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Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 30 Aug 2020, 00:58
by Anthony__
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Message From A Star" by Michael J. Clark.]
Book Cover
4 out of 4 stars
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Ever imagined a bright family vacation that is expected to be enjoyable but turned into a fight for freedom? Are you a fan of adventurous and exciting stories? If yes, then Michael J. Clark's 448-page road fiction novel titled Message From A Star is perfect for you. It is steeped in themes of danger, family, true friendship, crime, and espionage.

The book is encapsulated within twenty-nine chapters. The storyline revolves around two men (Joe and Chad), who were best friends, and the coolest guys in high school in the era of the fifties. Years later, they surprisingly reunite in Florida while bringing their respective families for holidays. In a shocking and unexpected turn of events, both men drift from being harmless family men and tourists and are thrust into the blood-chilling world of cold-blooded murder, hard drugs, crime, and ruthless gangsters. On the run from determined and ambitious cops, and amidst the battle for their survival and freedom, they must ultimately prove their innocence under the watchful and judgmental eyes of the world. Read up to find out if they are fortunate enough to overcome their perils.

Michael J. Clark is a great writer. I admire his light-hearted, humorous, and simplistic writing style. The adventures in this book are one of a kind. Message From A Star can rightly be described as a reasonably good debut novel. The author does an excellent job of wrapping up action and humor in a commendable way. The plot is riddled with twists and turns, and the characters are caught up in a perpetual cycle of disasters.

There is also a theme of suspense that rings throughout the novel. The author should be commended for creating a set of well-constructed and incredibly likable characters. The story is intensely character-driven. The author designed a detailed and extensive behavioural chart for the main characters. Their adventures, thought processes, distinctive personalities, and strong motivations kept the plot exciting and refreshingly amusing. Characterization strengthens a book and gives it life. In the case of this book, this is monumentally true in every sense. Therefore, I am rating it 4 out of 4 stars because the characters are professionally developed. Also, the book is well-edited because I did not find any grammatical or punctuation errors in it.

My favorite character is Joe. He is the more courageous, logical, and intelligent member of the dynamic duo. He is also a voice of caution and a true family man at heart. I admire his bravery during his encounter with the drug baron, Getty. It was a tensed survival scene filled with suspense, drama, grit, and a frail thread that separates life and death dangling at the top of it. Other players, such as Angie and Babs (the ladies at the bar), Rico and Jose (the thieves), Albert (the hotel owner), and Chillic (the notorious drug lord, The Chameleon) helped to drive the storyline. Various settings like luxury hotels, dreary low-income houses, beaches, and so on were well-orchestrated.

In conclusion, Message From A Star is fun, entertaining, and humorous but at heart a tale of true friendship. You will be charmed by the jokes, nostalgic memories, and brave actions of Joe and Chad as they lurch from one experience to the other in a bid to clear their names and set their lives back to the tone of normalcy. I recommend this book to anyone who believes in family bonds, the joys of friendship, and the fight for freedom.

The only thing I dislike about the book was the instances of several occurrences of profane words, but that did not hinder my reading experience. Joe’s imaginative writing to his wife (Stacey) towards the ending part of the book was very captivating and emotional. That is what you get when you read a book authored by a songwriter.

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Message From A Star
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Re: Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 31 Aug 2020, 03:19
by Ify_Reviewer
Sounds like a book I will enjoy. Thanks for the detailed review.

Re: Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 31 Aug 2020, 05:18
by SarahShebl
For me, the humorous and simplistic writing style is what attracts me most to a book. Your description of the thrilling story makes me eager to read this book.

Re: Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 31 Aug 2020, 06:09
by Kola+wole
I like the themes which the book revolves around. I sure hope they are able to clear their names and return to being harmless family men :D. Nice review.

Re: Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 31 Aug 2020, 11:13
by Ada Ling
"There is also a theme of suspense that rings throughout the novel." - Great to see suspense mixed with fun elements. Thank you for the great review!

Re: Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 31 Aug 2020, 12:12
by Topsey
I really enjoyed reading your review, thank you. This sounds like a great book to read.

Re: Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 31 Aug 2020, 20:15
by Suesea
Wow, you have this review writing down. I was turned off by the cover of the book and the fact that it is listed as a romance novel. However, your description sold this book to me. I can't imagine not reading it now. I want to experience all the action, twists and turns, and the humor. I sure hope it's as good as you say. I'm expecting top of the line.

Thank you.

Re: Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 01 Sep 2020, 08:38
by Anthony__
Suesea wrote: 31 Aug 2020, 20:15 Wow, you have this review writing down. I was turned off by the cover of the book and the fact that it is listed as a romance novel. However, your description sold this book to me. I can't imagine not reading it now. I want to experience all the action, twists and turns, and the humor. I sure hope it's as good as you say. I'm expecting top of the line.

Thank you.
It is. Try and read it.

Re: Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 02 Sep 2020, 05:58
by rahilshajahan
Sounds like Joe and Chad are quite the strong characters. Thanks for an insightful review!

Re: Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 13 Sep 2020, 06:33
by Moray_001
Sounds like a great book I would enjoy reading.

Re: Featured Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 18 Sep 2020, 14:25
by Nichole Kurns
I want to know if Joe and Chad are able to clear their names! This book sounds great and your review grabbed my attention and peeked my interest in the book.
Great review!

Re: Featured Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 18 Sep 2020, 21:52
by Nqobile Mashinini Tshabalala
I enjoyed reading your review. The book sounds well written and worthy of being given a chance.

Re: Featured Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 19 Sep 2020, 12:29
by Gladys Chris mburu
Adding this book to my shelf its a must read. Your review is well detailed and interesting. The author seems to have done a great job of maintain family bonds, can't wait to fall in love with the favorite character of my choice to and remain glued.

Re: Featured Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 19 Sep 2020, 15:22
by MariaLivaniou
I will be honest in any other situation I wouldn't consider reading this book, it sounded more of a hot mess than an exiting adventure and not worth the trouble, but you review of it really changed my mind about it. What I would like to mention is that the cover of the book really needs some work, maybe something less destructing would be more suitable. And finally when you said the names Joe and Chad all I could think about was the characters from friends Joey and Chandler but I am sure when I read the book that image will leave my head.

Re: Featured Official Review: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark

Posted: 20 Sep 2020, 01:28
by Alice Ngugi
I love the sudden turn of events between the two pals. Would love to read and find out if they were fortunate enough to escape from the accusations. Great review