What do you think?
Rate this book
Gaia Wars #1
The Gaia Wars
DEADLY SECRETS have been buried in the Cascade mountain wilderness for centuries. Hidden. Out of sight and out of mind.
Until today…
Warren Wilkes, age 13, doesn’t like what a greedy housing developer has done to his peaceful mountain community, so he vandalizes the developer’s property, flees into the wild, and stumbles upon an ancient human skeleton revealed by torrential rain. More than old bones have been exposed, however, and the curious artifact Warren finds makes him question his own identity, and his connection to an ancient terror. A terror destined to rise again and annihilate all that Warren loves. He must fight or see his whole world destroyed.
Until today…
Warren Wilkes, age 13, doesn’t like what a greedy housing developer has done to his peaceful mountain community, so he vandalizes the developer’s property, flees into the wild, and stumbles upon an ancient human skeleton revealed by torrential rain. More than old bones have been exposed, however, and the curious artifact Warren finds makes him question his own identity, and his connection to an ancient terror. A terror destined to rise again and annihilate all that Warren loves. He must fight or see his whole world destroyed.
288 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2011
14 people are currently reading
2319 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth G. Bennett
6 books143 followersKenneth G. Bennett is the author of the sci-fi thriller, EXODUS 2022, and the new short story series: WANDERINGS: SHORT FICTIONS AND ILLUSIONS. Bennett also penned the young adult novels, THE GAIA WARS and BATTLE FOR CASCADIA.
Praise for EXODUS 2022: "Bennett, after a neat Dean Koontz-style curtain-raiser, keeps raising the stakes. Deft storytelling and a riptide of action." -- KIRKUS REVIEWS
"Exodus 2022 opens full throttle and never lets up. A fresh, original sci-fi thriller full of unexpected twists and turns. Kept me guessing to the very last page." -- Bob Mayer, New York Times Bestselling Author of the AREA 51 Series.
"I'm not usually a sci-fi thriller enthusiast. But Kenneth G. Bennett has set this on-the-edge-of-your-seat story in the Great Pacific Northwest where I make my home. After reading Exodus 2022, this place will never look quite the same. His best yet." --Rebecca Wells, author of DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD and other novels.
Kenneth G. Bennett lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and son and two hyperactive Australian Shepherds.
Publisher's note: THE GAIA WARS series was optioned for film by Identity Films, LA in 2012 and both GAIA and BATTLE have been featured as Top 100 Bestsellers in Teen Literature and Fiction on Amazon. Kirkus Reviews calls THE GAIA WARS "A solid first entry of a promising, imaginative new young-adult fantasy series featuring a well-crafted character."
Read the VARIETY article at http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118... and learn more about Identity Films at http://identityfilm.com
Praise for EXODUS 2022: "Bennett, after a neat Dean Koontz-style curtain-raiser, keeps raising the stakes. Deft storytelling and a riptide of action." -- KIRKUS REVIEWS
"Exodus 2022 opens full throttle and never lets up. A fresh, original sci-fi thriller full of unexpected twists and turns. Kept me guessing to the very last page." -- Bob Mayer, New York Times Bestselling Author of the AREA 51 Series.
"I'm not usually a sci-fi thriller enthusiast. But Kenneth G. Bennett has set this on-the-edge-of-your-seat story in the Great Pacific Northwest where I make my home. After reading Exodus 2022, this place will never look quite the same. His best yet." --Rebecca Wells, author of DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD and other novels.
Kenneth G. Bennett lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and son and two hyperactive Australian Shepherds.
Publisher's note: THE GAIA WARS series was optioned for film by Identity Films, LA in 2012 and both GAIA and BATTLE have been featured as Top 100 Bestsellers in Teen Literature and Fiction on Amazon. Kirkus Reviews calls THE GAIA WARS "A solid first entry of a promising, imaginative new young-adult fantasy series featuring a well-crafted character."
Read the VARIETY article at http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118... and learn more about Identity Films at http://identityfilm.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
September 6, 2012
THE GAIA WARS is a fast-paced wilderness adventure with fantasy and sci-fi elements. One reader described it as "Last of the Mohicans meets The Twilight Zone." I wrote The Gaia Wars for my son, Eli, when he was eleven, and have been thrilled with the feedback I've received from kids and parents alike since the book's release. The Second Book of The Gaia Wars, BATTLE FOR CASCADIA, was published in November, 2011.
Both THE GAIA WARS and BATTLE FOR CASCADIA have appeared on Amazon's list of "Top 100 Bestselling Children's Action & Adventure Books" multiple times, and the series was just optioned for film by Identity Films, Hollywood. Read the full article in VARIETY at http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118...
A note on the inspiration for The Gaia Wars:
There's a theory called The Gaia Hypothesis. It was proposed by NASA scientist James Lovelock and says that "all organisms and their inorganic surroundings on Earth make up a single, self-regulating entity." In other words, the Earth itself is a living thing. A vast, “super-organism.”
I love this idea. When I first heard it I wondered how it might be woven into a novel. In my imagination, I took the Gaia Hypothesis one step further. What if Gaia (the Earth) is not simply alive, but also sentient? It occurred to me that a lot of so-called primitive cultures believed this very thing. Understood it in their bones.
I worked on the idea. Started making notes. Then I was backpacking with my son, Eli. After a few days in the wilderness (feeling more connected to the Earth, perhaps) I started to tell him the story of The Gaia Wars. We're both huge fans of The Adventures of Tintin, The Golden Compass, The Hobbit, and similar stories, and my goal was to create a fantasy/sci-fi/adventure story rooted in the wilderness and the Gaia concept that would keep Eli on the edge of his seat and capture the page-turning energy we both love in those amazing books.
I hope you'll give The Gaia Wars a look and let me know what you think!
Warmest wishes,
Kenneth G. Bennett
Both THE GAIA WARS and BATTLE FOR CASCADIA have appeared on Amazon's list of "Top 100 Bestselling Children's Action & Adventure Books" multiple times, and the series was just optioned for film by Identity Films, Hollywood. Read the full article in VARIETY at http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118...
A note on the inspiration for The Gaia Wars:
There's a theory called The Gaia Hypothesis. It was proposed by NASA scientist James Lovelock and says that "all organisms and their inorganic surroundings on Earth make up a single, self-regulating entity." In other words, the Earth itself is a living thing. A vast, “super-organism.”
I love this idea. When I first heard it I wondered how it might be woven into a novel. In my imagination, I took the Gaia Hypothesis one step further. What if Gaia (the Earth) is not simply alive, but also sentient? It occurred to me that a lot of so-called primitive cultures believed this very thing. Understood it in their bones.
I worked on the idea. Started making notes. Then I was backpacking with my son, Eli. After a few days in the wilderness (feeling more connected to the Earth, perhaps) I started to tell him the story of The Gaia Wars. We're both huge fans of The Adventures of Tintin, The Golden Compass, The Hobbit, and similar stories, and my goal was to create a fantasy/sci-fi/adventure story rooted in the wilderness and the Gaia concept that would keep Eli on the edge of his seat and capture the page-turning energy we both love in those amazing books.
I hope you'll give The Gaia Wars a look and let me know what you think!
Warmest wishes,
Kenneth G. Bennett
Read
November 26, 2011First let me say, I read the initial 60% of Gaia Wars in a single sitting and finished the rest over the next few days! Given that it takes me an average of a month to read books lately, this should say a lot about the quality of the story (and the writing).
Although it is marketed as paranormal YA, this novel will also appeal to lovers of literary fiction. It has a Harper Lee-esque quality to its prose that hearken back to the dark side of the glory days.
The Gaia Wars is an especially good reading choice for those who love to travel but don't like to spend the energy to go outside. You'll live and breathe Cascadia along with the novel's spunky protagonist, 13-year-old Warren. If you're an adult who has just never understood the YA literature craze, The Gaia Wars is the perfect novel to get you started. It highlights the excitement, innocence, and wonder that is the Young Adult genre and does it all with stunning and eloquence prose that are akin to lit fic.
Definitely not one to miss!
PS Can't rate this one since Kenneth is a PR client, but I still wanted to say my piece :-D
Although it is marketed as paranormal YA, this novel will also appeal to lovers of literary fiction. It has a Harper Lee-esque quality to its prose that hearken back to the dark side of the glory days.
The Gaia Wars is an especially good reading choice for those who love to travel but don't like to spend the energy to go outside. You'll live and breathe Cascadia along with the novel's spunky protagonist, 13-year-old Warren. If you're an adult who has just never understood the YA literature craze, The Gaia Wars is the perfect novel to get you started. It highlights the excitement, innocence, and wonder that is the Young Adult genre and does it all with stunning and eloquence prose that are akin to lit fic.
Definitely not one to miss!
PS Can't rate this one since Kenneth is a PR client, but I still wanted to say my piece :-D
December 19, 2011
Original premise and well-written. The MC is 13 years old, so this is a young YA, but it's got plenty enough gory action to entertain.
Warren is an orphan whose parents were lost in forest fire. He lives with his uncle and does the usual kid things. The neighbors, however, bug the hell out of him as they race around the small lake both properties front on loud jetskis. The father is a blustery bully who's intent on stripping away the beauty of the Northern Cascades to put up a subdivision of fancy houses.
Warren devises a scheme to stop the noisy jetskis, but it wasn't well thought out. What he thought would be a harmless, although scary prank endangers the son of loudmouth neighbor and messes up the dock. The result is Warren ending up in juvie court. He's sentenced to 100 hours of community service. He blurts out that he'd like to help out at the retirement home. He doesn't even know why he did since he'd far rather be in the great outdoors, like his father and mother had been.
Things start getting scary when he's chased by the bully boy and trips over a skeleton. The bully is close behind, so Warren has time only to pick up a medallion that obviously belonged to the dead person.
Anything else I'd say would be spoilers, so I don't want to tiptoe around that. My one complaint is that the book ends abruptly with a "you've got to read the sequel for the rest of the story." I really hate that. I've complained on more than one occasion that even a series must have a satisfying ending to each book. I do not like teasing by leaving huge questions unanswered to try to force the reader to buy the next book. When that happens, I don't buy the next book. Simple as that. You've lost a reader.
That's why this book gets only 3 stars. It left me on the edge of a cliff where I don't want to be, so I'll just take my toys and go home. I'll just read some spoiler reviews to see what happens.
Warren is an orphan whose parents were lost in forest fire. He lives with his uncle and does the usual kid things. The neighbors, however, bug the hell out of him as they race around the small lake both properties front on loud jetskis. The father is a blustery bully who's intent on stripping away the beauty of the Northern Cascades to put up a subdivision of fancy houses.
Warren devises a scheme to stop the noisy jetskis, but it wasn't well thought out. What he thought would be a harmless, although scary prank endangers the son of loudmouth neighbor and messes up the dock. The result is Warren ending up in juvie court. He's sentenced to 100 hours of community service. He blurts out that he'd like to help out at the retirement home. He doesn't even know why he did since he'd far rather be in the great outdoors, like his father and mother had been.
Things start getting scary when he's chased by the bully boy and trips over a skeleton. The bully is close behind, so Warren has time only to pick up a medallion that obviously belonged to the dead person.
Anything else I'd say would be spoilers, so I don't want to tiptoe around that. My one complaint is that the book ends abruptly with a "you've got to read the sequel for the rest of the story." I really hate that. I've complained on more than one occasion that even a series must have a satisfying ending to each book. I do not like teasing by leaving huge questions unanswered to try to force the reader to buy the next book. When that happens, I don't buy the next book. Simple as that. You've lost a reader.
That's why this book gets only 3 stars. It left me on the edge of a cliff where I don't want to be, so I'll just take my toys and go home. I'll just read some spoiler reviews to see what happens.
November 22, 2011
“Gaia Wars” by Kenneth Bennett is a fantastic book. I thought I would read a chapter or two before bed and boy, was that ever a mistake. The story was so riveting that I wound up staying up much later than I had intended.
Adults and young adults alike will be engrossed by this book, which the author calls “a fast-paced wilderness adventure with fantasy and sci-fi elements.”
The characters and plot flow effortless from page to page and I especially enjoyed trying to figure out who could be trusted, Mr. Peeples or Ina.
When I read the other five-star reviews, it created a great deal of difficulty in writing something that has not already been written. That being said, pick up this book and you will not be disappointed. I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel and believe Mr. Bennett has a bright future ahead of him.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads for a fair and honest review.
Adults and young adults alike will be engrossed by this book, which the author calls “a fast-paced wilderness adventure with fantasy and sci-fi elements.”
The characters and plot flow effortless from page to page and I especially enjoyed trying to figure out who could be trusted, Mr. Peeples or Ina.
When I read the other five-star reviews, it created a great deal of difficulty in writing something that has not already been written. That being said, pick up this book and you will not be disappointed. I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel and believe Mr. Bennett has a bright future ahead of him.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads for a fair and honest review.
August 26, 2016
I won a copy from Goodreads Firstreads.
The Gaia Wars
To me, this book could use a little more humor. A little more laughter would have made this book similar to I Am Number Four and The Rise Of Six. Except they have way different plots.
Before Reading: I was excited! It was the first book I had ever won from Goodreads First Reads Giveaways. The second book I had won from just giveaways. (Scarlet by Marissa Meyer was the first book).
During Reading: Fascinating. Whoa! That is creepy. OMG! I knew it!
After Reading: What!?! You can't do that Kenneth Bennett!
The strong parts...
The characters. Many of the characters were well developed. Especially the enemies, Warren, and Ina. They were written well. I love the characteristics of Warren. His carefree manner. His carelessness. His recklessness. And his cleverness. Warren is the outdoor type like his parent, Eric and Lisa Wilkes. His love for the parks shine bright through the book. Warren doesn't seem really like a thirteen years old. He seems to be more and more mature as the book goes on.
The description of the setting, actions... The author has done a brilliant job describing the situation, the setting, and the actions of the characters. It was really easy to visualize the characters/creatures doing these things. The setting was descriptive.
The everchanging POVs... Now that is an excellent weapon of this story. The POVs, usually useful to help expand the story a little more, is an lethal weapon of The Gaia Wars. It's the second strongest point, perhaps even stronger than all of the parts. The POVs revolve around Warren, Todd Jr., and some secondary characters with major roles in the series.
The pacing was good. For a book like this, it better be fast paced.
The weak parts...
The ending... I hate how the ending just ended like that. I felt that the cliffhanger wasn't cliffhanging enough. It could have ended at a different part.
The writing... I felt that the writing seemed a little awkward and rough. Maybe it is because of the looser grammatical rules of the English Language we have today. It might be hard for the younger audience to read this book because The Gaia Wars follows the old grammar rules.
“This is the sort of English up with which I will not put.” -Winston Churchill, Ex-British Prime Minister
Ha, ha. I love Winston Churchill. Sadly most of my peers don't even remember who he was, much less remember this timeless quote.
This book's rating is a three of five. Fair.
This review is also on my blog.
The Gaia Wars
"DEADLY SECRETS have been buried in the Cascade mountain wilderness for centuries. Hidden. Out of sight and out of mind.
Until today…
Warren Wilkes, age 13, doesn’t like what a greedy housing developer has done to his peaceful mountain community, so he vandalizes the developer’s property, flees into the wild, and stumbles upon an ancient human skeleton revealed by torrential rain. More than old bones have been exposed, however, and the curious artifact Warren finds makes him question his own identity, and his connection to an ancient terror. A terror destined to rise again and annihilate all that Warren loves. He must fight or see his whole world destroyed."
To me, this book could use a little more humor. A little more laughter would have made this book similar to I Am Number Four and The Rise Of Six. Except they have way different plots.
Before Reading: I was excited! It was the first book I had ever won from Goodreads First Reads Giveaways. The second book I had won from just giveaways. (Scarlet by Marissa Meyer was the first book).
During Reading: Fascinating. Whoa! That is creepy. OMG! I knew it!
After Reading: What!?! You can't do that Kenneth Bennett!
The strong parts...
The characters. Many of the characters were well developed. Especially the enemies, Warren, and Ina. They were written well. I love the characteristics of Warren. His carefree manner. His carelessness. His recklessness. And his cleverness. Warren is the outdoor type like his parent, Eric and Lisa Wilkes. His love for the parks shine bright through the book. Warren doesn't seem really like a thirteen years old. He seems to be more and more mature as the book goes on.
The description of the setting, actions... The author has done a brilliant job describing the situation, the setting, and the actions of the characters. It was really easy to visualize the characters/creatures doing these things. The setting was descriptive.
The everchanging POVs... Now that is an excellent weapon of this story. The POVs, usually useful to help expand the story a little more, is an lethal weapon of The Gaia Wars. It's the second strongest point, perhaps even stronger than all of the parts. The POVs revolve around Warren, Todd Jr., and some secondary characters with major roles in the series.
