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Tarnished: Tales of Broken Dragons and 300 Other Stories
"When a Space Dragon sins, he usually pays the price. When a Dragon God sins, his soul becomes shattered."
This book contains 300+ flash fiction stories and poetry centered around space dragons, aliens, anime, wolves, zombies and other things, but with a twist in every story.
(this is TSODR: Dragons and Cicadas re-released under a new title)
This book contains 300+ flash fiction stories and poetry centered around space dragons, aliens, anime, wolves, zombies and other things, but with a twist in every story.
(this is TSODR: Dragons and Cicadas re-released under a new title)
800 pages, ebook
Published January 1, 2012
About the author
L'Poni Baldwin
54 books21 followersI am a young poetess and the author of anime-style chapbooks (short print books under 80 pages) like Dragonworld ETC and I am also the author of a super long collection of flash fiction and poetry called Dragons & Cicadas.
The stories take place in a fantastical world full of interesting aliens. I write only short stories and poetry, most range from 1k to 15k words but vary in different genres.
I enjoy taking risks in the world of writing I want Chapbooks to become the "norm" of the publishing world. And to those thinking of sending a request: please, don't send a friend request unless you really want to. I currently cannot respond to messages on this account either. I need to keep my circle small, and right now it is medium.
The stories take place in a fantastical world full of interesting aliens. I write only short stories and poetry, most range from 1k to 15k words but vary in different genres.
I enjoy taking risks in the world of writing I want Chapbooks to become the "norm" of the publishing world. And to those thinking of sending a request: please, don't send a friend request unless you really want to. I currently cannot respond to messages on this account either. I need to keep my circle small, and right now it is medium.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 8, 2012
2.5 stars
This is a very difficult book to rate. The writing style was different from the usual books, I agree, and though I liked some of the short stories/poems I felt the book could not tell the story well. Most of the times I was scratching my head thinking What the hell am I reading?
To say the plot was complicated is an understatement. It is written not as a single novel but a collection of different short writings about space dragons... creatures I could not connect with at all. The fantasy world was sketchy at best. The timeline and the order of the stories were all messed up and hard to follow through. The characters got all jumbled up in my head and I couldn't keep track of who was who and who did what. The book couldn't keep my interest after the first few hundred pages and I found myself skimming through most of the middle part just to get through with this.
Individually speaking, I really liked some of the stories though. Especially the poems written after the first war (in Sector 2) were amazing. Most of the times I found myself enjoying the poems more than the stories. But as the book progressed I found my interest waning and the plot getting muddier and muddier and the entire narrative repetitive.
It was not a bad book but it was not a good book either. The writing style was interesting, but confusing. A fantasy book should be able to make the reader connect with its world but this book failed at that. But here is the sixty-four thousand dollar question: Will I subscribe for the next installment of this book? The answer is No. Not just because I couldn't keep with the plot or I couldn't connect with the book but mainly because I cannot see the point in continuously stretching the myth of space dragons (and every other creature mentioned) beyond its limit (which for me was somewhere between 400 and 500 pages of the book. *sigh*)
This is a very difficult book to rate. The writing style was different from the usual books, I agree, and though I liked some of the short stories/poems I felt the book could not tell the story well. Most of the times I was scratching my head thinking What the hell am I reading?
To say the plot was complicated is an understatement. It is written not as a single novel but a collection of different short writings about space dragons... creatures I could not connect with at all. The fantasy world was sketchy at best. The timeline and the order of the stories were all messed up and hard to follow through. The characters got all jumbled up in my head and I couldn't keep track of who was who and who did what. The book couldn't keep my interest after the first few hundred pages and I found myself skimming through most of the middle part just to get through with this.
Individually speaking, I really liked some of the stories though. Especially the poems written after the first war (in Sector 2) were amazing. Most of the times I found myself enjoying the poems more than the stories. But as the book progressed I found my interest waning and the plot getting muddier and muddier and the entire narrative repetitive.
It was not a bad book but it was not a good book either. The writing style was interesting, but confusing. A fantasy book should be able to make the reader connect with its world but this book failed at that. But here is the sixty-four thousand dollar question: Will I subscribe for the next installment of this book? The answer is No. Not just because I couldn't keep with the plot or I couldn't connect with the book but mainly because I cannot see the point in continuously stretching the myth of space dragons (and every other creature mentioned) beyond its limit (which for me was somewhere between 400 and 500 pages of the book. *sigh*)
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July 30, 2024It’s been years since this particular edition was removed from sale due to the glaring reviews. It will never come back, I’d rather focus on redoing the stories to fix the grammar and writing many people had a problem with. I would say never give a teenager the option to publish, but if I never had an option to publish, this wouldn’t exist! There’s still value in these dragons 🤔
September 7, 2012
Reading about dragons is a new topic for me and that is why I wanted to read this book/series of stories. This book was given to me for free in exchange for an honest review.
This is a different sort of style of reading for me as well. I actually liked the writing style, the poems, and the short stories on an individual basis. Stand alone. However, that being said, the way it was organized made it difficult for me to follow. I have a very organized brain that is always trying to "figure things out." I think the concept is very interesting, but may not be enjoyable for every reader.
I think the author is a very talented writer and has an interesting concept, but recognize this style of book is not for everyone. I think I just may be one of those people. Also, this is a very long reading and not meant for one sitting. Personally, I think I would be interested if it were organized more chronologically and differently outside of the subscription format. I would be more interested in actually buying the next installment opposed to updating my file. Plus, I could organize it better on my device. This may just be a personal preference.
Would I recommend this? Maybe. It depends on the reader. I like the writing style and amazing creativity, but way it is put together can be tedious for some readers. I personally would read more of this author's works, but I don't know if I would take the plunge in such a daunting format.
This is a different sort of style of reading for me as well. I actually liked the writing style, the poems, and the short stories on an individual basis. Stand alone. However, that being said, the way it was organized made it difficult for me to follow. I have a very organized brain that is always trying to "figure things out." I think the concept is very interesting, but may not be enjoyable for every reader.
I think the author is a very talented writer and has an interesting concept, but recognize this style of book is not for everyone. I think I just may be one of those people. Also, this is a very long reading and not meant for one sitting. Personally, I think I would be interested if it were organized more chronologically and differently outside of the subscription format. I would be more interested in actually buying the next installment opposed to updating my file. Plus, I could organize it better on my device. This may just be a personal preference.
Would I recommend this? Maybe. It depends on the reader. I like the writing style and amazing creativity, but way it is put together can be tedious for some readers. I personally would read more of this author's works, but I don't know if I would take the plunge in such a daunting format.
November 8, 2012
I don't usually enjoy these kinds of books, so when I read Tranished: Tales of Broken Dragons and enjoyed as much as i did i was quite surprised. The story(ies) is about dragons, humans and their child who walked among the earth ( they had dragon and human forms) undetected. Also how the humans treated the the children of the dragon king in unfair and cruel ways that maded the dragons retaliate. The writing style was unique and stories well put together for the most part. The many stories and points of view (from both sides) gave the book a very good feeling. In particular parts of the book i could send reading for 2-5 hrs straight without putting it down for even one moment. The only problems in this book is how you never really get to know every individual character very well( however most of the character development was good) . As well as there being so many stories broken up that you sometimes have to back track to re-read parts because you forgot what the character in a particular story was doing. Overall though, i enjoyed this book more then i first thought i would. This is my 1st ever unpublished good reads book i've read/reviewed and am happy to say that it has left a very good impression.( Good Job L'Poni!!!!!!!!!)
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September 14, 2012This was a really long book but it was made of up short stories (they were connected but separate, if that makes any sense) so it balanced out.
If you’re the kind of person who has to read the entire book all at once, good luck.
But, if you are okay just reading a few stories whenever you’re bored, this is the book for you.
It took me a while to read it because it was pithy, not the length but the stories, you know?
Once again, the author has astounded me with her prose. It’s magnificent and alluring.
The characters were relatively well developed for short stories.
Like mythical creatures? This is SO the book for you.
Overall, I really enjoyed it but it took some work to get through it and it was confusing at best when reading but hang on just a little bit longer and you’ll be fine!
If you’re the kind of person who has to read the entire book all at once, good luck.
But, if you are okay just reading a few stories whenever you’re bored, this is the book for you.
It took me a while to read it because it was pithy, not the length but the stories, you know?
Once again, the author has astounded me with her prose. It’s magnificent and alluring.
The characters were relatively well developed for short stories.
Like mythical creatures? This is SO the book for you.
Overall, I really enjoyed it but it took some work to get through it and it was confusing at best when reading but hang on just a little bit longer and you’ll be fine!
August 24, 2012
This is a book that I wouldn't normally pick up and read, just because I'm not a huge fan of sci-fi/fantasy, but I enjoyed every page. I think what I liked most about this book was the fact that it was filled with different races of characters (not all human- dragons, aliens, etc.). Not only that, but the story is continuous, meaning that it is updated every month with newer stories from its original version.
Again, I thought it was a great read, so if you like sci-fi stories on dragons, this is one for you to put on your list.
Again, I thought it was a great read, so if you like sci-fi stories on dragons, this is one for you to put on your list.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews