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Bandit Flame
Zoey Aquarius D'Bandit has lived with the memory of watching her adopted parents murdered at age six years old for ten years now. She remembers every detail as if it was yesterday, but the detail that she remembers the most is the eyes, his eyes, the murderer’s eyes. A case that has never gone solved, a murderer who has never gotten justice. A case that still haunts her every night she walks the streets of New York City, looking for trouble, trouble to stop, justice to be served. Since age eleven, she has been going out at night by herself to help those like her parents who have never been helped, to stop some of the present crimes from replaying her own history. To change the lives of as many people as she can. Her wits and hard training has been enough to get her out of trouble for a number of years since then. But now, as attention of some unwanted people starts to close in on her, she has to ask the question: Is it really worth it? Is she really HELPING the people around her, or just destroying any chance at a decent future for herself? As the world around her seems to keep on crumbling, hope and some people who have her back, is all she has to hang on to, is that really enough?
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2012
12 people want to read
About the author
Marie Herman
3 books6 followersMarie Herman is an avid reader, and author of "The Bandit Series". She's written/published two of the three books in the YA Mystery/Action Adventure book series, and is currently working on the third one in the series. It's release date is set for next year. Besides writing, she enjoys a plethora of activities, soccer, playing in the percussion section in a band, and spending time with her family to name a few. You can follow Marie on Twitter @ MarieHerman7, her author page on Facebook( https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMarieH... ), or, coming soon, The Bandit Series's blog @ http://thebanditseries.blogspot.com/ (the launch day presently being the 1st of December.) to stay updated on her and her books.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 7 reviews
January 24, 2013
Bandit Flame is the story of a girl protecting her city and trying to solve her parent's murder from her childhood. There is a lot of action and mysteries to be solved.
I loved the base of this book. I loved the overall idea of a teen girl trying to save her world. However, this isn't a book I would recommend. I think the effort was great, and there is so much potential in this book, but it held a lot of problems. The grammar and even spelling in parts needs so much work. This book needs a hard core edit. While I was reading it, I couldn't focus on the story, because I was so distracted by the constant run-on sentences and other grammar errors. I think after a good edit, my rating would go up a few stars.
Almost on every page, about one to five words, sometimes more, would be completely capitalized. These words were like that to put emphasis on the words; I understand that. However, I felt like that was way too strong; it seemed like the page was screaming at me. The sarcastic elements in the dialogue are nice, but let them speak for themselves, or consider italicizing them instead to get the point across. It made it seem like the narrator was going to get hurt trying to get my attention, but if the capitalization had been relaxed, she would have gotten plenty of it without trying that hard.
I felt the plot wasn't bad. It seemed to take it a while for big things to start happening, but it did have some direction. Like I said, the basics are great. The writing just needs a lot of maturing.
I think I would be willing to give the second book a try, but only if these big issues were fixed. While content is extremely important, it is hard to notice it when a book needs some serious editing. After editing, there is definitely something here, and it would be great to see this author's potential really developed.
I loved the base of this book. I loved the overall idea of a teen girl trying to save her world. However, this isn't a book I would recommend. I think the effort was great, and there is so much potential in this book, but it held a lot of problems. The grammar and even spelling in parts needs so much work. This book needs a hard core edit. While I was reading it, I couldn't focus on the story, because I was so distracted by the constant run-on sentences and other grammar errors. I think after a good edit, my rating would go up a few stars.
Almost on every page, about one to five words, sometimes more, would be completely capitalized. These words were like that to put emphasis on the words; I understand that. However, I felt like that was way too strong; it seemed like the page was screaming at me. The sarcastic elements in the dialogue are nice, but let them speak for themselves, or consider italicizing them instead to get the point across. It made it seem like the narrator was going to get hurt trying to get my attention, but if the capitalization had been relaxed, she would have gotten plenty of it without trying that hard.
I felt the plot wasn't bad. It seemed to take it a while for big things to start happening, but it did have some direction. Like I said, the basics are great. The writing just needs a lot of maturing.
I think I would be willing to give the second book a try, but only if these big issues were fixed. While content is extremely important, it is hard to notice it when a book needs some serious editing. After editing, there is definitely something here, and it would be great to see this author's potential really developed.
November 1, 2013
Marie Herman's Bandit Flame, is fictional teen/youth novel that is the first in her first series The Bandit. Bandit Flame is a novel that is a read for any age and is about a girl Zoey Aquarius D'Bandit and her quest to find answers to mystery that happened years ago, now grown up she, she does what she does best, survive. We are taken on a winding journey of a young girl in a mystery that not only involves a murder with very close to her but continues on around to many more, but can she stop it without hurting the ones she cares about the most and the people who been there for her? Or whoever was behind her parents murder stop her first? As we learn more about Zoey, we also learn about the uprising that is happening in New York City, slowly learning people involved and at the same time with an air of mystery. I think the novel held detail, and take you on a journey, with enough information about your leading and supporting characters to keep you interested without dragging the scenes to far out. I'm interested to see how the series will lead off for Zoey with chaos ensuing and danger falling and unknown danger.
February 1, 2013
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
Even though I had already been warned by author and other reviewers, it didn't prepare me for how difficult it would be to read this book.
The story is mostly told in present tense as a stream of consciousness. So, while this means the reader gets a lot of details about everything, it also means that sentences tend to ramble on and on, and often get off topic. Unfortunately almost every single sentence is like that - "With a very nice view of the city below, it's a very popular destination for locals (and a few tourists here and there) due to it being on the very top floor, unmarked n' all, it doesn't see much attention or appeal to anyone who doesn't know it's here." What exactly was the point of this sentence? That people who know about it like it for the view, and those who don't know about it don't go there? Regardless, that should have been separated in to at least two different sentences. Other emphasis words besides 'very' would have been helpful, too. The narration style also makes progress in the plot extremely slow.
