Isabelle Reviews (CLOSED FOR NOW)

Starborn (Fantasy, Action)

Review date: January 31, 2023

Author: Cosmodeus25

FIRST IMPRESSION: 5/5

COVER: 4/5

TITLE: 4/5

The first thing I had in mind as I read the title and laid my eyes on the cover was that it would be a comic book.

I like the title. It's just one word, but it appeals to me so much. I've never heard of the word, but I already got the inkling that the title gives the character an independent identity because of the word "born" as well. Great choice with the title.

Firstly, I find the cover cool and friendly to the eyes. It's straightforward in design and the subject's features tell me that the book will give me an anime vibe with the gray hair and remarkable emerald eyes. Blue smoke borders the subject and for me, it translates to magic and surprise. My suggestion though would be to enlarge the text at the bottom and position the authors' names properly instead of just netting them together.

BLURB: 10/10

"A dying ember tinders a greater flame."

"Triton Netherbane returns from death, finding his homeland of Cinedime in turmoil. The Shadowhearts have taken over what is rightfully his, for only the Netherbane clan may rule as kings of Cinedime. Wielding the power of light, Triton must do whatever it takes to purge the darkness that inhabits his home. But what must be done to survive in a world of darkness?"

I can't express how much I love the blurb. It isn't long and tiring and the quote at the beginning just relays so much. It's full of life and force even with the dire death situation to the conquering of the main character's land. No words were put to waste and just a fair and perfect amount of them was used. I also noticed how clear and distinct the blurb is as it ends with the question. I believe it will definitely hook readers since it suggests and introduces readers to a journey to embark on.

PLOT: 20/20

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 20/20

DESCRIPTION: 15/15

WRITING STYLE: 7/10

GRAMMAR/PUNCTUATION: 10/10

First and foremost, the chapter opens with King Triton, the Flamekeeper. He calibrates to the sight of the almost-dead land and searches for any signs of life after rising from the grave. He also states that "times are different now," which means that the past has deviated from the present time. Triton communicates with a young girl and expresses his fears of Shadowhearts and what menace they could bring. Even in the beginning, the writing is already impactful, striking, and expressive. Kind of quick in my opinion, but it was good.

Although I just couldn't help but notice the lacking stress of or emotion when Ameline's grandfather died. I just felt that it could be as dramatic and given more emphasis as the parts before this. It had to be a triggering, emotionally awakening point in the book where a good person loved by someone turns into a Fiend and gets killed. That's just an insight, but the author can always redirect the weight of the emotions somewhere else. The events per chapter were many, yes. But I suggest breaking them down evenly so they don't seem as if they were rushed or crammed.

Anyway, they talk about how unfair the deaths of the grandfather who adopted her and Triton are. Assuredly, it made me sentimental to take it in. I lost my biological grandfather years ago to a health reason, so it kind of brought back some parts of me I tried to shove into the past.

Even if I found the part where the grandfather was killed a little quick, I'd say that their emotions were strong points in character building.

I easily understood their backgrounds that basically ushered them to where they currently were. Sometimes it can be difficult to place yourself in the shoes of the character, but it was effortless how I empathize with them. And the mere fact that I knew action will roll around later on made it even more exciting.

And to add to the mass of Triton's feelings, he learns that his beloved city has now been taken over by the Shadowhearts and renamed Obsidia. The uneven distribution of events was obvious. One moment they enter a cabin and then they talk about the drastic changes that took place and the next, Ameline talks about an orphanage.

The next parts mount swiftly again, alternating between doing normal things to fighting.

The execution is very good, from the description to the writing style. It's a fantasy and action book with an emotional element driven by a well-thought plot and strong character development, which is hard to pull off. I have no issues with the writing style or descriptions. They're beautiful just the way they are. However, I just believe that the pacing could do better. That's all.

OVERALL: 95/100

All in all, I love the story, to be honest. This story really is worthy of recognition and praise. When I laid my eyes on the cover and read the blurb, I could already confirm that this is going to be a great story. Just a few tweaks to the pacing though, and it's good to go!

Thank you for trusting me in reviewing your book! <3, Isabelle