What do you think?
Rate this book
Watcher
War threatens to destroy the world of Anthelion unless the holy man, Goran, can solve his prophecy riddle. For every clue he finds, another obstacle surfaces. An orphan girl, Watcher, becomes his responsibility. As if parenthood itself isn’t daunting enough, she keeps a bear for a pet and transforms into her forest surroundings to avoid socialization. Hope momentarily emerges when Goran finds Benaiah, the Chosen Son of the prophecy. Only he soon discovers Benaiah is a social pariah on the verge of embracing darkness.
When Benaiah and Watcher unexpectedly meet, the two outsiders find in each other a sense of belonging they’ve never known. Now their emerging love promises to bring about the very war Goran is struggling to prevent.
When Benaiah and Watcher unexpectedly meet, the two outsiders find in each other a sense of belonging they’ve never known. Now their emerging love promises to bring about the very war Goran is struggling to prevent.
- GenresFantasy
Unknown Binding
First published January 6, 2013
339 people want to read
About the author
Audra Middleton
8 books14 followersAudra Middleton is a somewhat neurotic and terminally sarcastic author and mother of three from Washington State. She left her teaching career to raise her kids, and in between diaper changes and baseball games, she began writing books.
For more information about Audra and her writing projects, visit http://www.audramiddleton.com.
For more information about Audra and her writing projects, visit http://www.audramiddleton.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 24, 2013
http://myaddictionisreading.blogspot....
A phenomenal edition to the Fantasy Genre. With characters who are multi-dimensional and engaging. The relationship between Watcher and Benaiah grew so much from childhood over the course of this book, but seeing their interactions as children were just as great as their adult ones. This Fantasy novel puts Benaiah through some heartbreaking situations, but his perseverance makes him that much more amazing.
But it's not just the main characters that will captivate you. Audra Middleton has done an amazing job with all of her characters and it adds to the story.
With Action and Drama are amazing as the plot unfolds. This is the start to an amazing series and I can't wait to see what happens next.
I think that this is such an amazing addition to the Genre and loved every moment of it. A Must Read!
A phenomenal edition to the Fantasy Genre. With characters who are multi-dimensional and engaging. The relationship between Watcher and Benaiah grew so much from childhood over the course of this book, but seeing their interactions as children were just as great as their adult ones. This Fantasy novel puts Benaiah through some heartbreaking situations, but his perseverance makes him that much more amazing.
But it's not just the main characters that will captivate you. Audra Middleton has done an amazing job with all of her characters and it adds to the story.
With Action and Drama are amazing as the plot unfolds. This is the start to an amazing series and I can't wait to see what happens next.
I think that this is such an amazing addition to the Genre and loved every moment of it. A Must Read!
January 21, 2013
I really, really, really liked this book. It's a perfect example of the epic fantasy genre (or as one of my friends (you know who you are) keeps telling me its called, high fantasy), but it still has a little bit of that contemporary feel to it. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore authors like Tolkien, but is it too much to ask for just a little dry humor? Maybe even some sarcasm?
Oh, and yes, I did just compare this book to Lord of the Rings. The one and only, multimillion dollar grossing, seemingly never ending trilogy that is an icon for all things fantasy. But where Lord of the Rings is your adventurous, quest-riddled journey, I'd consider Watcher to be more of a true story at heart with pieces of that woven in there.
And what a story it was. The novel starts off when our two main protagonists, Watcher and Benaiah, are just kids, goes with each of their separate journeys until they unexpectedly meet each other (which is undoubtedly the best scene in the book), and then continues with them together for the rest of the novel to play out in every epic proportion imaginable.
It was interesting to really watch the characters grow up instead of having to make due with only a few flashbacks to childhood at best. Little Ben stole my heart from the very first time I met him, and I was about ready to take out Imala or anybody else who tried to corrupt the inherent goodness that lived within him. Having to see him go through battle at first almost killed me, and I deeply regretted what he had to deal with in order to grow up, along with the incidents that led to his aunt having to raise him alone (even though Marta would find a way to make me smile pretty much every time she opened her mouth).
Watcher intrigued me from the very beginning, but I never really connected with her until she started spending time with Ben and her past was revealed (in pretty much the coolest way possible, I might add). Her selective naivety and very understandable questions on many overlooked topics (such as the necessity of clothing) were always much appreciated.
And then there's Kitty. Kitty's just so awesome that he deserves his own paragraph. Honestly, how many friendly bears do you know named Kitty? Yes, a bear named Kitty. How awesome is that?! He is extremely protective of Watcher and is the best friend she could have ever asked for, even though his concerned licking has disturbed quite a few. Kitty is the literal epitome of being a big teddy bear, and I absolutely loved him for it.
I can't wait for book two!
Taylor
For the original review and more, please visit Marked By Books.
Oh, and yes, I did just compare this book to Lord of the Rings. The one and only, multimillion dollar grossing, seemingly never ending trilogy that is an icon for all things fantasy. But where Lord of the Rings is your adventurous, quest-riddled journey, I'd consider Watcher to be more of a true story at heart with pieces of that woven in there.
And what a story it was. The novel starts off when our two main protagonists, Watcher and Benaiah, are just kids, goes with each of their separate journeys until they unexpectedly meet each other (which is undoubtedly the best scene in the book), and then continues with them together for the rest of the novel to play out in every epic proportion imaginable.
It was interesting to really watch the characters grow up instead of having to make due with only a few flashbacks to childhood at best. Little Ben stole my heart from the very first time I met him, and I was about ready to take out Imala or anybody else who tried to corrupt the inherent goodness that lived within him. Having to see him go through battle at first almost killed me, and I deeply regretted what he had to deal with in order to grow up, along with the incidents that led to his aunt having to raise him alone (even though Marta would find a way to make me smile pretty much every time she opened her mouth).
Watcher intrigued me from the very beginning, but I never really connected with her until she started spending time with Ben and her past was revealed (in pretty much the coolest way possible, I might add). Her selective naivety and very understandable questions on many overlooked topics (such as the necessity of clothing) were always much appreciated.
And then there's Kitty. Kitty's just so awesome that he deserves his own paragraph. Honestly, how many friendly bears do you know named Kitty? Yes, a bear named Kitty. How awesome is that?! He is extremely protective of Watcher and is the best friend she could have ever asked for, even though his concerned licking has disturbed quite a few. Kitty is the literal epitome of being a big teddy bear, and I absolutely loved him for it.
I can't wait for book two!
Taylor
For the original review and more, please visit Marked By Books.
February 6, 2013
Audra Middleton’s Watcher’s chief strength is the characters, flawed and thus identifiable, definitely the sort you root for, but not stereotypically “good”, which makes it interesting to watch them struggle to determine what the right thing is let alone do it. Even though the characters—Goran the Priest, Benaiah the Mystical Warrior, and Watcher the magical orphaned forest girl taken in and raised by Goran—are caught in the webs of prophecy, their actions seem anything but pre-ordained, which turns Watcher into an unpredictable read. The world-building and vivid descriptions give the reader a real sense of being in Watcher’s world. All this combines to make Middleton’s Watcher an excellent fantasy debut.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
February 21, 2013
What an amazing world Ms. Middleton has built in WATCHER. Full of intrigue, unusual characters with special gifts and a little girl that captures your heart from the moment you meet her; a very special little girl with and amazing gift. Watcher can become one with the foliage around her. Imagine being part of a mighty oak, or being able to travel through the grass like a soft breeze.
The minute the holy man, Goran, finds the little girl, Watcher, he's on his way to reaching the prophecy that plagues him, and the reader is on a journey they will not soon forget. Middleton's attention to detail, beautiful visuals, and well penned characters make following Goran on his quest, a very entertaining pleasure.
~~Susan Stec, author, The Grateful Undead series.
The minute the holy man, Goran, finds the little girl, Watcher, he's on his way to reaching the prophecy that plagues him, and the reader is on a journey they will not soon forget. Middleton's attention to detail, beautiful visuals, and well penned characters make following Goran on his quest, a very entertaining pleasure.
~~Susan Stec, author, The Grateful Undead series.
February 2, 2013
3.5 STARS
Fantasy is a genre that I've have very little experience with so I was very eager to give Watcher a try. Watcher was an entertaining read that had its highs and lows. A book with well-developed characters is always a good book in my opinion and Watcher did not disappoint.
I loved the main characters, each of them was unique. The characters had both admirable characteristics and flaws so they were believable enough.
Goran is a holy man with a prophesy to help fulfill-to say that he was not very eager to go through his quest to find and unite the Chosen Son and the King's Flower would be putting it mildly. It is during this that he stumbles across Watcher, an orphan girl. Watcher was an interesting character-she was intelligent, mischievous and adorably naive. Her childhood was completely different from that of the other normal children so she had some issues with social interaction. Watcher and her pet bear, Kitty (no, I’m not kidding she really does have a five hundred pound bear named Kitty!) were very protective of each other.
Benaiah, the Chosen Son has a special gift (something that a lot of people feared) and this does not make his childhood very easy. Benaiah is raised by Marta who's very sweet and protective of him, her sharp tongue had me giggling a couple of times.
The world building was great although sometimes I felt that it was too descriptive.
I also felt that about halfway through the book, the reader is bombarded by a LOT of characters-keeping track of who's who was a bit difficult especially with the a lot of them having unusual names! I would have been a little more comfortable if the characters were introduced with a little breathing room in between each introduction.
Overall an intriguing book, one that might appeal to a lot fantasy fans.
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for a honest review.
Fantasy is a genre that I've have very little experience with so I was very eager to give Watcher a try. Watcher was an entertaining read that had its highs and lows. A book with well-developed characters is always a good book in my opinion and Watcher did not disappoint.
I loved the main characters, each of them was unique. The characters had both admirable characteristics and flaws so they were believable enough.
Goran is a holy man with a prophesy to help fulfill-to say that he was not very eager to go through his quest to find and unite the Chosen Son and the King's Flower would be putting it mildly. It is during this that he stumbles across Watcher, an orphan girl. Watcher was an interesting character-she was intelligent, mischievous and adorably naive. Her childhood was completely different from that of the other normal children so she had some issues with social interaction. Watcher and her pet bear, Kitty (no, I’m not kidding she really does have a five hundred pound bear named Kitty!) were very protective of each other.
Benaiah, the Chosen Son has a special gift (something that a lot of people feared) and this does not make his childhood very easy. Benaiah is raised by Marta who's very sweet and protective of him, her sharp tongue had me giggling a couple of times.
The world building was great although sometimes I felt that it was too descriptive.
I also felt that about halfway through the book, the reader is bombarded by a LOT of characters-keeping track of who's who was a bit difficult especially with the a lot of them having unusual names! I would have been a little more comfortable if the characters were introduced with a little breathing room in between each introduction.
Overall an intriguing book, one that might appeal to a lot fantasy fans.
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for a honest review.
April 29, 2015
Again I'd like to give a 4.5 but that isn't an option. Watcher is an excellent example of traditional fantasy - a well developed world, ancient prophecies, conflicted heroes, and an insidious plot. Watcher, a young shape-shifting, anti-social orphan girl, is adopted by Goran, the holy man. Goran's been having terrible nightmares about impending war, and if he can't find the Chosen Son and the King's Flower spoken of in the prophecies, a terrible future awaits. When Goran discovers Benaiah, a young man who can read people's minds, he knows he's found the Chosen One. But the blossoming love between Ben and Watcher threatens his plans and could even facilitate the war he's trying to avoid. Quick paced, with lively, interesting characters, Watcher is a fun read for fantasy lovers.
January 30, 2013
Watcher was a fantastic book to read. I love fantasy books and this did not disappoint.
The characters we very interesting and the plot was very well developed. I was hooked from the start and could not put it down.
Well written and praise to the author. If you like reading fantasy then this is the book for you.
The characters we very interesting and the plot was very well developed. I was hooked from the start and could not put it down.
Well written and praise to the author. If you like reading fantasy then this is the book for you.
January 28, 2013
Audra pens "Watcher" in a very well developed plot with strongly developed characters. This was a hard to put down book that had me hooked from the beginning and I totally enjoyed the book. Highly recommended for all fantasy readers.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author which was provided for an honest review.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author which was provided for an honest review.
October 7, 2015
I loved this book. I love the fantasy genre and this is a top choice. I was hooked immediately. I love Watcher and Goran. The character development was done very well and made you fell like you knew them. A definite read for people fond of fantasy.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews