Portal Watchers

by Susan Lyttek

A world oppressed. An Ancient Prophecy

When Bern, Ne-tel, and Garth are witness to the appearance of a portal through which emerges great flying creatures, the three do not realize this is an event long foretold. These beasts have been sent by the Creator Tel to aid his children in a time of great oppression.

Queen Subja rules Telantia with cruelty and malice. She controls the masses with her unnaturally powerful servants, the Vil. But the appearance of the three creatures signals her reign over Telantia is nearing its end.

But the creatures have been sent to three young men. How they stand the face of such evil?

Sometimes the ordinary can accomplish the extraordinary.

118 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2023

About the author

At the tender age of six, calamity struck Susan Lyttek’s childhood home. Actually, the television died and her educator parents who’d just purchased their first home didn’t have the funds to replace it. Thus, she began reading to find escape and solace in story worlds like Narnia, Earthsea, and Prydain, or adventures with Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.
Later, after told the mystery she wanted to check out from the library with “talking mice, fish, and fairies” didn’t exist, she decided to write the stories she wanted to read. She’s been doing exactly that ever since.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, that means her work crosses genres and formats: from mystery to fantasy, flash fiction to novels, poetry to plays, and magazine articles to devotionals. If it intrigues her, she will write about it!
A diehard supporter of the homeschool community, writing teacher and coach to multiple generations of homeschooled students, she believes that educational paths are by choice, not obligation.
Married to the man who dated her on a bet when they were both teenagers, she chooses to treat life as an adventure and does at least one thing each year that scares her. Why should her characters have all the fun?
Author of the Portal Watchers of Telba YA fantasy series and the Talbott Family mystery series, both with Pelican Book Group, she currently self-publishes her Biblical poetry collections and keeps a weekly blog going on her website.

Reviews

[Jodie Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't remember if/when I read a fantasy novel, so when I picked up a copy of Portal Watchers, I was intrigued. I love the way Susan Lyttek wove in spiritual themes throughout the novel as well as the teasers at the beginning of each chapter. By the end of the first chapter, I was hooked and kept reading until I finished it. She did an excellent job, and it's a book I will highly recommend.

~ While this book was provided for free, I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review - 2023.

[Katherine Robles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Portal Watchers is a fun, quick paced story set in a world where dinosaurs, prophesied long ago, are coming through portals. The world-building is rich and I really like how each chapter begins with a quote from sacred texts and ancient lore. The plot involves an evil queen, a prophecy coming true, one last true prophet of Tel (the Creator God), betrayal, twists, and three young men who rescue pterosaurs. The chapters are short and make you want to turn the page to keep reading. Very cool!

[Karen Malley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in the Portal Watchers series is full of action and adventure. Garth and his friends become guardians for creatures that are central in the battle between the good common folk and the evil queen. It's an exciting beginning to the series and leaves you wanting to read more. Fans of YA fantasy will enjoy this tale!

[Katie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great adventure novel for young teens. It is full of good-vs-evil, intrigue, action, and cool elements like portals and dinosaurs. The characters were likeable, the pace was quick, and the ending was satisfying while still giving a great hint at more adventure to come.

[Clare Revell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting new YA series about dinosaurs. Set in an enslaved world the prophecy speaks of three young ones and dinosaurs. When Garth rescues 3 dinosaur eggs he and his two friends embark on a journey beyond their dreams.