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Guy Erma and the Son of Empire
Guy Erma and the Son of Empire
Guy Erma and the Son of Empire is a Science Fiction Space Opera adventure for boys (and girls!). Set in a future utopia, this is a time of fast moving spaceships, human cyborgs, and robots, an amazing place to live particularly if you have money.
Thirteen-year-old Teo has everything money can buy, a kingdom of six planets he will inherit at sixteen and giant two-meter high racing cats as pets, until he is brutally kidnapped by a terrifying gang of military cyborgs: The Battle Borgs of Dome. Will he escape? Will he survive? Who will help him?
Meanwhile in the shadow of the Dome, another boy lives with neither mother or father, he must makes his way with good humour and quick wits. He dreams the impossible, to join the Dome Elite. What must he do? Who will help him?
Two worlds collide in a story of bravery, friendship and adventure. Can I trust you?
Thirteen-year-old Teo has everything money can buy, a kingdom of six planets he will inherit at sixteen and giant two-meter high racing cats as pets, until he is brutally kidnapped by a terrifying gang of military cyborgs: The Battle Borgs of Dome. Will he escape? Will he survive? Who will help him?
Meanwhile in the shadow of the Dome, another boy lives with neither mother or father, he must makes his way with good humour and quick wits. He dreams the impossible, to join the Dome Elite. What must he do? Who will help him?
Two worlds collide in a story of bravery, friendship and adventure. Can I trust you?
438 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2014
19 people are currently reading
2909 people want to read
About the author
Sally Ann Melia
26 books124 followersSally Ann Melia is life-long Science Fiction fan. She was Star Wars as a child and has loved Space Opera fiction and tales of huge Galactic Empires such as Frank Herbert’s Dune series and Iain M. Banks Culture.
Born in Wallasey, Sally Ann Melia moved to the South of France and the cosmopolitan city-state of Monaco, where she spent her teenage years. As the lone English student in a French school, Sally spent her time writing stories while her classmates learned English. This sparked a lifelong passion for writing, leading her to pen novels, scripts, stories, and articles.
Born in Wallasey, Sally Ann Melia moved to the South of France and the cosmopolitan city-state of Monaco, where she spent her teenage years. As the lone English student in a French school, Sally spent her time writing stories while her classmates learned English. This sparked a lifelong passion for writing, leading her to pen novels, scripts, stories, and articles.
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February 26, 2015
”As the sun set, the cocoons split. For one moment, she was a quivering mass. Then her body dissolved into a cloud of plague flies. They rose up from her corpse in a cyclone. Nothing was left.”
It’s a man made plague, a poison pill. ”A brick made of industrial glass and within it a mini-world of plants, soil, water and five or six insects, all mounted on the side of small explosive.” Those cy-sect plague flies only have to bite you and your body becomes their incubator.
You are dead.
The only question remains how many people will you kill when you explode into a mass of flies. You might even kill a planet.
There is an uneasy alliance between the worlds of Zaracan and Freyne. The power struggles behind the scenes will determine if that alliance will hold up or will dissipate into a destructive war. Freyne is vulnerable. Their king is dead. Their emperor is well…
”Black varnished nails, black filed teeth, black beady eyes, long black curls framing a narrow, cruel face, this was Frederon, The emperor of the Freyne.”
...kind of a creepazoid.
Sayginn is the regent, ruling until her son Teodor comes of age. He is thirteen and annoyed that because of his position that what he wears is chosen for him by the guild of fashion in an effort to help support that industry. Sometimes the outfits are not as manly as he would like. He races Gorans, a form of large cat standing two meters high”Golden, tiger-striped, dark oak, black and golden, the gorans came in every hue of nature. They are as dangerous as they are gorgeous. Teodor also enjoys learning to fight with blades, a physically challenging sport that though old school in a world of advanced weaponry, is revered as part of the national tradition.
A few years ago his father was blown up in a terrorist explosion. This attack also killed his younger brother leaving Teodor as the only heir for the kingdom and the empire. His father’s best friend, Chart Segat, the mayor of the Dome on Freyne and the leader of a military organization called the Dome Elite, has transformed from being a trusted friend of the Royal family to the primary suspect in the assassination of the king. Sayginn has a window of opportunity to control Segat’s fate, but when Teodor is kidnapped the balance of power shifts once again.
I say throw Chart Segat to the Borgs.
Borgs you say? Yes, indeed! They are soldiers who have died and given their bodies to science. They are enhanced with bionic implants making them into perfect killing machines. They have short life spans. As they age their skin darkens and starts to flake leaving more and more machine and less and less human. They are to say at the very least unnerving.
Meanwhile Guy Erma, a blades champion, a boy who aspires to joining the Dome Elite is wrestling with a lifelong problem.
He is a bastard.
ERMA are the initials of the Imperial bastard, father to current Emperor, Frederon, historic and great Emperor of Freyne. ERMA stand for: Erederon Roderick Marco Andreus.
All unregistered children are given the last name of ERMA as a tribute to the much beloved Emperor.
Guy is sometimes forced to model clothes and serve as a waiter at functions, but he dreams of being so much more. If only he could find out who his mother and father were. He becomes a pawn in the search for Teodor. His loyalties are pulled between Chart Segat, who could approve him for the Dome Elite, and his allegiance to his future king. It is not an easy choice. If he chooses wrong his dreams will be unattainable.
The author Sally Ann Melia was an English child living in France taking a required English class. For three hours each week the teacher had her sit at the back of the class and left her to entertain herself. Guy and Teodor and all the rest of the cast of characters that populate this book came to life in the back row of that classroom. Imagination is such a wonderful thing when it is allowed to soar. In the course of moving her family lost all their possessions to thieves. I can only imagine the anxiety over losing their belongings, but also being a mother who has to tell her creative daughter that her manuscripts have been irretrievably lost. Sally was not as upset as she was excited about being able to write the stories again and make them even better. Her stories could never be lost because they were all very real in the universe inside her head.
The pacing is very well done. Once started I was completely committed. I would consider this young adult which I generally do not read, but after watching Sally’s video https://www.goodreads.com/videos/7111... I decided that I needed to be a part of the creative process of a book coming to life in the mind of a child in France, enhanced by the thoughts of that child as an adult in England, and finally placed in the hands of this voracious reader in Kansas. Until the book is read the cycle can not be complete.
Her creativity was unbound. There are snake droids, cyborg creatures with a rope of bullets forming their body, spitting bullets at anything that moves. There are Zaracans who communicate with telepathy and can read your thoughts. I kept thinking about how uncomfortable that would make me. The random thoughts and speculations that come and go through my brain would quickly have an eavesdropping Zaracan thinking I was in need of professional help or incarceration. The mixing of fashion and blade fighting was deftly handled creating a world of beauty and violence that are both held in equal esteem. As they desperately search for Teodor they also discover that deadly Poison Pills have been left strategically around the dome to maximize their destructive impact. This adds another layer of intrigue to the story as choices have to be made and sacrifices become necessary. The power struggle and the politics had me speculating about who could be trusted and who must be neutralized. Off with their heads, compliments of the Red Queen, has now been replaced in my vocabulary with throw them to the borgs.
It’s a man made plague, a poison pill. ”A brick made of industrial glass and within it a mini-world of plants, soil, water and five or six insects, all mounted on the side of small explosive.” Those cy-sect plague flies only have to bite you and your body becomes their incubator.
You are dead.
The only question remains how many people will you kill when you explode into a mass of flies. You might even kill a planet.
There is an uneasy alliance between the worlds of Zaracan and Freyne. The power struggles behind the scenes will determine if that alliance will hold up or will dissipate into a destructive war. Freyne is vulnerable. Their king is dead. Their emperor is well…
”Black varnished nails, black filed teeth, black beady eyes, long black curls framing a narrow, cruel face, this was Frederon, The emperor of the Freyne.”
...kind of a creepazoid.
Sayginn is the regent, ruling until her son Teodor comes of age. He is thirteen and annoyed that because of his position that what he wears is chosen for him by the guild of fashion in an effort to help support that industry. Sometimes the outfits are not as manly as he would like. He races Gorans, a form of large cat standing two meters high”Golden, tiger-striped, dark oak, black and golden, the gorans came in every hue of nature. They are as dangerous as they are gorgeous. Teodor also enjoys learning to fight with blades, a physically challenging sport that though old school in a world of advanced weaponry, is revered as part of the national tradition.
A few years ago his father was blown up in a terrorist explosion. This attack also killed his younger brother leaving Teodor as the only heir for the kingdom and the empire. His father’s best friend, Chart Segat, the mayor of the Dome on Freyne and the leader of a military organization called the Dome Elite, has transformed from being a trusted friend of the Royal family to the primary suspect in the assassination of the king. Sayginn has a window of opportunity to control Segat’s fate, but when Teodor is kidnapped the balance of power shifts once again.
I say throw Chart Segat to the Borgs.
Borgs you say? Yes, indeed! They are soldiers who have died and given their bodies to science. They are enhanced with bionic implants making them into perfect killing machines. They have short life spans. As they age their skin darkens and starts to flake leaving more and more machine and less and less human. They are to say at the very least unnerving.
Meanwhile Guy Erma, a blades champion, a boy who aspires to joining the Dome Elite is wrestling with a lifelong problem.
He is a bastard.
ERMA are the initials of the Imperial bastard, father to current Emperor, Frederon, historic and great Emperor of Freyne. ERMA stand for: Erederon Roderick Marco Andreus.
All unregistered children are given the last name of ERMA as a tribute to the much beloved Emperor.
Guy is sometimes forced to model clothes and serve as a waiter at functions, but he dreams of being so much more. If only he could find out who his mother and father were. He becomes a pawn in the search for Teodor. His loyalties are pulled between Chart Segat, who could approve him for the Dome Elite, and his allegiance to his future king. It is not an easy choice. If he chooses wrong his dreams will be unattainable.
The author Sally Ann Melia was an English child living in France taking a required English class. For three hours each week the teacher had her sit at the back of the class and left her to entertain herself. Guy and Teodor and all the rest of the cast of characters that populate this book came to life in the back row of that classroom. Imagination is such a wonderful thing when it is allowed to soar. In the course of moving her family lost all their possessions to thieves. I can only imagine the anxiety over losing their belongings, but also being a mother who has to tell her creative daughter that her manuscripts have been irretrievably lost. Sally was not as upset as she was excited about being able to write the stories again and make them even better. Her stories could never be lost because they were all very real in the universe inside her head.
The pacing is very well done. Once started I was completely committed. I would consider this young adult which I generally do not read, but after watching Sally’s video https://www.goodreads.com/videos/7111... I decided that I needed to be a part of the creative process of a book coming to life in the mind of a child in France, enhanced by the thoughts of that child as an adult in England, and finally placed in the hands of this voracious reader in Kansas. Until the book is read the cycle can not be complete.
Her creativity was unbound. There are snake droids, cyborg creatures with a rope of bullets forming their body, spitting bullets at anything that moves. There are Zaracans who communicate with telepathy and can read your thoughts. I kept thinking about how uncomfortable that would make me. The random thoughts and speculations that come and go through my brain would quickly have an eavesdropping Zaracan thinking I was in need of professional help or incarceration. The mixing of fashion and blade fighting was deftly handled creating a world of beauty and violence that are both held in equal esteem. As they desperately search for Teodor they also discover that deadly Poison Pills have been left strategically around the dome to maximize their destructive impact. This adds another layer of intrigue to the story as choices have to be made and sacrifices become necessary. The power struggle and the politics had me speculating about who could be trusted and who must be neutralized. Off with their heads, compliments of the Red Queen, has now been replaced in my vocabulary with throw them to the borgs.
April 18, 2015
“Science fiction is the most important literature in the history of the world, because it's the history of ideas, the history of our civilization birthing itself. ...Science fiction is central to everything we've ever done, and people who make fun of science fiction writers don't know what they're talking about.”
----Ray Bradbury
Sally Ann Melia, an English science-fiction author, pulls off a great adventurous and thrilling science-fiction in her new book, Guy Erma and the Son of Empire which is the story of two 13 year old boys- one a poor boy and the other- an heir of two kingdoms.
Synopsis:
The story begins when 13-year-old Prince Teodor and heir to two thrones lifts his voice to lead a children's choir and instead of music, a violent explosion marks the start of a vicious kidnapping... The immediate fall-out will be dead infants and murdered teachers...
Teodor has fallen into the hands of the ruthless yet charismatic Chart Segat, a populist politician, he is also head of the military crack space troops: the Dome Elite.
Teodor’s mother, Regent Sayginn of Freyne 2 will use every resource at her disposal to find and free Teodor … The only question is can they get to Teodor in time?
Meanwhile in the shadow of the Dome, living a life of desperate poverty is another boy: 13-year-old Guy Erma. His only dream is to join the Dome Elite, and the only way he can do that is by ‘doing whatever Chart Segat says.’ Whatever he says!
Guy Erma wants to be a warrior of a planetary protection group called, Dome Elite. He belongs from a poor background, who is unsure about his parents' identity and lives with a lot of his siblings. But Guy Erma is good with blade fighting and also has a good luck medallion which finally helps him join the force.
Prince Teodor grew up inside a kingdom and is already an heir to his kingdom after his father's early death. But that doesn't make him a pampered guy, instead he works hard for his position and for his people. He is good with a kind of feline creatures, gorans and he loves to take care of them. And these two protagonists' fate entwine with one another, when Guy Erma is kidnapped and finally falls under the feet of a bad politician for his survival.
