Reviews
Clouds and Earth, Self-Publishing Review, April 2019
"A riveting new sci-fi thriller that drops readers into a radical future. Extrapolating the Big Brother fears of the modern day into a truly data-fueled dystopia, Scarlett lays out a chillingly prophetic story. She demonstrates keen world building, as well as great attention to detail when it comes to character development, and the pace of the novel rarely lets up. Clouds and Earth offers an immersive and well-crafted plot that feels far from reality, yet is still layered with shivers of recognition."
"A riveting new sci-fi thriller that drops readers into a radical future. Extrapolating the Big Brother fears of the modern day into a truly data-fueled dystopia, Scarlett lays out a chillingly prophetic story. She demonstrates keen world building, as well as great attention to detail when it comes to character development, and the pace of the novel rarely lets up. Clouds and Earth offers an immersive and well-crafted plot that feels far from reality, yet is still layered with shivers of recognition."
Clouds and Earth, Readers' Favorite, March 2019
★★★★★
"I enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read the sequels. I devoured this novel in three days because I could not stop turning the pages to find out more and I felt sad when I finally finished it because it was over too soon. Not many books leave me with this sensation and they are usually my favorite stories. Clouds and Earth is a science fiction novel written by a female author with a female as the main character. We need more books like this one, where women are not just a parenthesis for the main male hero. But Sayde Scarlett goes beyond that and gives readers not only a female main character but also a plausible one. Sandy seems very real. She’s rich, kick-ass and a pretty gal but she’s not perfect, far from it. She has many flaws and we see most of them. Hopefully, we will see more in the other instalments, which I certainly will be reading."
★★★★★
"I enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read the sequels. I devoured this novel in three days because I could not stop turning the pages to find out more and I felt sad when I finally finished it because it was over too soon. Not many books leave me with this sensation and they are usually my favorite stories. Clouds and Earth is a science fiction novel written by a female author with a female as the main character. We need more books like this one, where women are not just a parenthesis for the main male hero. But Sayde Scarlett goes beyond that and gives readers not only a female main character but also a plausible one. Sandy seems very real. She’s rich, kick-ass and a pretty gal but she’s not perfect, far from it. She has many flaws and we see most of them. Hopefully, we will see more in the other instalments, which I certainly will be reading."
Clouds and Earth, Blue Ink Review, February 2019
"The story is complicated, but well-organized and logically developed, with language that’s mostly utilitarian without embellishment... Intended as the first in a three-part series, the story should appeal to sci-fi fans who enjoy militaristic and futuristic adventures with strong female characters."
"The story is complicated, but well-organized and logically developed, with language that’s mostly utilitarian without embellishment... Intended as the first in a three-part series, the story should appeal to sci-fi fans who enjoy militaristic and futuristic adventures with strong female characters."
Love Crimes, Self-Publishing Review, 10th February 2018
"Overall, Scarlett shows a zest for sound and imagery and an innate gift for appealing wordplay."
"Overall, Scarlett shows a zest for sound and imagery and an innate gift for appealing wordplay."
Love Crimes, Kirkus Reviews, 5th January 2018
"Scarlett’s debut poetry collection captures the various effects love has on the mind and body."
"Scarlett’s debut poetry collection captures the various effects love has on the mind and body."
Improv Noir, Views From The Gods, 30th July, 2014
★★★★☆
"If you're going to make things up as you go along, then you'd better have a strong team who have your back. Luckily for Improv Noir, they have exactly that. The all-female team works almost seamlessly and the trust between these unpredictable ladies is impressive to say the least. Although this basic idea is not new, it is rarely done for the very reason that it is so easy to get wrong.
"The humour was extremely self-aware, lending a great deal of charm to the performance, and the cast certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves too.
"It's clear these girls are up there to have a good time and if the audience get swept along, more's the better. But if you think no official script, no lighting plan, sound, music or costume makes a performance less ambitious, then think again - this is a brave risk and paid off well for Improv Noir."
★★★★☆
"If you're going to make things up as you go along, then you'd better have a strong team who have your back. Luckily for Improv Noir, they have exactly that. The all-female team works almost seamlessly and the trust between these unpredictable ladies is impressive to say the least. Although this basic idea is not new, it is rarely done for the very reason that it is so easy to get wrong.
"The humour was extremely self-aware, lending a great deal of charm to the performance, and the cast certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves too.
"It's clear these girls are up there to have a good time and if the audience get swept along, more's the better. But if you think no official script, no lighting plan, sound, music or costume makes a performance less ambitious, then think again - this is a brave risk and paid off well for Improv Noir."
Improv Noir, Broadway Baby, 27th July, 2014
★★★☆☆
"This troupe look out for each other and there is a good camaraderie between the girls as they take it in turns to play out their scenes. Of course there are moments where a little devilish side appears as they try to trip each other up, but this all adds to the entertainment."
★★★☆☆
"This troupe look out for each other and there is a good camaraderie between the girls as they take it in turns to play out their scenes. Of course there are moments where a little devilish side appears as they try to trip each other up, but this all adds to the entertainment."
Improv Noir, The Flaneur, August 2014
"The actors are all on stage for the whole performance, standing at the sides and trying not to laugh when not in the action. The creation is an ensemble piece, but last night Hayley-Marie Axe took the lead, as a soldier returning to the garage he left four years before. His hair had grown, but that didn’t stop his workmates recognising him…
"Trying to put together a noir plot on the hoof is going to be difficult and the attempt does lead to some repetition, exposition and confusion. But improv allows ludicrous plot points and statements to develop, Axe’s explanation of the importance of socks in times of war being an amusing example.
"Films noirs are not inherently funny so the Improv Noir team has a battle in making the plot amusing. Often the jokes come from cast members pointing out anachronisms (‘A Lamborghini? In 1940?’) but the set-up definitely has comic potential. The story I saw was over-complicated – but The Big Sleep was so complex that the author himself famously had no idea who killed the chauffeur, so maybe that shows that Improv Noir really have got their film noir spoofs sorted."
"The actors are all on stage for the whole performance, standing at the sides and trying not to laugh when not in the action. The creation is an ensemble piece, but last night Hayley-Marie Axe took the lead, as a soldier returning to the garage he left four years before. His hair had grown, but that didn’t stop his workmates recognising him…
"Trying to put together a noir plot on the hoof is going to be difficult and the attempt does lead to some repetition, exposition and confusion. But improv allows ludicrous plot points and statements to develop, Axe’s explanation of the importance of socks in times of war being an amusing example.
"Films noirs are not inherently funny so the Improv Noir team has a battle in making the plot amusing. Often the jokes come from cast members pointing out anachronisms (‘A Lamborghini? In 1940?’) but the set-up definitely has comic potential. The story I saw was over-complicated – but The Big Sleep was so complex that the author himself famously had no idea who killed the chauffeur, so maybe that shows that Improv Noir really have got their film noir spoofs sorted."