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Skylords #1
Starfinder: A Novel of the Skylords
A thrilling young adult fantasy adventure
Young, orphaned Moth is obsessed with the airships around his mountain home and dreams of taking to the air one day like his heroes, the Skyknights. With his best friend, Fiona, he will soon breach the magical boundary between their world and the world of the mysterious and powerful race known as the Skylords, who have jealously guarded their heavenly domain.
Young, orphaned Moth is obsessed with the airships around his mountain home and dreams of taking to the air one day like his heroes, the Skyknights. With his best friend, Fiona, he will soon breach the magical boundary between their world and the world of the mysterious and powerful race known as the Skylords, who have jealously guarded their heavenly domain.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2009
4 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
John Marco
36 books421 followersHello. Thanks for visiting my author page here on Goodreads. In case you don't know me, I'm John Marco and I'm a fantasy writer. My work includes the Tyrants and Kings trilogy and the books of the Bronze Knight Lukien.
My latest book, THE BLOODY CHORUS is now available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRTHJ768
My latest book, THE BLOODY CHORUS is now available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRTHJ768
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 5, 2012
Starfinder is one of the better Young Adult Fantasy novels that I have read in quite some time. The storyline is exciting and keeps the reader interested and John Marco's blend of technology and fantasy elements makes for an interesting fantasy world for the reader. The characters are all fairly likable and easy for a pre-teen to relate to. I found the material itself to be very age-appropriate and not in any way objectionable.
I read this book at the same time that my 13-year old grandson read it and both of us enjoyed the book and the experience of discussing it as we read to be an enjoyable affair. The book is written in such a way that it does not get tedious for either adults or teens. The switching of focus between characters is a nice way to break the novel up a bit and give the reader the perspective of different characters in the tale without having to go through the entire story from only one character's point of view.
We both look forward to future installments in the trilogy and eagerly anticipate continuing our journey along with Moth and company.
I read this book at the same time that my 13-year old grandson read it and both of us enjoyed the book and the experience of discussing it as we read to be an enjoyable affair. The book is written in such a way that it does not get tedious for either adults or teens. The switching of focus between characters is a nice way to break the novel up a bit and give the reader the perspective of different characters in the tale without having to go through the entire story from only one character's point of view.
We both look forward to future installments in the trilogy and eagerly anticipate continuing our journey along with Moth and company.
Want to read
December 7, 2012The author just sent me a copy of the limited dust jacket that was made before the original was finalized:
Can you spot the difference? It's pretty subtle actually.
Also, it's signed, which is always awesome:
Can you spot the difference? It's pretty subtle actually.
Also, it's signed, which is always awesome:
June 10, 2009
FIRST LINE: "Moth was flying his kite near the aerodrome when he heard the dragonfly crash."
Young Moth had grown up in Calio, the mountain city, dreaming of becoming a Skynight, one of the elite pilots who flew the fragile, beautiful, newfangled flying machines called dragonflies. To the north of Calio stretched the Reach, looking like a sea of fog that never ended. Flat and peaceful, the mists of the Reach flowed all the way to the horizon, and Calio loomed over this vast forbidding expanse like a sentinel standing guard.
There were numerous tall tales about the lands beyond the Reach, and Moth heard the wildest of them from Leroux. Leroux, had once been one of the legendary Eldrin Knights, had taken guardianship of the ten-year-old when Moth's mother died. At first, Moth had been expecially fascinated by Leroux's stories of the Skylords, but at the grown-up age of thirteen, Moth was becoming increasingly skeptical about the existence of these mysterious, powerful and frightening beings from beyond the Reach.
When Leroux died, Moth was faced with an impossible task: to protect Lady Esme, Leroux's pet kestrel. And protecting Lady Esme would mean venturing into the forbidden Reach with his best friend Fiona, to find dragons, battle Skylords, and discover the secret hidden within the kestrel herself.
It would be easy for me to ambiguously rave about Starfinder. As I said before, I loved it. But I know that others found it lacking, so I thought I would specify what I loved, so that you can judge whether you might use the same criteria as I.
1. It's intelligent.
The tone of the book doesn't condescend to readers. The narrative might be a little slow for someone only interested in action, but the metaphors and literary elements are delightful for those who choose to identify them. The language is lyrical but not flowery, with lots of good SAT words sprinkled throughout, in only appropriate places.
2. It's original....but familiar.
The Hindenberg meets Fantasyland? Heck, yeah. I never expected, plot-wise, what would happen next. The characters were complex enough to keep me guessing. And the Reach itself is a magical land created wholly by Marco, rather than lifted from the idea of some other one.
While the plot and characters are original, Starfinder, for me, had the feel of so many of my favorite worlds and authors and characters: Narnia, Neverland, Naussica of the Valley of the Wind, Anne McCaffrey, Lewis Carroll, Howl's Moving Castle, Xena - to name a few. In other words, this story felt very comfortable, both exciting and familiar, and that added to its charm.
3. It's got heart.
Marco is careful not to reduce any of the conflicts in Starfinder to dualisms. There are many shades of grey, and the reader is given a chance to think about what his or her own response might be even as Moth or Fiona make theirs. There's a great deal of affection - parental love, friendship - without romance playing much of a role in this book (other than, for example, a husband-wife who are obviously fond of each other.) Whatever the emotions, Marco elicits them organically, without resorting to cliches for loss or joy or anger or exhilaration.
Starfinder would make a great present for boys around ages 12 to 14 who like to read, or for reluctant boy readers ages 12 to 18. I wouldn't buy this for a girl unless I knew she was open to the strong female characters and didn't expect mushy romance. But everyone - everyone - should at least check it out from the library.
Young Moth had grown up in Calio, the mountain city, dreaming of becoming a Skynight, one of the elite pilots who flew the fragile, beautiful, newfangled flying machines called dragonflies. To the north of Calio stretched the Reach, looking like a sea of fog that never ended. Flat and peaceful, the mists of the Reach flowed all the way to the horizon, and Calio loomed over this vast forbidding expanse like a sentinel standing guard.
There were numerous tall tales about the lands beyond the Reach, and Moth heard the wildest of them from Leroux. Leroux, had once been one of the legendary Eldrin Knights, had taken guardianship of the ten-year-old when Moth's mother died. At first, Moth had been expecially fascinated by Leroux's stories of the Skylords, but at the grown-up age of thirteen, Moth was becoming increasingly skeptical about the existence of these mysterious, powerful and frightening beings from beyond the Reach.
When Leroux died, Moth was faced with an impossible task: to protect Lady Esme, Leroux's pet kestrel. And protecting Lady Esme would mean venturing into the forbidden Reach with his best friend Fiona, to find dragons, battle Skylords, and discover the secret hidden within the kestrel herself.
It would be easy for me to ambiguously rave about Starfinder. As I said before, I loved it. But I know that others found it lacking, so I thought I would specify what I loved, so that you can judge whether you might use the same criteria as I.
1. It's intelligent.
The tone of the book doesn't condescend to readers. The narrative might be a little slow for someone only interested in action, but the metaphors and literary elements are delightful for those who choose to identify them. The language is lyrical but not flowery, with lots of good SAT words sprinkled throughout, in only appropriate places.
