What do you think?
Rate this book
PSIONIC Pentalogy #4
The Quest
The psionic war, once thought to be at an end, has been reignited by the rise of a new and exceptionally powerful Angel master. Escaping the fall of their psionic city with a group of refugee children in tow, Adrian and his team face the daunting challenge of keeping their young charges alive as the Guardians are slowly pushed to the brink of destruction. To reunite his family and put an end to the Angel onslaught, Adrian agrees to join a perilous expedition to the far side of the world. There he will seek his answers from a living god... answers that will tell him whether the Guardians have any chance of turning the war around, or if this world of chaos is only the beginning...
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
25 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Adrian Howell
6 books43 followersAdrian Howell (pen name) is the author of the Psionic Pentalogy: five novels that follow the life of a telekinetic teenager through a dark world of warring paranormal factions, deadly religious cults and secret government organizations.
Born of a Japanese mother and American father, Adrian was raised for a time in California and currently lives a quiet life in Japan where he teaches English to small groups of children and adults. Aside from reading and writing fiction, his hobbies include recumbent cycling, skiing, medium-distance trekking, sketching and oversleeping.
Born of a Japanese mother and American father, Adrian was raised for a time in California and currently lives a quiet life in Japan where he teaches English to small groups of children and adults. Aside from reading and writing fiction, his hobbies include recumbent cycling, skiing, medium-distance trekking, sketching and oversleeping.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 21, 2017
Fast-paced and I couldn't put it down. It's hard to not draw parallels to Harry Potter... a young, normal boy suddenly discovers he has powers... parents are dead... people start treating him like a celebrity. But this is much darker; less focused on magical and more focused on fighting and strategy. Each book focuses on a different group of bad guys, so, while sometimes depressing, the story is never repetitive. I started the final book as soon as I finished this one!
May 22, 2015
Love this series, I don't think that I've skipped a single word written and being that it's the fourth book in the series that's saying something. It's been along time since a book has captured me this way. I have authors that I've been reading for years and now that I've found this I just can't put it down. Little sad that it's almost over.
July 29, 2017
Action filled continuation. The Historian give Adrian his goals and challenges. This introduces more action and changes the new leaders and situations to deal with.
May 4, 2021
Book 4 of the Psionic. Adrian is leading a group of children away from danger as their homes are being invaded. The core group--Adrian,
March 5, 2017
Gobbled it up!
I flew through this one like Adrian flew over the river and hills, can't wait to get started on the next one, but first, some sleep.
I flew through this one like Adrian flew over the river and hills, can't wait to get started on the next one, but first, some sleep.
April 19, 2013
Taken from my Amazon.com review
Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions below are entirely my own.
"The Quest" is the fourth and penultimate book in the PSIONIC series, so I (and the author, and the characters) strongly advise reading the first three books. There isn't much detailed catch-up in the book, so again, definitely read the others first. This review may contain spoilers for the previous books, so if you'd rather skip it (or my ridiculously long reviewing style!) head on down to the last full paragraph, my "bottom line". It'll be safe there, honest!
Picking up almost directly after "Lesser Gods", "The Quest" wastes little time as the plot picks up with a bang (several, in fact) and big changes are made for our cast. Carrying on prior themes, as Adrian reaches his mid-teens the reader will hopefully be in the same age range, as darkness and violence lurk around every corner. The plot moves rapidly and excitement abounds.
The pacing hardly slows, and while at some points locales blur past without much description, the overall effect is pleasing as there's not a dull moment in the whole book. The main characters continue to evolve and grow into new roles, demonstrating their ongoing journey, and indicating that it may soon be reaching an end. A few new faces join in as well a surprising blast from the past. Mysteries begin to come unraveled and generate further questions, creating callbacks to the past that make for a very satisfying reading experience.
Stylistically, Mr. Howell maintains his usual level of writing quality, adapting deftly to the mind and style of a teenager. His language is succinct but generally descriptive, managing complex ideas with an economy of wording.
As to the editing and layout of the book, I received a .pdf for review, so I can't speak to layout of the Kindle Edition in practice, but it certainly looked good in theory. I noticed some minor errors, but nothing of concern especially since the author has assured me that the books will be re-proofed.
The bottom line? "The Quest" is the PSIONIC Pentalogy's strongest entry yet, and leaves one waiting with bated breath for the final installment. This series will appeal greatly to fans of the YA fiction, especially fantasy. However, if you don't like the genre, you won't like the series. Finally, remember that things are getting dark in the PSIONIC series, so you may want to keep this in the hands of the PG-13 crowd.
If anything needs clarifying, please feel free to use the comment box below, or contact me at SeanOnAmazon@gmail.com
Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions below are entirely my own.
"The Quest" is the fourth and penultimate book in the PSIONIC series, so I (and the author, and the characters) strongly advise reading the first three books. There isn't much detailed catch-up in the book, so again, definitely read the others first. This review may contain spoilers for the previous books, so if you'd rather skip it (or my ridiculously long reviewing style!) head on down to the last full paragraph, my "bottom line". It'll be safe there, honest!
Picking up almost directly after "Lesser Gods", "The Quest" wastes little time as the plot picks up with a bang (several, in fact) and big changes are made for our cast. Carrying on prior themes, as Adrian reaches his mid-teens the reader will hopefully be in the same age range, as darkness and violence lurk around every corner. The plot moves rapidly and excitement abounds.
The pacing hardly slows, and while at some points locales blur past without much description, the overall effect is pleasing as there's not a dull moment in the whole book. The main characters continue to evolve and grow into new roles, demonstrating their ongoing journey, and indicating that it may soon be reaching an end. A few new faces join in as well a surprising blast from the past. Mysteries begin to come unraveled and generate further questions, creating callbacks to the past that make for a very satisfying reading experience.
Stylistically, Mr. Howell maintains his usual level of writing quality, adapting deftly to the mind and style of a teenager. His language is succinct but generally descriptive, managing complex ideas with an economy of wording.
As to the editing and layout of the book, I received a .pdf for review, so I can't speak to layout of the Kindle Edition in practice, but it certainly looked good in theory. I noticed some minor errors, but nothing of concern especially since the author has assured me that the books will be re-proofed.
The bottom line? "The Quest" is the PSIONIC Pentalogy's strongest entry yet, and leaves one waiting with bated breath for the final installment. This series will appeal greatly to fans of the YA fiction, especially fantasy. However, if you don't like the genre, you won't like the series. Finally, remember that things are getting dark in the PSIONIC series, so you may want to keep this in the hands of the PG-13 crowd.
If anything needs clarifying, please feel free to use the comment box below, or contact me at SeanOnAmazon@gmail.com
September 30, 2017
Reader thoughts: I guessed who the new Angel controller was. Surprise! I had guessed from, like, two books ago, though.
I'm indignant that he chose to leave school, and I wish he would practice his telekinesis. He spends all day cooking and battle training. I'm glad he's not wasting his time, but I wanted more.
There's quite a bit of death, and I'm not sure if the "good" guys are much better than the bad guys, now. They're all killing each other and hunting each other. Yet, I wholeheartedly root for Adrian and his sister.
Favorite quote:
I trusted Terry enough to know that she hadn't killed anyone innocent for them.
There are a lot of the same typo. Compound sentences (like "I ran, and then I ate") should have commas connected the two independent clauses. If you want to write a sentence without the comma, change the structure (like "I ran and then ate"). It was only mildly distracting. Considering Adrian barely finished 8th grade, I'm not too upset.
Writer thoughts: There is never a slow chapter. Adrian glosses over the months where little happens. As a writer, he knows he can't waste pages and pages on parts that don't add to the plot. He is good at picking important pieces or conversations and mentioning just those. Maybe one day was his birthday, and it might merit a whole paragraph.
Yet, despite this summary nature, the book never felt shallow. Maybe this is because Adrian has forewarned us that his life isn't pretty. Maybe it's because he and his fellows are all on the run from an evil psionic faction, and this holds the tension to carry readers through a few pages of "we didn't die yet" months. Maybe it's because those few pages of non-action were so brief, and the team deserved a little rest (albeit with some arguing about going to school).
I'm indignant that he chose to leave school, and I wish he would practice his telekinesis. He spends all day cooking and battle training. I'm glad he's not wasting his time, but I wanted more.
There's quite a bit of death, and I'm not sure if the "good" guys are much better than the bad guys, now. They're all killing each other and hunting each other. Yet, I wholeheartedly root for Adrian and his sister.
Favorite quote:
I trusted Terry enough to know that she hadn't killed anyone innocent for them.
There are a lot of the same typo. Compound sentences (like "I ran, and then I ate") should have commas connected the two independent clauses. If you want to write a sentence without the comma, change the structure (like "I ran and then ate"). It was only mildly distracting. Considering Adrian barely finished 8th grade, I'm not too upset.
Writer thoughts: There is never a slow chapter. Adrian glosses over the months where little happens. As a writer, he knows he can't waste pages and pages on parts that don't add to the plot. He is good at picking important pieces or conversations and mentioning just those. Maybe one day was his birthday, and it might merit a whole paragraph.
Yet, despite this summary nature, the book never felt shallow. Maybe this is because Adrian has forewarned us that his life isn't pretty. Maybe it's because he and his fellows are all on the run from an evil psionic faction, and this holds the tension to carry readers through a few pages of "we didn't die yet" months. Maybe it's because those few pages of non-action were so brief, and the team deserved a little rest (albeit with some arguing about going to school).
February 7, 2016
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. The Quest: PSIONIC Book Four (Psionic Pentalogy 4) by Adrian Howell is definitely worth the time to read and got me hooked. I enjoyed every page of this book and the previous three. Adrian Howell, the main character, is a totally believable character who finds he has powerful telekinetic abilities. Being a teenager, he does things a teenager would do, but he is forced to grow up fast. The community he goes to live with is involved in a war with other psionic factions, the God slayers, and the Wolves, the military group out to capture and study them. The war heats up and the violence escalates. Adrian is constantly thrown into situations and moral dilemmas no teenager should have to face. I was as reluctant to put this book down as I was with the first three volumes. I can't wait to finish the series. A very well told story clearly taking up where the first three books left off. A well written series, I highly recommend to everyone.
April 9, 2016
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I loved the action. It was descriptive, intriguing, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I was hooked from beginning to end. Adrian ends up meeting new people, establishing a new life, and, as in the title, goes on an amazing quest. Another combat-centered book, but still, Adrian finds more time for family. Once again, I was impressed by this book and was excited to start reading the next one! This book does have a bit more bloodshed than the last and may be inappropriate for some readers, so I suggest young readers have parental guidance before reading.
I loved the action. It was descriptive, intriguing, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I was hooked from beginning to end. Adrian ends up meeting new people, establishing a new life, and, as in the title, goes on an amazing quest. Another combat-centered book, but still, Adrian finds more time for family. Once again, I was impressed by this book and was excited to start reading the next one! This book does have a bit more bloodshed than the last and may be inappropriate for some readers, so I suggest young readers have parental guidance before reading.
July 30, 2017
Excellent!
The author does an excellent job of storytelling.
I like how everything is believable: the characters, their reactions, their choices, the dialogue, the settings, etc.
Everything about the series is top-notch!
(Sorry my review is lousy. Maybe I'll fix it at a later date.)
The author does an excellent job of storytelling.
I like how everything is believable: the characters, their reactions, their choices, the dialogue, the settings, etc.
Everything about the series is top-notch!
(Sorry my review is lousy. Maybe I'll fix it at a later date.)
August 26, 2014
I loved the entire series, but I think this one was my favorite!
August 23, 2015
tug of war with life death and survival not necessarily in that order
May 17, 2014
Amazing the hull book my face was
March 29, 2017
Dark.
Last few pages did a lot to undo the protagonist's efforts, and could've been skipped to provide a more decisive win.
Last few pages did a lot to undo the protagonist's efforts, and could've been skipped to provide a more decisive win.
Read
January 20, 2018had action and suspense, liked it
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews