Official Review: The Crystal Heart Volume 1
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Totoro
- Posts: 65
- Joined: 18 Sep 2013, 09:56
- Bookshelf Size: 3
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-totoro.html
- Latest Review: "The Crystal Heart Volume 1" by Anthony Swinsinski
Official Review: The Crystal Heart Volume 1
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Crystal Heart Volume 1" by Anthony Swinsinski.]
The Crystal Heart: Volume 1 is the beginning of a Fantasy Novel, set in the fictional realm of Arathia. It is not a full length book, but rather a short story that is hopefully introducing readers to the realm.
In the prologue we are introduced to Arathia’s History, by a Varian storyteller. Arathia was brought out of the darkness by a man-god, literally ripping out his own heart. His heart becomes the crystal heart, and brings light to the world. Varians are a nomadic people, similar to the Native Americas. They have been tormented by the Ree-Kyae. The Ree-Kyae are creatures of the dark, and plagued by the light. Once the Crystal Heart comes to hang above a mountain, its light gives the Ree-Kyae sores, which are passed on to each new generation. Unable to get to the heart themselves, the Ree-Kyae find a banished Varian who is able to break the heart, plunging Arathia back into darkness.
Once the story begins we meet Kinley, a Varian, and Arissa (his “sister in every way but blood”). Kinley finds a strange stone that can cut easily, but after cutting himself he finds that he heals almost immediately. After showing Arissa, she thinks he needs to get rid of the rock. As the Varian move on to their next sleeping spot Kinley drops another stone to fool Arissa. He finds that the shard seems to pulse and he is not really sure what it is, but thinks it could make a new weapon.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. I enjoyed the story. To me it was somewhat reminiscent of the Gandalara Cycle. Unfortunately, when I downloaded it, I expected it to be a full book, not a simple 32 pages short story. Swinsinski does an excellent job of pulling you in to the story and investing you in the characters. However; there is not enough story for me to know exactly where he is planning on taking this story to. I have thoughts based on what I have read so far, but I found the ending too abrupt. Maybe Swinsinski could have included a little more story in this first installment.
So, why 3 out of 4 stars? I would definitely want to continue reading the series at this point. The book was also well edited. I did not notice many spelling or grammatical errors, which can be quite distracting. The one star taken off is because there was almost not enough story to know exactly where the author plans to take the story.
***
Buy "The Crystal Heart Volume 1" on Amazon
The Crystal Heart: Volume 1 is the beginning of a Fantasy Novel, set in the fictional realm of Arathia. It is not a full length book, but rather a short story that is hopefully introducing readers to the realm.
In the prologue we are introduced to Arathia’s History, by a Varian storyteller. Arathia was brought out of the darkness by a man-god, literally ripping out his own heart. His heart becomes the crystal heart, and brings light to the world. Varians are a nomadic people, similar to the Native Americas. They have been tormented by the Ree-Kyae. The Ree-Kyae are creatures of the dark, and plagued by the light. Once the Crystal Heart comes to hang above a mountain, its light gives the Ree-Kyae sores, which are passed on to each new generation. Unable to get to the heart themselves, the Ree-Kyae find a banished Varian who is able to break the heart, plunging Arathia back into darkness.
Once the story begins we meet Kinley, a Varian, and Arissa (his “sister in every way but blood”). Kinley finds a strange stone that can cut easily, but after cutting himself he finds that he heals almost immediately. After showing Arissa, she thinks he needs to get rid of the rock. As the Varian move on to their next sleeping spot Kinley drops another stone to fool Arissa. He finds that the shard seems to pulse and he is not really sure what it is, but thinks it could make a new weapon.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. I enjoyed the story. To me it was somewhat reminiscent of the Gandalara Cycle. Unfortunately, when I downloaded it, I expected it to be a full book, not a simple 32 pages short story. Swinsinski does an excellent job of pulling you in to the story and investing you in the characters. However; there is not enough story for me to know exactly where he is planning on taking this story to. I have thoughts based on what I have read so far, but I found the ending too abrupt. Maybe Swinsinski could have included a little more story in this first installment.
So, why 3 out of 4 stars? I would definitely want to continue reading the series at this point. The book was also well edited. I did not notice many spelling or grammatical errors, which can be quite distracting. The one star taken off is because there was almost not enough story to know exactly where the author plans to take the story.
***
Buy "The Crystal Heart Volume 1" on Amazon
Latest Review: "The Crystal Heart Volume 1" by Anthony Swinsinski
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AnthonySwinsinski
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 27 Feb 2013, 14:14
- Bookshelf Size: 0
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. Since I submitted tchv1 I've changed my original plan of releasing the book as a serial. On november 6th "The Crystal Heart: Beginnings" has been released in paperback, as well as amazon kindle, and "volume 1" has been removed as a stand alone serial and integrated into "Beginnings". It is a full novel, the first in "The Crystal Heart" trilogy. "The Crystal Heart: Journey" is the second book, which I am currently working on, and am planning a 2014 release. "The Crystal Heart: Beginnings" can currently be found on amazon and will be listed with distributors within the next few weeks.
