Alyce Caswell - Author
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Book Reviews

Enjoyable MG Adventure

26/2/2022

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Star Wars: A Test of Courage (The High Republic)
by Justina Ireland

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Vernestra is fifteen and one of the youngest to become a Jedi Knight. When the ship she's on is attacked by saboteurs, she must look after those even younger than herself - including a genius, a warrior-to-be and a Padawan. Their escape pod lands on a moon that is anything but safe.

I really enjoyed this middle grade adventure. It reminded me a little of Jude Watson's Jedi Apprentice series in the old canon (which I loved, btw). Vernestra is a great character - she's very relatable despite being a one-of-a-kind prodigy. A solid MG novel in its own right and a good addition in the High Republic. I would have liked a slightly more exciting adventure though!
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Now That's What I'm Talking About!

25/2/2022

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Star Wars: The Fallen Star (The High Republic)
by Claudia Gray

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Starlight Beacon is still the light of the Republic and one of its "great works". But the Nihil threat still lurks and The Eye will do everything in his power to see that light extinguished. His weapon of choice: three saboteurs, aided by a convenient disturbance in the Force. Stellan Gios is currently in charge of Starlight Beacon. Will he prove worth of this mantle?

I haven't liked any of the adult novels in this series thus far, but I knew Claudia Gray wouldn't let me down - she and Timothy Zahn remain the best Star Wars authors on Disney's payroll. Jedi have been dropping like flies in these books and I just stopped caring. Gray actually made me give a damn. She kept the pacing perfect from page one, all while tightening the tension. And Gray proves that chaos doesn't mean the book containing it has to be chaotic - looking at you, Cavan Scott and Charles Soule.
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Unmasking of a Chevalier

20/2/2022

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The Christmas Chevalier (Christmas Masquerade #1)
by Meg Mardell

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Alvy finally has a space where he can truly be himself, but he can hardly refuse to let Laura in - especially since she needs employment and he's just acquired a printing press. Laura has known Alvy for years and still sees him as the girl from her childhood. What will she do when she discovers that the handsome chevalier from the Christmas masquerade is Alvy?

Ahh these novellas are just so cute and fluffy. I would be happy to inhale more of them in an instant (yes, that's a hint, please write more). A dash of tension makes this an excellent quick read and it left me wanting more - I really wanted to see how certain things progressed (i.e. with the printing press). All in all, an adorable trans Regency romance.
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A Sapphic Highland Hogmanay

18/2/2022

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A Highland Hogmanay (Christmas Masquerade #2)
by Meg Mardell

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Sharda has had enough of her relations and their plans for her, so she needs little convincing to run off to the Highlands with a lovely lass. Finella manages Balintore Castle as much as she can, but it's becoming harder and harder when its owner does so little. A new owner is exactly what the castle needs. But Sharda has something - ahem, someone - else on her mind.

Gosh, this was cute. I had so much fun reading it, especially during the "there was only one bed!" scene. Sharda and Finella are so delightfully perfect for each other. I'd definitely opt to spend a Hogmanay at Balintore Castle, if they were in attendance. I do wish that some scenes were longer - it would have really ramped up my enjoyment of the tale - but ah, that's what you get with novellas.
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Pride and Prejudice and EJ

15/2/2022

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The Bennet Women by Eden Appiah-Kubi

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EJ is trying to look after her fellow Bennet Women at Longbourn University, all while stressing as she tries to be the best engineering student - because she has to be. Enter Will Pak, a celebrity who on their first meeting has a bad attitude and insults her to boot. EJ has no time for rude men and first impressions are hard to dismiss. At least, to start with...

I will read every Pride and Prejudice retelling I can get my hands on and, make no mistake, I enjoyed seeing how Appiah-Kubi used the modern context to alter plot points. And more diversity in NA romance is always welcome! But the strength of the original is how Austen used all of her characters, not just Elizabeth. EJ is used well and so is Will, but other characters fall by the wayside. There were also too many things that happened "off screen". That worked in Austen's time. Not so much now.
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    About

    ​Alyce Caswell, when she isn't drinking her way through a giant pot of tea, can be found dabbling in multiple genres and writing forms. She has self-published several titles in her space opera family saga, which is divided into two series: The Galactic Pantheon and The Pantheon War. Her most recent book is The Shadow of the Gods.

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  • Home
  • Books
    • The Galactic Pantheon >
      • The Tortured Wind
      • The Twisted Vine
      • The Flickering Flame
      • The Shifting Ice
      • The Whispering Grass
      • The Creeping Moss
      • The Galactic Pantheon Novellas
      • The Adventures of Grace Pendergast, Galactic Reporter
    • The Shadow of the Gods
    • Dealing with the Demon
    • Love and Lockdown
    • The Eyes of Charon
    • Sweet Delights
  • Other Works
  • Book Reviews
  • Get in Touch