What redeems this story, however, is the concept. I really dig that Zoey takes on responsibilities that aren't hers and tries to do the right thing. I also liked the bits about Zoey's foster siblings; it definitely brightened up the story. Hopefully this story can actually be enjoyed after major edits.
Even though I had already been warned by author and other reviewers, it didn't prepare me for how difficult it would be to read this book.
The story is mostly told in present tense as a stream of consciousness. So, while this means the reader gets a lot of details about everything, it also means that sentences tend to ramble on and on, and often get off topic. Unfortunately almost every single sentence is like that - "With a very nice view of the city below, it's a very popular destination for locals (and a few tourists here and there) due to it being on the very top floor, unmarked n' all, it doesn't see much attention or appeal to anyone who doesn't know it's here." What exactly was the point of this sentence? That people who know about it like it for the view, and those who don't know about it don't go there? Regardless, that should have been separated in to at least two different sentences. Other emphasis words besides 'very' would have been helpful, too. The narration style also makes progress in the plot extremely slow.
What redeems this story, however, is the concept. I really dig that Zoey takes on responsibilities that aren't hers and tries to do the right thing. I also liked the bits about Zoey's foster siblings; it definitely brightened up the story. Hopefully this story can actually be enjoyed after major edits.
February 10, 2014
6 year old Zoey Aquarius D’Bandit watched as her parents were brutally murdered.
Left unsolved, only she can remember every detail, the eyes of her parent’s murderer haunt her every day.
10 years later she has established herself as a vigilante of sorts, helping those that are unable to help themselves.
Lately she has started to draw unwanted attention to herself, no longer feeling safe she wonders if any of the help she has given over the years was ever really worth it.
The basis of this story has wonderful potential. The idea of a teenage vigilante risking herself to help those incapable of helping themselves could bring a multitude of possibilities to a story like this.
Unfortunately I became increasingly frustrated while reading this because of what seems like a lack of editing, constantly sentences were being repeated albeit worded differently they still meant exactly the same thing.
I found that I was willing this story to improve the further I read but sadly what this really needs is a total reread and an impartial edit throughout.
Zoey is a wonderful character, she is strong& determined with a heart of gold. The surrounding characters could really bring this book to life if they weren’t so drowned out in unnecessary descriptive.
As it’s the first book in the series I really hope it is just teething problems and the subsequent books in this series develop into something truly exciting.
Copy Supplied For Review
Left unsolved, only she can remember every detail, the eyes of her parent’s murderer haunt her every day.
10 years later she has established herself as a vigilante of sorts, helping those that are unable to help themselves.
Lately she has started to draw unwanted attention to herself, no longer feeling safe she wonders if any of the help she has given over the years was ever really worth it.
The basis of this story has wonderful potential. The idea of a teenage vigilante risking herself to help those incapable of helping themselves could bring a multitude of possibilities to a story like this.
Unfortunately I became increasingly frustrated while reading this because of what seems like a lack of editing, constantly sentences were being repeated albeit worded differently they still meant exactly the same thing.
I found that I was willing this story to improve the further I read but sadly what this really needs is a total reread and an impartial edit throughout.
Zoey is a wonderful character, she is strong& determined with a heart of gold. The surrounding characters could really bring this book to life if they weren’t so drowned out in unnecessary descriptive.
As it’s the first book in the series I really hope it is just teething problems and the subsequent books in this series develop into something truly exciting.
Copy Supplied For Review
February 20, 2014
2 Star
This story has a great plot, and with some work could be a lot better. However, it could use being re-edited, maybe even have several beta-readers go through it. I was so distracted by the constant run-on sentences and other grammar errors. I think after a good edit, my rating would go up a few stars.
Their were so many sentences that were incomplete. For example
"Like the fact that Sam and knew each other, somewhat, since we were nine, and yet his father still dictates when we can hang out, and for how long."
or
"Well, that really didn't shut him up. What actually did, the smug grin I on my face just to annoy him"
I would be willing to review this book again after it has undergone some much needed editing.
This story has a great plot, and with some work could be a lot better. However, it could use being re-edited, maybe even have several beta-readers go through it. I was so distracted by the constant run-on sentences and other grammar errors. I think after a good edit, my rating would go up a few stars.
Their were so many sentences that were incomplete. For example
"Like the fact that Sam and knew each other, somewhat, since we were nine, and yet his father still dictates when we can hang out, and for how long."
or
"Well, that really didn't shut him up. What actually did, the smug grin I on my face just to annoy him"
I would be willing to review this book again after it has undergone some much needed editing.
January 29, 2013
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I really loved the general idea for this book. The problem is I got distracted by all the errors on the pages. I reached about chapter 5 and couldn't finish it. This book REALLY needs to be edited. If it were edited, I'd definitely give it another go in a heartbeat. I love crime-based books, especially ones with a female lead. I'll be watching to see if this book pops back up sometime soon in an edited version.
Overall, I really loved the general idea for this book. The problem is I got distracted by all the errors on the pages. I reached about chapter 5 and couldn't finish it. This book REALLY needs to be edited. If it were edited, I'd definitely give it another go in a heartbeat. I love crime-based books, especially ones with a female lead. I'll be watching to see if this book pops back up sometime soon in an edited version.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 7 reviews