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The Secret Watchers #1
Visions
Welcome to the world of Owen Ryer and The Secret Watchers. What would you do if you suddenly discovered that you could not only sense dark energy but individuals with evil in their hearts? What if you were given hints about horrible things that had already happened and you had no choice but to fix them? What if these things you were driven to do were not only dangerous but had to be concealed? Who could you trust with this perilous secret? How would you handle homework and chores when you felt like the weight of the world rested on your shoulders? Owen feels he has no choice... What would you do? Would you have the courage to try?
In Visions (The Secret Watchers, Book One) fourteen-year-old Owen Ryer hates school and his life in general, but dreams that there must be something more... until he is irrevocably drawn to a watch in an old pawnshop that unlocks his amazing and unexpected gift. Now it’s a race to see if Owen can master his special ability before the dark watchers destroy or turn him to the side of evil and chaos.
You will experience Owen’s confusion, frustration and compassion as he discovers that it is demanding enough just to be a teenager, let alone have a secret as big as the one he is burdened with. Who should he trust? Who can help him? Typically watchers work alone but Owen is the next generation - should he be the one to challenge the rules?
Everyone needs a hero and sometimes the best ones are the unintentional ones. Owen is that kind of guy as he searches for purpose, acceptance and morality. He isn’t perfect, he doesn’t always do things right, but he has the greater good at heart – always.
You are invited to follow Owen as he journeys through the darkest walk he has ever taken; where he captures glimpses of the underbelly of society, a place he never knew existed and didn’t want to see. After you read Visions, will you be looking under your bed and double checking your closet? Please enter the Secret Watchers universe if you dare but beware – you may be sucked right into the good versus evil suspense of jaw-clenching action and never want to leave.
In Visions (The Secret Watchers, Book One) fourteen-year-old Owen Ryer hates school and his life in general, but dreams that there must be something more... until he is irrevocably drawn to a watch in an old pawnshop that unlocks his amazing and unexpected gift. Now it’s a race to see if Owen can master his special ability before the dark watchers destroy or turn him to the side of evil and chaos.
You will experience Owen’s confusion, frustration and compassion as he discovers that it is demanding enough just to be a teenager, let alone have a secret as big as the one he is burdened with. Who should he trust? Who can help him? Typically watchers work alone but Owen is the next generation - should he be the one to challenge the rules?
Everyone needs a hero and sometimes the best ones are the unintentional ones. Owen is that kind of guy as he searches for purpose, acceptance and morality. He isn’t perfect, he doesn’t always do things right, but he has the greater good at heart – always.
You are invited to follow Owen as he journeys through the darkest walk he has ever taken; where he captures glimpses of the underbelly of society, a place he never knew existed and didn’t want to see. After you read Visions, will you be looking under your bed and double checking your closet? Please enter the Secret Watchers universe if you dare but beware – you may be sucked right into the good versus evil suspense of jaw-clenching action and never want to leave.
427 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2012
5 people are currently reading
2427 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 2, 2013
OMG. It’s over? I’m out of pages? I’m out of words? I NEED to know what happens next. I NEED to spend more time with these characters. Please.....
This novel is impeccably well written, insightful and speaks to the reader on a whole new level. Klever employs some awesome first person descriptions that catch you right away without the reader noticing that you are being filled in with lots of background information. Everything is written with such realism that you cannot help but become emotionally involved in the story.
The characters in this novel are great. They not only talk the way that a normal person would, but also think in the same terms. This adds not only realism to the characters but also adds to the distinct flow of the novel as a whole. I also enjoy that most of the characters in the novel have a good work ethic. Klever skips over having a cast of well off youths running around without responsibilities, replacing them with individuals who have to help out and do so (semi)willingly. The supporting characters in this novel are all well developed enough to stand on their own and are more developed than many main characters in other novels.
I absolutely love the fact that each and every thought that pops into the main character’s head is part of the story. It helps you learn so much more about him than a regular narrative description would. You learn about his psyche, not just his appearance and general personality traits. Because the story is written in the first person, these added thoughts never disrupt the smooth flow of the story. This also helps illustrate how strong a main character Klever has developed. You also see him struggle with his feeling and drawing relationship boundaries. This is an anomaly for many YA books, and was very interesting to see it from a male perspective. The main character is also extremely strong, both as a very well developed presence in the novel and as a person. I couldn’t picture being in half the circumstances that this character faces on a daily basis. He juggles coming of age, with family issues, along with his gift. And he does so while remaining calm, focussed, and being there for those that he loves as well as individuals that he has never met.
This novel is a coming of age story with a bit of a supernatural twist that leads to a young main character who is more grown up than many adults (to the extent that at times I forgot how old, or rather how young, he really is). It was a phenomenal story that I wish had never ended. I want to continue on the journey with these characters for a good long while yet.
This novel is impeccably well written, insightful and speaks to the reader on a whole new level. Klever employs some awesome first person descriptions that catch you right away without the reader noticing that you are being filled in with lots of background information. Everything is written with such realism that you cannot help but become emotionally involved in the story.
The characters in this novel are great. They not only talk the way that a normal person would, but also think in the same terms. This adds not only realism to the characters but also adds to the distinct flow of the novel as a whole. I also enjoy that most of the characters in the novel have a good work ethic. Klever skips over having a cast of well off youths running around without responsibilities, replacing them with individuals who have to help out and do so (semi)willingly. The supporting characters in this novel are all well developed enough to stand on their own and are more developed than many main characters in other novels.
I absolutely love the fact that each and every thought that pops into the main character’s head is part of the story. It helps you learn so much more about him than a regular narrative description would. You learn about his psyche, not just his appearance and general personality traits. Because the story is written in the first person, these added thoughts never disrupt the smooth flow of the story. This also helps illustrate how strong a main character Klever has developed. You also see him struggle with his feeling and drawing relationship boundaries. This is an anomaly for many YA books, and was very interesting to see it from a male perspective. The main character is also extremely strong, both as a very well developed presence in the novel and as a person. I couldn’t picture being in half the circumstances that this character faces on a daily basis. He juggles coming of age, with family issues, along with his gift. And he does so while remaining calm, focussed, and being there for those that he loves as well as individuals that he has never met.
This novel is a coming of age story with a bit of a supernatural twist that leads to a young main character who is more grown up than many adults (to the extent that at times I forgot how old, or rather how young, he really is). It was a phenomenal story that I wish had never ended. I want to continue on the journey with these characters for a good long while yet.
September 24, 2014
I love a book about an unassuming hero. Owen is that kind of guy. He does what he has to do because he knows it's the right thing to do. He is one to stand up for the innocent and weak. He puts his whole heart into each situation he finds himself thrust into. He would sacrifice himself before he'd let harm come to his friends or family. Some would call him a superhero but Owen would say, "I'm just an ordinary guy."
Visit the website at http://www.thesecretwatchers.com
Visit the website at http://www.thesecretwatchers.com
February 8, 2013
I absolutely love this series of books by Lauren Klever. The writing in this book is- well i dont know any other way to phrase it, except that its written the way Moms actually talk to their kids and the language that is used by the teenagers in the book, is reality. Visions grabs you at the beginning when you actually smile when you read what Owen is really thinking as he is answering his mom. This is the story of Owen Ryer, his friends, his family and how the courage and right influences in a young mans life take him on a journey that he never imagined he would go on. Owen sees and feels thing differently than the rest of the people in his life and he has to learn to deal with it. Its refreshing to see the insecurities and obstacles Owen has to overcome on a daily basis just as any teenager would. Its wonderful that we are given a glimpse of the amazing relationship Owen shares with his mom. The storyline pulls you in and keeps you in a state of suspense, wondering what is going to happen in Owens life next as a Secret Watcher and how he is going to handle it. The descriptive writing style in Visions was eloquently done and pulled me in even more , providing the feeling of not just reading but seeing the actions take place in my mind as if it were a movie. I could vividly picture the characters, feel their excitement when a plan came together , the happiness when the characters made a difference in someones life and the uncertainty of what was happening next. The suspense factor was great, because just when i thought i had it figured out what was happening next , i would be wrong and Lauren would sweep me away with Owen on an even more exciting adventure. If you want to be swept away on an adventure then pick up this book and begin the exciting adventure with Owen Ryer, his family and friends and find out what exactly a Secret Watcher is. I promise you wont be disappointed. Thank you Lauren for providing a story about a family and friends that become a family,a love story and adventure with some mystery thrown in that will definitely keep your reader on the edge of their seat.
September 10, 2013
Visions (The Secret Watchers) is one of those rare stories that actually transports you to another world. From the beginning you become part of Owen Ryer's world, experiencing all of his confusion, frustration and compassion as he searches for purpose, acceptance and morality. The author manages to take a familiar plot; teenager discovering a previously unknown special talent, and bring a whole new slant to the formula with exemplary character development, jaw-clenching action and a good vs. evil suspense that will keep the pages turning until the very end!
We are treated to a new sort of young adult fantasy that does not involve warewolves, vampires or witches. Klever has created a new bread of heroes that readers will immediately fall in love with and will not want to let go! This book will root itself in your mind and asks some very intriguing questions about morality, courage, trust and friendship.
I LOVED this book and cannot wait to read the rest of the series!
We are treated to a new sort of young adult fantasy that does not involve warewolves, vampires or witches. Klever has created a new bread of heroes that readers will immediately fall in love with and will not want to let go! This book will root itself in your mind and asks some very intriguing questions about morality, courage, trust and friendship.
I LOVED this book and cannot wait to read the rest of the series!
April 11, 2012
This was one of those books that you can't put down. It was well written and exciting in all of the right places. As someone who teaches self-defense, and who has seen a LOT of action movies, I can tell you that her descriptions of the fighting were spot on! The author captured the chaos of a fight and moved it along quickly so that it wasn't bogged down by being written. Very well done! I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
December 26, 2012
I was truly impressed. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this blew my socks off. I was amazed by the way the story and characters drew me in and held me captive from the first sentence until the last. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series. Young Owen has difficult choices to make and he does so with courage and grace. He is someone for young folks everywhere to look up to an aspire to be.
October 6, 2012
A must read! There is power in this riveting debut novel, Visions, book one of The Secret Watchers series! It immediately grabs you and holds you prisoner to the end. Warning: Don't start it late at night.
It may have been intended for teen audiences, but I found it extremely appealing and would recommend it for tweens through the senior set! Lauren's use of charismatic yet compassionate characters from age eleven on covers three generations and her understanding of these age groups shines through. Folks from the Pacific Northwest area will recognize many Portland Metropolitan locales, adding to the fun! I am sitting up and begging for more! I have grown attached to the captivating Owen Ryer, his mentor White Eagle and his other friends so I'm dying to see what happens next! Perhaps that was a bad choice of words? Maybe I should have said, I anxiously await Whispers, book two!!! I wonder... will Owen be able to use his amazing gift to continue to conquer evil and darkness? He has only begun his journey on the darker side of life - who will come for him next? I’m hooked!
It may have been intended for teen audiences, but I found it extremely appealing and would recommend it for tweens through the senior set! Lauren's use of charismatic yet compassionate characters from age eleven on covers three generations and her understanding of these age groups shines through. Folks from the Pacific Northwest area will recognize many Portland Metropolitan locales, adding to the fun! I am sitting up and begging for more! I have grown attached to the captivating Owen Ryer, his mentor White Eagle and his other friends so I'm dying to see what happens next! Perhaps that was a bad choice of words? Maybe I should have said, I anxiously await Whispers, book two!!! I wonder... will Owen be able to use his amazing gift to continue to conquer evil and darkness? He has only begun his journey on the darker side of life - who will come for him next? I’m hooked!
