Are You a Grumpy Chops?

Sometimes I hear critics say 'no book is perfect so no book should get 5 stars' although I beg to differ. Being an author myself I know how much hard work goes into a book, the time, the imagination, the sweat and the tears. And so, when I rate a book I like to give it 5 stars initially, and as I work through my criteria I wait to see if it stays there. 

A book is, quite simple a means to entertain and when I've finished reading I want to feel like I've enjoyed the experience. That the time spent going through it was well worth it and If I'm left feeling lost, empty, frustrated or annoyed then this is certainly not the desired outcome.  I mean who deliberately goes out there way to annoy themselves?

So when rating the books I've read I do so with entertainment value on my mind. Starting with maximal score then looking at plot. I liken books to a TV programme, If I'm flicking through the guide and read the info on a programme, it needs to grab my attention with a thrilling or intriguing plot line. When reviewing, if the plot played out and kept me watching or reading then it keeps its five stars. 

Characters-they have to seem real don't they? I have to engage with at least one of them. If  the character is funny, quirky, tough, mean or just damn right awesome without explanation! then chances are I'll engage with them. If the book I'm reviewing has a character I 'get' then it keeps its star.  A little mystery,  every story needs this to keep you reading as we all want to know what's going to happen don't we? whether it be romance, crime or supernatural thriller we all want to know if that person lives, dies or gets the guy. 

If the mystery is too easy, transparent or not even present then I know what's going to happen. I pay that little bit less attention and become less absorbed in the story which leaves me feeling a little unfulfilled. A good intriguing story line keeps its star.

Descriptions. I love a good story where I can really picture myself in the situation or really get a feel for what's going on. Is it a dusty battlefield where you can barely see the enemy and your heart is racing? Is there a beautiful lake view where its hard to tell where the mountain ends and its reflection begins or, is it a romantic-heart-racing scene where the girl is about to be kissed by her hero for the first time? Without well explained descriptions I'd switch off or change the channel. Good descriptions keeps the star. 

And last of all good grammar and punctuation is a must. I will liken this to a televisions aerial signal, if you've got a bad signal the picture will jump, shake or become fuzzy. It ruins the flow of the movie and in the end any sane person will just jump up and turn the TV off. Punctuation is vital for the flow of the story so the less errors the better. If punctuation and grammar are good then this point keeps its star.

So if you ever see me giving five stars to the books I've read then it means every box has been ticked and it's worth a read in my opinion. I'd love to hear how you decide what gets a five star review in your opinion? Sound off below. 

Passage of The Week : Part 2 Epsilon

Chronicles of Astoria Part II Epsilon-page 61, Pepsy and Ariana explore the ship:

"I don’t know what happened, one minute it was in the vial.. The next it chased me across the room and now it’s on my arm" Pepsy stated. Ariana had now joined her in their fascination of the mysterious new discovery.

"Lets test it on something, hold on, here let’s try burning it" Ariana's excitement was plain to see. Pepsy looked unimpressed as she stood there before her looking at the blow torch that Ariana had found on the other workbench and was now ready to use on her.

"Do you really think I am going to let you burn my arm?" "No not your arm, just that piece, your armour will protect you anyway" Ariana replied, her excitement growing every second. Pepsy’s curiosity too had grown and she eventually nodded her approval. 

Ariana moved in and, turning on the torch, applied the searing white cone of the burner to the silver surface of Pepsys vambrace. Under the intense heat Pepsy should have expected to feel her arm getting warmer underneath but surprisingly she felt nothing. As Ariana pulled back the torch they both looked on and observed the scorch mark that was left upon its shiny surface from where the white hot tip of the flame has been applied. They then both observed the mark vanish before their very eyes and the gleaming silver remained unblemished and brand new.

"Wow" Ariana exclaimed and once again she fell completely silent. Pepsy turned and walked to the door of the room, her every step was slow and careful, lost in thought from the events previously. Out in the main lab she then turned and hurried about, scurrying her way around the lab in search of something that Ariana could not understand. She stood at the doorway of the 'amorphous alloys' lab watching the red angel frantically throwing and clearing the debris from the tops of the lab tables, her eyes darting left and right until she paused and picked something up. Turning quickly she made her way back over to Ariana.

"I want you to hit me with this?" Pepsy said as she produced a solid steel mallet from her hand. 

"You want me to hit you with that?" this time it was Ariana with the reluctance to the plans idea.
"Hit you where?" she asked. Pepsy rolled her eyes at her friends’ lack of savvy.

"On the toe silly, WHERE DO YOU THINK?"

-Ends-

Peace & Love 

*MR Shields*

Now Released! - Chronicles of Astoria, Part II Epsilon

Five months after the release of Part I, I can  proudly say that Part II is NOW available on paperback and Kindle from Amazon.

I loved writing part two because there's so much action. Also, so many of the stories that were left unexplained or unanswered will now be brought to light - It's exciting stuff I promise you that. 

The story itself takes place three months after part one and continues each sub-story accordingly. My advice to anyone that has completed part one is to re-read it as it will make part two even clearer. Re-reading part one will definitely be worth your time and will only add to your enjoyment - especially if you love fast moving action. 

On its own this part stands strong. It has action right from the start and the sub-story details the trials that an aspirant must go through to become an Angel, and earn their prestigious armour. It's a case of the classic good versus evil theme; along with various other themes such as ' a hero that falls' and also an enemy that repents.

I cant wait for my copy to arrive. I like to detach myself from the fact that I've spent so many waking moments building on each of the characters personalities, working out the plot twists and really delving into the story. For me receiving the physical books enables me to read the story as if I wasn't the actual author and that in itself is a moment of pure bliss.Even though I've written the story I do feel that the characters take on additional personality traits and evolve into something I never quite imagined they would become. 

You can pick up Part II from Amazon here, do let me know your thoughts, likes and dislikes. 

Peace & Love 

* M.R Shields *



Blurb - Chronicles of Astoria Part II

It has been three months since Astoria was thrown into chaos by the sinister workings of the dark Lord and the Angels are doing everything that they can to piece it all back together. It is Chances’ hope that the Superfuse World Championship will bring the people closer once more and return happiness to their once beautiful city... but, an even darker plan has already been set in motion

Everywhere he goes Raphael is heckled, hated and generally unwanted. He just cannot understand it. Some Astorians even go as far as assaulting him with produce from their stalls. He finds himself lying to Chance more and more each day, lies that he believes are not going unnoticed and he blames her lack of affection toward him on himself. He has dark secrets that he needs to tell her but with her attention focussed on the Superfuse preparations, he just can’t find the right moment.

Chance finds herself with an inner turmoil. She is pregnant and hasn’t told Raphael yet. She feels him slipping further and further away from her and she begins to analyse just how badly she treats him and blames herself for the unsaid truths that are now constantly passing between them. She needs to tell him about the baby but can’t find the right moment; she vows to tell him after the tournament.

When the tournament gets vandalised and all fingers are pointing at Raphael, the sinister scheme is set in motion. Have both Angels left it too late to confess their truths?

- Ends - 

Hope you enjoyed the blurb, you can now pick up your copy over on Amazon here. 

Peace & Love 

* M.R Shields *