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Silver Tears #1
Trouganda: Silver Tears Book 1
A prophecy written over millennia ago. A baby girl is born with a birthmark matching the one described in the prophecy. Her parents feared the worst so they fled from the elders. They found solace in the small village of Jin, where Nakiata would be trained by the greatest SOT Master ever known. After years of intense training, Nakiata must face her Final Test. A test that would send her out into a world of danger, mystery, and death. Nakiata would have to use every skill she knew in order to survive the dangers and wonders of ...Trouganda.
118 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 13, 2012
Trouganda is the first of a five book series. It focuses on Nakiata,The First of five individuals (seeing a pattern here?) destined for some act of greatness. On the surface I really like Nakiata. She is a strong warrior woman and I generally love strong female characters. Unfortunately I found her (and almost everyone except for Dravone) flat and emotionless. Her first response to any challenge is violence. Granted, she has been trained to be that way, but this repeated one trick left no room for variation and/or character development. She had one predictable response to all scenarios. Further, since she had mastered her art more fully than anyone else she was essentially untouchable. No-one presented her with anything she was anything but confident in facing, so there was no reason for her emotional state or behaviour to change at any point or for her to fear simply stating to anyone things one would expect to be a secret.
The writing is very much in the style of a storyteller. Everything is described in minute detail from the perspective of a disembodied narrator. There is very little internal dialogue or direct character interactions. Though it is my absolute least favourite literary critique, I suppose it would be accurate to say it is largely tell not show. Despite all of that I did really like the story. The concept a disembodied (or decultured) prophecy crossing millenniums, galaxies and species before fulfilment is really interesting. I suspect that as the series progresses the character list will increase, allowing for more variation. I'd be more than willing to read the second book when it is available.
The writing is very much in the style of a storyteller. Everything is described in minute detail from the perspective of a disembodied narrator. There is very little internal dialogue or direct character interactions. Though it is my absolute least favourite literary critique, I suppose it would be accurate to say it is largely tell not show. Despite all of that I did really like the story. The concept a disembodied (or decultured) prophecy crossing millenniums, galaxies and species before fulfilment is really interesting. I suspect that as the series progresses the character list will increase, allowing for more variation. I'd be more than willing to read the second book when it is available.
June 27, 2013
AMAZING! I really enjoyed this book! Give me a prophecy, a tough girl as the main character, a quest and I'm in!
Trouganda is a world full of danger, mystery, wonder, and is no match for Nakiata!
Nakiata is "The First" to come of the Prophecy that was foretold almost a millennia ago. She is a major force to be reckoned with after being trained in the art of SOT for years on end. She has become a deadly weapon. Now Nakiata is on a quest to find The Black Door as her final test. She will face deadly enemies, trickery, deception, magic, and beings that no one could dream were imaginable!
I loved this book! Nakiata is an amazing girl with deadly skills. She feels nothing when she kills and is very cut and dry. You rarely see emotion from her but would you really believe a girl could be so deadly if she felt for everything?? Nakiata does what she has to do at the time she has to do it and I think she is awesome! On her journey she meets many different people and creatures and at times you wonder if she will ever complete her quest.
This book is filled with suspense, mystery, and magic! If you enjoy adventure then this book is totally for you! I can not wait for the Second book to come out so I can see were the next adventure takes Nakiata!
4.5!
Trouganda is a world full of danger, mystery, wonder, and is no match for Nakiata!
Nakiata is "The First" to come of the Prophecy that was foretold almost a millennia ago. She is a major force to be reckoned with after being trained in the art of SOT for years on end. She has become a deadly weapon. Now Nakiata is on a quest to find The Black Door as her final test. She will face deadly enemies, trickery, deception, magic, and beings that no one could dream were imaginable!
I loved this book! Nakiata is an amazing girl with deadly skills. She feels nothing when she kills and is very cut and dry. You rarely see emotion from her but would you really believe a girl could be so deadly if she felt for everything?? Nakiata does what she has to do at the time she has to do it and I think she is awesome! On her journey she meets many different people and creatures and at times you wonder if she will ever complete her quest.
This book is filled with suspense, mystery, and magic! If you enjoy adventure then this book is totally for you! I can not wait for the Second book to come out so I can see were the next adventure takes Nakiata!
4.5!
July 8, 2018
A prophesy was written many years ago on another world and when a baby girl is born with a birthmark like the one described in it her parents fear she is in grave danger and they take her and flee for their lives. They find refuge in the village of Jin and they persuade the greatest SOT master ever to train her in his skills. Nakiata works hard at her studies and has to leave as part of her Final Test to go across the world of Trouganda facing danger at every turn - meaning she has to use all the skills and cunning she has to survive.
This made me think of a mixture of Japanese culture, martial arts and some science fiction all woven together into the beginning of an epic series of stories. The locations and events were described in great details so it was easy to imagine and see in your mind where they were and what is happening. What it was missing was more conversational and internal dialogue so sometimes the people felt a bit like a black box. I also felt that the scene was set so much at the start that I became a little bored - so if that happens to you don't give in - it will get a lot better if you get past that section at the start. I liked the flow of the story and the way everything seemed to lead into the next section. I very enjoyable book generally which I found addictive as it got closer to the end wanting to know what she would encounter next. Well written with lots of technical detail and perceptive comments on the environment.
This made me think of a mixture of Japanese culture, martial arts and some science fiction all woven together into the beginning of an epic series of stories. The locations and events were described in great details so it was easy to imagine and see in your mind where they were and what is happening. What it was missing was more conversational and internal dialogue so sometimes the people felt a bit like a black box. I also felt that the scene was set so much at the start that I became a little bored - so if that happens to you don't give in - it will get a lot better if you get past that section at the start. I liked the flow of the story and the way everything seemed to lead into the next section. I very enjoyable book generally which I found addictive as it got closer to the end wanting to know what she would encounter next. Well written with lots of technical detail and perceptive comments on the environment.
November 12, 2012
I wanted to love this book. It sounded really great.
I loved that the main character, was female and she had an important destiny.
I could tell right away she was going to be a strong character and honestly I think we need more of those.
I didn't love the authors writing style. I couldn't lose myself in this book. There was no getting lost in the pages because the words just flowed so well.
Instead I was constantly jarred out of the pages from too much detail, and writing I couldn't connect with.
The author left nothing to the reader to fill in, which personalizes the story.
There is almost no emotion until the last part of the book.
No tears, no fear, almost no laughter, no physical emotion such as hugs or even a handshake.
A mother has to watch her daughter leave to fulfil her last test, not knowing whether she will see her again and if she does how long that could take.
Yet she sheds no tears. She bows and lets her go on her merry way.
Sorry, that just does not seem to be realistic regardless of what species a character might be.
All that said, there were many good points to be found.
I loved Nakiata and I felt like she really started to grow up as the book progressed.
But my favourite characters were the Arkouda. I loved they could hide their entire city and it's people through magic.
Almost Avalon like.
The brief time Nakiata was with the Arkouda might have been what put the rating up. This is where we start to see a spark of emotion. Laughter and even a hand shake.
I can see potential for this series. As well as the right reader being able to love it.
I love the story line and have hope for the characters and the curiosity to continue .
I'm going to cross my fingers and hope it gets better.
I loved that the main character, was female and she had an important destiny.
I could tell right away she was going to be a strong character and honestly I think we need more of those.
I didn't love the authors writing style. I couldn't lose myself in this book. There was no getting lost in the pages because the words just flowed so well.
Instead I was constantly jarred out of the pages from too much detail, and writing I couldn't connect with.
The author left nothing to the reader to fill in, which personalizes the story.
There is almost no emotion until the last part of the book.
No tears, no fear, almost no laughter, no physical emotion such as hugs or even a handshake.
A mother has to watch her daughter leave to fulfil her last test, not knowing whether she will see her again and if she does how long that could take.
Yet she sheds no tears. She bows and lets her go on her merry way.
Sorry, that just does not seem to be realistic regardless of what species a character might be.
All that said, there were many good points to be found.
I loved Nakiata and I felt like she really started to grow up as the book progressed.
But my favourite characters were the Arkouda. I loved they could hide their entire city and it's people through magic.
Almost Avalon like.
The brief time Nakiata was with the Arkouda might have been what put the rating up. This is where we start to see a spark of emotion. Laughter and even a hand shake.
I can see potential for this series. As well as the right reader being able to love it.
I love the story line and have hope for the characters and the curiosity to continue .
I'm going to cross my fingers and hope it gets better.
November 1, 2012
As someone who doesn't read much science fiction or action, this book was a pleasant surprise! The character of Nakiata is a strong (and lethal) girl who grows up in a world of weapons and danger. When she reaches the time of her final test, she is placed on a journey by herself which are meant to test her abilities. Before embarking on her journey, she realizes that she is part of a prophecy and is actually only one piece of a puzzle of that prophecy.
I found myself really liking Nakiata - she is a strong girl who is at the top of her ability. An ability, by the way, that no other girl has ever had. That alone was awesome, but to have a leading lady in a story that is not clouded in judgement by a love story is a major plus.
I really did enjoy this book, however, I also had some thoughts as I was reading it. The main one being that for all the action and graphic violence (yes, it is graphic - but enjoyable if you like action!), I would have wanted more of an in depth look into the character of Nakiata and whether or not there was any conflict with her training. The reader sees a glimpse of that when she is on the verge of being told about her final test, but then it gets overshadowed by the test itself. Perhaps it's because of the couple of action/science fiction books I have read before, but I felt that I needed something more personal in terms of understanding Nakiata.
Regardless, this book is part of a series and the Nakiata's story and the prophecy was intriguing enough that I want to know what happens in the other books of the series! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun and interesting quick science fiction/action read!
I found myself really liking Nakiata - she is a strong girl who is at the top of her ability. An ability, by the way, that no other girl has ever had. That alone was awesome, but to have a leading lady in a story that is not clouded in judgement by a love story is a major plus.
I really did enjoy this book, however, I also had some thoughts as I was reading it. The main one being that for all the action and graphic violence (yes, it is graphic - but enjoyable if you like action!), I would have wanted more of an in depth look into the character of Nakiata and whether or not there was any conflict with her training. The reader sees a glimpse of that when she is on the verge of being told about her final test, but then it gets overshadowed by the test itself. Perhaps it's because of the couple of action/science fiction books I have read before, but I felt that I needed something more personal in terms of understanding Nakiata.
Regardless, this book is part of a series and the Nakiata's story and the prophecy was intriguing enough that I want to know what happens in the other books of the series! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun and interesting quick science fiction/action read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2014
I was not able to finish Trouganda for many reasons. The dialogue was stilted and didn't ring true to me, there was no real tension despite the difficult situations the characters found themselves in (they were able to solve their problems immediately), the font choices were eye-straining, and the amount of grammatical mistakes made reading frustrating. I also greatly disliked the use of an acronym in the book's setting for Shadow of Thought (the magic system of the story). Especially since whenever I saw SOT my brain auto-filled a different ending letter.... A friend who also gave this book a try likened the storyline to a video game where the main character effortlessly takes down all her enemies and I thought it was a good description of much of the book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews