paperpaladin's review
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This self-published love letter to Pokemon is both enjoyable and also not enough. reading through this book left we with a lot of mixed feelings. On the one had I mostly enjoyed the characters, though they did feel a bit flat at times, the plot was alright, and the world building was well done. But the prose is hard to get through, mainly the flow. Often times sentences will jump from topic to topic within the same paragraph, making it hard to follow. The thing is there is a lot of explaining how this is Pokemon but also not dog fighting and working around the inherent problems that exist in Pokemon's world.
Overall it was a fun romp but also could have used some polish.
My rating system
1 - Did not enjoy
2 - Not irredeemable but has too many flaws to say I enjoyed
3 - Enjoyed it
4 - Great book but didn't love it
5 - Amazing book
Overall it was a fun romp but also could have used some polish.
My rating system
1 - Did not enjoy
2 - Not irredeemable but has too many flaws to say I enjoyed
3 - Enjoyed it
4 - Great book but didn't love it
5 - Amazing book
ianthereader0's review
4.0
Check out my full video review here:
On Lavender Tides - Non-Spoiler Review
https://youtu.be/JJt_oeH1FHA
A fun, low-stakes, Pokémon inspired progression fantasy that was just the boost of serotonin I needed. This was a colorful and entertaining reading experience that I loved going through. It felt like I was discovering the world along with the characters.
While this book was not perfect, it delivered on what I expected of it and never ceased to amuse me. I recommend this book!
B- / 82%
On Lavender Tides - Non-Spoiler Review
https://youtu.be/JJt_oeH1FHA
A fun, low-stakes, Pokémon inspired progression fantasy that was just the boost of serotonin I needed. This was a colorful and entertaining reading experience that I loved going through. It felt like I was discovering the world along with the characters.
While this book was not perfect, it delivered on what I expected of it and never ceased to amuse me. I recommend this book!
B- / 82%
thero159's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kylecat22's review
4.0
Now that I’ve gotten some distance after finishing this, I’m still impressed with the world that was built. Any fan of Pokémon or progression fantasy will enjoy this book. The mechanics of a Pokémon style world translated very well here in battles, the capturing system, and even just how normal people would live in a world filled with wonderful, and sometimes dangerous creatures.
To me, some of the character work had been more tell and less show, which I know over time in a series will remedy. The dynamic between the main characters, including our usual rival, felt nearly cozy while they traversed on their journey. All in all, I’m excited to continue this series!
To me, some of the character work had been more tell and less show, which I know over time in a series will remedy. The dynamic between the main characters, including our usual rival, felt nearly cozy while they traversed on their journey. All in all, I’m excited to continue this series!
punderfullysarcastic's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
ryguy's review
5.0
Loved it! Travis does a great job making the monster trainer system something unique, but still familiar enough to get nostalgic from it. The story moves a little slower than most progression fantasy and I am totally along for the ride! Really interesting main characters with sensible problems instead of the typical universe shattering kinds, which is always refreshing in fantasy. Excited to see where it goes! More bestiary entries in the next one!
doccrac's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
anddown's review
5.0
Disclaimer: Travis M. Riddle provided me with an ARC, but this does not affect my opinion of this book.
Raiting: 4,5 out of 5 Stars
On Lavender Tides (Jekua Book #1) by Travis M. Riddle is the book you want to read to be transported back to your childhood. It is like a warm blanket that wraps you in all the nostalgia of being a kid playing and/or watching Pokemon and having a good time.
Yes, this series is heavily inspired by Pokemon, and you can feel it from the very beginning.
The story isn't too fast-paced and action-packed, but it's compelling enough to keep you turning the pages. It feels like a road trip with friends, and for me that is what this book is about, having a good time away from grimdark fantasy, brutal plots, and bulky books. You can think of it like an episode of Pokemon. It's part of a bigger picture and more of a setup for what's to come. Maybe that is the downside of this book, the end feels like the end of an episode and you miss the feeling of a real accomplishment. On the other hand, you have two more books at this point, and I guess book two picks up right where book one left off. So it might be a smart move by Travis to make you want to get the other books as well.
The worldbuilding is good, not overwhelming but deep enough to get a feel for the world, the wildlife and the people, and I think it will expand even more in the following books.
The prose is easy to follow and engaging, and some characters even have their own dialect, which was fun to read.
Now the characters are great in my opinion. I could relate to the two main POV's pretty quickly and you can hate on the antagonist like you should in a Pokemon inspired novel. It feels like there is some development going on with them and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Yes, On Lavender Tides feels YA at times, but I think it is still a book for all ages. From a child of about 9 who is just starting to get into Pokemon to people like me (35 years old) who want to get a fix of nostalgia, comfort but also some adventure.
Overall, it is a good start for a series and makes me want to read more to see how the plot and characters develop.
If you haven't read it yet, give it a try, and if you like it, great if you don't just move on, because it's pretty short and won't set you back on your TBR for too long.
Raiting: 4,5 out of 5 Stars
On Lavender Tides (Jekua Book #1) by Travis M. Riddle is the book you want to read to be transported back to your childhood. It is like a warm blanket that wraps you in all the nostalgia of being a kid playing and/or watching Pokemon and having a good time.
Yes, this series is heavily inspired by Pokemon, and you can feel it from the very beginning.
The story isn't too fast-paced and action-packed, but it's compelling enough to keep you turning the pages. It feels like a road trip with friends, and for me that is what this book is about, having a good time away from grimdark fantasy, brutal plots, and bulky books. You can think of it like an episode of Pokemon. It's part of a bigger picture and more of a setup for what's to come. Maybe that is the downside of this book, the end feels like the end of an episode and you miss the feeling of a real accomplishment. On the other hand, you have two more books at this point, and I guess book two picks up right where book one left off. So it might be a smart move by Travis to make you want to get the other books as well.
The worldbuilding is good, not overwhelming but deep enough to get a feel for the world, the wildlife and the people, and I think it will expand even more in the following books.
The prose is easy to follow and engaging, and some characters even have their own dialect, which was fun to read.
Now the characters are great in my opinion. I could relate to the two main POV's pretty quickly and you can hate on the antagonist like you should in a Pokemon inspired novel. It feels like there is some development going on with them and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Yes, On Lavender Tides feels YA at times, but I think it is still a book for all ages. From a child of about 9 who is just starting to get into Pokemon to people like me (35 years old) who want to get a fix of nostalgia, comfort but also some adventure.
Overall, it is a good start for a series and makes me want to read more to see how the plot and characters develop.
If you haven't read it yet, give it a try, and if you like it, great if you don't just move on, because it's pretty short and won't set you back on your TBR for too long.