2. It's original....but familiar.
The Hindenberg meets Fantasyland? Heck, yeah. I never expected, plot-wise, what would happen next. The characters were complex enough to keep me guessing. And the Reach itself is a magical land created wholly by Marco, rather than lifted from the idea of some other one.
While the plot and characters are original, Starfinder, for me, had the feel of so many of my favorite worlds and authors and characters: Narnia, Neverland, Naussica of the Valley of the Wind, Anne McCaffrey, Lewis Carroll, Howl's Moving Castle, Xena - to name a few. In other words, this story felt very comfortable, both exciting and familiar, and that added to its charm.
3. It's got heart.
Marco is careful not to reduce any of the conflicts in Starfinder to dualisms. There are many shades of grey, and the reader is given a chance to think about what his or her own response might be even as Moth or Fiona make theirs. There's a great deal of affection - parental love, friendship - without romance playing much of a role in this book (other than, for example, a husband-wife who are obviously fond of each other.) Whatever the emotions, Marco elicits them organically, without resorting to cliches for loss or joy or anger or exhilaration.
Starfinder would make a great present for boys around ages 12 to 14 who like to read, or for reluctant boy readers ages 12 to 18. I wouldn't buy this for a girl unless I knew she was open to the strong female characters and didn't expect mushy romance. But everyone - everyone - should at least check it out from the library.
Read
November 14, 2021DNF.
May 5, 2009
In the opening chapter of the book we meet Moth; he would like nothing better than to fly with the Skyknights in their mechanical dragonflies, soaring above Calio, the highest city in the world, but Moth is also an orphan, and those would would soar, at least in Calio, need the money and the connections to do so. Even though Moth has managed to find work at the aerodrome and has gotten to know some of the pilots, it seems his dream is out of reach…
Until, that is, Leroux, the old man Moth lives with, gives Moth a peculiar birthday present…
As a rule, I don’t really read YA novels; I’m so hooked on the Eriksons and Martins and Jordans of writing, those who write big, huge, massive bold stories, that I’m always scared that I’ll be disappointed, so I rather stay away; but when an author known for writing excellent Epic Fantasy ventures into YA, well, that piques my interest, and I’m glad to say that Starfinder did not disappoint me at all! :-)
The one thing about YA is that it can’t be too complicated (and with that, I mean the kind of POV shuffling and plot-juggling Fantasy in general is known for) but it still has to be interesting enough, and find a balance for those important story-telling elements, so that the intended audience gets hooked - and I don’t just mean on the story or enjoy the characters, but so that they don’t stop reading later on in life. I mean, that’s the greatest gift a good author gives readers - the need to keep on reading, that drug of the imagination that makes us the best possible addict…
John knows how to do that. :-)
Not only was the world John created in Starfinder beautiful and exotic, he takes you into that world in steps, layering the storytelling in such a way that what he reveals doesn’t bore you, and he drops enough hints to keep you curious. :-) John also plays with our expectations, giving us characters that seem, on the surface, to be exactly who they are, but then surprise us with who they really are! :-)
The worldbuilding in Starfinder is sparse, with not a lot of detail gone into, but it works well - after all, if you travelled to a strange land for the first time, you wouldn’t be expected to find out everything about the place, would you? No, you would see only a portion of it; and besides, as the series progresses we will get more detail about the world beyond the Reach. :-)
Character-wise, John has also created some memorable ones; Moth is the typical kid, with changing moods, more courage and fearlessness than adults remember themselves having at that age, and a keen sense of duty - it’ll be interesting to see how he develops in the sequel (which John is playing around with at the moment). Fiona was, I have to admit, a bit irritating, but she came into her own nicely toward the latter stages of the book.
I won’t reveal too much about the other characters, since I don’t want to really spoil anyone who will be reading Starfinder, but suffice it to say that you will be in for a treat, and the world and its characters will suck you right in. :-)
I’m glad I took the time to read Starfinder, and will definitely be reading the sequel (no title yet, still too early for that) once its out! :-)
7 / 10 :-)
Until, that is, Leroux, the old man Moth lives with, gives Moth a peculiar birthday present…
As a rule, I don’t really read YA novels; I’m so hooked on the Eriksons and Martins and Jordans of writing, those who write big, huge, massive bold stories, that I’m always scared that I’ll be disappointed, so I rather stay away; but when an author known for writing excellent Epic Fantasy ventures into YA, well, that piques my interest, and I’m glad to say that Starfinder did not disappoint me at all! :-)
The one thing about YA is that it can’t be too complicated (and with that, I mean the kind of POV shuffling and plot-juggling Fantasy in general is known for) but it still has to be interesting enough, and find a balance for those important story-telling elements, so that the intended audience gets hooked - and I don’t just mean on the story or enjoy the characters, but so that they don’t stop reading later on in life. I mean, that’s the greatest gift a good author gives readers - the need to keep on reading, that drug of the imagination that makes us the best possible addict…
John knows how to do that. :-)
Not only was the world John created in Starfinder beautiful and exotic, he takes you into that world in steps, layering the storytelling in such a way that what he reveals doesn’t bore you, and he drops enough hints to keep you curious. :-) John also plays with our expectations, giving us characters that seem, on the surface, to be exactly who they are, but then surprise us with who they really are! :-)
The worldbuilding in Starfinder is sparse, with not a lot of detail gone into, but it works well - after all, if you travelled to a strange land for the first time, you wouldn’t be expected to find out everything about the place, would you? No, you would see only a portion of it; and besides, as the series progresses we will get more detail about the world beyond the Reach. :-)
Character-wise, John has also created some memorable ones; Moth is the typical kid, with changing moods, more courage and fearlessness than adults remember themselves having at that age, and a keen sense of duty - it’ll be interesting to see how he develops in the sequel (which John is playing around with at the moment). Fiona was, I have to admit, a bit irritating, but she came into her own nicely toward the latter stages of the book.
I won’t reveal too much about the other characters, since I don’t want to really spoil anyone who will be reading Starfinder, but suffice it to say that you will be in for a treat, and the world and its characters will suck you right in. :-)
I’m glad I took the time to read Starfinder, and will definitely be reading the sequel (no title yet, still too early for that) once its out! :-)
7 / 10 :-)
April 24, 2010
Sometimes I read too broadly for my own good.
Years ago, I discovered a fantasy debut novel by the author John Marco, a novel by the name of the Jackal of Nar. Nice and gritty military fantasy that I liked enough to email the author about.
My interests and reading drifted, and I didn't follow up with his later works, and in point of fact John Marco slipped from my mind until I rediscovered his work. An email contest for a copy of his latest novel led me to obtaining a copy and reading where the author I had enjoyed a decade ago had gone in his writing.
Starfinder is very different than the military fantasy novels of his past.
Starfinder, aimed at a YA audience (although perfectly enjoyable by adults) is the story of Moth and Fiona. He's an orphan, the ward of an old knight, and dreams of flying in the skies even as he hears Leroux's stories of the Skylords, Faerie beyond a misty reach that laps against their mountain city home. She's the granddaughter of Rendor, military mind and creator of newfangled steampunk-ish flying machines called Dragonflies, as as well as a brand new, armed to the teeth airship, the Avatar.
When Leroux dies, willing and bidding Moth to enter the Reach and aid his avian companion, Lady Esme, to return to her true form in the process, Moth and Fiona find themselves on the run into the mists of Faerie, the Reach. As they flee, they are chased by Rendor, in his massive flying ship, and the Skylords themselves, seeking the unique magical gift that Moth now has in his possession, and only he can wield.
The Starfinder.
Part steampunk, Part YA, part borderland-of-Faerie novel, Starfinder is the sort of novel that adults will wish they had available to read when they were 12. Instead of the more conventional fantasy novel a la Harry Potter, the world of the Skylords is an amalgam of several fantasy and science fiction subgenres that provides a stew rich enough for adults such as myself to enjoy as well as children. Combine steampunk technology with a coming of age story, and a faerieland with dragons, centaurs, mermaids and more, and mix well. Very well, as it turns out.
Certainly, the plot and characters are somewhat simplified for a YA sensibility, to be sure. One shouldn't expect Joycean style characterization or Gene Wolfe-esque complications in a turgid plot in a novel aimed at teenagers, to be sure. With that aside, however, Marco has done a remarkable high-wire act in balancing these various concerns, and still producing a book that is enjoyable for older readers as well. There are strains and motifs of deeper and more complex themes layered in here in a way that hearkens back to his first novel.
It's clearly the first of a series as given it is subtitled "a skylords novel". I am looking forward to the subsequent volumes.
Years ago, I discovered a fantasy debut novel by the author John Marco, a novel by the name of the Jackal of Nar. Nice and gritty military fantasy that I liked enough to email the author about.
My interests and reading drifted, and I didn't follow up with his later works, and in point of fact John Marco slipped from my mind until I rediscovered his work. An email contest for a copy of his latest novel led me to obtaining a copy and reading where the author I had enjoyed a decade ago had gone in his writing.
Starfinder is very different than the military fantasy novels of his past.
Starfinder, aimed at a YA audience (although perfectly enjoyable by adults) is the story of Moth and Fiona. He's an orphan, the ward of an old knight, and dreams of flying in the skies even as he hears Leroux's stories of the Skylords, Faerie beyond a misty reach that laps against their mountain city home. She's the granddaughter of Rendor, military mind and creator of newfangled steampunk-ish flying machines called Dragonflies, as as well as a brand new, armed to the teeth airship, the Avatar.
When Leroux dies, willing and bidding Moth to enter the Reach and aid his avian companion, Lady Esme, to return to her true form in the process, Moth and Fiona find themselves on the run into the mists of Faerie, the Reach. As they flee, they are chased by Rendor, in his massive flying ship, and the Skylords themselves, seeking the unique magical gift that Moth now has in his possession, and only he can wield.
The Starfinder.
Part steampunk, Part YA, part borderland-of-Faerie novel, Starfinder is the sort of novel that adults will wish they had available to read when they were 12. Instead of the more conventional fantasy novel a la Harry Potter, the world of the Skylords is an amalgam of several fantasy and science fiction subgenres that provides a stew rich enough for adults such as myself to enjoy as well as children. Combine steampunk technology with a coming of age story, and a faerieland with dragons, centaurs, mermaids and more, and mix well. Very well, as it turns out.
Certainly, the plot and characters are somewhat simplified for a YA sensibility, to be sure. One shouldn't expect Joycean style characterization or Gene Wolfe-esque complications in a turgid plot in a novel aimed at teenagers, to be sure. With that aside, however, Marco has done a remarkable high-wire act in balancing these various concerns, and still producing a book that is enjoyable for older readers as well. There are strains and motifs of deeper and more complex themes layered in here in a way that hearkens back to his first novel.
It's clearly the first of a series as given it is subtitled "a skylords novel". I am looking forward to the subsequent volumes.
June 13, 2009
The city of Calio is the highest in the world, built in the mountains and home of the Aerodrome where the Skyknights train in their flying machines called dragonflies. Thirteen year old Moth has worked at the Aerodrome for three years, he dreams of being a Skyknight himself but knows that those elite pilots come from the upper reaches of their society. Moth is an poor orphan and has little chance of even becoming a squire for a Skyknight.
To the north of the city stretches the Reach, a vast bank of fog that extends farther than the eye can see. No one who enters the Reach ever comes back and there are plenty of legends about what is in and beyond it.
The novel opens on Moth's birthday. He hurries home to the small apartment that he shares with Leroux, an old man who took Moth in when his mother died, and Leroux's strange pet, a bird named Esme. When Leroux was young he was an Eldrin Knight, a legendary group of warriors who have disappeared into the mists of time. Leroux tells all sorts of strange tales but has saved the strangest one for this night, after Moth's birthday party. He wakes Moth up in the middle of the night and tells him that Esme isn't really a bird. She is from beyond the Reach and the only way to change her back to her true form is to take her back across. Leroux has never been able to do it, he charges Moth with returning Esme to the land beyond The Reach. A wizard named Merceron lives there who will help to change her back.
When Moth awakens in the morning, Leroux has died in his sleep. He is heartbroken and then scared when he finds the Governor's men ransacking their small apartment. The Governor, Rendor, is the designer of the dragonflies and airships used in their world. He is a powerful man and Leroux had something that he wants. It is a device from the land beyond the Reach called the Starfinder
Moth hides from the Governor's men with the help of some friends, one of whom is Rendor's granddaughter, Fiona. When Esme brings Moth the missing Starfinder, he knows what he has to do. He heads into the Reach, accompanied by Fiona, and into an adventure larger than either of them could ever have imagined.
I was completely enchanted by this book. It took me back to when I was nine and spent an entire day on the couch reading The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe from cover to cover. I was also reminded a bit of Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising sequence and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. John Marco is in good company! He has written an excellent adventure story, created a complete fantasy world and filled it with complex creatures and mythical beasts that will delight readers from nine to ninety. I absolutely loved this book and can't recommend it highly enough!
To the north of the city stretches the Reach, a vast bank of fog that extends farther than the eye can see. No one who enters the Reach ever comes back and there are plenty of legends about what is in and beyond it.
The novel opens on Moth's birthday. He hurries home to the small apartment that he shares with Leroux, an old man who took Moth in when his mother died, and Leroux's strange pet, a bird named Esme. When Leroux was young he was an Eldrin Knight, a legendary group of warriors who have disappeared into the mists of time. Leroux tells all sorts of strange tales but has saved the strangest one for this night, after Moth's birthday party. He wakes Moth up in the middle of the night and tells him that Esme isn't really a bird. She is from beyond the Reach and the only way to change her back to her true form is to take her back across. Leroux has never been able to do it, he charges Moth with returning Esme to the land beyond The Reach. A wizard named Merceron lives there who will help to change her back.
When Moth awakens in the morning, Leroux has died in his sleep. He is heartbroken and then scared when he finds the Governor's men ransacking their small apartment. The Governor, Rendor, is the designer of the dragonflies and airships used in their world. He is a powerful man and Leroux had something that he wants. It is a device from the land beyond the Reach called the Starfinder
Moth hides from the Governor's men with the help of some friends, one of whom is Rendor's granddaughter, Fiona. When Esme brings Moth the missing Starfinder, he knows what he has to do. He heads into the Reach, accompanied by Fiona, and into an adventure larger than either of them could ever have imagined.
I was completely enchanted by this book. It took me back to when I was nine and spent an entire day on the couch reading The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe from cover to cover. I was also reminded a bit of Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising sequence and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. John Marco is in good company! He has written an excellent adventure story, created a complete fantasy world and filled it with complex creatures and mythical beasts that will delight readers from nine to ninety. I absolutely loved this book and can't recommend it highly enough!
September 18, 2010
Moth may be an orphan but that doesn’t stop him from being a dreamer. He wants nothing more than to become one of the elite Skyknights and roam the sky of Calio in one of the sleek dragonfly airships. But his dreams are put on hold as his entire life is shook up after the death of his beloved mentor Leroux. Leroux’s death brings more than grief as a journey is set forth before Moth that will test the limits of everything Moth believes in. This journey will take him through the forbidden Reach and into a world that is inhabited by fantastic creatures who will both aide and deter Moth from the goals put before him.
Traveling along with him is his best friend Fiona. The grand-daughter of the Governor of Calio she is fierce, feisty, and definitely independent. As the story opens further a vulnerability appears that shows Fiona’s strengths and weaknesses. A superb companion to Moth, the two characters see the same things completely different because of their life experiences. I believe this story is Fiona’s just as much as it is Moth’s. And speaking of Moth I admit I was a little skeptical of his character at first. I thought he would be immature for some reason. However, he gained my respect and admiration as the true colors of his personality shown throughout the novel.
There is such complexity in the other characters of the novel. Adversaries become friends and it’s hard to see who the enemy is until you get into the meat of the story. I found the relationships between pretty much all the characters, secondary and primary alike, to be enjoyable and engaging. From Fiona’s grandfather, Rendor, and his shipmates, to the dragons, and to the Skylords…each set of characters had a depth that really had me hooked.
I’m sad I waited so long to read STARFINDER. I can’t remember when exactly I won it from Aerin’s blog but it’s been sitting on my shelf for a good while. I think it was the “eh..” cover that made me wait to open the book. Shame on me because I enjoyed STARFINDER so much! From the characters to the world created by Marco I just wanted MORE MORE MORE! Being a fantasy novice myself, I think it was a wonderful novel for one to get their feet wet. It wasn’t overly complicated or overwhelming in the tiniest bit and I think that’s what scares some people away from fantasy. I also believe that long time fantasy lovers will enjoy the simple yet fantastic story John Marco has wrote. I’ll be looking into his adult fantasy novels to see how those fare with me. And of course I’ll be eagerly awaiting book two in the Skylords series (which better be produced soon Mr. Marco!!) even though STARFINDER was wrapped up quite nicely in the end.
Traveling along with him is his best friend Fiona. The grand-daughter of the Governor of Calio she is fierce, feisty, and definitely independent. As the story opens further a vulnerability appears that shows Fiona’s strengths and weaknesses. A superb companion to Moth, the two characters see the same things completely different because of their life experiences. I believe this story is Fiona’s just as much as it is Moth’s. And speaking of Moth I admit I was a little skeptical of his character at first. I thought he would be immature for some reason. However, he gained my respect and admiration as the true colors of his personality shown throughout the novel.
There is such complexity in the other characters of the novel. Adversaries become friends and it’s hard to see who the enemy is until you get into the meat of the story. I found the relationships between pretty much all the characters, secondary and primary alike, to be enjoyable and engaging. From Fiona’s grandfather, Rendor, and his shipmates, to the dragons, and to the Skylords…each set of characters had a depth that really had me hooked.
I’m sad I waited so long to read STARFINDER. I can’t remember when exactly I won it from Aerin’s blog but it’s been sitting on my shelf for a good while. I think it was the “eh..” cover that made me wait to open the book. Shame on me because I enjoyed STARFINDER so much! From the characters to the world created by Marco I just wanted MORE MORE MORE! Being a fantasy novice myself, I think it was a wonderful novel for one to get their feet wet. It wasn’t overly complicated or overwhelming in the tiniest bit and I think that’s what scares some people away from fantasy. I also believe that long time fantasy lovers will enjoy the simple yet fantastic story John Marco has wrote. I’ll be looking into his adult fantasy novels to see how those fare with me. And of course I’ll be eagerly awaiting book two in the Skylords series (which better be produced soon Mr. Marco!!) even though STARFINDER was wrapped up quite nicely in the end.
December 30, 2020
Starfinder is a very entertaining fantasy book! If you like reading fantasy then I'm sure you are going to love this book!
This is one of those books where the kids are the main characters - the heroes - while the adult authority figures are perceived as their adversaries. Yet appearances are not always what they seem. As Moth and Fiona venture into the world beyond Reach on a mission to find one person in that vast land, they encounter strange and fantastic creatures, most of whom are fearful of something and plead with Moth and Fiona to flee.
The characters in this book, including the mythical creatures, were complex and fascinating. Moth and Fiona both have tragedy in their pasts that they need to deal with, Fiona's grandfather's loyalties and intentions are somewhat questionable, and many of the fantasy characters are flawed in such a way that it is hard to make out what their intentions are. One character kept me guessing until the very end - was this person on the side of Moth and Fiona, or were they going to betray them?
I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy! John Marco has created a fantasy world in which nothing is predictable, and the characters are fresh and surprising. Usually I can at least guess what is going to happen next in the plot of a book, but Starfinder was a pleasant surprise from beginning to end. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
This is one of those books where the kids are the main characters - the heroes - while the adult authority figures are perceived as their adversaries. Yet appearances are not always what they seem. As Moth and Fiona venture into the world beyond Reach on a mission to find one person in that vast land, they encounter strange and fantastic creatures, most of whom are fearful of something and plead with Moth and Fiona to flee.
The characters in this book, including the mythical creatures, were complex and fascinating. Moth and Fiona both have tragedy in their pasts that they need to deal with, Fiona's grandfather's loyalties and intentions are somewhat questionable, and many of the fantasy characters are flawed in such a way that it is hard to make out what their intentions are. One character kept me guessing until the very end - was this person on the side of Moth and Fiona, or were they going to betray them?
I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy! John Marco has created a fantasy world in which nothing is predictable, and the characters are fresh and surprising. Usually I can at least guess what is going to happen next in the plot of a book, but Starfinder was a pleasant surprise from beginning to end. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
March 25, 2010
Calio is the highest mountain city where being a Skyknight is possible.While working at the aerodrome thirteen year old Moth dreams of being a Skyknight and flying one of the incredible flying machines called Dragonfliers.Moth has live with the eccentric legendary Eldren Knight, Leroux and his pet Kestrel bird named Lady Esme. Leroux has told Moth many tales of the Reach,an area to the north of Calio where nothing is seen except a great fog that seems to never end.when Leroux dies Moth's whole world must change. To learn answers and to keep a promise to Leroux Moth must journey into the Reach with the Kestrel Lady Esme,and a new friend Fiona.and so begins the fantastic journey into a new world of amazing creatures,magic,war,knowing who is the true enemy,learning the value of friendships, self worth, and great decisions. I look forward to revisiting the grand landscapes, amazing characters and the the world beyond the Reach.
April 26, 2009
When I first began reading John Marco's Starfinder, I was instantly transported back into my own past. Waves of heat bouncing off the tarmac, I stood looking on in awe as the F-16 jets roared down the runway and into the sky. How many times did I gaze longingly at the poster in my bedroom of the Thunderbirds, wishing I could sit inside the cockpit of one of those jets and race through the sky? It was with those memories that Moth and I became acquainted.
