Blog Archives - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

Second Book Down

28/4/2023

Second Bride Down (Majestic Maine #2)
by Ginny Baird

Misty Delaney doesn't have long until either she or her sister has to marry the son of their family's enemy. But she didn't expect a billboard to go up, advertising her desire for a quick husband. Her long-time friend Lucas comes to her recuse with a plan - he'll move in with her and they'll pretend to be together for a week. Just until everything cools down. But maybe things will heat up instead!

As before, I knew this was my kind of book because it has my kind of premise! I enjoyed this second instalment more than the first one, mostly because the hero and heroine were refreshingly level-headed in how they handled things. The rivalry with Charlotte, Misty's sister, was more fun than I was expecting too. Ah, I'm just so happy for Lucas and Misty. A story of love and compromise.

First Comes Bet, Then Comes Marriage

27/4/2023

First Bride to Fall (Majestic Maine #1)
by Ginny Baird

Nell Delaney and her sisters have an opportunity to save the family business. So they make a bet. Whoever isn't engaged or almost married by the end of 30 days has to marry the son of their father's rival. Nell has no intention of doing that - in fact, she's going to be the first one married. Now she'll have to transform Grant Williams from distant crush into willing husband. Emphasis on willing.

This was a lot fun. But then again, I seem to have a penchant for deception and situations that should have been solved by communication lol. I did enjoy most of this, though the portion of the book where they both acted like toddlers felt like a bit of a chore at times. That said, Nell and Grant were so cute together. Cute... with a side order of sizzle! Now I'm going to start the next book in the series.

Left Me Cold

25/4/2023

Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling

Climate change is marching everyone further north, where untapped resources and years-old secrets are to be found in the retreating snow. Rose is there to spy on the deluded man who thinks he's building a campus. Grant has come to teach the men known as the Diggers and shed the shackles of his family name. But there are more agendas in Camp Zero than most people realise.

This had a great premise and a great start, but the story soon became sluggish and didn't recover. Things only got interesting towards the end...which of course was when the book abruptly ran out of pages! I'd have preferred more plot over the extra POVs. And not all of those POVs seemed necessary to me. Lately I've had the misfortune to buy books that read like drafts. This is one of them.

Game Over

13/4/2023

Battle Scars (Star Wars Jedi/Disney canon)

The crew of the Stinger Mantis, introduced to fans via Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, are on the trail of a MacGuffin - all thanks to a defecting Imperial, who they may or may not be able to trust. Once again, their lives are in danger. But this time, Merrin's heart is also at stake. This adventure is bound to end badly for someone.

I wish I wasn't writing yet another bad review of a Disney-canon Star Wars novel. Alas, I am. I've not played the game so I don't know if people are in character or not, but that's really not important when the writing is so shockingly awful. Was this even edited? At all? 40% of this book is junk prose that should have been crossed out with a red pen. Paring it down to a novella would have done wonders.

The story itself isn't terrible, though I'm bemused that Merrin hooked up with some random and was then shocked to be betrayed by said random (who she literally just met!). The lack of development in their... relationship?... made it seem like Merrin had ignored all common sense because she really needed to get laid. Gah. I want more sapphic shenanigans in my Star Wars books, but not like this!!! So I will delete this crime against literature from my memories and instead relive the superior enemies-to-lovers storyline in the Aphra comics. Tolvan/Aphra 4 life!

A Mess of Prequel Proportions

11/4/2023

Cataclysm (Star Wars: The High Republic)
by Lydia Kang

Sorry, folks. This got kind of long.

The Battle of Jedha has halted the peace treaty between Eiram and E'ronoh. Fighting could re-erupt at any moment, the rulers' heirs now being wed and doing all they can to keep their planets in concert. To complicate matters, The Path of the Open Hand are clearly up to something. It's time to take the fight to them - many Jedi are dispatched to Dalna. Not all of them will return.

Well, I'm glad I finished the Jedha-based audiobook the day before I started reading this. But my opinion remains unchanged: this project suffers greatly when major plot points are farmed out to media that AREN'T the main adult novels. Multimedia projects have multiple types of audiences. It seems the High Republic folks didn't understand that when planning this out. Sure, use the other mediums to explore events and characters in a different way - but your main thrust has to remain in one consistent medium (i.e. the adult novels - Phase One actually managed to do this, for the most part). Phase Two's adult novels feel...strangely like an afterthought.

Right. I better review the book itself! So I liked Axel's journey and how he missed various moments of redemption (which is more realistic in a sentient being). I loved Xiri and Phan-tu, long may they reign (when it's time!) - they're frankly adorable and I would take a blaster bolt for them. But it's hard to be invested in the Jedi characters because if they find out about the Leveller, they're either going to die - or will decide to keep it a secret for ~reasons~. Phase Two's placement in the timeline has destroyed any potential for tension in its stories.