The pacing was good. For a book like this, it better be fast paced.
The weak parts...
The ending... I hate how the ending just ended like that. I felt that the cliffhanger wasn't cliffhanging enough. It could have ended at a different part.
The writing... I felt that the writing seemed a little awkward and rough. Maybe it is because of the looser grammatical rules of the English Language we have today. It might be hard for the younger audience to read this book because The Gaia Wars follows the old grammar rules.
“This is the sort of English up with which I will not put.” -Winston Churchill, Ex-British Prime Minister
Ha, ha. I love Winston Churchill. Sadly most of my peers don't even remember who he was, much less remember this timeless quote.
This book's rating is a three of five. Fair.
This review is also on my blog.
January 20, 2012
Review: The Gaia Wars by Kenneth G. Bennett
The Gaia Wars by Kenneth G. Bennett
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Kenneth G. Bennett’s The Gaia Wars is the first in a trilogy about the survival of Earth in a fight between good versus evil. In this first novel, when we meet 13 year old protagonist Warren Wilkes he has hidden out of sight in order to watch the events unfold when a greedy land developer (Todd Finley Sr.) and his son (Todd Finley Jr.) discover that their WaveRunners have been sabotaged.
While Warren is hiking to escape both Todd Finley Sr. and Jr. he makes a startling, fascinating, and life changing discovery. Warren is stunned to find an undisturbed ancient skeleton, but it is what he finds in the dirt adjacent to the skeleton that takes him completely by surprise!
Along with a spear point, the leather pouch also contained a mesmerizing gold hammered ‘medallion’ with 7 blue sparkling gems encrusted into each edge and in the center of this precious artifact is a very shiny obsidian. But this is no ordinary medallion!
I rated The Gaia Wars a 4 out of 5 stars as on the one hand, I found it to be a fun, entertaining, and quick read. I also found Warren to be a relatable character complete with flaws which incidentally made him even easier to relate to.
But on the other hand, I have to say that one of the things that I especially disliked was how the book seemed to just abruptly end! I literally was just reading, flipping page after page after page when all of a suddenly ended! It felt like I was just in the middle of reading another chapter when I couldn’t ‘flip’ anymore pages (I read this via my Kindle app for ipad first generation).
If I didn’t have Battle for Cascadia already loaded on my Kindle for ipad app then I would have been very irritated as I felt that there wasn’t any sort of conclusion at the end of The Gaia Wars. I very much would have liked to see some sort of wrap up or [intermediary at least] conclusion to tide me over I’d be able to get my hands on the second book. I also felt that at the end of the novel would have been a good time to try to get me ‘drawn into’ the second novel.
I read both novels (The Gaia Wars and Battle for Cascadia) in less than 48 hours from start to finish (about 500 pages total for both books). Neither book alone is very long which could be seen as a positive or negative depending on who you ask.
If you are planning on reading The Gaia Wars I would highly suggest that you make sure you have both books available, because if you’re anything like me you’ll want to begin reading Battle For Cascadia immediately upon finishing The Gaia Wars.
Both The Gaia Wars and Battle For Cascadia by Kenneth G. Bennett are available on both in print and ebook copies.
~Jaclyn~
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and Novel Publicity as part of their book tour. Please see my disclaimer policy for more information.
The Gaia Wars by Kenneth G. Bennett
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Kenneth G. Bennett’s The Gaia Wars is the first in a trilogy about the survival of Earth in a fight between good versus evil. In this first novel, when we meet 13 year old protagonist Warren Wilkes he has hidden out of sight in order to watch the events unfold when a greedy land developer (Todd Finley Sr.) and his son (Todd Finley Jr.) discover that their WaveRunners have been sabotaged.
While Warren is hiking to escape both Todd Finley Sr. and Jr. he makes a startling, fascinating, and life changing discovery. Warren is stunned to find an undisturbed ancient skeleton, but it is what he finds in the dirt adjacent to the skeleton that takes him completely by surprise!
Along with a spear point, the leather pouch also contained a mesmerizing gold hammered ‘medallion’ with 7 blue sparkling gems encrusted into each edge and in the center of this precious artifact is a very shiny obsidian. But this is no ordinary medallion!
I rated The Gaia Wars a 4 out of 5 stars as on the one hand, I found it to be a fun, entertaining, and quick read. I also found Warren to be a relatable character complete with flaws which incidentally made him even easier to relate to.
But on the other hand, I have to say that one of the things that I especially disliked was how the book seemed to just abruptly end! I literally was just reading, flipping page after page after page when all of a suddenly ended! It felt like I was just in the middle of reading another chapter when I couldn’t ‘flip’ anymore pages (I read this via my Kindle app for ipad first generation).
If I didn’t have Battle for Cascadia already loaded on my Kindle for ipad app then I would have been very irritated as I felt that there wasn’t any sort of conclusion at the end of The Gaia Wars. I very much would have liked to see some sort of wrap up or [intermediary at least] conclusion to tide me over I’d be able to get my hands on the second book. I also felt that at the end of the novel would have been a good time to try to get me ‘drawn into’ the second novel.
I read both novels (The Gaia Wars and Battle for Cascadia) in less than 48 hours from start to finish (about 500 pages total for both books). Neither book alone is very long which could be seen as a positive or negative depending on who you ask.
If you are planning on reading The Gaia Wars I would highly suggest that you make sure you have both books available, because if you’re anything like me you’ll want to begin reading Battle For Cascadia immediately upon finishing The Gaia Wars.
Both The Gaia Wars and Battle For Cascadia by Kenneth G. Bennett are available on both in print and ebook copies.
~Jaclyn~
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and Novel Publicity as part of their book tour. Please see my disclaimer policy for more information.
December 8, 2011
The thing that piqued my interest the most about Kenneth G. Bennett's series The Gaia Wars is the name - before I could even absorb the cover my eyes locked on the name and I was wanting to curl up with my eReader and dive in. I am a big fan of Gaia mythology and considering including aspects of it in one of my own works-in-progress. If you are interested in learning a bit more on Gaia mythology beyond how it's explored in Kenneth's book, wikipedia has pretty decent page on it to wet your beak. Title aside I found the story synopsis engaging and the cover was a good balance of being detailed enough without revealing too much (or revealing too little for that matter).
I did find the initial pace of the book a bit slow - however, considering the main character's, Warren Wilkes, personal journey explored in story and the fact that the story is geared toward a younger audience it seemed totally appropriate. When the story started picking up and action was more frequent - I did begin to appreciate the the slower initial pace. I think it helped me understand who Warren is as a person a lot better than I would have had Kenneth chosen to introduce major elements at a quicker pace.
I found the transition from the "reality" fiction (most similar to real life) elements of the story to "fantasy" fiction elements smooth - in fact I took me a few chapters to even realized that the tone had gone from real to surreal. I liked how dedicated and honorable Warren was - to the things he cared about (the environment) and the people he loved without becoming annoying or preachy (which I hate).
The mythical elements portrayed in the book were also well written, so much so you escape from reality without realizing it - I was so wrapped up in reading the Gaia Wars that I actually missed out on snipping (bid at the last minute, as a result not giving anyone a chance to outbid you) an eBay lot of circular knitting needles I really wanted. I know that may not seem serious to you but I had been watching that auction for a WEEK and for something to pull my attention away from something I am so engrossed in - but coming from me, that's saying a lot.
Overall I was impressed with the detail and attention Kenneth put into his characters, before the book came to a close I felt like I had gotten to know Warren Wilkes on a decent level - at the end I felt invested in his life and story. In addition, Uhlgoth (Warren's nemesis) is definitely a entity you will love to hate. I think many people would enjoy this book, I would definitely reccommend it to anyone interested in native american mythology, Gaia mythology, and most definitely to any pre-teen to early-teen boys - Warren is the perfect hero for boys, a definite front runner for boy-centered YA fiction post-Harry Potter era.
I did find the initial pace of the book a bit slow - however, considering the main character's, Warren Wilkes, personal journey explored in story and the fact that the story is geared toward a younger audience it seemed totally appropriate. When the story started picking up and action was more frequent - I did begin to appreciate the the slower initial pace. I think it helped me understand who Warren is as a person a lot better than I would have had Kenneth chosen to introduce major elements at a quicker pace.
I found the transition from the "reality" fiction (most similar to real life) elements of the story to "fantasy" fiction elements smooth - in fact I took me a few chapters to even realized that the tone had gone from real to surreal. I liked how dedicated and honorable Warren was - to the things he cared about (the environment) and the people he loved without becoming annoying or preachy (which I hate).
The mythical elements portrayed in the book were also well written, so much so you escape from reality without realizing it - I was so wrapped up in reading the Gaia Wars that I actually missed out on snipping (bid at the last minute, as a result not giving anyone a chance to outbid you) an eBay lot of circular knitting needles I really wanted. I know that may not seem serious to you but I had been watching that auction for a WEEK and for something to pull my attention away from something I am so engrossed in - but coming from me, that's saying a lot.
Overall I was impressed with the detail and attention Kenneth put into his characters, before the book came to a close I felt like I had gotten to know Warren Wilkes on a decent level - at the end I felt invested in his life and story. In addition, Uhlgoth (Warren's nemesis) is definitely a entity you will love to hate. I think many people would enjoy this book, I would definitely reccommend it to anyone interested in native american mythology, Gaia mythology, and most definitely to any pre-teen to early-teen boys - Warren is the perfect hero for boys, a definite front runner for boy-centered YA fiction post-Harry Potter era.
December 5, 2011
Description:
13 year-old Warren Wilkes has messed up - big time, and now he's running through the Cascade mountains dodging the roar of oncoming dogs and ATVs. Until, that is, he sees the long-lost skeleton of a Native American poking out of the eroded soil, and his child-like curiosity gets the best of him. Here he finds an ancient spear point as well as a mysterious gold medallion which holds a circle of obsidian. Unfortunately, his pursuers are unrelenting, so he grabs the medallion and continues his escapist trek. Little does he know, that the strange artifact he's discovered is about to awaken, not only a hidden side of himself, but an ancient and unearthly evil that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear.
Review:
Wow! I definitely didn't expect this book to be so amazing! I have always been a fan of young adult and teen fiction, especially those books that transport the reader into another plain of imagination, and boy, is this one of them; Hello Harry Potter, Twilight, and Lord Of The Rings, meet The Gaia Wars, the next epic teen adventure.Where do I begin? Well, the title, The Gaia Wars, which I thought was catchy, and made me want to jump into some serious science fiction. But it wasn't just science fiction, and it wasn't on some otherworldly planet, but here - on planet Earth; and what a spectacular Earth Kenneth G. Bennett describes. Besides the story, the imagery and detail were one of my favorite aspects of the book. I could see the vastness of the Cascades, the people who once called them home, and the incredible power and fury of our planet - the one that does exist. The fact that there were extraterrestrial beings didn't take anything away from the beautiful reality I absorbed from each page. Those are some landscapes I'd love to see, even though they are now well-toured in my mind. The characters were well-developed and very realistic. Even though Warren was a teenage boy, I found myself relating to him, and I didn't feel like I was reading a book designed just for young adults, but for every age group. From page one I was hooked, like Todd was to the pier. The chapters were the perfect length, the dialogue and the story-line flowed easily, and the pace was quick and full of action and surprise. Without a doubt, this book is going on my top ten list for 2011, and may just be one of my new favorite teen reads. Can't wait for the sequel, Battle for Cascadia, and I am kind of hoping that a possible film version may be in the not-to-distant Earth future!
Rating: Clean Getaway (5/5)
*** I received this eBook from Novel Publicity and the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
13 year-old Warren Wilkes has messed up - big time, and now he's running through the Cascade mountains dodging the roar of oncoming dogs and ATVs. Until, that is, he sees the long-lost skeleton of a Native American poking out of the eroded soil, and his child-like curiosity gets the best of him. Here he finds an ancient spear point as well as a mysterious gold medallion which holds a circle of obsidian. Unfortunately, his pursuers are unrelenting, so he grabs the medallion and continues his escapist trek. Little does he know, that the strange artifact he's discovered is about to awaken, not only a hidden side of himself, but an ancient and unearthly evil that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear.
Review:
Wow! I definitely didn't expect this book to be so amazing! I have always been a fan of young adult and teen fiction, especially those books that transport the reader into another plain of imagination, and boy, is this one of them; Hello Harry Potter, Twilight, and Lord Of The Rings, meet The Gaia Wars, the next epic teen adventure.Where do I begin? Well, the title, The Gaia Wars, which I thought was catchy, and made me want to jump into some serious science fiction. But it wasn't just science fiction, and it wasn't on some otherworldly planet, but here - on planet Earth; and what a spectacular Earth Kenneth G. Bennett describes. Besides the story, the imagery and detail were one of my favorite aspects of the book. I could see the vastness of the Cascades, the people who once called them home, and the incredible power and fury of our planet - the one that does exist. The fact that there were extraterrestrial beings didn't take anything away from the beautiful reality I absorbed from each page. Those are some landscapes I'd love to see, even though they are now well-toured in my mind. The characters were well-developed and very realistic. Even though Warren was a teenage boy, I found myself relating to him, and I didn't feel like I was reading a book designed just for young adults, but for every age group. From page one I was hooked, like Todd was to the pier. The chapters were the perfect length, the dialogue and the story-line flowed easily, and the pace was quick and full of action and surprise. Without a doubt, this book is going on my top ten list for 2011, and may just be one of my new favorite teen reads. Can't wait for the sequel, Battle for Cascadia, and I am kind of hoping that a possible film version may be in the not-to-distant Earth future!
Rating: Clean Getaway (5/5)
*** I received this eBook from Novel Publicity and the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
December 7, 2011
As the semester goes on, my free time dwindles a lot. As a result I have barely any time to sit down and leisurely read books. Especially near exam time. When I do manage to get some reading time scheduled in, I don't want to lolly-gag. I need a book to grab my interest right away and not let go. It needs to flow right along so I can get lost in it's world for while. Lately a few books that I have been picking up have failed to do this within the first 20 pages or so. Normally, I would have no problem reading further to see if it picks up, but when I am so busy and short on time I just get discouraged and put the book down.
Then I picked up The Gaia Wars...
What a good choice! I loved it! Warren is so inquisitive and smart. A little wise beyond his 13 years but that's never a bad thing. He loves nature and he has a crush on a girl scout! I was a girl scout for 12 years, so that made me smile. Ok fine, so mentioning how cool girl scouts are was not the only reason I loved The Gaia Wars. It is just such a versatile read. There is something in it for everyone. Teens, adults, boys, and girls will all enjoy The Gaia Wars. There is action and adventure, mystery, and magic. What on earth is not to love? Which leads me to the next point, I love how much the story incorporates the earth.
Our environment is something that I think we often forget about, and I really liked how spiritual the earth is depicted in the book. Kenneth did such a great job describing everything. The imagery was so vivid. When Warren and Sean found the cave, I could picture the whole thing so easily. And I really want to see a picture of the medallion!
I loved the character of Mirra. I couldn't read the book fast enough to figure out the mystery that surrounded her. I think there is so much more to her than is revealed in the first book, and I would love for her to have her own prequel story! I think finding out how she met and fell in love would be such a nice story. ::winkwinkKenneth!::
The only think I didn't like was that the book left off at such a pivotal point! Luckily, I have the second book to pick up ASAP! Im in the middle of it right now and I am really liking it. It is even more action packed than the first one. Must get back to reading The Battle of Cascadia, I mean studying, now.
Then I picked up The Gaia Wars...
What a good choice! I loved it! Warren is so inquisitive and smart. A little wise beyond his 13 years but that's never a bad thing. He loves nature and he has a crush on a girl scout! I was a girl scout for 12 years, so that made me smile. Ok fine, so mentioning how cool girl scouts are was not the only reason I loved The Gaia Wars. It is just such a versatile read. There is something in it for everyone. Teens, adults, boys, and girls will all enjoy The Gaia Wars. There is action and adventure, mystery, and magic. What on earth is not to love? Which leads me to the next point, I love how much the story incorporates the earth.
Our environment is something that I think we often forget about, and I really liked how spiritual the earth is depicted in the book. Kenneth did such a great job describing everything. The imagery was so vivid. When Warren and Sean found the cave, I could picture the whole thing so easily. And I really want to see a picture of the medallion!
I loved the character of Mirra. I couldn't read the book fast enough to figure out the mystery that surrounded her. I think there is so much more to her than is revealed in the first book, and I would love for her to have her own prequel story! I think finding out how she met and fell in love would be such a nice story. ::winkwinkKenneth!::
The only think I didn't like was that the book left off at such a pivotal point! Luckily, I have the second book to pick up ASAP! Im in the middle of it right now and I am really liking it. It is even more action packed than the first one. Must get back to reading The Battle of Cascadia, I mean studying, now.
December 4, 2011
Kenneth G. Bennett's young adult paranormal thriller is an absolute page-turner and I loved it. The Gaia Wars is the classic tale of good vs. evil. When 13-year old Warren Wilkes takes revenge on his neighbors - Todd Finley, Jr., Warren's classmate who likes to bully Warren, and Todd Finley, Sr., a real estate developer who is making it his mission to get wealthy at the expense of the pristine environment of the Northwestern Cascade Mountain Range - he finds himself running for his life as he is chased into the foothills of his beloved mountains. When he comes upon a 500-year-old skeleton unearthed by the recent exceptionally wet rainy season and discovers an ancient artifact - a medallion with magical powers - the battle of good and evil begins.
Mr. Bennett has a way of bringing his words to life with his ability to paint an awesomely detailed picture of the Pacific Northwest. I almost felt like I was there, basking in the beauty of this wilderness retreat. I really enjoyed reading the rich history of the Denelai people. It was so well written that I wanted to believe every word of it, despite the fact that he told of spaceships arriving from far off galaxies. It brought back fond memories of the times my grandfather would gather all us grandchildren around him and tell us the history of the Lenni Lenapy Indian Nation that roamed the Delaware River Basin centuries earlier - whether his stories were true or not was not important, it was the way he told them - they sounded so real.
Although readers both young and old will enjoy this book, boys will especially find this a fascinating read. Once you start reading you will find this one hard to put down. Mr. Bennett masterfully builds suspense and excitement from page 1. He takes us right to the edge, without resolution, making us beg for more. Yes, I admit that I felt somewhat cheated. I missed that ahhhh moment one expects at the end of a good book. I just thank goodness that I will get that chance to have my ahhhh moment in the follow-up to this one which Mr. Bennett has titled The Second Book of The Gaia Wars - Battle for Cascadia. I have no doubt I will enjoy the sequel just as much as I enjoyed the opening salvo in The Gaia Wars.
Mr. Bennett has a way of bringing his words to life with his ability to paint an awesomely detailed picture of the Pacific Northwest. I almost felt like I was there, basking in the beauty of this wilderness retreat. I really enjoyed reading the rich history of the Denelai people. It was so well written that I wanted to believe every word of it, despite the fact that he told of spaceships arriving from far off galaxies. It brought back fond memories of the times my grandfather would gather all us grandchildren around him and tell us the history of the Lenni Lenapy Indian Nation that roamed the Delaware River Basin centuries earlier - whether his stories were true or not was not important, it was the way he told them - they sounded so real.
Although readers both young and old will enjoy this book, boys will especially find this a fascinating read. Once you start reading you will find this one hard to put down. Mr. Bennett masterfully builds suspense and excitement from page 1. He takes us right to the edge, without resolution, making us beg for more. Yes, I admit that I felt somewhat cheated. I missed that ahhhh moment one expects at the end of a good book. I just thank goodness that I will get that chance to have my ahhhh moment in the follow-up to this one which Mr. Bennett has titled The Second Book of The Gaia Wars - Battle for Cascadia. I have no doubt I will enjoy the sequel just as much as I enjoyed the opening salvo in The Gaia Wars.
December 8, 2011
Ever since he can remember, Warren Wilkes has felt an affinity to the wilderness around him. The air, the soil, even the animals living within the Cascade mountains - they call to him, inciting the urge to explore the secrets the mountains hold. The sheer beauty that surrounds him is breathtaking and the mere thought of that beauty being marred by housing developments sits ill with him. So much so that he decides to take matters into his own hands. Yet never once has he given thought to the consequences of his actions.
Vandalizing a neighbor's property in retaliation, Warren's only option is to run into the wild for safety. He knows he's done something wrong, yet he justifies it with the fact that he was paying the developers back for the ruin of his beloved wilderness. Trying to stay one step ahead of those he's angered, he stumbles upon a 500-year-old skeleton dislodged from within the soil's grasp because of the rainy weather as well as an ancient, and quite magical, artifact.
Unwilling to part with his treasure, he's determined to keep it at all costs. Sent to do community service as a result of what he's done, Warren knows that it's a matter of time before his nemesis takes his revenge for his little prank. It's not long before Todd J.R. discovers his secret, lusting after the treasure himself.
Inadvertently unleashing an ancient evil intent on recovering what it feels rightfully belongs to it, Warren sets into motion a series of events that leave him questioning his entire existence. He soon understands that it's up to him to set all wrongs to right, while trying to come to terms with the secrets he's now privy to. Secrets that were kept from him in order to keep him safe. Secrets that threaten life as he knows it.
This was such a delightful read. Kenneth has a way of pulling the reader in from the very first sentence that it's hard to put the book down. I also found myself so intrigued with the history that he painstakingly put together. I confess I tried researching to see if the Denelai really existed. The history was that well-developed!
It's such a fascinating story. I truly recommend reading it and look forward to reading Battle For Cascadia, the next book in the series, soon.
Vandalizing a neighbor's property in retaliation, Warren's only option is to run into the wild for safety. He knows he's done something wrong, yet he justifies it with the fact that he was paying the developers back for the ruin of his beloved wilderness. Trying to stay one step ahead of those he's angered, he stumbles upon a 500-year-old skeleton dislodged from within the soil's grasp because of the rainy weather as well as an ancient, and quite magical, artifact.
Unwilling to part with his treasure, he's determined to keep it at all costs. Sent to do community service as a result of what he's done, Warren knows that it's a matter of time before his nemesis takes his revenge for his little prank. It's not long before Todd J.R. discovers his secret, lusting after the treasure himself.
Inadvertently unleashing an ancient evil intent on recovering what it feels rightfully belongs to it, Warren sets into motion a series of events that leave him questioning his entire existence. He soon understands that it's up to him to set all wrongs to right, while trying to come to terms with the secrets he's now privy to. Secrets that were kept from him in order to keep him safe. Secrets that threaten life as he knows it.
This was such a delightful read. Kenneth has a way of pulling the reader in from the very first sentence that it's hard to put the book down. I also found myself so intrigued with the history that he painstakingly put together. I confess I tried researching to see if the Denelai really existed. The history was that well-developed!
It's such a fascinating story. I truly recommend reading it and look forward to reading Battle For Cascadia, the next book in the series, soon.
December 9, 2011
Thirteen-year-old Warren Wilkes is most at home when exploring the wilderness of his beloved Cascade Mountains. When a local developer threatens this way of life, Warren attempts a childish prank which begins a series of events with supernatural consequences. As he attempts to avoid discovery, he discovers an ancient human skeleton with a valuable artifact. This artifact opens Warren’s eyes to an ancient and terrible past that not only threatens his way of life, but the very existence of humanity.
Referencing the Gaia hypothesis, that the earth itself is a vast living organism, this tale pulls together some of my favorite elements; an underdog character coming into his own, the value of true friendship, and some fantastical elements of fiction. I found this book a page turner in the truest meaning of the word, highlighted by one of the best uses of foreshadowing I’ve seen in a young adult novel in ages. Sidestepping the more common and less effective approaches of many authors of young adult fiction, Bennett takes a more oblique approach, referencing things to come without overtly exclaiming them to the reader.
Also very appealing is his visceral appeal for humans to take better care of the earth and the consequences that can (will?) result if we continue on our reckless path. By talking directly about the real estate developer living near Warren, and more indirectly about what happened to the ‘others,’ the reader is provided with a substantial picture of what could happen if we don’t change our behavior toward the earth and all she provides for us.
Early in the novel when Warren first begins to understand where the mysterious medallion might have come from, I found myself a little perplexed and not yet ready to buy into the supernatural elements of the story. I wish Bennett had spent more time effectively setting up the reader for the suspension of disbelief necessary when the science fiction elements really start rolling.
Overall, I found the novel engaging, entertaining and a fun, fast read. For fans of young adult science fiction, this will be a perfect addition to any library.
Referencing the Gaia hypothesis, that the earth itself is a vast living organism, this tale pulls together some of my favorite elements; an underdog character coming into his own, the value of true friendship, and some fantastical elements of fiction. I found this book a page turner in the truest meaning of the word, highlighted by one of the best uses of foreshadowing I’ve seen in a young adult novel in ages. Sidestepping the more common and less effective approaches of many authors of young adult fiction, Bennett takes a more oblique approach, referencing things to come without overtly exclaiming them to the reader.