November 23, 2012
Very good read!! As an avid reader of a wide variety of authors (Ken Follett to David McCullough), books (Ghost Wars to The Walking Drum) and genres (fantasy to current events), I'm always on the lookout for a good story. Visions is just that. The story was engrossing and captivating. I found myself experiencing a range of emotions from anger to joy, sadness to pride. I'm ready for the next book!!!
November 17, 2012
What A wonderful story. I just finished "Visions (The Secret Watchers, #1). I could hardly put it down! I kept finding myself anxiously waiting until I could pick it up again to find out what happened next. Owen is charming, and very compelling. Watching him mature and grow before your very eyes. He is a strong, and faithful, yet humble hero. He is supported by a close knit group of Family and Friends who will support him until the very end.
This is listed as a young adult book. I am, a little older than that, and was still captivated by the charactors, and all they were going through. I can not wait to get book #2!
Great Job Lauren!
This is listed as a young adult book. I am, a little older than that, and was still captivated by the charactors, and all they were going through. I can not wait to get book #2!
Great Job Lauren!
June 9, 2013
I love how this book moves right along. The action is portrayed in a realistic way and I like that. I also enjoyed the way that the characters are developed. I could relate to them and found that, in no time, I genuinely liked them. READ THIS BOOK - YOU WON'T BE SORRY!!!
November 19, 2012
Amazing book! I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and getting to know Owen in this first book! I look forward to reading more about him in future books! GREAT writing Lauren!!!
January 24, 2013
I absolutely loved this story. I could not put it down. Owen is one outstanding guy. I cannot wait to read the second book in the secret Watchers Series.
February 16, 2013
When I first signed up to read this book I didn't expect to really enjoy it. I was mainly thinking that while I might not enjoy it the book my turn out to be something my teenage sons would enjoy. I often have a hard time with books where the main character is a young teenage boy. I know that sounds horrible but to me those books seem to lack any depth. It is all about the boy trying to be a hero and save the world, no back story, no chance to really get to know the characters beyond their struggle to fulfill their calling. As bad as this sounds I really think that it all comes down to the fact that boys and girls have very different things that they like in books. I like to read books where I feel like I really get to know the character and fall in love with them. Boys don't care about that, they want all the action and facts.
Turns out I was completely wrong about this book. I loved it! It did have the normal teenage boy/hero story line but the author also took the time to introduce the characters and I was able to feel like I really knew and understood them. All of the characters were amazing and I ended up loving all of them. The main character, Owen, is such a good kid and as a mother I thought he was a perfect hero for any boy to look up to. His friends are also good kids. It is so refreshing to have a book where the main characters are truly good people.
Don't start to worry that this book won't appeal to boys! There is a lot of action in this book. In fact one of the action parts is pretty intense. When the boys aren't fighting bad guys they are training to fight them so there is always something happening to keep your attention. There is even a little bit of love sprinkled in once the girls start to notice Owen and his friends. There is even a damsel in distress part where Owen must fight to save the girl he cares about.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great story, especially to moms looking for books for their pre-teen/teen boys. In fact this book would be just as appealing to girls. If you take the time to read this book you will not be disappointed and it will leave you anxiously waiting for book two, just like I am.
Turns out I was completely wrong about this book. I loved it! It did have the normal teenage boy/hero story line but the author also took the time to introduce the characters and I was able to feel like I really knew and understood them. All of the characters were amazing and I ended up loving all of them. The main character, Owen, is such a good kid and as a mother I thought he was a perfect hero for any boy to look up to. His friends are also good kids. It is so refreshing to have a book where the main characters are truly good people.
Don't start to worry that this book won't appeal to boys! There is a lot of action in this book. In fact one of the action parts is pretty intense. When the boys aren't fighting bad guys they are training to fight them so there is always something happening to keep your attention. There is even a little bit of love sprinkled in once the girls start to notice Owen and his friends. There is even a damsel in distress part where Owen must fight to save the girl he cares about.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great story, especially to moms looking for books for their pre-teen/teen boys. In fact this book would be just as appealing to girls. If you take the time to read this book you will not be disappointed and it will leave you anxiously waiting for book two, just like I am.
February 15, 2013
Owen Ryer is not your normal teenager, and Visions is not your normal novel. In a world of formulaic, screenplay-ready books of superheroes versus supervillains, Visions breaks the mold and dares to let its story roam at its own pace. It's refreshing. Don't get me wrong. The farther into the story you get, the more you begin to realize that Owen is that mystical superhero, and out there must be the equivalent supervillain--but it takes a step away from your average Good vs. Evil story arc to take its time and give you a glimpse into a young teen's life as he discovers purpose.
Visions is, at its core, a coming-of-age novel. We watch Owen grow from page one--starting out as an apathetic and bored teen--slowly turn into a mature team leader that is willing to put his life on the line for others. By the time I got three-fourths of the way through the book I stopped and took a look back, realizing just how much Owen had changed. This character developement really shines, and for those around Owen it is infectious. He pulls people up around him, creating a team of danger-ready individuals. This is of course impossible without his mentor, White Eagle, who has to be one of the coolest archetypal-mentor-types in YA right now.
The book is not without its flaws. The first chapter had me worried, as Owen began his average school day with loads of narration that went off on rabbit trails that might lose the attention of less patient readers. In hindsight, I think this was less of bad writing and more of well laid out character developement. While Owen's voice itself stays consistent throughout the book and he goes off on a few more rabbit trails that lost me, his tone changes--deepens, if you will--as his character truly begins to grow up and realize what is important in his life.
As well, the dialogue threw me a couple of times. It seemed every character spoke clearly and was able to ask/answer multiple questions of each other in a single paragraph. I kept waiting for the moment when someone would miss a beat of conversation, which happened only a couple of times in the book. Even when in heated arguments that some people would get tongue-tied in, every character seems able to communicate in a clear and nice manner. However, I think this is balanced out by the fact that Owen has trouble starting certain conversations with girls at school and with his father makes up for this.
