Scan barcode
amethystbookwyrm's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for giving me this book to review.
The Vanishing Spark of Dusk is an enjoyable sci-fi story with some dystopian elements as well as romance and rebellion. However, it is predictable and slow to start but it does really pick up at about a third of the way through. It has a good message about not judging an entire group of people based on a few individuals.
Lark is a good character who gains a lot of confident as the book goes on, as she starts as a quiet bookish person who lets people walk over her, to someone who is willing to sacrifice, stand up, and fight for what is right. I didn’t get on with Kalen at the start as he came across as a massive party boy who doesn’t take things seriously, and is part of the slave world, but as we got to know him better we see he has real depth as he has mixed feelings, and caring as he will do anything for those he loves.
I really liked this book and while it is a standalone book, I hope there will be more in this book universe. I would recommend The Vanishing Spark of Dusk to those who enjoy sci-fi romance books.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
The Vanishing Spark of Dusk is an enjoyable sci-fi story with some dystopian elements as well as romance and rebellion. However, it is predictable and slow to start but it does really pick up at about a third of the way through. It has a good message about not judging an entire group of people based on a few individuals.
Lark is a good character who gains a lot of confident as the book goes on, as she starts as a quiet bookish person who lets people walk over her, to someone who is willing to sacrifice, stand up, and fight for what is right. I didn’t get on with Kalen at the start as he came across as a massive party boy who doesn’t take things seriously, and is part of the slave world, but as we got to know him better we see he has real depth as he has mixed feelings, and caring as he will do anything for those he loves.
I really liked this book and while it is a standalone book, I hope there will be more in this book universe. I would recommend The Vanishing Spark of Dusk to those who enjoy sci-fi romance books.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
mischiefalwayswinsthewar's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this so much! The story began a little slow, but things picked up when Lark is taken to Tavdora and placed as a slave in Kalen's household. There, she uncovers a lot more than she bargained for - and a possible way to find get herself home.
Lark is one of those rare characters I identified with right off the bat: shy, introverted, with few close relationships. Baysinger does an excellent job of setting up what Lark was like on Earth, and how it ended up screwing her over in the end. When she gets to Tavdora, she becomes this amazing little badass that speaks up for herself, but also gets herself into loads of trouble. Honestly, every time she was given an order and she blatantly disobeyed, I cringed. Yet she always ended up okay. I think it was really something special to go with Lark on this journey where she finds her voice.
And don't get me started on Kalen. I LOVED HIM. He's my new book boyfriend and no one can tell me otherwise. I'm not kidding, I think I let out a squeal pretty much any time he was on the page. Kalen is a wonderfully complex character, who struggles with honoring his family and his own sense of morality. I was rooting for him throughout the whole book, even when I knew I probably shouldn't be rooting for him.
Tavdora sounds like a place I'd like to visit sometime, except minus the slavery. The technology on Tavdora sounds crazy advanced and seriously COOL. I want my keys to be a cool marble thingie! And from the purple ocean, and the cliffs where Kalen takes Lark to see the night sky, it sounds pretty damn beautiful as well.
The storyline was wonderful, although I was hoping for a smidge more action. I mean, come on, there are space pirates here! I felt like it was chock-full of secret meetings and sneaky plans, but I was dying for a great fight scene.
I did get my adventure fill with The Renegade, the group Lark joins to get herself home. There are quite a few members who I wish I got to see more of, or learn more about. The Renegade is what drives the story forward and brings Lark to a decision that wrecks her to make. There were so many plot twists regarding who was involved that my mind was blown and I loved every second of it.
The real thing that kept me stuck on this story was Lark and Kalen's relationship. They had such great chemistry and I adored them together. So much sass and affection for two characters who knew it would be trouble to fall for each other and end up doing it anyway. There were so many moments I swooned over, and parts that broke my heart. Like actually hurt me! Which to me is always a sign of a good book.
All in all, I loved this. It was the perfect length for my first read of 2018. Please, do yourself a favor, and go snag a copy. There's adventure, romance, a little bit of sexiness (okay, a whole lot where Kalen is concerned, but also some other sexiness), and a mission for freedom that'll hook you. This was my first novel from Entangled TEEN Publishing, but I can tell you it won't be my last. Same can be said for Sara Baysinger. I've got my fingers AND toes crossed for a sequel!
Lark is one of those rare characters I identified with right off the bat: shy, introverted, with few close relationships. Baysinger does an excellent job of setting up what Lark was like on Earth, and how it ended up screwing her over in the end. When she gets to Tavdora, she becomes this amazing little badass that speaks up for herself, but also gets herself into loads of trouble. Honestly, every time she was given an order and she blatantly disobeyed, I cringed. Yet she always ended up okay. I think it was really something special to go with Lark on this journey where she finds her voice.
And don't get me started on Kalen. I LOVED HIM. He's my new book boyfriend and no one can tell me otherwise. I'm not kidding, I think I let out a squeal pretty much any time he was on the page. Kalen is a wonderfully complex character, who struggles with honoring his family and his own sense of morality. I was rooting for him throughout the whole book, even when I knew I probably shouldn't be rooting for him.
Tavdora sounds like a place I'd like to visit sometime, except minus the slavery. The technology on Tavdora sounds crazy advanced and seriously COOL. I want my keys to be a cool marble thingie! And from the purple ocean, and the cliffs where Kalen takes Lark to see the night sky, it sounds pretty damn beautiful as well.
The storyline was wonderful, although I was hoping for a smidge more action. I mean, come on, there are space pirates here! I felt like it was chock-full of secret meetings and sneaky plans, but I was dying for a great fight scene.
I did get my adventure fill with The Renegade, the group Lark joins to get herself home. There are quite a few members who I wish I got to see more of, or learn more about. The Renegade is what drives the story forward and brings Lark to a decision that wrecks her to make. There were so many plot twists regarding who was involved that my mind was blown and I loved every second of it.
The real thing that kept me stuck on this story was Lark and Kalen's relationship. They had such great chemistry and I adored them together. So much sass and affection for two characters who knew it would be trouble to fall for each other and end up doing it anyway. There were so many moments I swooned over, and parts that broke my heart. Like actually hurt me! Which to me is always a sign of a good book.
All in all, I loved this. It was the perfect length for my first read of 2018. Please, do yourself a favor, and go snag a copy. There's adventure, romance, a little bit of sexiness (okay, a whole lot where Kalen is concerned, but also some other sexiness), and a mission for freedom that'll hook you. This was my first novel from Entangled TEEN Publishing, but I can tell you it won't be my last. Same can be said for Sara Baysinger. I've got my fingers AND toes crossed for a sequel!
bianca_bookishbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Such a beautiful book! Soo happy I got to read this! It was so perfect and the ending was adorable!
kaycee_k's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars!
I have a soft spot for space books, they are ones I always enjoy. The Vanishing Spark of Dusk by Sara Baysinger is a space star-cross lovers, smashed with adventure. Lark is a strong head character, she cares this story well. Kalen, the main male lead, was a joy to read because he wears his heart on his sleeves.
I enjoyed the push and pull this story gave. The book opens with a pow, the slows down then slowly picks back up. It starts with a betrayed, space travel to a new plant, new love, reblues, family, and more. For me, there was only one major twist I didn't see coming. The book does cover the heavy topic of slavery, and I feel that Sara does a good job of talk about this topic without leaving this story, and facing the problem of it. Her style is one of my favorite things about this book, I just really enjoy her style.
Overall, it was a good space read, that surprised me with some funny scenes, and lots of adventure.
I received a NetGalley ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This doesn't in any way influence my opinion on it. So, this is a 100% honest review by me.
I have a soft spot for space books, they are ones I always enjoy. The Vanishing Spark of Dusk by Sara Baysinger is a space star-cross lovers, smashed with adventure. Lark is a strong head character, she cares this story well. Kalen, the main male lead, was a joy to read because he wears his heart on his sleeves.
I enjoyed the push and pull this story gave. The book opens with a pow, the slows down then slowly picks back up. It starts with a betrayed, space travel to a new plant, new love, reblues, family, and more. For me, there was only one major twist I didn't see coming. The book does cover the heavy topic of slavery, and I feel that Sara does a good job of talk about this topic without leaving this story, and facing the problem of it. Her style is one of my favorite things about this book, I just really enjoy her style.
Overall, it was a good space read, that surprised me with some funny scenes, and lots of adventure.
I received a NetGalley ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This doesn't in any way influence my opinion on it. So, this is a 100% honest review by me.
anacarter's review against another edition
5.0
Full Review on my blog!
*a copy was provided by NetGalley*
Wow! I came expecting one thing and got another!
The plot in The Vanishing Spark is full of action and romance. There's so much at play here - rebel groups, evil men, space journeys, and a divided family. I couldn't flip the pages fast enough! I just wanted to know everything! The romance was steamy. Lark and Kalen had such a great dynamic - I loved how they constantly would push at each other's buttons. Plus their ending was sooooo freaking adorable.
I think I've found a new favourite author and I can't wait to read more from her! I highly recommend reading this one! The Vanishing Spark of Dusk by Sara Baysinger comes out today, I can't wait to buy my own copy! :D
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Facebook
*a copy was provided by NetGalley*
Wow! I came expecting one thing and got another!
The plot in The Vanishing Spark is full of action and romance. There's so much at play here - rebel groups, evil men, space journeys, and a divided family. I couldn't flip the pages fast enough! I just wanted to know everything! The romance was steamy. Lark and Kalen had such a great dynamic - I loved how they constantly would push at each other's buttons. Plus their ending was sooooo freaking adorable.
I think I've found a new favourite author and I can't wait to read more from her! I highly recommend reading this one! The Vanishing Spark of Dusk by Sara Baysinger comes out today, I can't wait to buy my own copy! :D
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Facebook
branpender12's review against another edition
4.0
~I was provided this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley and Entangled: Teen Publishing.~
My Synopsis:
In a world where being human is terrifying and aliens haunt their nightmares, Lark tries to keep her head down in a safe area and etch out a meager life. That is until her world is turned upside down and she finds herself a slave on the home planet of the aliens that haunt her every waking moment- perhaps her sleeping ones too. Kalen is the son of a notorious slave trader and is compelled to the strange human who openly speaks of escape- of freedom! Together they might have a chance to change things and to end the torment of all the human race.
The Breakdown:
I enjoy reading new and exciting books that are outside of my comfort zone. I normally stray away from Alien/Human romances but this time I was pleasantly surprised! I was immediately drawn into the world and found a fondness for Lark. The fear of being enslaved to the Tavdorians is a daily occurrence and I could feel the tension in the book.
The imagery was very different than other alien books that I have read, and I did enjoy getting emerged into a beautiful new world that was Tavdora. To being exposed to realities that are not entirely different than our own here on Earth today. Everyone fears the unknown and the hate for a group of people or one individual can sway an entire populous of peoples. I like that the author touched on the taboo of different races and cultures to open the eyes of outsiders so that they might see that there can be is good and evil in every race, species, and populous in any culture.
The Characters That Make This Book Delectable:
The people of this book were well thought out and their personas were foremost in the author’s mind at all times. There is no question of where any of their loyalties lie and who is on what side of the decided demarcation of inner planetary species!
I really loved how lark came out of her shell and decided to step and be a beacon of hope where there was none. I like how she always seemed to blunder her way through the story. After all, she is not a true heroine and never has been trained to be that. No, Lark is a survivor and as long as there is hope, and determination left in her body she will do what is necessary to make it home! Falling in love was just a side note and I grew to like her budding relationship with Kalen.
I also could see where Kalon was coming from and how he also wanted to escape the world that his culture had built. With the high expectations that his father put on him and the ever-growing admiration of the slave girl lark, he was completely torn between what was expected of him and what his heart called for. He did a great job of being added to my ever-growing list of Book Boyfriends and I liked how everything with his character played out.
The rest of the cast really didn’t leave an impression on me though I did wonder what happened to the stay and was heartbroken over the loss of one so young and unworldly. It is tragic to die so young and this lingered ever in my mind as the book progressed. As I believe that the author intended it to be, so it could drive the plot forward and get Lark to reach her full potential.
Conclusion:
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a bit of love triumphs over evil and likes a happy ending. Though the book seems to be standalone, I believe that there is potential for the author to revisit the world she created and build upon other characters or introduce new ones. I ultimately gave the story a 4 Star because I believe that there is room to build more story and to expand the characters further as only the main characters really caught my eye.
I just reviewed The Vanishing Spark of Dusk by Sara Baysinger. #TheVanishingSparkOfDusk #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]
My Synopsis:
In a world where being human is terrifying and aliens haunt their nightmares, Lark tries to keep her head down in a safe area and etch out a meager life. That is until her world is turned upside down and she finds herself a slave on the home planet of the aliens that haunt her every waking moment- perhaps her sleeping ones too. Kalen is the son of a notorious slave trader and is compelled to the strange human who openly speaks of escape- of freedom! Together they might have a chance to change things and to end the torment of all the human race.
The Breakdown:
I enjoy reading new and exciting books that are outside of my comfort zone. I normally stray away from Alien/Human romances but this time I was pleasantly surprised! I was immediately drawn into the world and found a fondness for Lark. The fear of being enslaved to the Tavdorians is a daily occurrence and I could feel the tension in the book.
The imagery was very different than other alien books that I have read, and I did enjoy getting emerged into a beautiful new world that was Tavdora. To being exposed to realities that are not entirely different than our own here on Earth today. Everyone fears the unknown and the hate for a group of people or one individual can sway an entire populous of peoples. I like that the author touched on the taboo of different races and cultures to open the eyes of outsiders so that they might see that there can be is good and evil in every race, species, and populous in any culture.
The Characters That Make This Book Delectable:
The people of this book were well thought out and their personas were foremost in the author’s mind at all times. There is no question of where any of their loyalties lie and who is on what side of the decided demarcation of inner planetary species!
I really loved how lark came out of her shell and decided to step and be a beacon of hope where there was none. I like how she always seemed to blunder her way through the story. After all, she is not a true heroine and never has been trained to be that. No, Lark is a survivor and as long as there is hope, and determination left in her body she will do what is necessary to make it home! Falling in love was just a side note and I grew to like her budding relationship with Kalen.
I also could see where Kalon was coming from and how he also wanted to escape the world that his culture had built. With the high expectations that his father put on him and the ever-growing admiration of the slave girl lark, he was completely torn between what was expected of him and what his heart called for. He did a great job of being added to my ever-growing list of Book Boyfriends and I liked how everything with his character played out.
The rest of the cast really didn’t leave an impression on me though I did wonder what happened to the stay and was heartbroken over the loss of one so young and unworldly. It is tragic to die so young and this lingered ever in my mind as the book progressed. As I believe that the author intended it to be, so it could drive the plot forward and get Lark to reach her full potential.
Conclusion:
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a bit of love triumphs over evil and likes a happy ending. Though the book seems to be standalone, I believe that there is potential for the author to revisit the world she created and build upon other characters or introduce new ones. I ultimately gave the story a 4 Star because I believe that there is room to build more story and to expand the characters further as only the main characters really caught my eye.
I just reviewed The Vanishing Spark of Dusk by Sara Baysinger. #TheVanishingSparkOfDusk #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]
jessthebookslover's review against another edition
4.0
Review of The Vanishing Spark of Dusk by Sara Baysinger.