Also very appealing is his visceral appeal for humans to take better care of the earth and the consequences that can (will?) result if we continue on our reckless path. By talking directly about the real estate developer living near Warren, and more indirectly about what happened to the ‘others,’ the reader is provided with a substantial picture of what could happen if we don’t change our behavior toward the earth and all she provides for us.
Early in the novel when Warren first begins to understand where the mysterious medallion might have come from, I found myself a little perplexed and not yet ready to buy into the supernatural elements of the story. I wish Bennett had spent more time effectively setting up the reader for the suspension of disbelief necessary when the science fiction elements really start rolling.
Overall, I found the novel engaging, entertaining and a fun, fast read. For fans of young adult science fiction, this will be a perfect addition to any library.
December 6, 2011
The Gaia Wars is a very interesting book which spins Native American folklore with science fiction, all set in modern day America.
The Story: 13 year old Warren Wilkes lives in a beautiful mountain community. He loves to hike in the wilderness and swim in the lake. But now, a greedy land developer has moved into town and wants to build a gated community. Desperate, Warren resorts to vandalism. But, he's seen, and has to make a run for his life. He heads to the only place he knows, the mountains. It is while hiding that he discovers an old corpse and a mysterious medallion.
Now, Warren begins to uncover mysteries from the far past and from his recent path. Specifically, the death of his parent's in a fire at a ranger station. The medallion leads him to a world where aliens exist and some of them want to destroy the planet.
My Thoughts- The story itself is strong. I really liked the beginning of Gaia Wars. Warren is a typical teenager, out to protect what he loves most, in this case his mountain. And just like a typical kid he doesn't think about the consequences to his actions. So, when he goes after the land developer and his son, Warren is only thinking about a mean practical joke. But, things blow up in his face.
Another thing I enjoyed about the beginning, is that you don't know who to trust. There are several people who seem to know about the medallion, but you never really know who the bad guy is until after a dramatic escape scene.
The blend of science fiction with Native American history is unique. I enjoy the way it is interwoven through out the story. Overall, both books are a good read for ages 10 +. There is a bit of violence and disturbing images. Mostly about shapeshifting soldiers that kill people and then take on that person's form. Older kids should be able to handle it.
www.dorinewhite.blogspot.com
The Story: 13 year old Warren Wilkes lives in a beautiful mountain community. He loves to hike in the wilderness and swim in the lake. But now, a greedy land developer has moved into town and wants to build a gated community. Desperate, Warren resorts to vandalism. But, he's seen, and has to make a run for his life. He heads to the only place he knows, the mountains. It is while hiding that he discovers an old corpse and a mysterious medallion.
Now, Warren begins to uncover mysteries from the far past and from his recent path. Specifically, the death of his parent's in a fire at a ranger station. The medallion leads him to a world where aliens exist and some of them want to destroy the planet.
My Thoughts- The story itself is strong. I really liked the beginning of Gaia Wars. Warren is a typical teenager, out to protect what he loves most, in this case his mountain. And just like a typical kid he doesn't think about the consequences to his actions. So, when he goes after the land developer and his son, Warren is only thinking about a mean practical joke. But, things blow up in his face.
Another thing I enjoyed about the beginning, is that you don't know who to trust. There are several people who seem to know about the medallion, but you never really know who the bad guy is until after a dramatic escape scene.
The blend of science fiction with Native American history is unique. I enjoy the way it is interwoven through out the story. Overall, both books are a good read for ages 10 +. There is a bit of violence and disturbing images. Mostly about shapeshifting soldiers that kill people and then take on that person's form. Older kids should be able to handle it.
www.dorinewhite.blogspot.com
December 17, 2011
3.5/5
Pros: Original and interesting story.
The mix between science-fiction, fantasy, and native legends is well done.
Cons: The plot is a bit predictable.
The clear delimitation between good and evil.
I quite like this book. Usually, I'm a bit repelled by books about magic, because it often becomes silly, but it's not the case with that one. I like the idea of a story based on the struggles of nature against men and technology, and that is exactly what this book is about.
The main character: Warren is a 13 years old boy who lives with his uncle. His parents died when he was 2 1/2. He loves natures and is always outside hiking with his best friend Sean. That's pretty much everything we know about Warren, from the start to the final line. I wish the author would have deepen his personnality/background a bit, at the end of the story I don't feel like I care enough about him.
The plot: The story board is well thought, but it's easy to predict the 'OMG moment' coming near the end.
The bad guy: How can someone NOT be evil with a name like Uhlgoth? Add power, money and a tendency to enslave people and you've got the evilest character ever. In this book, there is no 'thin' line between good and evil. I wish there would have been more greyish zone about the characters, despite the efforts of the author to foul us.
I think this book is more a tween book than a young-adult one. Published a decade earlier, this book would probably have been my 12-years-old-self's favorite of all time. The chapters are short, easy to read. It's easy to fall into the story.
I look forward to read the second book, Battle for Cascadia.
Pros: Original and interesting story.
The mix between science-fiction, fantasy, and native legends is well done.
Cons: The plot is a bit predictable.
The clear delimitation between good and evil.
I quite like this book. Usually, I'm a bit repelled by books about magic, because it often becomes silly, but it's not the case with that one. I like the idea of a story based on the struggles of nature against men and technology, and that is exactly what this book is about.
The main character: Warren is a 13 years old boy who lives with his uncle. His parents died when he was 2 1/2. He loves natures and is always outside hiking with his best friend Sean. That's pretty much everything we know about Warren, from the start to the final line. I wish the author would have deepen his personnality/background a bit, at the end of the story I don't feel like I care enough about him.
The plot: The story board is well thought, but it's easy to predict the 'OMG moment' coming near the end.
The bad guy: How can someone NOT be evil with a name like Uhlgoth? Add power, money and a tendency to enslave people and you've got the evilest character ever. In this book, there is no 'thin' line between good and evil. I wish there would have been more greyish zone about the characters, despite the efforts of the author to foul us.
I think this book is more a tween book than a young-adult one. Published a decade earlier, this book would probably have been my 12-years-old-self's favorite of all time. The chapters are short, easy to read. It's easy to fall into the story.
I look forward to read the second book, Battle for Cascadia.
January 9, 2012
In The Gaia Wars, Warren, an orphan who lives with his uncle, plays a prank on a neighbor who is destroying the land, that Warren loves, for housing developments. When running to avoid being caught by them, Warren finds a medallion. Through this medallion, he learns about the Denelai people, an ancient culture which lived in the area hundreds of years ago. The Denelai people believed there was a goddess of the Earth who could take a human form and live among them. Something horrible happened during one of these visits, and the goddess was trapped in human form. When Warren finds the medallion, he begins to uncover secrets that have been buried for hundreds of years, and he becomes involved in the battle to save the goddess. There is an evil power that has creatures made specifically to capture the Earth Goddess, and if he succeeds, the Earth will be destroyed as well.
To be honest, I am not sure if this is a book that I would have chosen to read on my own. However, I am very glad that I did because both The Gaia Wars and Battle for Cascadia are some of the best I have read in a long time. I find it very interesting that Ken was inspired to write this story after reading an article written by a NASA scientist about The Gaia Hypothesis. I enjoy reading a lot of different books; however, it is very rare for me to finish a book and feel amazed by what I read. I recommend books that I think others would enjoy all the time. I would more than recommend The Gaia Wars. I would tell you that you have to read these books.
This is a reprint from my blog Krazy Book Lady.
To be honest, I am not sure if this is a book that I would have chosen to read on my own. However, I am very glad that I did because both The Gaia Wars and Battle for Cascadia are some of the best I have read in a long time. I find it very interesting that Ken was inspired to write this story after reading an article written by a NASA scientist about The Gaia Hypothesis. I enjoy reading a lot of different books; however, it is very rare for me to finish a book and feel amazed by what I read. I recommend books that I think others would enjoy all the time. I would more than recommend The Gaia Wars. I would tell you that you have to read these books.
This is a reprint from my blog Krazy Book Lady.
March 6, 2012
I was extremely pleased with The Gaia Wars. From the first chapter I was sucked into Warren's story. The amount of detail put into creating the environment was great and it really helped to create the scenery surrounding the story. I loved the creativeness of the plot. I feel like it's a completely original adventure. Mr. Bennett has a wonderful imagination.
I enjoyed the combination of mythology and sci-fi. Using Gaia and bringing in other galaxies makes for a refreshing change from many young adult science fiction. I actually did some research into Gaia when I finished reading the book. I love books that get me interested in finding out new things.
And of course there are those characters that you love and those that you fear. It was interesting to have Uhlgoth actually join with Mr. Finley instead of just taking him over. It really showed what kind if person Mr. Finley was at heart.