Firstly, I'll begin with how much I loved the cover of this book, which holds a special meaning to the underlying storyline of this book. The writing is absolutely fantastic and I was engrossed into this edgy adventure from the very first page. Well, in the beginning, the author intricately layed out the story and the cast before us, which some might find it difficult to grasp so much introduction right at the start of a story.
The story is set across in a parallel universe to ours where the author have drawn each and every details of that world with enough realism to make us believe in it. The pace of the book is really fast and with so many events and thrilling adventure, I was never left out feeling bored or out-of-the-world. And for that I would like to applaud the author for her brilliant imaginative skills who draws reality and fantasy equivalently.
There are a lot of characters in this book which are very strongly-developed and since this is a YA fantasy genre book, I was met with a lot of shape-shifters, giant cats etc. This compelling cast of characters are what which keeps the story building with every turn of the page. The protagonists, Guy Erma and Price Teodor are like two ends of a magnet- one born lucky with means and resources but not with much skill, whereas the other born with less resources, but with great strength.
In a nutshell, this book is a complete roller-coaster ride filled with bone-chilling adventures and power-packed actions and thrills that is surely going to keep you on your edges.
Verdict: This brilliant story is a must-read for all YA lovers.
Courtesy: I received the book for a blog tour.
----Ray Bradbury
Sally Ann Melia, an English science-fiction author, pulls off a great adventurous and thrilling science-fiction in her new book, Guy Erma and the Son of Empire which is the story of two 13 year old boys- one a poor boy and the other- an heir of two kingdoms.
Synopsis:
The story begins when 13-year-old Prince Teodor and heir to two thrones lifts his voice to lead a children's choir and instead of music, a violent explosion marks the start of a vicious kidnapping... The immediate fall-out will be dead infants and murdered teachers...
Teodor has fallen into the hands of the ruthless yet charismatic Chart Segat, a populist politician, he is also head of the military crack space troops: the Dome Elite.
Teodor’s mother, Regent Sayginn of Freyne 2 will use every resource at her disposal to find and free Teodor … The only question is can they get to Teodor in time?
Meanwhile in the shadow of the Dome, living a life of desperate poverty is another boy: 13-year-old Guy Erma. His only dream is to join the Dome Elite, and the only way he can do that is by ‘doing whatever Chart Segat says.’ Whatever he says!
Guy Erma wants to be a warrior of a planetary protection group called, Dome Elite. He belongs from a poor background, who is unsure about his parents' identity and lives with a lot of his siblings. But Guy Erma is good with blade fighting and also has a good luck medallion which finally helps him join the force.
Prince Teodor grew up inside a kingdom and is already an heir to his kingdom after his father's early death. But that doesn't make him a pampered guy, instead he works hard for his position and for his people. He is good with a kind of feline creatures, gorans and he loves to take care of them. And these two protagonists' fate entwine with one another, when Guy Erma is kidnapped and finally falls under the feet of a bad politician for his survival.
Firstly, I'll begin with how much I loved the cover of this book, which holds a special meaning to the underlying storyline of this book. The writing is absolutely fantastic and I was engrossed into this edgy adventure from the very first page. Well, in the beginning, the author intricately layed out the story and the cast before us, which some might find it difficult to grasp so much introduction right at the start of a story.
The story is set across in a parallel universe to ours where the author have drawn each and every details of that world with enough realism to make us believe in it. The pace of the book is really fast and with so many events and thrilling adventure, I was never left out feeling bored or out-of-the-world. And for that I would like to applaud the author for her brilliant imaginative skills who draws reality and fantasy equivalently.
There are a lot of characters in this book which are very strongly-developed and since this is a YA fantasy genre book, I was met with a lot of shape-shifters, giant cats etc. This compelling cast of characters are what which keeps the story building with every turn of the page. The protagonists, Guy Erma and Price Teodor are like two ends of a magnet- one born lucky with means and resources but not with much skill, whereas the other born with less resources, but with great strength.
In a nutshell, this book is a complete roller-coaster ride filled with bone-chilling adventures and power-packed actions and thrills that is surely going to keep you on your edges.
Verdict: This brilliant story is a must-read for all YA lovers.
Courtesy: I received the book for a blog tour.
April 20, 2015
“Science fiction is the most important literature in the history of the world, because it's the history of ideas, the history of our civilization birthing itself. ...Science fiction is central to everything we've ever done, and people who make fun of science fiction writers don't know what they're talking about.”
----Ray Bradbury
Sally Ann Melia, an English science-fiction author, pulls off a great adventurous and thrilling science-fiction in her new book, Guy Erma and the Son of Empire which is the story of two 13 year old boys- one a poor boy and the other- an heir of two kingdoms.
Firstly, I'll begin with how much I loved the cover of this book, which holds a special meaning to the underlying storyline of this book. The writing is absolutely fantastic and I was engrossed into this edgy adventure from the very first page. Well, in the beginning, the author intricately layed out the story and the cast before us, which some might find it difficult to grasp so much introduction right at the start of a story.
Synopsis:
I don’t want to go… Do I have to go?13-year-old Prince Teodor of Freyne knows his duty to the memory of his father and his kingdom. Always, he must help those less fortunate than himself. Yet a frightening nightmare fills him with foreboding, but still he must do - into the Dome.13-year-old Guy Erma lives in the shadow of the Dome, he has no father and no mother and his future is uncertain, he must start earning a living when he turns 14. He knows not where he will live or even how he will eat, and his only dream is to enter the military academy - at the heart of the Dome.Two boys as different as any two boys might be. One act of cruelty will throw their lives together, but who dare they trust?
The story is set across in a parallel universe to ours where the author have drawn each and every details of that world with enough realism to make us believe in it. The pace of the book is really fast and with so many events and thrilling adventure, I was never left out feeling bored or out-of-the-world. And for that I would like to applaud the author for her brilliant imaginative skills who draws reality and fantasy equivalently.
There are a lot of characters in this book which are very strongly-developed and since this is a YA fantasy genre book, I was met with a lot of shape-shifters, giant cats etc. This compelling cast of characters are what which keeps the story building with every turn of the page. The protagonists, Guy Erma and Price Teodor are like two ends of a magnet- one born lucky with means and resources but not with much skill, whereas the other born with less resources, but with great strength.
In a nutshell, this book is a complete roller-coaster ride filled with bone-chilling adventures and power-packed actions and thrills that is surely going to keep you on your edges.
Verdict: This brilliant sci-fiction is a must-read for all YA lovers.
Courtesy: I received the book for a blog tour.
----Ray Bradbury
Sally Ann Melia, an English science-fiction author, pulls off a great adventurous and thrilling science-fiction in her new book, Guy Erma and the Son of Empire which is the story of two 13 year old boys- one a poor boy and the other- an heir of two kingdoms.
Firstly, I'll begin with how much I loved the cover of this book, which holds a special meaning to the underlying storyline of this book. The writing is absolutely fantastic and I was engrossed into this edgy adventure from the very first page. Well, in the beginning, the author intricately layed out the story and the cast before us, which some might find it difficult to grasp so much introduction right at the start of a story.
Synopsis:
I don’t want to go… Do I have to go?13-year-old Prince Teodor of Freyne knows his duty to the memory of his father and his kingdom. Always, he must help those less fortunate than himself. Yet a frightening nightmare fills him with foreboding, but still he must do - into the Dome.13-year-old Guy Erma lives in the shadow of the Dome, he has no father and no mother and his future is uncertain, he must start earning a living when he turns 14. He knows not where he will live or even how he will eat, and his only dream is to enter the military academy - at the heart of the Dome.Two boys as different as any two boys might be. One act of cruelty will throw their lives together, but who dare they trust?
The story is set across in a parallel universe to ours where the author have drawn each and every details of that world with enough realism to make us believe in it. The pace of the book is really fast and with so many events and thrilling adventure, I was never left out feeling bored or out-of-the-world. And for that I would like to applaud the author for her brilliant imaginative skills who draws reality and fantasy equivalently.
There are a lot of characters in this book which are very strongly-developed and since this is a YA fantasy genre book, I was met with a lot of shape-shifters, giant cats etc. This compelling cast of characters are what which keeps the story building with every turn of the page. The protagonists, Guy Erma and Price Teodor are like two ends of a magnet- one born lucky with means and resources but not with much skill, whereas the other born with less resources, but with great strength.
In a nutshell, this book is a complete roller-coaster ride filled with bone-chilling adventures and power-packed actions and thrills that is surely going to keep you on your edges.
Verdict: This brilliant sci-fiction is a must-read for all YA lovers.
Courtesy: I received the book for a blog tour.
July 6, 2015
“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.”
----Elbert Hubbard
Sally Ann Melia, an English author, pens the third part of the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire trilogy, Exile which traces the story of two young boys one rich and other poor racing against their kingdom's villainous characters and their evil ways to protect their land, but can they trust each other?
Synopsis:
13-year-old Teodor has found a way to escape from kidnap, how long before he is safely home?
13-year-old Guy Erma has run away from everything he has even known and no longer knows what the future holds.
They escaped through dark tunnels and back alleys but they also discovered a hidden terror that now threatens their entire planet.
Two boys as different as two boys might be. Their adventure has forged an unexpected friendship, but do they really trust each other?
Dare they share their darkest, deepest secrets.
Teodor and Guy are running to escape the Dome, but unfortunately they come across those poison pill which killed their land/kingdom, now before they could trust anyone on their land, the enemy gets to know of their hiding spot and is ever ready to kill them. Trust is the biggest factor that played in this story and I loved how the author blend trust into her narrative style thus making it engaging as well as emotional.
The author's graphic descriptions of the world building is vivid thus letting the readers know about each and every nook and corner of this fantasy world. The writing is as usual fantastic and the pace is really very fast. From the very first page, I felt hooked on to the very core of the story, since the author have layered her storyline with some adrenaline rushing action scenes.
The characters are strongly developed and their demeanor reflects a lot of realism and each character is sketched with a supporting back story to make the readers feel connected to them. Overall, this is an unique as well as thrilling series and I'm glad that I got to read all the book from this series.
Verdict: YA fans will love this series.
Courtesy: I received this book from iRead book tours.
----Elbert Hubbard
Sally Ann Melia, an English author, pens the third part of the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire trilogy, Exile which traces the story of two young boys one rich and other poor racing against their kingdom's villainous characters and their evil ways to protect their land, but can they trust each other?
Synopsis:
13-year-old Teodor has found a way to escape from kidnap, how long before he is safely home?
13-year-old Guy Erma has run away from everything he has even known and no longer knows what the future holds.
They escaped through dark tunnels and back alleys but they also discovered a hidden terror that now threatens their entire planet.
Two boys as different as two boys might be. Their adventure has forged an unexpected friendship, but do they really trust each other?
Dare they share their darkest, deepest secrets.
Teodor and Guy are running to escape the Dome, but unfortunately they come across those poison pill which killed their land/kingdom, now before they could trust anyone on their land, the enemy gets to know of their hiding spot and is ever ready to kill them. Trust is the biggest factor that played in this story and I loved how the author blend trust into her narrative style thus making it engaging as well as emotional.
The author's graphic descriptions of the world building is vivid thus letting the readers know about each and every nook and corner of this fantasy world. The writing is as usual fantastic and the pace is really very fast. From the very first page, I felt hooked on to the very core of the story, since the author have layered her storyline with some adrenaline rushing action scenes.
The characters are strongly developed and their demeanor reflects a lot of realism and each character is sketched with a supporting back story to make the readers feel connected to them. Overall, this is an unique as well as thrilling series and I'm glad that I got to read all the book from this series.
Verdict: YA fans will love this series.
Courtesy: I received this book from iRead book tours.
May 20, 2015
“A brave man acknowledges the strength of others.”
----Veronica Roth
Sally Ann Melia, an English author, pens her next book in the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire trilogy, called Hunter that traces the part when Prince Teodor in held captive and there is an outbreak among few races over the debate of who will control the city.
Synopsis:
How dare you? How dare you hold me captive?
13-year-old Teodor was taken by the vicious Battle Borgs of Dome and now he must fight to survive.
13-year-old Guy Erma has been offered a chance to fight for his place in the Dome Elite. Only who will be his opponent? Will he face a Battle Borg of Dome?
Once they were heroes. These men died as heroes in battle. Now they have been reincarnated as the fearsome vanguard of the Dome Elite. They are the Battle Borgs of Dome
Two boys as different as any two boys might be. They face the same enemy, the same danger, the same fear - dare they trust each other?
Based in a parallel world, Prince Teodor is held captive and the whole city falls into a mayhem with Guy Erma, a less fortunate boy from the other side of the boundary unlike Prince Teodor tries to save the city when they both were called for a blades fight match. Being forever strong in the blades fight, it was easy for Guy Erma to win it, but Prince Teodor who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, will be able to win the fight?
The writing of the book is fantastic, I mean the author knows how to give wings to her imaginations and let them transform into exquisite words that will only enrich and allure her reader's minds. I was arrested with the prose of the story and with such an articulate narrative style, it proves that the author is a master story-teller. Moreover, the author have not only written this story for middle-grade readers, but she kept in mind the likes of an adult reader, thus I was engrossed in the tale from the very beginning.
The characters are imaginative and are very well-developed yet their demeanor reflect the trait of a real human-being. Guy Erma and Prince Teodor, both are my favorite characters and their unmatched bravery cannot be expressed in words. The supporting cast includes a colorful as well as evil array of diverse characters which makes the story even more interesting.
There are some illustrations in the book which are very apt with the descriptions in the plot. And the author have included them at the right moments. The intricacy in those illustrations make it more captivating to read the story. For better understanding of the story, do read the first book in the trilogy which is equally brilliant.
Verdict: A highly recommended book for the science-fiction lovers.
Courtesy: I received the book for a blog tour purpose.
----Veronica Roth
Sally Ann Melia, an English author, pens her next book in the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire trilogy, called Hunter that traces the part when Prince Teodor in held captive and there is an outbreak among few races over the debate of who will control the city.
Synopsis:
How dare you? How dare you hold me captive?
13-year-old Teodor was taken by the vicious Battle Borgs of Dome and now he must fight to survive.
13-year-old Guy Erma has been offered a chance to fight for his place in the Dome Elite. Only who will be his opponent? Will he face a Battle Borg of Dome?
Once they were heroes. These men died as heroes in battle. Now they have been reincarnated as the fearsome vanguard of the Dome Elite. They are the Battle Borgs of Dome
Two boys as different as any two boys might be. They face the same enemy, the same danger, the same fear - dare they trust each other?
Based in a parallel world, Prince Teodor is held captive and the whole city falls into a mayhem with Guy Erma, a less fortunate boy from the other side of the boundary unlike Prince Teodor tries to save the city when they both were called for a blades fight match. Being forever strong in the blades fight, it was easy for Guy Erma to win it, but Prince Teodor who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, will be able to win the fight?
The writing of the book is fantastic, I mean the author knows how to give wings to her imaginations and let them transform into exquisite words that will only enrich and allure her reader's minds. I was arrested with the prose of the story and with such an articulate narrative style, it proves that the author is a master story-teller. Moreover, the author have not only written this story for middle-grade readers, but she kept in mind the likes of an adult reader, thus I was engrossed in the tale from the very beginning.
The characters are imaginative and are very well-developed yet their demeanor reflect the trait of a real human-being. Guy Erma and Prince Teodor, both are my favorite characters and their unmatched bravery cannot be expressed in words. The supporting cast includes a colorful as well as evil array of diverse characters which makes the story even more interesting.
There are some illustrations in the book which are very apt with the descriptions in the plot. And the author have included them at the right moments. The intricacy in those illustrations make it more captivating to read the story. For better understanding of the story, do read the first book in the trilogy which is equally brilliant.
Verdict: A highly recommended book for the science-fiction lovers.
Courtesy: I received the book for a blog tour purpose.
February 5, 2017
Good, well worth a read for fans of fantasy and sci-fi.
Firstly a warning that this review is a bit academic in nature.
I want to end positively so I'll start with the negatives - the things that I believe will hold it back from a larger market appeal and that frustrate me because there is so much about this book I love.
It needs more publishing editing attention. While I found no spelling mistakes there are some out of place words and there are some sentences that could do with reworking.
There is a convention in fiction writing for tagging pieces of speech so you know who is talking and this is not it:
The Emperor took her head between two hands and pulled her close: "Poor Saygin. Poor, poor Sayginn. Let me protect you."
I found the "colons" method of speech tagging distracting. A publishing editor should have changed this to something like:
"Poor Saygin," The Emperor took her head between two hands and pulled her close "Poor, poor Sayginn. Let me protect you."
or put 'said the Emperor' on the end of the speech. Granted this did not damage the understanding of what was written but I found it distracting.
Story structure - there are well known an well observed rules regarding this which bestselling authors such as JK Rowling, Dan Brown, Suzanne Collins and many more observe to keep the dramatic flow going and ensure the right aspects of the plot, character and setting are exposed at the right time. The inciting incident which I presume to be “the son of empire” Teo’s kidnap (which is not spoiling the plot now the 3 part edition of this story carries this title) that should appear 20% earliest and ideally 25% into the story happens way too early at about 16%. Just as I was getting into the set up phase and enjoying (yes, I did enjoy this book) getting to know the setting and characters things suddenly kick off.
Why is it too early?
We don’t know enough about Teo and what is at stake when it happens which robs the inciting incident of dramatic impact. Following on from the event we get to learn more about why Teo is important (above the fact his mother loves him) and since the future of the Dome city is at stake we get introduced more to the Dome unfortunately after “the event”.
Because this set up exposition comes later the plot slows down when we should be watching the protagonist and friends respond (mostly ineffectively if plotted right) to the inciting incident. It’s not the only flaw in the structure but that gives you an idea.
Who is the primary protagonist in this story we should be focusing on rooting for?
In the beginning we get Guy and Teo introduced, then after the kidnap the story is off mostly following Karl Valvanchi and the Regent Sayginn (Teo's mother) to the point I begin to wonder if the book should be titled after these two characters.
It is 70% of the way into the plot before Guy and Teo (son of empire) meet properly and the main resolution to the plot seems to be Teo's actions (which are very cool).
For a “5 star grabbing a bigger YA audience” point of view these are some of the problems in my opinion. Harry Potter may be about many characters that we may root for, but we always know most of all we are behind the boy who lived, or Katniss in the Hunger Games, or Bilbo/Frodo Baggins, or Robert Langdon in the Da Vinci Code or Luke Skywalker to pluck some of the biggest sellers out there as examples.
I just don't know with Guy Erma and the Son of Empire because the plot just doesn't focus enough on either these two for me to know who I’m meant to focus of rooting for.
OK the positives.
There is plenty of action and for the most part the plot does move along at a good pace. The imagination behind the setting and characters is first class. I love all the cy-fauna, the Dome itself, Goran’s and the creepy emperor. There is a good sense of politics behind it all and Guy’s world as an orphan aspiring to the Dome Elite is very well realised with lots of little intriguing bit’s like the question of his parentage thrown in. I think there is a world here that could carry off many more stories.
Firstly a warning that this review is a bit academic in nature.
I want to end positively so I'll start with the negatives - the things that I believe will hold it back from a larger market appeal and that frustrate me because there is so much about this book I love.
It needs more publishing editing attention. While I found no spelling mistakes there are some out of place words and there are some sentences that could do with reworking.
There is a convention in fiction writing for tagging pieces of speech so you know who is talking and this is not it:
The Emperor took her head between two hands and pulled her close: "Poor Saygin. Poor, poor Sayginn. Let me protect you."
I found the "colons" method of speech tagging distracting. A publishing editor should have changed this to something like:
"Poor Saygin," The Emperor took her head between two hands and pulled her close "Poor, poor Sayginn. Let me protect you."
or put 'said the Emperor' on the end of the speech. Granted this did not damage the understanding of what was written but I found it distracting.
Story structure - there are well known an well observed rules regarding this which bestselling authors such as JK Rowling, Dan Brown, Suzanne Collins and many more observe to keep the dramatic flow going and ensure the right aspects of the plot, character and setting are exposed at the right time. The inciting incident which I presume to be “the son of empire” Teo’s kidnap (which is not spoiling the plot now the 3 part edition of this story carries this title) that should appear 20% earliest and ideally 25% into the story happens way too early at about 16%. Just as I was getting into the set up phase and enjoying (yes, I did enjoy this book) getting to know the setting and characters things suddenly kick off.
Why is it too early?
We don’t know enough about Teo and what is at stake when it happens which robs the inciting incident of dramatic impact. Following on from the event we get to learn more about why Teo is important (above the fact his mother loves him) and since the future of the Dome city is at stake we get introduced more to the Dome unfortunately after “the event”.
Because this set up exposition comes later the plot slows down when we should be watching the protagonist and friends respond (mostly ineffectively if plotted right) to the inciting incident. It’s not the only flaw in the structure but that gives you an idea.
Who is the primary protagonist in this story we should be focusing on rooting for?
In the beginning we get Guy and Teo introduced, then after the kidnap the story is off mostly following Karl Valvanchi and the Regent Sayginn (Teo's mother) to the point I begin to wonder if the book should be titled after these two characters.
It is 70% of the way into the plot before Guy and Teo (son of empire) meet properly and the main resolution to the plot seems to be Teo's actions (which are very cool).
For a “5 star grabbing a bigger YA audience” point of view these are some of the problems in my opinion. Harry Potter may be about many characters that we may root for, but we always know most of all we are behind the boy who lived, or Katniss in the Hunger Games, or Bilbo/Frodo Baggins, or Robert Langdon in the Da Vinci Code or Luke Skywalker to pluck some of the biggest sellers out there as examples.
I just don't know with Guy Erma and the Son of Empire because the plot just doesn't focus enough on either these two for me to know who I’m meant to focus of rooting for.
OK the positives.
There is plenty of action and for the most part the plot does move along at a good pace. The imagination behind the setting and characters is first class. I love all the cy-fauna, the Dome itself, Goran’s and the creepy emperor. There is a good sense of politics behind it all and Guy’s world as an orphan aspiring to the Dome Elite is very well realised with lots of little intriguing bit’s like the question of his parentage thrown in. I think there is a world here that could carry off many more stories.
May 13, 2015
I like it and I don't like it.
A couple of times, I felt like the story got a little repetitive. I also wondered, about halfway through, if we were ever going to get anywhere in the story. It flipped back and forth a lot but nothing really made sense to me. Really, it never did quite come together for me. That's what I didn't like. I have hopes the other books in the series will bring it all together more, and this one is more of an intro.
I know other readers will love it though. It has this cool Star Wars element mixed with a kidnapping, and those moments were super exciting.
I'm just a tough nut to crack when it comes down to it, sci-fi just isn't my usual fare. Don't let that stop you from giving it a chance though.
2.5/5
A couple of times, I felt like the story got a little repetitive. I also wondered, about halfway through, if we were ever going to get anywhere in the story. It flipped back and forth a lot but nothing really made sense to me. Really, it never did quite come together for me. That's what I didn't like. I have hopes the other books in the series will bring it all together more, and this one is more of an intro.
I know other readers will love it though. It has this cool Star Wars element mixed with a kidnapping, and those moments were super exciting.
I'm just a tough nut to crack when it comes down to it, sci-fi just isn't my usual fare. Don't let that stop you from giving it a chance though.
2.5/5
July 7, 2015
Spoiler Alert: Even though Hunter is Part Two of the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire series, I have tried to keep my comments general to keep from giving away any of the goodies contained between the pages.
Hunter is Part Two of the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire series. If you are a fan of action and adventure with some science fiction thrown in, this is a series for you. Each book picks up where the other left off. I loved Kidnap, Part One, so much, that I grabbed Hunter and started to read as soon as the package arrived.
I have watched movies that enable me to visualize the world Sally Ann Melia has created with her detailed and descriptive writing. Also, the artwork by Sally Dickson will help you see things as they really are, whether it be a character or one of the creatures.
We have a Dome, flying discs, fashion shows and models, cysects, poison pills, borgs and so much more.
There is political intrigue, betrayal, telepathy, thought control, even a telepathic shapeshifter that you better keep your eye on.
Sometimes your enemy will be your friend and ally, so do not be too quick to judge.
Would a romance among an unlikely pair save the Dome?
I love the world of Freyna that Sally Ann Melia has created. The characters, even though they are young, are brave and heroic. Even the bad ones are well developed and end up winning me over, except for the evil….well, I don’t want to spoil anything so I will leave it to you to find out.
Sally Ann Melia’s imaginative and descriptive writing describing the fight is amazing and I couldn’t put the book down until the last word was read. I have the next one, Part Three, Exile, and I want to pick it up right now, but it is late and tomorrow is another day.
My only complaint, Hunter seemed to start out a bit slow, but the ending was fantastic!
I received Hunter by Sally Ann Melia in return for an honest review.
To see more, stop by fundinmental at: http://www.fundinmental.com
Hunter is Part Two of the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire series. If you are a fan of action and adventure with some science fiction thrown in, this is a series for you. Each book picks up where the other left off. I loved Kidnap, Part One, so much, that I grabbed Hunter and started to read as soon as the package arrived.
I have watched movies that enable me to visualize the world Sally Ann Melia has created with her detailed and descriptive writing. Also, the artwork by Sally Dickson will help you see things as they really are, whether it be a character or one of the creatures.
We have a Dome, flying discs, fashion shows and models, cysects, poison pills, borgs and so much more.
There is political intrigue, betrayal, telepathy, thought control, even a telepathic shapeshifter that you better keep your eye on.
Sometimes your enemy will be your friend and ally, so do not be too quick to judge.
Would a romance among an unlikely pair save the Dome?
I love the world of Freyna that Sally Ann Melia has created. The characters, even though they are young, are brave and heroic. Even the bad ones are well developed and end up winning me over, except for the evil….well, I don’t want to spoil anything so I will leave it to you to find out.
Sally Ann Melia’s imaginative and descriptive writing describing the fight is amazing and I couldn’t put the book down until the last word was read. I have the next one, Part Three, Exile, and I want to pick it up right now, but it is late and tomorrow is another day.
My only complaint, Hunter seemed to start out a bit slow, but the ending was fantastic!
I received Hunter by Sally Ann Melia in return for an honest review.
