Customer Reviews

Starlighter (Dragons of Starlight)

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

For years they had been told stories of the Lost Ones--humans taken from their planet through a hidden portal to works as slaves in a land ruled by dragons. Until recently, Jason Masters believed they were little more than myths. However, a series of events forced Jason to make a choice to believe and attempt to rescue the Lost Ones or abandon his family. Meanwhile, a young slave Koren, also believed the stories of another world to be little more than legend, until she discovered her gift and was able to see into the past to discern the truth. Armed with her new knowledge, she must outwit the dragons and join with Jason in an effort to bridge the two worlds and rescue the enslaved humans. As legend is deciphered and the truth revealed, Starlighter brings the reader into a mythical world where dragons reign and humans serve.

I had a lot of fun reading this book. Within a few pages I was wrapped up in the story and enjoyed being whisked away to Davis' imaginative worlds of Starlight and Darksphere. The dragon lore was masterfully woven into the story and the background of both planets was interspersed nicely keeping me wanting to know what was truth and what was carefully constructed legend. The heroics of the main characters were exciting to read about and kept me pulling for them to outwit the dragons and other foes they faced during their journey. I enjoyed the adventure and am glad this is only book one in a series.

Starlighter is marketed to a teenage audience with good reason. While I thought it was a fun story and it kept me reading, the suspense was a bit short with tense situations quickly resolved. Additionally, the characters were not as well developed as I'd like, but they will most likely appeal to teenagers and be easy to relate to. Though most adults would probably enjoy it also, they would need to let some of the pacing and character development slide as well as forgive the light descriptions of settings and events. There is an allegorical element to this story, but it is easy to detect and not particularly deep. It is good, but not quite as elaborate as some other allegorical literature within this genre. It is a `clean' book with no objectionable language or situations. It is not scary nor is there excessive gore. With confidence parents can allow and encourage their kids to read it without fear of questionable content.

For those who enjoy a good fantasy novel with a healthy dose of dragons, this is a good choice. It's not terribly original, but it is fun and easy to read. Since it is quite engaging, the 400 pages flew by and now I'll patiently wait for the next book in the series.

Never having read any of his novels, Davis did an excellent job of pulling me into a story. For an adult reading a juvenile's book, you expect it to have some plot holes and to be a bit, well, juvenile. Well, this one was NOT. It is a good, fascinating read for both young adults and adults alike! Good, solid plot that pulls you in and keeps you enthralled to the end, and leaves you wishing for more. This book SAYS that it's a novel, but the plot ends suddenly at the end, so it HAS to continue... I'm curious if they are planning more?


All that being said, I was a bit irritated by two things: First, I felt like the title was a bit of a spin off from "Twilight", and the look of the cover seemed to be copying that. As a Christian parent, this made me REAL hesitant to give the book to my daughter, until I read it myself. The title and cover simply wasn't necessary. The other thing that annoyed me, since this IS a Christian fiction book for JUVENILES... is that there are about 4 references in the book to the dragons BREEDING people... and them having babies even though being separated from husband, to a mother being forced into "baby producing" after her husband died, and other things along these lines. Granted, they aren't blatant enough to really be a problem, but since I have some advanced readers who are younger than the normal audience, I was hesitant, and finally decided that they are vague enough that it shouldn't be a problem. So not really a big deal, just a minor heads up to the parents out there. Still, I wish it wasn't there.

I am looking forward to exploring the author's other works now... I had heard of them but never delved into them until I was offered this book for review. So now I will definitely be reading his other ones!

Jason Masters and the other inhabitants of Major Four, one of eighteen worlds that circle the star Solarus, are taught that dragons are mythical creatures, the stuff of old-wives' tales and stories told by firelight to frighten children. Belief in real dragons who travel to Major Four through a mystical portal to steal humans is strictly forbidden, a crime of treason against the State.

Meanwhile, on planet Starlight, Koren is a slave, a descendant of humans rescued from the horror of another world, Darksphere, by Starlight's benevolent dragon overlords. Or so the story goes. She dreams of a better life in a land where humans can enjoy true freedom-but rebellion against the dragons means certain death.

Jason is about to learn that the old legends are true. Koren will soon discover a reason to hope for rescue from the dragons' oppressive rule-and the power to make her dreams reality. The fates of these two young people are intertwined, in a way neither of them could ever imagine. As for the dragons, their prophecy of a powerful new prince who will usher in a golden age of prosperity is about to be fulfilled.

Unfortunately, that shining utopia has no room for humans.

Bryan Davis' Starlighter is the first volume of an epic saga of adventure, courage, and desperate hope spanning two worlds at once familiar and alien. The story's heroes personify a host of noble qualities-courage, self-sacrifice, endurance, ingenuity, humility, loyalty, and an unwavering faith in the rightness of their cause, coupled with determination to see it through.

While discussing any work of Christian fiction, somebody will eventually inquire about its faith content, beyond the simple embrace of Christian values. The humans of Starlighter acknowledge the "Creator of All" and believe He guides and influences the events of their life. They follow a written Code that defines the Creator's expectations for their daily life. They ask for His help and direction in prayer. The Creator remains offstage and silent throughout the story, but one could easily credit His orchestration of its events and His protection of our heroes and their friends through some very hazardous situations. Is Starlighter Christian enough to merit the label? Yes, I think so, especially considering its recurring theme of redemptive self-sacrifice.

I enjoyed Starlighter very much. It's an intriguing, fast-paced story with strong, likable characters and solid values that would be a fun read for anyone from early teens on up who likes science fiction or fantasy adventure. Or dragons.

Jason Masters never really believed in the old legend that said people were enslaved and taken to another planet to work for their dragon masters. His older brothers believed, though, and they determinedly searched for the portal between their worlds so that they could rescue those who had been stolen - The Lost Ones. When Jason sees proof for himself, he finally believes and starts looking for the portal that his brothers have already traveled through. But before he can help The Lost Ones, he must rescue his sister from the dungeon, avoid the plotters who framed him for the governor's murder, commit deeds of courage & heroism to make the magic finger work and just try to stay alive!

Meanwhile, on the dragon planet, Koren slaves away for her master, Arxad, and tries to determine what is myth and what is true. Legend says that all of the humans on the planet are descended from a small group of people captured from another planet and transported through a portal to work in the mines where the dragons are too big to go. But dragon history claims that humans have always worked for dragons. She is not sure who to believe! Koren must also struggle to understand her own growing powers, for she is a rare Starlighter. When she tells stories, the humans and emotions she is talking about come to life for those listening to the tale. She will either rise to great power - or be destroyed for overstepping her bounds.

In this first book, there is a clear difference between the worlds and you jump back and forth between Jason & Koren. They usually alternate by chapters, which can be a bit frustrating, as you just get into the action on one planet and then are thrown into the other person's head so you are constantly having to wait to find out what happens! I understand why the author chose to write the book this way, but I did not particularly care for it. I am hoping that the next 2 books have the protagonists on the same planet and working towards the same goal so that we can see the story from different perspectives, which I think will be really interesting. The reason why I think it will be interesting is that it is ironic that, even though Koren is a slave and Jason is not, both of them enjoy about the same amount of freedom. It will be interesting to see how the author changes both planets in the end, which I hope he does!

The book is well written, but there is just something missing in it for me. Sure, there is plenty of action and the teens always seem to be in the thick of things. This means that everything is fast-paced and so you will not lose interest, but you also will not really care about everything that is happening. Bryan Davis created these two unique, interesting worlds, but does not really develop them for the reader. They are flat and one-dimensional. The author only takes the time to describe aspects of society and details about the surroundings to further the plot and then drops it to the background again. Also, I was not attached to the characters. Did I want them to win, sure. Was I personally invested in their success, not really. The main characters didn't really seem to feel anything for their fellow characters either. When Koren accidentally causes a kind man's death she just kind of shrugs it off and goes on her way. Jason becomes friends with an enemy's son very quickly and it is like they are all okay and this noble's son is suddenly willing to defer to someone born his inferior. It just did not ring true for me.

Anyway, I understand that this book was written for tweens and teens and I think it will appeal to them as the book is fast-paced and full of action. However, I think that older teens and adults will be a bit disappointed as there is really no connection with the reader. I just feel like there is something that is not quite there and I cannot just sit back and enjoy the book for what it is as there is a huge piece missing for me. Of course, I still think that this is a decent choice if you are looking for a fantasy/science fiction hybrid - especially if you are looking for something clean and with a positive message.

In Starlighter, by bestselling author Bryan Davis, dragons have kidnapped humans from their planet and taken them to theirs, enslaved them, tortured them, and worked them to their deaths. Years have passed since that date, and both worlds have forgotten. Darksphere, the human world, contains an organization that remembers the Lost Ones, those stolen from their world, and seeks the gateway to the dragon planet. But these people are mocked and scorned. On Starlight, the dragon world, those who remember and hold to the belief that they are not meant for slavery are similarly mocked.

But the lost will be found.

Bryan Davis again pens a beautiful, fast passed, epic tale of four teens' determination to do that which they know to be right. The plot was exhilarating, the characters were very clearly defined, and the writing was excellent as usual. Mr. Davis did what is every writer's goal--he created an adrenaline laced plot with believable characters. Given any line of dialogue I could recite the character that would have said it, each one was that real, and the story kept me thinking late into the night.

Also, this book is clearly a story filled with Christian themes. The basic plot line is a beautiful tale and challenge of reaching out to the lost. While the themes are clearly there I do believe the story can be enjoyed without noticing or understanding the allegory.

I'd recommend this book to any young adult, 10 and up. An excellent read for teens and adults.

And a cliffhanger to boot.

StarlighterI just finished Bryan Davis' Starlighter (Dragons of Starlight #1) which (still is) a free Kindle download.

Jason Masters did not believe the myths that told of people taken through a portal to another realm and enslaved by dragons. But when his second brother disappears hinting that he was going to the Dragon World he follows after in a quest to find both his brothers.

Koren, a slave of the dragons' realm, discovers she has a gift that could either save or help doom her people. Eventually these two meet each trying to save different people.

As Jason and Koren work to rescue the enslaved humans, a mystic prophecy surrounding a black egg may make all their efforts futile, or maybe not. Hey its not every day you encounter a talking egg! A grand adventure with subtle Christian undertones, not preachy at all but an exciting page turner with new and different perspectives. I gave it 5 Stars.

Jason Masters, the best young warrior on his planet, is forced to use every bit of his skill when a cryptic message left by his long lost brother calls him to do some serious planet hopping. Along with his supposedly dead best friend, former arch enemy and Tibber the Fibber, he begins his quest to free the Lost Ones from their dragon oppressors.

Everything is here to make an incredible new fantasy series, even if this, the first book, is a little lacking in the "satisfying ending" department. I'm definitely looking forward to book two.

Fans of Davis' previous dragon books (Dragons in our Midst, Oracles of Fire) will love Starlighter, but even if you aren't a big fan (like me), if you can get through the first hundred pages or so, you'll probably like it.

Starlighter, in my opinion, was a very hard book to get through. It had some action, but it seemed thrown into the story rather than tied in at the right time. I am not a major critic and I love almost all ficticious books, but Starlighter just wasn't that good. It seemed like there were a lot of "stray" ends and that it took forever for Jason to ever meet Koren. I was waiting for the book to get good, but then I realized I was 2/3 of the way through. I hope this is helpful!

The characters in Starlighter seem wrought out of true emotion, and contain great depth. Jason mourns for his brothers and other unfortunates. Koren feels great responsibility for Natalla when she attempts to escape her slave life. Arxad sees the slaves as the humans view themselves.

Bryan Davis employs a greatly tempered use of writing in this fantasy. He takes a unique plot and convinces us that this fiction story could really happen, because of our familiarity given by the writing language used. He takes many plot details that could become extensively confusing, as sometimes was the case in his Echoes From The Edge trilogy, and uses them not to confound, but to intrigue and entice the reader.

Themes present in this fantasy title offer us some insight into our Christian lives. Sacrifice is very frequent in our world, and we must face it with faith that God is in control. We must have faith that what is best for us is what he is giving us.

Overall, Starlighter is a one-of-a-kind fantasy book with a decent and enticing plot. I give this book 5 stars for Bryan's successful mixing of fiction and Biblical truth.

I purchased this book originally because it was available for free on my kindle. I found it to be an easy read and I related to the characters. I read a lot of YA Fiction because that is what my tweens read. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and did purchase the second book and am looking forward to the release of the third soon. I have not read other books by the this author but if you enjoy fantasy fiction - worlds with dragons and heros who stand true to their family and friends - this is a book for you.