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Green Sky #1
Green Sky and Sparks
In a world of magic, wind and electricity, Catter Jeck is offered the chance to explore a myth. Travelling from city to city, his search for the centre of the magic catches others in its coils. When the Lord Heir of Meton offers to continue the search in his flying machine, the consequences of their crash - and Toru's accidental link to a dying Healer - suddenly become of central importance to all of their lives.
150 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
96 people want to read
About the author
Kate Coe
16 books19 followersKate Coe is an editor, book reviewer and writer of fiction & fantasy. When she's not working, she fills her spare time in between writing with web design, gaming, geeky cross-stitch and DIY (which may or may not involve destroying things). She also reads far fewer books that she would like to, but possibly more than she really has time for.
Her writing swings wildly depending on what is in her head at the time, and this has led to genres including urban fiction, steampunk-style fantasy, and a series of children's stories based on a library that she used to work in. Her favourite character is a sloth with a speed addiction, her best writing moment was when one of her characters fell in love and completely changed the plot, and she writes because she can't imagine not doing it - and it gets the voices out of her head for five minutes...
News and thoughts on her writing can be found at www.writingandcoe.co.uk.
Her writing swings wildly depending on what is in her head at the time, and this has led to genres including urban fiction, steampunk-style fantasy, and a series of children's stories based on a library that she used to work in. Her favourite character is a sloth with a speed addiction, her best writing moment was when one of her characters fell in love and completely changed the plot, and she writes because she can't imagine not doing it - and it gets the voices out of her head for five minutes...
News and thoughts on her writing can be found at www.writingandcoe.co.uk.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 30, 2015
Green Sky and Sparks is the first in a series of TEN projected novellas by Swindon author Kate Coe, all taking place in a world where magic collides with electricity, or “spark”, where mages build flying machines and storms dominate the green-hued heavens.
In this debut installment, Archivist Catter Jek is offered the opportunity to explore a myth, a secret hidden deep in the mountains that loom above the city of Meton. At his side is Toru, Lord Heir of Meton, whose adventurous spirit chafes against the restrictions his position places on him. But when Toru rescues a dying Healer from a rock fall that has killed her partner, a magical bond is formed between them that has an effect on all three lives, and none of the trio will ever be the same.
Kate Coe has obviously put a great deal of thought into her well-crafted world and rounded characters, fleshing out each individual, even the minor characters, and layering the story with subtext and hints towards a much wider story outside the slender confines of this poignant, touching novella. It’s going to be fascinating to see how things pan out across future volumes, as this is only the beginning of a far more ambitious project. Buy it now and get in right at the beginning of the journey.
In this debut installment, Archivist Catter Jek is offered the opportunity to explore a myth, a secret hidden deep in the mountains that loom above the city of Meton. At his side is Toru, Lord Heir of Meton, whose adventurous spirit chafes against the restrictions his position places on him. But when Toru rescues a dying Healer from a rock fall that has killed her partner, a magical bond is formed between them that has an effect on all three lives, and none of the trio will ever be the same.
Kate Coe has obviously put a great deal of thought into her well-crafted world and rounded characters, fleshing out each individual, even the minor characters, and layering the story with subtext and hints towards a much wider story outside the slender confines of this poignant, touching novella. It’s going to be fascinating to see how things pan out across future volumes, as this is only the beginning of a far more ambitious project. Buy it now and get in right at the beginning of the journey.
July 16, 2015
This story is a highly original mix of a very different steampunk and alien worlds. A green sky puts this away from Earth, which is a refreshing change, although the discovery of something like electricity has occurred, (sparks).
The people are defined by occupation and also by race. I especially like that one set are warrior/protectors and this includes their women. Equality appears to be far more developed, which is a refreshing change.
Starting off is Catter Jeck, who is tasked with finding a place that is the hub of all magic, which he can get near as he is an archivist and not a mage. His mission is made much easier when he teams up with Toru, the Lord Heir of Melton, who is also an air mage, something he uses to power his flying machine. Toru comes across as an explorer fired with enthusiasm but held back to a certain extent by his position in life, although he has a solution for this. After an accident, Toru finds himself mind linked to an injured female healer recently bereaved. Not a good thing to happen, and yet very useful when Toru and Catter need help later.
Loved the way this played out and am looking forward to the next instalment.
The people are defined by occupation and also by race. I especially like that one set are warrior/protectors and this includes their women. Equality appears to be far more developed, which is a refreshing change.
Starting off is Catter Jeck, who is tasked with finding a place that is the hub of all magic, which he can get near as he is an archivist and not a mage. His mission is made much easier when he teams up with Toru, the Lord Heir of Melton, who is also an air mage, something he uses to power his flying machine. Toru comes across as an explorer fired with enthusiasm but held back to a certain extent by his position in life, although he has a solution for this. After an accident, Toru finds himself mind linked to an injured female healer recently bereaved. Not a good thing to happen, and yet very useful when Toru and Catter need help later.
Loved the way this played out and am looking forward to the next instalment.
December 13, 2017
Green Sky and Sparks stuffs an awful lot into a small package. It’s kind of like those nesting dolls, where you keep finding another layer. Or like biting into a chocolate, only to discover there’s another layer of white chocolate under that one, and another layer of dark chocolate under that, and… well, you get the idea.
The novella (at only ~150 pages) brings to life a set of amazingly well fleshed out characters, most of whom display fascinating backstories. Some of these Ms. Coe only hints at, and I imagine we’ll see much more of them in future tales, as Green Sky and Sparks is the start of a projected lengthy series. Other characters are plumbed, if not to their depths, then certainly to the point of intimacy.
Green Sky and Sparks also, and this is the great part, brings something new (at least to me) to the table in Ms. Coe’s creation of “sparkpunk”. This is a world which blends magic and electricity (spark) and some interesting technologies to create a new dynamic that actually works. The world-building which has gone into this story is outstanding, and the world has a unique flavor all its own.
There are a lot of characters to keep track of in this relatively short book, and we’re introduced to them in rapid succession, to the point a couple of times I had to go back and see who was who. This is a minor issue in what is otherwise a terrific story, and I’m eager to delve further into the tales to see what happens next.
The novella (at only ~150 pages) brings to life a set of amazingly well fleshed out characters, most of whom display fascinating backstories. Some of these Ms. Coe only hints at, and I imagine we’ll see much more of them in future tales, as Green Sky and Sparks is the start of a projected lengthy series. Other characters are plumbed, if not to their depths, then certainly to the point of intimacy.
Green Sky and Sparks also, and this is the great part, brings something new (at least to me) to the table in Ms. Coe’s creation of “sparkpunk”. This is a world which blends magic and electricity (spark) and some interesting technologies to create a new dynamic that actually works. The world-building which has gone into this story is outstanding, and the world has a unique flavor all its own.
There are a lot of characters to keep track of in this relatively short book, and we’re introduced to them in rapid succession, to the point a couple of times I had to go back and see who was who. This is a minor issue in what is otherwise a terrific story, and I’m eager to delve further into the tales to see what happens next.
April 23, 2016
Long time since I felt like awarding five stars to a book.
I was flicking through my kindle, through a bunch of new e-books, and having a disappointing time of it (three books in a row I had not managed to get past the first couple of pages). The it felt like I'd take a dive into a refreshing, sparkling sea off the coast of some medittereanean beach... OK, so I'm stretching the metaphor. I'm trying to say the contrast was almost shocking.
Folks who have read my reviews before will know I rarely say much about the story. I dont get the kind of reviews that precis the book for you and tell you about all the charcters. I mean, then whats the point of reading it? I'm much more about style, about the way the book is engineered. This is a gem.
You know instantly that its going to be an easy read, you may even pause for a moment to make a mug of something and grab a packet of biscuits. You know this one is going to be a long ride. Now that I think about it, I believe the last time I got 'that' feeling was when I opened up the first volume of The Belgariad, by David Eddings. It's accessible and open and could be used as the definition for 'easy read'.
That's not to say its simplistic. Characters grow quickly, and the descriptive passages are intense without being laboured. There are always one or two characters in any book that don't seem to flesh out, but given this is the first novella in a series (currently of three), I have my suspicions they may be being saved for something else.
One of the things that intregues me about the setting si I cant decide if its an emerging technology, or a declined one. Coe, like myself, seems to enjoy mashing tech and magic, and here it really works well.
Looking forward to the second volume. And the third.
I was flicking through my kindle, through a bunch of new e-books, and having a disappointing time of it (three books in a row I had not managed to get past the first couple of pages). The it felt like I'd take a dive into a refreshing, sparkling sea off the coast of some medittereanean beach... OK, so I'm stretching the metaphor. I'm trying to say the contrast was almost shocking.
Folks who have read my reviews before will know I rarely say much about the story. I dont get the kind of reviews that precis the book for you and tell you about all the charcters. I mean, then whats the point of reading it? I'm much more about style, about the way the book is engineered. This is a gem.
You know instantly that its going to be an easy read, you may even pause for a moment to make a mug of something and grab a packet of biscuits. You know this one is going to be a long ride. Now that I think about it, I believe the last time I got 'that' feeling was when I opened up the first volume of The Belgariad, by David Eddings. It's accessible and open and could be used as the definition for 'easy read'.
That's not to say its simplistic. Characters grow quickly, and the descriptive passages are intense without being laboured. There are always one or two characters in any book that don't seem to flesh out, but given this is the first novella in a series (currently of three), I have my suspicions they may be being saved for something else.
One of the things that intregues me about the setting si I cant decide if its an emerging technology, or a declined one. Coe, like myself, seems to enjoy mashing tech and magic, and here it really works well.
Looking forward to the second volume. And the third.
October 10, 2015
Green Sky and Sparks, by Kate Coe is a quaint novella that mixes its themes and genres well. I guess it would be classed as a mix of steampunk and fantasy, with a trace of romance. The blend of these genres complement each other very well, and this mix of genres and themes makes this story feel very fresh.
The characters are written very well and memorable. The connections and relationships that develop in the story are certainly one of this stories greatest strengths. They are realistic characters and this gives the story a satisfactory depth to it.
The plot is intriguing and there is plenty of room to expand all the fantasy/magical and steampunk elements. This is a novella so I understand it has to be kept condensed, but part of me did want to see more magic used and more aspects to the steampunk side of the world. I hope in the following instalments this occurs. There are good elements of mystery that could perhaps have been expanded just a fraction more to really grab my attention, but it was enough to spark (sorry) my curiosity.
Overall, it is a good story that has a good blend of storytelling and characterisation. It didn’t absolutely enthral me, but I enjoyed it and will be reading the next one because I’m intrigued by the characters and where this story can go in terms of plot. I certainly recommend Green Sky and Sparks to any lovers of unique tales that mix genres.
The characters are written very well and memorable. The connections and relationships that develop in the story are certainly one of this stories greatest strengths. They are realistic characters and this gives the story a satisfactory depth to it.
The plot is intriguing and there is plenty of room to expand all the fantasy/magical and steampunk elements. This is a novella so I understand it has to be kept condensed, but part of me did want to see more magic used and more aspects to the steampunk side of the world. I hope in the following instalments this occurs. There are good elements of mystery that could perhaps have been expanded just a fraction more to really grab my attention, but it was enough to spark (sorry) my curiosity.
Overall, it is a good story that has a good blend of storytelling and characterisation. It didn’t absolutely enthral me, but I enjoyed it and will be reading the next one because I’m intrigued by the characters and where this story can go in terms of plot. I certainly recommend Green Sky and Sparks to any lovers of unique tales that mix genres.
November 13, 2016
It's more a three-and-a-half stars score for Kate Coe's debut, but that's half a star gained rather than half a star lost. Green Sky and Sparks is the first installment in a projected series of ten novellas all set in the same world. A world with a green sky, electricity (of a sort), and magic. We plunge headlong into this world in the company of Catter Jeck, an archivist in search of the lost source of energy deep in the mountains outside Meton.
The low starting score comes from the fact that being a novella actually hampers the story somewhat. You want to know far more about the world and its customs than is initially given out - what is a Dirr, for example? - and the need to keep things tight compresses a lot of information out of the story. There's no denying however that Kate's characters come to life immediately and very vividly. Toru's joy of flying and Catter's love of information propel the story - the wind beneath its wings, if you want.
What makes Green Sky and Sparks stronger is the very complicated web of human relationships that lies at its heart. Kate's decision to focus on this far more than on the physical mystery of the energy source earns it that fourth star - and earns the second volume Grey Stone and Steel a place on next year's TBR list.
The low starting score comes from the fact that being a novella actually hampers the story somewhat. You want to know far more about the world and its customs than is initially given out - what is a Dirr, for example? - and the need to keep things tight compresses a lot of information out of the story. There's no denying however that Kate's characters come to life immediately and very vividly. Toru's joy of flying and Catter's love of information propel the story - the wind beneath its wings, if you want.
What makes Green Sky and Sparks stronger is the very complicated web of human relationships that lies at its heart. Kate's decision to focus on this far more than on the physical mystery of the energy source earns it that fourth star - and earns the second volume Grey Stone and Steel a place on next year's TBR list.
June 22, 2016
Green sky and sparks is a great first novella in a unique new world. The book is very well crafted and written I would recommend the book to anyone interested in unique steampunk/fantasy worlds. I personally greatly enjoyed it. Only mild issue I have is that at first it chucks a lot of character names and titles at you which I personally had a minor issue with until around the 4th chapter but otherwise excellent novella.
September 6, 2015
In many ways Green Sky and Sparks reminds me of some of the classic 1950s pulp SF. Mixing aircraft and fantasy in this novella reminds me of some of the pre-space race SF I read. Don't be fooled into thinking it's old fashioend though, as it is very contemporary in its approach. Will look forward to seeing what the next novella brings.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews