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bagejew's review against another edition
5.0
Forbidden Love
Mage Halcyon wants to transfer from Starwatch to Whitewater City. Sentinel Stonewall is assigned to escort her. But, from the very beginning, the journey is unusual. In this world, mages are outcasts. People don't understand them and are afraid of their magic. Stonewall is no exception - until events on the journey allow him to see that mages are not a threat. As the two approach Whitewater City, feelings that shouldn't be there begin to develop. What will happen once Kali and Stone reach Whitewater City? Catalyst Mood is a wonderful combination of fantasy and romance. The character development is excellent. Readers of both fantasy and romance will thoroughly enjoy Catalyst Moon. I look forward to reading further installments in this series.
Mage Halcyon wants to transfer from Starwatch to Whitewater City. Sentinel Stonewall is assigned to escort her. But, from the very beginning, the journey is unusual. In this world, mages are outcasts. People don't understand them and are afraid of their magic. Stonewall is no exception - until events on the journey allow him to see that mages are not a threat. As the two approach Whitewater City, feelings that shouldn't be there begin to develop. What will happen once Kali and Stone reach Whitewater City? Catalyst Mood is a wonderful combination of fantasy and romance. The character development is excellent. Readers of both fantasy and romance will thoroughly enjoy Catalyst Moon. I look forward to reading further installments in this series.
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
This is an nice, interesting read. The lay of the land got me excited. I found Kali to be a surprise. Each time that she used her abilities there seemed to be something new that even Kali was learning about her full powers. Although, I agree with another reader that the use of the other characters calling Kali "Mage Halcyon" was confusing at first. This is because the author really did not it clear that Mage Halcyon and Kali were the same person. It was not until after about chapter 10 that Kali even questioned what Stonewall was calling her by the other name that he explained it was out of respect.
In fact, the first 5 to 6 chapters were not really explained that well in regards to the events or why Kali found herself in handcuffs at the beginning of the story. Yet, I stuck with the story despite this as I liked Kali and I did find the story to have action and it moved at a steady pace. If you can get past this then the story does get better the further you get into it. In regards to the romantic relationship between Stonewall and Kali, if it was not even there I would have been fine with it. It was sweet but I did not feel the great passion. Readers who are looking for something different to read may be interested to check out this book.
In fact, the first 5 to 6 chapters were not really explained that well in regards to the events or why Kali found herself in handcuffs at the beginning of the story. Yet, I stuck with the story despite this as I liked Kali and I did find the story to have action and it moved at a steady pace. If you can get past this then the story does get better the further you get into it. In regards to the romantic relationship between Stonewall and Kali, if it was not even there I would have been fine with it. It was sweet but I did not feel the great passion. Readers who are looking for something different to read may be interested to check out this book.
feelingferal's review against another edition
The book is fine. Not great. But good. Three stars. It's DNR because I really don't like multi POVs. I had just settled into the rhythm of the first two and then a third and fourth were added in and I tried but I just couldn't get back into the flow of the book and eventually gave up.
kyshakitty's review against another edition
4.0
I got this ARC from Inkitt.
The description didn't really tell what the story is about. It is a love story gone wrong, as well as an adventure story and a story of differences being put aside. This is the first book in the series so maybe things will be explained in the following books but I felt like there were too many side stories going on in this one.
Kalinda and Stonewall getting separated from the others during the battle was the start of their adventure where so many things happened that were not explained. They talk about his map but he doesn't explain it to her or the reader. They keep meeting these raiders who are now different but no one bothers to try and figure out why. They meet people who are afraid of Kali but still help her. The whole book was slightly confusing.
The sentinels at the garrisons are also confusing. They talk about things that are not explained and there are relationships that are not explained. And why do the sentinels take new names when they join? Why do they take hematite instead of another metal or any at all? There are just too many things not explained.
I like the story of Kali and Stone. I want to see them back together again at the bastion. But I also want the rest of the story explained to me. And I want the other mages to stay away from her. I hope the next book clear some of this stuff up.
The writing is good but choppy. The flipping between locations is a little confusing.
Overall a good book if you like mages and magic with a little love and a little war.
The description didn't really tell what the story is about. It is a love story gone wrong, as well as an adventure story and a story of differences being put aside. This is the first book in the series so maybe things will be explained in the following books but I felt like there were too many side stories going on in this one.
Kalinda and Stonewall getting separated from the others during the battle was the start of their adventure where so many things happened that were not explained. They talk about his map but he doesn't explain it to her or the reader. They keep meeting these raiders who are now different but no one bothers to try and figure out why. They meet people who are afraid of Kali but still help her. The whole book was slightly confusing.
The sentinels at the garrisons are also confusing. They talk about things that are not explained and there are relationships that are not explained. And why do the sentinels take new names when they join? Why do they take hematite instead of another metal or any at all? There are just too many things not explained.
I like the story of Kali and Stone. I want to see them back together again at the bastion. But I also want the rest of the story explained to me. And I want the other mages to stay away from her. I hope the next book clear some of this stuff up.
The writing is good but choppy. The flipping between locations is a little confusing.
Overall a good book if you like mages and magic with a little love and a little war.
rhosyn_valda's review against another edition
4.0
I Reviewed this book for Whispering Stories Blog
Catalyst Moon : Incursion Review / 4.5 Stars
- Above all other things, this is a story about love -
Ms. Garcia spins a tale of the Sentinels sworn to protect the world from the Mages. Kept in city's locked away from the world Mages are feared, despised. As a Sentinel and Mage head to their destination eyes are opened truths are seen and problems old and new are shown in in a new light. Their adventures are eye opening for both of them. As they face the world, an unlikely love unfolds. The thing I loved most about their relationship was it came naturally.
"Kali's breath came shorter as her heartbeat quickened and her gaze was drawn to the stubble on his cheeks and chin, the curve of his mouth, the dark, fine fringe of his hair... "
"As he fought, he prayed. Tor keep her safe. I'll do anything if you keep her safe..."
The secondary characters stories are told revolving around the same events sometimes at different timings but slowly they start to come together. With Milo telling the side of twins who are just climbing the ranks of the sentinels. Eris and Gideon Eshina a married Mage couple who have had enough. Commander Talon a hard core Sentinel. The lastly the first Mage who has a story we have yet to discover.
Then there are the Sufani whom abhor the Sentinels, because they too are rejected by the rest of the world. Yet the y hate the Mages too.
“Why do you poison your body and sentence yourself to an unnaturally short life, just so you can resist the effects of a magic-user?”
“Because my life is not as important as those I serve,” Stonewall shot back, even as his hand crept to one of the pouches at his belt. “Someone has to protect the world against magic. There must be balance.”
“There must also be tolerance,” Leal said. “Some beliefs are strong enough to dictate extreme action. It is not your place to judge us, Sentinel, just as we should not judge you. Isn't that what the One teaches?”
With five different POV's most authors have a difficult time truly capturing every side of the story. Ms.Garcia managed this with ease. It took me a few pages to get into the story but once I was in I didn't leave until I finished.
There were a few questions left unanswered which left me hanging, but I felt as if the author wanted us to discover them along with the character. The unanswered questions created plot holes leaving you scrambling to understand what was going on. Overall this has been one of the best books I've in a while. Everything from the characters to the world itself makes you want to know more. With every twist and turn we learn something new of this amazing new world. You journey with every character discovering their flaws and strengths. The many races of humans the segregation and prejudice is one of the biggest plot point. I can't wait to see where the author goes with it. I can see now that this is a series I will follow to the end.
Would I recommend this book? Yes to anyone who enjoys fantasy and new worlds. Besides I have a feeling the story gets better. Can’t wait for the next book!
Catalyst Moon : Incursion Review / 4.5 Stars
- Above all other things, this is a story about love -
Ms. Garcia spins a tale of the Sentinels sworn to protect the world from the Mages. Kept in city's locked away from the world Mages are feared, despised. As a Sentinel and Mage head to their destination eyes are opened truths are seen and problems old and new are shown in in a new light. Their adventures are eye opening for both of them. As they face the world, an unlikely love unfolds. The thing I loved most about their relationship was it came naturally.
"Kali's breath came shorter as her heartbeat quickened and her gaze was drawn to the stubble on his cheeks and chin, the curve of his mouth, the dark, fine fringe of his hair... "
"As he fought, he prayed. Tor keep her safe. I'll do anything if you keep her safe..."
The secondary characters stories are told revolving around the same events sometimes at different timings but slowly they start to come together. With Milo telling the side of twins who are just climbing the ranks of the sentinels. Eris and Gideon Eshina a married Mage couple who have had enough. Commander Talon a hard core Sentinel. The lastly the first Mage who has a story we have yet to discover.
Then there are the Sufani whom abhor the Sentinels, because they too are rejected by the rest of the world. Yet the y hate the Mages too.
“Why do you poison your body and sentence yourself to an unnaturally short life, just so you can resist the effects of a magic-user?”
