This book is currently being rewritten with better story-weaving and careful pacing. If you'd like a preview, Chapter 1 is available free on my Patreon.
The young yet talented Miya Yuna is no stranger to interplanetary danger on a large scale. In her youth, she charged the frontlines, jumping from planet to planet through raging gunfire, mecha-brute assaults, and angelic bombs from sub-orbital artillery ships. Then danced with crickers, or space criminals, who practiced slitting children's innards to appease green goddesses in the sky. But the cricker underground was brewing as a new entity was providing mecha-wear, genetic mutations, and weaponry to beings hellbent on universal domination and those who'd look the other way to escalate their own agendas.
But to Miya, it's all the same; As long as she's able to give them another asshole through their skull.
In a universe where unchecked progress blurs the line between science and the impossible, can one young alien-hybrid protect entire galaxies—or will she become its next greatest threat?
A true example of an author who isn't afraid to let you in their mind and doesn't compromise on the gruesome scenes depicted within.
After venturing to several web novel sites, I couldn't find any appealing psychological horrors. Most just played on the aspect of horror or psychological fears and didn't let their characters, theme, or genre shine outward. Once I found this, amongst other stories on this site, I couldn't put it down. This is definitely a hidden gem that's only getting brighter.
So far, all of the characters have been written in a manner that shapes their personalities through their backstories, relationships, cultures, and conflicts. Even information relevant to the story is given in spoonfuls through dialogue and different conflicts, and not in a several-paragraph essay that I must digest to continue with the story. In my opinion, most of the dynamics and characters presented can have their own spinoffs, and I'd be equally intrigued.
I want to know more about Earth and what happened before the Ya'valtians invaded. Loliel and her family/squad were around that time due to some of their conversations. Maybe they'll give us some new intel, and I think that would make a great side arc.
As far as the theme goes, the author does a great job of immersing you in the world and making it vividly sci-fi. A great example is how Miya uses different words and phrases that can only be understood through context (though I'm sure they'll be explained later). Also, things like how the Earth seemingly has new invasive species (plants and animals) add to the fear of the unknown aspect of the series. My favorite idea thus far has to be Miya's gun
which apparently can change into different types and styles on command (?)
Another thing is I must give props to the use of present tense in the book. In my experience, many writers try experimenting with different styles that don't suit them and must default to the past tense. The author definitely knows how to use the present tense appropriately (along with there being little to no grammatical errors). It makes the immediacy of events and action scenes almost jump out at you, like you watching an anime or movie. It's a style I've never read before, but I wish more writers would use it (correctly, of course).
Overall, great story, exciting characters, impressive worldbuilding, and exemplary writing quality. I cannot wait for more.
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Space Patroller Miya is a science fiction fantasy that—from reading the initial few chapters—has the feel of an already fully established narrative. Written in first person, the series is suitable for readers looking to jump and immerse themselves into a different world without being drawn back or taken out of immersion by hearing something too familiar.
Critique : It's been awhile since I read writing that's in present tense. It was a smooth read, except maybe for a few instances where I had to read back because a paragraph break seemed to be absent. Smooth, with regards to its point of view. What I found myself having a hard time with when reading the story was with the terminology and jargon.
—Imagine being a foreigner wanting to insert yourself into a conversation between two locals. You're all speaking in english, however, the other two are speaking in half-english. You enjoy the conversation, yet, sometimes feel lost as you keep hearing these unknown terms. That's how I felt while reading.
The world (galaxy) itself is incredibly intriguing, but it's a lot to take in. I would take a break in between reading chapters, but then I would forget about for example, Ya'valtians, what do they look like again? Words get lost within the many terms being constantly introduced, hence the foreigner analogy. I propose a glossary for the many terms used, that readers can maybe look back on if they decide to take a break while reading.
Praise : The words/terms I mentioned above aren't spoken in exposition, but are seamlessly inserted into dialogue and story. Being introduced to the slurry of new words didn't feel at all any jarring, rather, when reading you would feel they come naturally, which is a really great job done by WinterTimeCrime. Following Miya's (protagonist) conversation with others made me feel like an eager foreigner wanting to relate more and jump into the conversation with them.
I love how the story establishes Miya's personality firmly within the earlier chapters. Usually, you get to understand the core of a character throughout multiple dialogue and scenarios, however, during the initial scene after she kills Aoi, you immediately see get a glimpse of where her virtues lie, through the way she handled Yua, Aoi's daughter.
I enjoyed reading through Space Patroller Miya, and although I said all that stuff in critique—learn the language—even without the glossary, if you continue reading and immerse yourself in the book's culture, you'll get used to it.
I see the hard work put into this series and I do hope it gets more recognition.
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