Start of Book 1: Here
I also recorded a vid about my thoughts of Star Warden.
Quick Highlights
- Fun Mix of Science Fiction and Fantasy.
- Likeable Characters
- Clear Good vs Evil
- Influenced by the Same shows and settings as me.
I love the fact that he has a battle couple. That's happy! Or comfortable with each other. Plus like Uplift Protocol his setting has a mix of magic and technology as well. From robots to "star gates" to conventional weapons. Mixed in with blessed beings and those of magical might. You cant go wrong in my humble opinion.
Doesn't have exposition dumps. A few lines and you get a pretty clear picture. And while we have similar tracks. As far as mixing tech and magic we both go off in different directions. His feels kinda like when Stargate had the military teams visiting other planets.
It was a mix of advanced tech but the area around it might feel more middle ages w/ surprising features.. Or some other ancient past of Earth.The attack on Castle Bailey kinda reminded me of DA:O Cousland Opening meets a bit of Dune (Castle Caladan) in terms of "Hey, look at that." A royal type bloodline that lives in an castle but has a mix of old and new. Plus with that displacement you can really feel for the character. Changing the status Que for any protag is a good way to get people invested.
Even if it involves the dead parent angle. Its ok. Unless someone is writing something directly you wont hit all reader preferences. As long as something overlaps 70% of the time with what I want. I am good to go. Which is why some things will appeal to a broader audience.
The really big thing: If we want to see more things like Star Warden or the Scout Series, we have to support them. Otherwise the wheelhouses will usually cater to mass production and top 100s.
I can tell that Record of Lodoss War was a very big influence. This is not a bad thing whatsoever. Plus I am glad he started on Scrapped Princess. It has an interesting mix of magic and tech as well. That rarer meeting of Space/Scifi Meets Fantasy. I just always love it when someone adds something cosmic to an otherwise fantasy setting.
Links to things Like Star Warden:
Scout Series: Here
Valcoria: Here
I, for one, can't wait to see where this series goes. Its fun to note how our various tastes overlap but like he said in his review of Uplift Protocol: We zig and zag in different directions. I too can see where he took some ques from things he enjoys. It will be fun to see if there's some sort of ancient computer network that the big bad is using or some other kind of device. Or what kinds of tools will be at the disposal of the heroes.
MORE HEALTHY MARRIAGES IN FICTIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!
Ahem.
I do hope babies are in their future. The only reason I am not talking plot too much is because I want people to go read it for themselves. It looks like the planet has a rich history but certain chapters/aspects showcase that this universe has a lot of potential to explore. Happy reading everyone!
The fact you found the characters likeable is the best part of the review. My focus on the big bad was drawn from 80s and 90s cartoon villians. Where they got to be active and be villians and didn't need sympathetic or realistic motives or redemption arcs.
ReplyDeleteThe fact you enjoyed Sam and Kaguya as a couple is even better. I liked the idea of having a demure and formal princess be with a confident and hot-blooded warrior. Its opposites on the surface with core similiarties. Plus having them already established avoids the will they won't they nonsense.
Book 2 will have more info and action next year. I hope you enjoy it like the the first one. I also have a theory that Star Warden and Uplift Protocol are part of the same multiverse. But the former went so far into its own direction that the Throne couldn't see it anymore. That or the Powers are hiding it from the Unity.
Thank you for the review and any other feedback you have is very much welcomed. Happy Reading and Merry Christmas.