A Review and About

The second novel of the Moa Series 
Statue of Ku by Tricia Stewart Shiu

My rating on a 100-point scale: 68

     First, I quite enjoyed this novel. It wasn't patchy like the first (in this series) in plot and character development. Ku's story was amazing and believable. This novel was mostly well-written, and not as bumpy as Moa, the first book in this series.

     On the negative side, however, I must mention (possibly for the author's benefit) that the children all seem to act like adults in speaking and actions. This is acceptable for one character (Moa, who is actually a whole lot older in spiritual years and wisdom than her physical body relates) and possibly acceptable for an extraordinary child (Heidi, I suppose, could be considered an extraordinary child), but beyond that stretches the limits of believability. The other children in the novel (for example, in the marketplace) also act older than they should in speech and actions, and I find this hard to accept as a reader.

A Review and an Excerpt

Book One of the Moa Series
Moa by Tricia Stewart Shiu

My rating on a 100-point scale: 62

     I read Moa, by Tricia Stewart Shiu, for its Novel Publicity book tour. Below are my comments and thoughts on this supernaturally-focused novel.

     First, I really like the way each chapter begins with an"spell" or ritual. This is original and unique, and I find it interesting, as I have never explored this kind of spiritual release. I love that the author has added such a personal and unique touch to this amazing story.

    Second, I found the story of the novel captivating. The author developed points of view well and the story was well told (here, I am referring mostly to detail, evocation of emotion, etc).  

     However I may like the author's story and unique twists, I must focus on the simply superficial for a little while, since I feel these things raise questions. Consider that I do not intend to draw attention to the faults of the novel or author, but I must mention the following things for my piece of mind. These statements are my personal opinions, but I must be honest. Take these statements with a grain of sugar and salt; they are meant to be constructive criticism at best. Keep in mind as you read the following that I tend to focus on the negative side of works that I have most recently read, and that it is human nature to focus on the negative.