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Without Flaws
Zach has been trapped in a torture facility since he was a child and his father abandoned him there. But when he notices that his mom is close to her breaking point, he realizes it's time to plan a daring escape. A bizarre bond with a strange girl from the outside world might be the key he needs to escape.
Zara is a mutant with the ability to look into the future. One day has a grave vision where she loses everything, but she can't remember the vision. Will she be able to connect the dots and save everyone? Or will everything and everyone she has ever cared for be taken away from her?
Zara is a mutant with the ability to look into the future. One day has a grave vision where she loses everything, but she can't remember the vision. Will she be able to connect the dots and save everyone? Or will everything and everyone she has ever cared for be taken away from her?
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2021
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Diane Asther
2 books9 followersAuthor also writes under Divya Tarak
Divya Tarak creates worlds in her mind while exploring the real one. As she studies across four continents in four years, she gathers moments, people, and places that slip into her stories—blending fantastical realms with themes that linger long after the final page.
She’s been telling stories for as long as she can remember, writing her first novel, Without Flaws, at thirteen and self-publishing it at fifteen under the pen name Diane Asther. A few years later, she decided her books should bear her own name—after all, they were pieces of her. At fifteen, she began the Worlds Without trilogy, publishing Ederra at seventeen and Eden at nineteen.
Storytelling is her language, whether she speaks it through words, paint, or movement. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find her painting in bursts of colour, reading late into the night, dancing Bharatnatyam, or getting lost in a great film. She’s also hopelessly devoted to her golden retriever, Stark, who has a habit of “helping” by curling up at her side while she works.
Through every story, Divya hopes to take readers on an adventure—one they’ll want to return to, even after the book is closed.
Divya can be found online at booksbydivya.com
Divya Tarak creates worlds in her mind while exploring the real one. As she studies across four continents in four years, she gathers moments, people, and places that slip into her stories—blending fantastical realms with themes that linger long after the final page.
She’s been telling stories for as long as she can remember, writing her first novel, Without Flaws, at thirteen and self-publishing it at fifteen under the pen name Diane Asther. A few years later, she decided her books should bear her own name—after all, they were pieces of her. At fifteen, she began the Worlds Without trilogy, publishing Ederra at seventeen and Eden at nineteen.
Storytelling is her language, whether she speaks it through words, paint, or movement. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find her painting in bursts of colour, reading late into the night, dancing Bharatnatyam, or getting lost in a great film. She’s also hopelessly devoted to her golden retriever, Stark, who has a habit of “helping” by curling up at her side while she works.
Through every story, Divya hopes to take readers on an adventure—one they’ll want to return to, even after the book is closed.
Divya can be found online at booksbydivya.com
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 27, 2021
Without flaws surprised me. With debut authors, it's always hard to know beforehand whether the book will be good or not, but I'm glad to say I thoroughly enjoyed the novel.
I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, so here it is.
Without Flaws is the new young adult sci-fi book.
The book traverses seamlessly between multiple storylines and timelines and paints a picture of a world with mutants. The mutants, however, are not free to do as they please.
There is a storyline of starcrossed lovers Nathan and Clara trapped in a facility and then involved in a partially botched escape attempt.
We have Zara and Zach twins, who are geographically disconnected in the real world but discover that they can communicate telepathically as the novel progresses.
When Nathan and Clara were at the facility, they had twins. Nathan and Clara tried to escape, but only Zara and he were able to make it. Clara and Zach were tragically left behind.
Clara has an almost fairytale-like belief that Nathan will get them out. However, due to the constant hardships of living in the facility, Zach has become hardened and believes he is the only hope for them, and no one is coming to save them.
Zara is living with her dad. He has many secrets and is constantly plotting on how to get Clara and Zach out. The bond Zara has with her dad is quite unique. Since it has always just been the two of them, their dynamic and bonding are presented quite well. Family is a key theme presented well throughout the novel, exploring complex relationships between the characters.
This book takes us on an entire journey. A thrilling journey with nail-biting action, if I may add.
There are several additional characters, each bringing their own quirk to the table. The prison break is orchestrated in a consistent manner. There a lot of emotion at the end. I don't want to get into details and give anything away, but the ending touched my heart.
Considering that a teen has written it as a debut book, I found the writing and language to be really impressive.
I have read many books, and if it is very repetitive or monotonous, I will move on. That is not the case here. Found the tension, the action, the drama and all of the characters to be quite well laid out. It was a great page-turner, and at times, I found it unputdownable.
I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, so here it is.
Without Flaws is the new young adult sci-fi book.
The book traverses seamlessly between multiple storylines and timelines and paints a picture of a world with mutants. The mutants, however, are not free to do as they please.
There is a storyline of starcrossed lovers Nathan and Clara trapped in a facility and then involved in a partially botched escape attempt.
We have Zara and Zach twins, who are geographically disconnected in the real world but discover that they can communicate telepathically as the novel progresses.
When Nathan and Clara were at the facility, they had twins. Nathan and Clara tried to escape, but only Zara and he were able to make it. Clara and Zach were tragically left behind.
Clara has an almost fairytale-like belief that Nathan will get them out. However, due to the constant hardships of living in the facility, Zach has become hardened and believes he is the only hope for them, and no one is coming to save them.
Zara is living with her dad. He has many secrets and is constantly plotting on how to get Clara and Zach out. The bond Zara has with her dad is quite unique. Since it has always just been the two of them, their dynamic and bonding are presented quite well. Family is a key theme presented well throughout the novel, exploring complex relationships between the characters.
This book takes us on an entire journey. A thrilling journey with nail-biting action, if I may add.
There are several additional characters, each bringing their own quirk to the table. The prison break is orchestrated in a consistent manner. There a lot of emotion at the end. I don't want to get into details and give anything away, but the ending touched my heart.
Considering that a teen has written it as a debut book, I found the writing and language to be really impressive.
I have read many books, and if it is very repetitive or monotonous, I will move on. That is not the case here. Found the tension, the action, the drama and all of the characters to be quite well laid out. It was a great page-turner, and at times, I found it unputdownable.
February 5, 2022
Without Flaws is an intriguing tale. The story twists and turns, offering interesting views on what it means to be family, that family is worth fighting for, and the lengths we go for the ones we love. The individuality of each character was noticeable and appreciated. It allowed for the complex story to be told through many viewpoints and each person was discernable. Often in ensemble cast stories (many characters), the characters can be flat or simply filler. That’s not the case here. Clearly, a lot of time and effort went into the story and the characterization within. That effort makes the story even more believable.
The fact that the author is only 15 is amazing. Her talent is apparent even at such a young age. As she grows, matures, and experiences more in her life, her craft will undoubtedly become a true force to be reckoned with.
I had problems with the flow of the story in several spots. There were portions that were difficult to follow due to wording/ sentence structure choices that I think will get easier to spot as the author produces more stories and grows in her craft. Many of the mechanical errors I saw could be solved with a good read through before publication. As an author who edits her own work, I can say that having someone else read it can really help find the errors which an author corrects subconsciously while reading.
Overall, this book was an impressive debut. I was drawn in by the imagination, characters, and fresh idea. It inspired emotional responses to the content throughout, especially the ending which is hard for even experienced authors to elicit. I was impressed by the depth and scope of the story and enjoyed the ride as I learned more about the world Asther has built.
The fact that the author is only 15 is amazing. Her talent is apparent even at such a young age. As she grows, matures, and experiences more in her life, her craft will undoubtedly become a true force to be reckoned with.
I had problems with the flow of the story in several spots. There were portions that were difficult to follow due to wording/ sentence structure choices that I think will get easier to spot as the author produces more stories and grows in her craft. Many of the mechanical errors I saw could be solved with a good read through before publication. As an author who edits her own work, I can say that having someone else read it can really help find the errors which an author corrects subconsciously while reading.
Overall, this book was an impressive debut. I was drawn in by the imagination, characters, and fresh idea. It inspired emotional responses to the content throughout, especially the ending which is hard for even experienced authors to elicit. I was impressed by the depth and scope of the story and enjoyed the ride as I learned more about the world Asther has built.