Thirteen year old Moth is an orphan, poor and low in status. He knows his chances of becoming a Skyknight and being able to fly a Dragonfly are slim, and yet he dreams and holds on to the possibility that his dream can come true. When his friend and caretaker, Leroux, dies on the night of Moth's birthday, Moth's world is turned upside down. His friend left him with a mysterious gift and a mission that will forever change Moth's life.
Moth's friend Fiona is only a year older. She has shared similar pains--having lost her parents when she was young, just as Moth had. Unlike Moth, however, she comes from a powerful and wealthy family. Her grandfather, Governor Rendor, is the inventor of the Dragonflies and the airbuses as well as the leader of Calio, a city on the edge of their world. Fiona's grandfather is so caught up in his business affairs that he has no time for Fiona. Feeling abandoned and alone, she wants nothing more than to leave behind her grandfather and Calio.
Leroux and Rendor had been Eldrin Knights, heroes in their younger years. Upon Leroux's death, Rendor seeks out the gift Leroux left for Moth, understanding its full power, something a young Moth could never fully comprehend. His search turns into a chase, and Moth and Fiona, along with Leroux's beautiful kestrel, Lady Esme, decide to brave the unknown in an effort to save themselves and grant Leroux's dying wish.
The Reach, covered in mist, and what lies beyond are places of legends. It has long been forbidden to enter the Reach. The threat of being lost forever is very real. Leroux had been famous for his stories of the Reach and the lands on the other side, all of which were often disregarded as tall tales; the stories being full of mythical creatures such as dragons, mermaids, centaurs and the fearsome but beautiful Skylords. Moth and Fiona are about to find out for themselves whether the stories are true. What they find is both magical and dangerous. And not everything--or everyone--is what it may seem.
Moth may be a dreamer but he also has common sense. His trusting nature is not devoid of suspicion where suspicion is due. Fiona is intelligent and very strong willed. For Fiona, trust comes slowly and she does not easily rely on others. Her loyalty to her friend, Moth, is fierce though. The two balance each other out and make the perfect protagonists for this fantastical adventure story. Both characters grow over the course of the novel, not quite as innocent by the end as when their story began.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most about this novel was the ambiguity of some of the characters. It added an extra dimension to the novel that took it in unexpected directions. While on the surface this novel is light reading, there is an implied depth that grazes on more serious and darker themes. While an older audience may expect more, I personally felt this approach worked well for type of book written.
I had never read a fantasy novel that had flying machines before, and so this was a new experience for me. Steampunk, I think my husband called it, or something along those lines. Calio certainly had a slightly modern feel to it, and it was, therefore, quite different from the more traditional fantasy world belonging to the Skylords. Seeing the two side by side made an interesting contrast.
While Young Adult (YA) fiction is not my first or second choice in reading material, it certainly has a way of finding itself on my reading list often enough. And although I may not always care for much in the way of YA fiction, I do enjoy those with fantasy themes more often than not (Harry Potter and the Farworld series come instantly to mind). In the case of Starfinder, it is a young adult novel and it reads for a younger audience; however, that never bothered me. I had a good time while reading the book. I love a good fantasy tale, and, while I enjoy long epics, it was nice to settle in with a fantasy novel that was a bit shorter, especially right now with everything else I have going on in my life. The story moves quickly and there was never a dull moment. As I read, I could easily picture a librarian sitting in the school library, reading Starfinder to a group of students, much like my own school librarian used to do for my class. I do think that adults might enjoy it too.
Starfinder is the first in what promises to be a fun-filled and exciting fantasy trilogy. For those concerned about starting a trilogy with only the first book yet published, do not fret. Starfinder stands well on its own.
As an aside, I never did get to fly an F-16. Back then, my gender, poor eye sight, and height would have kept me from being a fighter pilot anyhow. Even so, as I got older, my dreams shifted and other ones became more prominent. My calling lie elsewhere.
Thirteen year old Moth is an orphan, poor and low in status. He knows his chances of becoming a Skyknight and being able to fly a Dragonfly are slim, and yet he dreams and holds on to the possibility that his dream can come true. When his friend and caretaker, Leroux, dies on the night of Moth's birthday, Moth's world is turned upside down. His friend left him with a mysterious gift and a mission that will forever change Moth's life.
Moth's friend Fiona is only a year older. She has shared similar pains--having lost her parents when she was young, just as Moth had. Unlike Moth, however, she comes from a powerful and wealthy family. Her grandfather, Governor Rendor, is the inventor of the Dragonflies and the airbuses as well as the leader of Calio, a city on the edge of their world. Fiona's grandfather is so caught up in his business affairs that he has no time for Fiona. Feeling abandoned and alone, she wants nothing more than to leave behind her grandfather and Calio.
Leroux and Rendor had been Eldrin Knights, heroes in their younger years. Upon Leroux's death, Rendor seeks out the gift Leroux left for Moth, understanding its full power, something a young Moth could never fully comprehend. His search turns into a chase, and Moth and Fiona, along with Leroux's beautiful kestrel, Lady Esme, decide to brave the unknown in an effort to save themselves and grant Leroux's dying wish.
The Reach, covered in mist, and what lies beyond are places of legends. It has long been forbidden to enter the Reach. The threat of being lost forever is very real. Leroux had been famous for his stories of the Reach and the lands on the other side, all of which were often disregarded as tall tales; the stories being full of mythical creatures such as dragons, mermaids, centaurs and the fearsome but beautiful Skylords. Moth and Fiona are about to find out for themselves whether the stories are true. What they find is both magical and dangerous. And not everything--or everyone--is what it may seem.
Moth may be a dreamer but he also has common sense. His trusting nature is not devoid of suspicion where suspicion is due. Fiona is intelligent and very strong willed. For Fiona, trust comes slowly and she does not easily rely on others. Her loyalty to her friend, Moth, is fierce though. The two balance each other out and make the perfect protagonists for this fantastical adventure story. Both characters grow over the course of the novel, not quite as innocent by the end as when their story began.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most about this novel was the ambiguity of some of the characters. It added an extra dimension to the novel that took it in unexpected directions. While on the surface this novel is light reading, there is an implied depth that grazes on more serious and darker themes. While an older audience may expect more, I personally felt this approach worked well for type of book written.
I had never read a fantasy novel that had flying machines before, and so this was a new experience for me. Steampunk, I think my husband called it, or something along those lines. Calio certainly had a slightly modern feel to it, and it was, therefore, quite different from the more traditional fantasy world belonging to the Skylords. Seeing the two side by side made an interesting contrast.
While Young Adult (YA) fiction is not my first or second choice in reading material, it certainly has a way of finding itself on my reading list often enough. And although I may not always care for much in the way of YA fiction, I do enjoy those with fantasy themes more often than not (Harry Potter and the Farworld series come instantly to mind). In the case of Starfinder, it is a young adult novel and it reads for a younger audience; however, that never bothered me. I had a good time while reading the book. I love a good fantasy tale, and, while I enjoy long epics, it was nice to settle in with a fantasy novel that was a bit shorter, especially right now with everything else I have going on in my life. The story moves quickly and there was never a dull moment. As I read, I could easily picture a librarian sitting in the school library, reading Starfinder to a group of students, much like my own school librarian used to do for my class. I do think that adults might enjoy it too.
