Review of Star Chaser

[Bethel Saint Bright]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Star Chaser" by Reiter.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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"Star Chaser" by Reiter is as advertised: a lot of action with little exposition. The story revolves around Dungias and his role in the ultimate game of the universe. Dungias was introduced as a young boy with weird characteristics. Even his family members did not seem to understand him. He would always dare things that normal people were scared of imagining. His encounter with a "Master Traveller," Nugar, began his journey to discovering his destiny and knowing more about his ancestry.

Phew! That was my expression when I finished reading this lengthy book (and I don't mean it badly). It has been long since I read a book this long. Thankfully, this book is worth every second spent reading it. From the first page, readers are immersed in the action, which doesn't stop until the final page. I was first introduced to a man who had come so close to obliterating a people from the universe but failed. In that instant, I knew plenty of action would keep me reading until the final page.

Albert Einstein is attributed to have said this: "Life is just like a game, first you have to learn the rules of the game, and then play it better than anyone else." This statement finds full expression in many of the story arcs of this book. First, we see the Iro-Games, where some entities are willing to circumvent the rules to have an edge over their opponents. We also see Freund and Neve challenging themselves to a game of chess, where the consequences of losing will be devastating. I like how this author uses the "show, don't tell" technique to point out that life is a game. 

For a lengthy book like this, it is expected that so many characters will be involved. One challenge this poses is the risk of some characters being lost in the maze as the plot unfolds. However, the author makes this book about Dungias. Many of the characters find relevance through their interactions with him. I easily remember characters like Nugar, Saru, Gantee, and Danatra because of their relationship with Dungias. Alternatively, the author provides a link to the list of characters to help readers appreciate their roles in the story.

I liked everything about the book. However, if this weren't the final version, it would have been great to have some graphics in it. This would help the book in two ways. First, it would give readers a mental picture of the characters and places. For instance, I kept imagining what Kiaplyx, the AI robot that Dungias fought with, looked like. Was it a full-machine robot or a humanoid? Secondly, it would help to intermittently break the boredom of an extended text reading. 

The above issue does not affect my enjoyment of the book negatively. Therefore, I rate it a five out of five. If you're a fan of stories that blend the hyper-scientific, like "Star Wars," and the magical, like "The Lord of the Rings," I recommend this book to you.

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Star Chaser
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[Chi Chiu Michael Mak]

A fantastical story that revolves around games is pretty new to me. I cannot wait to add it to my bookshelf, read it, and find out if Dungias succeeds in the end.

[Mark Lazarus]

It sounds like an epic, action-packed story with a fascinating blend of sci-fi and fantasy. The concept of life as a game and the philosophical undertones seem like they could add depth to the narrative. I also like when authors make central characters stand out while still giving supporting ones meaningful roles. The suggestion of including graphics is interesting too — visuals can often enhance imaginative world-building in stories like this. I’m intrigued by the concept and would consider giving it a read, especially since it seems like it has that “page-turner” quality.

[NetMassimo]

This seems like an engaging novel that mixes an element that might seem even superficial such as a game with something more profound, with ramifications that include the whole universe. Thank you for your great review!

[Leen282]

What a great review, makes me want to read the bok even though I have nothing with Satr Wars. I disagree about the need for graphics - for me, the beauty of books is being able to use one's own imagination as to what the characters looks like. I like the game element in the book, I also like lengthy books with a well-worked out storyline.

[Nimurungi Blessing]

I haven't read many books with a touch of sci-fi to them fantasy to them but this book seems really interesting especially since it revolves around games.

[Rebecca De Figueiredo]

Yes, I agree with the reviewer; it is a long book to get through, and I found, quite bulky. We are almost immediately introduced to Shakatti, who has very human feelings, but is part of this very sci-fi story. The prose is fast paced and is full of new words and names.

[Seetha E]

SciFi-Fantasy is a great mix. The book starts with Shakatti. The complications around the lead protagonist Dungias seem gripping and are likely to appeal to fans of the genre. However, it is longer than I prefer. Thank you for your wonderful review.

[Dev Castro]

Thanks for sharing your review! I lean more towards fantasy than scifi speculative fiction, but I enjoyed the sample provided on Amazon. I might like to see how the concept of immortality plays out in the plot; the prologue introduces this concept through a character dying but their essence continuing on to inhabit its next physical host. It’s fascinating and tempting!

[Jelani Trotter]

Star Chaser throws you straight into the action and never lets up. Dungias’ journey from misunderstood boy to cosmic game player is packed with thrilling moments, making this a gripping read from start to finish.

[Alida Spies]

This sentence caught my attention: a lot of action with little exposition. That should appeal to action lovers! Meeting a young boy who dares things that normal people were scared of imagining, sounds fascinating. Whether life is a stage as Shakespeare said, or a game as others termed it, it remains precious and wonderful. Thank you for your comprehensive review.

[Erik Silva]

Despite its strengths, some readers may find the plot occasionally predictable. However, the dynamic world-building and strong character development more than compensate for this minor flaw.

Overall, Star Chaser is a must-read for sci-fi enthusiasts who enjoy high-stakes adventure mixed with introspective themes. Fans of The Expanse and Star Wars will feel right at home in Reiter’s universe.

[SophiaNd]

"Star Chaser" by Reiter delivers a relentless barrage of action, immersing readers in Dungias's cosmic journey from a misunderstood youth to a pivotal player in the universe's ultimate game. The review highlights the book's consistent intensity and the author's clever use of "show, don't tell" to explore the theme of life as a game, promising an engaging and thought-provoking experience.

[Abhishek Kumar Mishra]

This review gives a clear idea of what Star Chaser is about. It describes the fast-paced action and interesting characters in a way that makes the book sound exciting. The point about "show, don’t tell" is great because it shows how the author keeps the story engaging. Adding illustrations could have made the book even better, but it doesn’t seem to take away from the experience. Overall, this review makes me want to check out the book.

[Ukelabuchi samuel Igbegiri]

This book is awesome. I've come across so many sci- fic novels but this is one of a kind. The suspension, thriller and adventure is top notch. I love the book. Its amazing.