Isabelle Reviews (CLOSED FOR NOW)

Safforia (Sci-fi, Adventure)

Review date: January 19, 2023

Author: ArielMLongee

FIRST IMPRESSION: 5/5

COVER: 5/5

I want to start by saying that the cover is a stunner that is sure to set the tone of the story at once. The neon colors laid out on the frame are a knockout and just scream a sense of art and distinctiveness. It's not inadequate and soft or overdone, rather it radiates a strong ambiance. I don't have to keep guessing and it doesn't make my eyebrows furrow. The cover has made itself clear and spoke volumes.

TITLE: 4/5

The title is laid-back and cool–not made complicated nor tried so hard to be named. It's fine the way it is and I'm not going to overthink it.

BLURB: 7/10

Though, in the first sentence of the blurb, I already caught a punctuation error (a comma must be placed before 'dies' and 'humanity').

"After Earth dies humanity discovers a new planet called Safforia. Ocea Doxon becomes the first half-safforian, half-human."

I felt like there could be something the author could put between the two sentences, something that serves as a well-founded connection instead of just throwing them together to make a solid point instantly. I just felt like something is missing.

The author could fix this by giving descriptions of the planet Safforia which don't exactly spoil the story. Examples could be "How did Earth die?", "How was Safforia discovered?", or even "What happens in Safforia?"

In the case of the second sentence, I also wished that this character would be given justice by more descriptions. Was Ocea a college student who has no idea what happened to Earth? Was Ocea a woman struggling to pay rent? Was Ocea living in a remote province people barely knew?

Anyway, I move to the next paragraphs where Beck Doxon is said to be living his life on a spaceship. And thirty-three years later, his daughter Ocea and her childhood friend Thomas are taking flight from the men who know about her to save their beloved Safforia.

The objective is specific. Ocea fleeing from the men in suits is a sign of resistance and escapism as well. However, the only question I ask is, what is with the Safforians that they hate? Or am I missing something?

"...something haunting coming to Safforia."

It's given that this comes from a place of ill will, but I don't feel so much of the thrill.

PLOT: 18/20

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 20/20

DESCRIPTIONS: 15/15

Chapter One. Although short, I like how Beck expresses even in the beginning that he doesn't have faith in the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow–contrary to a very popular belief. This is actually a very good mark for me. Although short, his point of view doesn't rush to a narration at the drop of a hat. Beck represents that awareness of being a clueless, small teenager. It actually makes him stand out in some way, especially when his sister interacts with him along with the other character. Now, what impressed me so much was the shift in confidence–from the beginning paragraph where Beck states that he doesn't believe in the magic rainbows could bring, and in the last paragraph he suddenly disagrees when he meets someone named Kat. I won't spoil it, but I could tell you that it's really beautiful.

WRITING STYLE: 9/10

Ocea's perspective then establishes the mood. It seriously went from Beck being so oblivious to Ocea recalling having to witness her parents fight for their life and tell her to take flight. It's heartbreaking for their family and true enough, it made a big difference to my emotions and suddenly I wasn't reading anymore. I was immersed in a world where I know the author intends me to be. I like how it was written in an orderly manner as well, as how the flashback was followed by another narration.

But I felt that the events were rushed as I went along. I was impressed by the execution, yes. Anyhow, I just felt that the pacing could be fixed a little. After Chapter One and Ocea's flashback, Ocea hurriedly goes from the story of her hair to her meeting her childhood friend Thomas again. Though I did like how she met Thomas and her childhood memories came rushing back to her. 

On a lighter note, I can't help but point out how creative I found the chapters' titles. Ocea is also hopeful and strong ("...call it the City of Rise because they believe we will rise and have free will").

Those qualities carry the plot. I like the flow of the plot (smoothly, yes) and how it isn't written poorly. The writing style is admirable and I just wished, looking back, that the blurb would give it more justice. It has so much potential.

GRAMMAR/PUNCTUATION: 10/10

This is a good book, really. I don't have major problems with it. I couldn't spot grammatical errors or punctuation issues (just one in the blurb, but I let it fall under that category).

OVERALL: 93/100

This is what I call appealing and professional work. Nice book! I look forward to reading more. 

Thank you for trusting me in reviewing your book! <3, Isabelle