Beyond the Starline – Book Review

 

Beyond the Starline: Book One in the Dark Sea Trilogy: Volume 1

The author, Austin Hackney, contacted me to see if I fancied reviewing his book. This was great because right at the start of my blog and pinned to my twitter page I actually advertise the fact that I like to review books and others things that interest me. For me, this means that I can enjoy new experiences which wouldn’t normally come my way. In this case, it was to be able to read a book with my eldest son, M (who’s 10) and complete the review together. Pretty cool!

Well, that was the plan…..

 

book review myrealfairy.com

When her mother is murdered by pirates, Harriet Howland is thrust into a dangerous quest to find her missing father. A fast-paced steampunk adventure for everyone from 9 years old and up.

Who could resist? But wait….first question I had was, what is steampunk??? OK well for those of you who don’t know, which is exactly the position I was in: Steampunk is, and bear with me as this is my interpretation.. ‘a fusion of victorian style influences with high-tech cutting edge super technology’. The vision that jumped to mind (and my mummy and daddy followers will recognise this reference) is the hybrid, freaky toys that were patched together in Toy Story, the doll’s head on the metal spider legs…get my drift? You could have a look at the wiki answer but quite frankly I was even more baffled by that!  The review for the book steered off in a different direction. I found myself following a route into steampunk and looking at books in that genre to get more of a handle of the style and type of writing that was being featured. I was really interested in this and lost quite a few hours this way, looking at Austin and other authors works.

I also watched a few of Austin Hackneys youtube videos. I wanted to have an understanding of the man behind the book. I found that he’s a great visual storyteller. One of those people who look like an actor telling a story and really lives the words. It reminded me of Jackanory which I watched as a child. Try and have a look at at least one of his videos and you will see what I mean.

While I was doing this M was getting on and reading the book. We agreed on him reading 30 pages a day when he got home from school. Now, different children read in different ways and have varied attention spans. I’m finding that M’s generation are hardly reading a book. More and more time is spent on the various devices they have access to. Whether that be X-Box, PS3, Kindle, Ipads or a selection of all of them and more. We have got into a rutt in our house of allowing just the bare minimum of ‘proper’ reading time. By this I mean – M can read, he has one book on the go for school and he gets on with it. He’s 10 and gets good feedback from school, I’ve been thinking this was sufficient. Of course, it’s not!

So, this was an opportunity for us as a family to have a bit of a shake up….we needed it! Thank you Austin!

M took on the role of reading the book and I carried out the research and then dipped into the book at various stages. It worked well…. proud mummy moment, we were working together!

So, the story…without giving any spoilers. Our heroine is Harriet who’s life is upturned in an instant. Starting out in the steamy smog filled city of Lundoon . She is thrown into a world that has all the fantastical characters you would hope for. They leap before you with image inspiring names such as; Professor Poliakoff, Sibelius the sky monkey and Captain Hardcastle.

I think that this book is an escape into fantasy, which for adults who have to try and act semi sensible most of the time, is thoroughly enjoyable. It picks you up and carries you away, side by side with the adventurers.

For M one of the most exciting moments was when the squid storm was introduced into the story. He said, “It made me feel like I was there in the dangerous mission to keep the special object safe”. He said that he would recommend it for people his age and above. He smiled and became enthusiastic when he was recounting the reading he carried out on a particular day. To see him take to a book in this way was a huge plus for me.

Key myrealfairy facts – Beyond the Starline

  • The author is Austin Hackney
  • Twitter name @AGHackney chat to him, he’s a friendly sort.
  • This book is the first book in the Dark Sea Trilogy
  • You can purchase it in kindle edition or paperback and you can buy it here.

I’d love to hear what you think about this genre of book. I am also super delighted to have the author, Austin Hackney popping onto this post and giving his feedback to some of the comments aswell – so keep an eye out!

 

 

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48 thoughts on “Beyond the Starline – Book Review”

  1. Pingback: book review, lala fae, fairytale, the golden winged fairy | myrealfairy.com

  2. This sounds super interesting! My girls are too little now for this book. It would be great when they will be old enough to start reading this type of books. I’m sure they will enjoy stories that are much more in depth. It is really nice to read your son’s opinion and being of the review. I love doing reviews with Bella. It is so much fun! Thanks so much for sharing this at #KCACOLS. I’m so happy to have you here. You have been incredible this week Mainy!! You have comments SO MUCH. I’m so grateful for that!! Muchas Gracias!! I really hope to see you again tomorrow!! 🙂

    1. Hola Franca!

      Quizás algún día el libro será traducido al español! Pero creo que se puede leer muy bien en Inglés, también…

      Buen día!

  3. I’ve been reading Harry Potter recently with my eldest and love having the time together doing it. I’d heard the term steampunked before, you’ve explained it well. Thanks for linking to #picknmix

    1. Hi Kat! Yay, finally someone who knows what steampunk is!!! I hope you and your partner enjoy the book, whether you buy a copy or pick up a free ebook by joining the mailing list. Either way, do get in touch and let me know what you thought – even if you don’t like it in the end, all feedback is welcome!

    1. Hi Veronica! And adults, too – I think good children’s writing can be enjoyed by grown-ups, too. Think Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, Hunger Games. They have a very broad readership. That’s certainly what I was aiming for with this. Thanks for commenting!

  6. This sounds like an interesting book love your description of steam punk I imagine it as one of the characterstairs from monster high. My daughter is the same age but I don’t think she would want to read this unfortunately. She dips in and out of books and really gas to be in the mood although every now and again she will pick me a book grab one herself so we can read together #kcacols

  7. Thanks for sharing this review. I have read a bit of sci-fi and fantasy but never Steampunk…Or perhaps I have without realising it! I love the names here but now I am wondering whether the Prof Poliakoff in this book looks like the one who used to be in the Chemistry Dept at Nottingham Uni, the brother of the famous Poliakoff playwright! The Chemistry department Poliakoff looks exactly how you would imagine a professor in fiction to look! (He also generously bought me a flapjack in the canteen when I was short!) Anyway, major tangent! I will check this book out and see if I can get my two girls to give Steampunk a go. Thanks for taking the time to join in the conversation here, Austin. #KCACOLS.

    2. Hi Jane. I think you’ll find this Poliakoff a little different – but I can’t say more! You shouldn’t have any difficulty getting the book. It’s distributed to all the online stores and available via high street stores and libraries – if it’s not on the shelves, just give them the title and my name and they’ll order you a copy. I hope you and your girls enjoy it!

  9. Fab review, I always put more trust in reviews that do research into the author etc..I had a little giggle at your what is a steampunk question..I love a fantasy series so am off to have a nose! Thank you for piquing my interest! #KCACOLS

    1. Thanks:) I did so much reading into the steam punk and I kept coming back to those same visions of the toy story doll and also one of the newer Pan films with Hugh Jackman. I get so sidetracked!:) the author has been commenting too which has been great. He’s made the second book free to subscribers which sounds fab. Thank you for your comment:) I’ve also enjoyed your writing when I visited your blog. I hope to read more. Mainy X

  10. Ooh it sounds like a book that I’d like to read, never mind your 10 year old! I love those characters’ names and I do think that you’re right about the screen time/console time thing. You have to get a avalanche of course but reading and imagination are so underestimated! Our little girl has always got a book on the go 🙂 #kcacols

    1. That’s great that your little girl always has a book on the go, I’m not surprised though as I can imagine that there’s quite a lovely influence going on in your house which would promote reading:) thanks for your comment. Mainy x

  11. I was so excited and happy to read this post! I love books! And I have two teens that love to read, so I was super excited to read your personal review. I have never read this genre, but now I am going to be on the look out for it the next trip to the library.

    My children devour books, and although have access to Xbox, computer, tablets and the sort-they will choose a book everytime. Thank you for the next one on my list 🙂 #KCACOLS

    2. Hi Jen,

      It hasn’t been picked up by many libraries as yet as it was only published last month. However, if you ask at the library you can make a request for them to order it for you – and Clockwork Press give free paperback copies to libraries, so shouldn’t be a problem. 🙂

  12. Oh i do like the look of this book. I think you can never be too early in getting children into books. much better than technology! I have been going through baby books with my 3 month old xx

    #KCACOLS

  13. I haven’t read a good book for ages……I’ve been so in to the whole blogging thing right now that books are completely off my radar haha #KCACOLS

  14. Sounds really interesting! I’m looking forward to my children being old enough to start reading chapter books and stories that are much more in depth. I love that you did this review together with your son, must’ve been great to work together like that! x #KCACOLS

  16. This sounds like a such fab book and it is great that M loves it too. Oldest loves reading so I am going to have to dig this out for her. Thanks 🙂 #KCACOLS

  17. I do like books that form part of a series. The thing I really do miss since becoming a mum is settling down with a good book. I’m lucky if I manage a few pages before bed and am averaging just one or two books a year at the moment! #KCACOLS

    1. It can be tough to find reading time. But one or two books a year is higher than most national averages these days, so you’re not doing so bad as you may think!

  18. This sounds like an enjoyable book to engage youngsters. I think reading for pleasure is so important for children and will hopefully encourage them to do the same as adults. I hope your son and you enjoy the rest of the trilogy. I like cross over books that parents and children can enjoy 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up with #KCACOLS. Hope you return next week.

    1. Hi Sara,

      As an adult who never stopped reading books for children – and having read all my favorites to my own kids when they were younger – I was very keen to ensure that Beyond the Starline would be a book that appealed across the age boundaries. So far, it has been enjoyed by as many adults as children, which has made me very happy!

    1. Thank you, I’m going to keep the momentum up with him and get the second one ordered:) X

  20. My teen hardly reads anymore. I think she would like this. She has a birthday coming up. Perhaps a new book will inspire her to put her phone down. Thanks for sharing #picknmix

    1. Hi Candace. If you decide to get her a copy, don’t forget you can get it almost anywhere books can be bought – you don’t have to get it from Amazon. Just ask in your local bookstore and they’ll order it in for you. : )

  22. I love it when kids get into a good book, my eldest is 12 now and slowly reading less (at home) which is a shame as he was always into books!! #picnmix

    1. Yeah I love it. This has given him a real boost so I’m hoping it will continue for a while. Mind you, boys will be boys!:) thanks for your comment:)

    2. Hi Lianne. I read some interesting research which suggested that children who see other members of their family reading, especially their parents, are more likely to become readers themselves. But, of course, a lot of the time, we as parents get our reading done after the kids are in bed, or we’re tucked up in our own beds, and they don’t get to see it! Making our own reading habit more visible can help. 🙂

  23. *blushes*

    Thanks for that review. The book has mostly been read and enjoyed by adults to date, so it’s heartening to know that your son enjoyed it! And especially pleasing that he took to it with such enthusiasm. I wonder, does he have a favorite character overall?

    For anyone who’s interested, the ebook (kindle version) is on sale on Amazon for a limited time at just £/$ 0.99 so now would be an excellent time to grab a copy before it goes back up to 2.99 next week! If you sign up for the Clockwork Press newsletter on my blog, you’ll get the ebook completely free in the format of your choice. And you’ll get the second in the trilogy free, too, when it’s published in the summer. Insane, but true!

    1. Wow that’s a great offer! Thanks, I’m sure we will all want to make the most of that:)

  24. That’s great that the review gave your son and excuse to read more – always a good thing! I used to read so much at that age, but these days kids have so many digital distractions. I hope my daughter will be a reader – she’s really interested in books but mostly just likes flipping the pages, which I guess is about all you can expect from a 10-month-old. #StayClassy

    1. Thank you, yes I seem to remember it was all so different when I was younger!:) The electronic devices have their place in my heart but it’s good to cut back a bit. Thank you for your comment x

      1. Of course, there are also books now based on game characters and stories – rather like TV tie-ins, so the two media are not necessarily exclusive. 🙂

    2. Hi Squirmy Popple!

      My experience is that, given the right books and the freedom to choose what they like, most children will just as soon pick up a book as a game console, especially if they’re exposed to books and reading in the family home. Sounds as if you’ve got your baby off to a good start!

    3. Aahh bless her, she’ll love reading I’m sure:) I love your recent post on visiting the library:) X

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