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spoke's review
5.0
This was a pleasure to read and like an earlier reviewer I finished it within 24 hours as the story moved along at a quick pace with enough twists to keep me wanting to carry on reading to find out more. Science Fiction it may be but the technology was an enabler to the story rather than and end in itself, something that was reflected in Bryce's attitude to tech, and the book certainly benefited from this as it allowed much more focus on the characters of the main protagonists.
The character development was well handled and always credible even when radical changes took place. This is very much a character driven story with interplanetary travel as its backdrop and as such is much more satisfying to read. Without wishing to reinforce gender stereotypes I think the reader can tell that the author is female and this shines through in the characters and their developing relationships.
I can honestly say that I am very much looking forward to the next installment of Corvus.
The character development was well handled and always credible even when radical changes took place. This is very much a character driven story with interplanetary travel as its backdrop and as such is much more satisfying to read. Without wishing to reinforce gender stereotypes I think the reader can tell that the author is female and this shines through in the characters and their developing relationships.
I can honestly say that I am very much looking forward to the next installment of Corvus.
brightwriter60's review
5.0
What I loved about Shirley Golden's novel is how quickly and effortlessly the excellent writing and consistent, brisk pace draws the reader straight into another world. And although this other world is the author's own creation, the emotions and motivations of the characters are absolutely recognisable to the reader. What makes this novel sparkle is the way the relationships between these characters are constantly developing. This means that Skyjacked manages an astonishing feat, the blending of a fantastical realm with our own human experience.
It is a genuine page-turner, the action never ceasing and leading beautifully to the surprise at the end. Shirley Golden is a highly accomplished author and has brought Corvus Ranger to life in such style it is astonishing that Skyjacked is her debut novel. I look forward to the next book of his adventures with keen anticipation.
It is a genuine page-turner, the action never ceasing and leading beautifully to the surprise at the end. Shirley Golden is a highly accomplished author and has brought Corvus Ranger to life in such style it is astonishing that Skyjacked is her debut novel. I look forward to the next book of his adventures with keen anticipation.
lilyn_g's review
3.0
Skyjacked was a good effort by Shirley Golden. It was an enjoyable read, but it wasn't an exciting one. I never got swept up in it. Actually, I felt on a few occasions like I had to force myself to finish it. And that's not really the reaction this book deserved. But like I said: It was okay. It never thrilled me, but it was competently told.
I think maybe I was expecting too much. "Motley band" "ultimate adventure", etc, had me expecting something filled to the bursting with wise-cracking wit, impression-leaving characters, and tons of action. There was a good bit of action, but the only character that really stood out to me as interesting was the robot. It took about 65% of the book (Kindle format) before I became adequately invested enough to care about what was going on. I feel like, at that point, no matter how interesting the rest of it is, it's just a bit lacking.
I do give Shirley Golden props for fleshing out her story with believable bits of history and side notes. I'm ashamed to admit it took me a little too long to realize the Niaz/Nazi thing. On the other hand, that made it into a delightful surprise when I did see it. Like an Easter Egg hidden in the book. I also did enjoy how she was able to pull in a few threads I thought were unconnected in ways I wasn't expecting. I also enjoyed watching one of the characters get what was coming to him and seeing the other come into herself. I can't say that I bought all of it, but I bought enough.
I was happy with the ending. I do think she did a great job of picking the perfect ending for this book. Most of the time I'm the person who argues against the type of ending Skyjacked had. However (probably partly because it was unexpected), it worked really well for this book. Actually, the ending was the strongest part of the book. If more of the book had been as well-written as that ending was, I'd have been much happier. I wish I could say more, but I don't want to spoil anything!
Overall, not a bad book, but not an outstanding one. Still, I think most sci-fi readers would enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free for review consideration.
I think maybe I was expecting too much. "Motley band" "ultimate adventure", etc, had me expecting something filled to the bursting with wise-cracking wit, impression-leaving characters, and tons of action. There was a good bit of action, but the only character that really stood out to me as interesting was the robot. It took about 65% of the book (Kindle format) before I became adequately invested enough to care about what was going on. I feel like, at that point, no matter how interesting the rest of it is, it's just a bit lacking.
I do give Shirley Golden props for fleshing out her story with believable bits of history and side notes. I'm ashamed to admit it took me a little too long to realize the Niaz/Nazi thing. On the other hand, that made it into a delightful surprise when I did see it. Like an Easter Egg hidden in the book. I also did enjoy how she was able to pull in a few threads I thought were unconnected in ways I wasn't expecting. I also enjoyed watching one of the characters get what was coming to him and seeing the other come into herself. I can't say that I bought all of it, but I bought enough.
I was happy with the ending. I do think she did a great job of picking the perfect ending for this book. Most of the time I'm the person who argues against the type of ending Skyjacked had. However (probably partly because it was unexpected), it worked really well for this book. Actually, the ending was the strongest part of the book. If more of the book had been as well-written as that ending was, I'd have been much happier. I wish I could say more, but I don't want to spoil anything!
Overall, not a bad book, but not an outstanding one. Still, I think most sci-fi readers would enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free for review consideration.
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