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World Aflame #1
Wind Warrior
The earth gives way to the sea, the sea bows before the wind, the winds feed the flame, the flame burns the world of man down to the earth.
The sleepy town of White Halls harbours a dangerous secret. On a picturesque street, two houses down from a lovely little park, in a quaint little home with a wraparound porch, lives a family that seems rather normal. Sure, their twenty-year-old son, Xander, still lives at home, but he’s going to college and dating the leader of the schools top sorority. It’s all very… normal.
However, when a man is miraculously saved from being hit by a bus, Xander’s life turns in to the living embodiment of the tornadoes he can suddenly create with a flick of his wrist. Whether he wants this gift or not, Xander must learn to use his new ‘superpower’ quickly if he wants to survive. For his kind is a dying race, and when this sleepy town has a sudden influx of new, blonde, fire wielders, no one is safe, especially Xander. It doesn’t help that one of these blondes happens to be the most beautiful girl he has ever seen. Xander can’t deny the instant connection he feels to her so when she tries to kill him, it certainly makes things complicated.
The sleepy town of White Halls harbours a dangerous secret. On a picturesque street, two houses down from a lovely little park, in a quaint little home with a wraparound porch, lives a family that seems rather normal. Sure, their twenty-year-old son, Xander, still lives at home, but he’s going to college and dating the leader of the schools top sorority. It’s all very… normal.
However, when a man is miraculously saved from being hit by a bus, Xander’s life turns in to the living embodiment of the tornadoes he can suddenly create with a flick of his wrist. Whether he wants this gift or not, Xander must learn to use his new ‘superpower’ quickly if he wants to survive. For his kind is a dying race, and when this sleepy town has a sudden influx of new, blonde, fire wielders, no one is safe, especially Xander. It doesn’t help that one of these blondes happens to be the most beautiful girl he has ever seen. Xander can’t deny the instant connection he feels to her so when she tries to kill him, it certainly makes things complicated.
Paperback
First published June 11, 2013
216 people are currently reading
2104 people want to read
About the author
Jon Messenger
28 books304 followersJon Messenger (Born 1979 in London, England) serves as an United States Army Major in the Medical Service Corps. Since graduating from the University of Southern California in 2002, writing Science Fiction has remained his passion, a passion that has continued through multiple combat and humanitarian deployments. Jon wrote the "Brink of Distinction" trilogy, of which "Burden of Sisyphus" is the first book, while serving a 16-month deployment in Baghdad, Iraq.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
June 14, 2013
To start off my review of this novel, why don’t we do a quick run down of its history, shall we?
Starting off as a much shorter novella, Wind Warrior was submitted into the Clean Teen Publishing anthology Wonderstruck. Shortly after, Jon Messenger decided to take the novella and lengthen it into a full-blown novel. Which, in my personal opinion was a splendid idea!
The story begins with twenty-year-old Xander Sirocco, a college student who still lives at home with his parents and grandfather. He’s plagued with normalcy and a lack of ambition, until one day he inadvertently saves a man from being hit by an oncoming bus. Soon after he discovers he can manipulate the wind around him; shape it, shoot it, collect it, and direct it. His powers are great, but having them comes at a cost: He’s the last of his kind. He’s a Wind Warrior, a race of people who can control wind but are slowly dying out as part of a grand scheme constructed by Mother Earth herself. With the fall of the Wind Caste, comes the rise of the Fire Caste. The Fire Warriors want their place at top of the world, and with Xander now in the way of their plans things get complicated.
Along comes a new girl, Sammy. She’s a Fire Warrior, but the two of them have an instant connection that transcends the supernatural. Their rapport only complicates things further, as now they are forced against one another as their respective clans go head-to-head for control of the entire world. With everything going on, Xander can’t believe he was once a college slacker without direction in his life.
Brilliantly written, expertly paced, and excellently constructed, Wind Warrior is one of the season’s best releases. Jon Messenger paints a world where right under your nose magic exists in the most awestricken way possible. Each character is crafted with care, all with their own places in the story. Some were left without resolution, leaving me aching to read the next novel in the series to know what happens next.
All in all, Wind Warrior by Jon Messenger is an absolutely amazing novel that will leave you yearning for more!
Starting off as a much shorter novella, Wind Warrior was submitted into the Clean Teen Publishing anthology Wonderstruck. Shortly after, Jon Messenger decided to take the novella and lengthen it into a full-blown novel. Which, in my personal opinion was a splendid idea!
The story begins with twenty-year-old Xander Sirocco, a college student who still lives at home with his parents and grandfather. He’s plagued with normalcy and a lack of ambition, until one day he inadvertently saves a man from being hit by an oncoming bus. Soon after he discovers he can manipulate the wind around him; shape it, shoot it, collect it, and direct it. His powers are great, but having them comes at a cost: He’s the last of his kind. He’s a Wind Warrior, a race of people who can control wind but are slowly dying out as part of a grand scheme constructed by Mother Earth herself. With the fall of the Wind Caste, comes the rise of the Fire Caste. The Fire Warriors want their place at top of the world, and with Xander now in the way of their plans things get complicated.
Along comes a new girl, Sammy. She’s a Fire Warrior, but the two of them have an instant connection that transcends the supernatural. Their rapport only complicates things further, as now they are forced against one another as their respective clans go head-to-head for control of the entire world. With everything going on, Xander can’t believe he was once a college slacker without direction in his life.
Brilliantly written, expertly paced, and excellently constructed, Wind Warrior is one of the season’s best releases. Jon Messenger paints a world where right under your nose magic exists in the most awestricken way possible. Each character is crafted with care, all with their own places in the story. Some were left without resolution, leaving me aching to read the next novel in the series to know what happens next.
All in all, Wind Warrior by Jon Messenger is an absolutely amazing novel that will leave you yearning for more!
June 25, 2013
Wind Warrior by Jon Messenger broke through top 100 in Amazon on three categories! Download Wind Warrior in the next 24 hours and be a part of something huge! Help get Wind Warrior to the TOP TEN in all if Amazon! This is the amazing start of a new adult series of elemental users. Find out what happens when the wind feeds the flames and loving your enemy makes things complicated.
http://cleanteenpublishing.blogspot.c...
http://cleanteenpublishing.blogspot.c...
July 7, 2013
Damn Messenger! What a read..
Ok when I got an inbox off Courtney asking if I wanted a copy of this book she just didn't just ask she basically demanded I read it, she raved this book and and built it up so much the word "no" never came to mind.
I was in a rut as far as reading and no matter how good a book was that feeling you get, the excitement and adrenaline of reading a new book, a book you know is going to be good- was lacking.
Like I said I was in a rut, no book was cutting it for me and as my list of books from various sources built up I couldn't bring myself to write their reviews because to put it simply I didn't want to. I had no motivation and although I could distinguish a good book from a bad book my enthusiasm lacked and I wouldn't do any book justice through writing reviews that had no emotion or enthusiasm behind them.
Now enough of my waffling. Jon, Jon, Jon, where have you been hiding!? I could have done with World Aflame #2, #3 and #4 right now!
That's right, with every page I turned I felt my curiosity and my excitement return. I had a smile on my face the whole way through as I sat up and really took notice and care in every word that made up 'Wind Warrior'.
When I saw that cover slowly I felt like my old geeky self. I felt my fingers twitch to begin this amazing story and my eyes never left my iPad from that moment on.
Courtney you saved me! And what a catch you caught here huh!? Messenger this book was not fab it was amazing!
Xander was such a character and do you know what? It was so bloody refreshing reading a book from a guys POV, no more needy and insecure heroins that just get under your skin. I was able to bond with him immediately and this read kept me glued from page 1 to page end.
