The Starlight Chronicles: Slumbering by C.S. Johnson, A Book Review

The story takes you to another place, another time and even another dimension, yet you never leave the same town, people and normal day events.

I have to admit, the story has you wondering at times what exactly the overall summation of the events that are happening really means.  You can follow it easy enough, but you can't quite piece it all together until near the end.  Then, as I am sure the author intended, you get the picture, well at least you think you do.  To a degree, there are purposely placed suggestions that you need, at least I did, answers to which I am sure will be addressed in a sequel.  And those suggestions are revealing in more ways than one which actually keeps you guessing if your conclusions are correct.

The characters are normal teenagers, the lead being extremely self centered and narcissistic, but that truly isn't farfetched in real life.  They have regular activities, social interactions and concerns (maybe dramas would be a better word, considering), but what they seem to ignore mostly because they don't want to deal with an issue that doesn't benefit them, as usual, are little and sometimes even big differences from the norm.  This actually keeps you rooted to the age of these kids though, not expecting them to act like adults, or should I say mature adults.

The settings that change the norm are creative and interesting from the 'unknown invading the quiet small town' view.  What actually happened though was not completely revealed.  Of course it was stated what happened, but it's what occurred afterwards that clued you in to the fact that the simplistic answer was not the complete one.  And then other clues were dropped throughout the story that kept you wondering what was really going on, or better said, what the big picture of the story is.  Hence the need for a sequel, or the fans will riot.

Overall I enjoyed the story, and even liked the self-centered, narcissistic, good looking, lead character Hamilton.  You understood his desire to find his way, discover who he is, and develop who he will be.  You could even see his behavior toward his parents as being typical for many teens, not the ideal, but it made him real as a person; a likeable person even.

This story will be enjoyed by its target audience without a doubt.  It speaks their language, is creative, entertaining, and fun.  The teens are portrayed as real as you were at that age, and the story is not one you've read a million times.  I enjoyed it, and now have to read the sequel so I can satisfy my unanswered questions.  Teens and others will enjoy it.