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Age of Heroes #1
The Witch Hunter's Gauntlet
Not every hero is lucky enough to be born a mutant, wizard, or demi-god.
Five years ago Samantha Hathaway’s archaeologist parents died while saving the world and she left her life in the secret world of magic, monsters, and mad scientists behind for the quiet simplicity of suburbia. But now, at age fourteen, the world class couch potato finds out she has inherited a spot at the brand new Miller's Grove Academy, a school designed to train a wide range of the best and brightest teens into the leaders of the 21st Century.
Instead of the usual cliques of geeks, nerds, jocks, and cheerleaders she was prepared to deal with in high school, Sam finds herself the least talented student in a school full of video game champions, eccentric inventors, monster hunters, pop stars, and wannabe world emperors.
As if things weren't bad enough she is framed for the theft of a powerful magical artifact that could spark a war between the forces of science and magic. With both sides gearing up for battle it is up to Sam and her new friends to find the real thief, prevent a war, and confront the most powerful sorcerer in history.
Worst. Freshman Year. Ever.
Five years ago Samantha Hathaway’s archaeologist parents died while saving the world and she left her life in the secret world of magic, monsters, and mad scientists behind for the quiet simplicity of suburbia. But now, at age fourteen, the world class couch potato finds out she has inherited a spot at the brand new Miller's Grove Academy, a school designed to train a wide range of the best and brightest teens into the leaders of the 21st Century.
Instead of the usual cliques of geeks, nerds, jocks, and cheerleaders she was prepared to deal with in high school, Sam finds herself the least talented student in a school full of video game champions, eccentric inventors, monster hunters, pop stars, and wannabe world emperors.
As if things weren't bad enough she is framed for the theft of a powerful magical artifact that could spark a war between the forces of science and magic. With both sides gearing up for battle it is up to Sam and her new friends to find the real thief, prevent a war, and confront the most powerful sorcerer in history.
Worst. Freshman Year. Ever.
430 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2012
36 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
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February 7, 2018
Read as part of the Get Through The Crap On Your Kindle You Stubborn Eejit reading challenge.
Is this book... a joke?
not funny ha ha or funny peculiar but funny "this is how not to ever write a book if you're serious about writing books".
This Gun In My Right Hand Is Loaded kind of deal.
No?
Ah. Well. No serious review just... disbelief I suppose.
Is this book... a joke?
not funny ha ha or funny peculiar but funny "this is how not to ever write a book if you're serious about writing books".
This Gun In My Right Hand Is Loaded kind of deal.
No?
Ah. Well. No serious review just... disbelief I suppose.
October 9, 2012
This book is a more than passable diversion, though it will not shake your faith in humanity (or lack thereof) to any great extent. Nor will it influence your political beliefs, or even suitably demolish your basic sense of self. It will, however, fill those empty hours of your day with well-drawn characters presented in such a manner as one might expect from a work prepared for that nebulous entity known as the "young reader". None so well developed and admirable in nature than the one known as Natch, as he simply steals the novel from all the other sundry personages, due in large part to his inherent magnificence. A magnificence unseen, if I do say so myself, since the time of Julius Caesar. If you don't read this work for any other reason, then do so for the glory of the young Natch. Truly, his glorious following has to start somewhere and it might as well be formed upon your metaphorical backs. I do not say this because I feel some affinity with the fictional lad, I do so because all mankind longs to be ruled and he's as likely a figure as any. Read the book, and meet your natural born master. Hail Natch!
February 22, 2014
I Didn't Know
I Didn't Know
I did not know this was a young adult book. If I had realized it I would not have read it. I would put the age for readers to be about ten years old. I did not care for the story. It was a waste of time. I am not even sure young people would like this book.
I Didn't Know
I did not know this was a young adult book. If I had realized it I would not have read it. I would put the age for readers to be about ten years old. I did not care for the story. It was a waste of time. I am not even sure young people would like this book.
July 2, 2023
I actually really enjoyed this, but it's utterly and completely stupid.
The set up is pretty familiar: chosen one girl, mystical family connections, borderline magic school, friends who are all conveniently tied into the plot even though the odds of those people becoming instant friends in a big school is ridiculous....you know the drill. But, for all that, the story is well paced, the characters are all good fun, the big reveal at the end actually did surprise me and the concept of the war between magic and science actually is appealing. I also enjoyed spotting all the author's Buffy references (yes, I spotted you, red headed Agent Rosenberg!!)
It's just totally nuts. There's kind of a lot happening and it reads a bit like an action movie script. The fight in Vegas particularly is just so bonkers that it feels like someone just shrugged and said "how will this look in IMAX, with Harry Potter's budget? Go big or go home." The Sam Curse is obviously a thing that's coming back, and feels over used for cheap comedy.
I absolutely would continue the series...but only if I can pick up #2 cheap!
The set up is pretty familiar: chosen one girl, mystical family connections, borderline magic school, friends who are all conveniently tied into the plot even though the odds of those people becoming instant friends in a big school is ridiculous....you know the drill. But, for all that, the story is well paced, the characters are all good fun, the big reveal at the end actually did surprise me and the concept of the war between magic and science actually is appealing. I also enjoyed spotting all the author's Buffy references (yes, I spotted you, red headed Agent Rosenberg!!)
It's just totally nuts. There's kind of a lot happening and it reads a bit like an action movie script. The fight in Vegas particularly is just so bonkers that it feels like someone just shrugged and said "how will this look in IMAX, with Harry Potter's budget? Go big or go home." The Sam Curse is obviously a thing that's coming back, and feels over used for cheap comedy.
I absolutely would continue the series...but only if I can pick up #2 cheap!
November 21, 2018
I really want a second book. This one was amazing. The part with the “Sam Curse” was so relatable and amazing to watch fold out. I can’t wait for more.
April 28, 2022
Confused if this is standalone book. However I was pleasantly surprised and happy with it. Plenty of action!
dnf
May 12, 2022DNF @ 41%. It wasn't bad, it just... could not hold my interest. I did not want to return to it after putting it down.
August 11, 2014
This is a young adult fantasy book. There is lots of action and mild romance. It's a fun book, not edgy or dark.
There are a few typos and impossible things in this book that made me stop reading briefly, but the suspense is really strong in the last half of the book and I couldn't put it down last night until I finished it. I think that someone in the 12-15 age range is not likely to notice or be bothered by these things.
The characters are, for the most part, likable and believable. I can see a lot of room for development in the characters as the series progresses.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to young fantasy fans and adults who like the occasional short & uncomplicated fiction.
There are a few typos and impossible things in this book that made me stop reading briefly, but the suspense is really strong in the last half of the book and I couldn't put it down last night until I finished it. I think that someone in the 12-15 age range is not likely to notice or be bothered by these things.
The characters are, for the most part, likable and believable. I can see a lot of room for development in the characters as the series progresses.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to young fantasy fans and adults who like the occasional short & uncomplicated fiction.
March 2, 2013
The Witch Hunter's Gauntlet is a very nice young-adult novel about a young girl who is finding her way at a new school where her seemingly ordinary abilities are tested against the other students who all seem to be extraordinary in some way. When disaster strkes, she finds herself in posession of a secret that could change the world.
This is an enjoyable read and very suitable for young adults.
This is an enjoyable read and very suitable for young adults.
September 23, 2012
This was a very enjoyable book to read. The flow of the book was easy to follow, the characters were interesting and the added humor was a nice touch. It is a book geared more to young adults, but still a good read for all. Will be interesting to see what happens in the rest of the series.
April 9, 2014
I noticed a few errors in the book, and some of the action scenes were a little difficult to understand at first or didn't flow smoothly. However, overall, I enjoyed this book and would love to read more stories about these characters.
September 12, 2012
This kept me up until deep in the night. I couldn't put it down. I absolutely have to read more in this series! As far as mysteries go, it kept me guessing.without any frustration. A must read.
September 28, 2012
I wouldn't do a cover for a book that I didn't think everybody would enjoy reading. I really enjoyed this book and it is One of the few I have read more than once.
March 25, 2013
It was fun.
July 22, 2013
Again, like many books I read, I listened to the audio version of this and found it very enjoyable. It was funny and sweet and kept me eagerly attentive. I will read more in this series.
October 14, 2014
Nicely done
This is a book for those who miss Harry's adventures and are young at heart. A story that involves kids with unusual talents.
This is a book for those who miss Harry's adventures and are young at heart. A story that involves kids with unusual talents.
Want to read
April 20, 2015kindle
September 29, 2014
Dear Author: Gymnasts are not notoriously tall.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews