I’ve just received two more reviews on the UK Amazon. One is a 3 star and one a 5
3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, could be better, 14 Feb 2011
This is a very easy read suitable for late teens/young adults. The plot is interesting and well thought out.
Unfortunately I found the book really hard to get into. This was mostly because the person narrating the story changes so frequently at the start and it is not always clear who’s viewpoint we’re seeing. The main viewpoint appears to be that of Cat, with the other characters added in at nearly every single interaction.
The multiple POV’s, when done well, help to round out the other characters. Thankfully if you persevere with the book it does improve and you’ll learn to recognise when you’re about to jump from character to character.
Unfortunately I found the book really hard to get into. This was mostly because the person narrating the story changes so frequently at the start and it is not always clear who’s viewpoint we’re seeing. The main viewpoint appears to be that of Cat, with the other characters added in at nearly every single interaction.
The multiple POV’s, when done well, help to round out the other characters. Thankfully if you persevere with the book it does improve and you’ll learn to recognise when you’re about to jump from character to character.
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5.0 out of 5 stars The Arrival, 14 Feb 2011
This review is from: The Arrival (BirthRight Trilogy) (Kindle Edition)
Four young women from New Zealand cast a “love spell” to find their soul mates and end up being transported to another world. An interesting start to a cracking novel.
The Arrival has good world-building and the characters actually come up with a reason they can speak with and understand the locals. The interaction and ‘relationship development’s’ between the girls and their guides/rescuers The Griffon Guards is not too cloying and girly. People may look at the ‘blurb’ for the book and think it’s one for the girls but trust me – it isn’t.
The magic system is clever and works well and not just enough time is spent with the girls learning to harness their abilities.
The one thing that troubled me at first was the multiple POVs but once I was into the story I hardly even noticed it and to be honest I think the style actually added to the story.
The book ended on the biggest cliffhanger ending I believe I have come across yet and I really cannot wait for the second book in the Birthright series to be published
The Arrival has good world-building and the characters actually come up with a reason they can speak with and understand the locals. The interaction and ‘relationship development’s’ between the girls and their guides/rescuers The Griffon Guards is not too cloying and girly. People may look at the ‘blurb’ for the book and think it’s one for the girls but trust me – it isn’t.
The magic system is clever and works well and not just enough time is spent with the girls learning to harness their abilities.
The one thing that troubled me at first was the multiple POVs but once I was into the story I hardly even noticed it and to be honest I think the style actually added to the story.
The book ended on the biggest cliffhanger ending I believe I have come across yet and I really cannot wait for the second book in the Birthright series to be published
Both good reviews that I’m happy with except (and you knew this was coming ;p) that darn mention of it being suitable for late teens/young adults..
So to clear up any uncertainty anyone might have about book genres. Here are the actual definitions.
Young Adult – Young Adult Literature is literature written for adolescent readers, and in some cases published by adolescent writers. The Young Adult Library Services (YALSA) of the American Library Association (ALA) defines a young adult as “someone between the ages of twelve and eighteen”. Young adult novels have also been defined as texts written for the ages of twelve and up. Authors and readers of young adult (YA) novels often define the genre as “literature written for ages ranging from ten years up to the age of twenty”
Now I do realise that my book isn’t as dark as some fantasy novels but just because it’s an easy read doesn’t mean it’s young adult. The youngest of the leads in the book is 21 and Cat, the main, is 25.
And a few more definitions if like me, you find the array of genres now used a tad bewildering.
Dystopian – Dystopia is defined as a society characterized by poverty, squalor, or oppression.
Steampunk – steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy.
Paranormal Romance – Paranormal romance blends the real with the fantastic or science fictional. The fantastic elements may be woven into an alternate version of our own world in an urban fantasy involving vampires, demons, and/or werewolves, or they may be more “normal” manifestations of the paranormal—humans with psychic abilities, witches, or ghosts. Time-travel, futuristic, and extraterrestrial romances also fall beneath the paranormal umbrella (The Arrival has been referred to as Paranormal Romance)
Any other genres you’d like to understand better? How many genres does your writing fall under? It’s surprising how many you can cover!
(my fav pic I forgot to include on last post ;p)