Rating: 4/5 stars
What the hell have I just finished reading?
Sara never fails to surprise me. With a completely new story, she leaves the dystopian world for a sci-fi one.
And she nails it again.
Plot below:
·
Stand up.
When Lark is stolen from Earth to be a slave on the planet Tavdora, she’s determined to find her way back home to her family, no matter the cost. Placed in the household of a notorious slave trader, Lark quickly learns her best assets are her eyes and ears. And if she’s brave enough, her voice.
Be heard.
Kalen is the Tavdorian son of a slave trader and in line to inherit his father’s business. But his growing feelings for Lark, the new house slave who dares to speak of freedom, compel him to reveal his new plan for the slave ships returning to Earth—escape. Together, they just might spark a change that flares across the universe.
Fight back.
·
I already reviewed 3 book by Sara and I'd lie if I said that they weren't all freaking fantastic.
This one is no exception, but unlike the ones I've read before, it has some flaws in my opinion.
They're not really FLAWS but more like... Repetitions from her previous works.
We see some things in TVSOD that also were in the Black Tiger series, with different twists, but we still see them:
The humans on Earth that are part of Lark's community are farmers again, there's an "unknown tribe"/rebels against the government again, there's a sort of beast that is used against the rebels just like the Black Tigers were used, there's again an illness or plague showing up in the book, just like in White Dawn, there's again this "pull" towards a higher power, and then the little details: the inhale/exhale thing was present in Black Tiger as it is here and there's a guy who plays the guitar and sings again.
·
What I'm trying to convey is that this book although great(!!) felt like a summary of what happened in the Black Tiger series with a new world and plot twists at its back.
Don't get me wrong: if you haven't read the Black Tiger series, all these things won't affect your reading, but if you have... You might notice them the way I did.
Also, if you read her previous works, you might also notice that Kalen is a mix of Forest (he doesn't believe in the rebel group, doesn't want to do anything illegal and so on) and Rain (my boy, Kalen falls for Lark, so he has to do something against what he believes in).
·
But despite all this, I loved this book and its story, Lark and Kalen have a place in my heart.
Rating: 4/5 stars
What the hell have I just finished reading?
Sara never fails to surprise me. With a completely new story, she leaves the dystopian world for a sci-fi one.
And she nails it again.
Plot below:
·
Stand up.
When Lark is stolen from Earth to be a slave on the planet Tavdora, she’s determined to find her way back home to her family, no matter the cost. Placed in the household of a notorious slave trader, Lark quickly learns her best assets are her eyes and ears. And if she’s brave enough, her voice.
Be heard.
Kalen is the Tavdorian son of a slave trader and in line to inherit his father’s business. But his growing feelings for Lark, the new house slave who dares to speak of freedom, compel him to reveal his new plan for the slave ships returning to Earth—escape. Together, they just might spark a change that flares across the universe.
Fight back.
·
I already reviewed 3 book by Sara and I'd lie if I said that they weren't all freaking fantastic.
This one is no exception, but unlike the ones I've read before, it has some flaws in my opinion.
They're not really FLAWS but more like... Repetitions from her previous works.
We see some things in TVSOD that also were in the Black Tiger series, with different twists, but we still see them:
The humans on Earth that are part of Lark's community are farmers again, there's an "unknown tribe"/rebels against the government again, there's a sort of beast that is used against the rebels just like the Black Tigers were used, there's again an illness or plague showing up in the book, just like in White Dawn, there's again this "pull" towards a higher power, and then the little details: the inhale/exhale thing was present in Black Tiger as it is here and there's a guy who plays the guitar and sings again.
·
What I'm trying to convey is that this book although great(!!) felt like a summary of what happened in the Black Tiger series with a new world and plot twists at its back.
Don't get me wrong: if you haven't read the Black Tiger series, all these things won't affect your reading, but if you have... You might notice them the way I did.
Also, if you read her previous works, you might also notice that Kalen is a mix of Forest (he doesn't believe in the rebel group, doesn't want to do anything illegal and so on) and Rain (my boy, Kalen falls for Lark, so he has to do something against what he believes in).
·
But despite all this, I loved this book and its story, Lark and Kalen have a place in my heart.
lenoreo's review against another edition
4.0
http://celebrityreaders.com/2018/01/04/the-vanishing-spark-of-dusk-by-sara-baysinger/
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
4 stars — Wow. Again, why don’t I read more science fiction?? I would have missed out on this gem if I wasn’t determined to stretch myself this year!
OK, before I get going on my review, I just wanted to note that I would call this book mature YA rather than just normal YA. While I have no problems with all sorts of content, I do notice that people get up in arms about this issue, so I figured I would note it. The book does not go into any explicit detail about the actual act, but it’s not completely fade to black. I could see how some might think it skirts the line without crossing, kwim? Consider yourself warned, and hopefully you will still choose to decide for yourself because I highly recommend it! Obligation fulfilled.
I absolutely loved the universe that Ms. Baysinger created…it was heartbreaking and gutwrenching yes, but it was also so beautifully detailed that I felt like I could really imagine Tavdoria and the experiences of both Humans and aliens alike. And the journey that Lark goes on is one with a remarkable amount of growth. But it was still believable growth, even as she changed dramatically from who she was on Earth to who she became on Tavdoria…mostly believable because her circumstances completely changed, and so I feel like she adapted in a realistic way. I was a bit skeptical at first, b/c she was so timid and almost a doormat on Earth, and it seemed like she did a complete about face. But having her freedom taken away, and experiencing the other traumas she did (betrayal, Rika), I can see how it would have a profound effect on her.
I really did empathize with Lark, and I could see a lot myself in her. I LOVED how her empathy was one of her greatest strengths. And it came into play so often! I could vibe with most of what she felt in this story, I could see myself reacting similarly. Though sometimes her boldness made me cringe, b/c I am probably more like the Lark of Earth in that I don’t like attention.
Kalen was a really intriguing hero…I felt so bad for him a lot of the time. He struggled so much with what he felt inside, what his mother taught him, and what he believed was true about Tavdorian society. I thought it was interesting to have our hero be kind of questionable, almost an anti-hero; to be in such a position of power but be so indoctrinated and easily influenced by his family, that even as he felt slavery was wrong, he still believed that nothing he could do would make a difference. I really did love him though, even though he was such a flawed hero. I truly did believe him right from the start about his feelings for Lark, I could feel how genuine he was. As a result I felt for him as he was constantly second guessed and doubted. Honestly, the longer Lark didn’t trust him, the more I wondered if I was wrong all along. And truthfully, I felt like that was drawn out a bit long for me. It’s funny that in the end he wasn’t 100% with the cause, but more just wanted Lark and whatever was safe for her. It was an interesting character arc for him.
I enjoyed their romance too…it added just that little bit extra to the story, and I had lots of instances of tummy butterflies. It was sweet, and poignant, and it made me want to smack them sometimes. 😛 So all good things.
Interesting secondary characters in this one as well, quite an extensive cast in fact. Some that I LOVED, some that I decidedly did NOT. Number one on the love list was definitely the Renegade Tavdorians, they were awesome. I’m going to be a bit vague here, b/c I don’t want to spoil any twists. Obviously loved Neptune as well, though it wasn’t until just slightly before his reveal that I figured things out…good twist there. Speaking of twists, I didn’t see the Starfinder co-pilot coming! I mean, a part of me wondered if there was more to him, but in the end I bought his act along with Lark. Obviously liked both Vermilia and Bram, and didn’t really like Bralia. I will admit I was a bit sad that none of the slaves in the Rydell household really saw Kalen for who he could be, saw his potential in the same way as Lark…they all warned her off him. But then again, they all grew up as slaves. I was NOT a fan of Tariq in the end…for obvious reasons. I did appreciate that some of the bad guys were given a bit of depth…not excuses for their behavior, but at least an understanding of where their behavior came from.
Honestly, the only real problem I had with the story was that it felt a bit drawn out…like it could have been tightened up in a few places. I spend so much time second guessing things and waiting for shoes to drop, that it almost took me out of the story. Perhaps that’s just though.
Now the only question I have left: WILL THERE BE A SEQUEL??? WAS THIS A STANDALONE???? I NEED TO KNOW! I was satisfied with the ending, but I could also see more being added to the story, so I’m curious…mildly…greatly…one of those.
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
4 stars — Wow. Again, why don’t I read more science fiction?? I would have missed out on this gem if I wasn’t determined to stretch myself this year!
OK, before I get going on my review, I just wanted to note that I would call this book mature YA rather than just normal YA. While I have no problems with all sorts of content, I do notice that people get up in arms about this issue, so I figured I would note it. The book does not go into any explicit detail about the actual act, but it’s not completely fade to black. I could see how some might think it skirts the line without crossing, kwim? Consider yourself warned, and hopefully you will still choose to decide for yourself because I highly recommend it! Obligation fulfilled.
I absolutely loved the universe that Ms. Baysinger created…it was heartbreaking and gutwrenching yes, but it was also so beautifully detailed that I felt like I could really imagine Tavdoria and the experiences of both Humans and aliens alike. And the journey that Lark goes on is one with a remarkable amount of growth. But it was still believable growth, even as she changed dramatically from who she was on Earth to who she became on Tavdoria…mostly believable because her circumstances completely changed, and so I feel like she adapted in a realistic way. I was a bit skeptical at first, b/c she was so timid and almost a doormat on Earth, and it seemed like she did a complete about face. But having her freedom taken away, and experiencing the other traumas she did (betrayal, Rika), I can see how it would have a profound effect on her.
I really did empathize with Lark, and I could see a lot myself in her. I LOVED how her empathy was one of her greatest strengths. And it came into play so often! I could vibe with most of what she felt in this story, I could see myself reacting similarly. Though sometimes her boldness made me cringe, b/c I am probably more like the Lark of Earth in that I don’t like attention.
Kalen was a really intriguing hero…I felt so bad for him a lot of the time. He struggled so much with what he felt inside, what his mother taught him, and what he believed was true about Tavdorian society. I thought it was interesting to have our hero be kind of questionable, almost an anti-hero; to be in such a position of power but be so indoctrinated and easily influenced by his family, that even as he felt slavery was wrong, he still believed that nothing he could do would make a difference. I really did love him though, even though he was such a flawed hero. I truly did believe him right from the start about his feelings for Lark, I could feel how genuine he was. As a result I felt for him as he was constantly second guessed and doubted. Honestly, the longer Lark didn’t trust him, the more I wondered if I was wrong all along. And truthfully, I felt like that was drawn out a bit long for me. It’s funny that in the end he wasn’t 100% with the cause, but more just wanted Lark and whatever was safe for her. It was an interesting character arc for him.
I enjoyed their romance too…it added just that little bit extra to the story, and I had lots of instances of tummy butterflies. It was sweet, and poignant, and it made me want to smack them sometimes. 😛 So all good things.
Interesting secondary characters in this one as well, quite an extensive cast in fact. Some that I LOVED, some that I decidedly did NOT. Number one on the love list was definitely the Renegade Tavdorians, they were awesome. I’m going to be a bit vague here, b/c I don’t want to spoil any twists. Obviously loved Neptune as well, though it wasn’t until just slightly before his reveal that I figured things out…good twist there. Speaking of twists, I didn’t see the Starfinder co-pilot coming! I mean, a part of me wondered if there was more to him, but in the end I bought his act along with Lark. Obviously liked both Vermilia and Bram, and didn’t really like Bralia. I will admit I was a bit sad that none of the slaves in the Rydell household really saw Kalen for who he could be, saw his potential in the same way as Lark…they all warned her off him. But then again, they all grew up as slaves. I was NOT a fan of Tariq in the end…for obvious reasons. I did appreciate that some of the bad guys were given a bit of depth…not excuses for their behavior, but at least an understanding of where their behavior came from.
Honestly, the only real problem I had with the story was that it felt a bit drawn out…like it could have been tightened up in a few places. I spend so much time second guessing things and waiting for shoes to drop, that it almost took me out of the story. Perhaps that’s just though.
Now the only question I have left: WILL THERE BE A SEQUEL??? WAS THIS A STANDALONE???? I NEED TO KNOW! I was satisfied with the ending, but I could also see more being added to the story, so I’m curious…mildly…greatly…one of those.
ssp_amax's review against another edition
3.0
Read it on my blog: https://wordpress.com/post/vicsense.wordpress.com/849
After an alien invasion made by a civilization known as the Tavdorians, Earth has become a breeding ground for slave plantations and resourcing. Lark is one of the few last natives of Earth who lives freely on a small plot of land with a handful of other natives. That is, until she is captured by slave traders and sent to work on their home planet. Refusing to bow down and become a slave for her whole life, Lark soon finds herself accepting a dangerous position within the ranks of a rebel group, hellbent on freeing slaves and overthrowing the Tavdorians. But when her master shows her kindness and love, Lark is torn between her growing passion for the dark Tavdorian, and her mission of saving humanity.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I am not sponsored for this post and the opinions stated below are unbiased.
Lark: is she weak or strong? The only time she seems to have a mouth on her is when she faces Kalen, the one and only alien (and master) who actually gives two rat's asses about humans. The rest of the time, she's supposedly 'invisible', as she repeatedly tells us. I don't think she's all that 'invisible'; she keeps mouthing off to Zimri (the most dangerous and violent slave trader) and, miraculously, she never gets punished for her unacceptable behaviour.
Let's put this in perspective: she's a slave. She has to obey her masters' commands and yet, there are no consequences. Either 1) Kalen swoops in and saves her rebellious ass or 2) the other masters just turn a blind eye where she's concerned; for no apparent reason.
Now, when I picked up this book, I thought I was going to get a good sci-fi intrigue, an inter-galactic space race or some sort of alien showdown. Instead, I got a very romance-heavy 200+ page story. I don't mind some romance, but not the whole goddamn book please. What happened to all the cool technology and spaceships that should come part and parcel with a sci-fi book?? I wanted space travel, aliens, super advanced technology.... all I got was a teenagelove lust story pumped on hormones.
Still, I'll give it it's due, Kalen was pretty hot as a main lead, perfect book boyfriend material. Lark was an okay heroine, I would have preferred if she'd been able to take care of herself a bit more and not rely on Kalen (and everyone else) so much.
Also, what is it about Kalen's calves? I read so many times about how muscular and gorgeous is calves are.... does Lark have a calve fetish? It was so strange that she mentioned it several times. Oh and, his eyes are lavender. I get it. Move on to something else please.
The rebel group was pretty cool, even though not much was said about them. I feel like the book should have expanded on the rebel group a lot more. I wanted to read about them, their backstories and why they were fighting (apart from the obvious). Unfortunately,most all of the attention was focused on Lark and Kalen and as a result, I didn't really feel anything for the side characters.
On a side note, whatever happened to Lark's dog back on Earth?!? When she was captured, her dog was also caught and then... that's it? No conclusion to what happened to her?? It's a small detail, but I was upset that there was no closure surrounding the fate of the dog.
Overall, it wasn't a bad read. It was interesting enough that I read it all in one day. If you enjoy sci-fi, then I'd say that you'll be disappointed with this book. The SF stuff happens in the background and isn't really relevant. If you like romance and steamy making out/sex scenes, this might be the one for you.