September 6, 2021
Young Adult, Fantasy and Sci-Fi are not the genre of my choice, but picked it up on recommendation from friends/family.
They say, with Young and Fresh mind comes fresh and inspiring ideas and the author is a classic example of it.
From a debut author of just 15 years old, the novel is a page turner and lets you seeking for more.
The story is weaved around a family of four, parents (Nathan & Clara) and twins Zara and Zach. Nathan and Zara manage to escape from a captivity which conducts tortorous experiments on humans. Clara and Zach are held back under going tortures. Zach is tortured all the more to find out, how his father managed to escape. As a result of it Zach builds resentment and hatred towards his father for escaping selfishly. Each of them have some special powers with flaws. Rest of the story strides around to find out will the family re-unite and how ?
Some of the torture description are quite disturbing (atleast to me) and forced me to not visualize it in my mind. It absolutely takes you to a world of fantasies and made me wish I too had such powers as the characters in the story. An ideal script to be converted to a movie, if only the novel gets the right visibility which it deserves.
I would vote for this Book in Best Books of 2021 under Debut Novel and Young Adult Fantasy category.
Kudos to the Prodigy to come up with such a page turner at the age of 15. Already looking forward to next book from the Author :-)
They say, with Young and Fresh mind comes fresh and inspiring ideas and the author is a classic example of it.
From a debut author of just 15 years old, the novel is a page turner and lets you seeking for more.
The story is weaved around a family of four, parents (Nathan & Clara) and twins Zara and Zach. Nathan and Zara manage to escape from a captivity which conducts tortorous experiments on humans. Clara and Zach are held back under going tortures. Zach is tortured all the more to find out, how his father managed to escape. As a result of it Zach builds resentment and hatred towards his father for escaping selfishly. Each of them have some special powers with flaws. Rest of the story strides around to find out will the family re-unite and how ?
Some of the torture description are quite disturbing (atleast to me) and forced me to not visualize it in my mind. It absolutely takes you to a world of fantasies and made me wish I too had such powers as the characters in the story. An ideal script to be converted to a movie, if only the novel gets the right visibility which it deserves.
I would vote for this Book in Best Books of 2021 under Debut Novel and Young Adult Fantasy category.
Kudos to the Prodigy to come up with such a page turner at the age of 15. Already looking forward to next book from the Author :-)
July 19, 2022
A young Adult Read
With mutant powers, complex facilities, and a family torn apart this thrilling young adult read is a page turner. The characters are awesome. Even if they have mutant powers they aren't without their flaws and that makes them quite wholesome. I enjoyed the family dynamic between the two siblings and their parents. There are some torture and very dark images in the story which all add to the plot.
The plot pads along making you interested and intrigued with continuing onwards to see what awaits the family and if they ever will reunite.
Although the plot and characters are very well thought of I did find it a little difficult to read. It needs a bit of work to hone the craft, but this author I'm sure will have years to learn, grammar, thesaurus and telling a grand tale such as this, to make their work distinguishable from others, due to their young age.
With mutant powers, complex facilities, and a family torn apart this thrilling young adult read is a page turner. The characters are awesome. Even if they have mutant powers they aren't without their flaws and that makes them quite wholesome. I enjoyed the family dynamic between the two siblings and their parents. There are some torture and very dark images in the story which all add to the plot.
The plot pads along making you interested and intrigued with continuing onwards to see what awaits the family and if they ever will reunite.
Although the plot and characters are very well thought of I did find it a little difficult to read. It needs a bit of work to hone the craft, but this author I'm sure will have years to learn, grammar, thesaurus and telling a grand tale such as this, to make their work distinguishable from others, due to their young age.
October 9, 2021
This is an impressive debut, especially for a 15-year-old. The story is compelling and emotional, compounded by vivid descriptive detail. While I was skeptical of the common science fiction premise of a lab facility and twins, Asther makes it a captivating exploration of family and other themes.
As others have mentioned, there are points where the writing is less clear (especially at the beginning), but this is 1. more of the failing of an editor and 2. clearly something that will improve as the author continues to write.
All in all, Asther is clearly talented with a bright future as a writer.
