CassaStar

CassaStar #1

by Alex J. Cavanaugh

To pilot the fleet's finest ship...

Few options remain for Byron. A talented but stubborn young man with a troubled past and rebellious attitude, his cockpit skills are his only hope. Slated to train as a Cosbolt fighter pilot, Byron is determined to prove his worth and begin a new life as he sets off for the moon base of Guaard.

Much to Byron's chagrin the toughest instructor in the fleet takes notice of the young pilot. Haunted by a past tragedy, Bassa eventually sees through Byron's tough exterior and insolence. When a secret talent is revealed during training, Bassa feels compelled to help Byron achieve his full potential.

As war brews on the edge of space, time is running short. Byron requires a navigator of exceptional quality to survive, and Bassa must make a decision that could well decide the fate of both men. Will their skills be enough as they embark on a mission that may stretch their abilities to the limit?

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fiction, Military Science Fiction, Military Fiction

246 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

I'm a science fiction writer on a journey of discovery...
I work in web design, graphics and technical editing. I'm also the guitarist in a Christian rock band. A fan of all things science fiction, my interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online I'm the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. I'm the author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar, CassaFire, CassaStorm, CassaDark, and Dragon of the Stars.

Reviews

[ImKirok · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw that this book was pretty well reviewed on here so I decided to check it out, since I'm always on the lookout for some new sci-fi.

I read almost exactly halfway through before I decided I didn't want to continue, so bear that in mind when reading this review.

If I had to describe the novel in a single word I would go with "hollow". It felt more like reading an outline than a fully flushed out story.

The characters were one-dimensional, boring, and completely unrelatable. For instance, Byron, the main character, supposedly had a rough childhood and therefore was introverted and antisocial, while at the same time being some sort of cocky troublemaker. But without describing any real instances of Byron's past suffering, it's hard to sympathize with him when he constantly avoids interacting with others. Also, the extent of Byron's "troublemaker" trait seemed to be him thinking about doing something bad but not doing it, or getting silently angry at someone, both of which seemed like completely normal things for anyone to do and hardly worthy of being called "troublemaker" traits. Really for the majority of the time the characters are just mouthpieces for extremely generic, wooden dialogue.

My biggest qualm with the story was the lack of any real conflict to keep me turning the pages. Everything just fell neatly into place without any real suffering or sacrifice on the part of the characters. For example, another pilot is particularly antagonistic towards Byron... Will he try to sabotage Byron somehow during a mission? Will he gather a group of friends to beat Byron up and smash his joystick hand? Will he train hard to match Byron in skill and be an interesting rival? Nope, he'll hurl a few juvenile insults before failing from the academy a few chapters later, never to be seen again. Or, as another example, the trainees are presented some new challenging scenario. Will Byron fail this scenario? Will he ever be in danger of failing this scenario? No, Byron always does everything perfectly and the author never really gives the reader the doubt that it could be otherwise.

There was also an absurd lack of detail. It's fine to leave some things to the reader's imagination, but give me something more to work with than the color of a character's hair. Characters either looked normal or "weathered", and for some reason everyone cocked a single eyebrow a lot, which was about the extent of their facial expressions. Maybe it's a Cassan thing. The lack of detail extends to more than just description, the reader really has no sense of the Cassan universe, Cassan culture, or if there's even a war going on. Around the time I stopped reading, which I think was around page 120, was when there was finally a few alien races mentioned, before which I really had no idea of what the pilot trainees were preparing themselves to face.

The final thing I want to touch on is the fact that the entire cast is male, save for Byron's sister who appears for a few pages at the beginning. If it weren't for Byron's sister I would've assumed Cassans were an exclusively male race, as women are never even mentioned for the rest of the book. It's fine to have a story with no love interest, but it just seems unrealistic to exclude females from the story entirely, especially for something like piloting spaceships, which theoretically women would be able to do as well as men. If the author at least mentioned that the military was male-only I would've been more understanding, but we don't even get that, so we're just left to continually wonder why Byron never comes across a single woman.

I realize that this review is rather scathing, but I'm not under any illusion that my opinion is the correct one. It's just an opinion. I'm sure many people love this book, as evidenced by the multiple positive reviews on this site, but it just wasn't for me.

I will say, though, that the price tag is obscene.

[seak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really glad Alex J. Cavanaugh contacted me to review his book, CassaStar.

This was a fun tale of friendship and overcoming the odds that I flew through pretty fast. With this in mind, it wasn't a perfect book and that's why this review will be divided into The Good and The Bad. Very creative I know.

The Good

At first I was really annoyed with the main character, Byron and he, in turn, is annoyed at almost everyone he meets. Byron gives off a surly attitude mixed with a cockiness, which quickly becomes understandable (to my satisfaction) and even relatable as you come to learn about his motives and past.

Byron and all characters in CassaStar are from Cassa and Cassans have an innate ability for telepathy. Each person can not only read each others thoughts, but their emotions as well. Except that Byron has become adept at closing himself off, or putting up his shields, to others.

I couldn't help thinking how much this could help our own society if we could only read people's true intentions instead of being quick to get offended all the time, especially when offense is not intended. Benefit of the doubt anyone? I'm not always the best at that. Although that's perfectly fine on the internet. :)

The story itself is straightforward, which is a nice change of pace, and becomes a pleasant tale of friendship and even poignant towards the latter half of the book. I guess I was in a contemplative mood while reading this because I found myself wondering how closed off I am towards people when all they could use is a friend. I feel bad that it's not always the case that I reach out a hand to those in need and overcome my own comfort zones.

The Bad

While I enjoyed the story, there are a couple gripes I had that I just couldn't get over.

The main thing I had a problem with in CassaStar was the motivations for not only Byron, but the whole fleet against the alien race, the Vindicarns. Byron becomes a fighter pilot because he has nothing left, but that leaves the story a little stale. What does it matter if he doesn't move on to become a pilot in the fleet? It didn't seem like was more than Byron would be disappointed and have to do something else. To engage my emotions, I needed this to be more life and death if not xenocide.

When the fleet starts fighting the Vindicarns, I again found motivation lacking. What had this race done to the Cassans? It really wasn't anything more than they were attacking their ships and I needed more than this. Did they blow up your home planet? Did they kiss your girlfriend behind your back?

The last thing was the cookie-cutter ending. Things just fit nicely into a box and it was perfect for our protagonist to step in. Too perfect.

When Should You Read CassaStar?

CassaStar was a fun romp in space with fighting spaceships and aliens. It's straight-forward and easy to follow, which is a good thing to read when you're, for instance, in law school and all you do is read/analyze technical cases.

3 out of 5 Stars

[Barbara Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story, the characters, the world, the technology, the ships; pretty much everything. At some points, I felt the motivation behind Byron's and Cassa's actions was not shown adequately, or was not really adequate. However, it is possible that a longer story would have been able to show the motivation better.

My main issue with this book was that, at the beginning at least, the writing seemed... stilted. A few times I felt the author explained instead of illustrated. Byron's feelings, his arrogance, his uncertainty, his wildness, his simultaneous control and lack of control of his mind and emotions, would have benefited from less exposition.

For example, this paragraph, and others similar to it bothered me. "Holding his breath, Byron flew at Vitar's ship. He sensed Trindel's rising concern of a close encounter. Byron assured his navigator of their success, though."

I noticed less of this as the story became more action oriented. Also, I have the utmost respect for anyone who completes writing a book.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

CassaStar (Dancing Lemur Press 2013), 1st in the Cassa series, is the enrapturing story of Byron, a young boy with a storied past, whose life started with losing his parents at a young age. He was headed down a bad path until he discovered he wanted to become a Cosbolt pilot and fly one of the most powerful military warships of his time. He earns acceptance into the elite school to prepare for this goal and does well though not without challenging the norms. Part of the reason he succeeds is a specific set of skills he has that few do. That becomes the seedbed for changes in his life he never could have expected.

As much as this is a story of battling for the heart and soul of space, it is also the struggles of a young man to overcome the problems of his childhood and grow into the person he always wanted to be. To his dismay, he finds he can’t do that alone, but can he trust anyone to help him after what he’s been through?

Excellent story, great start to a series, and highly recommended not only for sci fi fans but those who love a well-crafted tale.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about friendship set in science fiction world including space battles. It contains some unexpected turns and is well done for a debut novel.

UPDATE 2011-11-10: Full review including pics and links is available over at Edi's Book Lighthouse.

And this is the text only version:

Today I have the pleasure to present you the review of a science fiction debut novel. CassaStaR (October 19th,2010) [ISBN-13: 978-0981621067] by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Thanks to Dancing Lemur Press for sending me an unproofed review copy. The review is based on this review. Click here in case you want to read the official blurb.

Somewhere and sometime in a future galaxy. The planet Cassa is inhabited by the human like Cassans. One of them is young Byron who wants to be a Cosbolt (= two seat fighter) pilot. Together with his comrade Trindel who is a navigator he takes part in the training in the facility located on the dark moon Guaard. Former fighter ship navigator Bassa is the lead instructor on Guaard.
An interstellar war is going on and an adequate supply with fully trained Cosbolt crews is mandatory for an successful end of the war.
CassaStaR is the story of Byron, Trindel, Bassa and a lot more unknown men. It is the story of their inner wars and their role in the outer war and how these wars influence their lives.

Let me start with some facts:
- It is a debut novel
- It is a stand alone novel
- It stands for 242 pages (in this case the unproofed review copy)

242 pages is quite short compared to the books I read normally. Of course the number of pages does not tell anything about the content. But it is a limit.

I'm a member of Goodreads and I'm used to add a short impression in the review section for every book I read.
And that is what I wrote about CassaStaR :

"This is a book about friendship set in science fiction world including space battles. It contains some unexpected turns and is well done for a debut novel." [Source]

CassaStaR is definitely a character driven story. Therefore you need strong characters. Meet the talented young Byron. As good as he is with machines as bad is his interaction with other people. He acts and appears like someone you would like instantly throw out of the window. I took some time to look behind his off-putting behaviour. And I think it would have been worse without his comrade Trindel who is an talented navigator. Don't underestimate the role of Trindel. The obvious counterpart to Byron is the experienced navigator and lead instructor Bassa. He is a trustworthy officer who still fights with events from his past.

The writing style is clear without any ornateness which fits perfectly to the straight forward storytelling. The pace varies and is always adapted to the situation.

The whole story is told from mainly Bassa's and Byron's PoV and partially from Trindel's PoV. Step by step Alex J. Cvanaugh unveils the past of Bassa and Byron which has an impact of thei nowadays life. Embedded in the daily training the relationship between Byron and Bassa changes. First part of the story ends with a for me unexpected event. An event which influence the rest of the story a lot. One can say without this event the story would have continued in a completely other direction. Until the end there are two more important events. the time between the events is filled at first with simulated battles and later on with real battles which are intervowen with the character development. The end of the story delivers a not unexpected conclusion which gives enough room for further development. I hope I don't tell you a secret that the author is thinking about a sequel.
I found it mentionable that there are nearly no women in CassaStaR. Maybe they would have disturbed the relationship between the main characters.

