Review and $75 Giveaway: The Silver Sphere by Michael Dadich

Hullo! Happy New Year, folks! Welcome to my first blog tour of 2013 (cue: fireworks)! This here’s a review of The Silver Sphere by Michael Dadich. Will you look at that awesome cover? It was the cover that reeled me in, I tell you. Look at that pout. Now, go have a look-see at my review and check out the tour-wide giveaway at the end of this post! Woot.

About the book

Shelby Pardow never imagined she could kill someone. All she wants to do is hide from her troubled father… when she is teleported to awaiting soldiers on the planet Azimuth. Here she is not a child, but Kin to one of the six Aulic Assembly members whom Malefic Cacoethes has drugged and imprisoned. He seeks to become dictator of this world (and then Earth by proxy).

His father, Biskara, is an evil celestial entity, tracked by the Assembly with an armillary device, The Silver Sphere. With the Assembly now deposed, Biskara directs Malefic and the Nightlanders to their strategic targets. Unless…

Can Shelby find the other Kin, and develop courage and combat skills? Can the Kin reassemble in time to release or replace the Assembly, overthrowing Malefic and restraining Biskara?

I’ve been looking forward to this novel ever since I saw the gorgeous cover and book trailer, and I had high expectations. The Silver Sphere did not exactly blow my mind, but it was an interesting read nonetheless. It had all the good elements of fantasy–otherworlds, interesting characters and creatures, magic and power.  I enjoyed reading about the fascinating world of planet Azimuth and the link between Azimuth and Earth. I liked the different kinds of characters in the story–the Kin, the rogue company of warriors, the creatures of the forests, the Truthkeepers. I also appreciated the fast pace of the book. It wasn’t hard to read and there was always something happening in every page.

What I would’ve liked to see were more back stories. I know, I’ve been a where-are-the-back-stories kind of gal lately with my last few reviews. Maybe I’ve just been a little impatient with all the series I’ve read this year and I wanted more back stories and descriptions of the world the main characters found themselves in. I was also a bit unconvinced with how Shelby and the other Kin kiddies were contacted and teleported to Azimuth. I mean, the kids received instant messages on their computer, were instructed where to go–they didn’t know they were being led to a portal–and were teleported to a planet that resembled the medieval times and prohibited technology. I just did not get the whole issue with technology on Azimuth. I would’ve loved more elaboration on that even if that bit wasn’t really central to the story.

Anyhoo, those little details aside, The Silver Sphere was not a bad read at all. The book is only the start of Shelby and the other Kin’s adventures so I guess we’ll just have to wait for the next book!

I received a review copy of this book at no cost and with no obligations. All opinions and views expressed here are my own.

About the author

I’ve been writing since first setting pencil to steno pad at age 8. A year later, I began developing the world of my current series-in-progress, and even created its title, The Silver Sphere. Now, with the support of years of experience, those early maps and back stories have progressed into what I hope is a fresh and entertaining take on the classic young adult fantasy adventure.

Despite my frequent escapes into parallel worlds, I root myself firmly in my very real family and community. When not pacing the yard maniacally after every few pages of writing, I spend as much time as possible hanging out with my studly 9-year-old son, and my inspirational wife Jenna. I also coach several local youth sports teams in Beverly Hills, and alternate between yelling at my two crazy Corgis and hiking with my trained German Shepherd.

For more, join me in my favorite fantasy worlds, from Lord of the Rings to the creations of C.S. Lewis, Anne McCaffrey and Terry Brooks. Even more importantly, stop by and say hello on my Facebook page at AuthorMichaelDadich, tweet me at @MichaelDadich, and stalk my website at http://www.thesilversphere.org.

Giveaway

Michael will be awarding a whopping $75 Amazon or BN.com GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Check out the other tour stops for more chances of winning! See the tour dates below:

12/31/12 Indie Designz
1/1/13 Always a Book Lover
1/2/13 Rogues Angels
1/3/13 White Sky Project
1/4/13 Blooding Book Reviews

14 thoughts on “Review and $75 Giveaway: The Silver Sphere by Michael Dadich”

  1. I like the premise of a young heroine being transported into a very different world and expected to become a hero/savior/warrior. I like YA books/stories with a kick-butt young woman (think Buffy, Hunger Games, etc.).

    Reply
  2. I appriciate that you gave an honest review with the highlights and lowlights in your opinion. I love the concept so I do plan on checking it out on amazon

    fencingromein at hotmail dot com

    Reply
  3. I’ve never heard of Silver Sphere before today! Thank you doing a review on it. From your review it sounds like a fun adventure, blending fantasy with a teeny bit of sci-fi sprinkled on top. I definitely have to check it out soon.

    lilianxcheng AT gmail.com
    Lilian @ A Novel Toybox

    Reply

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