Beem Weeks's Blog - Posts Tagged "s-rose"
A Truly Fantastic Story
Song of the Manatee: Aria of Light by S. RoseMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Song of the Manatee: Aria of Light is a story set in the year 2199, in Florida, in a world dominated by a centralized government intent on controlling every aspect of life through technology.
When paleontologist Michael Black vanishes, his daughter Swan ties the disappearance to a ship that may not be of this world. The all-controlling government, with their own agenda, attempts to squelch any talk of otherworldly visitors.
The character of Swan is a wonderful mixture of innocence and fierce intelligence that won’t allow her to simply ignore the facts of her father’s disappearance. The story itself is a well-written mix of science fiction, fantasy, and young adult, working well among each of these genres. Travels through time and different dimensions introduce readers to strange and fascinating characters. But it’s protagonist Swan who truly shines in this story.
Manatee is the second novel from author Rose. I’ve read and reviewed her first, Bridge Ices Before Road. I’ve been a fan ever since. Rose possesses the ability to create characters that become quite real to readers of her work. Believable characters are important to any story’s success.
This story, like her first, contains lessons on life and living, touching on issues of family and ecological responsibility without becoming preachy. Rose has constructed believable scenes, realistic characters, and a story that will certainly entertain a wide variety of reading tastes. If you haven’t discovered the talent that is S. Rose, I invite you to do so with a read of Song of the Manatee: Aria of Light.
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Sparrow In The Wind (Review)
Sparrow In The Wind is the fourth novel I’ve read by S. Rose. The middle two books, while well written and entertaining, are science fiction. I’m just not a big fan of that genre. This most recent novel—along with her debut title—falls into my favorite genre: coming of age.
Sparrow In The Wind tells the story of young Cassandra Parsons, a girl living with her parents in 1962 Wisconsin. As the story’s narrative voice, Cassandra shares her life’s experiences with readers, telling us about her move from the “big city” of Racine, to the backwoods of northern Wisconsin.
Along the way Cassandra learns of several long-hidden family secrets—some of which have the potential to destroy relationships within her family structure. Upon her move to the sticks, she befriends a half-Ojibwa Indian girl called Sparrow. The stark contrast between these two girls’ worlds is painted onto the pages of the book in vivid living color.
Cassandra, brought up in a solid middle class home filled with love and family, has never gone without the necessities of life. Sparrow, living in abject poverty, has never known any but a life of nothingness.
Despite these contrasting situations, these two girls forge a bond that holds their lives together even as the world around them spins recklessly out of control.
Ms. Rose writes coming of age stories as well as anybody within the genre—and this includes both indie authors as well as the traditionally published. To say I am a fan is an understatement. Her ability to bring characters to life is an admirable skill, to be sure. However, it is her rare gift of moving readers to actually care for her characters that sets her stories apart from other writers working in the coming-of-age genre.
I read her debut novel, Bridge Ices Before Road, several years ago. The story and characters remain with me to this day. Good writers do this with regularity. S. Rose has two books now that occupy the book shelf in my mind. If you haven’t yet discovered this incredible talent, the loss is yours.
Sparrow In The Wind tells the story of young Cassandra Parsons, a girl living with her parents in 1962 Wisconsin. As the story’s narrative voice, Cassandra shares her life’s experiences with readers, telling us about her move from the “big city” of Racine, to the backwoods of northern Wisconsin.
Along the way Cassandra learns of several long-hidden family secrets—some of which have the potential to destroy relationships within her family structure. Upon her move to the sticks, she befriends a half-Ojibwa Indian girl called Sparrow. The stark contrast between these two girls’ worlds is painted onto the pages of the book in vivid living color.
Cassandra, brought up in a solid middle class home filled with love and family, has never gone without the necessities of life. Sparrow, living in abject poverty, has never known any but a life of nothingness.
Despite these contrasting situations, these two girls forge a bond that holds their lives together even as the world around them spins recklessly out of control.
Ms. Rose writes coming of age stories as well as anybody within the genre—and this includes both indie authors as well as the traditionally published. To say I am a fan is an understatement. Her ability to bring characters to life is an admirable skill, to be sure. However, it is her rare gift of moving readers to actually care for her characters that sets her stories apart from other writers working in the coming-of-age genre.
I read her debut novel, Bridge Ices Before Road, several years ago. The story and characters remain with me to this day. Good writers do this with regularity. S. Rose has two books now that occupy the book shelf in my mind. If you haven’t yet discovered this incredible talent, the loss is yours.