As others have mentioned, there are points where the writing is less clear (especially at the beginning), but this is 1. more of the failing of an editor and 2. clearly something that will improve as the author continues to write.
All in all, Asther is clearly talented with a bright future as a writer.
September 13, 2021
The book is so well written and so creatively constructed. The premise of the nearly perfect mutants science fiction is so imaginative and really interesting to explore. I especially loved the Tom and Jerry like relationship between the brother and sister and the family dynamic throughout. Divya is such a talented writer and we can’t wait to buy more of her future books! Best of luck to the budding author :)
September 4, 2021
Twins Zach and Zara have been separated by unusual and frightening circumstances: in the year 2020, they are mutants whose parents are imprisoned in a facility where training of mutant powers are actually sessions of torture, until their father Nathan manages to escape with Zara and has left Zach and his mother Clara to the mercy of the evil Mr Green. Zach hasn't forgiven Nathan for this; then one day Zara finds a way to communicate with Zach and everything begins to change for them. Will they become reunited and will Zach and Clara also escape the facility? The book has some violent scenes and descriptions of the torture, but these are relevant to the plot and not too descriptive, in fact, they add to the tension. There are surprising revelations surrounding Mr Green and his connection to the twins and their parents. The reader is drawn into the action and feels the tension in every moment.
On a slightly minus note, I have to say that the editing in the book is not, if you'll excuse the pun, without flaws with regard to punctuation and other areas. Also it is usual practice to write numbers as text when mentioning certain things, e.g. two days not 2 days, but this is in no way down to the author. I don't know which country she originates from, but I noted British spellings such as 'colour' alongside Americanisms like 'mom', then Zach would call his mother 'Mum'. There is also a mix of 'ize' and 'ise' spellings and speech is contained in double quotations, the American style. All that said, for a 15-year-old, Diane Asther has constructed a mature, well-written modern-day dystopian story with good characterisation. I found the book an enjoyable page turner and would highly recommend it for teens and adults alike.
On a slightly minus note, I have to say that the editing in the book is not, if you'll excuse the pun, without flaws with regard to punctuation and other areas. Also it is usual practice to write numbers as text when mentioning certain things, e.g. two days not 2 days, but this is in no way down to the author. I don't know which country she originates from, but I noted British spellings such as 'colour' alongside Americanisms like 'mom', then Zach would call his mother 'Mum'. There is also a mix of 'ize' and 'ise' spellings and speech is contained in double quotations, the American style. All that said, for a 15-year-old, Diane Asther has constructed a mature, well-written modern-day dystopian story with good characterisation. I found the book an enjoyable page turner and would highly recommend it for teens and adults alike.
February 26, 2022
Without Flaws is about a family of mutants (a father, mother, and two twins) and their desire to reunite. The plot kicks off with the family being separated into two halves - the father escapes a facility in which they are all being held, but can only bring one of the twins, Zara, with him. Zach and their mother are left within the facility. I don't want to say too much more about the plot for fear of spoiling it, but I will say that it kept ticking along at a good pace and it's always cool to read about mutant powers. A nice twist was that the mutants had a flaw that went along with their power. It reminded me a bit of some of the X-Men New Mutants stuff, but a bit darker. Speaking of which, there are quite a lot of torture scenes contained within. They were relevant to the plot and didn't put me off, but might not be for everyone. I think a teen audience would get a lot out of Without Flaws, especially if they like stories revolving around mutants.
Also, I think it's incredibly impressive that the author is only fifteen years old, and has managed to publish a novel. I don't mean that in a condescending way - I only mean that it'd be unthinkable for the fifteen-year-old version of me to write a novel, let alone publish one, and let alone write and publish a good one! The author should be really proud of that.
Also, I think it's incredibly impressive that the author is only fifteen years old, and has managed to publish a novel. I don't mean that in a condescending way - I only mean that it'd be unthinkable for the fifteen-year-old version of me to write a novel, let alone publish one, and let alone write and publish a good one! The author should be really proud of that.
October 20, 2021
A Solid Debut Effort
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2021
Without flaws is a fairly apt title for this debut novel from Diane Asther. What is even more remarkable is the age of the author, with a very impressive freshman effort.
Without Flaws describes the turbulent lives of two very extraordinary twins , Zach and Zara who have been imprisoned due to their special mutant abilities. (I can see some X-men influences here). The opening is a significantly violent part of the book, but it adds to the sense of dread and dramatic tension as the events continue to escalate. In saying that though, it's still suitable for a young adult audience.
Asther's electric atmosphere throughout the book is a highlight; my only notes are that the novel still needs some editing in parts, as spelling and grammar issues surface occasionally, along with the confusion between alternating past and present tense.
Esther is to be commended for her epic thrills created throughout the novel and this is a fantastic contribution to the YA Scifi genre.
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2021
Without flaws is a fairly apt title for this debut novel from Diane Asther. What is even more remarkable is the age of the author, with a very impressive freshman effort.
Without Flaws describes the turbulent lives of two very extraordinary twins , Zach and Zara who have been imprisoned due to their special mutant abilities. (I can see some X-men influences here). The opening is a significantly violent part of the book, but it adds to the sense of dread and dramatic tension as the events continue to escalate. In saying that though, it's still suitable for a young adult audience.
Asther's electric atmosphere throughout the book is a highlight; my only notes are that the novel still needs some editing in parts, as spelling and grammar issues surface occasionally, along with the confusion between alternating past and present tense.
Esther is to be commended for her epic thrills created throughout the novel and this is a fantastic contribution to the YA Scifi genre.
August 9, 2021
Heart Thumping -Non-Stop Thriller-from START to FINISH!! ❤️
You CAN read this ADRENALINE thriller
Nathan and Clara were lab rats - to make humans with powers. They were part of this torture facility that had tricked a lot of people into taking this experiment. They have twins, Zach and Zara.
Nathan escaped with their daughter Zara but Clara and their son Zach got left behind.
Basically without giving anything away, this book is about a father (Nathan) trying to save his family in the facility.
It has all of the elements that I look for in a thriller: action, intrigue, danger, secrets, twists and turns. It’s well-written, intricately plotted and kept me on my toes!
Remember the name of this author, Diane Ivy Asther, because I assure you, you will be awaiting her next book. A 15 year old gal, this is quite a debut!!
You CAN read this ADRENALINE thriller
Nathan and Clara were lab rats - to make humans with powers. They were part of this torture facility that had tricked a lot of people into taking this experiment. They have twins, Zach and Zara.
Nathan escaped with their daughter Zara but Clara and their son Zach got left behind.
Basically without giving anything away, this book is about a father (Nathan) trying to save his family in the facility.
It has all of the elements that I look for in a thriller: action, intrigue, danger, secrets, twists and turns. It’s well-written, intricately plotted and kept me on my toes!
Remember the name of this author, Diane Ivy Asther, because I assure you, you will be awaiting her next book. A 15 year old gal, this is quite a debut!!
November 20, 2021
I found myself invested in this book from the beginning. With the well-crafted dialogue and imagery from the start, I felt involved in the twins’ world. The use of flashbacks and multiple point of views added depth to the story, and I enjoyed meeting new characters and the powers they each had as well. While the twist wasn’t so unpredictable, I had myself in tears at the end.
No spoilers, but I love the added twist that with each power comes an added flaw. Even after I had finished reading, I found myself wondering which power and flaw I would want to have most myself. Overall, this was a quick-paced read with action from page one. If you’re looking for a fresh read from a new author, look no further. Additionally, I do see series potential here, but was also satisfied by the ending.
No spoilers, but I love the added twist that with each power comes an added flaw. Even after I had finished reading, I found myself wondering which power and flaw I would want to have most myself. Overall, this was a quick-paced read with action from page one. If you’re looking for a fresh read from a new author, look no further. Additionally, I do see series potential here, but was also satisfied by the ending.
July 20, 2021
Debut novels are generally not the first choice for most people. They gives us the first impression of the author. I for one love reading them. Though there is no way to tell whether I will like it or not. Well a good book never disappoints and have to say "Without Flaws" didn't disappoint. I was hooked from the starting and was unable to put it down. It is a fast-paced book which takes you on a thrilling adventure. I greatly enjoyed reading it!
August 16, 2021
Without Flaws is a well written book that does not make one want to put it down. It is well paced with an engaging plot that will leave you completely engrossed in it. Descriptive with characters that make you sympathize and feel with them along with the story being easy to follow as you switch between the past and present make it incredibly enjoyable. Without Flaws is definitely worth a read!
April 19, 2022
An intense, sad story with a bittersweet ending
This story's concept was very unique - and the idea of there being an experiment facility where mutants are constantly tested on and tortured is enough to make anyone shudder. I enjoyed reading a new spin on a mutant story - it focused on a family of four being united after the father and daughter escape. There's a lot of action as well as emotion. While I wish the ending could have been happier, I think it was a very well-written story, and the ending was hopeful.
This story's concept was very unique - and the idea of there being an experiment facility where mutants are constantly tested on and tortured is enough to make anyone shudder. I enjoyed reading a new spin on a mutant story - it focused on a family of four being united after the father and daughter escape. There's a lot of action as well as emotion. While I wish the ending could have been happier, I think it was a very well-written story, and the ending was hopeful.
February 22, 2022
This story has an impressive storyline. It derives from a family being broken up and of course its very sad to witness. But the torture scenes are just that, they're horrific and you can't help but feel for the characters going through all that pain. Once you realise why, it becomes even more unbearable but you stick with it because of zach. Zach is the boy who seems to know no end to pain, whether it be through physical pain sanctioned on him to get information he doesn't possess or through the emotional pain, witnessing his mother go through torture equally but with the added hope that his father will save them.
When his sister comes into it, there are undoubtedly alot of trust issues and she must prove herself before zach will allow his hope to rise. Having watched his mother wither away for years, never giving up hope, he has denied himself that ability. But his sister helps, in every way she possibly can and things start to look up, but this book is thwart with danger and tension. Keeping you gripped till the very end. You just hope they manage to be together again and remain a family after so much time lost.
When his sister comes into it, there are undoubtedly alot of trust issues and she must prove herself before zach will allow his hope to rise. Having watched his mother wither away for years, never giving up hope, he has denied himself that ability. But his sister helps, in every way she possibly can and things start to look up, but this book is thwart with danger and tension. Keeping you gripped till the very end. You just hope they manage to be together again and remain a family after so much time lost.
September 9, 2021
Amazing ending!!
This story is sad and harsh. It's a great idea and concept but sad to read. To think of a family serrated for 13 long years and all they want to do is be together again and they never know if they will have the chance. It's heartbreaking. Zara was an awesome character to witness throughout the story and her connection with her twin brother who was locked away in this horrible facility was special and sad. I liked that they got to communicate with one another before every being able to meet. The twist about their powers at the end was awesome and I really enjoyed it. I loved their mother Clara's will and unfailing belief and hope in the love of her life, Nathan. She was so strong through the book and I loved her as well as nate and Anna. There were a lot of characters to enjoy for sure.
So if you enjoy mutant life reads with a twist then this might be the story for you.
However, for me the truth is from the first page this was hard for me to read. The way things were worded had me having to go back and read them again before moving on which made me lose being in the moment of the story. Spelling errors, punctuation and even Grammer issues I can easily ignore, as most avid reads can but when it's the way something is worded and constant it makes enjoying and getting lost in the story very hard. It was also hard to follow the dialog and who was talking at times as the format was something I haven't read in a book before.
This story is sad and harsh. It's a great idea and concept but sad to read. To think of a family serrated for 13 long years and all they want to do is be together again and they never know if they will have the chance. It's heartbreaking. Zara was an awesome character to witness throughout the story and her connection with her twin brother who was locked away in this horrible facility was special and sad. I liked that they got to communicate with one another before every being able to meet. The twist about their powers at the end was awesome and I really enjoyed it. I loved their mother Clara's will and unfailing belief and hope in the love of her life, Nathan. She was so strong through the book and I loved her as well as nate and Anna. There were a lot of characters to enjoy for sure.
So if you enjoy mutant life reads with a twist then this might be the story for you.
