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Those Apart
A NEW GENERATION MUST MEND THE WINGS OF THE NIGHTINGALE!
In the Shattered Crescent, Shaman command the elements, speak to animals, and commune with Spirits. The most powerful of them all were the Seers, but seventy years ago, they were murdered.
Now three unlikely souls are about to find their lives changed forever. A Prince wishing to be their true self; a Whale-Rider born of a broken past; and a Shaman’s apprentice seeking adventure. Immortal witches hunt them, and kings demand their blood. All the while their destiny remains clouded in conspiracy. Only the Threefold power of the Seers can unmake the tragedy committed years before.
In the Shattered Crescent, Shaman command the elements, speak to animals, and commune with Spirits. The most powerful of them all were the Seers, but seventy years ago, they were murdered.
Now three unlikely souls are about to find their lives changed forever. A Prince wishing to be their true self; a Whale-Rider born of a broken past; and a Shaman’s apprentice seeking adventure. Immortal witches hunt them, and kings demand their blood. All the while their destiny remains clouded in conspiracy. Only the Threefold power of the Seers can unmake the tragedy committed years before.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2016
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 14, 2017
Disclaimer: A free copy of this book was received through the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Shaman command the elements, and three have been chosen. A princess wearing the mask of a prince, a lazy dreamer and a brave shark killer are forced to take on new power and begin a new age. The torn wings must be repaired.
This is a book I struggled to finish. It was like work to read, I would find other things to do just to avoid reading it.
The characters feel largely like people the story is happening to. I could not give you a single personality trait outside their genders or sexualities to describe even the protagonists, nevermind the minor characters. The author also uses “wolfspeak” lightly and phrases like “her average-heighted figure shrugged” to try and get appearance across. It’s strange.
That said the book does have excellent diversity. One protagonist is non-gender conforming and another is transgendered. There are several gay or bisexual characters littered throughout. It’s clear the author is conscious of different orientations and wants to include people. This is good. Unfortunately, I’ve sung this song a thousand times and I’ll sing it a thousand more. Lack of diversity can make a good book bad, but diversity doesn’t make a bad book good.
As far as a published book goes there are far too many mistakes. Several are typesetting errors, ignoring some just genuinely odd typesetting choices (who uses tildes like that?). The author misgenders their transgendered character as he but that might be intentional. More obviously they misgender their non-binary character as she and they several times. Sometimes they use eir where ey should have gone. There’s also more than a few typos. This is a fully completed book, the errors should not be this numerous.
The plot is very minimal. People chase and people flee. The world building is very vague and I’m still confused about quite how everything works. If your book needs a Q&A about how certain elements of your world function at the end then you haven’t written it right.
There were some very nice illustrations in the book, and the verses from their scripture were rather interesting. That wasn’t enough to make it a good read. If all you want is diverse genders and sexualities look no further, but in all other aspects, this book could have done much better.
Shaman command the elements, and three have been chosen. A princess wearing the mask of a prince, a lazy dreamer and a brave shark killer are forced to take on new power and begin a new age. The torn wings must be repaired.
This is a book I struggled to finish. It was like work to read, I would find other things to do just to avoid reading it.
The characters feel largely like people the story is happening to. I could not give you a single personality trait outside their genders or sexualities to describe even the protagonists, nevermind the minor characters. The author also uses “wolfspeak” lightly and phrases like “her average-heighted figure shrugged” to try and get appearance across. It’s strange.
That said the book does have excellent diversity. One protagonist is non-gender conforming and another is transgendered. There are several gay or bisexual characters littered throughout. It’s clear the author is conscious of different orientations and wants to include people. This is good. Unfortunately, I’ve sung this song a thousand times and I’ll sing it a thousand more. Lack of diversity can make a good book bad, but diversity doesn’t make a bad book good.
As far as a published book goes there are far too many mistakes. Several are typesetting errors, ignoring some just genuinely odd typesetting choices (who uses tildes like that?). The author misgenders their transgendered character as he but that might be intentional. More obviously they misgender their non-binary character as she and they several times. Sometimes they use eir where ey should have gone. There’s also more than a few typos. This is a fully completed book, the errors should not be this numerous.
The plot is very minimal. People chase and people flee. The world building is very vague and I’m still confused about quite how everything works. If your book needs a Q&A about how certain elements of your world function at the end then you haven’t written it right.
There were some very nice illustrations in the book, and the verses from their scripture were rather interesting. That wasn’t enough to make it a good read. If all you want is diverse genders and sexualities look no further, but in all other aspects, this book could have done much better.
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December 11, 2016When it comes to adventure stories set in a fantasy world with characters that are thought provoking and well expressed, this book will be a recommendation from my side. Tying up elements (hah!) of the story so neatly and each chapter fluently moving along the narrative, I liked it! Kudos to the writer and yes, I am waiting for the next one!
January 26, 2017
Disclaimer: Although this book was sent to me to review by the publisher I have not been paid to write this review. All opinions expressed are my own and are completely honest.
Pros:
-Realistic and respectful representation of the LGBTQA+ community
-LGBTQA+ characters are well written and not defined by their sexuality or gender identity
-Racially diverse
-Incredibly immersive
-Who doesn’t love a book with a map in it?
Cons:
-Starts off fairly slow
-The character names and politics of the world are difficult to keep straight at first
If you want a book to take you to a different world entirely "Those Apart" is perfect for you. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!
Pros:
-Realistic and respectful representation of the LGBTQA+ community
-LGBTQA+ characters are well written and not defined by their sexuality or gender identity
-Racially diverse
-Incredibly immersive
-Who doesn’t love a book with a map in it?
Cons:
-Starts off fairly slow
-The character names and politics of the world are difficult to keep straight at first
If you want a book to take you to a different world entirely "Those Apart" is perfect for you. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!
September 26, 2024
I was sitting in my parlor and I was thinking in todays climate that we live in today. I often am thinking on how we can come together to stop hate and the lies of Trump. I thought back to 2017 when i read this book and found it finally. The problem is that i found the author got my review removed so i must in all honesty re-review it.
So originally i read this book in 2017 as it was given to me by a friend. Honestly after the first read i found it to be a pathetic attempt to make a book off identity of trans people, and attempt to use the guise as a seller almost as a mascot or minstrel for todays climate. I feel this book no longer represents anyone and was a failed attempt to sell a couple of cheap sales. I don't understand why we are the minstrel in todays society. I wish we can find peace.
As a African American LGBTQIA I must continue to stop authors from using me as a mascot for their cheap sales. Its so disheartening that we have to deal with authors such as Padraig O'C who is willing to contact the site to remove reviews so their books are reviewed more favorably. I feel they are in the same realm as Trump when they do this. We had a dictator in office we do not need an author who is willing to do such heinous crimes such as removing reviews. I feel the author is hiding reviews like Mike Pence hid his anti gay agenda.
I will continue to use this book as a door stop now I also got a Bunny recently and will use it as bedding for them.
So originally i read this book in 2017 as it was given to me by a friend. Honestly after the first read i found it to be a pathetic attempt to make a book off identity of trans people, and attempt to use the guise as a seller almost as a mascot or minstrel for todays climate. I feel this book no longer represents anyone and was a failed attempt to sell a couple of cheap sales. I don't understand why we are the minstrel in todays society. I wish we can find peace.
As a African American LGBTQIA I must continue to stop authors from using me as a mascot for their cheap sales. Its so disheartening that we have to deal with authors such as Padraig O'C who is willing to contact the site to remove reviews so their books are reviewed more favorably. I feel they are in the same realm as Trump when they do this. We had a dictator in office we do not need an author who is willing to do such heinous crimes such as removing reviews. I feel the author is hiding reviews like Mike Pence hid his anti gay agenda.
I will continue to use this book as a door stop now I also got a Bunny recently and will use it as bedding for them.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews