Scapemaker by Steve V. CypertDani's Rating: 3.5 stars
Overall Rating: 3.5 stars
Format: e-book (PDF)
Pages: 519
Publisher: Independently published by author
Publication Date: November 19, 2012
Goodreads Synopsis:
Matthew is the son of Mr. Nicholas Namely, a local high school teacher. But unbeknownst to Matthew, his father is a dreamscaper whose classroom is connected to the dream-world. From his classroom, his students enter the halls of Scapemaker, a dream-world high school for young dreamscapers.
Following a couple of heartfelt tragic events, Matthew is compelled to investigate the unbelievable mysteries surrounding those events and is propelled into a whole new world. Matthew and his mother, Mae, are soon coerced into moving across the country for his father's strange medical needs. While attending his new school, Matthew comes to know the secrets that Daedree, an annoying girl from his former high school, has locked away. Matthew also meets Amber, a beautiful enigmatic girl who leads him to Mr. Xoner's classroom. While there, he learns the art of dreamscaping (which has been in the Namely bloodline for thousands of years).
Matthew will come to know of Nox Celare, otherwise known as The Sandman, who is after a special element called Magineum. Neck deep in skinwalkers, sandsleepers, zombies, soul feeders, ghosts, dream-world criminals known as “night terrors” and more, Matthew learns he is in over his head. Matthew must not only solve the mysteries surrounding those tragic events, but he will also have to protect the Magineum with his life and find a way to be with the one girl of his dreams. Filled with secrecy, mystery and a forbidden tangle of young love, this new life will lead Matthew to unbelievable characters with the most extraordinary abilities he could never have imagined.
Scapemaker will keep you grounded in the real world while at the same time make the fantastical world around it that much more possible and enduring. This tale of young adult paranormal fantasy will keep you guessing and wanting more.
Format: e-book (PDF)
Pages: 519
Publisher: Independently published by author
Publication Date: November 19, 2012
Goodreads Synopsis:
Matthew is the son of Mr. Nicholas Namely, a local high school teacher. But unbeknownst to Matthew, his father is a dreamscaper whose classroom is connected to the dream-world. From his classroom, his students enter the halls of Scapemaker, a dream-world high school for young dreamscapers.
Following a couple of heartfelt tragic events, Matthew is compelled to investigate the unbelievable mysteries surrounding those events and is propelled into a whole new world. Matthew and his mother, Mae, are soon coerced into moving across the country for his father's strange medical needs. While attending his new school, Matthew comes to know the secrets that Daedree, an annoying girl from his former high school, has locked away. Matthew also meets Amber, a beautiful enigmatic girl who leads him to Mr. Xoner's classroom. While there, he learns the art of dreamscaping (which has been in the Namely bloodline for thousands of years).
Matthew will come to know of Nox Celare, otherwise known as The Sandman, who is after a special element called Magineum. Neck deep in skinwalkers, sandsleepers, zombies, soul feeders, ghosts, dream-world criminals known as “night terrors” and more, Matthew learns he is in over his head. Matthew must not only solve the mysteries surrounding those tragic events, but he will also have to protect the Magineum with his life and find a way to be with the one girl of his dreams. Filled with secrecy, mystery and a forbidden tangle of young love, this new life will lead Matthew to unbelievable characters with the most extraordinary abilities he could never have imagined.
Scapemaker will keep you grounded in the real world while at the same time make the fantastical world around it that much more possible and enduring. This tale of young adult paranormal fantasy will keep you guessing and wanting more.
Dani's Review:
Thanks so much to Steve Cypert for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.
For me, Scapemaker was an okay read. It is a long fantasy book that I think would be better if the slow parts were condensed. The beginning was slow and it annoyed me that it took so long for the main character, Matthew Namely, to find out what was going on.
Matthew came home from school one day to find bad news awaiting him: the death of his best friend Dobian Brown and his father in a coma. He struggled with his grief and began to see paranormal events unfolding around him. A mysterious girl kept popping up in the strangest places. He saw a weird wolf-thing. He encountered a kid who seemed to have 2 people inside of him. Finally, when he is introduced to the "dream-world" he starts to understand what is going on with his world.