“Because my life is not as important as those I serve,” Stonewall shot back, even as his hand crept to one of the pouches at his belt. “Someone has to protect the world against magic. There must be balance.”
“There must also be tolerance,” Leal said. “Some beliefs are strong enough to dictate extreme action. It is not your place to judge us, Sentinel, just as we should not judge you. Isn't that what the One teaches?”
With five different POV's most authors have a difficult time truly capturing every side of the story. Ms.Garcia managed this with ease. It took me a few pages to get into the story but once I was in I didn't leave until I finished.
There were a few questions left unanswered which left me hanging, but I felt as if the author wanted us to discover them along with the character. The unanswered questions created plot holes leaving you scrambling to understand what was going on. Overall this has been one of the best books I've in a while. Everything from the characters to the world itself makes you want to know more. With every twist and turn we learn something new of this amazing new world. You journey with every character discovering their flaws and strengths. The many races of humans the segregation and prejudice is one of the biggest plot point. I can't wait to see where the author goes with it. I can see now that this is a series I will follow to the end.
Would I recommend this book? Yes to anyone who enjoys fantasy and new worlds. Besides I have a feeling the story gets better. Can’t wait for the next book!
chiobasiwrites's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly Good
For a first time novel, I was pleasantly surprised by how intriguing and well-written these characters were and how easy this was to read. This is a fairly simple world (in a good way) set up with intriguing limits for the main characters. Though I do think that at times the jumping perspectives were a bit much, the overall story comes together really well. I am definitely planning on buying and reading the sequel, and I hope I can read more books by this author!
For a first time novel, I was pleasantly surprised by how intriguing and well-written these characters were and how easy this was to read. This is a fairly simple world (in a good way) set up with intriguing limits for the main characters. Though I do think that at times the jumping perspectives were a bit much, the overall story comes together really well. I am definitely planning on buying and reading the sequel, and I hope I can read more books by this author!
cecelia_isaac_author's review against another edition
5.0
This book was the Spring 2019 F-BOM Book of the Month. Read my full review here: https://f-bom.com/2019/04/01/catalyst-moon-incursion-f-bom-book-of-the-month-review/
There’s so much happening in this book I don’t know where to start! What really put Catalyst Moon: Incursion above and beyond for me were the romantic relationships. Romance can be a difficult topic to tackle. Romantic tropes between heterosexual couples are often rooted in harmful, misogynistic behaviors. Offensive romantic tropes are a huge reason I set down books. I loved how comfortable I felt watching these characters fall in love through mutual respect.
There’s so much happening in this book I don’t know where to start! What really put Catalyst Moon: Incursion above and beyond for me were the romantic relationships. Romance can be a difficult topic to tackle. Romantic tropes between heterosexual couples are often rooted in harmful, misogynistic behaviors. Offensive romantic tropes are a huge reason I set down books. I loved how comfortable I felt watching these characters fall in love through mutual respect.
samd's review against another edition
2.0
e-ARC provided by NetGalley.
Let's, for a moment, pretend that I'm not familiar with a video game series that sounds kind of like "Schmagon Schmage," which large parts of this novel and its setting resemble very strongly--far, far past the point where I'm willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt. Let's, for a moment, pretend that I've never even heard of those video games, let alone played a few hundred hours of them, and read the supplemental materials, and that I didn't spend my entire read-through marking all the stuff that was definitely, hmm, borrowed.
Let's just judge this book on its own merits.
IN A WORLD where magic users are kept under lock and key in "bastions" for whatever reason by some religious authority... they're dangerous, I guess. Mages are guarded by sentinels, who take (a preparation of?) hematite to increase their resistance to magic, which is apparently so bad that it's worth using this substance that will eventually drive them insane at a young age. Cool. We aren't shown exactly why magic is so bad, but we're meant to believe it. Cool.
And in this world, a young mage named Kali, whose defining characteristics are that she's an Average Girl with a bum knee who can play the viol(in) pretty well and doesn't believe much in The Gods, is going off to a notoriously strict bastion because she's heard there's someone there who can do something for her bum knee. All mages are so dangerous, but also so coveted by the unwashed, superstitious masses, that they need a fully armed escort and cuffs that suppress their magic to go anywhere.
In order for there to be a plot, the escort is attacked by PSEUDO-VIKING ???? RAIDERS who may also be DEMONICALLY POSSESSED, though the story does not give us any lore or worldbuilding to work off of that would make us believe this is a explanation that the characters would immediately leap to.
Anyway.
So our Very Average Kali is stuck with a sentinel named Stonewall. We're not going to talk about Stonewall's personality, because it doesn't really matter. (He Took An Oath and has a sad past. There you go, that's all you need to know.) She, a very average and not at all distinguished mage, does some probably-impossible magic to teleport them very far away from this attack. Cool.
The bulk of the rest of the book is the author trying to convince us Kali and Stonewall have chemistry. Kali gets plenty of chances to show that she's a good person and a good healer, and therefore more than just a mage.
There's also a subplot at the bastion they're headed for, where the MENACING COMMANDER TALON--she was my favorite character hands down--and her LOYAL CAPTAIN COBALT simultaneously try to figure out what happened to this armed escort and try to deal with a few troublemaking mages who just WANT THEIR FREEDOM, who I'm supposed to care about, because mages are oppressed.
I guess those mages also have names and personalities, too, as does the one sentinel with the sister issues, but they don't matter except as set-up and set dressing for the shitstorm Kali and Stonewall are about to walk into in the next book.
Also, there are gypsies, literal gypsies, the word gypsy was used, which I found a little 'yikes...' but which might not make some people's Bad Race Stuff meter twitch. It should, I think.
I don't know. If I had a little more context, historical or otherwise, for why mages are oppressed, and why sentinels are necessary, I might care more about Kali and Stonewall's outcome. As it is, I don't. (From a blk girl to a presumably Latina sister, you really, really gotta give us more here.)
This reads as a very long prologue. The worldbuilding is flimsy, the characters leave me cold. At no point was I invested in the mystery behind Kali's newfound magical powers, let alone in the romance itself. Bbut the pacing is all right--I pushed through the last 1/3 of this last night, but it didn't really feel like pushing, which is something. Would I read the next book? No. Was the day and a half I spent reading this a total waste? Also no. So there's that.
.
.
p.s. Author. Author. My dude. I'm addressing this directly to you. A Foley is a type of catheter. It goes in through the urethra and up to the bladder to drain urine into a gross little baggie. That was all I could think about while reading aboutFirst Enchanter Orsino Foley Clementa. I said some pretty harsh things up there, I admit, but I consider this naming choice to be your biggest mistake.
Let's, for a moment, pretend that I'm not familiar with a video game series that sounds kind of like "Schmagon Schmage," which large parts of this novel and its setting resemble very strongly--far, far past the point where I'm willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt. Let's, for a moment, pretend that I've never even heard of those video games, let alone played a few hundred hours of them, and read the supplemental materials, and that I didn't spend my entire read-through marking all the stuff that was definitely, hmm, borrowed.
Let's just judge this book on its own merits.
IN A WORLD where magic users are kept under lock and key in "bastions" for whatever reason by some religious authority... they're dangerous, I guess. Mages are guarded by sentinels, who take (a preparation of?) hematite to increase their resistance to magic, which is apparently so bad that it's worth using this substance that will eventually drive them insane at a young age. Cool. We aren't shown exactly why magic is so bad, but we're meant to believe it. Cool.
And in this world, a young mage named Kali, whose defining characteristics are that she's an Average Girl with a bum knee who can play the viol(in) pretty well and doesn't believe much in The Gods, is going off to a notoriously strict bastion because she's heard there's someone there who can do something for her bum knee. All mages are so dangerous, but also so coveted by the unwashed, superstitious masses, that they need a fully armed escort and cuffs that suppress their magic to go anywhere.
In order for there to be a plot, the escort is attacked by PSEUDO-VIKING ???? RAIDERS who may also be DEMONICALLY POSSESSED, though the story does not give us any lore or worldbuilding to work off of that would make us believe this is a explanation that the characters would immediately leap to.
Anyway.
So our Very Average Kali is stuck with a sentinel named Stonewall. We're not going to talk about Stonewall's personality, because it doesn't really matter. (He Took An Oath and has a sad past. There you go, that's all you need to know.) She, a very average and not at all distinguished mage, does some probably-impossible magic to teleport them very far away from this attack. Cool.
The bulk of the rest of the book is the author trying to convince us Kali and Stonewall have chemistry. Kali gets plenty of chances to show that she's a good person and a good healer, and therefore more than just a mage.
There's also a subplot at the bastion they're headed for, where the MENACING COMMANDER TALON--she was my favorite character hands down--and her LOYAL CAPTAIN COBALT simultaneously try to figure out what happened to this armed escort and try to deal with a few troublemaking mages who just WANT THEIR FREEDOM, who I'm supposed to care about, because mages are oppressed.
I guess those mages also have names and personalities, too, as does the one sentinel with the sister issues, but they don't matter except as set-up and set dressing for the shitstorm Kali and Stonewall are about to walk into in the next book.
Also, there are gypsies, literal gypsies, the word gypsy was used, which I found a little 'yikes...' but which might not make some people's Bad Race Stuff meter twitch. It should, I think.
I don't know. If I had a little more context, historical or otherwise, for why mages are oppressed, and why sentinels are necessary, I might care more about Kali and Stonewall's outcome. As it is, I don't. (From a blk girl to a presumably Latina sister, you really, really gotta give us more here.)
This reads as a very long prologue. The worldbuilding is flimsy, the characters leave me cold. At no point was I invested in the mystery behind Kali's newfound magical powers, let alone in the romance itself. Bbut the pacing is all right--I pushed through the last 1/3 of this last night, but it didn't really feel like pushing, which is something. Would I read the next book? No. Was the day and a half I spent reading this a total waste? Also no. So there's that.
.
.
p.s. Author. Author. My dude. I'm addressing this directly to you. A Foley is a type of catheter. It goes in through the urethra and up to the bladder to drain urine into a gross little baggie. That was all I could think about while reading about
vortacist's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chymerra's review against another edition
3.0
Before I start my review, I would like to thank Inkitt for allowing me to review Incursion by Lauren L. Garcia.
**All opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone. I received Incursion from Inkitt for free for my honest and unbiased review**
Now onto my review:
This book was very interesting for me to read at first. The thought of a society who feared mages (ie moon blood) and keeps them sequestered from the other people in bastillions and are bound and guarded by sentinels when they do go out. I was fascinated by it.
The overall story was great. Mage is getting transferred from old bastillion to a new one and her envoy gets attacked. Desperate to protect herself and the sentinels who is protecting her, she somehow does magic through her bonds and transports them far away from the scene of the battle.
Now, if the author had continued and just wrote the story just from Kalinda/Stonewall’s perspective, it would have been boring. I think adding maybe Gideon/Eris story would have completed the story. But when you get into Milo/Flint’s issues and all of the other secondary characters and then it becomes confusing and drags the story down.
I really did like Kali and Stonewall’s characters and I did like the fact that the author did a slow burn for the romance instead of Instalove. But I didn’t feel them as a couple….at all. Maybe because the romance was later on in the book and she was taken away from him before they could bump uglies. To be honest, I’m not too sure if they did have sex. The scene where they were in the inn and making out really didn’t say if they didn’t or not. I went with no but I could be wrong. It was very vaguely written.
The book ended like I thought it would. There was no huge twist and I did see what happened coming from a mile away. With the way the book ended, there was no doubt that there is a 2nd book coming.
How many stars will I give Incursion? 3/3.5
Why? A wonderfully written story that was a quick read. A little predictable at times and a little vague (see above) at times. But definitely keeps you focused on the book.
Will I reread? Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes
Age range: Teens on up
Why? Violence and maybe sex that was very vague.
**All opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone. I received Incursion from Inkitt for free for my honest and unbiased review**
Now onto my review:
This book was very interesting for me to read at first. The thought of a society who feared mages (ie moon blood) and keeps them sequestered from the other people in bastillions and are bound and guarded by sentinels when they do go out. I was fascinated by it.
The overall story was great. Mage is getting transferred from old bastillion to a new one and her envoy gets attacked. Desperate to protect herself and the sentinels who is protecting her, she somehow does magic through her bonds and transports them far away from the scene of the battle.
Now, if the author had continued and just wrote the story just from Kalinda/Stonewall’s perspective, it would have been boring. I think adding maybe Gideon/Eris story would have completed the story. But when you get into Milo/Flint’s issues and all of the other secondary characters and then it becomes confusing and drags the story down.
I really did like Kali and Stonewall’s characters and I did like the fact that the author did a slow burn for the romance instead of Instalove. But I didn’t feel them as a couple….at all. Maybe because the romance was later on in the book and she was taken away from him before they could bump uglies. To be honest, I’m not too sure if they did have sex. The scene where they were in the inn and making out really didn’t say if they didn’t or not. I went with no but I could be wrong. It was very vaguely written.
The book ended like I thought it would. There was no huge twist and I did see what happened coming from a mile away. With the way the book ended, there was no doubt that there is a 2nd book coming.
How many stars will I give Incursion? 3/3.5
Why? A wonderfully written story that was a quick read. A little predictable at times and a little vague (see above) at times. But definitely keeps you focused on the book.
Will I reread? Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes
Age range: Teens on up
Why? Violence and maybe sex that was very vague.
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