Category: YA - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

Bronze Debut

9/9/2023

Silver Valley (Silver Valley #1)
by Arabella Rosier

Savannah Shaw moves to Silver Valley because of her father's work and is happy to see her best friend, Jasmine Spark, again. But there is something seriously strange going on and Jasmine has told her not go into the forest. But Savannah is drawn to the forest - and the boy she's seen lurking there. Soon the secrets of Silver Valley will be revealed.

This is a well-written debut that introduces believable teenage characters and it was intriguing enough to hold my attention for the first and second acts (after that...not so much). There's potential here, but a lot of it is unrealised. I imagine that the uneven pacing and plot issues will improve across the series, just as the author improves in her craft.

More Heir than Spare

2/7/2023

My Spare Heart by Jared Thomas

Phoebe doesn't want to go to a new school or move in permanently with her dad and his girlfriend - and she definitely doesn't want to do yoga! She just wants to play basketful like her heroes. While settling in isn't so bad, it does mean that she can't see her mum as often as she'd like...and it'd help if her mum actually showed up when she promised she would.

Jared Thomas has a gift for writing YA fiction that feels real, isn't unbelievable or OTT, and is accessible to teens who might not usually read as a hobby. For some adult readers, this means the prose isn't as elegant as in some other YA novels, but you're not the intended audience. Thomas grapples with some very difficult issues here, including having an alcoholic as a parent and dealing with micro-aggressions. This is a solid Australian story.

Expanded Universe Round-Up #13

16/6/2023

Jedi Quest series (Star Wars Legends)
by Jude Watson

#0 - Path to Truth

I've always found it odd that this book isn't the first official title in the Jedi Quest series and was seemingly published as a one-shot, but perhaps TPTB were testing the waters. They didn't need to be so cautious - Jude Watson always delivers. It might not carry #1 on the cover, but this instalment is incredibly strong and immediately highlights the differences between Obi-Wan's firm bond with Qui-Gon and his tenuous connection with Anakin. Bonus Siri Tachi!

#1 - The Way of the Apprentice

A solid instalment that could have been merely average, had Watson not isolated the four Padawans and revealed key aspects of their characters in how they interacted with each other. Admittedly, in order to properly enjoy this, I had to take a step back from my disappointment that Obi-Wan and Anakin don't have the same fantastic bond that existed between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon in the earlier Jedi Apprentice series.

#2 - The Trail of the Jedi

This one is 40 pages shorter than the previous two instalments, but it's none the poorer for it. In fact, the plot and pacing benefit enormously from the shorter length; both are tight and on point. I'm also pleased to see an overarching plot being introduced (and one that isn't "oh look Anakin is travelling towards his destiny" - thank goodness).

#3 - The Dangerous Games

It says a lot about Watson's skill that she took the cringeworthy concept of Anakin meeting Sebulba again, before a Podracing event of all things, and managed to make it work. Didi and Astri also reappeared, which made this Jedi Apprentice fan very happy. I like the darker edge of this series - the endings consistently straddle the line between satisfactory and disheartening.

#4 - The Master of Disguise

This started quite strongly, with us readers thrown straight into the action on a world beset with civil war, but things went downhill during the Granta Omega investigation. That should have been exciting. Alas, no. Even the shorter length didn't ease my frustration with the storyline.

#5 - The School of Fear

Sadly not as strong as previous entries in the series, this instalment rehashes the frustrating Sano Sauro plot thread from the previous book (and it really wasn't needed, unless it was included to add pages to the overall length) and then forces Ferus and Anakin to interact in that tense way of theirs (which is beginning to feel repetitive).

#6 - The Shadow Trap

I thought this was going to be a run-of-the-mill story, but I was pleasantly surprised - although perhaps "pleasantly" is not the word I should use, since this book has quite a tragic climax. It's so impactful that I remember it all these years later. There's also a Big Reveal about the villain... which is equal parts cool and exasperating (I actually groaned out loud), even if you are a fan of the Jedi Apprentice series. Oddly enough, this last aspect of the book didn't imprint on my memories.

#7 - The Moment of Truth

Hmm. This wasn't bad but it was mostly forgettable - until the Big Reveal at the end. I have been enjoying the many and varied references to the Jedi Apprentice series throughout these books, but I feel this is one too far. It would be a lot more interesting if Obi-Wan and Anakin encountered recurring villains that are new threats, not throwbacks.

#8 - The Changing of the Guard

An excellent return to form and a fun adventure in one package. I am relieved to find that Ferus is no longer so annoying as a character - and I enjoyed Siri and Obi-Wan's interactions, which felt more natural than in some previous instalments of the series. Everything about this book was on point. Heck, I don't usually like cliffhangers and I was more excited than annoyed by this one!

#9 - The False Peace

Twisty, action-packed, perfectly paced and old friends in trouble - what more can a Jude Watson fan ask for? Oh, you also want some great setup for Obi-Wan and Anakin's partnership in Attack of the Clones? You got it! This series might've lost its way for a bit, but it looks like Watson will stick the landing. Onward to the last book!

#10 - The Final Showdown

Well, the title was partially right - one villain met their end and another escaped (again - sigh). I think Korriban was an excellent setting for this book, because dead Sith creepiness always adds a fun/scary element to a plot. And it's a great playground to foreshadow Anakin's destiny. The conclusion is shocking, but also a genius move... for setting up another series. I'll admit that I'm not 100% happy about it. I prefer fewer loose plot threads in a series' final instalment.

Expanded Universe Round-Up #10

31/5/2023

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
(comic adaptation)

An obviously rushed adaptation that excluded some things that should have been kept, while including other things that could have been dropped. I also found the clumsy (and at times completely missing) scene transitions quite jarring.

Star Wars Episode I: The Queen's Amulet

This is a very well-presented book, including an "amulet". But it's really quite pointless - and a missed opportunity, since it could have been a nice story about friendship.

Star Wars Episode I Journal: Anakin Skywalker

I own several books that are different versions of The Phantom Menace and this is just one of them. Wow, they sure crapped these things out! I actually like this one, because it really does read as though a 9-year-old boy wrote it. I was 10 when I first picked up this book. It was incredibly influential on my writing at the time. So while the story isn't original, I think it does have something to offer.

Star Wars Episode I Journal: Queen Amidala

So in the previous review I said that the Anakin journal was hugely influential on my writing at the time. Well, that had nothing on this! Jude Watson is my favourite of the YA Legends authors and she was certainly in fine form here. I feel like she really understood Padmé. Or perhaps I just prefer her characterisation of Padme over everyone else's! Journal books can be hit and miss... this one was a massive hit for me when I was a kid. It's still a hit for me now, to be honest.

Star Wars Episode I Journal: Darth Maul

I did not enjoy this "journal" as much. It doesn't read like an actual journal, though it does still have the Jude Watson shine. Additional scenes aren't just there to add pages - they actually add to Maul's characterisation. I will also admit to being disappointed that the pages are normal paper, not the pretty ones seen in the previous journals.

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 #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...)

Seriously Good Sequel

27/9/2022

Bravely (Disney)
by Maggie Stiefvater

There are two types of people - those whom magic seeks and those who seek magic. Merida is definitely the former. After a curious knock on the door on Christmas Eve, she encounters the god of ruin and realises that DunBroch is in danger of falling to his powers. Luckily, Merida is granted some time - a year - to prove that her family can change. But if she fails...all will be lost.

Okay, I did not expect this to be one of my favourite reads of the year. I was sure I would have to force myself through some lacklustre Disney release, but this was really quite special. Very well written, the triplets are given separate identities, Merida continues to grow, the world is expanded but retains the magic and feel of the film...I think I actually prefer the book to its progenitor. Gasp! This is mostly because the trailers of the day promised adventure and the movie did not deliver, which left me feeling very disappointed in the cinema.

At last, I've had a true adventure with Merida. I loved every minute of it.

Pointy, Thorny Courts

25/9/2022

These Hollow Vows (These Hollow Vows #1)
by Lexi Ryan

Abriella has always known that it is too dangerous to make a deal with any of the Fae, but after her sister is sold to the Unseelie king she has no choice. She is tasked with stealing three magical artefacts and she must succeed or risk losing her sister forever. But in order to do this, she has to infiltrate the Seelie court - and pretend she is interested in marrying the Seelie prince.

This felt like some weird mashup of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, with competing love interests from those tales, which I found interesting. I'll admit I'm not hugely into Fae stories, but it was nice to read one that's well written (yes, I'm throwing shade on the very popular books by another author lol) and properly dark. Alas, I hate love triangles. That I failed to notice the very obvious love triangle on the cover is on me! An enjoyable read that has left me, despite my personal preferences, wanting to read the sequel.

The Force is Not Strong with This One

14/9/2022

Star Wars: Padawan by Kiersten White

Obi-Wan Kenobi feels like he's failing his Master, the Order and himself at nearly every turn. When Qui-Gon fails to show up in time for a mission, Obi-Wan impulsively leaves on his own, chasing a planet that seems to have been lost in the days of the High Republic. He will either find his way - or become even more hopelessly lost if he doesn't centre himself.

My main gripes with this book are pretty much the same gripes I have with the other titles in the Disney canon. Not everything needs to have connection to the High Republic! Geez! I mean, yeah, I liked Orla but they did her so dirty and this book just reawakened my anger. I'm also getting very tired of standalone titles that terminate without much growth or anything new said. Could we perhaps have more serieses? To allow the characters and plots some breathing room?

Full disclosure: I'm a diehard fan of the old Jedi Apprentice series and yes the bookmark I used while reading Padawanwas carefully excavated from my copy of The Mark of the Crown back in 1999. So... this book was never going to match up to the Legends canon for me. Which is fine. Padawan even managed to catch an echo of what I enjoyed about JA every now and then... but Obi-Wan acted like a tween instead of a teenager, I started twitching every time he "laughed" (WAY too many times and often on the same page - was the editor really tired or something?), and there was none of that breathing room I was talking about.

And then there was that weird freaking moment. You know the one. Before it happened, I was quite pleased by the inclusion of a non-binary character who felt like an organic part of the the story. In contrast, the exploration of Obi-Wan's possible sexuality was not organic in the slightest. It was so awkwardly done and didn't feel true to his character.

Ahem. That all said, I'm still going to think of this book fondly because I'm just jazzed to have some Obi-Wan content. And that's a great cover. And the pages smell nice. I'm grasping here, aren't I?