Official Review: Dancing Shadows by Kira N Keating

Post by **kandscreeley** » 29 Mar 2019, 09:37

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Dancing Shadows" by Kira N Keating.]

2 out of 4 stars

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GenMod deals in nanotechnology. Their aim is to make perfectly obedient, extremely intelligent, highly deadly soldiers - and they have succeeded. Natalie was their first success. Code name Marionette, she killed for them with her partner, Adam. Once she became a liability, they cut her strings. That was supposed to kill her; in fact, GenMod thought she was dead. Somehow, though, she was revived, and the company has learned of her existence. Now she must go on the run. But, how can she fight a company that has assets in every city and town?

Cordelia Thorn has been trying to put her life back together since she woke up three years ago with amnesia after a car accident. She's been doing fairly well as a lab assistant. Now, however, she finds herself running from a dead body with a strange black briefcase in her hand and no idea how she got there. Who is she really? Why is she having these blackouts?

Dancing Shadows by Kira N Keating is the first book in the Marionette Trilogy. It has around 350 pages, and I would classify it as a thriller, even with the addition of the nanotechnology. There is some violence, but I believe it would be suitable for teenagers to adults.

The story is told in the third person point of view. The author alternates perspectives, but she always starts the section with who is speaking. Therefore, it's extremely easy to follow along. I found this to be interesting as we get a view of not only the one fleeing but the one pursuing as well. I really enjoyed seeing into the mind of GenMod's assets; to get a glimpse at that level of control is fascinating.

Though I enjoyed the premise of the book, the execution seemed lacking. The author uses flashbacks to give us the whole story. However, in doing so, the story seems to do more telling than showing. I believe this device can be used successfully; however, here it only seems to slow the story down.

In addition, the book suffers from a lack of editing. The usual errors were present - missing words, incorrect words, and typographical errors. Also, though, sentences seemed to be split by line breaks for no reason. It's nothing that can't be fixed, but it does need to be taken care of so that one can enjoy the book fully.

All in all, I have to give Dancing Shadows a 2 out of 4 stars. Ms. Keating has the start of something good, but I believe it needs some work to reach its full potential. I would recommend it to those that don't mind being told a story instead of actively participating in it. Also, being able to overlook grammatical errors would be useful. Otherwise, you might want to wait until the next draft to pick this one up.

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Dancing Shadows
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Bornprince · Post by **Bornprince** » 02 Apr 2019, 07:13

Thanks for the review , this is a thriller and interesting to read. I will keep the book on my schedule .

Post by **kandscreeley** » 02 Apr 2019, 07:51

Bornprince wrote: ↑02 Apr 2019, 07:13 Thanks for the review , this is a thriller and interesting to read. I will keep the book on my schedule .

I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for commenting.

Crazyreader01 · Post by **Crazyreader01** » 02 Apr 2019, 10:03

I like the sound of this but probably won't pick it up unless the author goes and rewrites it a bit. Too many other, better books out there! Thanks for the review.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 02 Apr 2019, 10:22

Crazyreader01 wrote: ↑02 Apr 2019, 10:03 I like the sound of this but probably won't pick it up unless the author goes and rewrites it a bit. Too many other, better books out there! Thanks for the review.

I understand. Unfortunately, the way it was written, it just wasn't extremely memorable. Hopefully the author can improve it a bit. Thanks for your kind words.

Juliana_Isabella · Post by **Juliana_Isabella** » 02 Apr 2019, 13:13

I might try this out after it's been edited. The premise is intriguing.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 02 Apr 2019, 13:31

Juliana_Isabella wrote: ↑02 Apr 2019, 13:13 I might try this out after it's been edited. The premise is intriguing.

It was intriguing, and I'm sure the author can clean it up and make it even more palatable. I hope you get a chance to read and enjoy. Thanks for commenting.

danielleamy · Post by **danielleamy** » 02 Apr 2019, 17:14

The summary makes the book sound like an exciting, promising thriller. It's a shame the flashbacks slowed the story down. I usually prefer books to be actively engaging, so I feel really drawn into the story - rather than watching from afar. But I may consider this if it is given a rewrite. Great review!

The-happy-reader-7 · Post by **The-happy-reader-7** » 02 Apr 2019, 20:45

I would still read this book because of the interesting concept and the different perspectives. Great review!

Post by **kandscreeley** » 03 Apr 2019, 07:43

danielleamy wrote: ↑02 Apr 2019, 17:14 The summary makes the book sound like an exciting, promising thriller. It's a shame the flashbacks slowed the story down. I usually prefer books to be actively engaging, so I feel really drawn into the story - rather than watching from afar. But I may consider this if it is given a rewrite. Great review!

I just felt like a spectator, rather than feeling drawn into the story. It wasn't horrible; it had its merits. It could benefit from a bit of tweaking, though. Thanks.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 03 Apr 2019, 07:45

The-happy-reader-7 wrote: ↑02 Apr 2019, 20:45 I would still read this book because of the interesting concept and the different perspectives. Great review!

I do hope you enjoy it. I know everyone is different, so you might very well fall in love with it. Thanks!

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 03 Apr 2019, 07:48

Thanks for the review. It seems we have a great story here but with the large number of errors, there is a need for another round of editing. I also wish that the author could have employed fewer flashbacks to give some life to the book.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 03 Apr 2019, 07:51

Kibetious wrote: ↑03 Apr 2019, 07:48 Thanks for the review. It seems we have a great story here but with the large number of errors, there is a need for another round of editing. I also wish that the author could have employed fewer flashbacks to give some life to the book.

I agree. I just wanted to be a little more involved with the characters and their stories than I was. Thanks for your comment.

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 03 Apr 2019, 08:09

This book sounds like it could have been good but didn't live up to its potential. Hopefully the author will correct the issues with it. Thanks for the review!

Post by **kandscreeley** » 03 Apr 2019, 08:23

Prisallen wrote: ↑03 Apr 2019, 08:09 This book sounds like it could have been good but didn't live up to its potential. Hopefully the author will correct the issues with it. Thanks for the review!

I hope so as well, as I do like the premise of the story. Thanks so much!