The Reading Bud

Book Blog by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi

Book Review: Friends With Wings

23109414

Author: Michelle Murrain
Release Date: September 26th 2014
Series: None
Genre: Fantasy
Edition: mobi
Pages: 167
Publisher: Ursa Minor Publishing
Source: Author
Buy it here:

Blurb

The year is 2102, the earth is in crisis, and Trina, a gutsy young woman from a poor family, is forced to sell herself into slavery to pay off her family’s debt. To her surprise, she ends up being sent into space to help colonize a star. Her future seems bright until crisis strikes the colony – leaving Trina the only human being left alive on Planet Johannes. Another spaceship is slated to arrive in a decade, but how will Trina survive alone for ten years? And even if she does, how can she keep the next colony from meeting the same fate? The answers to these questions show up in the form of “friends with wings.” Once Trina meets the Eeriv, nothing will ever be the same.

Rating

4-stars

 Review

Plot/Story:

This was a fast paced novel and very enjoyable. I actually had trouble sleeping because my mind was so focused on the story and asking all the “what ifs.” The main character, Trina, comes from a poor family. Though, most of earth is poor and earth is slowly becoming all ocean. Trina’s parents die in a tragic accident and the family debt lies on Trina’s head. But instead of working hard to pay it off, the government wants the debt paid now, which forces Trina to sell her labor contract. Her contract is then sold to another company, a company that will be sending humans to other planets in hopes of helping the human species survive.

Once in space and on one of the habitable planets, something tragic happens and Trina is suddenly the only human on this alien planet, but the friendly residents that call this planet home, take Trina in and help her survive.

There is so much that I love about this book. The downfall of earth is something that we can relate to, though it is not nearly as bad as what Trina witnesses. The idea of going to an alien planet and finding a friendly species that is just as interested in humans as we would be of them. This story also gives us a little insight on how cruel humans can be. Think about it, if an alien were to land on our planet, we wouldn’t help it survive and teach it how to go on in our world. We would gut it and study it, like the savages we are.

If anything, this novel could be used to open the eyes of others.

Characters:

Trina is already a strong character when we begin the story. She has to be in the world that she has been born to. But as the story progresses Trina becomes even stronger and learns to be independent. As you read, Trina goes from being a scared young girl to a very confident young woman.

Romance/Kills:

There isn’t much romance, but there are many friendships and sometimes that is even better than romance. As for deaths, there is plenty of it, though not extremely graphic and you don’t linger too long on the horrible fate of some humans.

Writing:

The writing I felt was well done for this story. The vocabulary does have its moments where it seems a bit extreme, but this is a somewhat scientific novel and the use of stronger vocabulary is necessary. I was a little disappointed in some cases though. There seems to be a ton of missing words that I had to fill in for myself. I feel like that the book could use at least one more, good edit.

Beginning:

The beginning was perfect for this book. It shows how fall the Earth has fallen and the mess that people are living in. It helps understand why Trina was so quick to agree to going into space, not that she had much of a choice.

Ending:

I am so happy with the ending. I was terrified that the ending was going to mess up everything, I was waiting for it to end in disaster, but I feel that the author handled the ending very well. I feel like this book could become a series, but it is perfect as is. I love a good stand-alone novel.

Cover Art:

The cover is very beautiful and might have a little something to do with why I chose this book to read.

Blurb:

The blurb feels right. It gives you just enough to want to read the story, but not enough to give it all away.

You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.

Other Stuff 

Opening Line: I am alone, and have been alone for one hundred days.

Highlights: It is a fantastical world that Trina becomes a part of.

Lowlights: Just a few editing issues that need to be looked at.

Final Thoughts: I would read this book again, just to make sure I didn’t miss anything.


Review contributor:

pics-2Heather Mostella:

I’m a reader, writer, dreamer, and crafter. I like to create things and I love to see what others create. I avoid reality as much as possible, and often pretend I’m a vampire. I also own a group of black cats, so my neighbors think I’m a witch and I’m okay with that. I am a fan girl.

I love shows like Doctor Who, Supernatural, and Grimm. I love anime and dream of one day going to Japan. I just like to have fun, enjoy life, and do what makes me happy.

Read more about Heather here.


I’m Heena

Welcome to The Reading Bud, my cosy corner of the internet dedicated to all things books and authors. Here, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovering under-represented books, independent and small press authors, and all things book with a touch of love and loud purrs. Let’s get Reading!

Book of the Month

Read this captivating story on the adventures and hardships of Frank Knightlite, a man who strives to illuminate darkness with his lantern in search of answers to life’s questions.
You can get it here.
June 2015
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930  

Reading is like breathing to me.

Recent Posts

  • Character Interview: Fedor From Fedor by Brant Vickers

    Today, we are featuring Fedor, the lead character from Fedor by, for our Character Interview feature. About The Author Brant Vickers Brant Vickers started work as a caddy and delivered flowers in Southern California before going into the military. He’s…

  • Book Review: Presence, The Play by William E. Jefferson

    Author: William E. JeffersonRelease Date: 1st May 2021Genre: Surreal Fiction, FantasySeries:Format: E-book Pages: 262 pagesPublisher: Mason S. HaynieBlurb:Presence, the Play offers a penetrating perspective on the vital role personal presence plays in the essence of life. This timely, captivating novel speaks to a…

  • Online Gaming: Then (1990’s) and Now (2021)

    I remember the time when I was a kid stuck to playing only with my video game console (Nintendo) but my elder cousins, the “cooler” ones at least, playing games on their new computer sets. Yes,…

  • ARC Review: Ecclesia’s Table by Mason S Haynie

    Author: Mason S HaynieRelease Date: 29th June 2021Genre: Dystopian Fiction, Speculative FictionSeries:Format: E-book Pages: 368 pagesPublisher: Mason S. HaynieBlurb:The world is a wasteland. It always has been. Moshe, Amaru, and Reenu have never known anything other than the desert wasteland that raised them.…

  • Book Review: Dear Me: Letters to Myself, For All of My Emotions by Donna Tetreault

    Author: Donna Tetreault, Elisena Bonadio (Illustrations)Release Date: 15th March 2021Genre: Children’s Non-FictionSeries:Format: E-book Pages: 36 pagesPublisher: Donna TetreaultBlurb:Dear Me, Letters to Myself For All of My Emotions teaches young children how to recognize and manage the emotions they feel throughout the day. Through a…