Alyce Caswell - Author
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Book Reviews

Epic Bonus Content & Cringey Comic Relief

28/5/2023

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Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (movie novelisation)
by Terry Brooks

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The blockade of Naboo by the Trade Federation, an unusual move by players who shouldn't be so bold, triggers the arrival of two Jedi Knights. They rescue the queen of Naboo and must get her to the safety of Coruscant. But there's a snag. Her ship's hyperdrive needs replacing. And now the fate of the galaxy hinges on a small boy, whose potential will soon be seen by all... including the Sith.

The adaptation of a screenplay into a novel is a regular occurrence. Sometimes the resulting product is average. Sometimes it's awful. But sometimes you get a pretty solid effort, like this one. Not only did Terry Brooks smooth out several issues present in the story, he also created entirely new scenes that fit perfectly into canon. Unfortunately, his efforts also emphasised the story's greatest weakness: the forced comic relief provided by Jar Jar Binks. I don't hate Jar Jar. But wow. Even Brooks had trouble making that aspect work.

PS: Yes, a certain teen fangirl put in the extra effort to find a hardcover copy with her beloved Obi-Wan Kenobi on the front. Well done, me.

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More Less than More

27/5/2023

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​More or Less a Temptress (The Somerset Sisters #3)
​by Anna Bradley

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Hyacinth Somerset has always been the most delicate Somerset Sister, so it's not surprising that she loses her senses when a murderer arrives at a ball populated by polite society. Lachlan Ramsey is no murderer: he's the long lost brother of the Lord of Huntington. But now his reputation is in a precarious position - and soon his heart will follow. For Hyacinth is not as demure as she seems.

Alas, this one was not as fun nor as good as the previous two titles in the series. Hyacinth got on my nerves and I'm not sure she had enough character development to justify her bold decisions towards the end. It's still a pleasant enough read, but it's distracting when more interesting characters are floating about in the background, awaiting their moment to shine in another series.

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Cloak of Awesome

22/5/2023

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Cloak of Deception (Star Wars Legends)
​by James Luceno

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Chancellor Finis Valorum has become the target of terrorists, but little does he realise that his true enemy is much closer - and that the future of the galaxy is in far greater danger than he is. A summit has been called on Eriadu to handle the growing problem that is the Trade Federation. The Jedi can handle some unforeseen events, but this one might be beyond even their impressive capabilities.

I wondered why I felt a frisson of excitement when I saw James Luceno's name on my hardcover copy of this novel. Then I started reading it. And then I remembered why I loved reading his contributions to the Star Wars universe. Cloak of Deception would be referenced heavily if a book existed with the title How To Write a Brilliant and Engaging Star Wars Storyline Even When You Can't Reveal Big Plot Stuff. Nothing that Disney has published in the past few years has managed to perform well in this area.

Luceno's writing is a delight. Immersive. Always fluid. And I'm in awe of how effortlessly he managed to weave in references to other Legends material. A true master.

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Adventures in Angst

21/5/2023

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More or Less a Countess (The Somerset Sisters #2)
by Anna Bradley

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Nicholas Balfour, the Earl of Dare, is back in London and can't leave until he gets himself a wife. But in his hasty pursuit, he mixes up the two Miss Somersets and gets far more than he bargained for. Violet Somerset has a book to write and Lord Dare could fill an entire chapter. She definitely doesn't want him anywhere near her sister and she definitely isn't going to fall in love with him!

I wasn't so sure about the premise, but I'm glad I dived in anyway. Violet and Nick were such a delight during their initial adventures - and we got to see the Selfish Rake start to melt in her presence. Then things took a more angsty turn. I'm usually into stories were a lack of communication is the driving force of the plot...but even this was a bit much for my patience! Overall, an enjoyable read.

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You saw my face. Prepare to die.

20/5/2023

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Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter (Star Wars Legends)
​by Michael Reaves

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Lorn Pavan was just trying to get by and make a quick buck, but now he and his droid partner are being hunted down by a Sith. Darsha Assant was just trying to complete her Jedi trials and become a knight...but now she's also been thrown into the path of the aforementioned Sith. Darth Maul was just trying to completely his mission. Murder and mayhem will naturally ensue.

Um. What was the point of this book, exactly? I wanted to like it. I really did. A fun zany plot, likeable characters, cameos from movie faves - great! But here's the thing. It's impossible to ignore the fact that anyone who sees Darth Maul is going to die, because his existence can't become common knowledge yet. So... nothing that happens inside these pages matters. At all. I'm somewhat annoyed.

Included in this edition are two stories by James Luceno. Saboteur is not very long and somewhat average, but it shows how effective Maul can be as a shadowy manipulator. As for the shorter Restraint, I was surprised at how good it was, considering that its sole purpose was to smooth over some discrepancies raised by the Clone Wars show.

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Maul + Cage = Rampage

16/5/2023

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Maul: Lockdown (Star Wars Legends)
​by Joe Schreiber

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Darth Maul's latest mission from his Master sees him infiltrating Cog Hive Seven, a prison where inmates are pitted against each other for the viewing pleasure of gamblers with macabre tastes. Maul is forbidden from using the Force and exposing the Sith. But finding a mysterious arms dealer and surviving brutal bouts are no small feat without that crucial advantage.

The penultimate Legends novel has cracking pacing and is ridiculously entertaining - unleashing Darth Maul inside a prison populated by delightful horrors was a great idea. Alas, the fun is dampened by Schreiber's clumsy attempts to make the story fit the Legends universe. I get why Plagueis had to make an appearance, but he felt shoehorned in and I'd have preferred him to remain at the periphery.

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Diana Merriwell, P.I.

9/5/2023

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Never Rescue a Rogue (The Merriwell Sisters #2)
​by Virginia Heath

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Giles Sinclair is in big trouble. He's just inherited a dukedom, except it might not be his at all - his unknown mother certainly wasn't a duchess. His secret won't stay secret for long. Luckily for him, he knows a most infuriating woman who might actually be able to save him. Diana Merriwell never wants to cede her independence to any man...but she does have a soft spot for a duke in distress.

Okay, I was a little worried with the slow pace at the start, but then things really got going and I REALLY enjoyed myself. Giles and Diana are delightful. Especially when they're together! I was also drawn in by the mystery and found it very satisfying, despite guessing its resolution early on. Heath creates great MCs, but it's her fabulous minor characters that make her books so brilliant.

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Always Fall for a Good Book!

1/5/2023

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Never Fall for Your Fiancée (The Merriwell Sisters #1)
​by Virginia Heath

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Hugh Standish is an earl and he has a mother keen to marry him off - an exhausting combination. So he invented a fake fiancée named Minerva, to give him some respite. But now his mother is coming home to meet her. It's incredibly convenient that he meets a real life Minerva who agrees to pretend for a little while. But Minerva Merriwell will soon wonder if the money he's paying is worth it!

"But why's it over? I don't want it to be over," I told my husband sadly as my Kobo asked me to rate the book I'd just finished reading. Such is my love for this book. I became so fond of Hugh and Minerva's chaotic families and the comedic hijinks were actually funny (as opposed to some novels that make such things feel cringey). I'll obviously be devouring the sequel next, but still I wish the story had gone on forever...

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    About

    Alyce Caswell, when she isn't buried in a book or drinking her way through a giant pot of tea, is a keen writer of science fiction and romance. She has published two novels and four novellas in her space opera family saga, The Galactic Pantheon Series.

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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
  • Giveaway
  • Other Works
  • Book Reviews
  • Get in Touch