Official Review: Alba by B. E. Okoh

Harmony Hills · Post by **Harmony Hills** » 31 Aug 2017, 07:50

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Alba" by B. E. Okoh.]

1 out of 4 stars

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Alba is an interesting, happy-feel, fast-paced sci-fi/fantasy book that might the first of a still unnamed series by B.E. Okoh.

Sam is an odd boy, or so others think. He's always bothered by things around him especially clocks and can't seem to focus on anything other than that. One day, he accidentally called his principal "stupid" that got him suspended and after telling his mother what happened in school, he went to the swing at the back of his house to think. While on it, he found himself transported to the world of Alba-- a place he never knew existed. He got the chance to know new things including a flying animal called rhizum with beautiful colored wings and have an ability to talk with human beings.

Having managed to convince the Generals of Alba that he is one of their people, they've sent him to the camp where civilians live. Sam thought he'd stay there until a dragon owned by the Third Country which is Alba's adversary, burned the camp. He then was sent to one of Alba's groups called Chandelier. The other two groups are called Michelson and Meyer, and all three of them were named after the late founders of Alba. There in Chandelier group, he met a girl named Agnes, his new friends/teammates/roommates namely John, James and Andrew, and his very own rhizum named Diana. While on training for a competition and the times he spent in the group, Sam found out that he could do things that others can't like moving things using his mind and talking to dragons-- like magic. All of these are the ability of Kastiel, the Third Country's best man against Alba who also came from Earth. After the competition, the Third Country kidnapped the descendants of each founders leading Sam, Agnes, Jack of Meyer and one of the Generals to do a rescue mission. Will Sam and the others get out alive? Or will Sam die together with the truth of his very own existence?

Alba is a book that kids and kids-at-heart might be interested to read. The idea of new worlds always thrill me and excite me to learn the things on this new universe presented to me by the creator, the author himself. I liked how Sam was transported suddenly in the swing into the new world, like it was just a normal thing for a peculiar kid, or like i was reading Narnia and it made me jealous for once living in a real world. I also liked the rhizums created by the author. It was described to have beautiful wings and colorful body. The connection they have with their owner is intimate like a friend and loyal as a pet. I commend the author's creativity.

Given the genre, i suppose the author is pressured because the bar was set so high. Not only that, Mr. Okoh got a lot of competition. I believe that many readers have read one or more fantasy books in their entire life. Personally as a fan, I've read tons of fantasies and found Alba to be very predictable. At first, i was really interested. The author started to let readers imagine a dragon. Then while the plot is building, events and obstacles happened, I already have an idea who the traitor is or what will happen in the end. The way the author built his foundations for the plot twist are clearly visible he'd given them all away.

Also, Mr. Okoh seemed to be confused with the names he himself had given. For example, "Team Syler" sometimes becomes "Team Slyer" and their mentor "Mr. Johanson" is "Mr. Johnson" so often even i got confused what really are the names of their team and mentor.

Well, the worst part is there's no character and relationship development. Sam actually is born with the ability of magic but i was hoping that the author put a little effort for him to develop, not just because he's born with it, but molded into it. I was also excited to see how Sam and the other members of the team develop their friendship, just how Hermione, Harry and Ron did. But in Alba, after some time of just being with each other, they were already sharing secrets and feel guilty not to.

With all of that being said, I rate this book a 1 out of 4 stars. There's not much typos and grammatical issues, but it appears to be poorly written. Still, i hope the author will find time to improve the book, and i suggest he resolve the whole issue in one. The thing is, it have a sequel based on the hanging ending but still doesn't make me any more curious. I do believe that there's more to it than this, so the 2, 3 and 4 will be reserved for that.

******
Alba
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Afuglsan · Post by **Afuglsan** » 31 Aug 2017, 22:20

Bummer about the predictability and lack of development. The plot sounds like a super cute fantasy novel though. I may just give it a try.

Amagine · Post by **Amagine** » 01 Sep 2017, 04:03

There is nothing worse than a book without any type of development.

Great Review! ?

Post by **kandscreeley** » 01 Sep 2017, 07:57

Wow! I'm sorry this one was so bad. I guess I won't be picking it up. Thanks for the review, though.

Reverse flash · Post by **Reverse flash** » 01 Sep 2017, 14:11

So,interesting! Especially about the part of the other world with the talking rhizuim!

Alicnim · Post by **Alicnim** » 01 Sep 2017, 14:23

I love magical creatures, too bad this didn't live up to your hype.

LINA M-EMBER AMA · Post by **LINA M-EMBER AMA** » 01 Sep 2017, 22:19

Great review. I wish the writer will re-work this beautiful story-line.

Harmony Hills · Post by **Harmony Hills** » 02 Sep 2017, 09:42

Hi everyone. Thank you for taking time reading my review.

New worlds really have a space in my heart, but i suggest you read this one after the author (i hope) will improve the book. Happy reading.

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 03 Sep 2017, 15:17

Hi, Harmony Hills! Thanks for hanging on to the book despite the major flaws. I hope the author makes the needed adjustments before he releases the sequel.

Harmony Hills · Post by **Harmony Hills** » 04 Sep 2017, 02:08

Hi Miriam! Thank you for reading my review. Yes. I kept on reading despite of its flaws hoping that in the end, my questions will be answered. Unfortunately it did not. Haha.

And I also hope what you hope.

Donatelloo · Post by **Donatelloo** » 05 Sep 2017, 21:06

Book doesn't seem appealing to me . Thank you for your honest review

0719672189 · Post by **0719672189** » 06 Sep 2017, 00:36

Thank you for your great review,other than the few issues i would read this great book.

Harmony Hills · Post by **Harmony Hills** » 06 Sep 2017, 05:59

0719672189 wrote:Thank you for your great review,other than the few issues i would read this great book.

You might actually enjoy it

Happy reading and thanks for reading my review.

-- 07 Sep 2017, 18:18 --

Darakhshan Nazir wrote:Book doesn't seem appealing to me . Thank you for your honest review

Well, it's my job to write an honest review

Thank you for commenting

RegularGuy3 · Post by **RegularGuy3** » 07 Sep 2017, 16:33

Isn't it odd to think about all the effort put into the book only for it to fall so short in so many ways? I've encountered that a lot lately. Thanks for the review.

Harmony Hills · Post by **Harmony Hills** » 08 Sep 2017, 05:56

RegularGuy3 wrote:Isn't it odd to think about all the effort put into the book only for it to fall so short in so many ways? I've encountered that a lot lately. Thanks for the review.

That's so true. But i also believe that this book still has a chance to redeem itself. Thank you for stopping by.