Scapemaker begins to become much more interesting and enjoyable at this point. I liked learning about Steve Cypert's various fantasy concepts such as mer-water, night- terrors, and skinwalkers. They were all very creative ideas, but at some parts of the novel it was confusing and overwhelming. There are many minor characters who provide comic relief and banter to fill the slow parts of Scapemaker. I felt that Steve's writing fluctuated from good to bad throughout this novel. Sometimes he used cliche expressions like "Matthew screamed like a girl", but sometimes he made great use of imagery and really transported the reader into the scene of the novel. The fight scenes were particularly good because it introduced suspense, which in my opinion wasn't a large component of Scapemaker.
The second half of Scapemaker when Matthew is trying to solve the mystery of what happened to Doby and his father was fun to read. He was in dangerous situations, faced formidable foes, and experienced a teensy bit of romance with a girl named Amber. But romance lovers, don't get your hopes up. There is barely any romance in this fantasy novel.
There are some typos in Scapemaker, but hey, it was independently published by Mr. Cypert! Indie authors have a harder time than authors affiliated with a large publishing company at editing their novels.
I think Scapemaker will only be enjoyed and loved by readers who can continue reading through slow parts. It is not a fast-paced novel so some impatient readers may stop reading in the beginning. But if you are a patient reader, you will love Scapemaker! The innovative creatures and concepts will fascinate you and you will be captivated by the plot.
For me, Scapemaker was an okay read. It is a long fantasy book that I think would be better if the slow parts were condensed. The beginning was slow and it annoyed me that it took so long for the main character, Matthew Namely, to find out what was going on.
Matthew came home from school one day to find bad news awaiting him: the death of his best friend Dobian Brown and his father in a coma. He struggled with his grief and began to see paranormal events unfolding around him. A mysterious girl kept popping up in the strangest places. He saw a weird wolf-thing. He encountered a kid who seemed to have 2 people inside of him. Finally, when he is introduced to the "dream-world" he starts to understand what is going on with his world.
Scapemaker begins to become much more interesting and enjoyable at this point. I liked learning about Steve Cypert's various fantasy concepts such as mer-water, night- terrors, and skinwalkers. They were all very creative ideas, but at some parts of the novel it was confusing and overwhelming. There are many minor characters who provide comic relief and banter to fill the slow parts of Scapemaker. I felt that Steve's writing fluctuated from good to bad throughout this novel. Sometimes he used cliche expressions like "Matthew screamed like a girl", but sometimes he made great use of imagery and really transported the reader into the scene of the novel. The fight scenes were particularly good because it introduced suspense, which in my opinion wasn't a large component of Scapemaker.
The second half of Scapemaker when Matthew is trying to solve the mystery of what happened to Doby and his father was fun to read. He was in dangerous situations, faced formidable foes, and experienced a teensy bit of romance with a girl named Amber. But romance lovers, don't get your hopes up. There is barely any romance in this fantasy novel.
There are some typos in Scapemaker, but hey, it was independently published by Mr. Cypert! Indie authors have a harder time than authors affiliated with a large publishing company at editing their novels.
I think Scapemaker will only be enjoyed and loved by readers who can continue reading through slow parts. It is not a fast-paced novel so some impatient readers may stop reading in the beginning. But if you are a patient reader, you will love Scapemaker! The innovative creatures and concepts will fascinate you and you will be captivated by the plot.
Dear Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI read your review of Steve V. Cypert book Scapemaker and feel that you did a great job. In my judgment, your review was balanced, fair and well-thought out. You have demonstrated a justified objectivity, giving a reader a clear impression of what to expect from the novel. I will be following your other reviews with interest.
Thanks!
Thank you Renz! Actually I, Danielle, wrote this review. Stephanie is my blogging partner and we take turns reviewing. :)
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