Book Review: The Emerald Storm by Sullivan (2.5 Stars)

The Emerald Storm by Michael J. Sullivan

2.5 out of 5 stars

Read in August 2010

Many new characters, bit part cast members, introduced in this episode, and just like their infamous red shirted ST:TOS forebearers, they dropped like flies before the credits rolled. I felt disconnected from most of the characters, with the exception of Modina and Wesley. The plot jerked, jumped and ultimately crumbled. Not even the expected banter between Royce and Hadrian could inspire a smile.

The acute flowering romance between Arista and her lifelong bodyguard caused me to cringe for I felt not a twinge of sympathetic desire, nor compassion at the abrupt end to the fledgling relationship. Wesley’s self-sacrificial demise stirred an empathetic flutter in my heart, however briefly.

So many unanswered questions, characters and subplots snipped prematurely, puzzle pieces scattered to the winds and time for all I can see. Not sure I care at this point in the series.

The copyright page listed the editors (story and copy editors) by name, which I found odd. Not to disparage the hard work of those individuals, but perhaps a few more eyes before going to press to polish plot and style might have helped.

Interesting side note: The author’s wife recently announced he was seeking an agent in an effort to move from a small press to one of the New York publishing houses. I wish him well, because, if nothing else, a professional editor at a large press publisher will be a boon to both the author and us, his readers.

GR Status Updates:

08/13/2010 page 1 0.0%
08/13/2010 page 22 6.0% “I didn’t expect that plot twist, but I haven’t missed the prevalent passive voice.”
08/14/2010 page 42 11.0% “The banter between Hadrian, Royce and Gwen seems stilted.”
08/14/2010 page 60 16.0% “Contest mighty convenient and unconvincing; and we’re already sailing.”
08/14/2010 page 97 26.0% “Positivity passively overly adverbly.” 2 comments
08/14/2010 page 124 33.0% “Last chapter nearly all dialogue; adage ‘Show, don’t tell’ comes to mind.”
08/15/2010 page 160 43.0% “If only I cared about these characters . . . at least the last couple of chapters seemed better edited.”
08/16/2010 page 204 54.0% “Action increased last few chapters, lessening passive voice.”
08/16/2010 page 239 64.0% “Instead of ‘Waiting inside were four Tenkins.’ why not ‘Four Tenkins waited inside.’??”
08/16/2010 page 248 66.0% “Instead of ‘Groggy and confused, he soon passed out once more.’ why not ‘Groggy and confused, he passed out.’??”
08/16/2010 page 262 70.0% “Fortune telling (and copy editing) nearly fatal.”
08/16/2010 page 268 71.0% “Sentence fragment, I believe (see comment attached below).” 1 comment
08/17/2010 page 322 86.0% “As you wish, Mr. Wesley.”
08/17/2010 page 354 94.0% “Hadrian spouts colorful metaphors while chained behind cell door number three.”
08/17/2010 page 375 100.0%

3 thoughts on “Book Review: The Emerald Storm by Sullivan (2.5 Stars)”

    1. I just didn’t care for it, mostly because I think it could have used a bit more polishing and editing. At this point (when I read it back in 2010) it was self-published.

      I’d suggest picking up the Orbit re-prints, repackaged as a trilogy instead of the six-volume series he self published. Theft of Swords was the first re-print, followed by Rise of Empire and then Heir of Novron.

      Also, I highly recommend his very recently released Crown Tower (last month) and The Rose and the Thorn (this month).

      1. Yeah. I have Theft of Swords and Rise of Empire. Working my way through. I’m glad his new ones are good to as Royce and Hadrian are great characters. The whole thing feels like a fantasy set Star Wars reboot… that doesn’t suck.

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