Overall, the complaints are minimal, and a book that you slowly fall in love with even while noticing its flaws is one of the most remarkable reads. I think Visions deserves--truly deserves--all five stars for taking its time to tell a true character story, and not just a screenplay-ready Good vs. Evil story. Klever has crafted a book that took me back to a time when I was reading several books a month, reminding me why I love to read in the first place. I was genuinely peeved when I flipped that last page and realized I was at the end, and will most certainly be following up on this series to see how Owen and his friends & fam will continue to grow.
Visions is, at its core, a coming-of-age novel. We watch Owen grow from page one--starting out as an apathetic and bored teen--slowly turn into a mature team leader that is willing to put his life on the line for others. By the time I got three-fourths of the way through the book I stopped and took a look back, realizing just how much Owen had changed. This character developement really shines, and for those around Owen it is infectious. He pulls people up around him, creating a team of danger-ready individuals. This is of course impossible without his mentor, White Eagle, who has to be one of the coolest archetypal-mentor-types in YA right now.
The book is not without its flaws. The first chapter had me worried, as Owen began his average school day with loads of narration that went off on rabbit trails that might lose the attention of less patient readers. In hindsight, I think this was less of bad writing and more of well laid out character developement. While Owen's voice itself stays consistent throughout the book and he goes off on a few more rabbit trails that lost me, his tone changes--deepens, if you will--as his character truly begins to grow up and realize what is important in his life.
As well, the dialogue threw me a couple of times. It seemed every character spoke clearly and was able to ask/answer multiple questions of each other in a single paragraph. I kept waiting for the moment when someone would miss a beat of conversation, which happened only a couple of times in the book. Even when in heated arguments that some people would get tongue-tied in, every character seems able to communicate in a clear and nice manner. However, I think this is balanced out by the fact that Owen has trouble starting certain conversations with girls at school and with his father makes up for this.
Overall, the complaints are minimal, and a book that you slowly fall in love with even while noticing its flaws is one of the most remarkable reads. I think Visions deserves--truly deserves--all five stars for taking its time to tell a true character story, and not just a screenplay-ready Good vs. Evil story. Klever has crafted a book that took me back to a time when I was reading several books a month, reminding me why I love to read in the first place. I was genuinely peeved when I flipped that last page and realized I was at the end, and will most certainly be following up on this series to see how Owen and his friends & fam will continue to grow.
May 21, 2013
I loved this book. The main character and secondary characters are very likeable and readers can related to them. This is a current day story with a paranormal twist. I love how the author blended reality and fantasy together much like the world of Harry Potter. Anyone who likes young adult books, adventure stories or coming of age novels should give Visions, The Secret Watchers a read! I bet you'll love it too!
April 8, 2014
I loved this book. I must admit that I love innocent hearted heroes, even when they make constant mistakes with personal relationships. I found it a really enjoyable read with loads of action, physical and of the heart. It was mostly an easy read which I thought flowed really well together.
Owen’s (the main character/hero) gifts/talents seemed to be a mixture of marital arts, psychic visions (from the past) and adding a mixture of Native American culture.
I’ve learnt something too ☺ I am now familiar with a saying we don’t use here in Australia, which is used regularly in the book of ‘Riding Shotgun.’
In the first couple of chapters there seemed to be a little excess information in certain parts thrown at the reader. This didn’t seem necessary, which made it a little tedious, however after this it has the feeling that the author relaxed more into the storyline and I did not find this happening throughout the remainder of the book.
The only other minor complaint was that it didn’t really seem to finish. I know that it is the first book of several of a brilliant series, but it just seemed like it was closing a chapter not completing a book. It needed a little more of a finish in my eyes.
These minor little picks do not take away from my feeling of the book overall and I would definitely recommend this book. It is a start to a wonderful series.
Owen’s (the main character/hero) gifts/talents seemed to be a mixture of marital arts, psychic visions (from the past) and adding a mixture of Native American culture.
I’ve learnt something too ☺ I am now familiar with a saying we don’t use here in Australia, which is used regularly in the book of ‘Riding Shotgun.’
In the first couple of chapters there seemed to be a little excess information in certain parts thrown at the reader. This didn’t seem necessary, which made it a little tedious, however after this it has the feeling that the author relaxed more into the storyline and I did not find this happening throughout the remainder of the book.
The only other minor complaint was that it didn’t really seem to finish. I know that it is the first book of several of a brilliant series, but it just seemed like it was closing a chapter not completing a book. It needed a little more of a finish in my eyes.
These minor little picks do not take away from my feeling of the book overall and I would definitely recommend this book. It is a start to a wonderful series.
June 12, 2013
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review and let me just start off with.........WOW!!! I loved this unique story about a young boy named , Owen Ryer, his family and his friends. It all starts with a visit to the pawn shop, owned by his friend's uncle. A place he'd visited many times but this visit is the one that changes his life. There is action, adventure, mystery, suspense and best of all love. The love of family, friends and his crush.
Owen is a typical middle school boy who finds himself and his loved ones in dangerous situations as he learns and hones his gift. It's the battle of good vs bad.
Lauren Klever did an amazing job with this story. The characters are well written and the story has a great flow to it. She moves you from one battle to the next without a hiccup in the story. I found my heart racing with Owen's as he has his first nightmare. I celebrated with him when he got the upper hand. I felt his mother's heartache when evil trumped good. I squirmed in my seat as he goes on his 1st movie date. To say I loved this book is an understatement. I can't wait until I have a chance to read her 2nd book in the series, Whispers.
Owen is a typical middle school boy who finds himself and his loved ones in dangerous situations as he learns and hones his gift. It's the battle of good vs bad.
Lauren Klever did an amazing job with this story. The characters are well written and the story has a great flow to it. She moves you from one battle to the next without a hiccup in the story. I found my heart racing with Owen's as he has his first nightmare. I celebrated with him when he got the upper hand. I felt his mother's heartache when evil trumped good. I squirmed in my seat as he goes on his 1st movie date. To say I loved this book is an understatement. I can't wait until I have a chance to read her 2nd book in the series, Whispers.
February 5, 2013
Lauren Klever’s first volume of The Secret Watchers series, Visions, introduces us to 14-year-old Owen Ryer just before he discovers his gift visualizing who has touched an object and what those people have done with it. This is hardly trivial when being drawn to a pencil in the school hallway (another part of the gift) he realizes that the boy who owns it is being bullied by another boy and he has to do something about it.
This is not an action-filled novel the way many fantasy novels are but more of a Bildungsroman (Formation novel.) That’s the 18th & 19th century German idea of a coming-of-age novel, much weightier than the contemporary genre. The emphasis is not on plot or suspense but on the overall development of the main character emotionally, intellectually & spiritually. This means that the plot is not structured by (or at least not unified) by problems like one bad guy or group of bad guys posing a specific problem that has to be solved by the final page. As a result, the plot is quite episodic & the only real unifying focus (but a strong one here) is the development of Owen Ryer as he learns to come to terms with his gift and grow into it with some urgency. With that said, I think the novel would have been stronger if one of the episodes had created a stronger and more-lasting focus for the plot.
Owen is surrounded by several people in his life, his family and friends who play important roles in the book & in Owen’s development. Owen’s gift & its complications pose challenges, especially to his parents & closest friends who are made privy to it & their own developments add depth and interest to this novel. Own becomes so mature in many ways both physically and emotionally that younger readers might have trouble identifying with him, but he is certainly someone to look up to. Owen does have his weaknesses. His intellectual abilities are average and he is even more inept with handling the girls in his life than his closest friends who act more consistently like normal eighth-graders, though he does try to be sensitive with them and these girls have their own problems.
For the reader whose interest can be sustained primarily by character development and is interested in serious moral issues, this book is a good match.
This is not an action-filled novel the way many fantasy novels are but more of a Bildungsroman (Formation novel.) That’s the 18th & 19th century German idea of a coming-of-age novel, much weightier than the contemporary genre. The emphasis is not on plot or suspense but on the overall development of the main character emotionally, intellectually & spiritually. This means that the plot is not structured by (or at least not unified) by problems like one bad guy or group of bad guys posing a specific problem that has to be solved by the final page. As a result, the plot is quite episodic & the only real unifying focus (but a strong one here) is the development of Owen Ryer as he learns to come to terms with his gift and grow into it with some urgency. With that said, I think the novel would have been stronger if one of the episodes had created a stronger and more-lasting focus for the plot.
Owen is surrounded by several people in his life, his family and friends who play important roles in the book & in Owen’s development. Owen’s gift & its complications pose challenges, especially to his parents & closest friends who are made privy to it & their own developments add depth and interest to this novel. Own becomes so mature in many ways both physically and emotionally that younger readers might have trouble identifying with him, but he is certainly someone to look up to. Owen does have his weaknesses. His intellectual abilities are average and he is even more inept with handling the girls in his life than his closest friends who act more consistently like normal eighth-graders, though he does try to be sensitive with them and these girls have their own problems.
For the reader whose interest can be sustained primarily by character development and is interested in serious moral issues, this book is a good match.
February 28, 2013
I received a copy of this book for an honest review through a read and review group on Goodreads.
This book was better than I expected. I loved getting to know the main characters, especially Owen. He's a great hero to root for, and you can't help but like him. After being drawn to a watch in a pawnshop owned by his friend's uncle, Owen's special ability unlocks. He can sense people's evil intentions and sets out to stop these people from acting on their thoughts.
Owen has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and he's only fourteen. Not only does he have to worry about the issues that go along with being a teenager, but he also must keep his ability secret, train to develop and control his ability, deal with his parents' marriage falling apart, and on top of all of this, he has a crush on his friend, Lucie. No wonder he feels like he has so much weight on his shoulders!
Though Owen has this special ability, he stays grounded and doesn't let it go to his head, which I truly appreciated. He's responsible, helpful, and a great son and big brother. He seems older than his actual age--with the responsibilities he has as well as what you'll find out when you read the book, you'll be able to see why he seems older.
I gave this book four stars instead of five because the ending was so abrupt. Gah the ending! Talk about a cliffhanger, lol! I kept looking for more, thinking this couldn't possibly be the end, but alas, it was over. I really need to know what happens next! Like right now. :)
This book was better than I expected. I loved getting to know the main characters, especially Owen. He's a great hero to root for, and you can't help but like him. After being drawn to a watch in a pawnshop owned by his friend's uncle, Owen's special ability unlocks. He can sense people's evil intentions and sets out to stop these people from acting on their thoughts.
Owen has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and he's only fourteen. Not only does he have to worry about the issues that go along with being a teenager, but he also must keep his ability secret, train to develop and control his ability, deal with his parents' marriage falling apart, and on top of all of this, he has a crush on his friend, Lucie. No wonder he feels like he has so much weight on his shoulders!
Though Owen has this special ability, he stays grounded and doesn't let it go to his head, which I truly appreciated. He's responsible, helpful, and a great son and big brother. He seems older than his actual age--with the responsibilities he has as well as what you'll find out when you read the book, you'll be able to see why he seems older.
I gave this book four stars instead of five because the ending was so abrupt. Gah the ending! Talk about a cliffhanger, lol! I kept looking for more, thinking this couldn't possibly be the end, but alas, it was over. I really need to know what happens next! Like right now. :)
December 31, 2013
Visions (The Secret Watchers Book #1) by Lauren Klever is a supernatural YA thriller for both teens and adults to enjoy. The well-written story, that I have to say is written with all the love a mother has for a teenage son, full of dialog that rolls off the tongue, draws the reader in immediately with scenes that all teenagers my age (well aged now) can recall with a smile and a grimace.
Owen Ryer is 14 years old, hates school, loves play (skateboarding) and is noticing girls. He is awkward but senses there is more to his mundane life. All that is tuned upside and down and inside out as Owen's life takes a new path as he discovers his true identity via a special watch - he is a Secret Watcher, always has been and now his life is more than he could ever bargain for.
Owen now has the ability to see evil lurking within the underbelly of society. He can sense evil acts and must stop them but while his powers grow at such a tender age the dark side of the Watchers try to stop him, and if they cannot they will bring him over to their side.
With the help of White Eagle, Owen must face challenges way beyond the realm of ordinary teenage life. How does Owen cope with the enormity of his task? Read this incredible first book in the Secret Watchers series.
A FIVE STAR YA fantasy thriller and highly recommended by this reader.
Owen Ryer is 14 years old, hates school, loves play (skateboarding) and is noticing girls. He is awkward but senses there is more to his mundane life. All that is tuned upside and down and inside out as Owen's life takes a new path as he discovers his true identity via a special watch - he is a Secret Watcher, always has been and now his life is more than he could ever bargain for.
Owen now has the ability to see evil lurking within the underbelly of society. He can sense evil acts and must stop them but while his powers grow at such a tender age the dark side of the Watchers try to stop him, and if they cannot they will bring him over to their side.
With the help of White Eagle, Owen must face challenges way beyond the realm of ordinary teenage life. How does Owen cope with the enormity of his task? Read this incredible first book in the Secret Watchers series.
A FIVE STAR YA fantasy thriller and highly recommended by this reader.
June 12, 2013
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review and let me just start off with.........WOW!!! I loved this unique story about a young boy named , Owen Ryer, his family and his friends. It all starts with a visit to the pawn shop, owned by his friend's uncle. A place he'd visited many times but this visit is the one that changes his life. There is action, adventure, mystery, suspense and best of all love. The love of family, friends and his crush.
Owen is a typical middle school boy who finds himself and his loved ones in dangerous situations as he learns and hones his gift. It's the battle of good vs bad.
Lauren Klever did an amazing job with this story. The characters are well written and the story has a great flow to it. She moves you from one battle to the next without a hiccup in the story. I found my heart racing with Owen's as he has his first nightmare. I celebrated with him when he got the upper hand. I felt his mother's heartache when evil trumped good. I squirmed in my seat as he goes on his 1st movie date. To say I loved this book is an understatement. I can't wait until I have a chance to read her 2nd book in the series, Whispers.
Owen is a typical middle school boy who finds himself and his loved ones in dangerous situations as he learns and hones his gift. It's the battle of good vs bad.
Lauren Klever did an amazing job with this story. The characters are well written and the story has a great flow to it. She moves you from one battle to the next without a hiccup in the story. I found my heart racing with Owen's as he has his first nightmare. I celebrated with him when he got the upper hand. I felt his mother's heartache when evil trumped good. I squirmed in my seat as he goes on his 1st movie date. To say I loved this book is an understatement. I can't wait until I have a chance to read her 2nd book in the series, Whispers.
February 5, 2013
Visions is a thrilling read about a 14 year old boy, discovering man hood. Yes, of course there is much more then that going on, but to me, that is what predominantly stood out.
What started out as a slow start to me ended up being a great book I found difficult to put down. You find yourself sympathising with an amazing young man and his friends. I have to commend the author on creating an excellent cast of characters. All well rounded, and described in so much detail that I now feel like I myself am apart of the gang. After reading it I caught myself fondly remembering them, like one would your old school friends.
It was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and am anticipating the next one, like I have not done in quite some time.
What started out as a slow start to me ended up being a great book I found difficult to put down. You find yourself sympathising with an amazing young man and his friends. I have to commend the author on creating an excellent cast of characters. All well rounded, and described in so much detail that I now feel like I myself am apart of the gang. After reading it I caught myself fondly remembering them, like one would your old school friends.
It was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and am anticipating the next one, like I have not done in quite some time.
February 5, 2013
Overall: I enjoyed this book. It was a different kind of supernatural type book. I loved the idea behind the "secret watchers". It really challenged what was too much to do for someone else's safety. The plot was good. I felt like the end should have been more climactic, but the rest of the book was good. There were many ups and downs about how I feel about the book. I thought the whole Lucy thing was stretched way to far. Like seriously date or don't, it got on my nerves. I did like the fact that Owen needed his friends to help him. He wasn't a typical "super hero" type person who stands alone. The whole book wasn't bad, it was an enjoyable book.
Characters: I loved Sarah. She turned out to be super awesome. I also loved White Eagle. Both were very wise and caring toward Owen, and really helped him push his limits.
Quotes: Didn't really see any that stood out.
Recommend?: Yes, it was good. It wasn't awful. The idea behind it was very interesting! I would give it 4/5 stars.
Characters: I loved Sarah. She turned out to be super awesome. I also loved White Eagle. Both were very wise and caring toward Owen, and really helped him push his limits.
Quotes: Didn't really see any that stood out.
Recommend?: Yes, it was good. It wasn't awful. The idea behind it was very interesting! I would give it 4/5 stars.
February 16, 2013
This was quite an entertaining read! The characters were very likeable and since this book was housed in the teenage setting, I also found the things that they were going through very relatable. I especially liked the protagonist named Owen, because he was very brave and humble and unselfish (all the things that I'm not, haha!). He thought of other people first before making any rash decisions and he was devastatingly loyal to his family and friends and all the people surrounding him. The story was also a beautiful mixture of adventure and comedy, and I oftentimes found myself either tightly gripping the edge of my seat or laughing my head off or teetering on the edge of my seat. I would definitely recommend it to all the young readers out there who are looking for action-packed thrills. I'm sure they'll really appreciate it!
March 26, 2013
"I looked at it with new eyes; old eyes. I saw it with new wisdom. I had become old. Making a mess meant that you had more to clean up and it was harder to find what you needed."
Fourteen-year-old Owen Ryer's words about the state of his younger brothers' room accurately reflect the sate of his own rapidly changing world. Shortly after discovering his gift which allows him to sense dark energy is others, Owen's life begins to unravel. His once happily secure family is threatened by his parents who no longer see eye to eye on the direction their family life should take. His friendships with his two oldest male friends and his best girl friend teeter on a poorly balanced see-saw which could crash at any given moment. All of these relationships are made fragile because of Owen's gift. He must sort through the mess that has become his life. Owen must rely on spirit watcher, White Eagle, to help him understand, accept, and control his gift so he may help those affected by the evil he sees. With White Eagle's guidance, average guy, Owen Ryer, transforms into a true superhero who saves others from the evil which seeks to destroy them.
The honesty, integrity, and courage with which Owen tackles his difficult teenage life and the horrifying situations in which he finds himself, make him an instant hero. Owen is the son mothers hope for and the guy mothers hope their daughters fall in love with. He is the perfect center of this story and the reason readers will continue to follow The Secret Watchers Series.
Author Lauren Klever does an excellent job of creating interesting characters who are easy to identify with. In Visions, she crafts an action-packed, suspenseful story which kept this reader turning pages late into the night; filled with the need to find out what would happen next. The way in which humorous, light-hearted moments were deftly interwoven with the drama and hard-hitting action of the darker moments in Owen's world made Visions an thrilling experience which can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
Fourteen-year-old Owen Ryer's words about the state of his younger brothers' room accurately reflect the sate of his own rapidly changing world. Shortly after discovering his gift which allows him to sense dark energy is others, Owen's life begins to unravel. His once happily secure family is threatened by his parents who no longer see eye to eye on the direction their family life should take. His friendships with his two oldest male friends and his best girl friend teeter on a poorly balanced see-saw which could crash at any given moment. All of these relationships are made fragile because of Owen's gift. He must sort through the mess that has become his life. Owen must rely on spirit watcher, White Eagle, to help him understand, accept, and control his gift so he may help those affected by the evil he sees. With White Eagle's guidance, average guy, Owen Ryer, transforms into a true superhero who saves others from the evil which seeks to destroy them.
The honesty, integrity, and courage with which Owen tackles his difficult teenage life and the horrifying situations in which he finds himself, make him an instant hero. Owen is the son mothers hope for and the guy mothers hope their daughters fall in love with. He is the perfect center of this story and the reason readers will continue to follow The Secret Watchers Series.
Author Lauren Klever does an excellent job of creating interesting characters who are easy to identify with. In Visions, she crafts an action-packed, suspenseful story which kept this reader turning pages late into the night; filled with the need to find out what would happen next. The way in which humorous, light-hearted moments were deftly interwoven with the drama and hard-hitting action of the darker moments in Owen's world made Visions an thrilling experience which can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
June 26, 2013
Visions: The Secret Watchers (Book One) by Lauren Klever is a YA novel about Owen, a fourteen year old boy, who discovers that he has special abilities – he is able to see evil and it is his job to stop it. With the help of his mentor, White Eagle, and his friends, Owen finds ways to prevent or stop the evil actions that he sees in his visions.
The story was an action-packed adventure with a very fast pace. The plot was interesting and unique. And the characters were wonderful. All of the characters were well-developed and had a lot of personality. It seems like a lot of YA books are aimed at female readers and focus on female main characters and it was refreshing to find this book with such a strong positive teenage boy as the main character.
Owen was such a typical 14 year old boy – hates school, likes skateboarding…but as he discovers his special ability, he matures and becomes focused on protecting people from the evil he sees. He’s a humble hero who avoids attention and never wants recognition for his actions. He’s still a teenage boy who’s dealing with young love and school issues but he’s also becoming a strong confident young adult.
This book was amazing – it had good vs. evil, action, romance, friends and family, and everything you could want in a good book. And it was very well written. I highly recommend this book. Teens, both male and female, will enjoy this story.
The story was an action-packed adventure with a very fast pace. The plot was interesting and unique. And the characters were wonderful. All of the characters were well-developed and had a lot of personality. It seems like a lot of YA books are aimed at female readers and focus on female main characters and it was refreshing to find this book with such a strong positive teenage boy as the main character.
Owen was such a typical 14 year old boy – hates school, likes skateboarding…but as he discovers his special ability, he matures and becomes focused on protecting people from the evil he sees. He’s a humble hero who avoids attention and never wants recognition for his actions. He’s still a teenage boy who’s dealing with young love and school issues but he’s also becoming a strong confident young adult.
This book was amazing – it had good vs. evil, action, romance, friends and family, and everything you could want in a good book. And it was very well written. I highly recommend this book. Teens, both male and female, will enjoy this story.
June 30, 2013
Visions is the first book in the Secret Watchers series by Lauren Kelver. The story is about a young boy, Owen and his mentor, family and friends. The concept is highly refreshing in today's YA genre. A story that begs how dynamic a world could be, if we had the power to "see" by touching objects. How would it change things? Could we prevent bad things from happening? Right future wrongs? In this book the reader is introduced to characters that assist Owen in his new found powers, challenge him and even a father he must prove himself to. I received both Visions and Whispers free, although I am only just beginning the journey into Whispers, I would have undoubtedly paid for these books to proudly own in my personal library. Must reads for those who enjoy great character building with interesting storylines!
February 23, 2016
This book is fun and full of adventure. Owen in a typical tweener struggling with typical coming of age things, like school, friendships, family, and the ultimate crush. When he finds out that he isn't so typical after all, Owen rises to the occasion and becomes someone that everyone can aspire to: a person who does the right thing, even when it's hard. He is honest, hardworking, and his values are in the right place.
Who would like it? Anyone who likes adventure and coming of age stories with a paranormal twist. The fantasy elements are very down to earth and keep the story fresh.
Parental note: Middle school and up. The book deals with early dating, kisses, and crushes along with the action. There are a few action scenes that could scare highly sensitive kids. Lauren keeps it clean.
Who would like it? Anyone who likes adventure and coming of age stories with a paranormal twist. The fantasy elements are very down to earth and keep the story fresh.
Parental note: Middle school and up. The book deals with early dating, kisses, and crushes along with the action. There are a few action scenes that could scare highly sensitive kids. Lauren keeps it clean.
January 2, 2014
Definitely leaves you wanting more.
The detail in this book is so meticulous that the author manages to thoroughly pull you in. Owen Ryer, his family and friends are so well-defined that I really felt I had become one of them, and now that I’m done I really miss them. I loved Owen’s mom! She’s a mom everyone would love to have. Not so crazy about his dad, but even the few scenes in which he appears, he is very clearly delineated and comes across vividly. So much so that he’s really not likable, at least for me. But I’m interested to see how his character develops, whether toward the good or bad side, as the books continue. I even enjoyed the school life of Owen and his friends; it made me wish my own school days had been as great and full of cool activities, great teachers and lessons. This aspect of the story is also rich in detail, and it’s not surprising when one learns that the author is a teacher. I am very glad there are two more books to read in this series. The premise is intriguing: Owen Ryer discovers he has the power to sense evil and trouble and learns to use these abilities to do good. Although he does not have super powers like strength or flight, Owen is essentially a superhero, and it’s fun to draw parallels between him and other superheroes. Owen’s ability to “read” objects and people by touching them is very reminiscent of what Bruce Willis’ character does in Unbreakable. But Owen isn’t indestructible like Willis in that movie; in fact he’s a normal boy who learns to kick butt with the help of White Eagle, his Native American mentor. Another great parallel can be drawn here as Owen and White Eagle can be likened to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Giles her Watcher - except Owen is the Watcher in this and it’s not the same thing as Giles. Owen is a “Watcher” meaning he watches objects, people and even his surroundings and “reads” any threat of danger from them, or any bad intentions by previous owners of the objects. Naturally this gets Owen into a lot of trouble and danger, and he must recruit his friends, who become an invaluable part of his team. There’s also a struggling romance, reminiscent of that between Peter Parker and Mary Jane. Like Peter Parker keeping his distance from MJ, Owen is afraid to get too close to Lucie in case he puts her in danger. Eventually, of course, this becomes unavoidable, and the sequel promises that Lucie will be more involved. It’s also made apparent that there will be bad guys who are more than just criminals -- evil Watchers and arch-enemies for Owen and his team to deal with, and there promises to be some awesome further adventures in this exciting and richly woven Young Adult series.
The detail in this book is so meticulous that the author manages to thoroughly pull you in. Owen Ryer, his family and friends are so well-defined that I really felt I had become one of them, and now that I’m done I really miss them. I loved Owen’s mom! She’s a mom everyone would love to have. Not so crazy about his dad, but even the few scenes in which he appears, he is very clearly delineated and comes across vividly. So much so that he’s really not likable, at least for me. But I’m interested to see how his character develops, whether toward the good or bad side, as the books continue. I even enjoyed the school life of Owen and his friends; it made me wish my own school days had been as great and full of cool activities, great teachers and lessons. This aspect of the story is also rich in detail, and it’s not surprising when one learns that the author is a teacher. I am very glad there are two more books to read in this series. The premise is intriguing: Owen Ryer discovers he has the power to sense evil and trouble and learns to use these abilities to do good. Although he does not have super powers like strength or flight, Owen is essentially a superhero, and it’s fun to draw parallels between him and other superheroes. Owen’s ability to “read” objects and people by touching them is very reminiscent of what Bruce Willis’ character does in Unbreakable. But Owen isn’t indestructible like Willis in that movie; in fact he’s a normal boy who learns to kick butt with the help of White Eagle, his Native American mentor. Another great parallel can be drawn here as Owen and White Eagle can be likened to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Giles her Watcher - except Owen is the Watcher in this and it’s not the same thing as Giles. Owen is a “Watcher” meaning he watches objects, people and even his surroundings and “reads” any threat of danger from them, or any bad intentions by previous owners of the objects. Naturally this gets Owen into a lot of trouble and danger, and he must recruit his friends, who become an invaluable part of his team. There’s also a struggling romance, reminiscent of that between Peter Parker and Mary Jane. Like Peter Parker keeping his distance from MJ, Owen is afraid to get too close to Lucie in case he puts her in danger. Eventually, of course, this becomes unavoidable, and the sequel promises that Lucie will be more involved. It’s also made apparent that there will be bad guys who are more than just criminals -- evil Watchers and arch-enemies for Owen and his team to deal with, and there promises to be some awesome further adventures in this exciting and richly woven Young Adult series.
January 27, 2014
Owen was an ordinary teenager until he came in contact with an old watch that seemed to draw him towards it. the moment the shop keeper White Eagle put it on his wrists, images flashed through his mind, overwhelming him. according to White Eagle, Owen was a Watcher, having the ability to sense evil on items. with the permission from his mother, Owen began working and training with White Eagle for some self-defense moves. his unexpected gift took more work than he ever expect but the satisfaction was rewarding enough that soon he had his personal team formed by his best friends and mother, assisting him in fighting evil.
i received free e-books for the series from the author in exchanged for a review. the book was an absolutely fast read. despite having quite a long storyline, its growing plot and being filled with plenty of actions made it so difficult to put down. it was unexpected to find the story climaxed several times, enough to make me feel like i finished reading a few books instead of one. it was overwhelming to follow Owen's growth but at the same time so satisfying when he made it through the challenges alive, which he wouldn't have if not for White Eagle's training. every step he took since he discovered his ability built up the character in him. Owen was like a new type of hero compared to what we were often exposed to. his supernatural ability somewhat different as it doesn't give him superhuman strength or speed, but images that told him stories.
my review: here
i received free e-books for the series from the author in exchanged for a review. the book was an absolutely fast read. despite having quite a long storyline, its growing plot and being filled with plenty of actions made it so difficult to put down. it was unexpected to find the story climaxed several times, enough to make me feel like i finished reading a few books instead of one. it was overwhelming to follow Owen's growth but at the same time so satisfying when he made it through the challenges alive, which he wouldn't have if not for White Eagle's training. every step he took since he discovered his ability built up the character in him. Owen was like a new type of hero compared to what we were often exposed to. his supernatural ability somewhat different as it doesn't give him superhuman strength or speed, but images that told him stories.
my review: here
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