gregoreads's review against another edition
4.0
Stray was such a fun, refreshing read. Written as a diary, it feels so legitimate. The characters feel real, and the situations seem plausible. It isn't pumped up with unlikely, unnecessary drama, and the characters are not irrational or irritating. It's funny how the lack of all that becomes so noticeable in YA, haha. Host took her time with everything and didn't rush us through explanations and info dumps, but it never felt boring. I loved looking through Cass's eyes and learning about the new planets, their history, and Cass's place in it all and I can't wait to continue on with this trilogy! Is it bad that part of me wishes the interface was a real thing here on earth?
dwolfs's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
aigra's review against another edition
4.0
This is the giveaway I won and this is my little attempt at writing a review:
One minute Cassandra is on her way home from school, the next minute she finds herself in a place with plenty of vegetation and animal life, but no people. With no idea how she got there and therefor now idea how she can get back home, the only thing she can do is try to survive and find a human settlement. Eventually, she does find an empty village from where she is recued by the Setari, a kind of elite soldiers from a technically advanced planet.
Being rescued doesn't come with a trip back to Australia though, since her rescuers claim to have no knowledge of earth. Instead she is taken to their home planet, where the Setari find out, that Cass has some very useful talents ..
I had a good start with this book and the story pretty much drew me in from the first page. But by the time I had reached the middle of the book the story had become kind of slow and drawn out. Well, maybe slow isn't exactly the right word, because there are always things happening ... it's more that there's this sense of aimlessness once Cass starts her training with the different Setari squads. Also, I totally lost track of all the different characters. There are just too many unfamiliar names mentioned and eventually I just gave up and figured that I would notice sooner or later, who the important characters are, which worked fine.
Anyway, I had no idea where this would be going or if it would be going anywhere at all and I did get a bit bored with the story at that point. The story gets back on track eventually though and just when I got an idea of the direction it could be taking and when someone who might be important showed up on the scene the book ends.
It's been a while since I read a book that was written entirely in diary form and it's not my favourite type of narrative. For the most part, it worked all right for me here though, because Cass is a character who isn't too self-absorbed and who isn't prone to rambling either.
All in all, I liked the book. It feels like proper science fiction and not like a poor excuse to sell me an unoriginal cliché love story, which is the impression I got from way too many YA books recently. I was torn between a three and a four star rating and decided on four stars in the end, because this book left me wanting more.
One minute Cassandra is on her way home from school, the next minute she finds herself in a place with plenty of vegetation and animal life, but no people. With no idea how she got there and therefor now idea how she can get back home, the only thing she can do is try to survive and find a human settlement. Eventually, she does find an empty village from where she is recued by the Setari, a kind of elite soldiers from a technically advanced planet.
Being rescued doesn't come with a trip back to Australia though, since her rescuers claim to have no knowledge of earth. Instead she is taken to their home planet, where the Setari find out, that Cass has some very useful talents ..
I had a good start with this book and the story pretty much drew me in from the first page. But by the time I had reached the middle of the book the story had become kind of slow and drawn out. Well, maybe slow isn't exactly the right word, because there are always things happening ... it's more that there's this sense of aimlessness once Cass starts her training with the different Setari squads. Also, I totally lost track of all the different characters. There are just too many unfamiliar names mentioned and eventually I just gave up and figured that I would notice sooner or later, who the important characters are, which worked fine.
Anyway, I had no idea where this would be going or if it would be going anywhere at all and I did get a bit bored with the story at that point. The story gets back on track eventually though and just when I got an idea of the direction it could be taking and when someone who might be important showed up on the scene the book ends.
It's been a while since I read a book that was written entirely in diary form and it's not my favourite type of narrative. For the most part, it worked all right for me here though, because Cass is a character who isn't too self-absorbed and who isn't prone to rambling either.
All in all, I liked the book. It feels like proper science fiction and not like a poor excuse to sell me an unoriginal cliché love story, which is the impression I got from way too many YA books recently. I was torn between a three and a four star rating and decided on four stars in the end, because this book left me wanting more.
dani_bugz's review
3.0
Stray could have so, so easily been a 5 star book with a good editor behind it.
Host has a very engaging writing style, and despite the bizarre content I was hooked from the get go. The world building was amazing, there was a diverse cast of characters, and our MC was glorious!
Her MC, Cassandra, was super realistic, making intelligent, calculated observations/ideas/choices. I loved Cass! I wanted more Cass! But I wanted more Cass if she were edited up. And without the journal entry style. Actually I can't fully decide; on the one hand I hated, HATED the journal style format, but on the other hand I have to acknowledge that it worked well. I just feel like it may work better as a simple first person narrative. But then again, we would have gotten all the boring bits the journal was able to cut out. Can you see how confused I am right now?
I also found that a lot of important connections weren't made throughout the story. I kept getting incredibly confused, looking back to see what I'd missed, seeing I hadn't missed anything, and just reading on to hope I would eventually sort it out in my head. In some cases it was fine, but most of the time I was just confused and annoyed by it. Again, the editor would come in handy here!
Honestly, as far as books go, it was pretty good. I enjoyed it. And if you have a few spare hours, I would definitely recommend reading it, especially since it is FREE at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/48654. But it is absolutely not worth paying for, which is why I am not continuing with the rest of the series. If Host does get an editor in to neaten up the series though, I'll be right up front ready to hand over all my moneys!
Anywho, definitely read the free ebook. But it's not worth paying for (yet) in my opinion.
Host has a very engaging writing style, and despite the bizarre content I was hooked from the get go. The world building was amazing, there was a diverse cast of characters, and our MC was glorious!
Her MC, Cassandra, was super realistic, making intelligent, calculated observations/ideas/choices. I loved Cass! I wanted more Cass! But I wanted more Cass if she were edited up. And without the journal entry style. Actually I can't fully decide; on the one hand I hated, HATED the journal style format, but on the other hand I have to acknowledge that it worked well. I just feel like it may work better as a simple first person narrative. But then again, we would have gotten all the boring bits the journal was able to cut out. Can you see how confused I am right now?
I also found that a lot of important connections weren't made throughout the story. I kept getting incredibly confused, looking back to see what I'd missed, seeing I hadn't missed anything, and just reading on to hope I would eventually sort it out in my head. In some cases it was fine, but most of the time I was just confused and annoyed by it. Again, the editor would come in handy here!
Honestly, as far as books go, it was pretty good. I enjoyed it. And if you have a few spare hours, I would definitely recommend reading it, especially since it is FREE at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/48654. But it is absolutely not worth paying for, which is why I am not continuing with the rest of the series. If Host does get an editor in to neaten up the series though, I'll be right up front ready to hand over all my moneys!
Anywho, definitely read the free ebook. But it's not worth paying for (yet) in my opinion.
decodethebooks's review
3.0
3 stars★★★☆☆
First read: November 2018
Second read: July 2020
Third read: July 2022
Touchstone series reviews:
#1 [b:Stray|10837174|Stray (Touchstone, #1)|Andrea K. Höst|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1335183787l/10837174._SX50_.jpg|15399425] ★★★☆☆
#2 [b:Lab Rat One|11921067|Lab Rat One (Touchstone, #2)|Andrea K. Höst|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1335349017l/11921067._SX50_.jpg|15399450] ★★★☆☆
#3 [b:Caszandra|13111788|Caszandra (Touchstone, #3)|Andrea K. Höst|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1335349243l/13111788._SX50_.jpg|16476955][b:Iron Kissed|1412138|Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson, #3)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1358229529l/1412138._SY75_.jpg|1178926] ★★★☆☆
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littlebitofe's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this book. It is well-written, with great character development. The world created here by the author is so complete and intriguing. I didn't want Cassandra's story to end - and I am grateful there are two more books in the series after Stray! Cassandra is a heroine that is relatable and very likable. This is one that will stay with me. It is just my kind of book.
ufcasey's review against another edition
3.0
The story is written in diary entry format which at first was a little off putting but then over time either I forgot to notice it, or the author forgot to write that way. Either way, I enjoyed the story enough to move on to the second book in the series.
silver_valkyrie_reads's review against another edition
Time to call it. This is moderately interesting, but less interesting than a dozen or more other books I’ve been reading instead, or have waiting to read next. The only reason I stuck with it as long as I did is appreciation for the combination of realism and intelligence in the survival section at the beginning of the story.
a_ab's review against another edition
1.0
This book ends in the middle of the story. It is a whole lot of world building and just as the plot starts happening, the book ends. I find such authorial behavior absolutely inexcusable and will not be continuing this series or reading anything else by this author.
nicolenikonetz's review against another edition
1.0
Well, I have to say, I'm extremely disappointed. I've had this book on my to read list for a long time and now that I have a Kindle, I finally downloaded the e-book. What I hadn't realized, is that this book is in diary format. It was surprising, but it can be done well with the right author, so I kept going.
Stray begins with Cass, an Aussie teen, accidentally stepping through a wormhole and finds herself in the middle of the forest on a completely different planet. She tries to survive until she is rescued by the Setari, a group of psychic warriors from the planet Tare. They take her back to their planet and process her as a 'stray', a displaced person who has stumbled through the ever increasing tears between worlds. Once there, she struggles to find her place within the Taren people, and get a handle on the nanotech computer that is injected in her brain as well as everyone else's. She also struggles to learn the language. Like, really, really struggles. Enough that I don't think she says a full sentence throughout the entire novel. Not even a simple sentence like "I like cats." No, its more like "like cat" throughout the entire novel. And then she is astounded when they think she is dumb!
The diary format hurts this novel pretty bad. I didn't feel any sort of connection to Cass throughout the entire thing. She comes across very removed from the situation, and her entire time on Muina, the forested planet she wormholes away to, I was not worried once for her survival or whether she'd make it. To be fair, she does reflect on her past entries, and says that she doesn't come across as scared and nervous and upset and she really has been. But then, I can't see anything she doesn't write in her diary! So she tells us that she's more scared and upset, but I have a hard time believing it because I'm not shown it at any point. As a side note, I did find it weird that her immediate assumption upon finding herself in an unknown forest is that it must be another planet or dimension. Normally people have to work up to that idea, no matter how much they like fantasy or science fiction.
I felt a lot of the characters were extremely under developed. Most of the Setari were shown as unemotional fighting robots, who didn't have any social skills whatsoever. The First Squad has the most personality, though I had a hard time keeping their personalities separate. Although they had more page time than the other squads, it was broken up enough by tons of introductions to new characters that it was difficult to remember that Mara and Lohn were supposed to be in a relationship, or which talents which person had. There was a point when several squads were on the same mission that I realized I was reading new names that I didn't remember being introduced to at all, never mind remembering their talents and personalities. Zan might be the only one that was slightly rounded, if only because we were able to see how she responded to hardship and how she became more comfortable with Cass the longer the story went on.
Cass was a difficult character to pin down, just because I don't know enough about her to describe her traits. She is described (all things that other characters call her throughout the book because, again, I was told not shown all these things) as too compliant (by several people who then continue to use her), as lazy (by herself), and unintelligent (they have to reassess her intelligence because since she can't pass kindergarten in their language until 2/3 into the book they assume she is dumb). I do admit though, that you can really feel the homesickness she feels and how sad she is that she might not see her family again. That is, until
The rest of the world building was pretty decent, and I did enjoy all of the different scenes and setting placed throughout the Ena (the psychic area filled with 'gates' to memories of other worlds). It was creative and unique, as well as the interplanetary relationships, I enjoyed that minor aspect as well.
The plot was bogged down and felt like it dragged. I can sum it up right here: medical, training, some action, medical, training, some action, medical, training, some action. Repeat that over a million times and you have a gist of the book. Every time something "big" happened it was back to medical to start this all over again. It was very boring and didn't spark any sort of feeling like there were many climaxes throughout the novel, just that it was repetitive.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book. It was overly long and dragged, and there was little to no connection with any of the characters. Premise is a great idea, just executed poorly in my opinion.