Although I haven't been Warren's age for almost 10 years, I found that I could still relate with him. I remember what it was like to do something wrong and dreading the punishment even though it wasn't as bad in reality as I thought. It's nice to see a young kid that's in tune with nature in a society where technology rules. The fact that he and his uncle are so passionate about their environment makes me more aware of my own.
I'm very excited to start reading Battle for Cascadia, the second book in this series.
I won The Gaia Wars as well as Battle for Cascadia through the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
I enjoyed the combination of mythology and sci-fi. Using Gaia and bringing in other galaxies makes for a refreshing change from many young adult science fiction. I actually did some research into Gaia when I finished reading the book. I love books that get me interested in finding out new things.
And of course there are those characters that you love and those that you fear. It was interesting to have Uhlgoth actually join with Mr. Finley instead of just taking him over. It really showed what kind if person Mr. Finley was at heart.
Although I haven't been Warren's age for almost 10 years, I found that I could still relate with him. I remember what it was like to do something wrong and dreading the punishment even though it wasn't as bad in reality as I thought. It's nice to see a young kid that's in tune with nature in a society where technology rules. The fact that he and his uncle are so passionate about their environment makes me more aware of my own.
I'm very excited to start reading Battle for Cascadia, the second book in this series.
I won The Gaia Wars as well as Battle for Cascadia through the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
December 11, 2011
Warren Wilkes is a thirteen year old boy about to go on an adventure he never asked for. As a lover of all things nature, his life takes a turn when he pulls a prank on Todd Finley Jr., the school bully and son of a man bent on destroying hundreds of acres of wilderness for his housing development.
The following days are met with danger, excitement, and amazing discoveries into his past as well as the past of a local tribe of Native Americans. With the help of his friend, Sean, Warren searches for the secret that is revealed to him by a medallion lost for centuries.
This book has it all, action, excitement, adventure. The characters are believable and Kenneth G. Bennett has done an amazing job of creating a boy readers can connect with. Warren is flawed and yet responsible, a perfect mix of a boy on the verge of becoming a young man.
When I first joined this blog tour, it was because I found the cover and the blurb interesting. How much can one little thing change the life of a young boy? Well, almost the second I opened it up on my Kindle, I was hooked. The descriptions were vivid, painting an amazing picture in my mind’s eye.
The only complaint I have is with my husband who kept reading over my shoulder or stealing my Kindle to read The Gaia Wars himself. And for a man who is VERY picky about what he reads, that’s saying something=)
All in all, I give it 4 stars!
The following days are met with danger, excitement, and amazing discoveries into his past as well as the past of a local tribe of Native Americans. With the help of his friend, Sean, Warren searches for the secret that is revealed to him by a medallion lost for centuries.
This book has it all, action, excitement, adventure. The characters are believable and Kenneth G. Bennett has done an amazing job of creating a boy readers can connect with. Warren is flawed and yet responsible, a perfect mix of a boy on the verge of becoming a young man.
When I first joined this blog tour, it was because I found the cover and the blurb interesting. How much can one little thing change the life of a young boy? Well, almost the second I opened it up on my Kindle, I was hooked. The descriptions were vivid, painting an amazing picture in my mind’s eye.
The only complaint I have is with my husband who kept reading over my shoulder or stealing my Kindle to read The Gaia Wars himself. And for a man who is VERY picky about what he reads, that’s saying something=)
All in all, I give it 4 stars!
December 4, 2011
In short? A surprisingly good book with a twist i did not expect at all. I will try to review it without spoiling much because i would destroy the whole thing. One of the good things, this book has is its twists.
With simple yet captivating writing, the author create a page turner story. He manages to create a story with a character 13 years old and makes it believable. He puts in the adventurous side of the kids of that age but still keep some of the innocence and questions they have as well without making the character all mighty and wow. And in all that, a little magic is not that bad either right?
At the same time, creates a really unique story around nature and how people use it, mythology and...something else i'm not telling you obviously. The characters are also likeable and interesting, and it's easy to understand them and connect with them. Even if it's less than 300 pages, you still get a good image of the characters and what is going on with the story, and what will happen.
I finished Gaia Wars in one read and fast. It's compelling and it takes you in from the first to the last page. And even though, the characters are young, it can still be read by young adults and adults as well.
With simple yet captivating writing, the author create a page turner story. He manages to create a story with a character 13 years old and makes it believable. He puts in the adventurous side of the kids of that age but still keep some of the innocence and questions they have as well without making the character all mighty and wow. And in all that, a little magic is not that bad either right?
At the same time, creates a really unique story around nature and how people use it, mythology and...something else i'm not telling you obviously. The characters are also likeable and interesting, and it's easy to understand them and connect with them. Even if it's less than 300 pages, you still get a good image of the characters and what is going on with the story, and what will happen.
I finished Gaia Wars in one read and fast. It's compelling and it takes you in from the first to the last page. And even though, the characters are young, it can still be read by young adults and adults as well.
December 7, 2011
This Young Adult novel is set at Torch Lake in Clement Valley, America. Thirteen year old Warren Wilkes, an orphan who lives with his Uncle Dave, performs a mischievous act of sabotage, against his property developer neighbors, in revenge for the Finleys’ plans to spoil the natural environment.
Warren flees along the forest trails with Finley Snr. and Finley Jnr. in hot pursuit. Desperately trying to cover his tracks, Warren stumbles across something which takes him on an epic adventure into the realms of science, space and fantasy.
Caught up in a frightening world of robot-like clones, the young eco-warrior must fight to save both his own life and those of his fellow refugees.
Suspense-driven, in the style of Indiana Jones, this story kept my interest – with two exceptions: Big chunks of factual narrative, especially in the earlier part of the novel, slow the action. And Warren’s point of view doesn’t seem authentic sometimes. For example: I can’t envisage a 13 year old describing a room as "well appointed", or him thinking of a 35 year old woman as "young".
Overall, The Gaia Wars provides satisfying, pulse-racing entertainment. It finishes on a knife-edge of uncertainty… with a teaser – the first few pages of the sequel: Battle for Cascadia.
Warren flees along the forest trails with Finley Snr. and Finley Jnr. in hot pursuit. Desperately trying to cover his tracks, Warren stumbles across something which takes him on an epic adventure into the realms of science, space and fantasy.
Caught up in a frightening world of robot-like clones, the young eco-warrior must fight to save both his own life and those of his fellow refugees.
Suspense-driven, in the style of Indiana Jones, this story kept my interest – with two exceptions: Big chunks of factual narrative, especially in the earlier part of the novel, slow the action. And Warren’s point of view doesn’t seem authentic sometimes. For example: I can’t envisage a 13 year old describing a room as "well appointed", or him thinking of a 35 year old woman as "young".
Overall, The Gaia Wars provides satisfying, pulse-racing entertainment. It finishes on a knife-edge of uncertainty… with a teaser – the first few pages of the sequel: Battle for Cascadia.
December 7, 2011
I was really surprised that I finished this book in one sitting, I don't usually do that-don't usually have the time. The main character, Warren, drew me in from the start and his shockingly mature personality kept me reading. Although Warren may appear a troublemaker, the reader will quickly reconcile exactly why Warren is creating such trouble. The setting, a peaceful mountain community, was described vividly by the author, allowing the reader to really picture the setting and the events.
A developer has come to interrupt the silence of Warren's normally quiet community. Warren is not pleased and makes his feelings known. The plot thickens, however, when Warren stumbles upon some ancient bones...and something much more sinister. Warren must think on his feet and make quick decisions in order to keep his community safe.
As a character, Warren was easy to like. His intentions were mostly pure, he comes off as being mature yet still young and developing. The secondary characters were mostly fun to get to know, the antagonist was portrayed perfectly. This book is recommended for middle grade/teen readers.
A developer has come to interrupt the silence of Warren's normally quiet community. Warren is not pleased and makes his feelings known. The plot thickens, however, when Warren stumbles upon some ancient bones...and something much more sinister. Warren must think on his feet and make quick decisions in order to keep his community safe.
As a character, Warren was easy to like. His intentions were mostly pure, he comes off as being mature yet still young and developing. The secondary characters were mostly fun to get to know, the antagonist was portrayed perfectly. This book is recommended for middle grade/teen readers.
January 23, 2012
13-year-old Warren Wilkes is not your average teenage boy. Instead of sitting around playing video games, he'd rather be outside exploring his home in the Cascade Mountains. When a greedy developer comes along and threatens the home he loves so much, Warren Wilkes plays a prank that leads him to find an ancient skeleton and a mysterious artifact. Little does Warren know that everything he once knew to be true will come unraveled and his instincts will be tested when it comes to whom he should trust.