To see more, stop by fundinmental at: http://www.fundinmental.com
May 14, 2015
I wasn’t sure about this book, but something kept pulling at me. It didn’t take long before I was fully involved in Teo and Guy’s world. I could not put it down and read it through in one sitting.
Teo is a recalcitrant prince, soon to be king and Emperor.
Guy Erma is an orphan who dreams of becoming one of the Dome Elite.
Two boys growing up, so different, yet the same. They have desires and insecurities, egos and jealousy.
When Teo has a nightmare of the tunnels…and finds himself taken there, I immediately tried to figure out who was behind the kidnapping. He just happens to be a pawn in the ‘game’ that is being played for the title of Emperor of Freyne.
The characters had me eating out of their hands and I think they will grow and develop into some exceptional people who think outside the box, making unpopular moves that take their world to a better place.
D’Elen McClain’s writing took me on a space odyssey that included all the things necessary to take me out of this world. We have shapeshifting aliens, telepaths and suicide fighters. Political intrigue, terrorism, plague. Wonderful writing, great world building and so much more.
I love the gorans, giant cats that are ridden like a horse, making me think of the creatures in Star Wars.
The thrill and suspense held my attention throughout and I love that D’Elen showed the good and bad of her characters, making them more believable.
I am curious how she will bring the different worlds together. This may be fiction, but it brings to mind some of the problems of our own world and the question of…will we ever learn to live in harmony with one another?
I want to know more of the story of Teo and Guy. Will Nell play an important part in the future? :-)
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Teo is a recalcitrant prince, soon to be king and Emperor.
Guy Erma is an orphan who dreams of becoming one of the Dome Elite.
Two boys growing up, so different, yet the same. They have desires and insecurities, egos and jealousy.
When Teo has a nightmare of the tunnels…and finds himself taken there, I immediately tried to figure out who was behind the kidnapping. He just happens to be a pawn in the ‘game’ that is being played for the title of Emperor of Freyne.
The characters had me eating out of their hands and I think they will grow and develop into some exceptional people who think outside the box, making unpopular moves that take their world to a better place.
D’Elen McClain’s writing took me on a space odyssey that included all the things necessary to take me out of this world. We have shapeshifting aliens, telepaths and suicide fighters. Political intrigue, terrorism, plague. Wonderful writing, great world building and so much more.
I love the gorans, giant cats that are ridden like a horse, making me think of the creatures in Star Wars.
The thrill and suspense held my attention throughout and I love that D’Elen showed the good and bad of her characters, making them more believable.
I am curious how she will bring the different worlds together. This may be fiction, but it brings to mind some of the problems of our own world and the question of…will we ever learn to live in harmony with one another?
I want to know more of the story of Teo and Guy. Will Nell play an important part in the future? :-)
I received this book in return for an honest review.
October 23, 2014
I got this book through Goodreads and I have to say I really really enjoyed it. It has a classic, almost fairy tale quality - the old fashioned kind, not the Disney ones - without feeling cliched. Pace and characters are both good, there are some nice surprises with the Author not being afraid of loosing the odd character, and not feeling the need to spoon feed us every piece of information as to the what, when, who, why, and how.
There are plot lines here that would not feel out of place anywhere from Shakespeare to Dune, and all points in between.The science fiction elements are well realized without being over dominant - this is a story first, not a tech article.
It left me wanting more.
The fact this is a hardback edition adds a little gravitas, but it is a book that has that in it's own right anyway, an genuinely Good read.
There are plot lines here that would not feel out of place anywhere from Shakespeare to Dune, and all points in between.The science fiction elements are well realized without being over dominant - this is a story first, not a tech article.
It left me wanting more.
The fact this is a hardback edition adds a little gravitas, but it is a book that has that in it's own right anyway, an genuinely Good read.
July 4, 2015
I received Kidnap in return for an honest review as part of the tour hosted by I Read Book Tours. Kidnap is told from the point of view of two very different boys Teodor the prince and future king of Freyne and Guy an orphan with no registration who dreams of the Dome Elite. Each boy has been forced to grow up quickly after the loss of his father or growing up in the fashion house each enduring their own struggles. Things in Freyne aren’t as peaceful as some would like, people on Sas Daron are at war and even rebellion is happing at home. With the upcoming Magnolia Weekend it’s the time to celebrate, races, parties, fashion shows, debates and even the future of Freyne will change.
After his fight is cancelled by his mother Teodor is sent to sing in the choir hoping to help her chance of winning the upcoming debate. When Teodor is kidnapped and many Domeside children had been injured or killed his mother suspects someone she knows with a hidden agenda. His guards saw that it was the Battle Borgs which they are supposed to control who took off with him. Will they be able to bring him back before it’s too late? What about Guy will he be able to make it into the Dome Elite even though he has no registration and no one to claim him? What about Karl the mysterious shapeshifter from another planet who’s shown up suddenly at his brother’s request to help promote the Sas Daron tribes.
I liked that we are given point of views from both boys as well as Karl even though he’s not a main player yet I have lots of hope for him in the next books. While they are similar each in a lot of ways they are also very different each having grown up a different lifestyle. I’m curious to see more of Nell as a character also the young shapeshifting girl quickly became one of my favorites the way she changed her hair to match her dress was great. I hope to see more of Karl in the next one he may just be what Freyne needs to settle the unrest.
I was curious the moment I saw the cover for Kidnap there is just something about it that catches the eye and I had to sign up for the tour. Right from the start we are drawn into the character’s from one to the other while it is back and forth it’s very clear who you are reading the transition is smooth. I loved that Teodor is a goran rider which is a giant cat I found the whole idea of the goran awesome but I’m glad I haven’t woken up with a horse size cat. The author does a great job creating a captivating world filled with enough action and suspense to leave you wanting more. I enjoyed the characters I was able to connect with all of them on some level and I even found a few of my favorites that I can’t wait to see what happens next. While Kidnap is a YA novel it is clean so even young teens as well as adults will enjoy it. I found the book hard to put down and can’t wait to start the next one and see what’s going to happen next an exciting new series.
After his fight is cancelled by his mother Teodor is sent to sing in the choir hoping to help her chance of winning the upcoming debate. When Teodor is kidnapped and many Domeside children had been injured or killed his mother suspects someone she knows with a hidden agenda. His guards saw that it was the Battle Borgs which they are supposed to control who took off with him. Will they be able to bring him back before it’s too late? What about Guy will he be able to make it into the Dome Elite even though he has no registration and no one to claim him? What about Karl the mysterious shapeshifter from another planet who’s shown up suddenly at his brother’s request to help promote the Sas Daron tribes.
I liked that we are given point of views from both boys as well as Karl even though he’s not a main player yet I have lots of hope for him in the next books. While they are similar each in a lot of ways they are also very different each having grown up a different lifestyle. I’m curious to see more of Nell as a character also the young shapeshifting girl quickly became one of my favorites the way she changed her hair to match her dress was great. I hope to see more of Karl in the next one he may just be what Freyne needs to settle the unrest.
I was curious the moment I saw the cover for Kidnap there is just something about it that catches the eye and I had to sign up for the tour. Right from the start we are drawn into the character’s from one to the other while it is back and forth it’s very clear who you are reading the transition is smooth. I loved that Teodor is a goran rider which is a giant cat I found the whole idea of the goran awesome but I’m glad I haven’t woken up with a horse size cat. The author does a great job creating a captivating world filled with enough action and suspense to leave you wanting more. I enjoyed the characters I was able to connect with all of them on some level and I even found a few of my favorites that I can’t wait to see what happens next. While Kidnap is a YA novel it is clean so even young teens as well as adults will enjoy it. I found the book hard to put down and can’t wait to start the next one and see what’s going to happen next an exciting new series.
October 3, 2015
REVIEW
A YA Sci-Fi thriller usually resorts to certain stereotypes that the writers (and unfortunately some readers) think are necessary for the book to be a bestseller. These stereotypes make the book and the content (however different the story might be) seem repetitive. Thankfully, Kidnap breaks not one, but all of those ‘set rules’.
From page one to the appendix, (yes; the appendix, which is a glossary for the Sci-Fi terms used in the book) the book was racy, vivid and written very creatively. The first few pages of the book are the ‘make or break’ for the reader because of the new concepts and unfamiliar terms that are introduced aplenty. But once you manage to use the appendix and get familiar with the terms, the book moves at a pleasantly fast pace.
The story is a parallel comparison between two thirteen year old boys, one, a prince of a kingdom and two, a reluctant fashion model bastard child who wants to join the most elite military force of the kingdom. For a story that happened ‘long, long ago on a planet far, far away’, the technology described is amazing. There are droids – mini cameras that can be ‘pinched’ and there are domes and cathedrals that are antique on the outside and sleek on the inside.
But in the eons that separate the story and the present, one thing hasn’t changed – the underlying politics that interferes on every level from military selections to dinner menu and dance rehearsals. The prince (heir to the empire) is kidnapped and the suspects range from the Queen’s political opponent and the Emperor who wants to marry her to produce his ‘heir’. The plot doesn’t have too many holes but a lot of unanswered questions (that is not to be mentioned in detail because this book is just the first one of the series).
Overall, the language (at least the part that doesn’t have the story – specific, specially coined words) is impeccable, crisp and clear. The story is new and unique in some contexts, but falters in the lack of certain explanations that would have smoothed out the obvious crevices. The book made me want to read the second part as soon as the first part was over, because, after all, this was just a chronicle of all events that happened in one day! Who wouldn’t want to read what happened in day two? Talk about cliff-hangers, this author has them mastered.
A YA Sci-Fi thriller usually resorts to certain stereotypes that the writers (and unfortunately some readers) think are necessary for the book to be a bestseller. These stereotypes make the book and the content (however different the story might be) seem repetitive. Thankfully, Kidnap breaks not one, but all of those ‘set rules’.
From page one to the appendix, (yes; the appendix, which is a glossary for the Sci-Fi terms used in the book) the book was racy, vivid and written very creatively. The first few pages of the book are the ‘make or break’ for the reader because of the new concepts and unfamiliar terms that are introduced aplenty. But once you manage to use the appendix and get familiar with the terms, the book moves at a pleasantly fast pace.
The story is a parallel comparison between two thirteen year old boys, one, a prince of a kingdom and two, a reluctant fashion model bastard child who wants to join the most elite military force of the kingdom. For a story that happened ‘long, long ago on a planet far, far away’, the technology described is amazing. There are droids – mini cameras that can be ‘pinched’ and there are domes and cathedrals that are antique on the outside and sleek on the inside.
But in the eons that separate the story and the present, one thing hasn’t changed – the underlying politics that interferes on every level from military selections to dinner menu and dance rehearsals. The prince (heir to the empire) is kidnapped and the suspects range from the Queen’s political opponent and the Emperor who wants to marry her to produce his ‘heir’. The plot doesn’t have too many holes but a lot of unanswered questions (that is not to be mentioned in detail because this book is just the first one of the series).
Overall, the language (at least the part that doesn’t have the story – specific, specially coined words) is impeccable, crisp and clear. The story is new and unique in some contexts, but falters in the lack of certain explanations that would have smoothed out the obvious crevices. The book made me want to read the second part as soon as the first part was over, because, after all, this was just a chronicle of all events that happened in one day! Who wouldn’t want to read what happened in day two? Talk about cliff-hangers, this author has them mastered.
October 3, 2015
REVIEW:
In the second book of the Guy Erma series, the events are just as fast paced, as racy as the first one, Kidnap.
The kidnapped prince Teodor is being held inside the city itself, and his mother, the Regent Sayginn suffers between political drama, a mother’s need to protect her only remaining son and a manipulative emperor who wishes to marry her to produce his heir. Amidst all this chaos, she sees Karl Valvanchi as the sole ray of light that could save her son from captivity. In between this high profile drama, Guy Erma finds himself chasing after the ever eluding dream of being a part of the Dome Elite. The tense political situation apart, Guy knows he has to do anything that the Dome Boss says if he is to have a chance of fulfilling his dream.
The summary does much justice to the book’s story as much as the book’s story adheres to it. The story continues right from where the first book left off and is every bit as intriguing. In depth looks into everyone’s perspective is an added bonus. Each character has been given enough space in the story. The language (thanks to the glossary) is easy enough to understand the storyline. The last chapter of the book is the most interesting, with the face off between Guy Erma and Prince Teodor fit to be a movie scene.
Hunter, even if it doesn’t answer many questions about the series and poses much more questions that would hopefully be answered in the next part. An overall enjoyable experience, Hunter is one book that you will be able to appreciate after if you read the series in the proper sequence.
Again, much like the previous time, this book also sends with a cliff hanger – albeit a bit hopeful one. I just had to mention this here.
In the second book of the Guy Erma series, the events are just as fast paced, as racy as the first one, Kidnap.
The kidnapped prince Teodor is being held inside the city itself, and his mother, the Regent Sayginn suffers between political drama, a mother’s need to protect her only remaining son and a manipulative emperor who wishes to marry her to produce his heir. Amidst all this chaos, she sees Karl Valvanchi as the sole ray of light that could save her son from captivity. In between this high profile drama, Guy Erma finds himself chasing after the ever eluding dream of being a part of the Dome Elite. The tense political situation apart, Guy knows he has to do anything that the Dome Boss says if he is to have a chance of fulfilling his dream.
The summary does much justice to the book’s story as much as the book’s story adheres to it. The story continues right from where the first book left off and is every bit as intriguing. In depth looks into everyone’s perspective is an added bonus. Each character has been given enough space in the story. The language (thanks to the glossary) is easy enough to understand the storyline. The last chapter of the book is the most interesting, with the face off between Guy Erma and Prince Teodor fit to be a movie scene.
Hunter, even if it doesn’t answer many questions about the series and poses much more questions that would hopefully be answered in the next part. An overall enjoyable experience, Hunter is one book that you will be able to appreciate after if you read the series in the proper sequence.
Again, much like the previous time, this book also sends with a cliff hanger – albeit a bit hopeful one. I just had to mention this here.
July 28, 2015
Spoiler Alert: Even though Exile is Part Three of the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire series, I have tried to keep my comments general to keep from giving away any of the goodies contained between the pages.
Exile is Part Three of the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire series. If you are a fan of action and adventure with some science fiction thrown in, this is a series for you. Each book picks up where the other left off. I was fortunate enough to receive Hunter and Exile before I was done with Kidnap, so I was able to continue reading this fantastic series.
The artwork by Sally Dickson will help you see things as they really are, whether it be a character or one of the creatures. We have both probably watched some of the same movies that help to visualize the world and some of the action sequences Sally Ann Melia has created.
I love the combination of fashion, politics and thrills. At times I cannot help but smile and sometimes a chuckle passes over my lips. At least the characters will be fashionable dressed while they are fighting.
Each boy contributes a vital component that brings them together as friends and leaders.
My mother is visiting from out of state and I was very bad. I ignored her so I could finish this series and I loved it.
Kids of all ages will love meeting Teo, Guy, Des and Sebastian. I had characters that I rooted for and characters that I wanted to get what’s coming to them. Sounds like real life.
I find myself lost in the world of Freyna and want to return there as soon as possible. I was lucky enough to have all three of these, but now I have to wait.
Exile is Part Three of the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire series. If you are a fan of action and adventure with some science fiction thrown in, this is a series for you. Each book picks up where the other left off. I was fortunate enough to receive Hunter and Exile before I was done with Kidnap, so I was able to continue reading this fantastic series.
The artwork by Sally Dickson will help you see things as they really are, whether it be a character or one of the creatures. We have both probably watched some of the same movies that help to visualize the world and some of the action sequences Sally Ann Melia has created.
I love the combination of fashion, politics and thrills. At times I cannot help but smile and sometimes a chuckle passes over my lips. At least the characters will be fashionable dressed while they are fighting.
Each boy contributes a vital component that brings them together as friends and leaders.
My mother is visiting from out of state and I was very bad. I ignored her so I could finish this series and I loved it.
Kids of all ages will love meeting Teo, Guy, Des and Sebastian. I had characters that I rooted for and characters that I wanted to get what’s coming to them. Sounds like real life.
I find myself lost in the world of Freyna and want to return there as soon as possible. I was lucky enough to have all three of these, but now I have to wait.
June 2, 2015
The Guy Erma is back! Hunter includes some of the previous characters created in Kidnap. Karl Valvanchi - the visiting alien - tries to aid Sayginn - Teodor's mother - by offering some comfort to ease her grieving heart. Guy, Teodor and the Borgs are prepared to fight for their lives. There can be only one winner...Who will prevail?
The action continues as Teodor is kept from discovery while several individuals seek him out.
The Debate - which will determine whether Sayginn or Chart Sagat will rule the Dome Elite - must be held on this day...Who will ultimately rule?
Author - Sally Ann Melia - captivates her audience with fast moving, action-packed adventures.
Characters, previously created, continue to maintain a vivid portrayal. The descriptive scenes are easily visualized. Additionally, the Book Cover and Title continue to be eye-catching and fitting.
This sequel did not seem to smoothly continue from the prequel. Although Karl had an active role in Kidnap, the prologue seemed to abruptly begin Hunter without a smooth connection to the last pages of Kidnap. However, the ending of Hunter was at a better place in the story, yet still felt weak.
Still, this is an exciting read for youth of ages between 11 and 15.
* I was sent this book in exchange of an HONEST review, of which I have given.
The action continues as Teodor is kept from discovery while several individuals seek him out.
The Debate - which will determine whether Sayginn or Chart Sagat will rule the Dome Elite - must be held on this day...Who will ultimately rule?
Author - Sally Ann Melia - captivates her audience with fast moving, action-packed adventures.
Characters, previously created, continue to maintain a vivid portrayal. The descriptive scenes are easily visualized. Additionally, the Book Cover and Title continue to be eye-catching and fitting.
This sequel did not seem to smoothly continue from the prequel. Although Karl had an active role in Kidnap, the prologue seemed to abruptly begin Hunter without a smooth connection to the last pages of Kidnap. However, the ending of Hunter was at a better place in the story, yet still felt weak.
Still, this is an exciting read for youth of ages between 11 and 15.
* I was sent this book in exchange of an HONEST review, of which I have given.
April 20, 2015
Kidnap starts out with a bang! The writing is very imaginative and fun for both the young and the young at heart. I really liked both the science fiction and fantasy elements in this book. The tech was well thought out and the descriptions of the landscapes and fascinating creatures are very well done. They capture the imagination and draw you into the story quickly. The characters are interesting and you want to find out what happens next. I loved Karl and Nell, they quickly became my two favorite characters. Prince Teodor seemed to be a normal thirteen year old who would rather have fun blade training and racing his Goran, the giant racing cats, instead of performing his 'official' duties. The title character, Guy Erma, is a bit confusing. He's the character we spend the most time with, leading me to believe that he's supposed to be the hero of our story. Some of his actions made me question this. I can't really explain that without giving away too much of the story. I do wish that more had been resolved in this book but I do think that the series shows a lot of promise. A solid 3.5 star read.
May 17, 2015
This review first appeared on my blog Christy's Cozy Corners.
When I was asked to review this book, I was not sure what exactly this book was going to be about. I knew it was considered a Young Adult Sci/Fi book, but that’s about it. It took me a little while to get into the story because it starts out on a strange note. But once I got into the story, things started falling into place. The different planets and how the people who come from the planets intertwine is really interesting.
The characters in this book are well-developed and though this is just the beginning of the story, you can start to see how they connect. The kidnapping of Prince Teodor is the major story line in this part of the book. His kidnapping has political reasons, but who exactly is behind it? And how does Guy Erma fit into the story? The settings in the story are very well described and bring the story to life. I am looking forward to finding out how the story plays out. There are so many great characters and so much action that any young sci/fi book lover will enjoy reading this book.
When I was asked to review this book, I was not sure what exactly this book was going to be about. I knew it was considered a Young Adult Sci/Fi book, but that’s about it. It took me a little while to get into the story because it starts out on a strange note. But once I got into the story, things started falling into place. The different planets and how the people who come from the planets intertwine is really interesting.
The characters in this book are well-developed and though this is just the beginning of the story, you can start to see how they connect. The kidnapping of Prince Teodor is the major story line in this part of the book. His kidnapping has political reasons, but who exactly is behind it? And how does Guy Erma fit into the story? The settings in the story are very well described and bring the story to life. I am looking forward to finding out how the story plays out. There are so many great characters and so much action that any young sci/fi book lover will enjoy reading this book.
April 19, 2015
This is a really good book. If you like sci-fi books or are a fan of the Aoleon books by Mr. Brent LeVasseur, who just makes to give his thumbs up on this book, then you might want to check this book out.
It has a good storyline and characters. Prince Teodor of Freyne and Guy Erma are both strong characters. However I have to say that in the beginning I thought that Guy stood out as the stronger male lead for me. Yet as the story progressed Teodor did grow in strides as well. Another person that I liked is Captain Karl Valvanchi. His storyline was strong too. He helped bring the diffent sides of this story together.
Reading this book brings out my geek side. This is because I like the world that the author has built and there are Borg! I have not read many books with Borg in it. This excites me because I am a Trekky (Star Trek fan). So if this does not get you excited to check this book out then the illustrations will. They are colorful and full length. I can't wait to read the second book in this series.
It has a good storyline and characters. Prince Teodor of Freyne and Guy Erma are both strong characters. However I have to say that in the beginning I thought that Guy stood out as the stronger male lead for me. Yet as the story progressed Teodor did grow in strides as well. Another person that I liked is Captain Karl Valvanchi. His storyline was strong too. He helped bring the diffent sides of this story together.
Reading this book brings out my geek side. This is because I like the world that the author has built and there are Borg! I have not read many books with Borg in it. This excites me because I am a Trekky (Star Trek fan). So if this does not get you excited to check this book out then the illustrations will. They are colorful and full length. I can't wait to read the second book in this series.
November 20, 2014
Excerpt from Beta-Reader report, May 2014
In general I found the book to be a page-turner.I found both Teodor and Guy to be very likeable and relatable, largely due, I think, to the insight into their inner mind and feelings.
This sense of intrigue and compulsion was generally true overall (except for the two scenes mentioned in the first point above, where I felt my interest wane). I certainly felt compelled enough to finish the book and think any reader would (this coming from someone who is not at all afraid to abandon a book that doesn’t rivet me, many having fallen by the wayside).
Overall, I think the book is a good read and definitely meets your intention of being a “page-turner”. With a little work, I think it could be really great!
Good luck!
In general I found the book to be a page-turner.I found both Teodor and Guy to be very likeable and relatable, largely due, I think, to the insight into their inner mind and feelings.
This sense of intrigue and compulsion was generally true overall (except for the two scenes mentioned in the first point above, where I felt my interest wane). I certainly felt compelled enough to finish the book and think any reader would (this coming from someone who is not at all afraid to abandon a book that doesn’t rivet me, many having fallen by the wayside).
Overall, I think the book is a good read and definitely meets your intention of being a “page-turner”. With a little work, I think it could be really great!
Good luck!
December 19, 2014
'Loyal to Empire, Fear only God'
British author Sally Ann Melia (the pen name for Sally Dickson) was born in Wallasey, England and moved to the South of France when she was eleven. She spent her teenage years living in the cosmopolitan city-state of Monaco and became immersed in its many languages and cultures. An English girl in a French school, for three hours each week she would sit at the back of the class as her colleagues learnt English. To pass the time, she wrote stories. She labels herself as `a science fiction writer, a science fiction author and a science fiction storyteller - three categories that seem inextricable related as labels but when reading her work the difference of `making up things' and creating true science fiction fantasies the difference among the three is obvious - she thinks, talks, breathes and puts on paper splendid tales for young adults that put an entirely different spin on science fiction. She lives in Farnham, Surrey with her husband and tow children and associated pets. According to her bio she has a life long obsession with science fiction - films, books, television series etc - and that personal preference background serves her well in creating truly fine thoughts and ideas as demonstrated in this her first published novel - GUY ERMA AND THE SON OF EMPIRE, the beginning of the GUY ERMA GALACTIC EMPIRE SERIES.
If an author in Sci-Fi can capture attention in a prologue that serves as a magnet to continue, then what follows is bound to be a success. That is precisely what Melia accomplishes: `Mezzatorra to Control. We are under attack, large attack. Please assist.' Karl took a sharp breath in, but his reply was steady. `This is Captain Karl Valvanchi calling Mezzatorra.' `Karl. It's the SDLA. They're at full strength.' `We'll be there. Lock yourselves away.' Thirty-one years old, Karl Valvanchi was a Zaracan warrior. His skin chalk-white, he stood just under two metres tall, with a slim military build. With his ice-white mane cropped to stubble, he appeared almost human, something he was not. He joined his men and they pulled on their flying suits. As one, they leapt skywards and circled up. Karl glanced back. With its high perimeter wall and watchtowers, the centre was easy enough to secure. It was the outlying units that faced the worst attacks. Mezzatorra should be ok, Karl thought. The scientists had a secure vault the tribes could not penetrate. Some looting, some vandalism, then the tribes would turn and run. If it came to it, the tribes had no weapons of any real threat. Unless they
were reinforced by the Dome Elite; unless they had help from the Freyne Empire.' So many names and threats and ideas that all become evident as the book rolls into space.
Melia provides a synopsis for this epic (and there is so much more to her book that a starter kit is necessary!): `A young prince is kidnapped, a Galactic Empire in peril for the Prince has fallen into the hands of the ruthless yet charismatic Chart Segat, a populist politician, he is also head of the crack space warriors: the Dome Elite. His mother, Regent and young widow will use every resource at her disposal: military might, security surveillance, battle cyborgs and insider intelligence to find her son. She will call on the Valvanchi, the telepathic shape shifters aliens to free him. The only question is can they get to the Prince in time?
Meanwhile in the shadow of the Dome, living a life of desperate poverty is another boy: 13-year-old Guy Erma. His only dream is to join the Dome Elite, and the only way he can do that is by `doing whatever Chart Segat says.' Whatever he wants!'
Yes, the story abounds in poisons and antidotes and terrifying constructs that will most assuredly appeal to the Young Adult reader (the author graciously provides an Appendix with names and places defined), but the pleasure is the discovery of a fresh young writer who can fearlessly provide an impossible adventure and create the hunger for more. Sally Ann Melia will do very well with this series, thank you!
British author Sally Ann Melia (the pen name for Sally Dickson) was born in Wallasey, England and moved to the South of France when she was eleven. She spent her teenage years living in the cosmopolitan city-state of Monaco and became immersed in its many languages and cultures. An English girl in a French school, for three hours each week she would sit at the back of the class as her colleagues learnt English. To pass the time, she wrote stories. She labels herself as `a science fiction writer, a science fiction author and a science fiction storyteller - three categories that seem inextricable related as labels but when reading her work the difference of `making up things' and creating true science fiction fantasies the difference among the three is obvious - she thinks, talks, breathes and puts on paper splendid tales for young adults that put an entirely different spin on science fiction. She lives in Farnham, Surrey with her husband and tow children and associated pets. According to her bio she has a life long obsession with science fiction - films, books, television series etc - and that personal preference background serves her well in creating truly fine thoughts and ideas as demonstrated in this her first published novel - GUY ERMA AND THE SON OF EMPIRE, the beginning of the GUY ERMA GALACTIC EMPIRE SERIES.
If an author in Sci-Fi can capture attention in a prologue that serves as a magnet to continue, then what follows is bound to be a success. That is precisely what Melia accomplishes: `Mezzatorra to Control. We are under attack, large attack. Please assist.' Karl took a sharp breath in, but his reply was steady. `This is Captain Karl Valvanchi calling Mezzatorra.' `Karl. It's the SDLA. They're at full strength.' `We'll be there. Lock yourselves away.' Thirty-one years old, Karl Valvanchi was a Zaracan warrior. His skin chalk-white, he stood just under two metres tall, with a slim military build. With his ice-white mane cropped to stubble, he appeared almost human, something he was not. He joined his men and they pulled on their flying suits. As one, they leapt skywards and circled up. Karl glanced back. With its high perimeter wall and watchtowers, the centre was easy enough to secure. It was the outlying units that faced the worst attacks. Mezzatorra should be ok, Karl thought. The scientists had a secure vault the tribes could not penetrate. Some looting, some vandalism, then the tribes would turn and run. If it came to it, the tribes had no weapons of any real threat. Unless they
were reinforced by the Dome Elite; unless they had help from the Freyne Empire.' So many names and threats and ideas that all become evident as the book rolls into space.
Melia provides a synopsis for this epic (and there is so much more to her book that a starter kit is necessary!): `A young prince is kidnapped, a Galactic Empire in peril for the Prince has fallen into the hands of the ruthless yet charismatic Chart Segat, a populist politician, he is also head of the crack space warriors: the Dome Elite. His mother, Regent and young widow will use every resource at her disposal: military might, security surveillance, battle cyborgs and insider intelligence to find her son. She will call on the Valvanchi, the telepathic shape shifters aliens to free him. The only question is can they get to the Prince in time?
Meanwhile in the shadow of the Dome, living a life of desperate poverty is another boy: 13-year-old Guy Erma. His only dream is to join the Dome Elite, and the only way he can do that is by `doing whatever Chart Segat says.' Whatever he wants!'
Yes, the story abounds in poisons and antidotes and terrifying constructs that will most assuredly appeal to the Young Adult reader (the author graciously provides an Appendix with names and places defined), but the pleasure is the discovery of a fresh young writer who can fearlessly provide an impossible adventure and create the hunger for more. Sally Ann Melia will do very well with this series, thank you!
April 25, 2015
Review:
I was provided Kidnap, Part 1 to give an honest review of afterward. I found the action Joey me interested. I was a. It confused with who was who at the beginning. I did not care for the illustrations which may behave just been rough drafts.
I was beginning to get into the plot and figured out who was who and which planet they were from when the book ended. I was disappointed at such an abrupt end with the rest of the story to come later. I felt like it wasn't enough to be a stand alone book.
I enjoyed the alternating points of view that helped to give an better idea of how the various planets operated and also painted a clear picture of the corruption & plans of the governments. It was a good read, but dropped off Ay before it should have ... Not giving enough of the story.
Book description:
Guy Erma and the Son of Empire is a new three-part action adventure, set a long time ago on a planet far far away.
I don't want to go! Do I have to go?
13-year-old Teodor knows his duty to the memory of his father and his kingdom, he must help those less fortunate than himself. He must also impress his uncle the Emperor if he is ever to become the Son of Empire. A frightening nightmare fills him with foreboding, but still he must go - into the Dome.
13-year-old Guy Erma lives in the shadow of the Dome, he has no father and no mother and his future is uncertain, he must start earning a living soon. He knows not where he will live or even how he will eat, and his only dream is to be accepted in the military academy - at the heart of the Dome.
Two boys as different as any two boys might be. One act of cruelty will throw their lives together, but who dare they trust?
The Empire of Freyne is a newcomer to the United Races. As a developing race, the thirteen-planet empire is of interest to other galactic races, not all of this interest is friendly. The Dome Elite is a force of space marines whose defensive actions and adventures defend Freyne and its neighbours from hostile alien pirates and acquisitive space brigands, so allowing the inhabitants to sleep soundly at night.
For the young men and women of Domeside, to be a part of the Dome Elite, you need to master the maths and technology associated with space warfare and also to be fierce fighter who can fight in confined spaces with short sharp blades. When you are in Dome Elite, you are the best!
Meanwhile politicians and imperial rulers know that whosoever controls the Dome Elite, who decides their mandate and mission also controls the empire. You have to inspire and lead the men, to have and hold the right alien alliances and legal treaties. When you own the Dome Elite. you are in power!
Reviews:
"One of the most powerhouse imaginations I've encountered in sci-fi..." Dean C. Moore, The Warlock's Friend
"Guy Erma and the Son of Empire by Sally Ann Melia is a fast-paced and exciting YA military sci-fi read. Don't miss this one!" Brent LeVasseur, author and illustrator of the Aoleon The Martian Girl series.
A good old-fashioned space opera and political thriller - if you loved both Frank Herbert's Dune and Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games - you will adore Guy Erma.
Illustrations
This book includes 4 full colours illustrations when read on a colour kindle or eBook reader. These images are displayed in black and white in the paperback and some older kindle viewers.
Images can also be view on the author website sallyannmelia.com/kidnap
Important: Series information
This book is the first part of the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire, it has 200 pages.
The second book is Hunter with 162 pages and the third book is Exile with 150 pages.
Please note this book was previously published in one volume of 440 pages: Guy Erma and the Son of Empire - also available on Amazon.
Lose yourself in this fantastic new adventure - Scroll up and grab a copy today.
I was provided Kidnap, Part 1 to give an honest review of afterward. I found the action Joey me interested. I was a. It confused with who was who at the beginning. I did not care for the illustrations which may behave just been rough drafts.
I was beginning to get into the plot and figured out who was who and which planet they were from when the book ended. I was disappointed at such an abrupt end with the rest of the story to come later. I felt like it wasn't enough to be a stand alone book.
I enjoyed the alternating points of view that helped to give an better idea of how the various planets operated and also painted a clear picture of the corruption & plans of the governments. It was a good read, but dropped off Ay before it should have ... Not giving enough of the story.
Book description:
Guy Erma and the Son of Empire is a new three-part action adventure, set a long time ago on a planet far far away.
I don't want to go! Do I have to go?
13-year-old Teodor knows his duty to the memory of his father and his kingdom, he must help those less fortunate than himself. He must also impress his uncle the Emperor if he is ever to become the Son of Empire. A frightening nightmare fills him with foreboding, but still he must go - into the Dome.
13-year-old Guy Erma lives in the shadow of the Dome, he has no father and no mother and his future is uncertain, he must start earning a living soon. He knows not where he will live or even how he will eat, and his only dream is to be accepted in the military academy - at the heart of the Dome.
Two boys as different as any two boys might be. One act of cruelty will throw their lives together, but who dare they trust?
The Empire of Freyne is a newcomer to the United Races. As a developing race, the thirteen-planet empire is of interest to other galactic races, not all of this interest is friendly. The Dome Elite is a force of space marines whose defensive actions and adventures defend Freyne and its neighbours from hostile alien pirates and acquisitive space brigands, so allowing the inhabitants to sleep soundly at night.
For the young men and women of Domeside, to be a part of the Dome Elite, you need to master the maths and technology associated with space warfare and also to be fierce fighter who can fight in confined spaces with short sharp blades. When you are in Dome Elite, you are the best!
Meanwhile politicians and imperial rulers know that whosoever controls the Dome Elite, who decides their mandate and mission also controls the empire. You have to inspire and lead the men, to have and hold the right alien alliances and legal treaties. When you own the Dome Elite. you are in power!
Reviews:
"One of the most powerhouse imaginations I've encountered in sci-fi..." Dean C. Moore, The Warlock's Friend
"Guy Erma and the Son of Empire by Sally Ann Melia is a fast-paced and exciting YA military sci-fi read. Don't miss this one!" Brent LeVasseur, author and illustrator of the Aoleon The Martian Girl series.
A good old-fashioned space opera and political thriller - if you loved both Frank Herbert's Dune and Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games - you will adore Guy Erma.
Illustrations
This book includes 4 full colours illustrations when read on a colour kindle or eBook reader. These images are displayed in black and white in the paperback and some older kindle viewers.
Images can also be view on the author website sallyannmelia.com/kidnap
Important: Series information
This book is the first part of the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire, it has 200 pages.
The second book is Hunter with 162 pages and the third book is Exile with 150 pages.
Please note this book was previously published in one volume of 440 pages: Guy Erma and the Son of Empire - also available on Amazon.
Lose yourself in this fantastic new adventure - Scroll up and grab a copy today.
April 6, 2015
In this science fiction novel, Guy Erma yearns to join the planetary protection force known as the Dome Elite, while the Prince of Freyne, Teodor, finds himself the hostage of militant borgs, needing to plead his case to a politician if he wants to survive, the two protagonists’ paths ultimately crossing. The prologue introduces the thirty-one-year-old albino shapeshifting Zaracan warrior, Captain Karl Valvanchi, whose vessel, the Mezzatorra, protected by a literal firewall, faces an attack by the Sas Darona Liberation Army (SDLA), the planet of Sas Darona being a disputed planet by two entities, the Zaracan Democratic Union and the Freyne Empire, and which yields a resource known as monazite, critical in the creation of space magnets. Cyberkinetic insects, or cy-sects, threaten the native tribes of the planet with a plague that is said to keep them primitive.
The main story begins with Prince Teodor “Teo” of Freyne feeling threatened, with is father the King recently deceased. Teo meets with one of Captain Valvanchi’s relatives, Princess Simonelle Valvanchi, the great-granddaughter of a famous intergalactic explorer, proving to be a prospective mate to the Prince, who is the last living heir to the throne of the planet Freyne 2 and the Empire of Freyne as a whole, with his uncle being the current Emperor. An event known as the Magnolia Weekend is forthcoming, with one of its features being the Magnolia Stakes, a race among the feline creatures known as gorans, with Teo and his uncle having their own separate members of the species competing in the race.
Guy Erma receives his introduction next, seeing good luck in a special medallion, and participates in a sport known as blades under the tutelage of senior blades instructor and Commander of the Dome Elite Tilson. Guy has recently applied to become a member of the Dome Elite, and doesn’t know what became of his parents. Guy is scheduled to fight Prince Teo, although Teo has an injury supposedly preventing him from participating. Guy lives on Old Mill Lane in the House Jewel townhouse among forty-three others he considers siblings, even if they aren’t blood relations, with these folk primarily participating in the trade of tailoring clothes. Guy is ultimately offered to a fast track towards in the Dome Elite by a politician, Chart Segat.
Evidently Teo’s living mother, the Regent Sayginn cancelled his scheduled blades fight with Guy so that the Prince could participate in singing in a cathedral choir, with an attack on the church kidnapping him. The novel has two interludes, one occurring early and the other occurring towards the book’s end, known as diplomatic exchanges among, members of the Valvanchi family relating to the plague on Sas Darona. A Dome Debate, basically an election, is forthcoming, with the Emperor mulling marriage to Sayginn in hopes of having a son so that his nephew Teodor doesn’t inherit the throne, the Prince hoping he can escape his captivity.
The events of the novel take place over the course of three days, with the author doing for the most part a masterful job with the parallel plots of Guy Erma and Prince Teodor, the writer further doing an excellent job of world-building, given the many terms native to the book, which a glossary after the main text clarifies, with this reader only needing to see a definition of the acronym SDLA, not defined in the main text. There are some minor areas where the story could have been better, for instance the title of a royal heir “Son of Empire” would have sounded better as “Son of the Empire,” but otherwise, this science fiction novel is highly recommended, with this reader consequentially interested in the author’s other works and possible sequels.
The main story begins with Prince Teodor “Teo” of Freyne feeling threatened, with is father the King recently deceased. Teo meets with one of Captain Valvanchi’s relatives, Princess Simonelle Valvanchi, the great-granddaughter of a famous intergalactic explorer, proving to be a prospective mate to the Prince, who is the last living heir to the throne of the planet Freyne 2 and the Empire of Freyne as a whole, with his uncle being the current Emperor. An event known as the Magnolia Weekend is forthcoming, with one of its features being the Magnolia Stakes, a race among the feline creatures known as gorans, with Teo and his uncle having their own separate members of the species competing in the race.
Guy Erma receives his introduction next, seeing good luck in a special medallion, and participates in a sport known as blades under the tutelage of senior blades instructor and Commander of the Dome Elite Tilson. Guy has recently applied to become a member of the Dome Elite, and doesn’t know what became of his parents. Guy is scheduled to fight Prince Teo, although Teo has an injury supposedly preventing him from participating. Guy lives on Old Mill Lane in the House Jewel townhouse among forty-three others he considers siblings, even if they aren’t blood relations, with these folk primarily participating in the trade of tailoring clothes. Guy is ultimately offered to a fast track towards in the Dome Elite by a politician, Chart Segat.
Evidently Teo’s living mother, the Regent Sayginn cancelled his scheduled blades fight with Guy so that the Prince could participate in singing in a cathedral choir, with an attack on the church kidnapping him. The novel has two interludes, one occurring early and the other occurring towards the book’s end, known as diplomatic exchanges among, members of the Valvanchi family relating to the plague on Sas Darona. A Dome Debate, basically an election, is forthcoming, with the Emperor mulling marriage to Sayginn in hopes of having a son so that his nephew Teodor doesn’t inherit the throne, the Prince hoping he can escape his captivity.
The events of the novel take place over the course of three days, with the author doing for the most part a masterful job with the parallel plots of Guy Erma and Prince Teodor, the writer further doing an excellent job of world-building, given the many terms native to the book, which a glossary after the main text clarifies, with this reader only needing to see a definition of the acronym SDLA, not defined in the main text. There are some minor areas where the story could have been better, for instance the title of a royal heir “Son of Empire” would have sounded better as “Son of the Empire,” but otherwise, this science fiction novel is highly recommended, with this reader consequentially interested in the author’s other works and possible sequels.
April 10, 2015
In a world far away Guy Erma dreams of being a warrior in the Dome Elite. You could say he grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, he is not sure who his parents are, he lives with several other orphans and works hard to achieve his dream. He has a good luck medallion and has become very skilled at blades which is a fighting skill used in the dome elite.
On the other side of the tracks is Prince Teodor who is trying to find his place in the world. He is very skilled at taking care of feline creatures called gorans, but he is hoping to impress people in his kingdom by learning the art of blades. Teodor has led a pampered life but he works hard for his kingdom and despite how people feel about him, he takes his role seriously. Guy and Teodor’s world collide when Teodor is kidnapped and Guy may be the only one who can save him.
There is a lot going on in Guy Erma and the Son of Empire by Sally Ann Melia. We have action, adventure, politics and some cool half human half cyborg creatures. While this story may take place on another world there are a lot of things that are similar to ours. The idea of kids living together with limited opportunities in life and a government that is run by people who don’t care about the majority of its citizens is something most people can relate to. In this book these elements are combined with battle borgs, shape shifters, giant cats and cy-wolves.
I love the characters in this book, especially Guy and Teodor. They seem like opposites but the more you know, you see that they are very similar. The biggest difference is that they come from different backgrounds. They both work hard at what they do. Teodor doesn’t get the respect he deserves but it’s probably because more is expected from him. Some people think he doesn’t deserve his title, but you see his concern for others and how much he tries and you know he would make a good leader. Guy on the other hand gets a lot of respect but he still has limited resources at trying to make a better life for himself. There are also some good sub-plots in this book. In particular I liked how Teodor’s mother is forced into a situation that she has no control over and the choices she has to make.
This book was a little hard for me to get into, there was a lot of information thrown in during the beginning. You are introduced to several characters, locations and situations that you are not familiar with. Luckily there is a glossary at the end of the book to explain everything. I may have felt lost in the beginning but as I read on, I started to get into the story and I liked the world that Sally Ann Melia created. This is an epic Science fiction adventure that fans of the genre will love.
On the other side of the tracks is Prince Teodor who is trying to find his place in the world. He is very skilled at taking care of feline creatures called gorans, but he is hoping to impress people in his kingdom by learning the art of blades. Teodor has led a pampered life but he works hard for his kingdom and despite how people feel about him, he takes his role seriously. Guy and Teodor’s world collide when Teodor is kidnapped and Guy may be the only one who can save him.
There is a lot going on in Guy Erma and the Son of Empire by Sally Ann Melia. We have action, adventure, politics and some cool half human half cyborg creatures. While this story may take place on another world there are a lot of things that are similar to ours. The idea of kids living together with limited opportunities in life and a government that is run by people who don’t care about the majority of its citizens is something most people can relate to. In this book these elements are combined with battle borgs, shape shifters, giant cats and cy-wolves.
I love the characters in this book, especially Guy and Teodor. They seem like opposites but the more you know, you see that they are very similar. The biggest difference is that they come from different backgrounds. They both work hard at what they do. Teodor doesn’t get the respect he deserves but it’s probably because more is expected from him. Some people think he doesn’t deserve his title, but you see his concern for others and how much he tries and you know he would make a good leader. Guy on the other hand gets a lot of respect but he still has limited resources at trying to make a better life for himself. There are also some good sub-plots in this book. In particular I liked how Teodor’s mother is forced into a situation that she has no control over and the choices she has to make.
This book was a little hard for me to get into, there was a lot of information thrown in during the beginning. You are introduced to several characters, locations and situations that you are not familiar with. Luckily there is a glossary at the end of the book to explain everything. I may have felt lost in the beginning but as I read on, I started to get into the story and I liked the world that Sally Ann Melia created. This is an epic Science fiction adventure that fans of the genre will love.
April 25, 2015
Sally Ann Melia in her new book, “Kidnap” Book One in the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire series published by Dickson House introduces us to Guy Erma.
From the back cover: I don’t want to go! Do I have to go?
13-year-old Teodor knows his duty to the memory of his father and his kingdom, he must help those less fortunate than himself. He must also impress his uncle the Emperor if he is ever to become the Son of Empire. A frightening nightmare fills him with foreboding, but still he must go – into the Dome.
13-year-old Guy Erma lives in the shadow of the Dome, he has no father and no mother and his future is uncertain, he must start earning a living soon. He knows not where he will live or even how he will eat, and his only dream is to be accepted in the military academy – at the heart of the Dome.
Two boys as different as any two boys might be. One act of cruelty will throw their lives together, but who dare they trust?
The Empire of Freyne is a newcomer to the United Races. As a developing race, the thirteen-planet empire is of interest to other galactic races, not all of this interest is friendly. The Dome Elite is a force of space marines whose defensive actions and adventures defend Freyne and its neighbours from hostile alien pirates and acquisitive space brigands, so allowing the inhabitants to sleep soundly at night.
For the young men and women of Domeside, to be a part of the Dome Elite, you need to master the maths and technology associated with space warfare and also to be fierce fighter who can fight in confined spaces with short sharp blades. When you are in Dome Elite, you are the best!
Meanwhile politicians and imperial rulers know that whosoever controls the Dome Elite, who decides their mandate and mission also controls the empire. You have to inspire and lead the men, to have and hold the right alien alliances and legal treaties. When you own the Dome Elite. you are in power!
This is an exciting story! This is science fiction at its finest. One hero is from the upper class, the other hero is from the lower class. They are forced together and not only have to figure out how to get along but to save the galaxy as well. There is plenty of action and suspense to keep you interested. And the good news is that “Kidnap: is only part one. There is a great deal more story to go. Something to really look forward to. I recommend this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from IRead Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: I don’t want to go! Do I have to go?
13-year-old Teodor knows his duty to the memory of his father and his kingdom, he must help those less fortunate than himself. He must also impress his uncle the Emperor if he is ever to become the Son of Empire. A frightening nightmare fills him with foreboding, but still he must go – into the Dome.
13-year-old Guy Erma lives in the shadow of the Dome, he has no father and no mother and his future is uncertain, he must start earning a living soon. He knows not where he will live or even how he will eat, and his only dream is to be accepted in the military academy – at the heart of the Dome.
Two boys as different as any two boys might be. One act of cruelty will throw their lives together, but who dare they trust?
The Empire of Freyne is a newcomer to the United Races. As a developing race, the thirteen-planet empire is of interest to other galactic races, not all of this interest is friendly. The Dome Elite is a force of space marines whose defensive actions and adventures defend Freyne and its neighbours from hostile alien pirates and acquisitive space brigands, so allowing the inhabitants to sleep soundly at night.
For the young men and women of Domeside, to be a part of the Dome Elite, you need to master the maths and technology associated with space warfare and also to be fierce fighter who can fight in confined spaces with short sharp blades. When you are in Dome Elite, you are the best!
Meanwhile politicians and imperial rulers know that whosoever controls the Dome Elite, who decides their mandate and mission also controls the empire. You have to inspire and lead the men, to have and hold the right alien alliances and legal treaties. When you own the Dome Elite. you are in power!
This is an exciting story! This is science fiction at its finest. One hero is from the upper class, the other hero is from the lower class. They are forced together and not only have to figure out how to get along but to save the galaxy as well. There is plenty of action and suspense to keep you interested. And the good news is that “Kidnap: is only part one. There is a great deal more story to go. Something to really look forward to. I recommend this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from IRead Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
October 3, 2015
BOOK REVIEW:
Exile – for a series whose first two books are named ‘Kidnap’ and ‘Hunter’, this title itself creates a buzz. For those who have read books one and two of the Guy Erma and the son of the Empire, the story should be fairly easy to follow. It just continues where the previous book ended. Guy Erma and Prince Teodor escape through the dark tunnels of the domeside, but in the meanwhile discover a dark secret – a weapon that was placed in their kingdom to ruin the entire population and create a great impact that no one would forget easily. (For those who remember the first ever chapter of book 1, following this part is fairly easy!)
Exile ends much as you would expect it to. But it does have a few very surprising twists and turns – the most important necessity of a political thriller. For two thirteen year olds, Guy and Teodor express grim determination and moral fibre. Their mistrust and deeply imbibed fear of each other slowly makes way to a friendship forged over time. The story moves at a fast pace in a racy escape. Teodor finally escapes his captors with Guy’s help. But once he escapes, he realises that there is a far greater threat to not only his life, but also those of his people.
While hailing himself as King, for perfectly political reasons (Goosebumps when the people of Dome Elite say ‘Hail King Teodor’ – you can almost imagine how the scene is placed, the descriptions are so realistic), Teodor takes over the responsibility with smooth confidence. Guy meanwhile, realises the secret of his birth and slowly tries to grasp where he belongs. The plot has enough moments to keep you turning the pages, and also is totally confusing to those who don’t know what the story is about.
Most series books do not bring up good conclusions that satisfy their readers. They are either too cheerful and unrealistic – (“And they lived happily ever after, ignoring half of the problems that were introduced over the course of all the previous books as the author lost the plotline” ) or they end with gruesome murder and sadness that those from the story who are considered to be among the ‘living’ would much rather wish they weren’t living at all. Thankfully, this series has the best possible, logical, poignant and sensible ending I have read about in recent times.
The language is simple enough (if you are not able to follow a few words, the glossary helps). The plot is clear, with a very few holes that could easily be overlooked. The author has given a decent finisher and has finally given off a good feeling about actually ending a series of books. This is a much appreciated rarity. Go for this, you do really want to know how a concluding book should look!
Exile – for a series whose first two books are named ‘Kidnap’ and ‘Hunter’, this title itself creates a buzz. For those who have read books one and two of the Guy Erma and the son of the Empire, the story should be fairly easy to follow. It just continues where the previous book ended. Guy Erma and Prince Teodor escape through the dark tunnels of the domeside, but in the meanwhile discover a dark secret – a weapon that was placed in their kingdom to ruin the entire population and create a great impact that no one would forget easily. (For those who remember the first ever chapter of book 1, following this part is fairly easy!)
Exile ends much as you would expect it to. But it does have a few very surprising twists and turns – the most important necessity of a political thriller. For two thirteen year olds, Guy and Teodor express grim determination and moral fibre. Their mistrust and deeply imbibed fear of each other slowly makes way to a friendship forged over time. The story moves at a fast pace in a racy escape. Teodor finally escapes his captors with Guy’s help. But once he escapes, he realises that there is a far greater threat to not only his life, but also those of his people.
While hailing himself as King, for perfectly political reasons (Goosebumps when the people of Dome Elite say ‘Hail King Teodor’ – you can almost imagine how the scene is placed, the descriptions are so realistic), Teodor takes over the responsibility with smooth confidence. Guy meanwhile, realises the secret of his birth and slowly tries to grasp where he belongs. The plot has enough moments to keep you turning the pages, and also is totally confusing to those who don’t know what the story is about.
Most series books do not bring up good conclusions that satisfy their readers. They are either too cheerful and unrealistic – (“And they lived happily ever after, ignoring half of the problems that were introduced over the course of all the previous books as the author lost the plotline” ) or they end with gruesome murder and sadness that those from the story who are considered to be among the ‘living’ would much rather wish they weren’t living at all. Thankfully, this series has the best possible, logical, poignant and sensible ending I have read about in recent times.
The language is simple enough (if you are not able to follow a few words, the glossary helps). The plot is clear, with a very few holes that could easily be overlooked. The author has given a decent finisher and has finally given off a good feeling about actually ending a series of books. This is a much appreciated rarity. Go for this, you do really want to know how a concluding book should look!
April 9, 2015
Sally Ann Melia in her new book, “Guy Erma and the Son of Empire” published by Dickson House introduces us to Scott Remington.
From the back cover: Do I trust you? Can I trust you?
Two boys as different as any two boys might be.
Guy Erma has only one dream – to join the Dome Elite, a planetary protection force of space marines and fighter pilots. An unregistered orphan, to gain his place Guy Erma must plead his case to Chart Segat, Commander of the Dome Elite. He must do whatever Chart says.
Teodor, Prince of Freyne, is snatched from a life of privilege by militant borgs, vanguard of the Dome Elite. To survive he must plead his case to Machiavellian politician Chart Segat. He must do whatever Chart wants.
Whatever Chart Segat wants…
In a fast- paced space opera thriller, featuring telepathic aliens, military cyborgs and political intrigue, a galactic empire stands on the brink. The two boys paths are drawn to a crossroads a horrific planet-killer peril is revealed, and changes both their lives forever.
The only question remains: “Do I trust you?
They call this type of story “Space Opera” and I have not read a good space opera in a really long time. At 423 pages there is quite a lot going on and all of it is exciting. Guy and Teodor are the most unlikely duo you will ever meet but when these two come together they can bring about the revolution. Get ready there is action and suspense, great battles and planets at war. There is so much going on that you will find yourself reading as fast as you can to keep up with the story and you will give up sleep because you won’t want to put it down. This is great stuff. These are fascinating characters that seem very real and we feel as though we are part of their team as well. The book will delight those who love • Science Fiction • Space Operas • Star Wars style Adventures • Galactic Empire stories • Young Adult Science Fiction • Young Adult Space Opera • Young Adult Thrillers • Young Adult Action Adventure I recommend this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from IRead Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: Do I trust you? Can I trust you?
Two boys as different as any two boys might be.
Guy Erma has only one dream – to join the Dome Elite, a planetary protection force of space marines and fighter pilots. An unregistered orphan, to gain his place Guy Erma must plead his case to Chart Segat, Commander of the Dome Elite. He must do whatever Chart says.
Teodor, Prince of Freyne, is snatched from a life of privilege by militant borgs, vanguard of the Dome Elite. To survive he must plead his case to Machiavellian politician Chart Segat. He must do whatever Chart wants.
Whatever Chart Segat wants…
In a fast- paced space opera thriller, featuring telepathic aliens, military cyborgs and political intrigue, a galactic empire stands on the brink. The two boys paths are drawn to a crossroads a horrific planet-killer peril is revealed, and changes both their lives forever.
The only question remains: “Do I trust you?
They call this type of story “Space Opera” and I have not read a good space opera in a really long time. At 423 pages there is quite a lot going on and all of it is exciting. Guy and Teodor are the most unlikely duo you will ever meet but when these two come together they can bring about the revolution. Get ready there is action and suspense, great battles and planets at war. There is so much going on that you will find yourself reading as fast as you can to keep up with the story and you will give up sleep because you won’t want to put it down. This is great stuff. These are fascinating characters that seem very real and we feel as though we are part of their team as well. The book will delight those who love • Science Fiction • Space Operas • Star Wars style Adventures • Galactic Empire stories • Young Adult Science Fiction • Young Adult Space Opera • Young Adult Thrillers • Young Adult Action Adventure I recommend this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from IRead Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
May 15, 2015
The opening reveals some disturbing information about the travels of particular otherworldly beings to areas in which they aren't to be as well as some bricks that are missing. What's important about a few bricks? Ah, good question. They aren't your ordinary mud and mortar type but clear housings for cy-sects...nasty little things that carry poison and can multiply faster than you can say bunny. Just where they went is a mystery, as is the why, but things start to become a little clearer as the story progresses. Jump forward a bit and we've moved the spotlight to Guy Erma, a talented orphan child held back by his lack of parents but not for long if he has anhy say in the matter, and Prince Teodor, a child of similar age yet different circumstances....from the outside at least (one of those "don't judge a book by its cover" moments). These two may be at odds even they don't understand but I have a feeling they share more than they know. However, during the course of this story, one will loose his freedom while the other fights to see through the allusions presented them.
It's a tough nut to crack, but thankfully Regent Sayginn (Teodor's mother) is more than up to the task (at least in my opinion). Oh, did I mention the Emperor is demanding her hand in marriage? Yes, yes...it seems it would be better for all involved and truly set their worlds at peace. (*cough cough* Yeah right! *cough cough*) Let's just say that there is certainly more going on behind his doors than just peace treatys and frankly, he gives off a Darth Vadar vibe (before he sorta showed his heart). ~shudders~ His intentions are less than honorable and the fact that he is hiding something doesn't escape the Regent nor an unexpected allie, Karl Valavanchi. The plot thickens and things come to a head only to...end.
The only true drawback I could see was the ending...or rather the EPIC cliffhanger that leaves you wondering WTH! HOW could you leave us this way! What's going to happen to...and what about...and I think that maybe Guy is really...and, and, and....well, you get the picture. There are A LOT of unanswered questions and the groundwork has certainly been laid to lead readers right into book 2. I know it's on my wish list.
**review copy was received in exchange for my honest review....full post can be seen on my site**
It's a tough nut to crack, but thankfully Regent Sayginn (Teodor's mother) is more than up to the task (at least in my opinion). Oh, did I mention the Emperor is demanding her hand in marriage? Yes, yes...it seems it would be better for all involved and truly set their worlds at peace. (*cough cough* Yeah right! *cough cough*) Let's just say that there is certainly more going on behind his doors than just peace treatys and frankly, he gives off a Darth Vadar vibe (before he sorta showed his heart). ~shudders~ His intentions are less than honorable and the fact that he is hiding something doesn't escape the Regent nor an unexpected allie, Karl Valavanchi. The plot thickens and things come to a head only to...end.
The only true drawback I could see was the ending...or rather the EPIC cliffhanger that leaves you wondering WTH! HOW could you leave us this way! What's going to happen to...and what about...and I think that maybe Guy is really...and, and, and....well, you get the picture. There are A LOT of unanswered questions and the groundwork has certainly been laid to lead readers right into book 2. I know it's on my wish list.
**review copy was received in exchange for my honest review....full post can be seen on my site**
April 23, 2015
Kidnap is an entertaining read centered in a whole other universe. Something like Earth doesn't seem to exist and there are 13 different planets. In this monarchy setting, Teodor, the Prince of Freyne is one of the main characters. This boy is likable, yet sometimes, he seems a bit 'need to have everything my way' type, but not completely spoiled. Teodor is a bit unsure of himself in the beginning and definitely doesn't want to follow his duties, but once he arrived at the domes, he can't be the unwilling boy anymore. Teodor got a really open-ended finish. I'm really curious to see what could have happened to him! Nell is really likable. Teodor's first opinion of her was bad, but we grow to slowly enjoy her character.
Guy Erma has a really unique name. Guy Erma is the second main character, but it seems that the story revolves around him more. I would say Guy Erma is definitely the more mysterious character since we don't really know his background, but we do know his ambition. The book's POV did start with Karl though and that was when I was really confused on what's happening. Since Chapter 1 went back to Teodor. A lot of characters are introduced in the beginning and you can learn about each of their stories.
I really enjoyed the little pictures and drawings between a lot of the chapters. They certainly give more visuals of each character and add more fun in the reading. I also really enjoyed reading another level of science fiction. There are borgs, domes, different planets, superpowers like telepathy, and a lot more! Most science fiction would take one of these factors and combine it with our contemporary world, but entering the Dome and Freyne was like seeing a whole new universe.
To those who enjoy a heavy science-fiction series, here's one for you! I would say though, this would be for middle grade readers more than young adult, since the main characters themselves are about 13 and 14, which is more middle grade. I tend to like reading about my own age, but when there's a lot of adventures throughout the novel, like this one, I don't mind. :)
Guy Erma has a really unique name. Guy Erma is the second main character, but it seems that the story revolves around him more. I would say Guy Erma is definitely the more mysterious character since we don't really know his background, but we do know his ambition. The book's POV did start with Karl though and that was when I was really confused on what's happening. Since Chapter 1 went back to Teodor. A lot of characters are introduced in the beginning and you can learn about each of their stories.
I really enjoyed the little pictures and drawings between a lot of the chapters. They certainly give more visuals of each character and add more fun in the reading. I also really enjoyed reading another level of science fiction. There are borgs, domes, different planets, superpowers like telepathy, and a lot more! Most science fiction would take one of these factors and combine it with our contemporary world, but entering the Dome and Freyne was like seeing a whole new universe.
To those who enjoy a heavy science-fiction series, here's one for you! I would say though, this would be for middle grade readers more than young adult, since the main characters themselves are about 13 and 14, which is more middle grade. I tend to like reading about my own age, but when there's a lot of adventures throughout the novel, like this one, I don't mind. :)
April 22, 2015
This science fiction novel is the first in a trilogy consisting of three parts of the longer story Guy Erma and the Son of Empire, akin to what author Brent LeVasseur did with his five-part Aoléon the Martian Girl series of five entries. In the first part, teenagers Teodor, a prince, and Guy Erma, and orphan, come from different walks of life, although their paths ultimately cross. The prologue introduces Captain Karl Valvanchi, a thirty-one-year-old warrior tasked with defense above Sas Darona, lying on a disputed border between the Zaracan Democratic Union and the expanding Freyne Empire, with the latter finding a rare metal, although cybernetic insects, or cy-sects, prove lethal to their attempted excavation of the mineral.
New to this first part of the trilogy are various illustrations that depict various characters and beings, the first showing Teodor riding a feline creature known as a goran, the second showing him saluting, the third showing the green-hair-striped but mostly white-haired Nell Valvanchi, the next depicting the dark-haired Guy Erma, the following one depicting the white-haired Karl Valvanchi, the one afterward showing a Battle Borg, and the last showing a map of the Dome that plays part in most of the book. These images are a welcome addition to the latest iteration of the first part of the divided series and help readers get a clear view of what a few of the characters and beings look like.
The main story itself opens with Prince Teodor having a nightmare of his father’s murder, with his granduncle Frederon being Emperor, and a goran race being imminent as part of the Magnolia Weekend in the Dome, which will hold an election called the Dome Debate to decide whether Chart Segat will remain the dome’s administrator. Teodor ultimately finds himself a captive, with his mother, Regent Sayginn, vowing to rescue him. Although this author has read the full three-part Guy Erma and the Son of Empire, he found this first part with the illustrations to be a welcome version, and would very much recommend it.
New to this first part of the trilogy are various illustrations that depict various characters and beings, the first showing Teodor riding a feline creature known as a goran, the second showing him saluting, the third showing the green-hair-striped but mostly white-haired Nell Valvanchi, the next depicting the dark-haired Guy Erma, the following one depicting the white-haired Karl Valvanchi, the one afterward showing a Battle Borg, and the last showing a map of the Dome that plays part in most of the book. These images are a welcome addition to the latest iteration of the first part of the divided series and help readers get a clear view of what a few of the characters and beings look like.
The main story itself opens with Prince Teodor having a nightmare of his father’s murder, with his granduncle Frederon being Emperor, and a goran race being imminent as part of the Magnolia Weekend in the Dome, which will hold an election called the Dome Debate to decide whether Chart Segat will remain the dome’s administrator. Teodor ultimately finds himself a captive, with his mother, Regent Sayginn, vowing to rescue him. Although this author has read the full three-part Guy Erma and the Son of Empire, he found this first part with the illustrations to be a welcome version, and would very much recommend it.
January 27, 2015
This author has one of the most powerhouse imaginations I’ve encountered in sci-fi and fantasy mashups. Her world building is enviable; there is enough depth and scope here to easily power an epic saga for many installments to come. The fast-paced action is off the scale, even by Hollywood standards. The novel had a Star Wars meets Game of Thrones kind of feel, part space opera, part sci-fi, part medieval epic, which also made me think of Dune. While definitely geared to YA audiences, there’s more than enough for adults of all ages to sink their teeth into here.
All that said, I had some definite challenges reading the book. It requires intense concentration, and if your attention lapses for even one sentence, you will need to backtrack to pick up where you left off. There are some definite first-book-by-an-author mistakes. Namely throwing too much at the reader too fast, making it, at times, next to impossible to sort everything out. You’re frequently trying to figure out what’s going on. Who these people are, and how they relate to one another, and exactly how and why the events are unfolding. Some of that contributes to the excitement and the wonder, but it also adds unnecessary confusion. With attention put to hand-holding the reader through the story better, the novel would be far more accessible to a far wider audience.
Some of the sci-fi and fantasy ideas, though, are so cool, that even when they are just puzzle pieces and you have no idea how they fit together, they still set the imagination on fire. For this reason, along with my genuine fascination and desire to engage further with this rich, complex world the author has created, I thought the book still deserved a four star rating.
All that said, I had some definite challenges reading the book. It requires intense concentration, and if your attention lapses for even one sentence, you will need to backtrack to pick up where you left off. There are some definite first-book-by-an-author mistakes. Namely throwing too much at the reader too fast, making it, at times, next to impossible to sort everything out. You’re frequently trying to figure out what’s going on. Who these people are, and how they relate to one another, and exactly how and why the events are unfolding. Some of that contributes to the excitement and the wonder, but it also adds unnecessary confusion. With attention put to hand-holding the reader through the story better, the novel would be far more accessible to a far wider audience.
Some of the sci-fi and fantasy ideas, though, are so cool, that even when they are just puzzle pieces and you have no idea how they fit together, they still set the imagination on fire. For this reason, along with my genuine fascination and desire to engage further with this rich, complex world the author has created, I thought the book still deserved a four star rating.
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