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Sevara: Dawn of Hope
When fifteen-year-old Sevara refuses to marry, she's kicked out of her orphanage and left on the streets of Plexus with nothing. She doesn't last long on the outside. Luckily, someone has been watching her.
A shapeshifting immortal gives Sevara a second chance at life, and a powerful set of gifts. But when Sevara begins a doomed love affair with the man she could have married, she must choose between protecting the city and saving the only man she's ever loved.
This is the beginning of a fantasy adventure that will span hundreds of lifetimes.
With a strong female lead, this coming of age adventure is a haunting and heart-pounding thrill-ride.
A shapeshifting immortal gives Sevara a second chance at life, and a powerful set of gifts. But when Sevara begins a doomed love affair with the man she could have married, she must choose between protecting the city and saving the only man she's ever loved.
This is the beginning of a fantasy adventure that will span hundreds of lifetimes.
With a strong female lead, this coming of age adventure is a haunting and heart-pounding thrill-ride.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
274 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2015
4 people are currently reading
1,026 people want to read
About the author
Damian Wampler
6Ìýbooks26ÌýfollowersDamian is a lifelong documentary photographer who originally hails from Newark, Delaware. Damian earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Anthropology from Boston University and boarded a place bound for Kyrgyzstan shortly after, where he taught English for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer. Later, he earned a Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Russian, Eastern Europe and Central Asian Studies, and returned to the Kyrgyz republic as a Fulbright researcher. He returned to the United States to study digital photography at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He also wrote and produced a full-length play which premiered June, 2009. Damian is the writer and creator of the Sevara graphic novel. He is currently a Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. State Department, and lives most of his days overseas with his wife, son, and toy poodle.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 23, 2016
4.5
Where to start.....okay, this book was about a girl named Sevara, who, like every other girl in plexus, grew up in an orphanage to be sold to men and become servant-wives. The thing was, Sevara rebelled, something happened, and she becomes "unwanted". Now she must fend for herself, alone in the streets.
Okay, now the actual review. This was a really good book. I was absorbed in it's plot, and really enjoyed reading it. Sevara was an amazing MC, and I really loved her for her beliefs and righteousness, and how she treated everyone equally. She stood up to the corrupt government, and others followed her example. it was really great.
There are also the fighting scenes. I actually loved those. I was really surprised Damian managed to create them with such detail. They seemed super realistic.
I could blabber on about the great things in this book, but I don't want to spoil it for you guys :)
Okay, now i'm going to tell you why I gave this 4.5 instead of 5. The thing was that it got kinda confusing with some parts, for example the sedan things, I didn't understand how they worked. Also the balloons. that was all though, so I'll just count it as a 5 :)))
Last thing, I don't even read these kinds of books to much, but this intrigued me amazingly. I definitely recommend this, and hope everyone who reads it finds it as great as I did :)
Where to start.....okay, this book was about a girl named Sevara, who, like every other girl in plexus, grew up in an orphanage to be sold to men and become servant-wives. The thing was, Sevara rebelled, something happened, and she becomes "unwanted". Now she must fend for herself, alone in the streets.
Okay, now the actual review. This was a really good book. I was absorbed in it's plot, and really enjoyed reading it. Sevara was an amazing MC, and I really loved her for her beliefs and righteousness, and how she treated everyone equally. She stood up to the corrupt government, and others followed her example. it was really great.
There are also the fighting scenes. I actually loved those. I was really surprised Damian managed to create them with such detail. They seemed super realistic.
I could blabber on about the great things in this book, but I don't want to spoil it for you guys :)
Okay, now i'm going to tell you why I gave this 4.5 instead of 5. The thing was that it got kinda confusing with some parts, for example the sedan things, I didn't understand how they worked. Also the balloons. that was all though, so I'll just count it as a 5 :)))
Last thing, I don't even read these kinds of books to much, but this intrigued me amazingly. I definitely recommend this, and hope everyone who reads it finds it as great as I did :)
November 11, 2015
**I WAS GIVEN A COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM THE AUTHOR, DAMIAN WAMPLER, IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.**
Given my affinity for all that could be empowering for young girls, I immediately latched onto Sevara: Dawn of Hope when I saw it posted on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, as the author was asking for reviews. It almost felt too good to be true: it’s a fantasy novel set in a future akin to The Handmaid’s Tale, rebellion against an oppressive government, and that gorgeous cover art! How could it be anything other than absolutely amazing? This was actually the first physical ARC I received from an author, so I was really quite excited to get started on it. Even though I did like the basic ideas of overthrowing an overall misogynistic status quo and keeping true to one’s convictions, I ultimately found myself turned off by the repeated instances of unexplained time skips, the needless exposition, and overall density of the prose. I don’t want to say it was an overall disappointing book, but I definitely feel kind of let down.
Taking place hundreds of years in the future, Sevara: Dawn of Hope follows the titular character as she navigates young adulthood in the city-state of Plexus. According to Plexian tradition, baby girls are delivered to orphanages at birth where they stay until they are purchased as wives by the young men of the city. The older a girl gets, the less likely they are to be married off and become fully integrated into society. It’s this exact situation in which Sevara finds herself entangled once she reaches child-bearing age. Having failed to find a husband during her time in the orphanage, she’s cast off into the streets; however, within her first few hours out on her own, she halts the public execution of a political prisoner and thus incites a riot that changes the route of the city’s traditions. After being tried as a traitor, Sevara is given the opportunity to prove her loyalty to the government and its system of laws � the Codex � through participating in its long-time war with the neighboring Chinnai. With the help of her resourcefulness and the one boy that showed interest in purchasing her, Sevara shows that she’s worth more than any auction could have brought.
If there’s one thing that Sevara: Dawn of Hope absolutely did deliver on, it was its message of promoting equality across the board: gender equality, financial equality, racial equality, and more. In terms of attention to most facets of intersectionality, Wampler really nailed it. There were a few instances of shutting down arguments of straw feminism that manifested itself in the form of The Red Fist, a fringe group that popped up after the initial rebellion, which was really nice; I liked that Wampler really took a stand to show what true feminism and equality is about. I also liked the overarching themes of redemption that can be found throughout, as well. Sevara and Lief � the Minister’s son and Sevara’s kind-of romantic interest � go through hell and back in the war zone, but they prove themselves to be forces of good despite the overwhelming negativity heading their way. Lief, especially, was up to some heinous things before he joined the front, so it was nice to see him get redeemed near the end. Out of the majority of the characters, he had the most satisfying development arc from an arrogant little prick into a weathered, yet brilliant war hero. Additionally, I liked the level of detail laced through the story, especially when establishing the setting of a scene. I was able to picture myself right there in the midst of the action and see every minute piece of the story, hear the natural sounds, smell the atmosphere. It truly was an immersive experience, which is hard to achieve for a newer writer.
However, I cannot just breeze past the aspects of the story that irritated me most. While the attention to detail was definitely a strength in most regards, I feel like Wampler could have held off a lot on detailing the menagerie of gruesome deaths present in the story. Every few pages or so, there would be at least one character that ended up suffering from a horrific fate: meat hook through the torso, being shredded and liquefied by a landmine, stabbed directly in the neck by a short sword � and these are some of the more tame deaths! It definitely crossed the line so far into straight-up gratuitous violence at some points to where I just had to put the book down and look at puppy videos on Youtube as a chaser. Furthermore, it didn’t help that the book was denser than the average fruitcake. Even though the page count was a svelte 274 pages, had the book been printed with an average font size, it could have easily been about as thick as the average Harry Potter book. There were many, many paragraphs in this book that, despite the single-spacing and narrow margins, still took up roughly a third of the page. I wish this were an exaggeration. It wasn’t even like these dense paragraphs were filled with information that was integral moving the plot along; a lot of them were just plain navel gazing from the perspective of irrelevant characters, or repetition of ideas and plot points that have been discussed time and time again. On top of all of that, there were actually three or four complex plot lines that flowed through the book, which made it hard to follow the action. It definitely didn’t help that the book was split up into three large parts, but no natural pause or chapter breaks. Scene changes were announced with the appearances of three stars and often included an arbitrary time skip. Apparently something like two years passed from the beginning of the story to the end? It’s almost impossible to tell because of all of the unexplained skips through time and location.
When it was all said and done, I honestly just felt relieved that I didn’t have to go through Olympic-level mental gymnastic routines anymore. Sevara: Dawn of Hope was really just exhausting. Even though it was rooted in some positive politics and had some other redeeming qualities through satisfying character development, there were just so many things that could have been handled better. Some truly unexpected dark, harrowing things lurk within the joyous, shining cover that left a lot of cognitive dissonance. Additionally, there were points where it really felt like Wampler was writing to fill up spaces that truly didn’t need filling. The author mentioned in a hand-written note inside the cover that this was a version that had yet to meet an editor; maybe once it goes through the hands of an editor, I’ll be willing to revisit this book. For right now, though, I’m going to go cleanse my palate with the cutest puppy videos I can find.
Given my affinity for all that could be empowering for young girls, I immediately latched onto Sevara: Dawn of Hope when I saw it posted on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, as the author was asking for reviews. It almost felt too good to be true: it’s a fantasy novel set in a future akin to The Handmaid’s Tale, rebellion against an oppressive government, and that gorgeous cover art! How could it be anything other than absolutely amazing? This was actually the first physical ARC I received from an author, so I was really quite excited to get started on it. Even though I did like the basic ideas of overthrowing an overall misogynistic status quo and keeping true to one’s convictions, I ultimately found myself turned off by the repeated instances of unexplained time skips, the needless exposition, and overall density of the prose. I don’t want to say it was an overall disappointing book, but I definitely feel kind of let down.
Taking place hundreds of years in the future, Sevara: Dawn of Hope follows the titular character as she navigates young adulthood in the city-state of Plexus. According to Plexian tradition, baby girls are delivered to orphanages at birth where they stay until they are purchased as wives by the young men of the city. The older a girl gets, the less likely they are to be married off and become fully integrated into society. It’s this exact situation in which Sevara finds herself entangled once she reaches child-bearing age. Having failed to find a husband during her time in the orphanage, she’s cast off into the streets; however, within her first few hours out on her own, she halts the public execution of a political prisoner and thus incites a riot that changes the route of the city’s traditions. After being tried as a traitor, Sevara is given the opportunity to prove her loyalty to the government and its system of laws � the Codex � through participating in its long-time war with the neighboring Chinnai. With the help of her resourcefulness and the one boy that showed interest in purchasing her, Sevara shows that she’s worth more than any auction could have brought.
If there’s one thing that Sevara: Dawn of Hope absolutely did deliver on, it was its message of promoting equality across the board: gender equality, financial equality, racial equality, and more. In terms of attention to most facets of intersectionality, Wampler really nailed it. There were a few instances of shutting down arguments of straw feminism that manifested itself in the form of The Red Fist, a fringe group that popped up after the initial rebellion, which was really nice; I liked that Wampler really took a stand to show what true feminism and equality is about. I also liked the overarching themes of redemption that can be found throughout, as well. Sevara and Lief � the Minister’s son and Sevara’s kind-of romantic interest � go through hell and back in the war zone, but they prove themselves to be forces of good despite the overwhelming negativity heading their way. Lief, especially, was up to some heinous things before he joined the front, so it was nice to see him get redeemed near the end. Out of the majority of the characters, he had the most satisfying development arc from an arrogant little prick into a weathered, yet brilliant war hero. Additionally, I liked the level of detail laced through the story, especially when establishing the setting of a scene. I was able to picture myself right there in the midst of the action and see every minute piece of the story, hear the natural sounds, smell the atmosphere. It truly was an immersive experience, which is hard to achieve for a newer writer.
However, I cannot just breeze past the aspects of the story that irritated me most. While the attention to detail was definitely a strength in most regards, I feel like Wampler could have held off a lot on detailing the menagerie of gruesome deaths present in the story. Every few pages or so, there would be at least one character that ended up suffering from a horrific fate: meat hook through the torso, being shredded and liquefied by a landmine, stabbed directly in the neck by a short sword � and these are some of the more tame deaths! It definitely crossed the line so far into straight-up gratuitous violence at some points to where I just had to put the book down and look at puppy videos on Youtube as a chaser. Furthermore, it didn’t help that the book was denser than the average fruitcake. Even though the page count was a svelte 274 pages, had the book been printed with an average font size, it could have easily been about as thick as the average Harry Potter book. There were many, many paragraphs in this book that, despite the single-spacing and narrow margins, still took up roughly a third of the page. I wish this were an exaggeration. It wasn’t even like these dense paragraphs were filled with information that was integral moving the plot along; a lot of them were just plain navel gazing from the perspective of irrelevant characters, or repetition of ideas and plot points that have been discussed time and time again. On top of all of that, there were actually three or four complex plot lines that flowed through the book, which made it hard to follow the action. It definitely didn’t help that the book was split up into three large parts, but no natural pause or chapter breaks. Scene changes were announced with the appearances of three stars and often included an arbitrary time skip. Apparently something like two years passed from the beginning of the story to the end? It’s almost impossible to tell because of all of the unexplained skips through time and location.
When it was all said and done, I honestly just felt relieved that I didn’t have to go through Olympic-level mental gymnastic routines anymore. Sevara: Dawn of Hope was really just exhausting. Even though it was rooted in some positive politics and had some other redeeming qualities through satisfying character development, there were just so many things that could have been handled better. Some truly unexpected dark, harrowing things lurk within the joyous, shining cover that left a lot of cognitive dissonance. Additionally, there were points where it really felt like Wampler was writing to fill up spaces that truly didn’t need filling. The author mentioned in a hand-written note inside the cover that this was a version that had yet to meet an editor; maybe once it goes through the hands of an editor, I’ll be willing to revisit this book. For right now, though, I’m going to go cleanse my palate with the cutest puppy videos I can find.
February 11, 2016
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. See more reviews at Genuinejenn.com
I have only read a couple sci-fi/fantasy type books and I really enjoyed this one the most. I like that our main character, Sevara. She is a smart and determined teen. She is ready to fight for fair rights for all girls in Plexus and have certification for all that are uncertified. Sevara has seen what happens to the girls from the orphanage if they are not bought as a wife/servant/baby maker, they all end up on the front line of the war. Sevara will fight for each of her sisters right until the very end. Leif, the Ministers son is looking to buy a wife but he doesn't want to be like all the other men in Plexus that have multiple wives. He wants one wife to share his life with. He met Sevara at the auction and now is determined that she will be his wife. But Sevara wont be bought, she will fight on the front line with her sisters that have aged out of the orphanage instead of being purchased. Looking for her family is also something Sevara will do when she leaves the orphanage.
The book is only 250 or so pages but has a lot of story within these pages. I found the story for the most part flowed really well. I did notice right away now chapters and sometimes when switching character POV's we don't get any notice but I didn't find that it made me confused with the story. I love that there are shapeshifter/immortals in it and would really love to learn more about these characters as I didn't feel we really got to know them that well. I look forward to reading more about Sevara.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
I have only read a couple sci-fi/fantasy type books and I really enjoyed this one the most. I like that our main character, Sevara. She is a smart and determined teen. She is ready to fight for fair rights for all girls in Plexus and have certification for all that are uncertified. Sevara has seen what happens to the girls from the orphanage if they are not bought as a wife/servant/baby maker, they all end up on the front line of the war. Sevara will fight for each of her sisters right until the very end. Leif, the Ministers son is looking to buy a wife but he doesn't want to be like all the other men in Plexus that have multiple wives. He wants one wife to share his life with. He met Sevara at the auction and now is determined that she will be his wife. But Sevara wont be bought, she will fight on the front line with her sisters that have aged out of the orphanage instead of being purchased. Looking for her family is also something Sevara will do when she leaves the orphanage.