As I told before, for me CassaStaR is a story about friendship in a science fiction world. And of course we have to talk about the world-building. I would compare the world-building with a stage. In a theatre you can see the whole stage but due to illumination not every detail (volitional or not). It is the same with the world of CassaStaR. One could say it is sparse. You get a minimum of information like a spotlight in the dark. Of course I would have appreciated to get to know more information about Cassa, Guaard and other planets, about the spaceships and especially about the enemy - an alien race called Vindicarns.
But
when I look at the real heart of CassaStaR - the friendship between two really different people - then I must admit it is not absolutely necessary.
But
it would have been the cherry on the cake.

Conclusion:
For me CassaStaR is a well executed, character driven, easy to follow debut novel about friendship, I mean real friendship, set in space including battles.

I look forward to the next Alex J. Cavanaugh story - the groundwork is done and now I wait for the cherry ....

From October 19th 2010 on you can purchase your copy of CassaStaR at amazon.de, amazon.uk, bookdepository, amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and Powell's. The book is also available as an ebook for Kindle, IBookstore, Nook and others.

And there is only one thing which is worth to end this post: The awesome CassaStaR book trailer

[Andrew Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, let's look at the technicals first:
This is easily one of the best edited small or independently published books I've seen. In the top 3, for sure. I wouldn't know more specifically than that without going through those three books and actually counting up the errors, and I'm not going to spend the time doing that. Although there are a few more toward the end than in the beginning, except for one consistent misspelling of a word by substituting in a homophone for it, all of the mistakes were just things that got missed, like "as" instead of "a" or things like that. There are no consistent punctuation errors at all. Without the rather routine editing issues I've come to expect from independently published works, this became a rather enjoyable read for that alone. I'd give it an A on technicals.

Without getting into the actual plot of the book, I'd say it's a fairly routine space romp. Think Top Gun meets A New Hope with a dash of Battlestar Galactica thrown in for good measure. Of course, Alex does add in his own bits, too, such as the telepathic abilities of the Cassans (and possibly other, more rare, mental abilities that we don't encounter during this first book (well, we do encounter one other, but that would be telling)), and those abilities play a role in what unfolds with the plot, so they're not just icing on the cake, so to speak.

At any rate, the plot is not very complicated or unpredictable, so, if you're looking for some big twist ending or endless convolutions in your plot, you should look somewhere else. Plot-wise, you're going to get a fairly straightforward story. The only real issue with this is that Alex waits to reveal the conflict, or that there is any conflict, until well after the first third of the book. It left me feeling somewhat adrift during Byron's training because it was impossible to tell that anything else was going on other than boot camp.

Of course, the plot is not the point of the story. Cassastar isn't about an interstellar war, it's about the characters, and Mr. Cavanaugh does a very realistic job of drawing his characters and fleshing them out. In fact, there is real character growth in the book, which is not something that's all that common in these days of flashy, all out action all the time. Byron is not the same character at the end of the book as he starts out being. Neither is Bassa. The book is about friendship and how "iron sharpens iron;" the plot is only there to facilitate that journey. In this respect, the book often reminded me of the relationship between Frodo and Samwise in The Lord of the Rings. It's all very British feeling.

It's a solid job of story telling. Good characters. Good action. A nice, entertaining read. There's enough to it to make it above average, and, coupled with the lack of grammar issues, I'd give it a nice, solid "B." It's not great or earth-shattering, but it is good entertainment with some insight into "humanity" thrown in to make it worth the time.

[Nancy Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little intimidated by this book, mostly because I don’t read sci-fi. Like ever. But I’d heard many good things about it, even from readers like me who don’t know the genre, so I thought I’d give it a try, knowing full well that I put down far more books than I keep reading. I was wary though, made so by a couple other reviews. I guess I went in expecting, maybe even looking for those “flaws,” for lack of a better word. But what I found was something completely different from what I expected.

CassaStar is not purely science fiction. I suppose if it had been, I would have put it down. I’d been warned that it wasn’t heavy on world-building or technology as so many other books in this genre typically are. Well, that’s a good thing. I just can’t get into that sort of stuff. I suppose that’s due to the woman in me rather than the purist reader. I want a story that has heart and soul, and CassaStar has both, in spades.

You see, this isn’t simply a story about a cocky young star fighter looking to prove his mettle. CassaStar is about taking risks and making personal sacrifices; it’s about insecurity, loneliness and abandonment, about love and companionship, friendship and acceptance. And more than anything else, CassaStar is about trust.

I’ve had my problems with all these issues, so it kind of felt like the author was writing to me, for me, and about me. And although Byron wasn’t always the most likeable fellow, I did understand him, where he was coming from, and what he was searching for. Even when the scene was neck-deep in battle, laser fire, and cunning starship maneuvers, the undertone was always about trust and friendship.

I so rarely stick with a book, yet CassaStar immediately pulled me in and kept me there. I enjoyed the characters and the voice, the pace and the plot. Is it a perfect novel? No, but then most books rarely are, especially debut attempts. What it is, is a solid story of human companionship and how even the most hardened among us can and will benefit from the love and support of another human being. To imply the message and theme of CassaStar is anything other than that is a testament to the reviewers own hang-ups and insecurities. I believe we could all learn a thing or two from CassaStar.

Five big Ninja throwing stars, Mr. Cavanaugh! Well done!

[Stephanie Lorée · Rating 4 out of 5]

(No Spoilers) Part space opera, part adventure, and applicable to both young adult and adult readers, CassaStar is the thrilling debut novel by Alex J. Cavanaugh, science fiction writer and blogger.

Alex has a simple writing style with good flow. I found myself quickly caught up in his prose. CassaStar is written in multiple PoV, limited to the two main characters of Byron and Bassa. Byron is an arrogant, insecure fighter pilot trainee, and Bassa is an experienced instructor with a stern disposition. I loved Bassa, and found Byron off-putting at first (though he does redeem himself). Particularly impressive was Alex's use of the telepathic abilities of Cassans in multiple point of view. At times it was omniscient, but very well done.

The world-building in CassaStar is sparse, but intriguing, giving the reader a sense of the setting without inundating us with details. The pages turn quickly and I never found myself growing bored. CassaStar showcases character development in a science fiction atmosphere. It has many exciting moments of space combat, lasers, and explosions, but the core of CassaStar is the progression of Byron and Bassa. How they change and grow.

This is one of the best science fiction debuts I have read in a long time. My largest complaint was a lack of female characters. Byron's sister makes an appearance, but it's short and lacks any reader empathy. What do these Cassan women do?

Outside of that, CassaStar was a wonderful read that I would recommend to anyone interested in character driven science fiction. If you're a big softy like me, you may cry a bit, so you've been warned. CassaStar sucked me in and held me rapt. I cannot wait to read Alex's next novel and watch his craft steadily improve. (4 Stars)

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex J. Cavanaugh’s CASSASTAR is a moving portrayal of sacrifice and friendship set in outer space.

Bassa, a senior officer on Guaard, waited for a chance to train a pilot like Byron, an arrogant but highly skilled pilot from the planet Cassa. While Bassa keeps an eye on Byron’s safety, Byron does everything he can to prove he’s the best damn pilot in the fleet. With war on the horizon, both men know they have to do their best. But when Byron’s secret leads Bassa and him to a new ship, they must find a way to work together before all of Cassa falls to the enemy.

CASSASTAR starts with a surprising prologue that drew me in. Bassa and Byron’s characters hooked me. The struggles within their quest for friendship were touching. This novel isn’t all about spaceships and fighting, but the relationships around us from colleagues to enemies to friends. The glimpses of the world building kept up the fast-paced read without bogging the reader down with too much description. The writing style isn’t perfect and uses too much repetition, but the story won me over. I often forgot I was reading as I was flipping through the pages to see what happened next. Cavanaugh truly excelled in creating an intense and well-paced novel.

CASSSTAR by Alex J. Cavanaugh engaged me as a reader with a spectacular storyline featuring friendship at its core. I look forward to reading the next in the series: CASSAFIRE.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t read much science fiction. I read memoir, romance, commercial women’s fiction, mystery, thrillers, suspense, the list could go on, but, well, not much sci/fi. Not my thing, whatever a “thing” is. But I really liked CassaStar.

Cavanaugh creates a fully developed world with believable characters. You take our world and plop it down in the midst of a war where fighter pilots and their navigators go up against the baddest Star Trek soldiers and you got CassaStar. But it’s not all fighting. Bryon, the main character, is dealing with the loss of his former navigator and not particularly happy about having to work with someone new at a new station. But war is war and he’s one of the best pilots and one of only a very few Cosbolt pilots who can teleport.

Of course, CassaStar is not all war and fighting. There are down times where we get to see the world outside of the war. And there, too, Cavanaugh creates believable, although other-worldly, scenes.

I give CassaStar by Alex J. Cavanaugh a rating of Hel-of-a-Story

[Clarissa Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts: It wasn't what I expected. Not that it was bad. In fact, I loved it.

Here's what I expected - Dune. Here's what I got - Star Wars. And I love Star Wars! I haven't read Dune so... maybe it's Dune-like as well.

Why do I like Star Wars? Not for the Klingons...oh wait, I mean Wookies, but because of the relationships. I wanted Luke Skywalker to get his training from funny-speaking-Yoda. I wanted Leah and Hans Solo to get together. Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! And, I think those little Ewoks are so cute!

Well, CassaStar provided what I liked best in my Sci-fi reading - relationships. It didn't describe a lot of different planets or aliens but Byron (the main character) got his training. And Byron formed one of the best relationships ever - true friendship. Maybe next time Alex can put in a few Ewoks and maybe a funny-talking Yoda or two.


"Powerful writer you have become, Alex. The famous author I sense in you." - Yoda

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple yet enjoyable story.

I appreciated the honest portrayal of the MC Byron, as a rebellious and cocky but gifted young man, who travels on a physical and emotional journey. We read about the difficulty he has trusting others and dealing with authority, as he tries to realise his dream of becoming a Cosbolt pilot. With the help of his mentor, Bassa, he faces and overcomes many challenges. The story also focuses on the human relationship factor and the friendship between Byron and Bassa.Their change and growth as the story progresses is a wonderful aspect to this story.
I tip my hat to Alex J. Cavanaugh for his amazing world-building skills.
All in all, an entertaining read.

[Terri Rochenski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I LOVE Sci-fi movies. Not sure I actually ever read a Sci-fi book, though. I've been wanting to read this series, so when I won this in a giveaway I was THRILLED.

For those of you who don't know, AJC is an awesome blogger & faithful follower. I *heart* him.

Anyhoo.

World building, characters who snag your empathy, a great plot, and tension - inner & external galore, make for one heck of a book.

Even if you're not into Sci-fi, this engaging story won't let you go. Can't wait to read the next one!

[Juneta Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun adventure. I listened to the audible version too and so enjoyed it. I felt like I was there watching a movie. I also read the ebook. It is about friendship, competitiveness and having to move past that to a deeper friendship in a turbulent universe where war beckons on the horizon. There is some repetitiveness, the pace is great but the story keeps you reading and is well worth the read or listen. I definitely recommend the read to anyone that enjoys sci-fi with character development along with all the exciting space battles.

[Tasha Seegmiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first science fiction I've read in a long time, and I really enjoyed it. The wording threw me a little at the beginning, with the sentence structure bring different from what I am used to reading, but it was consistent throughout and I quickly adapted to it. The characters are unique, as is the setting, but not so much that it is inaccessible to people who don't just read this genre. Fun read, interested to see where Cavanaugh goes with the second one.

[Christine Rains · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a classic science-fiction tale of a talented young pilot determined to be the best. Byron is stubborn and rebellious, but an older officer Bassa sees through that tough exterior and offers to help him. Alex J. Cavanaugh's writing is sharp and fast-paced. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat with intense drama and gripping action. What impressed me most is how wonderfully vivid the fight scenes are. They come to life on the movie screen of my mind.

[T.B. Markinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read too many space operas and I had heard good things about this one. The book didn’t disappoint. Not only was the action good, but I enjoyed the characters and watching them grow. The friendship between Byron and Bassa was intriguing. The world building is subtle and the writing is effortless. I do wish we learned more about the enemy and why they were at war. Other than that, I enjoyed this novel.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

(No Spoilers Here) I read this book in two sittings. I appreciate Mr. Cavanaugh's ability to give you enough detail to get a vivid picture as to what's happening, yet pull back the reins a little to make room for your imagination to open up. Reminds me of Orson Scott Card's style. The beginning actually reminds me a little bit of Ender's Game, where the protagonist is a gifted young warrior. But that's where the similarities end. Cavanaugh did a great job with characterization and making the main character, Byron, three-dimensional.

I also enjoyed the character of Bassa, his mentor. The story shifts, and there's a strong resemblance to lots of science-fiction goodness that I grew up. If you took Top Gun, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, and The Last Starfighter and put it all into a blender, you'd get CassaStar. And you know what? I loved it!

However, if I could, I'd give this book 4.5 stars. There were just a few things that kept it from being a full-fledged 5 star book for me:

#1 There are no females. None. Not a bad thing, as I hardly read any romance at all. But I could see how that could irk someone. Most readers are women, and many ladies won't mind it. But I think there's a certain percentage that won't be able to "get into" the book because of a lack of women characters.

#2 Exclamation point crazy. This was more of an annoyance. Even a novel of 400 pages should only contain maybe three of these!!!!!! But Cavanaugh pours a few onto the pages with these. One page (on my Kindle Fire) had FOUR exclamation points!!!! 99% of these were unnecessary. Not a big deal though.

#3 Predictability. I wasn't surprised by anything at all. Not a horrible thing, as I think many authors get caught up in putting too many twists and such to manipulate the reader. But for me, I saw everything coming.

#4 Up until you're through 40% of the book, you know that these pilots are training to fight, and do patrols in outer space, etc. But you don't know what they're up against until just prior to the midpoint of the novel. The antagonist, we learn, is an alien race called the Vindicarns. And once the fighting is on, I still never got a clear picture/idea of the enemy. They're aliens, but I just can't recall if they're humanoid, or lizards, or blue people. It might be there, but that's sort of the issue here. I would have liked to learn more about the bad guys and more depth as far as the motivation for the war (yeah, they're crossing the Cassa border, but that's about all you get).

Also, there's just a hint of underlying homosexuality. I'm not sure if it's intentional or if I'm just over-thinking things. Not a bad thing at all, just something that stayed with me as I was about 75% of the way through the book. I wonder if any other readers picked up on it.

You're not going to find the hidden meaning of the universe in this book, nor was it Cavanaugh's intention. If he wanted to write a book that was entertaining, fun, and exciting, CassaStar delivers. The space battle scenes were so well written - and I think many of us take for granted how difficult it is to construct these fight scenes. Just superb.

If I had to rate it in comparison with other debut/first novels, it would get a gleaming 5 star review from me.

It's just a lot of fun, and it kept me entertained. And I'm a picky reader. And I can't wait to read the second book in the series, CassaFire.

[Elena Alvarez Dosil · Rating 4 out of 5]

My original CassaStar audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

Byron is a stubborn young man whose only choice in life, for some unknown reason, is becoming a Cosbolt fighter pilot. He enlists to train at the moon base of Guaard, where he will meet Bassa, one of the most strict and renowned instructors. Cassans have a special way of mental communication, along with some special mental abilities, in which Byron excels. Byron will meet some difficulties due to his difficult temper, but along with Bassa, they will try to make a difference.

This is not the typical Space Opera novel, at least not what I expected. This is a tale about friendship between two men. One of the good aspects of this novel is characters depiction and their evolution. It is true that there are just basically two main characters, and the others are flat and part of the background. I see a clear evolution in these two main characters, especially Byron, who will grow to become a great man. Byron was annoying at first, stubborn and difficult but with extraordinaire capabilities. Somehow not very original, I might say, since I have seen this kind of main character in several books and movies.

Despite being this a great story about friendship, I was a bit disappointed at the simplicity and lack of detail of this book. I expected the tale to be part of a bigger story, a bigger conflict. Towards the end of the book this 'bigger conflict' is more present, but we know nothing about the Cassians, the Vindicarns, and their war. How are both societies and why are they at war? We know nothing about their technology, apart from the fact that they can teleport and have special mind powers. I would have appreciated more background history. In a way I feel that this story could have been told in almost the same way without being a science-fiction book.

When listening to this book I had the impression of listening to some old science-fiction from the 50s or 60s, and that made me check the publication date, which is 2010. This impression was due to the fact that there were no women in it. If it was not for Byron's sister appearance and the mention of one of the pilots' mate, I would think that the Cassan society was just composed by men. I cannot believe that there were no women pilots or navigators. It just made the book feel very old-fashioned.

The narration was not bad, but not excellent either. The diction was clear and the tone encouraging, but all voices sounded the same. Michael Burnette used some music to divide the scenes which made me think of series and movies like Star Trek. I know some people are not fond of it, but I think it was a nice detail. I felt though a bit old-fashioned too, which went nicely with the book. Burnette also used some special FX for the voices when the characters were mind speaking. I think this was well done since it made it clearer when they were merely speaking and when they were mind speaking, but the chosen FX distorted the voices too much for my liking. I think he also used this effect in a different way depending on the character, so when mind speaking the voices sounded a bit more different, not a lot though.

Cassastar was an enjoyable listen, and I would recommend it to sci-fi and non sci-fi fans.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read!

Byron is a young, arrogant, and troubled young Cassan man who has issues with authority. He is sent to Guaard for Cosbolt fighter pilot training with a young man named Tindel as his navigator.

It seems to Byron that nothing his team does is good enough for his Senior Officer Bassa, though he and Tindel score remarkably well on their training missions. Some of his maneuvers are seen as reckless, but he and his navigator always come away unscathed. His special 'gift' plays a part also, but must be kept secret per the Commander's orders. Some of the other trainees dislike him and he is fine with that. He is not at Guaard to make friends.

Towards the end of training, Byron feels betrayed when Tindel reveals that he no longer wants to be a navigator on a fighter after performing an exercise that haunts him. Their relationship remains mostly strained for what's left in training. Senior Officer Bassa informs Byron that if he passes, a suitable navigator would be found for him.

Byron does pass his training and when he checks for his assignment, shock overwhelms him when he discovers he will be on the Cassan's flagship, The Sorenthia. Only high-ranking officers and senior staff are given assignments on this ship. Needless to say, he wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms.

Byron is annoyed and flabbergasted the following day when he learns that is new navigator is none other than his former Senior Officer Bassa. He grudgingly accepts his 'fate', but soon realizes how well they work together as a team. After years of self-doubt and loneliness, Byron is finally able to make some connections, as well as a friendship or two.

Unfortunately, there is war in the air. Vindicarn fighters have infiltrated Cassan airspace and are getting bolder. The Cosbolt fighters mission train daily. After several skirmishes with the Vindicarn fighters, a large one ensues when it is discovered that the Vindicarn's main ship has a weapon in its core that can take out the entire ship. In the end, only Byron can save the day.

I can't give away much more without giving away a ton of spoilers. The story was interesting and the writing tight. I like how the characters were fleshed out and had their own distinct personalities. I prefer lighter science fiction reads rather than the hard-core, technically and physics based ones. That being said, there was still a good amount of action to propel the story forward. I also liked the emotional and social aspects of the story, too.

The only negative I found was that it took Byron so long to appreciate his friendships and the kindnesses of others. I guess that would be expected from someone who's never had it and had to learn, I suppose. I'd recommend this book if you'd like to try something out of your normal genre.

[Toi Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not what I expected it to be at all and I loved it. The words “Space Opera” are suitable to describe this but there’s something else in this story that goes beyond sci-fi, fantasy, and space war.

CassaStar tells the story of a young Cassian named Byron who is talented and troubled. All he wants is a chance to escape Cassa and become a fighter pilot so that his life can have some meaning. His only problem is that, when compared to everyone around him, he has a bad and arrogant attitude, but he is good at what he does … oh and he’s “special”. Then there’s Bassa, enter wise man/mentor, but that’s where I’ll stop. I don’t want to give too much away.

I must confess that as chicks go I’m not much for emotional outpouring which is probably why I like action, sci-fi, and fantasy, but this book has given me a whole new perspective. When considering the very nature of the Cassians, I don’t believe I would be viewed even half as well as Byron was and he was pretty much an outcast with undeniable skills. It’s one thing to make friends and to be able to mingle with your peers on a social level, but CassaStar takes social interaction and emotional bonds to a whole other level, plus there’s space ships and highly advanced technology involved.

This whole story is written in a very matter-of-fact way as to imply that everything that’s happening in the story is as it should be. You forget from time to time that you are not a Cassian and that you are simply reading a story. You are however supplied with a few moments that fill you with utter amazement as you imagine the pilots sorting through space and time and then going on grand adventures in their down time.

This is an action packed story, but it takes a while to get your heart rate going. Nothing is slow moving, but the author does take his time to really develop his characters and set up each scene for whatever it is that’s about the happen: a space battle, an emotional breakdown, a behavior evaluation, or even an intense dream. With all this story has to offer, I’m still shocked that it all boils down to a great buddy story. This book is about friendship in a way most people haven’t considered. When two men go into war willing to die or live for the other, exciting things happens.

This story is suitable for most audiences though young children may not have the maturity to understand it and many women will not be initially attracted to it. I would challenge men and women to read this story and find that they probably really enjoy it, even if it is for very different reasons.

[Lynda Dietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book of the Cassa series has my attention. I enjoyed getting to know the main character, Byron, and kind of liked the fact that his growth didn't come too easily.

Byron has piloting skills and good instincts, but isn't nearly as strong in his people skills. Even as part of a race whose people communicate telepathically, he rarely shares himself with others, and this hesitation doesn't do him any favors when it comes to working with people—or being liked by his fellow flight school students (and then fellow pilots).

I had a few questions I'd like to see answered, though, and I'm hoping they're addressed in the second and third books, since I do plan on continuing the series. For example, who are the Vindicarns? There is no physical description of them, so I have a vague humanoid impression of them. But why are they at war with the Cassians? Are they seeking to increase their territory? Was something done to offend them? Are they fighting over trade routes?

Also, we know nothing of the Cassian society other than they're telepaths. Is their world military?
Space-oriented? Agricultural? Are they overflowing with fine arts, or are they spartan in nature, sterile and functional? We aren't told why Byron feels his only choice is to become a Cosbolt pilot and not explore other careers.

I liked the side characters well enough but would have liked more development of them, since I didn't really get a feel for their "look" or personalities other than how they acted and reacted around Byron.

The only thing I was truly disappointed in was the editing. I had seen some Amazon reviews that mentioned editing issues, but since most of those reviews were from 2010-2015, I assumed the errors had been corrected. I was wrong. I couldn't help but notice numerous missing words, some incorrect verb tense, and a few common errors that were not noticed by the publisher's editor. For a brief time, I was confused because I thought he was on a planet named Sorenthia—because the name was not italicized, I didn't realize it was actually a ship. Each time it and another ship were mentioned, I had to remind myself that it was the name of a spaceship, not a place. The number of editing "misses" in a book of typical novel length was much too high.

That said, I still enjoyed the book quite a bit and CassaFire is next on my list.

Overall, a good start to a series I'm looking forward to reading more of.

[Budd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassastar is the Freshman effort of author Alex Cavanaugh. Full disclosure: I read Alex's Blog and enjoy it, he also has been known to visit my blog. I was actually leary of reading the book as I didn't want to not like it. I mean, I read his blog and while Cavanaugh can be entertaining in short bursts, I didn't know if he could carry it over to long form. I was worried for nothing it seems.

Cassastar follows youn Byron through flight school and his first assignment as he learns to fly star fighters. Yes, the theme music from Top Gun was running through my head the whole time I was reading the book, but I think Byron is probably more like Iceman that he is Maverick. It is fully scifi, and while the characters are humanoid there is nothing that I noticed that said that they were specifically human. So this is a book that should be accessable by all humaniod life forms (which I am sure was the intent).

Plot- This is a familiar plot. Not only is it similar to Top Gun, but also to other scifi novels. I wouldn't say that it is cliche, but it is a well worn path. In my estimation, if you choose the well worn path, you have to do something to set yourself apart.

Characters- Character is where Cavanaugh really makes his impression. The reader will start out not liking Byron that much, but through the narrative, the character grows and his motivations are revealed. Characters don't just act a certain way, Cavanaugh shapes their pasts and makes them real, makes their actions seem in character.

Overall- It was an enjoyable book and a pretty quick read. Cavanaugh proved to me that he is in fact capable of long form fiction and that his strength seems to lie in characterization. Cassastar will soon be followed by another book that follows Byron on the next leg of his journey and I am looking forward to it. If you like Top Gun and science fiction, give this one a try. If you didn't like top gun because of tom cruise, but you still like the flying part, you are pretty safe as well. It is appropriate for all ages and all sentient humanoid species.

[Moonlight Gleam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far away in a distant galaxy, one can find a planet known as Cassa. Human like Cassans inhabit this planet, and among them there is a man named Byron. Byron is determined to become a fighter pilot, a Cosbolt, more than anything. His wish is granted by a man named Bassa, a former fighter ship navigator and now lead instructor in the training facility on the dark moon Guaard where Cosbolts teleport from. Byron soon embarks on a mission to end the oncoming war between the Cassans and an alien race, Vindicarns. Byron is not alone on this very important mission, he travels alongside Trindel, his navigator for the voyage. Will they all be able to successfully carry out this mission?

CassaStar is Alex J. Cavanaugh’s debut novel and first installment in this awesome science fiction series. This story is written in alternating point of views between the main characters Bassa, Byron, and Trindel.

My favorite element of CassaStar is the world building Alex J. Cavanaugh created for his readers. I would have definitely loved this story to include more details about this galaxy; however, Alex delivered brilliantly with a straight forward and action-packed storyline, with the addition of realistic and likable characters.

I really enjoyed both Byron and Bassa’s friendship. Bassa plays the role of his mentor, and through patience and determination he helps Byron achieve his dream. Byron begins with a bad attitude due to the lost of his former navigator then becomes an admirable character by the end. Trindel is sort of the character that you find more on the sidelines since the novel’s main focus is on Byron and Bassa; however, Trindel also plays an important role and his character should not be underestimated. There is definitely a lot of emotion throughout the novel in addition to all the action presented to Alex’s readers.

This is a wonderful debut that I truly recommend for all Science Fiction lovers. Look out for my review of Alex J. Cavanaugh’s upcoming release and next installment of this awesome series, CassaFire!

Must Read! Highly Recommended!

[Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

You might think a story without a murder mystery, any romance, or even strong graphic violence would be rather stale, but that’s not the case if it’s written by bestselling author Alex J. Cavanaugh. Add to that the narration by Michael Burnette and you’re in for an awesome listening experience.
CassaStar is an entertaining and intriguing story that takes listeners/readers to new planets, presents new technology, and introduces well-developed mesmerizing characters. If you’re a Star Trek and/or Star Wars fan, you don’t want to miss out on this enthralling tale.
Narrator Michael Burnette does a wonderful job giving each character their own distinct voice. His mannerisms highlight the extraordinary powers of the characters. His vocals, along with the numerous special sound effects, enhances this already tantalizing sci-fi story.
The story moves at a steady pace and holds your attention as you come to understand and relate to the protagonist. A few surprise twists along the way may catch you off guard. The likable characters are well-balanced and their growth throughout the story plausible.
Author Alex J. Cavanaugh has created a fantasy world that becomes believable through his eye for detail and his rich descriptions. The technology mentioned throughout the story isn’t overwhelming with geek speak descriptions. Listeners/readers are placed in the middle of the action as this adrenaline-fueled story unfolds making one dream of having the protagonist’s powers.
CassaStar is the beginning of a captivating world filled with intriguing characters you’ll delight in knowing. This has all the elements sci-fi fans, and non-fans, will enjoy. It’s a wholesome story with heart and suspense.
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

[Michael Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex J. Cavanaugh wrote a sci-fi novel that will appeal to more than sci-fi readers. CassaStar is a character driven story delivered to the reader through a sci-fi universe. It is not bogged down with the world building detail that sci-fi and fantasy books typically have, but paints enough of a picture and lets the reader fill in the rest. Alex has written a streamlined story that propels the plot forward at an enjoyable pace from beginning to end.