Who doesn't love a good elemental story?
Xander is a 20 year old college slacker, he knows his family is not 'normal' but I bet he wishes they were when he finds out why. When a normal day turns into anything but and when he feels the wind fill every space his body retains and which ultimately saves a mans life its safe to say his own life is never the same again.
I loved how this fast paced novel still wangled in some romance, a book is never complete without it.
And that ending! What more could readers want. You, Messenger, have managed to write a remarkable YA Fantasy novel and I would not only like to thank you for sharing it with us but also for getting me excited about reading once again.
I think my dear friend Courtney said it best when she described this novel as "AMAZEBALLS".
Ok when I got an inbox off Courtney asking if I wanted a copy of this book she just didn't just ask she basically demanded I read it, she raved this book and and built it up so much the word "no" never came to mind.
I was in a rut as far as reading and no matter how good a book was that feeling you get, the excitement and adrenaline of reading a new book, a book you know is going to be good- was lacking.
Like I said I was in a rut, no book was cutting it for me and as my list of books from various sources built up I couldn't bring myself to write their reviews because to put it simply I didn't want to. I had no motivation and although I could distinguish a good book from a bad book my enthusiasm lacked and I wouldn't do any book justice through writing reviews that had no emotion or enthusiasm behind them.
Now enough of my waffling. Jon, Jon, Jon, where have you been hiding!? I could have done with World Aflame #2, #3 and #4 right now!
That's right, with every page I turned I felt my curiosity and my excitement return. I had a smile on my face the whole way through as I sat up and really took notice and care in every word that made up 'Wind Warrior'.
When I saw that cover slowly I felt like my old geeky self. I felt my fingers twitch to begin this amazing story and my eyes never left my iPad from that moment on.
Courtney you saved me! And what a catch you caught here huh!? Messenger this book was not fab it was amazing!
Xander was such a character and do you know what? It was so bloody refreshing reading a book from a guys POV, no more needy and insecure heroins that just get under your skin. I was able to bond with him immediately and this read kept me glued from page 1 to page end.
Who doesn't love a good elemental story?
Xander is a 20 year old college slacker, he knows his family is not 'normal' but I bet he wishes they were when he finds out why. When a normal day turns into anything but and when he feels the wind fill every space his body retains and which ultimately saves a mans life its safe to say his own life is never the same again.
I loved how this fast paced novel still wangled in some romance, a book is never complete without it.
And that ending! What more could readers want. You, Messenger, have managed to write a remarkable YA Fantasy novel and I would not only like to thank you for sharing it with us but also for getting me excited about reading once again.
I think my dear friend Courtney said it best when she described this novel as "AMAZEBALLS".
June 17, 2013
This book was very different then what I have come to expect when reading one of Messengers’ novels; I knew this book would lack the violence of his other works as it is a NA story. So to be honest while I was sure he could pull it off I was blown away by how well he truly writes in this genre.
I am going to start my review off by saying I totally loved Sean, I realize he’s a supporting character in this book, but he might possibly be my favorite of the crew of characters. One of the most important things (in my opinion) in a book is the ability to connect to the characters whether you feel some sort of kinship, you fall in love with their journey and how they were written or to equally hate them… yeah I know it sounds weird, but I felt something for each character in this book.
Messenger has a way of writing characters with depth that feel like living people you get to know. I felt invested in Xander and Sammy both. My curiosity is probably going to drive me crazy as I wait for the next book in what I believe will be a trilogy. I know a lot of people who read this book will most likely dislike Jessica, but I feel and hope there is a story line for her in each book, hopefully one where she will grow into someone a little less shallow. And Sean… well I just hope we see a lot more of him.
The take on elemental magic was very unique and honestly I can’t think of a single thing I’ve read or seen that reminds me of the world Messenger created. It was truly a great read and I can’t wait to see where he takes this fantasy world and memorable crew of characters.
So pretty much another fantastic novel worth grabbing up and getting lost in.