The book is only 250 or so pages but has a lot of story within these pages. I found the story for the most part flowed really well. I did notice right away now chapters and sometimes when switching character POV's we don't get any notice but I didn't find that it made me confused with the story. I love that there are shapeshifter/immortals in it and would really love to learn more about these characters as I didn't feel we really got to know them that well. I look forward to reading more about Sevara.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
September 23, 2015
3.5/5
I really enjoyed this book it was full of action and the main protagonist was kick butt. The story also had a really unique plot which I found very interesting. However there were some things I didn't like so much. The plot sometimes was hard to follow and was confusing and there were a lot of spelling mistakes. I found myself reading the words but they weren't syncing into my mind if that makes any sense. Overall it was a really interesting read and I would recommend it.
I really enjoyed this book it was full of action and the main protagonist was kick butt. The story also had a really unique plot which I found very interesting. However there were some things I didn't like so much. The plot sometimes was hard to follow and was confusing and there were a lot of spelling mistakes. I found myself reading the words but they weren't syncing into my mind if that makes any sense. Overall it was a really interesting read and I would recommend it.
December 14, 2015
original review posted at
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Rating 3.5/5 stars
Sevara is a young girl growing in a world where all girls get taken to an orphanage as soon as they're born and when they get to a certain age they get auctioned for marriage. If for some reason girls don't get married before they come of age they get thrown to the streets with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Sevara is one of the many girls who doesn't marry and has to leave the Orphanage; the first day she’s out on the streets she stumbles into an execution and she decides to save the man, her actions is all the rebels need to take a stand to try and change the world they're living in.
I really enjoyed this book, the action kept me turning the pages and the story was very unique and different. Sevara was such a kick ass character actually all the woman in this book took crap from no one. I also really liked the way Damian wrote the war scenes, they were very detailed and there were some scenes that involved some soldiers using kites that I found really different and very awesome! Also really got attached to Sevara and Lief, I really loved reading scenes with the two together. The reason I gave this book 3.5 stars was because at some points I found myself a little confused there were so many things going on and so many names dropped that I would forget who and what I was reading about. Other than that I really enjoyed the story and its uniqueness. If you're looking for a fantasy with a strong kick ass female lead, this is the book for you.
-SandraTheBookWorm
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Rating 3.5/5 stars
Sevara is a young girl growing in a world where all girls get taken to an orphanage as soon as they're born and when they get to a certain age they get auctioned for marriage. If for some reason girls don't get married before they come of age they get thrown to the streets with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Sevara is one of the many girls who doesn't marry and has to leave the Orphanage; the first day she’s out on the streets she stumbles into an execution and she decides to save the man, her actions is all the rebels need to take a stand to try and change the world they're living in.
I really enjoyed this book, the action kept me turning the pages and the story was very unique and different. Sevara was such a kick ass character actually all the woman in this book took crap from no one. I also really liked the way Damian wrote the war scenes, they were very detailed and there were some scenes that involved some soldiers using kites that I found really different and very awesome! Also really got attached to Sevara and Lief, I really loved reading scenes with the two together. The reason I gave this book 3.5 stars was because at some points I found myself a little confused there were so many things going on and so many names dropped that I would forget who and what I was reading about. Other than that I really enjoyed the story and its uniqueness. If you're looking for a fantasy with a strong kick ass female lead, this is the book for you.
-SandraTheBookWorm
November 8, 2015
Sevara is a headstrong young woman. That is not something this society regards as a good trait. Females are not something someone wants. When one is born, the girl child is taken to one of the local orphanages and placed there. There are only two ways out. To be bought by a male looking to essentially raise his wife to be a model servant and bedmate or to age out. Hidden until her 14th birthday, Sevara eventually ages out. However, her personal sense of morality is a hindrance and sparks something no one in power ever wants to see. A possible change in the way things are.
In a country torn by war, Sevara aims to do what is right, no matter the cost.
I have always thought I had a good imagination, but Damian Wampler pushed it to the limits. I’ll admit there are a few things he put into his book that I still can’t picture. The main thing is the transportation system. I honestly cannot picture how such a thing would work, but Wampler could. In the end, I suppose that’s all that matters.
Sevara: Dawn of Hope is split into three books. Every time one ended, I’d turn the page on my e-reader in the hopes the next section was there. I was kept completely engaged in the story until the very end. There were a few parts where I was like, “You have got to be kidding me,� but they were few and far between. It was his world to put together as he saw fit and that’s all that matters.
I’d definitely put this in the steampunk genre, but the entire series shows promise. I’m not sure where he’s going next, but it could be fun to follow along and find out. Well, as soon as I can free up more reading time and catch up on my TBR list that is. However, I did finish reading this book a good week ago and it still lingers in my mind. That is definitely a sign of a well-told story.
In a country torn by war, Sevara aims to do what is right, no matter the cost.
I have always thought I had a good imagination, but Damian Wampler pushed it to the limits. I’ll admit there are a few things he put into his book that I still can’t picture. The main thing is the transportation system. I honestly cannot picture how such a thing would work, but Wampler could. In the end, I suppose that’s all that matters.
Sevara: Dawn of Hope is split into three books. Every time one ended, I’d turn the page on my e-reader in the hopes the next section was there. I was kept completely engaged in the story until the very end. There were a few parts where I was like, “You have got to be kidding me,� but they were few and far between. It was his world to put together as he saw fit and that’s all that matters.
I’d definitely put this in the steampunk genre, but the entire series shows promise. I’m not sure where he’s going next, but it could be fun to follow along and find out. Well, as soon as I can free up more reading time and catch up on my TBR list that is. However, I did finish reading this book a good week ago and it still lingers in my mind. That is definitely a sign of a well-told story.
September 23, 2015
Found this book on the Kindle Unlimited and read reviews stating it's a "YA feminist-fantasy." Well, sure, why not.
The book was great, especially part 1 and part 2. But I felt like it somehow plateaued in part 3. :( It was building up this whole ending, then 'meh.' But hey, I still give it a 4/5 and would definitely read its sequel.
The book was great, especially part 1 and part 2. But I felt like it somehow plateaued in part 3. :( It was building up this whole ending, then 'meh.' But hey, I still give it a 4/5 and would definitely read its sequel.
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February 1, 2016
This and other reviews are found at my blog,
I first heard about Sevara: Dawn of Hope on a goodreads discussion group and thought that it sounded like something I would be interested in. Fantasy with a dystopian feel and a strong female protagonist are things I frequently read, with varying results. The author was kind enough to provide me with a copy to review, and I finally had enough free time to sit down and finish it. Sevara, the eponymous protagonist of the novel, is used to a hard life. At her orphanage, once you reach a certain age you’re no longer looked at as an eligible girl for marriage because you won’t be easy to train as a wife. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to continue living with the other unwanted at the orphanage for a few years until you come of age. For in Plexus, the men rule and the women are little more than pretty baubles that hang on their arms. This isn’t easy for Sevara to swallow. Although her time in Orphanage 127 has been tough, she’s proved herself a quick thinker and fighter, despite the starkness of her conditions. She’s independent, a product of the nurturing she’s been lucky to receive, and isn’t keen on the idea of becoming a servant-wife. After the harsh reality of seeing the private versus public personality of the man interested in her hand, Sevara rejects a marriage offer and is thrown into the cruel world where the Codex is law and orphan girls with no paperwork don’t survive long. The streets are where her adventure is truly able to begin.
Sevara works hard to have many bigger issues tied together by Sevara’s relationship with them. She tries to discover her past and where she came from, there’s grumblings of a rebellion, corruption in the government, and a war that has been going on for ages. The novel focuses primarily on the last three, and Sevara’s identity–other than the one she creates herself–remains a mystery. Damian Wampler teases who she is, which makes me wish there had been more on her past. I wanted to know how her identity would change how she acted toward her world. Unfortunately, at least in the novel form of Sevara, it only seemed to serve as a way to connect Sevara to the larger narration. There’s a focus on it after the initial discovery but it doesn’t go beyond that. However, by not focusing on it in Dawn of Hope, it opens up the possibility for another novel. I’ve not read the graphic novel, but it does appear that some of my questions may be answered there, with Dawn of Hope acting as a prequel.
The novel is written in third person, so we only have limited glimpses into the heads of the characters. Although Sevara is the protagonist, we are not given every thought that she has. We’re not given a complete window into their heads to see every thought that they have as it comes. It’s more like a foggy window that occasionally clears in order for us to see that one thought in a specific moment. Because of this, a lot of their actions can seem like there was little thought behind them. They did things that often surprised me because there was seemingly no leading up to them. I’m used to seeing more, so this was a bit difficult for me. I continually struggled with connecting to the characters. I was truly interested in who they were, but I never felt that surge of empathy for the characters. It’s the first time I’ve liked a protagonist that I didn’t connect with emotionally. Although this book was fiction, it reminded me of how I feel when I read non-fiction accounts of historical figures. Usually this would bother me more, but strangely, it worked for Sevara.
This is a novel that deals with the harsh realities of a dystopic world, so there were many deaths contained in its pages. Unfortunately, the emotional impact of these deaths were very little for me. This is a downfall of having a limited look into the heads of your characters. Even when the main characters were upset about losing someone, I couldn’t drudge up any concrete feelings because the character themselves weren’t very emotional about it. The deaths of these side characters were meant to drive the story forward, but I would have loved to have a moment where Sevara cracked under the loss of a close comrade, at least for a moment. It was very clinical, in a way. Related to this is how the romance came across. It was unrealized and then suddenly it was. There was none of those moments that are usually typical of romances in young adult novels, which allowed the focus to stay away from the romance. Too many times an adventure story with a hint of romance turns into a romance story with a hint of adventure once the romance taps have been turned on. Sevara stayed true to what it was about.
There were times when the dialogue was too quick and there weren’t dialogue tags or guiding actions. There were a of couple sections that were only dialogue and I had to read back to see if I was correct about who was speaking. I prefer knowing more of how the characters are acting and what they’re doing while talking, and early in the novel it was a bit rough. There was a huge difference between the quick dialogue and the wonderfully descriptive exposition. As the novel progressed, I noticed these moments less because it aided in giving a rushed, nervous quality to the events of the novel that were dangerous or action-packed. Of course, there were still moments when I noticed it, but as the world of Sevara enveloped me, I found I was able to forgive those corny or odd moments of dialogue.
By hinting at magic to come in early sections of the novel, Damian Wampler allowed us to believe in it when larger elements were introduced. It was not a sudden change because it had always been there. As Sevara grew from an orphan trying to survive to someone who was powerful in her own way, the magic was there, waiting for its own time. The switch to the larger goal came when Sevara was ready for it and through her the readers were prepared. I really wanted to read more of the magic that he created in Sevara, so it’s too bad that more of the novel couldn’t have been about it.
A coming-of-age novel set in a dystopian future, Sevara will appeal to readers of the genre and to those who like a strong female protagonist who won’t back down from her beliefs. I really enjoyed this despite the lack of time spent in characters� heads. The setting was rich and I’m looking forward to checking out the graphic novel when I can. Sevara ends on a note that is ripe with possibilities for sequels.
4 stars.
A big thank you again to the author for providing me with a copy of Sevara: Dawn of Hope to read and review.
I first heard about Sevara: Dawn of Hope on a goodreads discussion group and thought that it sounded like something I would be interested in. Fantasy with a dystopian feel and a strong female protagonist are things I frequently read, with varying results. The author was kind enough to provide me with a copy to review, and I finally had enough free time to sit down and finish it. Sevara, the eponymous protagonist of the novel, is used to a hard life. At her orphanage, once you reach a certain age you’re no longer looked at as an eligible girl for marriage because you won’t be easy to train as a wife. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to continue living with the other unwanted at the orphanage for a few years until you come of age. For in Plexus, the men rule and the women are little more than pretty baubles that hang on their arms. This isn’t easy for Sevara to swallow. Although her time in Orphanage 127 has been tough, she’s proved herself a quick thinker and fighter, despite the starkness of her conditions. She’s independent, a product of the nurturing she’s been lucky to receive, and isn’t keen on the idea of becoming a servant-wife. After the harsh reality of seeing the private versus public personality of the man interested in her hand, Sevara rejects a marriage offer and is thrown into the cruel world where the Codex is law and orphan girls with no paperwork don’t survive long. The streets are where her adventure is truly able to begin.
Sevara works hard to have many bigger issues tied together by Sevara’s relationship with them. She tries to discover her past and where she came from, there’s grumblings of a rebellion, corruption in the government, and a war that has been going on for ages. The novel focuses primarily on the last three, and Sevara’s identity–other than the one she creates herself–remains a mystery. Damian Wampler teases who she is, which makes me wish there had been more on her past. I wanted to know how her identity would change how she acted toward her world. Unfortunately, at least in the novel form of Sevara, it only seemed to serve as a way to connect Sevara to the larger narration. There’s a focus on it after the initial discovery but it doesn’t go beyond that. However, by not focusing on it in Dawn of Hope, it opens up the possibility for another novel. I’ve not read the graphic novel, but it does appear that some of my questions may be answered there, with Dawn of Hope acting as a prequel.
The novel is written in third person, so we only have limited glimpses into the heads of the characters. Although Sevara is the protagonist, we are not given every thought that she has. We’re not given a complete window into their heads to see every thought that they have as it comes. It’s more like a foggy window that occasionally clears in order for us to see that one thought in a specific moment. Because of this, a lot of their actions can seem like there was little thought behind them. They did things that often surprised me because there was seemingly no leading up to them. I’m used to seeing more, so this was a bit difficult for me. I continually struggled with connecting to the characters. I was truly interested in who they were, but I never felt that surge of empathy for the characters. It’s the first time I’ve liked a protagonist that I didn’t connect with emotionally. Although this book was fiction, it reminded me of how I feel when I read non-fiction accounts of historical figures. Usually this would bother me more, but strangely, it worked for Sevara.
This is a novel that deals with the harsh realities of a dystopic world, so there were many deaths contained in its pages. Unfortunately, the emotional impact of these deaths were very little for me. This is a downfall of having a limited look into the heads of your characters. Even when the main characters were upset about losing someone, I couldn’t drudge up any concrete feelings because the character themselves weren’t very emotional about it. The deaths of these side characters were meant to drive the story forward, but I would have loved to have a moment where Sevara cracked under the loss of a close comrade, at least for a moment. It was very clinical, in a way. Related to this is how the romance came across. It was unrealized and then suddenly it was. There was none of those moments that are usually typical of romances in young adult novels, which allowed the focus to stay away from the romance. Too many times an adventure story with a hint of romance turns into a romance story with a hint of adventure once the romance taps have been turned on. Sevara stayed true to what it was about.
There were times when the dialogue was too quick and there weren’t dialogue tags or guiding actions. There were a of couple sections that were only dialogue and I had to read back to see if I was correct about who was speaking. I prefer knowing more of how the characters are acting and what they’re doing while talking, and early in the novel it was a bit rough. There was a huge difference between the quick dialogue and the wonderfully descriptive exposition. As the novel progressed, I noticed these moments less because it aided in giving a rushed, nervous quality to the events of the novel that were dangerous or action-packed. Of course, there were still moments when I noticed it, but as the world of Sevara enveloped me, I found I was able to forgive those corny or odd moments of dialogue.
By hinting at magic to come in early sections of the novel, Damian Wampler allowed us to believe in it when larger elements were introduced. It was not a sudden change because it had always been there. As Sevara grew from an orphan trying to survive to someone who was powerful in her own way, the magic was there, waiting for its own time. The switch to the larger goal came when Sevara was ready for it and through her the readers were prepared. I really wanted to read more of the magic that he created in Sevara, so it’s too bad that more of the novel couldn’t have been about it.
A coming-of-age novel set in a dystopian future, Sevara will appeal to readers of the genre and to those who like a strong female protagonist who won’t back down from her beliefs. I really enjoyed this despite the lack of time spent in characters� heads. The setting was rich and I’m looking forward to checking out the graphic novel when I can. Sevara ends on a note that is ripe with possibilities for sequels.
4 stars.
A big thank you again to the author for providing me with a copy of Sevara: Dawn of Hope to read and review.
December 31, 2022
The author is a genius. After getting acquainted with his life, I found information about the fact that he came to the Central Asia.In fact, he didn’t choose name SEVARA in vain. Because this name in Uzbek means ‘beloved�, ‘girl who is loved by all�.
November 11, 2015
The premises behind the world of Sevara is bound to send chills down any free man. Girls are unwanted at birth. They’re sent to orphanages, only to be bought one day or the other by men to mold them into hard-working slaves. Society is controlled by the rich and the poor suffer in the perimeter. Corruption flirts with politics like never before and Evil has never had an uglier face. Sevara tells the story of a young girl who reaches the age of 15 and is sent away from her orphanage to roam the streets of Plexus, blindly and without resources. However, she only has a token to guide her journey in finding her roots. Her adventures brings her to set forth a revolution to bring peace, equality and freedom for all the girls, the poor and the unwanted. As she takes upon the future of Plexus, she also crosses paths with a couple guardians who will soon set Sevara on a road to a life she would never have imagined.
The book is divided in three major parts and introduces readers to a bunch of characters quite quickly. What caused this novel to be quite heavy on the mind was the narration. Having it told with a third-person point of view made my reading sessions quite difficult. I felt detached from the story and distant from the characters. The narration never gave a helping hand in connecting with the characters and truly enjoying the adventure. The story itself was enjoyable and filled with action � and gore that you sure don’t expect from a book with a teenager as a protagonist. It had its fair amount of twists throughout the story to stun readers not to often. Great ideas where touched upon in order to make the dystopian life clear to readers and that was fun to see. Gender equality was probably the most pertinent and well-developed theme throughout the novel. I do have to say that some of these dystopian elements felt like they were crammed into the book only to make sure readers know that life in Plexus is not pleasant. For example, the Codex that covers all the laws and rights of citizens felt superficial in the story. Although it gets blamed quite often for all the bad that happens, the way the blame is shown isn’t quite memorable. Furthermore, a huge part of the book focuses a lot on the military action that goes on in the story and that felt like it was dragged a little too long. If you enjoy long sequences where on-ground war scenes are detailed meticulously, then don’t look too far, this will do the trick.
As you first encounter some of the characters, you are prompted to feel like they might play major roles in the story and have more development throughout the story, but sadly it wasn’t the case. This is notably true for Almos Deerman, Wren and Alta. These characters barely appear throughout the novel and left me unimpressed when they reappear in the last act. It was far more disappointing when Wren and Alta, two shapeshifters, barely appeared throughout the novel. It sort of saddened me when completing the novel since they were the characters who brought the fantasy twists to the book. On the other hand, Sevara showed every possible characteristics to a brave, strong and determined heroine. Every word spoken and every action executed from her part showed her natural instinct to saving the world and bring justice to those who brought evil, corruption and despair to others. Regrettably, the narration kept me distant from the character and never had me excited or saddened for her. Although Sevara prevails in showing strong traits for a female-lead character, I thoroughly believe there wasn’t much character development in her. In fact, she’s driven by a need to bring justice to the Unwanted and never shows any learning curves. She seemed to know how to do it all and what to say, no matter who she speaks too. Even Lief, the protagonists main love, felt more intriguing from a third-person point of view, although he seemed to have his emotions controlling his every action.
Damian Wampler still succeeds in creating a unique universe plunged in war and injustice. The descriptions used to create this world managed to plunge me in a dark city that needed to learn some basic human rights. Although the story unfolded into a huge political mess, the novel ends with a bang and a lot of action before it. The ending still left me dumbfounded, especially by Sevara’s actions that seemed completely out of character. There’s no doubt that a more visual medium (comic or cinema) would deliver the story a lot better. Sevara remains a fun novel with its own flaws. With a universe worth expanding and exploring, its future remains promising.
To see the FULL picture and quote-filled review, check it out on our blog:
Yours truly,
Lashaan
Lashaan & Trang | Bloggers and Book Reviewers
Official blog:
The book is divided in three major parts and introduces readers to a bunch of characters quite quickly. What caused this novel to be quite heavy on the mind was the narration. Having it told with a third-person point of view made my reading sessions quite difficult. I felt detached from the story and distant from the characters. The narration never gave a helping hand in connecting with the characters and truly enjoying the adventure. The story itself was enjoyable and filled with action � and gore that you sure don’t expect from a book with a teenager as a protagonist. It had its fair amount of twists throughout the story to stun readers not to often. Great ideas where touched upon in order to make the dystopian life clear to readers and that was fun to see. Gender equality was probably the most pertinent and well-developed theme throughout the novel. I do have to say that some of these dystopian elements felt like they were crammed into the book only to make sure readers know that life in Plexus is not pleasant. For example, the Codex that covers all the laws and rights of citizens felt superficial in the story. Although it gets blamed quite often for all the bad that happens, the way the blame is shown isn’t quite memorable. Furthermore, a huge part of the book focuses a lot on the military action that goes on in the story and that felt like it was dragged a little too long. If you enjoy long sequences where on-ground war scenes are detailed meticulously, then don’t look too far, this will do the trick.
As you first encounter some of the characters, you are prompted to feel like they might play major roles in the story and have more development throughout the story, but sadly it wasn’t the case. This is notably true for Almos Deerman, Wren and Alta. These characters barely appear throughout the novel and left me unimpressed when they reappear in the last act. It was far more disappointing when Wren and Alta, two shapeshifters, barely appeared throughout the novel. It sort of saddened me when completing the novel since they were the characters who brought the fantasy twists to the book. On the other hand, Sevara showed every possible characteristics to a brave, strong and determined heroine. Every word spoken and every action executed from her part showed her natural instinct to saving the world and bring justice to those who brought evil, corruption and despair to others. Regrettably, the narration kept me distant from the character and never had me excited or saddened for her. Although Sevara prevails in showing strong traits for a female-lead character, I thoroughly believe there wasn’t much character development in her. In fact, she’s driven by a need to bring justice to the Unwanted and never shows any learning curves. She seemed to know how to do it all and what to say, no matter who she speaks too. Even Lief, the protagonists main love, felt more intriguing from a third-person point of view, although he seemed to have his emotions controlling his every action.
Damian Wampler still succeeds in creating a unique universe plunged in war and injustice. The descriptions used to create this world managed to plunge me in a dark city that needed to learn some basic human rights. Although the story unfolded into a huge political mess, the novel ends with a bang and a lot of action before it. The ending still left me dumbfounded, especially by Sevara’s actions that seemed completely out of character. There’s no doubt that a more visual medium (comic or cinema) would deliver the story a lot better. Sevara remains a fun novel with its own flaws. With a universe worth expanding and exploring, its future remains promising.
To see the FULL picture and quote-filled review, check it out on our blog:
Yours truly,
Lashaan
Lashaan & Trang | Bloggers and Book Reviewers
Official blog:
August 12, 2015
*The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Part 1: 3 stars
Part 2: 2,5 stars
Part 3: 4 stars
"The Codex is our moral code. No one is higher than the law. Those who brake the law must be broken"
Sevara is a young girl who lives in a world where girls are dropped of at orphenages at birth and then are either sold to the highest bidder or cast out on the street where death is waiting around the corner. These are the better options. Plexus is at war and what better way to use girls as a means to clear mines? It's save to say women are not appreciated or valued very highly, merely a means to reproduce.
Sevara: Dawn of Hope is well written and has an all-knowing narrator that sometimes caused some confusion as to who was speaking. The characters are divers and quite realistic (I find that you can compare some elements of the book on some level to the political problems of this day and age The storyline was quite complex and sometimes too complex. On several occasions I got confused and had to re-read parts of the book to make sure I understood.
"At first you'll feel a little dizzy, then a little numb, then you won't feel anything at all. My name is Sevara, and these girls are coming with me."
Like I previously said, Sevara is one of those girls who were dropped of at an orphanage at a very young age and get cast out on the street when the time has come. But Severa is special. She's brave, stands up for what she believes and is fiercely loyal. In the book she is described to have a "stubborn righteousness" and I believe that these two words describe her perfectly, I could't find two better words to describe her. Unfortunately I didn't feel a connection with her or with any of the other characters, at least for the better part of the book, towards the end, the last 20 pages or so, I began to feel involved. Me not feeling connected to the characters is one of the reasons why I gave this book "only" 3 stars, I actually would have given this book 2 stars but oddly enough the 'not feeling connected to the characters' made sense to me. Even though I didn't feel a connection with the characters I could't put the book down (for part 1 at least, it took some time for me to finish part 2).
I quite enjoyed reading this book and I would say to check it out if you like the blurb. I will say this, on a scale of 1 to Celaena, Sevara is a solid 6. Celaena being the ultimate strong, kick ass, bad ass female lead.
I didn't think I would want to read what would come next but part 3 truly saved everything and made me curious as to what will happen next.
"Iladis manus tu, iladim manus ti"
" You will be remembered, for I will remember you"
Part 1: 3 stars
Part 2: 2,5 stars
Part 3: 4 stars
"The Codex is our moral code. No one is higher than the law. Those who brake the law must be broken"
Sevara is a young girl who lives in a world where girls are dropped of at orphenages at birth and then are either sold to the highest bidder or cast out on the street where death is waiting around the corner. These are the better options. Plexus is at war and what better way to use girls as a means to clear mines? It's save to say women are not appreciated or valued very highly, merely a means to reproduce.
Sevara: Dawn of Hope is well written and has an all-knowing narrator that sometimes caused some confusion as to who was speaking. The characters are divers and quite realistic (I find that you can compare some elements of the book on some level to the political problems of this day and age The storyline was quite complex and sometimes too complex. On several occasions I got confused and had to re-read parts of the book to make sure I understood.
"At first you'll feel a little dizzy, then a little numb, then you won't feel anything at all. My name is Sevara, and these girls are coming with me."
Like I previously said, Sevara is one of those girls who were dropped of at an orphanage at a very young age and get cast out on the street when the time has come. But Severa is special. She's brave, stands up for what she believes and is fiercely loyal. In the book she is described to have a "stubborn righteousness" and I believe that these two words describe her perfectly, I could't find two better words to describe her. Unfortunately I didn't feel a connection with her or with any of the other characters, at least for the better part of the book, towards the end, the last 20 pages or so, I began to feel involved. Me not feeling connected to the characters is one of the reasons why I gave this book "only" 3 stars, I actually would have given this book 2 stars but oddly enough the 'not feeling connected to the characters' made sense to me. Even though I didn't feel a connection with the characters I could't put the book down (for part 1 at least, it took some time for me to finish part 2).
I quite enjoyed reading this book and I would say to check it out if you like the blurb. I will say this, on a scale of 1 to Celaena, Sevara is a solid 6. Celaena being the ultimate strong, kick ass, bad ass female lead.
I didn't think I would want to read what would come next but part 3 truly saved everything and made me curious as to what will happen next.
"Iladis manus tu, iladim manus ti"
" You will be remembered, for I will remember you"
April 14, 2016
Actual rating 2.5.
“The life of a Plexian wife, even with Lief, would be one of dull servitude and probably abuse. She didn’t wish that life on anyone. And the battlefield, no matter how grim, still gave Sevara hope that some speck of humanity could be found between men and women.�
First, look at the pretty, pretty cover! Isn’t that nice :) I can tell you, in person (physically in your hands), it’s truly fantastic.
Okay. So. This is a genre mash. up. The book has elements of fantasy (various genres), dystopia, YA, and writing that feels more comic book than novel (too much telling, not enough showing). When I first started reading it, I immediately thought of the film Sucker Punch.
[Side-plug: if you’ve never seen this film, I recommend it. It wasn’t well-reviewed, but I found it thought-provoking and visually intriguing.]
In Sevara, we’ve got orphaned girls who duke it out in a backwards-@ss orphanage (but they still love each other) and fighting at the front lines of a strange war, and we’re not certain what the cause is. Oh, and then there are these god-like shape-shifting creatures that pop up to provide some outside perspective/commentary a là the Greek chorus.
Where this book gets it right: I care about Sevara. I’m rooting for her even though I find her character strangely detached and removed from the action around her. The pacing is decent (in the first half) � it moves along at a nice clip � not too slow and not too fast.
Where this book needs some work: editing (misused words, extra words, clunky sentences). It really took away from some of the good things that were happening. I could have overlooked these editing issues if it weren’t for this next thing: wonky plot.
The first half of the book, Part I, is set up like a typical novel. We get some back story and action proceeds chronologically. Good deal. Then we get into Part II, and it’s almost as if the writer got tired of writing fantasy. It’s tough work � it’s long work, but your readers want that. We want the long novel. It’s okay to give us something that’s 70,000-80,000 words � we’re expecting that! But this book concludes itself way too quickly, and, I think, leaves too much out.
Rather than the chronological, moment-to-moment timeline from Part I, the writer starts hopping around. Not in time, precisely, but from this scene to that scene and back. It actually started to irritate me at one point (because, confusing), and I contemplated putting the book down, for good, but I wanted to know what happened to Sevara so I kept going. I thought Part II was too short, but Part III was practically non-existent.
[I really liked the comic panels in the back:) ]
My conclusion: if you’re a patient fantasy reader (and you liked Sucker Punch) then read this. If you’re nit-picky and require a lot of development and crystal clear plot points, maybe stear clear.
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
“The life of a Plexian wife, even with Lief, would be one of dull servitude and probably abuse. She didn’t wish that life on anyone. And the battlefield, no matter how grim, still gave Sevara hope that some speck of humanity could be found between men and women.�
First, look at the pretty, pretty cover! Isn’t that nice :) I can tell you, in person (physically in your hands), it’s truly fantastic.
Okay. So. This is a genre mash. up. The book has elements of fantasy (various genres), dystopia, YA, and writing that feels more comic book than novel (too much telling, not enough showing). When I first started reading it, I immediately thought of the film Sucker Punch.
[Side-plug: if you’ve never seen this film, I recommend it. It wasn’t well-reviewed, but I found it thought-provoking and visually intriguing.]
In Sevara, we’ve got orphaned girls who duke it out in a backwards-@ss orphanage (but they still love each other) and fighting at the front lines of a strange war, and we’re not certain what the cause is. Oh, and then there are these god-like shape-shifting creatures that pop up to provide some outside perspective/commentary a là the Greek chorus.
Where this book gets it right: I care about Sevara. I’m rooting for her even though I find her character strangely detached and removed from the action around her. The pacing is decent (in the first half) � it moves along at a nice clip � not too slow and not too fast.
Where this book needs some work: editing (misused words, extra words, clunky sentences). It really took away from some of the good things that were happening. I could have overlooked these editing issues if it weren’t for this next thing: wonky plot.
The first half of the book, Part I, is set up like a typical novel. We get some back story and action proceeds chronologically. Good deal. Then we get into Part II, and it’s almost as if the writer got tired of writing fantasy. It’s tough work � it’s long work, but your readers want that. We want the long novel. It’s okay to give us something that’s 70,000-80,000 words � we’re expecting that! But this book concludes itself way too quickly, and, I think, leaves too much out.
Rather than the chronological, moment-to-moment timeline from Part I, the writer starts hopping around. Not in time, precisely, but from this scene to that scene and back. It actually started to irritate me at one point (because, confusing), and I contemplated putting the book down, for good, but I wanted to know what happened to Sevara so I kept going. I thought Part II was too short, but Part III was practically non-existent.
[I really liked the comic panels in the back:) ]
My conclusion: if you’re a patient fantasy reader (and you liked Sucker Punch) then read this. If you’re nit-picky and require a lot of development and crystal clear plot points, maybe stear clear.
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2015
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Savara is your typical adolescent orphan who has no experience of the big bad world in which she will inevitably be thrown out to. Nevertheless, she is a character who has hardened to the ways of the orphanage, and her distrust for all things keeps her alive.
Firstly, don’t be put off by the cover. It may look like a fantasy filled novel for adults, but it is much more than that. In fact it is hard to place this book into just one genre. The magical aspect doesn’t come in until at least a few chapters in, but it is subtle and remains almost hidden in the back ground for the first half of the book; popping in and out at moments when you least expect it. Then you have the dystopian twists which contain very drastic views of women, war and social status. There is such intense violence used when it comes to war. It would make for a Great War book and would appeal to many of the male audience in this instance, but with the main protagonist Savara, it also caters for the female audience too.
The technology used is unusual but not necessarily what you would call advanced. It has a sort of archaic element to it. There is a lot of emphasis on energy being used in the right way.
The dialogue is done very well in the way that it obscures the low moments by adding a bit of sarcasm and humour into the mix. By doing this, it lifts the mood so the readers aren't following a depressing storyline.
Additionally, there are multiple view points that can come together in just one scene, so many in fact that it is hard to keep track. This works to an advantage to a degree as you would know every facet of the truth, but there were moments however that just didn't work. For example, the bomb scares in the story would be dramatic enough without the need for the multiple points of view, thus making it repetitive. It is a unique way of getting the story across but there are a more adequate ways of displaying this threat.
The story is rounded off by a magical element and makes for a satisfying conclusion.
RRP £9.99
August 7, 2015
4.5 stars.
This book. I don't have enough words to describe how refreshing and unique this book is. The plot is thick with twists and turns as Wampler sets up an amazing world.
The mythology in this world is so complex and well thought out that I often had to take a pause and think on certain parts. Plexus, the main city is described in such a way that I could see in my minds eye the unique nuances that made Wamplers world so distinctively different. The entire world is steeped in a lore so rich and well thought out that I would believe to be real.
There were like a million characters in this book. Sevara is the MC and is a heck of one. My love for Sevara is deep. That girl with all her flaws is a prime example of how a woman can be strong, but still soft. I could not get enough of her.
Every single character in this book (when I say there is a lot, seriously I couldn't name them all) was complex and well developed.
Two things that made this a 4.5 stars instead of 5 was that I felt that at times there was so much going on that I was confused and at times when the point of view switched from one character to another that wasn't heard from in a while my brain hurt trying to remember who was who.
This book is very violent and Wampler doesn't tone down the description for some of the deaths. I'm not a fan of that kind of stuff. So at times I had to put the book down and reset, but the violence was essential to the story and the development of characters and I understood that. Obviously it didn't prevent me from finishing the book.
I understand that this book is a prequel for a graphic novel/ novels and that excites me even more. I can't wait to see what is to come in the future.
This book. I don't have enough words to describe how refreshing and unique this book is. The plot is thick with twists and turns as Wampler sets up an amazing world.
The mythology in this world is so complex and well thought out that I often had to take a pause and think on certain parts. Plexus, the main city is described in such a way that I could see in my minds eye the unique nuances that made Wamplers world so distinctively different. The entire world is steeped in a lore so rich and well thought out that I would believe to be real.
There were like a million characters in this book. Sevara is the MC and is a heck of one. My love for Sevara is deep. That girl with all her flaws is a prime example of how a woman can be strong, but still soft. I could not get enough of her.
Every single character in this book (when I say there is a lot, seriously I couldn't name them all) was complex and well developed.
Two things that made this a 4.5 stars instead of 5 was that I felt that at times there was so much going on that I was confused and at times when the point of view switched from one character to another that wasn't heard from in a while my brain hurt trying to remember who was who.
This book is very violent and Wampler doesn't tone down the description for some of the deaths. I'm not a fan of that kind of stuff. So at times I had to put the book down and reset, but the violence was essential to the story and the development of characters and I understood that. Obviously it didn't prevent me from finishing the book.
I understand that this book is a prequel for a graphic novel/ novels and that excites me even more. I can't wait to see what is to come in the future.
January 15, 2016
Original review on: acrossthebookiverse.blogspot.com
**I was given a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review**
I wanted to love this book so much. Not only is the cover gorgeous, but the blurb had me interested instantly. However, I could not for the life of me get into this book.
Don't get me wrong, the writing style is amazing. The world building is phenomenally detailed, even if it confused me at times. The whole idea around families giving up their daughters to an orphanage to have them auctioned off as wives to the male populace it so unique and unlike anything I've ever seen before.
Unfortunately, I could not get attached to any of the characters. At times I even got confused as to which character was which. I found myself getting bored to the point where I almost put the book down more than a few times. I couldn't find it in me to care all that much about Severa and found that I was almost more interested in Leif's story than I was her's. The whole idea surrounding the Codex confused me as well. If it's so all-controlling, then who came up with it in the first place and why can no one change it? Perhaps I missed something, but it just didn't really make any sense in my mind.
The politics. There was so much involving politics that I don't even know what to say about it. Honestly, it was tiring and boring. When I pick up a book with the kind of promise this one had, I expect action and passion and all sorts of...rebellion, I suppose. I don't expect all these rules to be put in place with trials and legalese that makes my eyes start to drift off the page and gives me a headache. There is some complex political viewpoints in Severa: Dawn of Hope that I was entirely unprepared to encounter.
**I was given a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review**
I wanted to love this book so much. Not only is the cover gorgeous, but the blurb had me interested instantly. However, I could not for the life of me get into this book.
Don't get me wrong, the writing style is amazing. The world building is phenomenally detailed, even if it confused me at times. The whole idea around families giving up their daughters to an orphanage to have them auctioned off as wives to the male populace it so unique and unlike anything I've ever seen before.
Unfortunately, I could not get attached to any of the characters. At times I even got confused as to which character was which. I found myself getting bored to the point where I almost put the book down more than a few times. I couldn't find it in me to care all that much about Severa and found that I was almost more interested in Leif's story than I was her's. The whole idea surrounding the Codex confused me as well. If it's so all-controlling, then who came up with it in the first place and why can no one change it? Perhaps I missed something, but it just didn't really make any sense in my mind.
The politics. There was so much involving politics that I don't even know what to say about it. Honestly, it was tiring and boring. When I pick up a book with the kind of promise this one had, I expect action and passion and all sorts of...rebellion, I suppose. I don't expect all these rules to be put in place with trials and legalese that makes my eyes start to drift off the page and gives me a headache. There is some complex political viewpoints in Severa: Dawn of Hope that I was entirely unprepared to encounter.
September 14, 2015
Though written for teens, Sevara: Dawn of Hope by Damian Wampler appeals to readers of any age. The universal themes of taking responsibility for one's actions, fighting for justice for as long as it takes, and remaining true to your heart are exemplified by Sevara, the strong-willed protagonist.
In Plexus, female babies are left in orphanages where they are cared for only to be auctioned off as wives. Those who are not purchased are cast out once they reach childbearing age or max out at 16. Males who do not have wives by age 16 must join the army.
Sevara is auctioned only once, but when her buyer is unable to handle her strong will and independent thinking, he does not finalize the sale. At age 15, she leaves the orphanage to fend for herself in a world of corruption, political unrest, and severe social strata.
In the orphanage Sevara learned to fight for herself and her sisters, to which she remains committed. In Plexus, she extends her protectiveness to the unwanted and the Uncertified and continues to fight for Justice. Her steadfastness catches the eye of the Immortals, who help her in her cause.
Remaining true to her heart, Sevara's character reminds me of Katniss Everdeen of the Hunger Games, and the book is just as well-written. The storyline is tight, the characters well-developed, and the descriptions detailed. Using his skills as a graphic artist, Mr. Wampler creates elaborate scenes of Plexus and the war front, which I could easily visualize.
Thumbs up to Damian Wampler for creating this exciting tale.
In Plexus, female babies are left in orphanages where they are cared for only to be auctioned off as wives. Those who are not purchased are cast out once they reach childbearing age or max out at 16. Males who do not have wives by age 16 must join the army.
Sevara is auctioned only once, but when her buyer is unable to handle her strong will and independent thinking, he does not finalize the sale. At age 15, she leaves the orphanage to fend for herself in a world of corruption, political unrest, and severe social strata.
In the orphanage Sevara learned to fight for herself and her sisters, to which she remains committed. In Plexus, she extends her protectiveness to the unwanted and the Uncertified and continues to fight for Justice. Her steadfastness catches the eye of the Immortals, who help her in her cause.
