10-30-2010, 07:00 AM | #31 |
Addict
Posts: 254
Karma: 59872
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, USA
Device: Kindle 3 (wifi) + nokia n900 tablet phone
|
I bought Firefly Island at Amazon, and then bought it again at Smashwords to pay for a copy for a niece.
I really enjoyed the book and I think it deserves the glowing reviews you mention it getting. I did have a problem with one part of it and I wanted to comment (constructively) for you to consider it in your future writing. I'll try to be a little vague to avoid blatant spoilers. A generally decent and earnest character transitions pretty much without explanation into a combination of frivolous and cold-blooded behavior, in one of the major section breaks of the book. I don't quibble with the idea that the change could have happened, even people with the best of motivations can do "Bad Things" believing there will be a greater good. I would have just appreciated a discussion of the transition. Something more than "CHARACTER embarks on a path of cold-blooded destruction because they had changed quite a bit in the past few years..." My impression of it was "love this character...love this character...uh-what??? *flip flip* (err <back button> <back button>)... no...doesn't look like I missed anything...." The explanation seemed to be glossed over to dedicate extra page space to a discussion about their new stylish clothing. I hope this comment wasn't too spoiler-ish. I don't feel it ruins the book. It was just very jarring for me in the middle of what was otherwise a very smooth and immersive read. Last edited by Gwen Morse; 10-30-2010 at 07:06 AM. |
11-05-2010, 07:45 PM | #32 |
ebookworm
Posts: 268
Karma: 100026
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Canada
Device: Kobo, Kindle
|
Hi Gwen,
Thank you for reading, and thank you for buying that second copy instead of lending yours. I appreciate it. Author Rob Duperre has called Aeolia, the main character, a "living contradiction". She was a challenge to write. You're right; she indeed switches from innocent, to dark, to strong, to scared. Firefly Island was first published in hardcover back in 2007. Were I writing the novel today, I probably wouldn't let her run out of control. Looking back on this novel now, I see all these little things that, today, I might have done differently... but it's with fondness. Today I see Firefly Island, my first novel, as a big hodge-podge of clunky earnestness and passion. I tell myself, "This is where I was, as a writer, in those early years; now stop reminiscing, sit down, and write the next book... and make it the best one yet." Daniel |
11-11-2010, 12:22 PM | #33 | |
ebookworm
Posts: 268
Karma: 100026
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Canada
Device: Kobo, Kindle
|
My fantasy novel Firefly Island received its 18th Amazon review this morning -- for five stars. On Amazon.com, Firefly Island now has 12 five-star reviews and 6 four-star reviews.
Quote:
[Image deleted - MODERATOR] Thanks for reading, Daniel Last edited by Dr. Drib; 03-26-2012 at 02:37 PM. |
|
11-14-2010, 09:53 AM | #34 | |
ebookworm
Posts: 268
Karma: 100026
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Canada
Device: Kobo, Kindle
|
New Five-Star Review for Firefly Island
Firefly Island has received another five-star review on Amazon.com. The novel now has nineteen reviews -- thirteen five-star reviews and six four-star reviews.
Here's a quote from the latest one: Quote:
You can find Firefly Island at the Kindle store, Smashwords, iBookstores, and many other ebook shops. Thanks for reading, Daniel |
|
12-11-2010, 04:36 PM | #35 |
ebookworm
Posts: 268
Karma: 100026
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Canada
Device: Kobo, Kindle
|
Fantasy novel Firefly Island received a new five-star review. Here's a quote:
"Daniel Arenson's novel Firefly Island creates a world that unfolds with many surprises and a great mixture of drama, tragedy, romance, and humor." You can read the full review on Amazon. |
12-18-2010, 08:33 PM | #36 |
ebookworm
Posts: 268
Karma: 100026
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Canada
Device: Kobo, Kindle
|
Firefly Island received a new five-star review:
"Daniel Arenson has captured the tender hearted beauty of fireflies in summer. Brian Aldiss writes, you have to grow up in order to see with the eyes of a child and put it in writing. This writer has done that. It's a novel of total imagination. I'm not going to be stupid enough to try to tell you about it. I can't. It is the delicate texture of firefly wings. This is a territory that is believed in seriously by everyone who still has that seven year old's courage of a tiger and fantasy that knows no boundary. You look at fireflies at night and maybe think they are really too beautiful and fragile to be a part of this knockabout world. That's where this novel comes in. It starts off with the gentleness of a cloud and moves on to adventures, sure and true. Battles for right and rewards and happily ever after. Though it takes an awfully enjoyable time filled with action you just do not want to see end. A movie, with about 45 billion dollars could be made of this book, it's worth it. But his pastel words turn on the film in our mind. We are captured totally, so it's a great book. I say buy it. I agree with his fans, he's a fine writer." You can read the full review on Amazon. |
01-10-2011, 07:10 PM | #37 |
ebookworm
Posts: 268
Karma: 100026
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Canada
Device: Kobo, Kindle
|
Firefly Island, an exciting January
Good evening, everyone. It's been some time since I've updated this thread, so I figured I'd fill you in.
Firefly Island has been having an exciting January. Red Adept Reviews has named Firefly Island the Runner Up Best Fantasy Novel of 2010. Indie author and book critic Robert Duperre has named Firefly Island one of the best novels of 2010. Firefly Island has also received several new Amazon reviews. It now has 23 reviews averaging 4.7 stars. The latest review writes: "Unique magic, excellent read. I highly recommend this book. This is one author I will keep an eye on, if their first offering is this good the sky is the limit." If you haven't read Firefly Island yet, feel free to grab a free sample from Smashwords, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble. You can also read a sample here. Thank you for reading! Last edited by DArenson; 01-11-2011 at 10:21 AM. |
02-08-2011, 05:15 AM | #38 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,157
Karma: 7068605
Join Date: Dec 2007
Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, B&N Nook Colro
|
Just finished reading this book.....wonderful!! I hope you are able to write more in this same world!
The characters came alive, the locations were vivid (sometimes too descriptive, but it didn't hurt the pacing at all), and characters you come to know die, no one is safe! And at the risk of a spoiler without too much detail....Taya and the worm....nice touch!! There are a couple things that I could say hurt the story...one, it was pretty predictable how the end was played out....there was a chapter that wasn't so much foreshadowing as it was "here's a crystal ball, watch and see". And I would have liked the map to be a bit more detailed. But those are minor....loved the book, will be buying more! EDIT: Just bought Flaming Dove today....it'll be up at the top of the list in the next two weeks! Last edited by jhempel24; 02-08-2011 at 09:59 AM. |
02-08-2011, 03:27 PM | #39 |
ebookworm
Posts: 268
Karma: 100026
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Canada
Device: Kobo, Kindle
|
Thanks, jhempel24! I hope you enjoy Flaming Dove, too. When you're done reading it, let me know what you think.
|
02-26-2011, 08:16 AM | #40 |
Indie Advocate
Posts: 2,863
Karma: 18794463
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Device: Kindle
|
Just starting to read this book now. Will tell you how I get on.
Regards Caleb |
02-26-2011, 08:38 AM | #41 | |
Cheese Whiz
Posts: 1,986
Karma: 11677147
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Device: Kindle PW, Samsung Tab A 10.1(2019), Pixel 6a.
|
Quote:
|
|
03-04-2011, 09:03 PM | #42 |
ebookworm
Posts: 268
Karma: 100026
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Canada
Device: Kobo, Kindle
|
|
03-04-2011, 09:03 PM | #43 |
ebookworm
Posts: 268
Karma: 100026
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Canada
Device: Kobo, Kindle
|
|
03-07-2011, 07:12 PM | #44 |
ebookworm
Posts: 268
Karma: 100026
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Canada
Device: Kobo, Kindle
|
If you'll excuse another thread bump, I wanted to share some lovely news.
A reader emailed me yesterday. She had found Firefly Island in the Kindle store, and enjoyed it enough to compose a song for the novel. You can hear the beautiful music here. I'm humbled and proud that my novel inspired this piece. In other news -- Firefly Island is only two copies shy of 2000 sold. I think the book can reach this milestone tonight. Soon I'll be able to snootily brag that Firefly Island has sold "thousands of copies", and technically be correct. Daniel |
03-08-2011, 03:12 AM | #45 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,157
Karma: 7068605
Join Date: Dec 2007
Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, B&N Nook Colro
|
Congrats!! Well deserved man!! And the song was fantastic too!
|
Tags |
fantasy ebooks, fantasy novels, summer reading |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Looking for a contemporary high or epic fantasy recommendation | sirbruce | Reading Recommendations | 48 | 03-21-2013 04:38 AM |
The Kinshield Legacy, an epic fantasy adventure - $2.99 | kcmay | Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers | 87 | 08-05-2011 03:10 PM |
NOW FREE - Epic Fantasy Novella: THE BLACK GOD'S WAR | MosesSiregarIII | Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers | 22 | 07-08-2011 04:11 AM |
* Epic Fantasy * Vengeance | lecoeur | Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers | 11 | 06-15-2011 06:32 AM |
The White Shadow Saga, an epic fantasy | APStephens | Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers | 0 | 08-26-2010 08:20 PM |