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James J Caterino

Autore di Caitlin Star

15 opere 56 membri 4 recensioni

Opere di James J Caterino

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The title of the book suggests it is about a girl, probably some kind of a superhero. Then after the first or maybe second chapter I figured out what it really meant and it means something really cool. B... b... bee? Yeah. A young adult book about a young adult girl, in the summer between her last year of high school and first year of college. Technically, maybe something between young and new adult. And she is on the verge of death, not such an unusual setting in the stories I have read or heard of lately. But this story is not a tragic one, not really. The bad things that might have happened have nothing to do with weakness, sadness, hopelessness. Everything about this is just as the title might suggest at first, it is a wonderful and touching story about a young superwoman! It is also a tribute to nature, with a strong save-the-world message.

The writing style is from the third person point of view, quite informal, which suits the intended audience perfectly. There are a lot of pop culture references, which I like, except one that is funny to see but I still do not really like to see anywhere, and that is Donald Trump. However, I like the penis substitute metaphors, which would probably suit every feminist's fancy. Something that might be a hit or miss for some people is a certain relationship age gap present in this book. Personally, I am not a big fan of it, but then again, this age gap was not too big, I guess. And the fact that one of the characters addressed that matter and showed some sort of low-key disapproval of that, but also had some arguments for that relationship made me accept it and even see it as fitting. Thankfully though, that is only a side story here, a mandatory love-interest part, but the main events are about some things much sweeter.

This story is heavily centred around a close life-long female friendship between the main characters Victoria and Zoe, V and Z, as they like to call themselves. Seemingly average teenage girls, they're not average at all. Zoe is an already rather accomplished filmmaker-to-be and Victoria is her strong and beautiful best friend with the biggest heart, who is usually the star in her films. They are always there for each other and their biggest wish has always been to spend the rest of their lives together, to truly be best friends forever. Throughout the story they run into some obstacles, challenges, things that tried to bring them apart, but nothing is bound to succeed at such an attempt, not even death itself--for their connection is stronger than anything. It even gets stronger after an out-of-the-world orgasmic sci-fi-esque experience they shared, which made Zoe a believer in metaphysical things she had never thought she could believe in. The few retrospects of some key events of their lives, which were all well preserved in Zoe's video archive and her memories, too, were things that deepened our understanding of the beauty of their friendship. The events at Bluehole, their secret place, a waterfall, were so beautifully described and made me wish I were there with them, too. The atrium, too, made for a really soothing atmosphere. I like how the author allowed us to be in some animals' thoughts, to see how they might feel-- just the way he did with the chimpanzees in Caitlin Star and the Rise of the Barbarians. Aside from that alone, we even got the chance to imagine what it would be like would our two worlds collided. How other beings might react to something we claim for ourselves--emotions. We see the possibility of other beings maybe not having the same thing, but something similar to it, maybe even much greater--here called the stream.

Every message this book conveys is very positive and fitting for young adults girls, young adults in general, and everyone else, really. It is also very exciting, suspenseful, full of surprises and interesting events that lead to a perfect ending. I have not expected that and I do not think I would have liked it any other way. I am content with it the way it is, but I am sure a sequel would be awesome, as well.
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Apadravya | Mar 21, 2016 |
Caitlin Star is a hero of the future a modern day vigilante with a good measure of Lara Croft. I loved the first book in this series and it is always with trepidation you start the second in a series. I was not disappointed in anyway. This book is as good as the first if not better. The novel consists of an excellent mix of character development and all out action.

The action scenes are well written but are not so lengthy that they get boring or tedious. There is a political feel to the book but this does not deter me from reading more. There are some excellent quotes about how corrupt religion can be and always make me think of one of my favourite quotes "Religion is flawed because man practices it"

The action is fast flowing and I read this book in a day. It is enough of a standalone to be read on its own although the first is well worth a read so I urge you to seek the series out. I have to say I get a feel that this book would also make an excellent graphic novel as well as novel. If I had to have one negative in the story the constant chanting of the Bull Mongoni matter can get a bit tedious but this is the only negative I can find.

The heartfelt ending and some of the main characters feels round this book of perfectly and I can't wait to read the next book.
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samarnold1975 | Aug 4, 2014 |
As I read the first chapter of this book I could not help but thinking aspects of it linked to the plight of Native American's. As the scene was set for the first big battle between the Bull Mongoni and the Moral Authority I could not help think about a quote I had read:

When all the trees have been cut down,
when all the animals have been hunted,
when all the waters are polluted,
when all the air is unsafe to breathe,
only then will you discover you cannot eat money.
~ Cree Prophecy ~

This first chapter draws you into the book and you don't leave it until you have turned over the last page. This is a stunning read with excitement and character development all in equal proportions. The fighting scenes are brutal but not drawn out to the extent that you lose what you are reading. The book is so well written it was only after I had finished that I realised there were others in the Bull Mongoni series that precedes this one. As a stand alone novel it is more than adequate.

The book comes with a warning from the author of bad language but I have to admit I hardly noticed this and am intrigued that some reviewers thought this spoilt the book. The language is used in the context of the characters and the situation. The middle section of the book is detailed and develops the characters well. I am hoping that we meet them again in later novels. If I was to find one negative it would be that every time Gunner Star is introduced to the story we are told he had a strong baritone voice. After the first couple of references, this began to grate on me. That really is the only negative I can find for this simply stunning novel.

It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a novel as much as this one. It has left me wanting more from the Bull Mongoni, Caitlin Star and this author.
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samarnold1975 | Feb 23, 2014 |
I received this book, like many before it recently, through a GoodReads giveaway. It arrived in the mail just days ago and bore a return address label with the author's name on it so I know that they mailed it themselves. This always makes me a bit soft-hearted since I wish to encourage those who are just starting out.

Unfortunately, try as I might, I find precious little to say that would be at all encouraging about this book. The story line is embarrassingly cliche and overly graphic. The writing is primitive and rife with typographical and editorial errors. When I gave it to my fiancee to look over her exact words were, "Is this written by a fourth-grader?" I'm not sure I'd go quite that far but it did strike me as something Napoleon Dynamite might write. All that's missing is a few ligers.

In an attempt to at least be constructive, since I apparently cannot stretch my writing prowess far enough to be supportive, let me merely make a few suggestions. Firstly, pick better cover art. In today's day and age photoshopping a sword into someone's hand is not sufficient for the cover of a large format book. We can all tell. Secondly, lose the screenplay format. No community theatre in the universe has the budget to enact such a play and no movie company will ever produce this. Ever. For your next story go with a format that readers can actually tolerate and then if it takes off you'll have plenty of time to adapt it for the screen. Lastly, and easier to resolve, STOP capitalizing every fifth word. It's ANNOYING and DISTRACTING even if you are trying to add EMPHASIS to the blood that is constantly SPURTING.

PS: Anybody who wants my signed copy of this just drop me a line with your address and it's yours, no strings attached (Bit surprised though that I've had this offer out there for a while and there are no takers yet).

PPS: I see that the author has published response to this review. I think it important to say that none of this should be taken personally, at least to the extent that such is possible. I provide feedback in the spirit of trying to help and in the hope that future product will be more geared towards a literary readership. Clearly there is an audience for this type of writing and I don't dispute that or attempt to make a mockery of it. This just isn't a work that will appeal to the main stream reader. It is apparent that the author doesn't wish to target that audience and that's completely within his right. I wish him nothing but the best.
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slavenrm | Mar 14, 2013 |

Statistiche

Opere
15
Utenti
56
Popolarità
#291,557
Voto
4.0
Recensioni
4
ISBN
15

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