Summary
After an alien invasion made by a civilization known as the Tavdorians, Earth has become a breeding ground for slave plantations and resourcing. Lark is one of the few last natives of Earth who lives freely on a small plot of land with a handful of other natives. That is, until she is captured by slave traders and sent to work on their home planet. Refusing to bow down and become a slave for her whole life, Lark soon finds herself accepting a dangerous position within the ranks of a rebel group, hellbent on freeing slaves and overthrowing the Tavdorians. But when her master shows her kindness and love, Lark is torn between her growing passion for the dark Tavdorian, and her mission of saving humanity.
Review
Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I am not sponsored for this post and the opinions stated below are unbiased.
Lark: is she weak or strong? The only time she seems to have a mouth on her is when she faces Kalen, the one and only alien (and master) who actually gives two rat's asses about humans. The rest of the time, she's supposedly 'invisible', as she repeatedly tells us. I don't think she's all that 'invisible'; she keeps mouthing off to Zimri (the most dangerous and violent slave trader) and, miraculously, she never gets punished for her unacceptable behaviour.
Let's put this in perspective: she's a slave. She has to obey her masters' commands and yet, there are no consequences. Either 1) Kalen swoops in and saves her rebellious ass or 2) the other masters just turn a blind eye where she's concerned; for no apparent reason.
Now, when I picked up this book, I thought I was going to get a good sci-fi intrigue, an inter-galactic space race or some sort of alien showdown. Instead, I got a very romance-heavy 200+ page story. I don't mind some romance, but not the whole goddamn book please. What happened to all the cool technology and spaceships that should come part and parcel with a sci-fi book?? I wanted space travel, aliens, super advanced technology.... all I got was a teenage
Still, I'll give it it's due, Kalen was pretty hot as a main lead, perfect book boyfriend material. Lark was an okay heroine, I would have preferred if she'd been able to take care of herself a bit more and not rely on Kalen (and everyone else) so much.
Also, what is it about Kalen's calves? I read so many times about how muscular and gorgeous is calves are.... does Lark have a calve fetish? It was so strange that she mentioned it several times. Oh and, his eyes are lavender. I get it. Move on to something else please.
The rebel group was pretty cool, even though not much was said about them. I feel like the book should have expanded on the rebel group a lot more. I wanted to read about them, their backstories and why they were fighting (apart from the obvious). Unfortunately,
On a side note, whatever happened to Lark's dog back on Earth?!? When she was captured, her dog was also caught and then... that's it? No conclusion to what happened to her?? It's a small detail, but I was upset that there was no closure surrounding the fate of the dog.
Final Thoughts
Overall, it wasn't a bad read. It was interesting enough that I read it all in one day. If you enjoy sci-fi, then I'd say that you'll be disappointed with this book. The SF stuff happens in the background and isn't really relevant. If you like romance and steamy making out/sex scenes, this might be the one for you.
hollymbryan's review against another edition
4.0
I was really excited to hear about this book when Entangled Teen began teasing it as a forthcoming release, because I just love science fiction. SFF has been one of my top two favorite genres (the other being historical fiction) for as long as I can remember. Throw in aliens and new planets to discover, and I’m there! So I jumped at the chance to read this one.
I will say there are things I did like and things I didn’t like, but the good definitely outweighs the bad on balance, hence the 4-star rating. I’m not usually one to give content warnings or trigger warnings, but I would say that this is probably best enjoyed by older (or more mature) teens, due to some of the themes and scenes. There is one scene around 10% or so that was completely unexpected - at least to me - and absolutely heart-wrenching, so be forewarned. Also, since the main topic of the book is slavery, it may be difficult for some to read. The scenes that you may call “sexual” are not really explicit, but there are sexual themes that go along with the slavery aspect.
Okay, all that said: let’s discuss the few things I didn’t like first. These may seem nitpicky to some, but as someone who really enjoys and reads a lot of science fiction, these are issues that are relatively common, especially for an author who’s not immersed in the genre. First, there are all kinds of aliens in the book - which I normally love! However, every single species, from many different planets, is humanoid - they basically all look just like humans, with small differences like orange skin or being 8-feet tall and the like. I grant you that it’s extra challenging to write about aliens that *aren’t* humanoid, but that’s kind of the point, right? It’s pretty hard to believe that there are all these other planets with many species out there in the universe and ... they’re all just like us. Down to wearing clothes and shoes that look just like our clothes and shoes, for example. It’s just...I wish there were more variety on this front. Second, I found it rather unbelievable that all of these different species can communicate with one another like the instant they meet. I understand that Lark has been taught to speak and read at least some of the Tavdorian language by an escaped slave, but how does she communicate with the other slaves once she’s taken to Tavdora? Surely all the slaves don’t speak *English*? And if they’re speaking Tavdorian, we’re to believe she’s actually perfectly fluent in the language? One conversation that struck me in this regard was with a non-Tavdorian, a slave named Bram, who’s talking about compassion for others and the like, and all I could think was, did the escaped slave really teach her the word for “compassion”? It’s just a little unbelievable. So you really have to have the willing suspension of disbelief when reading this. I tried not to let it bother me, but I did want to make sure I point it out!