Remaining true to her heart, Sevara's character reminds me of Katniss Everdeen of the Hunger Games, and the book is just as well-written. The storyline is tight, the characters well-developed, and the descriptions detailed. Using his skills as a graphic artist, Mr. Wampler creates elaborate scenes of Plexus and the war front, which I could easily visualize.
Thumbs up to Damian Wampler for creating this exciting tale.
September 15, 2015
Sevara is fifteen and lives in a world where men are more dominant and more important than females. When girls are born they are put into orphanages while the boys are kept. In these “orphanages� the girls are trained how to be wives and then at certain ages they are bought and sold to the boys as there wives. Sevara refused to marry and from there she was on her own thrown into a world of crazy dominant men. She went through a lot but she is a survivor and she stands strong in her beliefs until she just wasn’t strong enough.
She is offered a second chance at life, a life that is a struggle but this life may be new she may have the chance to save what is wrong in there world but will she take it.
I liked this story a lot Sevara is an amazingly strong character that you can’t help but like. She is knocked down so many times but refuses to be down for long she always gets back up even taller. There is a little romance as she falls in love with Lief but with their history staying with him is almost impossible. So she stays true to herself and when she is knocked down for the last time only Sevara is strong enough to get back up.
This story was clean but a little bit graphic if you like books with a very strong leading woman then this is the story for you. Join Sevara on her journey but it’s only the beginning!
She is offered a second chance at life, a life that is a struggle but this life may be new she may have the chance to save what is wrong in there world but will she take it.
I liked this story a lot Sevara is an amazingly strong character that you can’t help but like. She is knocked down so many times but refuses to be down for long she always gets back up even taller. There is a little romance as she falls in love with Lief but with their history staying with him is almost impossible. So she stays true to herself and when she is knocked down for the last time only Sevara is strong enough to get back up.
This story was clean but a little bit graphic if you like books with a very strong leading woman then this is the story for you. Join Sevara on her journey but it’s only the beginning!
December 28, 2015
Sevara is a young orphan, in a world where zeppelins and enslaved wives keep things running. All girls are raised in the orphanages, auctioned off to the highest bidder. Abigail, an orphanage caretaker, sees something special in Sevara. When the girl spurns a bidder, however, she is sent off on her own, where survival is unlikely. Girls who age out of the orphanages before being claimed by a future husband are doomed to be sent to the outskirts of the city, where a war wages against the neighboring town. Few last very long.
Can one ambitious young woman change the world? This is a fast-paced, thrilling story. The author, Damian Wampler, has created a unique world in his novel. The characters are compelling, flaws and all. I enjoyed watching Sevara find herself and figure out where she comes from, and what she is destined for in the future. This book is a good fit for teens and adult readers who enjoy YA fiction. There are a few disturbing scenes so I might caution against sharing it with younger preteens only for that reason. Otherwise, I highly recommend it.
I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Can one ambitious young woman change the world? This is a fast-paced, thrilling story. The author, Damian Wampler, has created a unique world in his novel. The characters are compelling, flaws and all. I enjoyed watching Sevara find herself and figure out where she comes from, and what she is destined for in the future. This book is a good fit for teens and adult readers who enjoy YA fiction. There are a few disturbing scenes so I might caution against sharing it with younger preteens only for that reason. Otherwise, I highly recommend it.
I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2015
Sevara is similar to the The Hunger Games in it’s "unputdownableness�. In Plexus girls are taken from their parents and raised by the state in orphanages. Every year on a certain day they are put up for auction to become obedient home-wife slaves. The more years that pass without being selected the slimmer the chance of being picked because these older girls are considered “unteachable�. When Sevara gets to her last auction the day before she will be put out on the street as too old to stay in the orphanage, she must make a choice, marry a man who may never see her as more than a slave or risk it all on the streets? This will be the first of many tough choices Sevara will make as she tries to discover her mysterious past and who her parents really were. Fiercely loyal to those she loves and trained in the orphanage to fight for her life she quickly becomes a leader in a war she is still trying to understand. I don’t want to give any more away, you need to read this for yourself!
October 19, 2015
I have to say this is not only one of the best books I have ever read; but THE best and most enjoyable book I have ever read!
From the crazy world they live in to just all of the steampunkish equipment they use like the Central Hub and such. Just so entirely fascinating to me and because of the awesome writing skills it's completely believable as well!
Also, the characters are so well crafted that I know their individual personalities and feel for each one differently as I would in real life.
My wife told me to read this when she was done because it's something I would definitely like, and she was right!
I will most definitely pick up all the authors further writings so I can continue to live in the world he has created.
From the crazy world they live in to just all of the steampunkish equipment they use like the Central Hub and such. Just so entirely fascinating to me and because of the awesome writing skills it's completely believable as well!
Also, the characters are so well crafted that I know their individual personalities and feel for each one differently as I would in real life.
My wife told me to read this when she was done because it's something I would definitely like, and she was right!
I will most definitely pick up all the authors further writings so I can continue to live in the world he has created.
October 10, 2015
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sevara is a 15 year old girl that has grown up in a society that puts it's daughters in orphanages at birth. Women only serve as wives, mothers and servants. Throughout childhood the girls are presented at auctions held at their orphanage.
Sevara has learned to fight for everything and in this book she fights for equality for all.
I really enjoyed Sevara: Dawn of Hope, but I do feel that it is rather violent and should be read by more mature YA readers. I would definatly recommend this book to all that enjoy different dystopian novels.
Thank you to Damian Sampler for allowing me to read and review his unique and entertaining new book!
Sevara is a 15 year old girl that has grown up in a society that puts it's daughters in orphanages at birth. Women only serve as wives, mothers and servants. Throughout childhood the girls are presented at auctions held at their orphanage.
Sevara has learned to fight for everything and in this book she fights for equality for all.
I really enjoyed Sevara: Dawn of Hope, but I do feel that it is rather violent and should be read by more mature YA readers. I would definatly recommend this book to all that enjoy different dystopian novels.
Thank you to Damian Sampler for allowing me to read and review his unique and entertaining new book!
June 21, 2016
The synopsis of this book sounds fascinating for anyone who enjoys dystopian stories, but in reality it's confusing and badly written. The plot escalates too quickly and the author doesn't seem to have thought many parts through very well; main characters are introduced at random, and cultural ideas that are very important in the latter half of the story are completely absent in the first half. This book is also desperately in need of an editor; the misspellings and bad structure in this novel make it difficult to read all the way through. There is a lot of potential here, but the story needs a lot of work.
February 15, 2016
Rating 2,5
I had lots of problem going through this book and i was often close to dfn it. While the plot and world building was interesting, i never felt pulled into it. And the way Wampler used the perspectives i never felt close with any of the characters. The book could also do good with another round of editing. Something that also picked on my brain was how he underlined certain words to emphasise them.
I had lots of problem going through this book and i was often close to dfn it. While the plot and world building was interesting, i never felt pulled into it. And the way Wampler used the perspectives i never felt close with any of the characters. The book could also do good with another round of editing. Something that also picked on my brain was how he underlined certain words to emphasise them.
September 26, 2015
Really good premise, fantastic start, great characters, vivid scenery... Then the Immortals show up and everything devolves into a cataclysm of violence and intrigue and politically-charged propaganda, haphazardly clashing with a futile attempt at something vaguely mythological but so far overshadowed by the social machinations that it comes off rather slipshod. Boo.
September 8, 2015
what a great cover
the best graphic novel
ive read in a while
so much action and fighting
never a dull moment
girls with wings lots of cool
stuff going on
I cant wait to read the next
part in the series
the best graphic novel
ive read in a while
so much action and fighting
never a dull moment
girls with wings lots of cool
stuff going on
I cant wait to read the next
part in the series
March 25, 2016
3.5 stars
As soon as I can use a pc I would come back to write a review.
Italian review here:
The english one is work in progress!
As soon as I can use a pc I would come back to write a review.
Italian review here:
The english one is work in progress!
September 20, 2015
This book sounds great! I hope to win, read it and enjoy the story ...ÌýIf I win, the review will be updated once I finish the book :)
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