Review: Hard Core Sci Fi
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 20, 2013
Rating: 3 1/2 starsTitle:  The Starlight FortressAuthor: Fiona RawsontileGenre: Sci-FiReview:​The Starlight Fortress, written by Fiona Rawsontile, screams "sci-fi!" The plot takesplace all over the galaxy--from planets to stellar pathways to fortresses stationed in space.  With several warring countries (or planets), Rawsontile takes readers through the journey of a young queen trying to lead her country in an intergalactic war against a devious enemy--Emperor Pompey.Geneva is the newly appointed queen and sole leader of the Sunphereans.  When she's not busy dealingwith the complicated web of politics with other nations/planets, she's busy trying to earn the respect of her own people. Geneva is smart--but she has to prove that if she wants her people's loyalty. With a million eyes judging her every action, Geneva finds herself under great pressure as she tries her best to appoint appropriate officers to her military forces, negotiate treaties and dabble a bit in her love life.  What madeGeneva really stand out from all other heroine I've read about is that she's not conventionally "pretty." Probably 99% of the books out there feature heroines who are what society would describe as "beautiful", so it's nice for a change to meet a character who admits she's probably not eye candy but takes it all in stride.Sterling is the other main character featured in The Starlight Fortress.  Although he looks "bookish", one should never underestimate him in battle. So it shouldn't be a great surprise when he gets a promotion soon after working in the field--but what is surprising is that he gets promoted to the Queen's personal militaryassistant so soon out of the academy. But Sterling has a knack for strategic warfare, which is exactly what Geneva needs to win this war. However, his abrupt appointment to the Queen's assistant may or may not have stirred up some jealousy among older officers. Before anyone knows it, rumors starts to fly and Sterling finds himself somewhat attracted to Geneva.I personally find the idea of different, alien planets and pathways through through the solar system to be pretty cool. However, I would've liked some more solid world building in the novel. I don't like it when authors describe every single detail about the setting; on the other hand, I do like some background information about the setting, especially if the book is fantasy or sci-fi themed as the setting are very different from out world. This is kind of what happened with The Starlight Fortress. Readers are plopped into an unknown world with virtually no information. I got confused about the political relations between the different planets and it took me a while to figure out who was siding with who. Also, I feel like the most description given about the setting was describing the space ships/planes used in battle--and even that description was pretty minimum.​The action definitely moved along at a steady pace--several years fly by in the matter of 264 pages. However, I felt that the author might have "skimmed" over some scenes that I would have loved to read about instead of fast forwarding it. For example, there was one chapter in which Geneva is trying to escape from Pompey's spaceships and she sees one approaching her. The anticipation keeps on building up as she attempts to hide from her enemy's ship. Just as I flip the page waiting for the climax, the chapter ends. The next chapter begins with her on Pompey's ship...and me wondering where the action went. Where's the description about her capture? Her feelings? Her actions?With all that said, there are also good parts to this book. One of the fortress featured in this book had looked like a starfish, hence its name, the Starfish.  I found it cool how it's arms were moveable to deflect missels launched at it. Like I said before, there was no slow parts in the book (though there weren't many action packed scenes either.)  If you're looking for some light sci-fi reading, I would recommend ​The Starlight Fortress.Likes:*Geneva and Sterling*no dragging parts in the plotDislikes:*would like more background/world building​  *would like some more action instead of a summary of what had happened***note a free copy was provided in exchange for an honest review***