Starfinder is the first in what promises to be a fun-filled and exciting fantasy trilogy. For those concerned about starting a trilogy with only the first book yet published, do not fret. Starfinder stands well on its own.
As an aside, I never did get to fly an F-16. Back then, my gender, poor eye sight, and height would have kept me from being a fighter pilot anyhow. Even so, as I got older, my dreams shifted and other ones became more prominent. My calling lie elsewhere.
May 9, 2015
Previously published at TheQwillery.com
I've been a big fan of John Marco ever since I read The Jackal of Nar. I bought my copy of Starfinder when it came out. I didn't immediately read it, as I have a weird tick about reading ongoing series. I kept waiting to see if any additional books would be published and, over time, got caught up in reading other books. Once again, Retro Reviews has presented me with an opportunity to right my wrongs.
John Marco is a master of character creation and world building. It didn't take long before I became immersed in a sense of wonder reading Starfinder. I found more enjoyment reading this particular young adult novel than I have in most. It doesn't force you to relive teenage angst, but instead touches on those monumental events we all deal with in our youth. It reminded me of the excitement I found as a youth exploring fantasy worlds in literature—discovering new creatures and strange lands that can only live in imagination. Marco has built a world and characters that feel real while keeping the story short and simple enough to be inviting to any age.
Moth, the main character, is a young orphan boy. He lives with Leroux, a kind old Eldrin Knight who's part of an Order that's fading into history. He fills Moth's head with stories of adventures at night. By day, Moth works as a custodian at the airfield. Fiona is a girl a few years older than Moth and the granddaughter of Rendor, a man who invented air travel as the world knows it and aspires to even more. Even the villains are interesting as characters. Marco has a gift of making his villains relatable, and even hints that they might be redeemable. It makes me mourn for them rather than hate them, creating a more satisfying and realistic villain.
The world is split into two continents. One side is comparable to a European country set around the 17th Century. Marco brings in a wonderful twist by creating dragonflies—an early aircraft that looks more like an early helicopter, in my mind, with four glass wings on the top. There are also massive airships that look like over-sized zeppelins. These planes give the story a steam-punk feel, without any actual steam or gears being mentioned. There appears to be no magic on this half of the world. The other side of the world is all magic. It's a land of talking dragons, mermaids, and centaurs. We revel in the wonder of it all with Moth and Fiona as they discover this land. We also soon learn that on this side of the world, birds don't fly, the sky is left for the Skylord's and their slaves. The Reach is the only thing separating the two halves—an ocean of fog that's nearly impossible to cross. I loved the imagery of a ocean of fog rather than water separating two continents.
The overall storyline is a familiar quest story, but the added character depth and world building gave the story originality. The pacing is fast with short chapters, which made it hard for me to set it down, because I knew I could stay up just a little longer and read another chapter.
Since the book was supposed to be the first in a series, I was worried there would be a lot of unanswered questions, however Marco did a great wrap up to the story while still alluding to future stories. After finishing the book, I've tried to think up several ways in which I might be able to coax DAW into letting Marco finish the series. I think the only true way would be to bombard DAW headquarters with as many moths and dragonflies as possible until they beg Marco to finish the series. I'm just afraid PETA might get mad at me if I suggest this idea too strongly.
Starfinder is a wonderfully entertaining young adult fantasy book that was sadly published just before the big YA boom. I know it would have been a smash hit otherwise. Please don't let the fact that it's the first book in a series that may never be finished stop you from enjoying it. The story is complete and worth your time and money to read. It lives up to John Marco's talent and gift as a writer. There are a few minor moments of violence, but I have no problem recommending this book to teens or adults. If you're a fan of John Marco and haven't read this book, go buy a copy and add it to your collection. If you're a fan of fantasy and steampunk this is a great bridge between both genres. It's also a perfect way to remind yourself why you fell in love with fantasy in the first place. It's definitely a book I'll read to my kids once they get a little older.
Favorite quotes from the book
“The wind whistled as it swam between the towers, but not another voice reached them, not a single blinking eye.” page 142.
“Even if we had wings, some of us would be pigeons.” spoken by Rendor page 162.
“To end the human dream.” spoken by Alis page 238.
“The drums were now silent; Moth could hear the wind rustling in the grass as he awaited Jorian's call. Tonight, he and Fiona would be warriors.” page 284.
I've been a big fan of John Marco ever since I read The Jackal of Nar. I bought my copy of Starfinder when it came out. I didn't immediately read it, as I have a weird tick about reading ongoing series. I kept waiting to see if any additional books would be published and, over time, got caught up in reading other books. Once again, Retro Reviews has presented me with an opportunity to right my wrongs.
John Marco is a master of character creation and world building. It didn't take long before I became immersed in a sense of wonder reading Starfinder. I found more enjoyment reading this particular young adult novel than I have in most. It doesn't force you to relive teenage angst, but instead touches on those monumental events we all deal with in our youth. It reminded me of the excitement I found as a youth exploring fantasy worlds in literature—discovering new creatures and strange lands that can only live in imagination. Marco has built a world and characters that feel real while keeping the story short and simple enough to be inviting to any age.
Moth, the main character, is a young orphan boy. He lives with Leroux, a kind old Eldrin Knight who's part of an Order that's fading into history. He fills Moth's head with stories of adventures at night. By day, Moth works as a custodian at the airfield. Fiona is a girl a few years older than Moth and the granddaughter of Rendor, a man who invented air travel as the world knows it and aspires to even more. Even the villains are interesting as characters. Marco has a gift of making his villains relatable, and even hints that they might be redeemable. It makes me mourn for them rather than hate them, creating a more satisfying and realistic villain.
The world is split into two continents. One side is comparable to a European country set around the 17th Century. Marco brings in a wonderful twist by creating dragonflies—an early aircraft that looks more like an early helicopter, in my mind, with four glass wings on the top. There are also massive airships that look like over-sized zeppelins. These planes give the story a steam-punk feel, without any actual steam or gears being mentioned. There appears to be no magic on this half of the world. The other side of the world is all magic. It's a land of talking dragons, mermaids, and centaurs. We revel in the wonder of it all with Moth and Fiona as they discover this land. We also soon learn that on this side of the world, birds don't fly, the sky is left for the Skylord's and their slaves. The Reach is the only thing separating the two halves—an ocean of fog that's nearly impossible to cross. I loved the imagery of a ocean of fog rather than water separating two continents.
The overall storyline is a familiar quest story, but the added character depth and world building gave the story originality. The pacing is fast with short chapters, which made it hard for me to set it down, because I knew I could stay up just a little longer and read another chapter.
Since the book was supposed to be the first in a series, I was worried there would be a lot of unanswered questions, however Marco did a great wrap up to the story while still alluding to future stories. After finishing the book, I've tried to think up several ways in which I might be able to coax DAW into letting Marco finish the series. I think the only true way would be to bombard DAW headquarters with as many moths and dragonflies as possible until they beg Marco to finish the series. I'm just afraid PETA might get mad at me if I suggest this idea too strongly.
Starfinder is a wonderfully entertaining young adult fantasy book that was sadly published just before the big YA boom. I know it would have been a smash hit otherwise. Please don't let the fact that it's the first book in a series that may never be finished stop you from enjoying it. The story is complete and worth your time and money to read. It lives up to John Marco's talent and gift as a writer. There are a few minor moments of violence, but I have no problem recommending this book to teens or adults. If you're a fan of John Marco and haven't read this book, go buy a copy and add it to your collection. If you're a fan of fantasy and steampunk this is a great bridge between both genres. It's also a perfect way to remind yourself why you fell in love with fantasy in the first place. It's definitely a book I'll read to my kids once they get a little older.
Favorite quotes from the book
“The wind whistled as it swam between the towers, but not another voice reached them, not a single blinking eye.” page 142.
“Even if we had wings, some of us would be pigeons.” spoken by Rendor page 162.
“To end the human dream.” spoken by Alis page 238.
“The drums were now silent; Moth could hear the wind rustling in the grass as he awaited Jorian's call. Tonight, he and Fiona would be warriors.” page 284.
June 11, 2009
Starfinder is a book that is filled with action and mythical creatures. Mermaids, centaurs, dragons, just to name a few.
The plot itself is quite interesting and very different than what I have been reading. It twists and turns and is sometimes downright confusing. There were many times when following it was difficult and very puzzling.
The characters were quite appealing. I enjoyed reading about Moth and his imagination and determination to fly in the sky as a Skyknight. Though, because of his age, I found him extremely innocent and naive. However, it is because of that naivety that allows him to work the Starfinder and become part of the ancient fight between humans and the Skylords.
It was also interesting to see how Fiona changed from a stubborn little girl to a more mature young lady. Like Moth, she is extremely naive and believes that the world revolves around her in some way. She's mad at her grandfather because he doesn't like to bother her but she never takes the time to understand why. I liked seeing her change for the better when she finally took the time to believe in others and herself.
The mythical creatures were introduced in a very shabby, awkward manner. I felt as if they just popped up all of a sudden and that was what made the plot quite baffling and hard to follow. However, despite their hast introductions, I could sympathize with their plight.
The Skylords, the obvious "enemies" here, didn't seem much like an enemy. Yes, they wanted no one else to fly and wanted dictatorial rule over the people but that's their only negative part. If you overlooked that, you can see that they're actually really nice and really pretty people. I just couldn't see how horrible they were.
Marco's writing style was easy to follow with no real mundane details. It definitely wasn't exceptional or anything, however, his plot and characters make up for it.
Overall, Starfinder is an attractive novel that dwells with coming-of-age and the innocence of our childhood.
The plot itself is quite interesting and very different than what I have been reading. It twists and turns and is sometimes downright confusing. There were many times when following it was difficult and very puzzling.
The characters were quite appealing. I enjoyed reading about Moth and his imagination and determination to fly in the sky as a Skyknight. Though, because of his age, I found him extremely innocent and naive. However, it is because of that naivety that allows him to work the Starfinder and become part of the ancient fight between humans and the Skylords.
It was also interesting to see how Fiona changed from a stubborn little girl to a more mature young lady. Like Moth, she is extremely naive and believes that the world revolves around her in some way. She's mad at her grandfather because he doesn't like to bother her but she never takes the time to understand why. I liked seeing her change for the better when she finally took the time to believe in others and herself.
The mythical creatures were introduced in a very shabby, awkward manner. I felt as if they just popped up all of a sudden and that was what made the plot quite baffling and hard to follow. However, despite their hast introductions, I could sympathize with their plight.
The Skylords, the obvious "enemies" here, didn't seem much like an enemy. Yes, they wanted no one else to fly and wanted dictatorial rule over the people but that's their only negative part. If you overlooked that, you can see that they're actually really nice and really pretty people. I just couldn't see how horrible they were.
Marco's writing style was easy to follow with no real mundane details. It definitely wasn't exceptional or anything, however, his plot and characters make up for it.
Overall, Starfinder is an attractive novel that dwells with coming-of-age and the innocence of our childhood.
May 19, 2009
STARFINDER is a book for anyone who craves an action-packed adventure with unique creatures coming out of the pages left and right. Most of the characters, though hastily introduced, come to win our sympathies, despite perhaps being an imperfect creature or even one of the bad guys. Moth’s determination to fly could lead to his downfall, and I found it interesting to see how Fiona’s stubborn temper changed over the course of the novel.
Like the characters, many of the plot twists seem to come out of nowhere, which made following the book difficult at times. Every once in a while I found it hard for me to suspend my disbelief as another fantastical object—a magical suit of armor, perhaps—was introduced to us.
Additionally, Marco’s writing and his book hovers uncertainly between a middle-grade and an adult fantasy, almost as if it can’t make up its mind as to which it wants to be. Moth and Fiona certainly talk their age, but the rest of the narration hovers between plodding obtuseness, a slow pace that adults can stand more than kids, and a too-obvious telling-not-showing, which I presume is its unsuccessful attempt to be more age-appropriate.
That being said, I believe that STARFINDER’s appeal can transcend age and genre boundaries. Ignoring the average writing and sometimes unbelievable plot points, John Marco has written a swashbuckling adventure novel that only gets better as the pages go along. (My favorite scene, in fact, was the last battle, a scene of such epic proportions and vivid imagery that I couldn’t put the book down then.) If you enjoy sci-fi/fantasy movies such as Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli films, pick up STARFINDER. It’s the written equivalent of “Nausicaa and the Valley of the Winds.”
Like the characters, many of the plot twists seem to come out of nowhere, which made following the book difficult at times. Every once in a while I found it hard for me to suspend my disbelief as another fantastical object—a magical suit of armor, perhaps—was introduced to us.
Additionally, Marco’s writing and his book hovers uncertainly between a middle-grade and an adult fantasy, almost as if it can’t make up its mind as to which it wants to be. Moth and Fiona certainly talk their age, but the rest of the narration hovers between plodding obtuseness, a slow pace that adults can stand more than kids, and a too-obvious telling-not-showing, which I presume is its unsuccessful attempt to be more age-appropriate.
That being said, I believe that STARFINDER’s appeal can transcend age and genre boundaries. Ignoring the average writing and sometimes unbelievable plot points, John Marco has written a swashbuckling adventure novel that only gets better as the pages go along. (My favorite scene, in fact, was the last battle, a scene of such epic proportions and vivid imagery that I couldn’t put the book down then.) If you enjoy sci-fi/fantasy movies such as Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli films, pick up STARFINDER. It’s the written equivalent of “Nausicaa and the Valley of the Winds.”
November 29, 2011
Moth was raised by a retired Eldrin knignt, Leroux, who was always telling him stories of the magical and dangerous land across the Reach. Just before Leroux dies, he makes Moth promise to return Esme, his pet bird, across the Reach, becasue, according to Leroux, she is actually a cursed Skylord woman. After Leroux's death the govenor comes to their apartment demanding that Moth give him Esme. Confused and frightened, Moth flees to his friend Fiona. Fiona is lonely and unhappy, so when they find Esme, they decide to leave the city and cross the Reach hoping to fullfill Leroux's wish and figure out what is going on. Unfortunately for them, the Reach is often fatal for humans.[return] I kept waiting for the story to pick up, but it just kind of meandered along. Even the few action scenes didn't feel intense and then they were very brief and so many of the storylines were not answered that it really just felt like a big introduction for the next book. We only get very superficial information about most of the characters and I found myself lost as to their motivations. Are the bad guys actually bad or just misguided? So by the end of the story I just kept finding myself thinking, "I don't understand why he (or she) did that." Especially since every other action switched between good and bad, or cruel and kind. I managed to finish this book, but I don't think I will bother picking up the next one, I didn't get attached enough to any of the characters to care what happens next.
October 26, 2009
Starfinder is John Marco's first foray into fantasy for the Young Adult audience. The world is a mesh between technology and mythical creatures--where airships fly and centaurs don't. With a dividing "line" between them called the Reach.
Moth is an orphan who lives in Calio, the highest city in the world. It's also closest to the Reach. When his "guardian" Leroux dies, Moth sets off on an adventure--ala Frodo in LotR, but not quite as scary--to bring Leroux's pet kestrel back to the other side of the Reach, and hopefully, to try to return her to her original state (clue: NOT a bird). Accompanying Moth on his runaway journey is his best friend Fiona, who also happens to be the Governor of Calio's grand-daughter.
Once they cross the Reach, they find out that the world is VERY different from "their" side. There are mermaids! Dragons! Centaurs! And, always, the Skylords. Who are bent on finding the children and the Starfinder that Moth inherited from Leroux.
Starfinder is a good read--it's got interesting characters, a story that flows well, & a good plot. Having never read John Marco's adult fantasy series, I don't know how this effort compares (so don't ask). I liked it, but it hasn't supplanted my favorites. And who knows? In a few years, the little man might actually want to sit through this one.
Moth is an orphan who lives in Calio, the highest city in the world. It's also closest to the Reach. When his "guardian" Leroux dies, Moth sets off on an adventure--ala Frodo in LotR, but not quite as scary--to bring Leroux's pet kestrel back to the other side of the Reach, and hopefully, to try to return her to her original state (clue: NOT a bird). Accompanying Moth on his runaway journey is his best friend Fiona, who also happens to be the Governor of Calio's grand-daughter.
Once they cross the Reach, they find out that the world is VERY different from "their" side. There are mermaids! Dragons! Centaurs! And, always, the Skylords. Who are bent on finding the children and the Starfinder that Moth inherited from Leroux.
Starfinder is a good read--it's got interesting characters, a story that flows well, & a good plot. Having never read John Marco's adult fantasy series, I don't know how this effort compares (so don't ask). I liked it, but it hasn't supplanted my favorites. And who knows? In a few years, the little man might actually want to sit through this one.
June 14, 2013
Starfinder is the story of Moth, an orphaned child obsessed with learning how to fly, and Fiona, the granddaughter of the Governor of Calio, an outpost on the edge of civilization. Calio borders on the Reach, a featureless miles-wide expanse that is supposed to be impossible to cross, covered in an impenetrable mist that conceals and confuses the traveler. The Reach separates the human lands from the mythical Skylords, angelic beings who jealously guard the skies to keep any other race from achieving flight.
Moth is given the Starfinder, the most powerful magical artifact of the Skylords, by his dying guardian and is charged with crossing the impassible Reach and returning the Starfinder to the wizard Merceron. Fiona accompanies Moth, and the two are relentlessly pursued by her grandfather, intent on acquiring the Starfinder for his own purposes.
Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Moth is given the Starfinder, the most powerful magical artifact of the Skylords, by his dying guardian and is charged with crossing the impassible Reach and returning the Starfinder to the wizard Merceron. Fiona accompanies Moth, and the two are relentlessly pursued by her grandfather, intent on acquiring the Starfinder for his own purposes.
Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
August 18, 2009
13 year old Moth and 14 year old Fiona cross the Reach from ther outpost city of Calio to return the Lady Esme, imprisoned in a hawk's body, to a place where she can regain her true Skylord form. People fly four-winged mechanical dragonflies and stem powered hidrenium filled dirigibles, challenging the Skylords domination of the air. Dragons and centaurs are our allies against this dark and powerful enemy.
If you're still with me, Starfinder is a classy fantasy in which humans and Skylords coexist separated by the befuddling and deadly Reach, a zone of thick disorienting fogs. On the far side is a Halcyon world of great dangers and vastly powerful beings. Humans are converted to ghoulish slaves and their life energy is stolen for dark magical purposes.
Although not portrayed as such, IMO, this is actually a young adult novel which can appeal as well to the mature reader.
If you're still with me, Starfinder is a classy fantasy in which humans and Skylords coexist separated by the befuddling and deadly Reach, a zone of thick disorienting fogs. On the far side is a Halcyon world of great dangers and vastly powerful beings. Humans are converted to ghoulish slaves and their life energy is stolen for dark magical purposes.
Although not portrayed as such, IMO, this is actually a young adult novel which can appeal as well to the mature reader.
July 31, 2015
The conversations between characters was choppy and seem uncomfortable. While I did enjoy the mixture of characters from faeries to dragons and all sorts. There were major gaps in the plot. It seemed as though the whole book was based on "Don't ask. Don't tell" and not answering any questions which made it very boring. A lot of stuff is skimmed over so that you don't really experience reading it you are told about it after.
Also I totally did not get the whole Skylords thing. Even at the end of the book I was still asking myself WHAT they were. (As a footnote this book is first of the series, this was not told me to when I read it the first time).
Also I totally did not get the whole Skylords thing. Even at the end of the book I was still asking myself WHAT they were. (As a footnote this book is first of the series, this was not told me to when I read it the first time).
May 21, 2010
I've enjoyed John Marco's other novels and really looked forward to reading Starfinder; I was not disappointed. Less...adult I suppose is the word I'll use, than John Marco's other novels, Starfinder wisks you away to a land where centaurs, mermaids, and dragons all live in seclusion from one another (and all beyond the "reach" humans) as they live out their lives in the aftermath of a devastasting war. That is until Moth of Calio (that meddlesome optimist) ventures out to fulfill a promise to a dead friend and breaks the tenuous truce that holds the Skylords at bay. Definitely a treat a worth a read.
Read
April 28, 2010Starfinder was a great story and I can not wait to find out when the next novel will be coming out. The novel may be marketed towards the young adult crowd, but, you really never get that feeling. We’re given a great story, told in a setting that is not only shiny and new, but definitely fuels ones imagination. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys reading fantasy or to anyone looking to get into the fantasy genre.
For my full review, click here.
For my full review, click here.
didnotfinish
May 27, 2015There was a great deal of world building left out - for example the reason the skies needed to be patrolled? No idea. No enemies or monsters mentioned whatsoever.
And then I just found that I was doing other things rather than reading it and when I thought about why I realized I was just bored. Aside from the lack of world building, the characters felt flat and dull and they seemed to be just puppets mouthing the dialogue. Eh, maybe it just wasn't for me.
And then I just found that I was doing other things rather than reading it and when I thought about why I realized I was just bored. Aside from the lack of world building, the characters felt flat and dull and they seemed to be just puppets mouthing the dialogue. Eh, maybe it just wasn't for me.
December 11, 2010
Good book so far, just not into it so I am going to wait to finish it.
June 12, 2014
3 1/2 Stars. Despite this book being so cheap, it was fun to read, something I wasn't expecting.
September 25, 2010
An enjoyable read, looking forward to more in the series.
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