REVIEW: Corr Syl the Terrible (+$50 Amazon GC Giveaway!)

Title: Corr Syl the Terrible

Author: Garry Rodgers

Series: Corr Syl #2

Pages: 131

Date Published: 2015

Publisher: Garry Rodgers

Format: Kindle

Genre: Science Fiction

Source: Goddess Fish Blog Tours

Synopsis:
Corr Syl the Terrible by Garry Rogers is a young-adult science-fiction novel that is set on Earth, but in an alternate reality where all animals are intelligent. Older than the Human species, most animal species have evolved far beyond Human abilities. They have learned to heal their bodies, adapt their shape, and live in harmony with nature. They call themselves Tsaeb (silent T, long a).

Corr Syl the rabbit warrior questions his place in the world. He longs to run away from the killing and explore the Earth, but a desperate call interrupts his plans. Unidentified Tsaeb traitors have kidnapped Rhya Bright, his friend, fellow warrior—and secret crush. Corr springs into action, tracking down the lynx descendent Able Remington, who betrayed Rhya to protect his own kidnapped family. Able denies any involvement and seems to have fooled everyone, except Corr Syl.

Corr sets out to find Rhya, who has been transported by helicopter. In desperation, he locates and commandeers an ancient warcraft from a nearby museum. Though he began his mission alone, Corr meets unexpected allies like the young Cai family, who want to see Ya Zhōu deposed for the return of true peace and freedom. When Corr tracks Rhya to Zhōu’s secret headquarters hidden inside a volcano, he realizes at last that he cannot do it alone. He calls for help from his former battle group, including his best friend Allysen Olykden, while he turns over responsibility for the greater Human problem to his mentor, Halbert Sims. Together, the battle group descends into the heart of the volcano, determined to save their missing friend Rhya, who has been making her own preparations for escape. Corr Syl the Terrible is the riveting tale of a young warrior’s journey to become something more than the swords on his back.

~My Thoughts~

Corr Syl the Terrible by Garry Rodgers is a captivating tale about the battles between sentient and intelligent animals and the human race. Taking place on Earth, the plot focuses on Corr Syl, as he discovers that his beloved Rhya has been taken captive by the Tsaeb (the aforementioned sentient animals) and is being held captive.

Corr Syl the Terrible is brilliant in its creativity and imagination. Technology and animals that are both alive is an interesting idea and presents thought provoking questions about what being alive really means. Corr Syl was a compelling character and I found that I really liked him. Too often in young adult fiction, the heroes are whiny and full of angst. As similar as that may be to today's disenchanted youth, you don't see me wanting to spend much time with said teenagers, so it was a relief that Corr Syl had much more important things on his plate. He had the heart of a hero and it was fun to see him interact with the various foes and companions that he encountered along the way. 

What I enjoyed the most was probably the political machinations of the plot! It was cold and calculating in some instances, while other characters ran hot-blooded and I loved getting a chance to try to experience the action of the book.

The setting was cool as well. It's clear that Rodgers took his time to craft the world, but that does lend itself to a great amount of terminology and you really need to understand the politics and caste/class systems involved to really know what's happening. Although taking place on Earth, it's obviously a far different one than you or I inhabit today. What I wouldn't give if my cat could talk to me ... but then again, if he ended up going to war with me I wouldn't know what to do. Garry Rodgers has created a really interesting world and book. I would be thrilled to continue the journey with him and Corr Syl in later books!

This review was originally written by the blog owner for Reader's Favorite, and Goddess Fish Blog Tours. 

~Try an Excerpt!~

Remington followed his orders and betrayed Rhya on the twenty-eighth day of their journey, two days from the Continental Center at Brushy Mountain. As Rhya plopped down on a bunch-grass tussock on the bank of a small stream, Remington removed a packet from one of his pouches and squeezed it toward the young warrior’s back.

Reflexes activated by her automatic tactical warning, Rhya snapped her swords out of their scabbards, and spun to face the attack. She saw only Remington. As she focused beyond him, the packet exploded, wrapping her in a net of fine woven wire. Rhya sawed at the wire with her swords, but three Tsaeb ran up and added more nets. One net covered Remington. As Rhya struggled to cut through the nets, a smirking grizzly bear bludgeoned her unconscious.

The bear slung net-cocooned Rhya over his shoulder and trotted to meet an arriving helicopter. He belted Rhya into a seat with her face pressed against the window and climbed in beside her. As the helicopter rose, Rhya’s consciousness returned, and she saw Remington looking up. She sent a needle-sharp beam of fury that caused him to make a satisfying jerk and cringe.

~Meet Garry!~

Garry Rogers is an advocate for wildlife and nature conservation. A former professor at Columbia University in New York City and author of the award-winning Arizona Wildlife Notebook, Dr. Garry Rogers has appeared on NPR and PBS, and he is often invited to meet with library and school reading groups to discuss his work. His first novel, Corr Syl the Warrior received the Kirkus Star, and won Arizona Librarians’ OneBookAZ contest (2014—teen category).

Corr Syl the Terrible (paperback: $9.95, 120 pages, 6 x 9, ISBN: . EBook: $2.99, ISBN: ) will be available at neighborhood and online bookstores on May 2, 2015. Excerpts and an advance reading copy are available at garryrogers.com

Garry Rogers will be awarding a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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