend Maia,” the voice of Principal Pomewege bellowed. “And what is the rush, child?”

 

Maia started to murmur an apology. She must have not made much sense, because the principal interrupted her midway.

 

“Is something wrong?” His eyes shone with concern.

 

Everything is wrong.
“Nothing, sir,” she lied.

 

“Well, you seem to be in a hurry, so I won’t keep you.” Pomewege smiled. “But if there is anything I can help you with, just let me know.”

 

He turned away, and Maia took a few steps before she rushed back toward the principal. “Principal Pomewege, I think . . . I . . . I destroyed something,” she stammered.

My Review

This is a well-written book that a YA, sci-fi fan would enjoy. In some ways, it reminded me of Harry Potter, only with science instead of magic. When Maia arrives on Xif, she is put into a team. Her team competes with others for the chance to stay for the “peace initiative” program. I liked the emphasis on science and engineering in this book, but there’s also elements that seem more magical, like telekinesis. The interplay between characters was entertaining, too. There’s a slowly-building sinister undertone about the true nature of the program, and Maia constantly questions the role of her birth mother in all this.

My one wish for this book is that the point of view had been a bit deeper into Maia’s head. At times I felt too distanced from her. I want to be connected to characters the way I felt connected to Triss in Divergent, for instance. Still, it was an enjoyable read, and I love the female-in-science emphasis as well as the elements of Xif.

I can’t remember who recommended this book to me, but she (or he) was right: I enjoyed it. This young adult horror novel follows a teenager named Cas as he travels across the country slaying ghosts. He follows his contacts and leads to find ghosts that are actively killing living humans, and he uses a special knife to vanquish them, sending them to—well, wherever they are supposed to go next. Cas is following the path taken by his father, who was recently killed by a ghost or demon in Louisiana. Now, Cas and his mother (a “white witch”) head up north to take on a particularly troublesome ghost referred to as Anna Dressed in Blood.

All that is known about her is that she was killed the night of a dance about sixty years ago. Her throat was cut from ear to ear, and her white dress is now all bloody. She has been responsible for many murders, most of them classified as missing persons cases.

Cas is used to slaying ghosts, but he knows there’s something special about Anna. As he delves into her story, he learns he is correct: Anna’s case is a unique one. In fact, he finds himself liking Anna, even caring about her, and before long he doesn’t want to slay her.

I won’t give away any more of the book. I enjoyed the use of first-person, present tense. It fit the story well. I don’t always enjoy present tense, but in this case, it worked. Cas was a likeable character but not perfect. Since he travels around every few months/years, he never settles down into any high school, so he’s always doing things like cutting class or skipping school. His language is rough but not over-the-top. Some of the language is left for the reader to imagine, which I felt was appropriate. Sometimes books with excessive profanities turn me off (even though I teach in a high school and know how kids sound!). The characters Cas interacts with were all interesting, some easily hate-able.

The book is a little over 300 pages, but I devoured most of it during a single snow day. It’s a fast read for anyone who enjoys young adult and horror.