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Book Review: "Star"

By Claudia Strasbaugh  

Few would believe a Christmas story could be a good read all year round. "Star" grabs readers with its, at times strange story that crosses between Christianity and Science Fiction, especially the story's character.

This Holiday-based epic told through the eyes of angels who experience the adventure, will open yours to a whole plethora of new possibilities regardless of your religion or lack there of.

The author introduces angels Avila, Sylvan, and daughter Amanda right after an exciting opening in which the first baddie is vanquished. This sets the stage for Avila and Sylvan's trip to earth to attend the birth of the Christ child. Alas, little Amanda, angel that she is must endure parent separation as a result of remaining behind with her own guardian angel.

News of Jesus' birth related across earth's broadcast airwaves by news media so enrages a band of Dagguards (men & unique creatures from galaxy Galgethema) they are compelled to break into Heaven.

Led by dark angels Stalentad and Pranzic their goal is to kidnap Amanda from the Kingdom of Heaven, that dragglets may trade her for the Christ child.

Amanda's world changes dramatically when held captive at the Tree of Life. Amanda innocently makes a short flight toward the thorny tree that so infuriates dagguard Critz (half human and half creaton) he snarls impatiently at the young angel. Fed up with babysitting tasks the angry keeper lunges at the child, thrusting both into the tree. So violent the crash it breaks the tree's inner-time base, looping both dashed victims through the dimensional door of year 2004.

Amanda awakens at the edge of a graveyard under a tall Willow tree, weeping on her. There, 10 year old earth-boy Branden Connor discovers our young angel. Stunned by the sight, realizing she is in shock he does the humanoid thing, offers Amanda a helping hand that they may at least get her out from under humid rain of tears. Again the human thing, he invites her to come home with him, believing it to be a safe place.

Of course as the children depart the protection of the weeping tree, evil Critz is again on the scene and by now you who have the book are totally hooked.

Star is an easy read, young-adult grade level, the most perfect of ways to pass a lovely afternoon of total escapism.

The author manages to attain what big screen movies demand, willing suspension of disbelief. Something we seldom relinquish unwillingly.

In this case, it's easy to enter the creative 'nother world for a brief flight from hum-drum life to that of "Star", without hitting a Tree of Life that we may return to earth anytime we choose.

And like Hollywood that requires that happy ending, this author writer doesn't let you down. It would be a shame to give away the exciting end, suffice it to say a New Yorker named John finds Amanda, discovers where she originated, but can he do anything to get her home?

Your copy awaits you on Amazon and in your local book store.

Additional info on the "Star" sequel is described as "The End Of The Beginning" and is already in progress. It's author can be reached at Soft Cherokee Winds.

Title: Star
Type: Novella
Pages: 115
Author: Kate Ayasta
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: LuLu Press
Available: Amazon

Copyright (c) Strasbaugh

Claudia Strasbaugh is a freelance writer who founded Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa Writer's Guild, was head writer for the weekly TV show "Kill 'EM With Comedy", as well as other shows and mags, plus California Bureau Chief for National Lotto World Magazine. Claudia's work can be seen at www.writersetc.com and chiefcochise.org.