Now, on to what I did like! Ms. Baysinger’s writing is fantastic, and I have already purchased her self-published debut, Black Tiger, to read soon. I would also definitely pick up another book in this world, should she turn this into a series or write a companion novel to this one. The characters were all really well-drawn, and there were a fair amount of them to keep track of (which is something I like). Each character was distinctive and you could quickly associate them with their characteristics when they showed up on the page (eg, Zimri - evil and cold). Kalen is a hot alien, which is always a plus :) And Lark was a good main character, someone you can definitely root for. She’s naive at the beginning, and the circumstances leading to her capture are heartbreaking, but she grows as the novel progresses and it’s fun to see her come into her strength. In addition to the characters, the world-building is great; I could see the city of Neket in my mind, visualizing the violet waters of the ocean there. There is also intrigue, rebels, “space pirates,” evil slave traders, and slaves yearning and scheming to set themselves free, which makes for a great story!
Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Vanishing Spark of Dusk, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA science fiction, or someone who wants to give it a try but isn’t quite ready for “hard” sci-fi. There’s also adventure and romance, so there’s really something for everyone! I liked the emphasis on overcoming stereotypes we have about others, whether they be aliens or, in our world, someone of a different race or religion, and I think it’s a positive theme for young adult readers. If the summary interests you, I encourage you to go for it and give this book a chance! I think you’ll be surprised at how much you enjoy reading about alien beings, even if they have become our new overlords on Earth :)
Thanks so much to YA Reads and Entangled Teen for including me on the blog tour, and to Sara Baysinger for a great story!
Rating: 4 out-of-this-universe stars!
Disclosure: I received an early e-copy of this book from Entangled Teen for purposes of this blog tour. This review is written voluntarily by me and is my honest rating and review of the book.
I will say there are things I did like and things I didn’t like, but the good definitely outweighs the bad on balance, hence the 4-star rating. I’m not usually one to give content warnings or trigger warnings, but I would say that this is probably best enjoyed by older (or more mature) teens, due to some of the themes and scenes. There is one scene around 10% or so that was completely unexpected - at least to me - and absolutely heart-wrenching, so be forewarned. Also, since the main topic of the book is slavery, it may be difficult for some to read. The scenes that you may call “sexual” are not really explicit, but there are sexual themes that go along with the slavery aspect.
Okay, all that said: let’s discuss the few things I didn’t like first. These may seem nitpicky to some, but as someone who really enjoys and reads a lot of science fiction, these are issues that are relatively common, especially for an author who’s not immersed in the genre. First, there are all kinds of aliens in the book - which I normally love! However, every single species, from many different planets, is humanoid - they basically all look just like humans, with small differences like orange skin or being 8-feet tall and the like. I grant you that it’s extra challenging to write about aliens that *aren’t* humanoid, but that’s kind of the point, right? It’s pretty hard to believe that there are all these other planets with many species out there in the universe and ... they’re all just like us. Down to wearing clothes and shoes that look just like our clothes and shoes, for example. It’s just...I wish there were more variety on this front. Second, I found it rather unbelievable that all of these different species can communicate with one another like the instant they meet. I understand that Lark has been taught to speak and read at least some of the Tavdorian language by an escaped slave, but how does she communicate with the other slaves once she’s taken to Tavdora? Surely all the slaves don’t speak *English*? And if they’re speaking Tavdorian, we’re to believe she’s actually perfectly fluent in the language? One conversation that struck me in this regard was with a non-Tavdorian, a slave named Bram, who’s talking about compassion for others and the like, and all I could think was, did the escaped slave really teach her the word for “compassion”? It’s just a little unbelievable. So you really have to have the willing suspension of disbelief when reading this. I tried not to let it bother me, but I did want to make sure I point it out!
Now, on to what I did like! Ms. Baysinger’s writing is fantastic, and I have already purchased her self-published debut, Black Tiger, to read soon. I would also definitely pick up another book in this world, should she turn this into a series or write a companion novel to this one. The characters were all really well-drawn, and there were a fair amount of them to keep track of (which is something I like). Each character was distinctive and you could quickly associate them with their characteristics when they showed up on the page (eg, Zimri - evil and cold). Kalen is a hot alien, which is always a plus :) And Lark was a good main character, someone you can definitely root for. She’s naive at the beginning, and the circumstances leading to her capture are heartbreaking, but she grows as the novel progresses and it’s fun to see her come into her strength. In addition to the characters, the world-building is great; I could see the city of Neket in my mind, visualizing the violet waters of the ocean there. There is also intrigue, rebels, “space pirates,” evil slave traders, and slaves yearning and scheming to set themselves free, which makes for a great story!
Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Vanishing Spark of Dusk, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA science fiction, or someone who wants to give it a try but isn’t quite ready for “hard” sci-fi. There’s also adventure and romance, so there’s really something for everyone! I liked the emphasis on overcoming stereotypes we have about others, whether they be aliens or, in our world, someone of a different race or religion, and I think it’s a positive theme for young adult readers. If the summary interests you, I encourage you to go for it and give this book a chance! I think you’ll be surprised at how much you enjoy reading about alien beings, even if they have become our new overlords on Earth :)
Thanks so much to YA Reads and Entangled Teen for including me on the blog tour, and to Sara Baysinger for a great story!
Rating: 4 out-of-this-universe stars!
Disclosure: I received an early e-copy of this book from Entangled Teen for purposes of this blog tour. This review is written voluntarily by me and is my honest rating and review of the book.