I am going to start my review off by saying I totally loved Sean, I realize he’s a supporting character in this book, but he might possibly be my favorite of the crew of characters. One of the most important things (in my opinion) in a book is the ability to connect to the characters whether you feel some sort of kinship, you fall in love with their journey and how they were written or to equally hate them… yeah I know it sounds weird, but I felt something for each character in this book.
Messenger has a way of writing characters with depth that feel like living people you get to know. I felt invested in Xander and Sammy both. My curiosity is probably going to drive me crazy as I wait for the next book in what I believe will be a trilogy. I know a lot of people who read this book will most likely dislike Jessica, but I feel and hope there is a story line for her in each book, hopefully one where she will grow into someone a little less shallow. And Sean… well I just hope we see a lot more of him.
The take on elemental magic was very unique and honestly I can’t think of a single thing I’ve read or seen that reminds me of the world Messenger created. It was truly a great read and I can’t wait to see where he takes this fantasy world and memorable crew of characters.
So pretty much another fantastic novel worth grabbing up and getting lost in.
July 31, 2014
Full review can be found at: http://oneguysguidetogoodreads.blogsp...
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My Thoughts:
Wind Warrior was a book I picked up on a whim. It was suggested to me by a fellow blogger and, being on an elemental kick, I decided to take the bait. I picked up my copy (free) from B&N and was elated to discover that our author, Jon Messenger, is a male. Seriously this excites me more than it should. I love reading, but since starting this blog I have not had the opportunity to review the work of a male author that I enjoyed (I've only done one other one and I'd rather not rant about how bad it was again). Anyway. After reading Messenger's bio I was excited to see what he would bring to the table. This was a whole new adventure for me and also a new adventure into the world of Clean Teen Publishing (who I am still slightly confused about). An adventure that, in the end, proved worthwhile.
Let me start out with the my negative thoughts first. Primarily, I had no idea where to place this novel. Is it YA? Is it NA? Well... That's a great question. It's cast features main characters who claim to be 20 years of age and in college. So... NA. In my thoughts? No.
Xander is a 20 year old man who lives with his parents while going to the local college. He is nearing completion and has no idea what he wants to do with his life. Common 20 year old problem, right? I can definitely relate. I am 22 and just graduated and am in the same boat. Welcome to the party Xander. Well, unfortunately that's where Xander's comparison to any other 20 year old end. Xander does not have a job. In fact, Xander is a 20 year old and seems rather spoiled and lazy to me. He is super laid back and never even so much as utters a curse word in this 150 page novel. Seriously. This whole read was entirely too friendly for my liking. Xander lives at home, is a 20 year old man, and is completely coddled by his family. His mom knocks on his bedroom door and sits on his bed to comfort him ans he lies face down under the covers when Xander is having a rough day. Xander's home life is only part of the problem.
School is even more confusing. In the beginning of the story Xander asks his best friend Sean "what are you doing today after school?" I'm sorry... what? He is in college. Who says that? They consistently talk about "school". Not college, not class, "school". Maybe it is just me, but what 20 year old college kid talks about his lecture halls as though it's an 8-3 schedule? Even worse, Xander talks about how he has to "go home after school and finish his homework before dinner". Seriously guys. I had a really hard time with the beginning of this novel. Xander is a child. In my personal thoughts, this book DEFINITELY should be about a 16 year old boy. This "college" thing definitely did not do it for me. As a 22 year old, recently graduated college male, I was extremely offended by Xander. I had to work my ass off through school and definitely didn't make a joke about it. I just think college should be written about more seriously than this story took it. If Xander is going to be a 20 year old, then why is he acting like a child. Get a job dude.
On that same note, Xander's "girlfriend", Jessica. Okay. I know it sounds like I'm ripping this novel apart, but hear me out readers. Jessica is president of the most popular sorority on campus. Jessica is dating Xander. A 20 year old immature boy who has no sense of a college aged male and lives with his parents. Please someone show me where the president of a sorority would ever date this boy. EVER. They wouldn't. End of story. Jessica could be cool, except, this is a college age girl who spends the first 50 pages of the book begging Xander to accompany her to the Formal. Are you kidding me? What kind of college is this. I don't care WHO you are, if you are the president of the sorority and this is your boyfriend, you are not begging him to come to your Formal. Seriously. This is like a high school drama all over again. Can I remind you guys again that we are talking about a college? Not a freshman in college either. This is a sorority president. Definitely a senior. Who acts like the pompous head of the cheerleading squad who is gunning for homecoming queen. Sorry guys, this whole setting just REALLY rubbed me the wrong way.
The last negative aspect I need to cover is Xander's reaction to the sudden acquisition of his powers. Instead of being quiet, scared, or reserved about them like a normal person, what does Xander do? BROADCASTS THEM TO HIS FRIEND. Seriously. he drags his friend to an abandoned field "after school" and then shows him all these awesome things he can do with these powers that, wait for it, he just got YESTERDAY! *sigh* Where is that meme again:
*DESK FLIP MEME*
There we go. Seriously. I really hated the way that Xander's powers were introduced. I feel like there were definitely better ways to go about this. The Spiderman approach would have worked amazingly here. Let the boy get familiar with his powers over the course of some time. Not one night. Give me a break. He is 20 and he has homework and stuff. How ever did he find the time to perfect his new-found powers?
You are probably thinking, "damn Ethan, did you like this book at all?" To that I will go ahead and say that I actually really liked this novel in the end. Once I got passed the beginning, I realized this was something I could definitely get on board with. In fact, I already have books 2 and 3 on my Nook and ready to go. I had to force myself to stop reading so I could write down my thoughts before books 2 and 3 changed my mind, because I can already tell they are about to blow book one OUT OF THE WATER.
The elemental "element" of this story was SPOT ON. I love the thought of only one elemental caste being allowed to live on Earth at one time, that makes for an amazing story. I won't give any spoilers away to interested readers, but the battle that book one sets up is going to be amazing. I can really get on board with that. The supporting characters that Xander meets once he begins to train with his powers are awesome and really give the story some much needed depth. Xander has an awesome "family" of Wind Warriors who are going to prove to be pretty awesome in the end, even for a bunch of "old people".
The redeeming quality of book one for me was the introduction of Sammy's character. Sammy is Xander's new Fire-elemental love interest. Sammy is seriously an awesome selling point for this book. Her story is much more complex than that of Xander's, in my opinion. Her backstory is gripping and she brings some mystery and emotions to the story that were desperately needed. Her (*MINOR SPOLIER*) "betrayal" was one of the most interesting parts of the book. The feelings and emotions she shares for Xander and her father in the various scenes prove to be the most exciting in the whole novel. Sammy is definitely a character I cannot wait to read more about.
The book is told in 3rd person which is really interesting. I haven't seen that in a very long time. Most of the books I read are in 1st person POV and often dual POV these days. With the way Messenger gave a voice to this series we are able to read the story of multiple characters in a simultaneous timeline without ruining another characters story. The shifts in story were done at perfect times and I seriously applaud Messenger for that. It is very hard to write in that style.
The action in Wind Warrior is also pretty awesome. I really like the idea of reading elementals using their powers to fight, but with purpose. The Wind Warrior caste is definitely a group that is worth rooting for, especially once you hear their story. The fire elementals were written to be the perfect villains and General Abraxas was seriously an evil dude. I enjoyed that as well. From his sharpened teeth to all the sneering he did, he seems like the perfect villain... for a YA novel. *sigh*
Big picture wrap up here folks. Wind Warrior is a great read. IF you are looking for something completely safe and easy enough for most anyone to understand. The story is great, if you can see yourself through the beginning of the book. I would seriously give this book probably a 5 star review if only the setting and tone were different. I am very excited to read the next two books in the series and only hope that my fears are abated as soon as I jump back into the World Aflame. Overall I am going to give Wind Warrior a 3 star rating. It was definitely satisfying enough for me to want to continue the series, but the overarching problems I had really made it hard for me to fall in love with this read. Here's to hoping books 2 and 3 blow my socks off!
***********************************************************************************
***********************************************************************************
My Thoughts:
Wind Warrior was a book I picked up on a whim. It was suggested to me by a fellow blogger and, being on an elemental kick, I decided to take the bait. I picked up my copy (free) from B&N and was elated to discover that our author, Jon Messenger, is a male. Seriously this excites me more than it should. I love reading, but since starting this blog I have not had the opportunity to review the work of a male author that I enjoyed (I've only done one other one and I'd rather not rant about how bad it was again). Anyway. After reading Messenger's bio I was excited to see what he would bring to the table. This was a whole new adventure for me and also a new adventure into the world of Clean Teen Publishing (who I am still slightly confused about). An adventure that, in the end, proved worthwhile.
Let me start out with the my negative thoughts first. Primarily, I had no idea where to place this novel. Is it YA? Is it NA? Well... That's a great question. It's cast features main characters who claim to be 20 years of age and in college. So... NA. In my thoughts? No.
Xander is a 20 year old man who lives with his parents while going to the local college. He is nearing completion and has no idea what he wants to do with his life. Common 20 year old problem, right? I can definitely relate. I am 22 and just graduated and am in the same boat. Welcome to the party Xander. Well, unfortunately that's where Xander's comparison to any other 20 year old end. Xander does not have a job. In fact, Xander is a 20 year old and seems rather spoiled and lazy to me. He is super laid back and never even so much as utters a curse word in this 150 page novel. Seriously. This whole read was entirely too friendly for my liking. Xander lives at home, is a 20 year old man, and is completely coddled by his family. His mom knocks on his bedroom door and sits on his bed to comfort him ans he lies face down under the covers when Xander is having a rough day. Xander's home life is only part of the problem.
School is even more confusing. In the beginning of the story Xander asks his best friend Sean "what are you doing today after school?" I'm sorry... what? He is in college. Who says that? They consistently talk about "school". Not college, not class, "school". Maybe it is just me, but what 20 year old college kid talks about his lecture halls as though it's an 8-3 schedule? Even worse, Xander talks about how he has to "go home after school and finish his homework before dinner". Seriously guys. I had a really hard time with the beginning of this novel. Xander is a child. In my personal thoughts, this book DEFINITELY should be about a 16 year old boy. This "college" thing definitely did not do it for me. As a 22 year old, recently graduated college male, I was extremely offended by Xander. I had to work my ass off through school and definitely didn't make a joke about it. I just think college should be written about more seriously than this story took it. If Xander is going to be a 20 year old, then why is he acting like a child. Get a job dude.
On that same note, Xander's "girlfriend", Jessica. Okay. I know it sounds like I'm ripping this novel apart, but hear me out readers. Jessica is president of the most popular sorority on campus. Jessica is dating Xander. A 20 year old immature boy who has no sense of a college aged male and lives with his parents. Please someone show me where the president of a sorority would ever date this boy. EVER. They wouldn't. End of story. Jessica could be cool, except, this is a college age girl who spends the first 50 pages of the book begging Xander to accompany her to the Formal. Are you kidding me? What kind of college is this. I don't care WHO you are, if you are the president of the sorority and this is your boyfriend, you are not begging him to come to your Formal. Seriously. This is like a high school drama all over again. Can I remind you guys again that we are talking about a college? Not a freshman in college either. This is a sorority president. Definitely a senior. Who acts like the pompous head of the cheerleading squad who is gunning for homecoming queen. Sorry guys, this whole setting just REALLY rubbed me the wrong way.