Overall the book was wonderful. The details in this novel paint a vivid picture for the reader, weaving them nicely throughout the story. Warren is a likable kid, and I was cheering him on as I clutched the book into the late night and early morning, desperate to find out what happened next. My only fault with Bennet's first installment is that it ended on such a steep cliffhanger. I feel that the end of the book could have been tied up a little more, but I think that's just my greedy nature while reading - I never want a good book to end.
Overall the book was wonderful. The details in this novel paint a vivid picture for the reader, weaving them nicely throughout the story. Warren is a likable kid, and I was cheering him on as I clutched the book into the late night and early morning, desperate to find out what happened next. My only fault with Bennet's first installment is that it ended on such a steep cliffhanger. I feel that the end of the book could have been tied up a little more, but I think that's just my greedy nature while reading - I never want a good book to end.
May 16, 2012
This was an exciting story from the very beginning. Well-written characters, great descriptive writing, and lots of action packed into this novel for young people.
The narrator was third person omnipresent and we saw the world mostly through the MC's eyes, with an occasional glimpse through the eyes of others. In the first chapter we see what appears to be the big picture, but we soon learn there is a much bigger picture, with some disturbing parallels to the original.
The pace is quick. The plot is interesting. The characters are fleshed out enough that a reader can easily keep track of everything, and not have to go back for clarification (as I've had to in a few recently read books).
My only complaint is that there is nowhere on the cover, nor title page that indicates that this is not a complete story. If I had not already had a copy of the second book, I would have been very unhappy to find that I'd have to search for book two as this one leaves the reader hanging.
I received this for free through the First-reads Give-a-way contest on Goodreads.
The narrator was third person omnipresent and we saw the world mostly through the MC's eyes, with an occasional glimpse through the eyes of others. In the first chapter we see what appears to be the big picture, but we soon learn there is a much bigger picture, with some disturbing parallels to the original.
The pace is quick. The plot is interesting. The characters are fleshed out enough that a reader can easily keep track of everything, and not have to go back for clarification (as I've had to in a few recently read books).
My only complaint is that there is nowhere on the cover, nor title page that indicates that this is not a complete story. If I had not already had a copy of the second book, I would have been very unhappy to find that I'd have to search for book two as this one leaves the reader hanging.
I received this for free through the First-reads Give-a-way contest on Goodreads.
October 18, 2011
"Gaia Wars" is amazing. I got sucked into the story within the first five pages and the pace and excitement made it tough to put down. Ken Bennett has created a very fresh take on the epic fantasy tale, so if you like Tolkien, CS Lewis, Harry Potter, and other "big" stories, you'll love "Gaia Wars."
Pros: Great concept, fast-pacing, detailed, evocative settings, interesting characters. The main character of Warren Wilkes has a lot of depth. In the first few pages, he didn't come off as very likable, but soon you realize what's driving him and he becomes very sympathetic.
Cons: So engrossing that I read it too quickly! Luckily, the second book in the series will be released soon.
Who might like it: certainly young adult readers -- especially boys who like fast-paced adventure stories. But since the book doesn't ever "talk down" to its readers, adults who enjoy fantasy with sci-fi overtones will like it too.
Pros: Great concept, fast-pacing, detailed, evocative settings, interesting characters. The main character of Warren Wilkes has a lot of depth. In the first few pages, he didn't come off as very likable, but soon you realize what's driving him and he becomes very sympathetic.
Cons: So engrossing that I read it too quickly! Luckily, the second book in the series will be released soon.
Who might like it: certainly young adult readers -- especially boys who like fast-paced adventure stories. But since the book doesn't ever "talk down" to its readers, adults who enjoy fantasy with sci-fi overtones will like it too.
February 10, 2012
This book is one of those rare gems that I didn't want to put down. I loved the story from the first few pages, and thought Warren was one of the most intelligent and environmentally conscious young persons that I have come across. I really enjoyed reading about his antics with the Finleys and what he found while running away from them. The story developed quickly from there and had lots of action and suspense. The only downside would be the cliffhanger at the end. If you don't have the next book, I think it would be a bit maddening but in a good way. Anyhow, I highly recommend it, and think both teenagers and adults will enjoy this book!
I just wanted to add that it was great to read about the Cascades too...it's been way too long since I last saw them, and this book brought back some good memories. :) This book was generously and kindly gifted to me by the author. I just wanted to say a BIG thank you for such a delightful surprise.
I just wanted to add that it was great to read about the Cascades too...it's been way too long since I last saw them, and this book brought back some good memories. :) This book was generously and kindly gifted to me by the author. I just wanted to say a BIG thank you for such a delightful surprise.
June 26, 2012
Absolutely fantastic! It included so many things that held my attention...aliens, war, danger, etc. And the vivid descriptions of the setting were amazing. Warren's love of his home sparks a careless prank that sets a whirlwind of events in motion.
Warren Wilkes, age 13, doesn’t like what a greedy housing developer has done to his peaceful mountain community, so he vandalizes the developer’s property, flees into the wild, and stumbles upon an ancient human skeleton revealed by torrential rain. More than old bones have been exposed, however, and the curious artifact Warren finds makes him question his own identity, and his connection to an ancient terror. A terror destined to rise again and annihilate all that Warren loves. He must fight or see his whole world destroyed.
This book will keep you on your toes wondering what could possibly happen next. I look forward to reading the sequel.
Warren Wilkes, age 13, doesn’t like what a greedy housing developer has done to his peaceful mountain community, so he vandalizes the developer’s property, flees into the wild, and stumbles upon an ancient human skeleton revealed by torrential rain. More than old bones have been exposed, however, and the curious artifact Warren finds makes him question his own identity, and his connection to an ancient terror. A terror destined to rise again and annihilate all that Warren loves. He must fight or see his whole world destroyed.
This book will keep you on your toes wondering what could possibly happen next. I look forward to reading the sequel.
September 9, 2012
This in an imaginative story carefully crafted by the author, Kenneth Bennett. His talented writing immediately drew me into the plot and in short order, I couldn't put it down. Although written for YA's, it is captivating and intriguing enough for a grandmother, like me. I thoroughly enjoyed the hero, Warren Wilkes and felt a close connection to his persona and his life. The remaining characters felt solidly real and fully developed, enabling me to feel like I was part of the action and adventure. Fast paced, thoroughly engrossing, and well worth the time! I haven't been this impressed since the first Harry Potter book came out & that's saying a great deal! Way to go Mr. Bennett, you have a hit here! Please continue writing, readers desperately need GREAT books and you seem to know how to put one together! It was sheer pleasure to read!
September 9, 2012
Just east of the Cascade mountains in Washington State lies an enchanted valley. This is a real place my family has spent many wonderful summer, as well as winter vacations in. And this valley is where this great story takes place. I love these books — the characters, the magical elements, and the wild setting I know so well. I'm so excited to see the series has been optioned for film. If you haven't had a chance to read them yet, be sure to get both, "The Gaia Wars" as well as the sequel, "Battle for Cascadia." Because as soon as you finish the first, you'll definitely want to have the second one in hand. And yes, they are classified as Young Adult, but if you're an adult who is young at heart, you're sure to fall in love, too. Check out the write-up in VARIETY: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118...
September 27, 2011
Another cool book for review from Bookroosters, just started it and its for middle and ya. It's terrific so far and I'm excited bc there isn't a whole lot out there for my eleven year old, avid reading son to read, seems my search is over and I know he will like this one. I worry about the content of all those Star Wars novels he reads, at least he just finished , To Kill a Mockingbird.
I finished this and thought it was great and went to try and find the second book but was unable to on Amazon, but what a better recommendation than buying the follow up book.
I finished this and thought it was great and went to try and find the second book but was unable to on Amazon, but what a better recommendation than buying the follow up book.
November 16, 2011
From the first to the last sentence there is action and adventure..
A great read for young adults. Kenneth is capable of sucking in the reader and not releasing until the last punctuation mark. You are able to take a small breathing and gather your energy for book two. Battle of Cascadia.
A great read for young adults. Kenneth is capable of sucking in the reader and not releasing until the last punctuation mark. You are able to take a small breathing and gather your energy for book two. Battle of Cascadia.
July 16, 2015
This is a great book for 4th and 5th grade students. There is adventure and intrigue that will appeal to this age group
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews