J.J. Angel's "Legends of Potentia

Title: Thrilling Adventure in Need of Editing 

“Legends of Potentia: Prefero” by J.J. Angel

Reviewed by M. Windholtz

10/17/16

7:00 a.m.

Following the events of “Legends of Potentia: Initus,” Rupert and Amare are on the run from the creature that killed Yaasha. The boys finally have a grasp on how to hone their powers of Potentia to perform magic tasks and read the Latin text magically inscribed inside the otherworldly book, Kinesi. Together, Rupert and Amare must attempt to rid the world of the alien forces that have overrun it and destroy the supernatural Shadow Soldiers that hunt them because of the Kinesi.

The story was a great science fiction read, with in depth science that captivates the reader without sounding falsified as well as fantastic world-building that connects the events of our planet to the others in the universe and the magic Rupert and Amare possess. The boys embark on a thrilling adventure to save planet Earth, encountering everything from mountain lions, to scientists, and to aliens.

Rupert and Amare have grown plenty surrounding the events of Yaasha’s death in the previous book. They still act like young teens, but they are much more aware of the purpose they serve to protect the planet from the forces beyond and the power they have received from the Potentia force. Rupert and Amare’s personal journeys of growth as people are some of the greatest highlights of this novel, and readers are sure to enjoy it.

However, like its predecessor, the many editing blunders of “Legends of Potentia: Prefero” make it difficult to fully engage with the writing. The mistakes are very similar ones to those made in the text of “Initus” and continue to throw the reader out of the story over and over again because of their frequency.

These unfortunate errors keep the book from a higher rating, yet it is still a novel worth reading for any reader who loves science fiction stories.

I give “Legends of Potentia: Prefero” 3 out of 5 stars.

Enjoy,

M. Windholtz

J.J. Angel's "Legends of Potentia: Initus"

Title: A Jarring Story

“Legends of Potentia: Initus” by J.J. Angel

Reviewed by M. Windholtz

10/10/16

7:00 a.m.

At the S.E.T.E. research center, scientists use a mysterious, non-earthly substance to carry out experiments on live animal subjects. After a violent break-in at S.E.T.E. leaves several scientists and guards dead, the researchers are forced by a strange, otherworldly shape-shifter named Setesh to help revive alien infants. Meanwhile, the alien Yaasha is aided by two young boys on his search for a missing alien book and necklaces that may be the only way to stop the destruction of Earth.

The two boys who aid Yaasha act and behave more like children than most young science fiction heroes tend to. They do not focus on their goals, rather preferring to watch television and live normal lives. While a refreshing take on main characters, they bring little to the plot and their dismissive attitude towards the potential destruction of their world is off-putting.

Overall, character motivation and actions are unexplained to the reader. Most prominently, Setesh speaks of wanting to change the world, yet his goals and means to accomplish this objective remain unclear. The boys have access to Potentia, a supernatural alien force, but the book does not explain how they came to be equipped with their powers or how their powers work.

Despite the novel’s interesting premise, it is sometimes difficult for the reader to get invested in the story. The continued use of feeling statements and the passive voice leaves readers removed from the action. The author relies on vague adverbs to support characters’ actions that add very little to the scenes.

Furthermore, the text felt wholly unedited at times. Words are misspelled and misused at a high frequency. There is a lack of proper punctuation at the end of nearly every spoken quotation that is quite jarring and pulls the reader out of the story. While the story of “Initus” was promising and engaging, the editing keeps it from being a better book.

I give “Legends of Potentia: Initus” 3 out of 5 stars.

Enjoy,

M. Windholtz

Rival Gates' "Mandrean Revenge"

Title:  A Thrilling Journey

“Mandrean Revenge” by Rival Gates

Reviewed by M. Windholtz

9/12/16

9:36 pm

Half-elf, Linvin Grithinshield, has seen much in his life as he journeyed across the world of Lavacia to claim the Red Sapphire, a powerful magic stone. However, the nefarious Lord Mandrean carries out a search to fully empower the Red Sapphire’s parallel Blue Sapphire, with the intentions of using its power to destroy Linvin. With a string of assassins set on hunting Linvin down, the main character finds himself journeying across nations to free his kidnapped uncle and to put an end to Lord Mandrean’s plots, once and for all.

Despite the massive amounts of success and wealth Linvin has gained in his past adventures, he is a likable character who does not allow his accomplishments to identity him. He is prone to helping the less fortunate and is weary towards the burden of his name and fame, something unseen in many other novels where characters are well-known. This makes Linvin a much more compelling hero than is often found in fantasy, and a hero readers are sure to become attached to.

The downside to this read, the novel dragged with in-depth discussions of politics and business that at times seemed unnecessary to help carry the plot forward. The plot was also liable to employ clichés, but author Rival Gates navigates through it with her stellar characterizations. Readers come to understand the many relevant characters’ motivations and schemes, giving a more full appreciation of the mechanizations of the novel. While Lord Mandrean is framed as the villain, readers still have the opportunity to appreciate and sympathize with him.

Gates has an ability to make characters that surpass their archetypes and become characters that entrance and enthrall readers. This, paired with the adventure and action of the narration, make this novel an excellent, must read.

I give “Mandrean Revenge” 4 out of 5 stars.

Enjoy,

M. Windholtz

Dan Buri's "Pieces Like Pottery"

Title: Inspiring Emotion

“Pieces Like Pottery” by Dan Buri

Reviewed by M. Windholtz

8/15/16

12:07 am

In this collection of short stories and lyrical poems, author Dan Buri evokes powerful emotions from sorrow to love. The fictional pieces propose profound notions in simple surroundings, like the fallout after a son’s death in “The Graveyard,” or in the bonds forged late at night at a bar in “Twenty-Two.”

Each story is well-edited and has an interesting premise. Although at times peppered with clichés, each story is filled with casual, carefully-scribed details that draw the readers in, even for a short amount of pages.

However, the collection does come with its faults. Moments that could be enriched with description are instead left with blanket statements, falling into a pattern of telling over showing. At times, Buri seems more focused on finding stories for his profound thoughts instead of having moments of profound thought appear in his stories. This makes some stories drag, with insights coming off as forced and fake; some reflections, however, have just the right balance.

The story collection is generally enjoyable, but “Twenty-Two” and “Expect Dragon” truly reveal the skill of the author. “Twenty-Two” stands out from the other stories because it succeeds in implanting new ideas in readers’ minds while telling a captivating tale. It leaves the reader near to tears as it shows, rather than tells, a story of redemption that startles the reader with its conclusion.

The profound views that define the collection work best in “Expect Dragons,” the story of a student visiting his dying teacher. Large parts of the story are reflections and memories as the student goes on an hours-long road trip to be by his teacher’s side. Interlaced among his life’s anecdotes are words of advice from the teacher, their meanings connected skillfully to the stories he shares.

It is really these aforementioned tales that elevate the collection above and beyond and make it a thoroughly worthwhile read for anyone looking for some extra thought in their minds.

I give “Pieces Like Pottery” 4 out of 5 stars.

Yours in Words,

M. Windholtz

Lisa Mauro's "The Place We Went Yesterday"

Title: A Personal Journey

“The Place We Went Yesterday” by Lisa Mauro

Reviewed by M. Windholtz

5/19/16

9:12 pm

Negative situations are hard to break free from, especially when one feels dependant upon their position. Such is life for sixteen-year-old Ella Santia, a Hispanic girl in New York City’s Lower East Side. She grows up in a crowded, abusive home and is unable to see a way out. Throughout the course of the novel, she transitions from her family to foster care, and later, she lives in a group home for girls in the system.

Author Lisa Mauro’s haunting dedication, “for all those who wish they had been forgotten,” perfectly grasps the words that so clearly and precisely describe the narrator’s circumstance, and those real people in abusive situations. The novel intersects Ella’s current situation with memories from her past, blending the past and present to highlight her intense emotional journey. Mauro uses careful storytelling to bring the deeply personal story to life. The slow reveal of the exact events that brought Ella into the system is tantalizing and leaves the reader flipping the pages to find out more.

Ella is focused on self-preservation, which often means staying forgotten and out of sight. The novel focuses much on her inner journey and troubles. The reader gets to know Ella inside and out, from her literary soul to the problems caused by her weight. Ella’s agency is unexpected by her caretakers and allows her to seize control of her life and finally break free of the cycle of poverty and abuse that has claimed those around her.

The Place We Went Yesterday is a good, well-edited read. It is not difficult to get through. However, while Ella is a character that the reader cannot help but grow fond of, the various secondary characters lacked connections or their own stories outside of how they related to Ella. Finally, there was just a tad too much explanation of Ella’s thoughts about the changes in her life, instead of details that let the reader decipher her feelings.

I give “The Place We Went Yesterday” 3 out of 5 stars.

Yours in Words,

M. Windholtz

Kim Alexander's "The Sand Prince"

Title: An Epic Behind the Door

“The Sand Prince” by Kim Alexander

Reviewed by M. Windholtz

5/17/16

7:43 pm

The Sand Prince invites readers to step into the lands of Eriis and Mistra, one populated by demons, the other by humans. A mystical Door separates the two realms, and ambassadors between worlds maintain a connection between the two species. That relationship changes forever when a storm of magic wreaks havoc in the demon world.

Author Kim Alexander populates her captivating worlds with vibrant characters, from the fiery demon queen Hellne to Lelet va’Everly, a human socialite wishing for something more. Prince Rhuun, the half-human prince, is both studious and spirited; the perfect hero for a story such as this.

Prince Rhuun struggles to find a place in the demon world. After he discovers a book left behind by its human author, he tries to learn anything he can about the intriguing human world. A series of events leads Rhuun to slip through a crack in the Door and bound to serve a human master. His adventures from there are fun, exciting, and at times comical, especially his awe at the new world he discovers and the characters he encounters.

A tragic flaw of many fantasy novels these days is their often poorly built worlds; foregoing any culture or societal detail to focus entirely on the characters and rushed plots. However, the reader feels transported to Eriis and Mistra with every description of their traditions and landscapes. While some explanations and plot developments do occur later than desired, it is worth the time reading the narrative Alexander puts together in developing the characters’ relationships and personal growth. It would have been even more interesting if there had been further detail about pre-rain Eriis, but the two contemporary worlds were enough to keep readers well engaged.

This is a read that will keep readers wondering what’s next if they have to sat it down. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good epic fantasy.

I give “The Sand Prince” 4 out of 5 stars.

Yours in Words,

M. Windholtz