CassaStar By: Alex J. Cavanaugh

Title: CassaStar
Author: Alex J. Cavanaugh
PAPERBACK
Amount of Pages: 246
Release Date: October 19, 2010
Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press
Geared Towards: Teens/Sci-Fi Readers
Extra Info: This is Alex's debut novel, you can also check out his blog HERE!

"Risking it all sounded better than living alone and without purpose" (P. 221).

Summary (From B.O.B): To pilot the fleet's finest ship...

Few options remain for Byron. A talented but stubborn young man with a troubled past and rebellious attitutde, his cockpit skills are his only hope. Slated to train as a Cosbolt fighter pilot, Byron is determined to prove his worth and begin a new life as he sets off for the moon base of Guaard.

Much to Byron's chagrin the toughest instructor in the fleet takes notice of the young pilot. Haunted by a past tragedy, Bassa eventually sees through Byron's tough exterior and insolence. When a secret talent is revealed during training, Bassa feels compelled to help Byron achieve his full potential.

As war brews on the edge of space, time is running short. Byron requires a navigator of exceptional quality to survive, and Bassa must make a decision that could well decide the fate of both men. Will their skills be enough as they embark on a mission that may stretch their abilities to the limit?

Wdebo's Review: When I first started CassaStar, I wasn't sure how I would react to the story. I have never been a great Sci-Fi lover, but from the first chapter I was pleasently surprised as to how solid the writing was, especially for a debut novel.

Alex Cavanaugh uses very wonderful imagry. Everything can be seen clearly in the mind's eye, from a simple fight to a flight in space. The story is also quite addicting, which was another thing that was surprising to me, seeing as how I usually find Sci-Fi boring. I enjoyed the moments of action, other Sci-Fi action scenes for some reason confuse me, but in CassaStar they were actually very exciting. However, I did not like the usage of certain words or phrases that seemed childish, such as "unique ability," but that was very minor.

I enjoyed how Byron is represented in the novel. At the training he is strong and cocky, thinking highly of himself and making it so no one is able to get into his mind, but when he gets to be a Cosbolt pilot he starts out quite weak from nerves but he slowly becomes stronger, his growth was very realistic and believable. I also appreciated the, I guess it would be called "lesson", that Byron learned about how success and stuff is nothing without friends, that we all need comfort from those around us. Finally, I liked the friendship between Trindel and Byron.

Cafe Cover Chat: Not a big fan of the cover. (C+)

All in all, a very well-written book that both Sci-Fi lovers and non Sci-Fi lovers alike can read and enjoy.

Grade: A-

Wdebo :)