Also, it's difficult to figure out the logic of injuries in this novel. Fatal wounds seemed to either be shrugged off or completely kill a character, depending on what was needed for the plot. Kind of annoying, actually.

In summary: this book contains likeable characters and an underwhelming storyline, a problem mostly generated by the flaws of the High Republic project itself.

Expanded Universe Round-Up #9

7/4/2023

The Followers (JA Special Edition #2)

Though not an amazing book, I much prefer this as an ending to the Jedi Apprentice series than The Threat Within. The first half is strong and benefits from the familiar rhythm of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon working together as a team, but the second half is weaker and it feels as though Watson doesn't have the same grasp of Anakin's character that she does with the other Jedi.

But I was intrigued by the mystery and I didn't even mind that there were loose plot threads left at the end (because I know that one such thread is probably named Sidious lol). An okay finale to a series I love very much, even after two decades and that troublesome adulthood thing.

Legacy of the Jedi/Secrets of the Jedi

I consider both books presented here as part of the Jedi Apprentice series and I'm always happy to continue that journey, just that little bit longer. Watson manages to keep consistent storylines going through the eras she jumps into, each part showing us something about a different character. However, while the juvenile writing style works for the characters when they're younger, it's really jarring once the characters grow older. It just...feels off. Especially in the interactions between Anakin and Padmé.

But I would never skip these two books in my reread of my admittedly vast Legacy canon collection. For Siri Tachi fans, this is essential reading. I think it's obvious that I'm one of them!

The bonus story at the end is a good read, but it's nothing special.

Rise of the Sith (Dark Horse Omnibus)

Reading these comics has reminded me just how crowded the storytelling timeline around The Phantom Menace was in that era. Not all of the stories contained in this omnibus are good, but most of them are entertaining - and it was fun watching Darth Maul ferociously cut Black Sun down to size. The Ki-Adi-Mundi stories... are awful. It felt like the writer had a story they'd always wanted to tell and forced it to fit (if somewhat clumsily) into the Star Wars universe.

Expanded Universe Round-up #8

7/4/2023

The Dangerous Rescue (Jedi Apprentice #13)

In many ways, this instalment is a satisfying conclusion to the three-book arc, but Jenna Zan Arbor (aka the Big Bad) is absent for much of it and while the bounty hunter's appearances result in fun fight scenes, she doesn't excuse the same menace or stir the same feelings of unease. I also found myself very tired of all the toing and froing of the investigation. It seemed to go on and on and on (and over all three books, mind). And now for the next arc... in which angst will be in overdrive.

The Ties That Bind (Jedi Apprentice #14)

Unfortunately, with this arc my 12-year-old self was once again at the mercy of the bookstores. So I had to read this AFTER the book following it. Ever since then, the impact of the ending has been lost on me - and obviously I've read it too many times to feel the shock and horror that I should. But that private scene between Qui-Gon and Tahl has endured in my memories for over two decades and probably inspired aspects of my own romantic writing.

The climax and its implications - perfect. The rest of the book? Not so much. It dragged and didn't go anywhere in a hurry, which is unusual given the pacing of other instalments.

The Death of Hope (Jedi Apprentice #15)

A surprisingly dark and intense instalment, considering that MG readers would have also picked this up at the bookstore. The story is essentially a race against time and the tension steadily rises when you realise that time may just run out. Damn, that ending is a gut punch. I really liked seeing this side of Qui-Gon, although I was constantly distracted by thoughts such as "hang on, are we not going to acknowledge that pledging oneself to another Jedi is, in fact, very unJedi-like?".

The Call to Vengeance (Jedi Apprentice #16)

You know what? I'm just going to ignore the flagrant disregard for continuity (re: Jedi and attachments) within the pages I just read and tell you how much I love this book. In this series, we've seen how an apprentice can allow overwhelming emotions to lead to mistakes - and now we get to see the Master grapple with the very same lesson. Jedi are sentient beings too. It's how they handle their anger that sets them apart. That's the point Watson was so brilliantly displaying here.

Perhaps a part of me enjoys watching Qui-Gon Jinn go on a rampage a little too much. Confession time: whenever I played the video game of The Phantom Menace, I ALWAYS turned Qui-Gon into The Killer of Mos Espa. So much fun. What a great game. Ahem.