CassaStar primarily focuses on the relationship between the rookie, maverick pilot, Byron, and his experienced and highly decorated instructor/navigator, Bassa. From the beginning, Bassa sees Byron as his late younger brother and takes a special interest in him. Byron enters the flight training program as a cocky loner and an extremely gifted pilot with the rare gift of “jumping” (teleporting). Preparing for battle against an alien race called the Vindicarn, the men are dependent on each other for survival. Pilots and navigators communicate through telepathy, allowing unfiltered access to the other’s suppressed thoughts, memories, and fears. Trust is essential. But trust has to be earned, which is how the relationship between the two men is tested and strengthened throughout the story.

As much as I enjoyed CassaStar, I would like to know more about the Vindicarn. The closest we, the readers, come to them is from a spaceship away in battle, never up close. They are a faceless villain. But that would just add description, not change the story. CassaStar is a powerful story of friendship and trust, honor and self-sacrifice. Alex takes a familiar and universal storyline and builds a powerful and unique story. The second book in the trilogy, CassaFire, is currently available, and I’m looking forward to continuing the journey.

[Susan Roebuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was well outside my comfort-zone when I bought this book because I never read sci-fi. I bought it because Alex Cavanaugh is such a friend and helper to other authors. So I began CassaStar with some trepidation.
How lovely to discover that my fears were unfounded. I was immersed in the story and characters right from page one.
I’m obviously no expert on the genre but, for me, the themes that ran through this were on relationships – not sexual, by the way, interaction with others, and the rights of passage for a young man who needed the stuffing knocked out of him at the beginning. The author has created some very real and likeable characters who will remain with me for some time.
Action is evenly mixed with drama. The author has created a realistic but imaginary world where just a little bit of everything is played out: jealousies, camaraderie, bravery, punishments, mind-reading and, for those avid sci-fi fans – exciting battles scenes in simmering wars where the protagonists teleport, or “jump”, in their Cosbolt fighters right smack into the action. Some survive and some don’t.
If I have any criticism it maybe a typical feminine-reader, social, one: I’d like to know more about life on Guaard (the moon base from which the Cosbolt fighters teleport off to distant galaxies) and also more about the every-day life of the Cassan people.
For me the book was an eye-opener and I’ll definitely read its sequel with interest. One final point about the plot: be prepared for a surprising ending!

[Beverly McClure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine flying through the air, zeroing in on your target. The pilot of the other craft also has you in his sights. The tension builds. You fire. The opponent fires. What happens next? If you enjoy space stories, action, and unforgettable characters, take a look at CassaStar by Author Alex J. Cavanaugh.

The characters are what draw me to a story. In CassaStar, we meet Byron, a young pilot with an attitude. Byron is an excellent pilot, better than most, but his life has left him with wounds that don’t seem to heal. Bassa is an older, experienced senior officer in charge of training pilots and navigators. He’s also a navigator who has unpleasant memories of his own.

When Byron and Bassa meet, and Bassa becomes Bryon’s navigator, both of their lives change. But is it too late for the two men to overcome the disappointments of their past lives and find the peace, love, and family they’ve always wanted?

In addition to the gentle touch of friendship and family in the story, the author’s descriptions of the battle scenes are so realistic I felt like I was there, holding my breath that Byron and his navigators, both of them, would win each battle. Even though I seldom read sci-fi, CassaStar held my attention. There was never a dull moment and the nice mix of action, characters and their goals, and suspense kept my attention until the last page.

Alex J. Cavanaugh has written a story that should appeal to readers, young and old. CassaStar would make a nice addition to high school libraries, your own library, and to public libraries, as well.

[Allison Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

CassaStar is fast-paced and character driven. Its strength is not its explanations of high-tech gadgetry or world building (though I did enjoy the mental communication and the jumping techniques of the Cosbolts), but in the characters. Byron is withdrawn and cynical, yet somehow he is enjoyable to read about--perhaps because he seems so real. Bassa is older, wiser, and I found him more likeable than Byron at first. His persistence in befriending Byron is the heart of the story.

This is a good book to read if you want an introduction to science fiction. Sometimes, reading science fiction books, I find myself dragged down by the politics and the science jargon, but that wasn't the case here. If there wasn't some exciting Cosbolt flying or other action going on, there was interesting character development happening. Either way, it kept me reading straight to the end.

The only thing I found lacking was a female presence. I am not a huge feminist so I enjoyed it regardless, but I'm just saying, I would totally be a Cosbolt pilot if that was a career option for me! Why weren't there female pilots in this story? Perhaps this will be remedied in the next installment of the series.

This is a story about friendship, relationships, and fighting for what is right, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you like science fiction and are drawn into a tale by the realistic characters, I recommend giving CassaStar a read.

[Barbara Jean Byrem · Rating 5 out of 5]

CassaStar or Top Gun meets Star Wars in only the very best ways.

I started out reading this book thinking; OK, I ’ll keep an open mind. Space Opera/Intergalactic War/Male Bonding, not exactly my thing, but I’m trying to broaden my horizons. It turns out good writing is, well, good writing.

In no time at all I was invested, involved, and interested in these two guys. Their characters are vibrant with very real emotions, pasts and intersecting futures. I was engaged in the process of their lives and growth. The Sci-Fi element added additional interest in places where I would have thought unnecessary. I liked Byron despite his tough guy attitude, and Bassa proves to be a mentor anyone and everyone would fight for.

Mr. Cavanaugh flexes his writing chops by taking a genre normally reserved for a very tight demographic proving that story, plot line and above all characterization supersede niche market. In other words; Good job Mr. Cavanaugh. Your story held me to the end and beyond. I can’t wait to see where Byron goes with his life.

If you like Space Opera/Intergalactic War/Male Bonding you are going to love CassaStar. If that’s not typically your thing, but you want to be engaged, have the characters up close and personal, are looking to broaden your horizons, and enjoy some ‘really good writing’, try it. I think you’ll like it. I definitely did.