Friday, August 29, 2025

Review: "Solarflare and the Sapphire Ring"

Solarflare and the Sapphire Ring

Solarflare and the Sapphire Ring by Matt Hensell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mark and Chuck make for a likable and funny duo. Both are around seventeen, and while their friendship is entertaining, Mark’s impulsive dialogue and decisions sometimes border on irritating. The book blends high school life, superhero antics, and pirate/Atlantis lore in a way that feels light and fun. It never takes itself too seriously, making it an easy and enjoyable read. The twists and reveals are fairly predictable, but that does not take away from the overall entertainment.

The pacing can feel uneven, with a large portion of the story set in school that slows the momentum compared to the more adventurous sections. Some character motives remain unclear, and while the ending ties up the main story threads, one expected reveal between major characters never happens on the page. Despite these issues, Solarflare and the Sapphire Ring is consistently entertaining and delivers a fun superhero adventure that is worth the read. 

Rating:
★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

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Bookshelf

An End to Sorrow
She Dreams in Blood
Black Stone Heart
NEW-The Simplest Baby Book in the World: The Illustrated, Grab-and-Do Guide for a Healthy, Happy Baby
A Tide of Black Steel
2040: A Silicon Valley Satire
Trapped Days: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller
The Social Skills Guidebook: Manage Shyness, Improve Your Conversations, and Make Friends, Without Giving Up Who You Are
The Nineties
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion
Road of Bones
How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America
Hidden Pictures
The Priory of the Orange Tree
The Fifth Season
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
The Midnight Library
A Court of Mist and Fury
A Court of Thorns and Roses
A Court of Wings and Ruin


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