The Only Witness (Jedi Apprentice #17)

Ehh... the series is now outstaying its welcome. A mediocre story that doesn't really hold one's interest, though it's nice to see Qui-Gon recovering from his great loss and starting down the path to healing. The only other notable thing about this instalment is the fact that it introduced the word "infatuated" to my 12-year-old self. I've no idea why THAT is what stuck with me over the years. Perhaps because the rest of the book is so blah.

The Threat Within (Jedi Apprentice #18)

This book kind of felt like a classic clip show, but instead of clips we had many long references to events in previous instalments. I can't tell you how much I loathe clip shows. The plot itself is heavily reminiscent of the Melida/Daan arc. It had nothing new to add though, so I was bored for much of it.

A disappointing end to the series, but at least I have one special left to read (and two other books that I will count as existing beneath the JA umbrella).

Expanded Universe Round-Up #7

7/4/2023

The Captive Temple (Jedi Apprentice #7)

This book perfectly captures the balance between what it is to be a Jedi - and what it is to be a teenager struggling with his emotions and insecurities. That's a pretty impressive achievement, given the page count and all the characters competing for space therein. Watson did a fantastic job of making sure everyone was used effectively. Xanatos continues to intrigue me... I think I'll be sorry to see him go in the next one!

The Day of Reckoning (Jedi Apprentice #8)

And so the Xanatos storyline finally ends, with a death that is in no way ambiguous - thank goodness (this is the kind of thing that you appreciate after years of missing bodies turning up unexpectedly in fiction). As a child, I was delighted by the comeuppance of any villain that dared to harm the environment. So of course I loved this book! I still do, actually. Den and Andra are my favourite guest characters - happily, they do reappear in a special instalment.

Honestly, this is such a good climax that I wouldn't have minded if the series had ended here. But yay, there are more for me to revisit.

The Fight for Truth (Jedi Apprentice #9)

This self-contained story isn't bad per se, it's jus a bit of a letdown after the Xanatos arc. I did find Kegan and the Keganites to be somewhat annoying, though I enjoyed the prophetic hints about the darkness that will come from the Jedi. For me, the book was saved by Obi-Wan's interactions with Siri Tachi, who I've always remembered quite fondly over the decades since she was introduced to me by this series. I actually shrieked with delight when she reappeared in the Disney canon novel I was reading last year.

This book had a hard act to follow and unfortunately didn't follow it very well. An average instalment.

The Shattered Peace (Jedi Apprentice #10)

There's really nothing of note in this instalment, which is more filler than anything else. Neither Obi-Wan or Qui-Gon enjoy any character development and the story just wasn't that interesting. If I didn't know what was coming, I'd think that the series was on its last legs - frankly, how can it possibly recover from losing its main villain? Standalone stories don't fare well in this series.

The Shattered Peace is best left unread. I hope I remember that the next time I decide to revisit my Legends books!

Deceptions (JA Special Edition #1)

Special Editions were fairly standard for young reader series back in the day, so I wasn't confused or surprised by this one appearing at the bookstore. I was, however, extremely excited to see how the repercussions of Bruck's death would affect Obi-Wan's journey as an apprentice - and a Master! It's a really solid book. Both parts (representing two timelines) are equally intriguing and it's also interesting to see how Anakin reacts to this part of Obi-Wan's past. And hey, I loved Den in The Day of Reckoning. It was good to see him again - honestly, he was the star of this book.

You will note that I have chosen to read this series in chronological order, not publication order. It makes more sense to read about Obi-Wan being questioned over Bruck's death when the event itself is still relevant and fresh in the mind of the reader.

The Deadly Hunter (Jedi Apprentice #11)

At last, another multi-book story arc to follow. At last, another decent instalment. Fast pacing, a cool bounty hunter with an even cooler weapon, new guest characters who I instantly like, and a mystery that isn't yet solved. I remember being so shocked by the cliffhanger - I wasn't expecting another arc after the previous two standalones - and the wait for the next book was downright torturous.

That said, I do think the truncated length of this one (roughly 10-20 pages shorter than usual) hurt the climax by making it feel too sudden.

The Evil Experiment (Jedi Apprentice #12)

I can see why I was so dismayed to find myself confronted with another cliffhanger when I was a kid, but now I can appreciate how well it was done. Whereas a lack of pages hurt the previous instalment's climax, the extra pages in this book helped it deliver a much better one - and I enjoyed seeing Obi-Wan get his chance to shine as the main investigator trying to solve the mystery. It shows how much his character has grown throughout the series to this point.

As always, Watson introduces yet more likeable guest characters in this book. Astri remains a highlight.

Expanded Universe Round-Up #6

7/4/2023

The Dark Rival (Jedi Apprentice #2)

This is the first Jedi Apprentice novel I ever read, so it has a special place in my heart. But the pacing suffers somewhat from it essentially being a part 2 of an unfinished story, rather than a self-contained book 2. I will assume this was due to the change in authors. Other books in this series flow into each other more naturally. I still find Xanatos to be an intriguing villain and have always enjoyed the fact that he stuck around for a bit, instead of being a one-off guest character.

The Hidden Past (Jedi Apprentice #3)

My undisputed favourite of the series when I was a kid. I think I can see why. The story managed to evoke so many different emotions within me and was at times incredibly tense. It also dropped a few hints for the next book, which I like. And who doesn't love a good old insurgency? Liberating a planet always makes for a thrilling read (ahem, perhaps I've gone that route myself as a writer...). The dubious mention of Obi-Wan having a brother called Owen is of note.

Lastly, I was amused to find the T-shirt transfer paper still in the middle of my copy, though I know I spent years trying to decide if I should use it. I'm glad I didn't!
(PS: my ancient JA bookmark was once again used - it features the cover of this very book)

The Mark of the Crown (Jedi Apprentice #4)

Palace intrigue, legacies, a poisoned queen, a secret heir and democracy on the horizon - what's not to love about this 4th book in the JA series? Certainly one of the strongest instalments. Obi-Wan gets to wield a sword and that's pretty cool.

Perhaps I'm also biased in that my favourite bookmark was taken from the middle of these very pages (one bookmark disappeared but I still have one, reinforced by sticky tape and extra cardboard). And perhaps I bought a second copy off eBay - to ensure that I always have spare bookmarks!

The Defenders of the Dead (Jedi Apprentice #5)

Back in the year 2000, it was quite difficult for a kid to find sequential books in a series at the shops. So for a long, unbearable year, I could not read books #5 or #6 of the Jedi Apprentice series. I had enjoyed the conclusion in the two books after them, but the Melida/Daan mission was a mystery to me. How could Obi-Wan possibly leave the Jedi and join some other cause? It made no sense!

Well, it still makes no sense. Don't get me wrong - this is a good book and it explores both physical and emotional conflicts. But Obi-Wan's decision feels completely out of character, even though Watson did her best to build up to it.

Interestingly, Melida/Daan was mentioned in a recent High Republic novel, returning the planet to canon status once more.

The Uncertain Path (Jedi Apprentice #6)

While I don't agree with the method used to divide Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon in the previous book, it's great to see how they tackle challenges without each other - even if it's only for a little while. Tahl... oh Tahl. I loved her so much and still do. She didn't get much to do in the previous book, but here she really shines and instantly becomes a favourite.

The mystery of what's going on in the Temple is intriguing - and then the book ends on a startling cliffhanger, which definitely WON'T tempt me to keep reading the JA series past my bedtime. Nope! I will resist the Dark Side of the Force!

Expanded Universe Round-up #5

7/4/2023

The Dark Side (Jedi Vol 1)

A prequel to the Jedi Apprentice series that ended 10 years before this TPB hit shelves. The timing was strange, perhaps to entice readers who had since grown up. I was one of those and like any JA fan I was excited to finally see the fall of Xanatos. That excitement was short-lived. The story is a mess and the art is even messier... and it's clear the writer failed to understand why Xanatos was so intriguing as a villain.

How odd that a comic series aimed at adults lacks the maturity and character development of the YA books it drew inspiration from. This was obviously intended to continue with some sort of "Qui-Gon on a quest" arc, but I'm grateful to Disney for stopping it in its tracks.

Jedi Apprentice (1999-2002)

Back in 1999, I would venture into the "Teen" section at Borders (few stores had such a clear distinction between kids books and older books - YA as a label did exist, but didn't seem to be widely used) and imagine my delight when I discovered the Jedi Apprentice series. Thanks to these books, I feel like I grew up with Obi-Wan. I will always love them. And I will always remember how shocking it was back then, to discover that Obi-Wan's future as a Jedi was in jeopardy

The Rising Force (Jedi Apprentice #1)

This was the second JA book I ever read, having got my hands on book #2 first. Someone gave me another copy for my birthday and Mum, having kept the receipt, duly went and exchanged it for me. I remember the anxious wait in the car. And then she returned - with book #1! It was worth the wait. I enjoyed re-reading it today, all these years later, because though Wolverton didn't write the whole series, he did a damn good job of introducing it to us all.

Even now, I am impressed at how perfectly paced this book is, and how well the characters and their motivations are introduced, despite its length. That ending in the afterword is simply brilliant. Sure, I would have preferred it to be longer...but the days of meatier YA tales were still to come.

This remains one of my favourite books.

(PS: Yes, I did use my ancient cardboard JA bookmark while reading it...)