Sora's Quest (The Cat's Eye Chronicles 1) [Kindle Edition]

T. L. Shreffler (Author)

Book Description

A noblewoman, an assassin, and a soul-stealing necklace....

Sora planned on running away from her wedding, but she never expected to be kidnapped! Dumped into a world of magical races, arcane jewelry and forgotten lore, she finds herself at the mercy of a dangerous assassin, haunted by an even darker past. She yearns for freedom, but he won't let her go -- not when her Cat's Eye necklace is the only thing that can save his life.

But the necklace itself presents a problem. It is an ancient device from the long forgotten War of the Races, and its magic has the ability to steal souls. Can Sora learn to wield its power -- or will the power wield her? (Winner of the SKOW 2006 Best Fantasy Award)

Product Details

• File Size: 534 KB
• Print Length: 381 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0985166339
• Publisher: The Runaway Pen; 2nd edition (April 16, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007V5XND8
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #466 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #6 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Teens > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars A Lot of Action for no Discernible Reason July 21, 2012

By Bruce Carlson

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Sora doesn't want to go through with the marriage her noble father has arranged to a total stranger. So when dear old dad is murdered at the wedding feast and she is kidnapped by the assassins, she ends up traveling around with them as they undertake a dangerous journey across the countryside while being pursued by a vengeful mage.

The story is generally well-written, with a confident narration, smooth pacing and discernible character traits. While it has a couple of editing errors that seem to infect the self-publishing world, they are fewer than most and rarely distract. It's a recognizable sword and sorcery style tale, with a slightly different world and some non-traditional races (no elves or dwarfs, but wolfies and harpies.)

What "Sora's Quest" lacks is logic and motivation behind the "plot".

First off, Sora seems remarkably unconcerned that her father was murdered right in front of her. Perhaps they weren't the closest father and daughter, but the man did see her raised in luxury after dear old mom mysteriously abandoned them while Sora was still a baby, and Sora was his heir to the estate, so you'd think she'd feel something about his death (and perhaps some concern to all the servants and serfs she's abandoned.) Secondly, she's remarkably incurious about it: she never once asks the assassin why he killed father.

At some point (it's not clear when) Sora decides she'd like to find her mother (this is presumably the "quest" of the title, though it's not very clear.) Why she thinks so highly of the mother who abandoned her and so little of the father who actually raised her is a total mystery.

But then, there's no reason to any of what's going on. The trio of brigands she's fallen in with (fastest onset Stockholm Syndrome ever) never say where they're going, or why; and Sora never asks. Nor is it clear why they must take a especially dangerous route through accursed terrain. (It appears Sora's inherited magical Cat's Eye pendant may offer them some protection from this curse, which makes her useful to the brigands; but since they didn't know she had it when they abducted her, one wonders what their original plan was.)

I get that this is supposed to be a relatively light, young-adult story, but it still seems to me there should be some sense of purpose behind all the activity, and some believability to Sora's emotions.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Sora's Quest October 21, 2012

By Michelle@Book Briefs

Format:Kindle Edition

I have to be honest, after reading the first few chapters of the book, I didn't think I was going to like it too much. Now thinking about it, that was way too early for me to even be thinking about writing off any book, let alone a review book. So I kept on reading, and from the moment Sora left the castle, I was riveted! I ended up enjoying Sora's Quest so much. It just had a bit of a slow start to me and then it really took off. The part I didn't enjoy at the beginning seems like only one speck of the story- and Sora's Quest is a great story.

Sora seems like a pretty sheltered girl at first but she certainly can rise to an occasion. This must have been so scary for her, being out in the world for the first time. It seemed a little crazy that she was so close to the guys in her group so fast considering the circumstances but her being so excited about being out in the world and the whole idea of an adventure didn't make her actions and emotions seem out of place. It kinda worked well.

The world building is the best part! I loved learning all about the different people and the magics. T.L. Shreffler does a great job of explaining everything. I would have liked to see a little bit more back story on Crash. I didn't really know what they were doing at the start of the book except that they were on the run from Volcrian. But I think that is coming in the next book, so I look forward to getting some answers. I really enjoyed the character growth I saw in Crash throughout the story. The whole fear thing was super cute! (you will know exactly what I mean when you read the story) Fans of fantasy will love the world created in T.L. Shreffler's first installment in the Cat's Eye series. The ending made me want to drop everything and start book 2 right then!

*Disclaimer- I got a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. i didn't receive any compensation for my review.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely YA Fantasy July 8, 2012

By Jenna

Format:Kindle Edition

Firstly, look at that amazing cover?! Just captivating. I love having a visual of the "Cat's Eye" on this cover. And although Sora has golden blonde hair, the strawberry tint is very attractive. Now to the gushy!

Sum it up:
Sora, tired of her simple and boring girl-in-the-manor life, plans to escape the night of her wedding, wanting nothing more than adventures like the "stories of old." She has no idea that her desire will be fulfilled via a kidnapping - by the very assassin who murdered her father, giving her the very opening to escape, and his two Wolfy companions. What begins as hatred, turns to timid trust and wary friendship between Sora and her captors.

The Yum:
Crash, the assassin, is mysterious up until the last page in Sora's Quest. Sexy, scary, and quiet are the three words best used to describe the man who seems to be running from his past. Ms. Shreffler has an interesting way of making her characters super sexy without being overt about their physical prowess or bragging about their beautiful features. Crash just is. Yum! ;)

Dorian, a mage Wolfy, is an effeminate creature with a biting sarcastic and endearing quality about him. I liked Dorian immediately - especially because he called Sora out on her irritating princessy qualities.

Burn is a large burly mercenary Wolfy that I just wanted to squeeze. He is the most open and kind of the three but still hosts his own unexplored demons.

Romance?
There was plenty of awareness occurring in Sora's Quest and I was waiting for a romance to unfold - but it seems like I have to wait until Viper's Creed (Book 2) to *hopefully* see some woo-age occur.

Overall:
Sora was a typical teenager and certainly irritated me throughout the book, but looking back, I love how the voice of Sora's voice ages from beginning to end.

The antagonist was a clever one, coming up with evil and interesting ways to follow, capture, and manipulate his prey. I enjoyed Volcrian, and the sympathy the reader had for him from chapter one.

So why the missing star, you ask?

**MINOR SPOILERS**
There were a LOT of unanswered questions: Who is Crash? Why are Crash, Burn, and Dorian together? Why did Crash murder Volcrian's twin and Sora's dad? What is a "protector" and is that what Crash is to Sora?
**END SPOILERS**

After the entire book, I still am confused about our main characters. But I managed to really connect to them too.

I can't WAIT until Book 2 - released in winter of 2012. Grab your copy and tell me what you think! :)

More About the Author

T. L. Shreffler lives in Los Angeles, CA. She loves diversity, fantasy, romance, iced tea, long walks, philosophy, and thrift store shopping. She recently graduated with a BA in Badass (Creative Writing) and her poetry has been published consecutively in Eclipse: A Literary Journal and The Northridge Review. She works as the assistant editor for the funky and fantastic Tinsel Tokyo Magazine.