However, for me the truth is from the first page this was hard for me to read. The way things were worded had me having to go back and read them again before moving on which made me lose being in the moment of the story. Spelling errors, punctuation and even Grammer issues I can easily ignore, as most avid reads can but when it's the way something is worded and constant it makes enjoying and getting lost in the story very hard. It was also hard to follow the dialog and who was talking at times as the format was something I haven't read in a book before.
August 10, 2021
This book is definitely worth your time. Admittedly, I was a little skeptical when I first bought the book, but within a few pages, I was hooked. The vivid language got me immersed deep into the story before I finished even the first chapter, and the plot too didn’t fail to impress. It’s definitely one of the best books I’ve read in a really long time. If you haven’t bought it yet, you should definitely go buy it, it’s absolutely worth your time.
October 6, 2021
‘Without Flaws’ by Diane Asther is an incredible debut novel, it’s fast paced with an engaging storyline. Characters are described very well, as you sympathize with them as the story unfolds.
The story follows the twins Zach and Zara, that have been separated by unusual and frightening circumstances. They are mutants with special abilities, imprisoned in a facility.
The only struggle I had with this book, was the constant switch from past and present tense which was a bit difficult to follow.
Overall, 'Without Flaws' is definitely worth a read! Great debut novel!
The story follows the twins Zach and Zara, that have been separated by unusual and frightening circumstances. They are mutants with special abilities, imprisoned in a facility.
The only struggle I had with this book, was the constant switch from past and present tense which was a bit difficult to follow.
Overall, 'Without Flaws' is definitely worth a read! Great debut novel!
August 19, 2022
I’ve really pondered how to write this review as I would never intend to disparage a fellow author. That being said, honesty with empathy is the only way we can grow.
To start, I enjoyed the plot - it's obvious the author has a vivid and deep imagination. I loved the characters and was rooting for them to be united. I thought the plot, characters, and world were age appropriate for the author’s demographic.
It was a hard read though. The writing threw me at first and I had to double check I had the correct book. After reading the reviews, I found a one-star that echoed a lot of what I was feeling (from only the first two pages). The actual writing of the book feels very inexperienced and I struggled to enjoy the other elements because I was constantly pulled out of the world due to poor writing.
To the author: I would really encourage you to continue honing your craft. You have a natural gift for storytelling, so please, invest in your skill. Read more books. Practice writing. Get tips and tricks from fellow authors. I see that the author had her book read by two beta’s. That was smart! In the future ensure your beta’s are well read, third-parties. Getting constructive criticism from outside your supportive circle will do you wonders!
To start, I enjoyed the plot - it's obvious the author has a vivid and deep imagination. I loved the characters and was rooting for them to be united. I thought the plot, characters, and world were age appropriate for the author’s demographic.
It was a hard read though. The writing threw me at first and I had to double check I had the correct book. After reading the reviews, I found a one-star that echoed a lot of what I was feeling (from only the first two pages). The actual writing of the book feels very inexperienced and I struggled to enjoy the other elements because I was constantly pulled out of the world due to poor writing.
To the author: I would really encourage you to continue honing your craft. You have a natural gift for storytelling, so please, invest in your skill. Read more books. Practice writing. Get tips and tricks from fellow authors. I see that the author had her book read by two beta’s. That was smart! In the future ensure your beta’s are well read, third-parties. Getting constructive criticism from outside your supportive circle will do you wonders!
January 30, 2023
Listen, I hate writing bad reviews, I really do, but this book desperately needs an editor. I'm giving it two stars instead of one because I feel like the plot is all there. I really like the power system, the dynamic between the characters, and the overall story line, I really do. I truly believe that with a lot of reworking and editing, this novel could become something great.
But as it is now, it is extremely hard to read. There are so many errors like: misspellings, bad punctuation and grammar, missing words or quotation marks, etc. Even when there aren't errors, the writing simply doesn't make sense sometimes.
Hopefully the author will choose to hire an editor and re-release the book with their input. I will be happy to come back and re-read and re-review when this happens. I also really hope the author doesn't get too discouraged by this review and others as the plot itself is good, the execution just needs work. From the other reviews, it seems like the author is young, so she has plenty of time to learn and re-rewrite. I hope she doesn't give up and continues to write. I want to come back to this story when it is truly "Without Flaws." (Not like anything can be perfect, but you get my point.)
But as it is now, it is extremely hard to read. There are so many errors like: misspellings, bad punctuation and grammar, missing words or quotation marks, etc. Even when there aren't errors, the writing simply doesn't make sense sometimes.
Hopefully the author will choose to hire an editor and re-release the book with their input. I will be happy to come back and re-read and re-review when this happens. I also really hope the author doesn't get too discouraged by this review and others as the plot itself is good, the execution just needs work. From the other reviews, it seems like the author is young, so she has plenty of time to learn and re-rewrite. I hope she doesn't give up and continues to write. I want to come back to this story when it is truly "Without Flaws." (Not like anything can be perfect, but you get my point.)
May 16, 2022
Firstly, I want to say kudos to Diane to be able to write a book like this at such a young age. The emotions conveyed within this story of twins separated at birth- each with their own magical power and flaw- is an evocative one. It helps the reader understand the pain of ones so young, ripped apart from the ones they love the most- which I think is Diane's own pain.
The action is also non-stop, starting from a fast-paced prologue right up till the emotionally devastating ending, an ending which really wrenches at your heart.
However, to be honest, I could not fully appreciate Diane's work because of the many grammatical errors within, errors that caused confusion, breaks in sentences, and caused me to reread paragraphs several times to understand it. It felt like I was constantly losing track of the story that I was in, a story that, in fact, I did want to read.
Overall, I look forward to see what Diana writes next, and hope that she only grows.
The action is also non-stop, starting from a fast-paced prologue right up till the emotionally devastating ending, an ending which really wrenches at your heart.
However, to be honest, I could not fully appreciate Diane's work because of the many grammatical errors within, errors that caused confusion, breaks in sentences, and caused me to reread paragraphs several times to understand it. It felt like I was constantly losing track of the story that I was in, a story that, in fact, I did want to read.
Overall, I look forward to see what Diana writes next, and hope that she only grows.
April 22, 2022
A family who want to reunite
Without Flaws by Diane Asther is a good book. I was shocked when I got to the end and discovered the author is only fifteen! She should be extremely proud.
The themes are quite mature, with facilities, mutants and powers, some torture and violence. You certainly get drawn into the situations. I felt saddened at the end but don’t want to give anything away. At its heart, I guess is a family who just want to reunite and I think a lot of readers will relate to that.
There are some grammar issues but I don’t feel they detract from the story, and again, to write this at fifteen is a massive accomplishment.
Without Flaws by Diane Asther is a good book. I was shocked when I got to the end and discovered the author is only fifteen! She should be extremely proud.
The themes are quite mature, with facilities, mutants and powers, some torture and violence. You certainly get drawn into the situations. I felt saddened at the end but don’t want to give anything away. At its heart, I guess is a family who just want to reunite and I think a lot of readers will relate to that.
There are some grammar issues but I don’t feel they detract from the story, and again, to write this at fifteen is a massive accomplishment.
October 9, 2022
Diane Asther takes on unusual heroes with flaws that turn into strengths. A fan of superheroes I can only compare her characters and this story to that of a X-Men like saga. This story is a great reminder that no matter our flaws family & love are unconditional.
September 16, 2021
Without Flaws is a Young Adult, Fantasy and Sci-Fi book. The authors first debut novel and she is only fifteen!
The novel is a page turner, the story is based around the lives of twins Zara and Zach. It has a great concept and storyline, but it is harsh to read. So if you're looking for a happy, upbeat novel... this isn't for you.
However, there was a few spelling, grammatical, and punctuation errors, that should be looked over by an editor.
Overall, great first debut novel, looking forward to see what the author writes next.
The novel is a page turner, the story is based around the lives of twins Zara and Zach. It has a great concept and storyline, but it is harsh to read. So if you're looking for a happy, upbeat novel... this isn't for you.
However, there was a few spelling, grammatical, and punctuation errors, that should be looked over by an editor.
Overall, great first debut novel, looking forward to see what the author writes next.
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