Stray begins with Cass, an Aussie teen, accidentally stepping through a wormhole and finds herself in the middle of the forest on a completely different planet. She tries to survive until she is rescued by the Setari, a group of psychic warriors from the planet Tare. They take her back to their planet and process her as a 'stray', a displaced person who has stumbled through the ever increasing tears between worlds. Once there, she struggles to find her place within the Taren people, and get a handle on the nanotech computer that is injected in her brain as well as everyone else's. She also struggles to learn the language. Like, really, really struggles. Enough that I don't think she says a full sentence throughout the entire novel. Not even a simple sentence like "I like cats." No, its more like "like cat" throughout the entire novel. And then she is astounded when they think she is dumb!
The diary format hurts this novel pretty bad. I didn't feel any sort of connection to Cass throughout the entire thing. She comes across very removed from the situation, and her entire time on Muina, the forested planet she wormholes away to, I was not worried once for her survival or whether she'd make it. To be fair, she does reflect on her past entries, and says that she doesn't come across as scared and nervous and upset and she really has been. But then, I can't see anything she doesn't write in her diary! So she tells us that she's more scared and upset, but I have a hard time believing it because I'm not shown it at any point. As a side note, I did find it weird that her immediate assumption upon finding herself in an unknown forest is that it must be another planet or dimension. Normally people have to work up to that idea, no matter how much they like fantasy or science fiction.
I felt a lot of the characters were extremely under developed. Most of the Setari were shown as unemotional fighting robots, who didn't have any social skills whatsoever. The First Squad has the most personality, though I had a hard time keeping their personalities separate. Although they had more page time than the other squads, it was broken up enough by tons of introductions to new characters that it was difficult to remember that Mara and Lohn were supposed to be in a relationship, or which talents which person had. There was a point when several squads were on the same mission that I realized I was reading new names that I didn't remember being introduced to at all, never mind remembering their talents and personalities. Zan might be the only one that was slightly rounded, if only because we were able to see how she responded to hardship and how she became more comfortable with Cass the longer the story went on.
Cass was a difficult character to pin down, just because I don't know enough about her to describe her traits. She is described (all things that other characters call her throughout the book because, again, I was told not shown all these things) as too compliant (by several people who then continue to use her), as lazy (by herself), and unintelligent (they have to reassess her intelligence because since she can't pass kindergarten in their language until 2/3 into the book they assume she is dumb).
Spoiler
Due to her ability of enhancing others power through touch, she is on the side skirts of many battles and things that should be exciting. However, it was hard to get into these moments because she doesn't DO anything during them. Just stands there and watches the others fight while they take turns tapping her arm to power up. Any moment of action Cass does see, she immediately faints. Seriously, she faints 4 or more times throughout the novel. It makes it very hard to respect her and think "wow what a warrior, she's really fighting through all these obstacles and stretching her own limits." It just feels like a cop out so she can be rescued by her creepy stalkerish type crush Ruuel.Spoiler
part way into the book when she is magically transported into Earth's "near space". Not quite Earth but close enough to see shadows and memories of the world. Here she communicates with her family that she is safe. After that, she barely attempts to return home at all, and even refuses an opportunity for help to try and get her home. Careful there, Mary Sue, don't trip over your own self sacrifice.The rest of the world building was pretty decent, and I did enjoy all of the different scenes and setting placed throughout the Ena (the psychic area filled with 'gates' to memories of other worlds). It was creative and unique, as well as the interplanetary relationships, I enjoyed that minor aspect as well.
The plot was bogged down and felt like it dragged. I can sum it up right here: medical, training, some action, medical, training, some action, medical, training, some action. Repeat that over a million times and you have a gist of the book. Every time something "big" happened it was back to medical to start this all over again. It was very boring and didn't spark any sort of feeling like there were many climaxes throughout the novel, just that it was repetitive.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book. It was overly long and dragged, and there was little to no connection with any of the characters. Premise is a great idea, just executed poorly in my opinion.