Dark Sparrow: The Mastermind
Andrew Casey
My name is Dark Sparrow. Now is a good time to listen to my random thoughts. Born and bred living my whole life in Nankin city USA. I somehow inherited my mother?s British accent even though I was a problem child sent to countless therapists. Dominant female Bounty hunter by choice to do what all frightened police cannot, bloody wankers. I admit only to my thoughts that I am an expert vigilante who is not afraid to bring pain to the bad guy. I am in custody awaiting bail on another planet similarly structured to what I have seen on Earth. Could anyone on Earth truly grasp this?
282 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2020
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Andrew Casey
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
I.O. Scheffer
July 21, 2020
Fantasy Scifi Experience
While reading this novel, I could point out numerous good things: complex worlds and unique characters, the incorporation of present social issues into a fantastical narrative - 3rd person, for the majority of the piece. The author clearly put a lot of thought into the complexities of this story's fundamental structures and is able to blend humor and serious content together.
The reason I rate this a 3 out of 5 is mainly because of its confusing nature. There are many characters, and only a handful get enough time throughout the story for readers to have a strong feeling for who they are. Basically, the characterisation can use work. So can the descriptions - the settings are often missed out on due to lack of description which can make scene transitions particularly confusing - and the plot as a whole, as a result of a few too many subplots which, when couples by the lack of proper character distinguishment, becomes an issue.
Overall, I feel this book would make more sense as a comic or some other visual experience. Graphic novel, maybe? I think the author had very clear ideas in his head but didn't always get them down on the paper in a way that's easy for readers to process.
While reading this novel, I could point out numerous good things: complex worlds and unique characters, the incorporation of present social issues into a fantastical narrative - 3rd person, for the majority of the piece. The author clearly put a lot of thought into the complexities of this story's fundamental structures and is able to blend humor and serious content together.
The reason I rate this a 3 out of 5 is mainly because of its confusing nature. There are many characters, and only a handful get enough time throughout the story for readers to have a strong feeling for who they are. Basically, the characterisation can use work. So can the descriptions - the settings are often missed out on due to lack of description which can make scene transitions particularly confusing - and the plot as a whole, as a result of a few too many subplots which, when couples by the lack of proper character distinguishment, becomes an issue.
Overall, I feel this book would make more sense as a comic or some other visual experience. Graphic novel, maybe? I think the author had very clear ideas in his head but didn't always get them down on the paper in a way that's easy for readers to process.
Kunal Roy
June 26, 2020
Bought using my dad’s account.
I don’t know how to review this book without giving spoilers. There’s so much in it that I want to talk about. But I’ll do my best. It’s a pretty big book, I downloaded it on Kindle Unlimited. I finished it in 1 day and 6 hours. The author is a master of crafting narrative. The events are viscerally described and the world building is so wonderfully detailed. Would have liked some alien languages, but that’s a minor gripe.
The character POVs are expertly designed. Take Dark Sparrow for example. When you’re reading her chapters, the sentences are short, crisp, rapid in their transitions, and spanning various observations in a single page. It’s clear that this character thinks fast. On the other hand, some other characters use longer sentences and more consistent themes because their thoughts don’t switch as quickly. This is a nuanced but much appreciated touch. I have seen too many books where the author basically uses the same style for all the characters.
Another problem I’ve seen with books that are this richly detailed is that they describe scenes through a plain listing of features. It feels like an omniscient overlord is listing them. It doesn’t feel connected to the tension in the POV or the stakes in the narrative. This problem does not occur in this book. Despite it’s many details, it manages to avoid plain listings and always stays true to the tone of the scene/character.
My only problem with the book was that the details could get overwhelming from time to time. I had to read some parts of it more than once. But that’s an issue with my cognitive impediments. Not so much the book. Besides there’s nothing wrong with a book that’s a little more involved. I’d rather have that than lose plot elements.
This book should not be languishing on some corner of the internet. It deserves a read. A talented and well designed portrayal of an immersive fantasy world that addresses several important social and political themes.
I don’t know how to review this book without giving spoilers. There’s so much in it that I want to talk about. But I’ll do my best. It’s a pretty big book, I downloaded it on Kindle Unlimited. I finished it in 1 day and 6 hours. The author is a master of crafting narrative. The events are viscerally described and the world building is so wonderfully detailed. Would have liked some alien languages, but that’s a minor gripe.
The character POVs are expertly designed. Take Dark Sparrow for example. When you’re reading her chapters, the sentences are short, crisp, rapid in their transitions, and spanning various observations in a single page. It’s clear that this character thinks fast. On the other hand, some other characters use longer sentences and more consistent themes because their thoughts don’t switch as quickly. This is a nuanced but much appreciated touch. I have seen too many books where the author basically uses the same style for all the characters.
Another problem I’ve seen with books that are this richly detailed is that they describe scenes through a plain listing of features. It feels like an omniscient overlord is listing them. It doesn’t feel connected to the tension in the POV or the stakes in the narrative. This problem does not occur in this book. Despite it’s many details, it manages to avoid plain listings and always stays true to the tone of the scene/character.
My only problem with the book was that the details could get overwhelming from time to time. I had to read some parts of it more than once. But that’s an issue with my cognitive impediments. Not so much the book. Besides there’s nothing wrong with a book that’s a little more involved. I’d rather have that than lose plot elements.
This book should not be languishing on some corner of the internet. It deserves a read. A talented and well designed portrayal of an immersive fantasy world that addresses several important social and political themes.
Aysha Shiann
August 3, 2020
Overall, I give this book 3 stars. There were a lot of characters introduced very early on in the book that I would often forget who is who and what their back story is. Another confusing element of this book was the setting and the environment. There could have been better world building to really distinguish between earth and Albac. Nonetheless, I believe that having the different planets was a great idea, but it could have been executed better. I would have love to have learned more about Albac and have been giving an in debt description of it. I was, also, confused about the double lives that the characters had on earth and Albac which, additionally, made it difficult for me to differentiate between the many different characters. Furthermore, there were not any distinguishing factors between the characters to set them apart from each other and personalize them with the readers (in my case). I would have to say, though, that my favorite character was Dark Sparrow because of her quirkiness, but her personality was not very consistent through out the book in my opinion. In addition, there were so many subplots that I often forgot what the main plot was suppose to be. All in all, this book was a decent read. There was a nice twist at the end and I enjoyed the fantasy element of it and the diversity as well. I just would have loved more world and character building.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 29, 2020
This story gave warnings from the get go about Random Overthinking. I felt there were too many characters being introduced early into the story. I later realized yhat multiple third parties are infact flat characters more focused on their profession as part of many subplots and a big picture about multiple third parties. I cannot say more except for the triple or quadruple twisted ending i earge readers to read the epilouge, write a names list then read a second time for a uniqe perspective I don't think has been done in fantasy.
Heavily focused on two worlds created an escape that was frustrating as I thought the author was being offensive. Then other times I was captivated by Princess Trinity who is more like Aslan meets Harry Potter and dominates like Mewtwo. Mixing the magic she was not OP infact she was quite a balanced character. I would like to see less drama and more of this fantasy element in the books to come.
A fantastic read but I would not recommend this story to my nephews and nieces until high school maybe. One final note. I want to see more of Albac and perhaps a new world to explore.
Heavily focused on two worlds created an escape that was frustrating as I thought the author was being offensive. Then other times I was captivated by Princess Trinity who is more like Aslan meets Harry Potter and dominates like Mewtwo. Mixing the magic she was not OP infact she was quite a balanced character. I would like to see less drama and more of this fantasy element in the books to come.
A fantastic read but I would not recommend this story to my nephews and nieces until high school maybe. One final note. I want to see more of Albac and perhaps a new world to explore.
Melissa Nash
April 1, 2021
This book has some great characters, especially Dark Sparrow. The world is also hugely detailed and you can tell how much thought was put into creating it.
It also meant that at times there was a lot going on in this book and sometimes I did get a little lost in the beginning. I kind of wish that there was a glossary to go along with the story.
I have not read a lot of sci-fi books before, and this book felt like a nice introduction for me. It actually made me want to start reading more sci-fi, or more books that are a mix between the two genres.
It also meant that at times there was a lot going on in this book and sometimes I did get a little lost in the beginning. I kind of wish that there was a glossary to go along with the story.
I have not read a lot of sci-fi books before, and this book felt like a nice introduction for me. It actually made me want to start reading more sci-fi, or more books that are a mix between the two genres.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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