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The Imposed Path: The Gem Keepers Saga
I’ve been called Hero, Protector, even an Angel. But to act in this manner, there must be an act of brutal savagery. Sorrow, terror, pain is the Hero’s experience. To be a Hero means to live in a nightmare. My name is Emma, and this is my life now. I remember tales about heroes as a kid; full of excitement and fantasy endings. But those are just stories. When I got my powers they seemed exciting and fun; but then reality hit. Cosmic war, invading alien fleets, and the Stone Keepers; these are my reality. Those, and other atrocities caused by our own species, overshadow the hero’s path. Atrocities I’m compelled to act upon, which leave everlasting scars - others can’t see. Myself, my partner, and my new friends, are the latest chosen as Gem Keepers. All of the Gem Keepers before us have fallen to a powerful evil. Now, Earth is thrust into a timeless war, against an unimaginable enemy. We must somehow unite our world, or it will all be lost. The ones I love, those who bring me a sense of happiness, will perish. I refuse to let this happen. So call me a Hero, call me whatever you want. Just understand this was an Imposed Path, and it’s just the beginning. The Imposed Path is the first book in the Gem Keepers Saga. It follows Emma through her eyes, as she and her new friends are forced into a cosmic war. Powerful enemies, invading alien fleets, and the dark side of human nature; is what she must face. Emma's new found love, and friendships; will be her strongest tools in overcoming these challenges. This series will dive into the dark aftermath of Emma’s many experiences - the physical and emotional impact of being a hero. Pain, sorrow, and terror fill this journey; will love and friendship be enough. How much can a hero endure? Will she be able to keep her promise to the one she loves, and Never Let Go.
- GenresFantasy
434 pages, Hardcover
Published April 16, 2023
13 people are currently reading
846 people want to read
About the author
Timothy M. David
1 book9 followers“I can't believe The Imposed Path is just the first book in the Gem Keepers Saga and Timothy M. David's first novel. It's the best kind of science fiction. It's complex, brilliant, and wildly imaginative.” Emma Megan for Readers’ Favorite.
“Although science fiction is not my usual cup of tea, I have to say The Imposed Path is so well-written and beautifully structured that I immersed myself in the story with a genuine smile.“ Rosie Malezer for Readers’ Favorite
Timothy M. David is a recently retired 24 year veteran. He is an avid Sci-Fi and Comic Book fan, but enjoys horror fantasy and crime stories as well. As a hobby he would write short stories, and came up with the idea for the Gem Keepers Saga during his last overseas assignment. He enjoyed the characters and story so much, he started writing his first novel. What was expected to be a single novel, has now become an estimated seven part series. He has many other stories he would like to convert to novels, and make his author dream come true. He hopes people will enjoy his stories, and become fans of his work.
“Although science fiction is not my usual cup of tea, I have to say The Imposed Path is so well-written and beautifully structured that I immersed myself in the story with a genuine smile.“ Rosie Malezer for Readers’ Favorite
Timothy M. David is a recently retired 24 year veteran. He is an avid Sci-Fi and Comic Book fan, but enjoys horror fantasy and crime stories as well. As a hobby he would write short stories, and came up with the idea for the Gem Keepers Saga during his last overseas assignment. He enjoyed the characters and story so much, he started writing his first novel. What was expected to be a single novel, has now become an estimated seven part series. He has many other stories he would like to convert to novels, and make his author dream come true. He hopes people will enjoy his stories, and become fans of his work.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 18, 2023
GoodRead giveaway win.. good book
July 6, 2023
The Imposed Path: The Gem Keepers Saga, Book 1 is the debut novel by author Timothy M. David and, if you are a science fiction/fantasy fan, I must tell you that this book is for you. It is an amazing story that focuses not only on the best elements of science fiction but also puts a large focus on the physical and emotional pain that is involved in being a true hero.
The Imposed Path is the story of Emma and her new life as a hero. Emma starts out a normal teenager who has just lost her father and has moved to a new town where she feels that she will never fit in. Shortly after moving, Emma meets Natalie and begins an entirely new life full of love and acceptance. The two girls are trying to deal with so many new emotions and feelings when, all of a sudden, they are chosen and given a power that will save the world. In the beginning, they find their powers to be exciting and different and they revel in the fun and freedom that they seem to have been chosen for. Of course, with any change comes a harsh reality. These powers have turned them into heroes that are supposed to eventually save the world. To be a true hero, the girls believe, should be a glorious feeling. What it really is, as they quickly find out, is a nightmare filled with pain and fear that they must figure out how to live with.
The path that Emma, Natalie, and four other teenage heroes that they meet along the way must follow is one filled with sorrow, terror, at times, the joy of really making a difference in the world, and above all else, the knowledge that whatever the next fight may be, it could well mean their death. Along the way, these heroes fight, love, save lives, train with their mentor Mac, and work with the president and the military to try to save the world from those who want to destroy the “gem keepers.” While doing all of this they also attempt to be normal teenagers, which is possibly the hardest part of the task. In the beginning of the book Emma makes a promise to Natalie to “Never Let Go,” and it is one that she wants to keep more than anything else she has ever wanted in her life...the question is can she?
The Imposed Path is a well-written story with amazing and complex characters that the reader will quickly find themselves cheering for and becoming a part of. The tale itself is absolutely riveting and brilliant. Mr. David has an incredible imagination that comes through on each and every page. Whether he is writing about something tragic, such as the death of Emma’s father; something completely out of this world, such as aliens and portals; or something completely normal to any teenager, such as the confusion of a new love and a new place; this author is spot-on in his descriptions of the horror, the sadness, and the challenge that each of these characters faces.
One thing that must be said, and there is a warning in the beginning of the book, is that the story deals with some very harsh realities that are parts of our world such as mass shootings, nuclear weapons, sexual orientation, and others. Every bit of the writing surrounding these events is done so very well, but if these topics are things that the reader might not be okay with, then care should be taken in deciding whether or not to read the story.
The Imposed Path, in this reviewer’s opinion, is well worth the time spent in reading it. It is a story and characters that you will remember long after you close the book. This story will truly touch your heart and make you route for these heroes, their love for each other, and their attempt to destroy some very evil things.
Quill says: The Imposed Path: The Gem Keepers Saga, Book 1 is a riveting and amazing adventure that will leave any reader longing for the next installment. All I can say to this author is that I have become a huge fan already, as I am sure any reader will, and I am anxiously awaiting the next installment to see what happens to Emma, Natalie, and all of the other people in book 2.
The Imposed Path is the story of Emma and her new life as a hero. Emma starts out a normal teenager who has just lost her father and has moved to a new town where she feels that she will never fit in. Shortly after moving, Emma meets Natalie and begins an entirely new life full of love and acceptance. The two girls are trying to deal with so many new emotions and feelings when, all of a sudden, they are chosen and given a power that will save the world. In the beginning, they find their powers to be exciting and different and they revel in the fun and freedom that they seem to have been chosen for. Of course, with any change comes a harsh reality. These powers have turned them into heroes that are supposed to eventually save the world. To be a true hero, the girls believe, should be a glorious feeling. What it really is, as they quickly find out, is a nightmare filled with pain and fear that they must figure out how to live with.
The path that Emma, Natalie, and four other teenage heroes that they meet along the way must follow is one filled with sorrow, terror, at times, the joy of really making a difference in the world, and above all else, the knowledge that whatever the next fight may be, it could well mean their death. Along the way, these heroes fight, love, save lives, train with their mentor Mac, and work with the president and the military to try to save the world from those who want to destroy the “gem keepers.” While doing all of this they also attempt to be normal teenagers, which is possibly the hardest part of the task. In the beginning of the book Emma makes a promise to Natalie to “Never Let Go,” and it is one that she wants to keep more than anything else she has ever wanted in her life...the question is can she?
The Imposed Path is a well-written story with amazing and complex characters that the reader will quickly find themselves cheering for and becoming a part of. The tale itself is absolutely riveting and brilliant. Mr. David has an incredible imagination that comes through on each and every page. Whether he is writing about something tragic, such as the death of Emma’s father; something completely out of this world, such as aliens and portals; or something completely normal to any teenager, such as the confusion of a new love and a new place; this author is spot-on in his descriptions of the horror, the sadness, and the challenge that each of these characters faces.
One thing that must be said, and there is a warning in the beginning of the book, is that the story deals with some very harsh realities that are parts of our world such as mass shootings, nuclear weapons, sexual orientation, and others. Every bit of the writing surrounding these events is done so very well, but if these topics are things that the reader might not be okay with, then care should be taken in deciding whether or not to read the story.
The Imposed Path, in this reviewer’s opinion, is well worth the time spent in reading it. It is a story and characters that you will remember long after you close the book. This story will truly touch your heart and make you route for these heroes, their love for each other, and their attempt to destroy some very evil things.
Quill says: The Imposed Path: The Gem Keepers Saga, Book 1 is a riveting and amazing adventure that will leave any reader longing for the next installment. All I can say to this author is that I have become a huge fan already, as I am sure any reader will, and I am anxiously awaiting the next installment to see what happens to Emma, Natalie, and all of the other people in book 2.
July 5, 2023
With the arrival of The Stone Keepers, a formidable and potent force that seeks out their enemies with relentless determination, the stakes have never been higher. Their latest objective: Earth. The protagonist of Timothy M. David’s novel, The Imposed Path, is young Emma, a girl grappling with her father’s loss and the isolating circumstances of her small-town existence. Her comforting anchors are her mother and newfound love, Natalie. Yet, life has more in store for her; she is tasked with the enormous responsibility of either saving her world or witnessing the annihilation of all she cherishes. This novel is a riveting, action-filled saga that takes readers through Emma and Natalie’s transformation from dealing with high school bullies to becoming the universe’s saviors.
David’s storytelling prowess shines through in his creation of an engaging and diverse ensemble of characters. Each member of the six central figures, the Gem Keepers, is imbued with their own distinct traits and characteristics, making their interactions and dialogues genuinely pleasurable to follow. The universe of the Gem Keepers is richly textured, filled with intriguing lore and complex world-building. However, there are moments when the sheer volume of information can be daunting. Readers might find themselves struggling occasionally to assimilate the intricate details while keeping pace with the rapidly evolving plot. It’s worth highlighting David’s admirable endeavor to include LGBT+ themes in his narrative – a gesture still relatively uncommon within the science fiction genre. The novel not only welcomes queer readers but also acknowledges and celebrates their identity.
The Imposed Path is an excellent choice for aficionados of science fiction who appreciate fresh and broad-ranging concepts. While those new to the genre might find it initially challenging to fully immerse themselves in this carefully crafted universe, the endeavor is rewarding. Despite instances where the characters’ emotions felt somewhat superficial and disconnected, the overall reading journey was an immensely enjoyable one. It has left me eagerly awaiting the opportunity to delve into David’s future works.
David’s storytelling prowess shines through in his creation of an engaging and diverse ensemble of characters. Each member of the six central figures, the Gem Keepers, is imbued with their own distinct traits and characteristics, making their interactions and dialogues genuinely pleasurable to follow. The universe of the Gem Keepers is richly textured, filled with intriguing lore and complex world-building. However, there are moments when the sheer volume of information can be daunting. Readers might find themselves struggling occasionally to assimilate the intricate details while keeping pace with the rapidly evolving plot. It’s worth highlighting David’s admirable endeavor to include LGBT+ themes in his narrative – a gesture still relatively uncommon within the science fiction genre. The novel not only welcomes queer readers but also acknowledges and celebrates their identity.
The Imposed Path is an excellent choice for aficionados of science fiction who appreciate fresh and broad-ranging concepts. While those new to the genre might find it initially challenging to fully immerse themselves in this carefully crafted universe, the endeavor is rewarding. Despite instances where the characters’ emotions felt somewhat superficial and disconnected, the overall reading journey was an immensely enjoyable one. It has left me eagerly awaiting the opportunity to delve into David’s future works.
December 14, 2023
Incredibly long saga (and this was just book one!) centering around six teenage girls chosen by gems to be protectors of the universe. This was so, so long...mind-numbingly long. Yet in all of these pages, the girls never get "real" personalities. These don't "sound" like teenage girls, and each girl is paired with another from the group in a relationship but it's clear this author has no idea how to write lesbian relationships. The story could have been interesting but too much is going on in this book to keep my interest up--and a good deal of ghostwriting would be needed to make these characters actually sound and act like human girls. The LONG story plods along page after page and is so hokey most of that time This will not be a series I continue with.
May 20, 2023
I couldn't put the book down! Such a fun read and I love how it bounces between small scale details and large big picture viewing of events. Great job!
February 24, 2025
Complete drivel. And poorly written drivel, too.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews