Sky Chase

by Lauren Massuda

Travel to a vast world of airborne ships and floating islands.

The crew of The Raging Storm, led by 16-year-old Captain Cordeila, protects the floating Caelum Islands from strange creatures and criminals.

When Cordelia is poisoned, she must find the cure before time runs out. Her only hope is to join an alliance with a mysterious doctor — one who has carried a grudge against her father for years.

Not only will Cordelia have to race against time, but she will have to face the demons that keep invading her mind.

Hardcover

Published December 1, 2021

About the author

Lauren Massuda wanted to be a writer ever since her grade school principal read her poem to the entire school. She was 12 at the time, and the memory sticks to her to this day. Lauren graduated from Goucher with a B.A in English and a Creative Writing concentration. She also participated in UCLA’s Professional TV Writing Program and turned one of her scripts into a 120-page screenplay. She hopes that one day, her script could be transferred to the silver screen, but she’s content with the fact that she can share her debut novel to the world.

Reviews

[Nastaran Masoomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it.
I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys reading exciting stories.
The author had done a very good characterization for the heroes throughout the story. Family relationships were beautifully narrated in the story. The story was very interesting and I enjoyed reading it.
The characters created by the author were the narrators of a story that made you fall in love with them.
I am grateful to the respected author of this book for providing me with a copy of it.🤍

[Simran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it.

The book starts with a chase of Black sting a dangerous creature of sky by the captain of the Raged storm Cordelia , her team mates Eamon, Mark and others. The creature has been terrorizing islands and destroying the ships. People of the island have immense faith on their captain. But they failed in the attempt and returned back to their homes but Cordelia is not happy and on the next day only the black sting attacked the island.

Cordelia and her team members get ready to attack them. Cordelia successfully hurt the creature to the eye. It started bleeding and due to injury it's slashing it's tail all over which is poisonous and can lead to a painful and slow death. In a split second it sting Cordelia's shoulder but the Eamon succeed in killing it. Black blood is oozing out from the wound. Her father is scared and has no idea how to save her.
Can Cordelia able to save her life?
Will her father find the cure of the poison?
Will the doctor help her?

The bond between the family members beautifully described. The sweet gestures and naughty fights between the brother and sister and the bond between the father and daughter is narrated. The plots goes to fast that I can't get off my eyes from the book. It take me to a ride of emotions, love,chase, and a adventure to the sky.

It can be read by everyone who loves to adventurous books. Young readers can also read it as it has a lesson on team spirit and family bond.

[Readbyheart · Rating 5 out of 5]

•Our lives are a perpetual war between good and evil. The person who battles evil must not only save the people behind him but also continue to survive for this cause.
The cover page is interactive, and it depicts fog as well as the tale does.

•Cordeila, a 16-year-old girl who used to head the crew of The Raging Storm, is the protagonist of the narrative. They used to work together to defend the floating island Caelum from different monsters and crooks. They were on the hunt for Black-sting, a terrifying sky monster that used to destroy ships and scare the islanders. Unfortunately, they were unable to complete the task on the first attempt. The next day, Black-sting invaded the island, and Cordeila protected the island inhabitants while simultaneously attempting to kill it. Things got a little out of hand during the conflict, and a Black-sting injured her shoulder. Even though he had just been slain, black blood began to flow from Cordeila's wound. This terrified her father and everyone else in the place.
How will she get through this poison? Who will assist her? You can acquire all of your answers by reading the novel. Purchase your copy today!

•The author's description and performance of the story are both excellent. The familial closeness is well depicted. Individual characters' first-person perspectives are used to describe the narrative. This makes reading more enjoyable and engaging. The characters are well-developed and work effectively within the context of the story. The story is like a roller coaster ride full of emotion, love, adventure, and action. Give it a try and feel the plot running in front of your eyes.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first things I noticed about this story was the impression that Cordelia made on me. She seemed a strong character, assertive and independent. I think that readers appreciate a protagonist with qualities like these.

The author created a world for the reader to escape into, and I found it interesting how the perspective changed between chapters. This gave the reader the opportunity to get to know more about each character, and I enjoyed the ways in which the various characters interacted with and supported each other.

There was a lot going on throughout the story, and I kept turning pages and read almost all of this in one sitting. I think I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys young adult books, science fiction, fantasy, or dystopian fiction.

Thank you to the author and Booktasters for a free copy to review.

[Luis M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was kindly sent this book to review, and I must say, that after finishing Sky Chase , I was sad to see it come to an end because it was an excellent written story and I knew I would miss the ship and its crew. getting to know the characters and how they react and interact between them and the story was incredible. It’s what made them who they are: interesting, resilient, criminal and ultimately dangerous. Heartbreakers that they are, I fell in love with all of them.

I have to say that Lauren Massuda is a brilliant storyteller and an imaginative writer with a crazy sense of humor.

I can't wait to read the next one, even though the story in this one was pretty much concluded.

If you are a fan of Disney's Treasure planet, the original novel Treasure Island and the His Dark Materials saga, you will love this book.

[Katie Odham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me on a fantastical journey with Cordelia and her crew. Lauren’s unpredictable, descriptive, and imaginative writing left me wanting more of this story and it’s characters. I most certainly cannot wait for book 2! Each scene that was set in this novel made me feel as though I were in another world myself. Highly recommend this book to anyone craving an escape from reality and an interesting story!

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, well-written characters, beautiful descriptions, and a unique story make for a compelling read. Looking forward to the next book! Highly recommended.

[Nikita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Stars

One of the best books I have read this month!
Highly recommend it! I only leave positive feedback and reviews when I love the book.
Feel free to ask anything regarding this book.
A must read for sure.
I'd recommend this book to everyone who would like to read an amazing book.
The book is written in a very interesting way .
A must read for sure

[The Reviewera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly woven like an interesting spell. I didn't think this book was going to be this good. It was , as you might expect , engaging , a total different piece of art from every aspect.
It sets a very high bar for whatever she does that comes next.
Must Read

[Muskan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.


Sky Chase, the series starter was an absolute thrill ride of an adventure. With an intriguing plot line and strong protagonist, prepare yourself for a great reading experience like never before. This is the book one of "The Flight of Ships" series.

In this we follow Cordelia who is the captain of Raging Storm. She is a 16 year old strong girl not afraid of anything and protecting Caelum Islands from all and every criminals and creatures. In the beginning scene of the book, it is shown that she and her crew are assigned to kill the black sting, a gigantic mantra ray. As they attempt goes in vain and they returned back to wait for the next time something happens.

Cordelia is then poisoned. As she tries to navigate through her life and whatever time that is left to find the cure, a mysterious doctor who has held a grudge against her father is the one with whom she forms an alliance. And as fate would have it she has to face the demons that she has been evading for a very long time and at the same time battle against time to find the cure to the poison.

An incredibly well written story with multiple point of views. Through the wonderful writing style, the author has vividly captured the plot line quite visually. Imagine to be a part of the world per airborne ships are this magnificent fascinating stuff and floating Islands.... well that just feels the deal for me. Also the different characters brought out the different shades of the story which one of them had something to offer and it was up to the readers to pick the favourite amongst them which was absolutely difficult for me because I loved the story so much. Sky Chase who was one of the best read for this year and I cannot wait to read the other books in the series.

Highly recommended it!

[Stephanie Mast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to the Caelum Islands, a vast world of floating islands, where there is nothing below the clouds and everything exists in the sky. 16 year old Cordelia is the captain of The Raging Storm, a floating ship that is tasked with protecting the Caelum Islands from strange and dangerous flying creatures. Cordelia and her crew are out in the skies hunting the Black Sting after the ship comes face to face with the beast and a close call with a couple of the crew members and the overall poor mood of the crew after the Sting gets away and the fact that they are in desperate need of a break, they decide to head home for a week to recuperate and replenish their supplies and fix their ship.

Cordelia doesn't want to come home, she thinks that they should stay out and track the beast until they can bring it down, after all, their job is to protect the islands and the Black Sting is a threat to those islands. But after returning, she can't help but admit the it was the right move. Even though Caleb, her much younger brother is annoying at times, he looks up to her and she truly does miss him and her father when she is away.

The peaceful visit home is cut short when the Black Sting makes an appearance and attacks the town. Cordelia and a few members of her crew manage to bring the monster down, but not before it destroys homes and takes the lives of several people, and gravely wounding our brave captain. Cordelia gets struck with the tail of the Black Sting. Everyone knows that there is no known cure for the poison that infects someone who has taken a direct hit from the tail of the beast. But what if there is a cure? Cordelia and her crew learn of a doctor who was exiled from their island almost 2 decades earlier who may hold the cure to saving her life.

Cordelia and her crew set sail to find this mystery doctor in the hopes that he can help. When they find him, they get more that they bargain for. The doctor still holds a grudge against all of the people responsible for his years in prison and his exile, and he intends to use Cordelia and her crew to search for a mysterious island that no one has seen before and a creature that Cordelia has heard of, only in the bedtime fables that she reads to her brother.

What will become of Cordelia and her crew? Will she find the cure for the poison surging through her body? Will they find the mysterious creature or is it all just a fairy tale?

I liked this book, I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and the fact that the entire world of the story took place in the sky, where the ships flew and the islands floated and the whales, and sting rays and giant squid fly through the skies! Cordelia was just a teenager and sometimes she acted like a bratty one, but other times, she was wise beyond her years and she had an entire crew and a ship to command and she didn't take that responsibility lightly. I wish there would have been a little bit more to the ending, but this is book one, so I hope that the questions that I am left with at the end are answered in the next book!

If you like YA, action, adventure and mystery then you should give this book a chance, it was a light, fun, quick and easy read that I'm sure you will enjoy too!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: Sky Chase: Book one of the Flight of the ships

Author: Lauren Massuda.

Review: Cordelia is the famous captain of the famous ship The Raging Storm. She is a fiesty and fierce leader who has the responsibility of keeping the floating islands of Caelum safe on her shoulders. The captain and her sea men fight strange and dangerous sea creatures to keep their vow of protecting the islands. Cordelia is a person who has lost the innocence and carefreeness of childhood, something that her brother still has and she has promised to keep safe. This why when she is poisoned and is barely holding on to life, she's going to do everything in her power to find a cure so that she can still be able to protect her family, which is why The Raging Storm embarks on a dangerous journey to find the magical creature, that holds her magical cure.

This book is just as beautiful as it is magical. The plot is built around this beautiful relationship that is shared by a sister with her brother. This book portrays a strong woman who looks out not only for her family but for other islanders and keeps them safe. A woman of incredible strength and will. I really like the Cordelia's character as she is resilient and strong.

I really liked the storytelling in this book, which was really engaging and had me in by the first few turns of pages itself. The author has a detailed way of describing the events which really makes the story come alive for the readers and transport them to this magical world. I enjoyed everything about this book from the storyline to the book cover. I highly recommend it to all my fellow readers and I can't wait to read the  next part.

[Chris Maddix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sky Chase, by Lauren Massuda, is a futuristic fantasy, seemingly a book written for teens by a person well in tune with teens. In it, Cordelia, 16 year old captain of the vessel The Raging Storm, is tasked to protect Domus, of the Caelum Islands, from various marauders, principally a manta ray shaped terror known as the Black Sting, which can inflict deadly poison through its tail. In Cordelia's second encounter with this monster, she receives a blow which can be deadly unless an antidote is provided by Theron, a doctor of sorts who was exiled to Green Crescent Island from Domus by Cordelia's father. Understandably, Cordelia is reluctant to seek help from her father's old adversary, but gives it a try, only to find that Theron will render assistance conditionally - the captain must first locate an animal called an Elphida.

My venture into this book exposed me to a couple of worlds. First, apparently there is a lot of interest in heroic teenagers combatting fantastic creatures, similar, I suppose, to the Harry Potter/Lord of the Rings genre. Second, there seems to be a burgeoning audience these days, both among writers and readers, in novels created as series. Ms. Massuda is one of many contemporary authors to write a book with the pure intent to make this one of many adventures involving this character. If these strike your fancy, then this is the book for you. Sky Chase is heartily recommended for a teen audience which appreciates fantastic adventures.

[Tabatha Shipley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I Did Like:
+Cool concept. A world of floating islands requiring ships to get from one to another? That’s a neat idea. I even like the twist at the end (no spoilers) that I look forward to exploring in a future book.
+The downside to trusting people you have to work with is highlighted in an interesting way. Who can you trust? Knowing that trusting no one will lead to your literal demise? I liked the message buried there.
+This one resolves the major problem for this book well but still builds enough interest in the character and the world for a second book. It’s a well done opener for the series.

Who Should Read This One:
-Fantasy fans who like other worlds and strong characters.
-Fans of adventure quest type books.
-Note: this is a young YA. I’d have no trouble at all handing this to an advanced middle grade reader.

My Rating: 4 stars
This is a well done fantasy and I like the way the adventure plays out.

For Full Review: https://tabathashipleybooks.com/2023/...

[Jyra Brinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sky Chase" is just that! A chase against time, death, and literal destruction, all while being in the sky on one of the most incredible ships I have ever read about. Cordelia is the main character, and she is one of my favorites because of her serious demeanor. From the first page, you can tell she's a leader, a hard worker, and very hard on herself. Theron plays an exciting antagonist, making for a thrilling experience. It was often hard to read his mind, know his next move, or decipher what he meant. I loved the uneasiness he gave the crew. No spoilers, but at the end of the book, I cried. The climax pays off, and the plot twist left me shocked! One of my favorite experiences reading the book is how naturally the team grows on you, their adventures, stories, and cooky mistakes. Even some characters I didn't care for initially, I started to like them at the end of the book. I was honored to read this book for a book club, and I looked forward to the chapters every week.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot of this story is pretty interesting. The elements of fantasy are all brilliant, and the setting of the story is quite unique. I loved the creative universe, with its flora and fauna. It did feel like the reader is expected to know of the universe beforehand, however. Perhaps the sequels would serve to shed more light on what this world is like. It took me quite some time to warm up to the protagonist. Perhaps I am not attuned to what a 16-year-old in a position of power would behave like. I did indeed find Eamon more preferable to Cordelia. On the other hand, I really loved the changing perspectives. It was great that we got to see the point of views of various characters, and I enjoyed the change of pace that came from this.

All in all, Sky Chase is a solid read, and I am glad I had the opportunity to read and review it.