Today I am happy to be participating in a blog tour for Slumbering written by C.S. Johnson. This is the third tour for this author I’ve taken part in but this is my first review. Before I begin this promo post, I would like to thank R&R Book Tours and the author for organizing this fantastic blog tour. There have been so many great posts and I am happy to be a part of it. Stay until the end and we have something special for you all as well!
Alright…today, let’s learn a little more about C. S. Johnson and her new novel Slumbering.
Slumbering (Starlight Chronicles Book 1)
Author: C. S. Johnson
Published: December 29th, 2014 (Kindle Edition)
Publisher: CreateSpace
Book Length: 301 Pages
Genre: Fantasy (YA)
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥
Buy the book: Amazon
Review
So, we all know I am a sucker for a good cover. This cover is beautifully dark but holds so many smaller details that might be easy to miss. The first thing we see here is a fierce looking…angel? The dark sky eludes to some type of danger. The smoldering debri looks normal but in the dark background, we can see a few birds. A crumbling clock tower makes the reader think the story deals with some sort of time, whether it is going into the past or simply running out of time to do something. Overall, the cover is so full of fantastic detail, it was obviously something I needed to read but the description is really what pulled me in.
When I started this book, I really wasn’t sure that I’d actually finish. The pace was slow and the plot was not compelling. I struggled with the idea of not finishing and simply posting a promotional post for this tour. But, that isn’t like me so I kept reading and I am happy I did. Around 70% I actually really began enjoying the story. Yes, it did take a long time for me to get into it but I ended up enjoying it.
In the beginning, the book seemed very juvenile. I think it might have been written for the younger side of the young adult audience. It revolves around a high school student, Hamilton, and deals with many typical issues experienced by high school students. Some of these include trying to date the popular girl, keeping your reputation, not getting along with your parents, etc. The story is written in first person POV and reads very much like a juvenile diary. I think this is part of what pulled me away from the story.
Those things aside, it was refreshing to read a book with a male lead. I’ve read too many books with female protagonists and seeing a male was a nice change of pace. He does make some decisions that seem forced or unrealistic.
Some scenes came up a little short on imagery for me, I had a difficult time envisioning them. I think these might simply be issues in this book that fade over time throughout the series. The first book in the series has a lot to accomplish the remaining ones often turn out better.
Hamilton: I really disliked this character just because of how egotistical he was. He was the high school football star and was not afraid to let everyone know. I actually was happy when Tim came along and made him feel a little less worthy of well…everything. I was glad to see him pushed into challenging situations and I hope this makes him grow a bit. By the end of the book, I still felt he was high his own horse so to speak, but I am hoping in book two he changes.
Elysian: Elysian…yes he was my favorite. He knocks Hamilton down a bit, forcing him to see who he really is, or what he isn’t. He annoys Hamilton just enough and has witty responses. He made me laugh on more than one occasion. Aside from his humor, he is a shape-changing dragon! How could I not love a dragon…? Exactly!
The world building was nice here but it could have been a bit more in depth. Being the first book in a series, there was a lot to do. I think I have the general idea fo the alternate world but there are so many unanswered questions. Those will likely be answered in the sequels.
Although this book does take some time to get into and might have the most appealing protagonist, it is a good start to a series. I would recommend it be geared toward younger YA readers, pre-teens or young teens. C.S. Johnson writes a book that has so much potential to show character development. She is not afraid to bring a new concept to the table and dare I say, I think readers love that.
About the Author
C. S. Johnson is the award-winning, genre-hopping author of several novels, including young adult sci-fi and fantasy adventures such as the Starlight Chronicles series, the Once Upon a Princess saga, and the Divine Space Pirates trilogy. With a gift for sarcasm and an apologetic heart, she currently lives in Atlanta with her family. Find out more at http://www.csjohnson.me.
Giveaway
For your chance to win a print copy of Slumbering by C.S. Johnson, click the link below!
Tour Schedule
April 15th
Reads & Reels (Review) http://www.readsandreels.com
Daily Waffle (Excerpt) http://www.dailywaffle.co.uk
Sophril Reads (Excerpt) http://sophrilreads.wordpress.com
April 16th
I Smell Sheep (Cover Love Feature) http://www.ismellsheep.com/
Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks (Review) https://quirkycatsfatstacks.com/
I Love Books and Stuff (Excerpt) https://ilovebooksandstuffblog.wordpress.com
Reading Nook (Excerpt) http://readingnook84.wordpress.com
The Bookworm Drinketh (Excerpt) http://thebookwormdrinketh.wordpress.com/
April 17th
Jessica Rachow (Review) http://jessicarachow.wordpress.com
#Bookish (Excerpt) http://erindeckerblog.wordpress.com
Yearwood La Novella (Excerpt) http://yearwooddailybookreview.wordpress.com
April 18th
J Bronder Reviews (Review) https://jbronderbookreviews.com/
The Bibliophagist (Review) http://thebibliophagist.blog/
B is for Book Review (Excerpt) https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
April 19th
Breakeven Books (Interview) https://breakevenbooks.com
The Invisible Moth (Review) https://daleydowning.wordpress.com
Stacy is Reading (Review) https://stacyisreading.blogspot.com/?m=0
Blog Tour Organized By:
R&R Book Tours
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Thanks for such a thorough review! I too found it hard to get in to but once it got going, inbound myself very invested. I look forward to the next ones. Thanks for hosting today!
I was the same way! Anytime, it was a decent read