Official Review: The MacAlister Blade by Joseph D Ferguson
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
- Erin Dydek
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 1058
- Joined: 20 May 2019, 19:07
- Favorite Book: Shadowborn
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 328
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-erin-dydek.html
- Latest Review: Northern Umbrage by Dennis Lorenz Ph.D.
Official Review: The MacAlister Blade by Joseph D Ferguson
Treyson McAlister is reluctant to leave his pregnant wife home alone, but he cannot ignore his grandfather's dying wish to recover the MacAlister blade. Although the quest to find his ancestors' sword in Scotland seems daunting, the dire warning about the world's need for the sword drives Treyson to do whatever it takes to honor his grandfather and protect the future for his unborn son.
A cataclysmic event on the horizon and an ever-growing war between the forces of magic and technology will come to the forefront of Treyson's journey as he gathers allies. His world is falling apart, and he will have to work together with new-found friends to unite the survivors of the devastating event while stopping a powerful foreign enemy.
The MacAlister Blade, by J.D. Ferguson, is a fast-paced science-fantasy novel with a post-apocalyptic backdrop. I loved this book's concept and how the characters had to join together in a sort of found family to survive the challenges presented in the book. The author shakes up the story by bringing together characters with different backgrounds and skills from around the world and dramatically changing their lives. Many people in our modern world would struggle with the loss of technology presented in this book, and watching the protagonists adapt and survive was my favorite part of the story.
The plot itself is relatively straightforward and easy to follow. While new technology is introduced in the book, the author briefly explains what it is and what it does without highly technical exposés on why or how it worked. This aspect of the book should appeal to readers looking for pure entertainment but may not appeal to fans of hard science fiction.
My least favorite part of the book was the vast number of editing issues and the lack of development in certain scenes and character motivations. There were a few places throughout the story that seemed a bit rushed, and even in the ending scenes, I wished there would have been additional resolution and tying of loose ends. Despite the book's rapid ending, however, the author did catch my interest, and I would like to see the story continue in a sequel.
I would gladly give The MacAlister Blade a 3-star rating because the story was entertaining, and I enjoyed the blend of magic and survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Unfortunately, the sheer number of errors in the book reduces my rating to two out of four. The author has a solid grasp of storytelling, and I would love to see this book undergo a thorough editing session. As this was the author's debut novel, I honestly believe his writing skill will improve with his next book, and I look forward to seeing that growth.
The book contained no sexual content, and a total of two mild swear words. I believe that the story would appeal to high school readers as well as adults. I would warn sensitive readers that there is a lot of death and some gruesome descriptions of the bodies in the first portion of the book. There are a few scenes with violence, but there are no gory depictions.
******
The MacAlister Blade
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
- Pluma
- Posts: 199
- Joined: 17 May 2020, 22:36
- Favorite Book: Wonks
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 33
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-pluma.html
- Latest Review: Tales of the 70's by D.Done
- yomide
- Posts: 204
- Joined: 09 Mar 2021, 09:22
- Currently Reading: We are voulhire
- Bookshelf Size: 46
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-yomide.html
- Latest Review: The Scarlet Queen: by Mitch Reinhardt
- Harty Muli
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 2008
- Joined: 28 May 2020, 09:21
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 273
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-harty-muli.html
- Latest Review: I Have Proof of a Higher Power by Ioan Dirina
- Smmwallace
- Posts: 381
- Joined: 12 Jan 2021, 13:40
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 140
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-smmwallace.html
- Latest Review: Cosmander and The Crown by Meade Summers
- Samantha Simoneau
- Posts: 766
- Joined: 02 Apr 2018, 10:51
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 240
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-samantha-simoneau.html
- Latest Review: Dancing With Jesus by Allison Broughton
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
“But upon the stage of life, while conscience claps, let the world hiss! On the contrary if conscience disapproves, the loudest applauses of the world are of little value."
~John Adams
- NetMassimo
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 6661
- Joined: 24 Jul 2019, 06:37
- Currently Reading: Exit Strategy
- Bookshelf Size: 429
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-netmassimo.html
- Latest Review: The Ripsons by Joe Morrow
- 2024 Reading Goal: 60
- 2024 Goal Completion: 41%
Massimo
- Rayah Raouf
- Posts: 893
- Joined: 04 Nov 2020, 14:19
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 46
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-rayah-raouf.html
- Latest Review: The Heart of the World by Michael Tillotson
-
- Posts: 1617
- Joined: 08 Dec 2018, 16:37
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 385
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mbrooks2518.html
- Latest Review: The Portal by Russell Cederberg