Book Review: CassaStar

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Cross-posted at Amazon, GoodReads, and my blog review page.

CassaStar
By Alex J. Cavanaugh
Published by Dancing Lemur Press (2010)
ISBN#0981621066

(No Spoilers) Part space opera, part adventure, and applicable to both young adult and adult readers, CassaStar is the thrilling debut novel by Alex J. Cavanaugh, science fiction writer and blogger.

Alex has a simple writing style with good flow. I found myself quickly caught up in his prose. CassaStar is written in multiple PoV, limited to the two main characters of Byron and Bassa. Byron is an arrogant, insecure fighter pilot trainee, and Bassa is an experienced instructor with a stern disposition. I loved Bassa, and found Byron off-putting at first (though he does redeem himself). Particularly impressive was Alex's use of the telepathic abilities of Cassans in multiple point of view. At times it was omniscient, but very well done.

The world-building in CassaStar is sparse, but intriguing, giving the reader a sense of the setting without inundating us with details. The pages turn quickly and I never found myself growing bored. CassaStar showcases character development in a science fiction atmosphere. It has many exciting moments of space combat, lasers, and explosions, but the core of CassaStar is the progression of Byron and Bassa. How they change and grow.

This is one of the best science fiction debuts I have read in a long time. My largest complaint was a lack of female characters. Byron's sister makes an appearance, but it's short and lacks any reader empathy. What do these Cassan women do?

Outside of that, CassaStar was a wonderful read that I would recommend to anyone interested in character driven science fiction. If you're a big softy like me, you may cry a bit, so you've been warned. CassaStar sucked me in and held me rapt. I cannot wait to read Alex's next novel and watch his craft steadily improve.

(4 Stars)







To pilot the fleet’s finest ship…

Few options remain for Byron. A talented but stubborn young man with a troubled past and rebellious attitude, his cockpit skills are his only hope. Slated to train as a Cosbolt fighter pilot, Byron is determined to prove his worth and begin a new life as he sets off for the moon base of Guaard.

Much to Byron’s chagrin, the toughest instructor in the fleet takes notice of the young pilot. Haunted by a past tragedy, Bassa eventually sees through Byron's tough exterior and insolence. When a secret talent is revealed during training, Bassa feels compelled to help Byron achieve his full potential.

As war brews on the edge of space, time is running short. Byron requires a navigator of exceptional quality to survive, and Bassa must make a decision that could well decide the fate of both men. Will their skills be enough as they embark on a mission that may stretch their abilities to the limit?

“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal

Links to Purchase:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million

Also available in eBook format for Kindle, iPad, Nook, and others.