The last negative aspect I need to cover is Xander's reaction to the sudden acquisition of his powers. Instead of being quiet, scared, or reserved about them like a normal person, what does Xander do? BROADCASTS THEM TO HIS FRIEND. Seriously. he drags his friend to an abandoned field "after school" and then shows him all these awesome things he can do with these powers that, wait for it, he just got YESTERDAY! *sigh* Where is that meme again:
*DESK FLIP MEME*
There we go. Seriously. I really hated the way that Xander's powers were introduced. I feel like there were definitely better ways to go about this. The Spiderman approach would have worked amazingly here. Let the boy get familiar with his powers over the course of some time. Not one night. Give me a break. He is 20 and he has homework and stuff. How ever did he find the time to perfect his new-found powers?
You are probably thinking, "damn Ethan, did you like this book at all?" To that I will go ahead and say that I actually really liked this novel in the end. Once I got passed the beginning, I realized this was something I could definitely get on board with. In fact, I already have books 2 and 3 on my Nook and ready to go. I had to force myself to stop reading so I could write down my thoughts before books 2 and 3 changed my mind, because I can already tell they are about to blow book one OUT OF THE WATER.
The elemental "element" of this story was SPOT ON. I love the thought of only one elemental caste being allowed to live on Earth at one time, that makes for an amazing story. I won't give any spoilers away to interested readers, but the battle that book one sets up is going to be amazing. I can really get on board with that. The supporting characters that Xander meets once he begins to train with his powers are awesome and really give the story some much needed depth. Xander has an awesome "family" of Wind Warriors who are going to prove to be pretty awesome in the end, even for a bunch of "old people".
The redeeming quality of book one for me was the introduction of Sammy's character. Sammy is Xander's new Fire-elemental love interest. Sammy is seriously an awesome selling point for this book. Her story is much more complex than that of Xander's, in my opinion. Her backstory is gripping and she brings some mystery and emotions to the story that were desperately needed. Her (*MINOR SPOLIER*) "betrayal" was one of the most interesting parts of the book. The feelings and emotions she shares for Xander and her father in the various scenes prove to be the most exciting in the whole novel. Sammy is definitely a character I cannot wait to read more about.
The book is told in 3rd person which is really interesting. I haven't seen that in a very long time. Most of the books I read are in 1st person POV and often dual POV these days. With the way Messenger gave a voice to this series we are able to read the story of multiple characters in a simultaneous timeline without ruining another characters story. The shifts in story were done at perfect times and I seriously applaud Messenger for that. It is very hard to write in that style.
The action in Wind Warrior is also pretty awesome. I really like the idea of reading elementals using their powers to fight, but with purpose. The Wind Warrior caste is definitely a group that is worth rooting for, especially once you hear their story. The fire elementals were written to be the perfect villains and General Abraxas was seriously an evil dude. I enjoyed that as well. From his sharpened teeth to all the sneering he did, he seems like the perfect villain... for a YA novel. *sigh*
Big picture wrap up here folks. Wind Warrior is a great read. IF you are looking for something completely safe and easy enough for most anyone to understand. The story is great, if you can see yourself through the beginning of the book. I would seriously give this book probably a 5 star review if only the setting and tone were different. I am very excited to read the next two books in the series and only hope that my fears are abated as soon as I jump back into the World Aflame. Overall I am going to give Wind Warrior a 3 star rating. It was definitely satisfying enough for me to want to continue the series, but the overarching problems I had really made it hard for me to fall in love with this read. Here's to hoping books 2 and 3 blow my socks off!
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July 27, 2013
3.5 stars
Wind Warrior is book 1 in the World Aflame series by Jon Messenger. Revolving around Xander, a 20 year old student whose life is spun upside down when he discovers he is a Wind Warrior, able to control the wind and told he has to help save his race against the Fire Warriors, who are trying to speed up the process of them taking over the world from the Wind Warriors by killing the last of them. The inclusion of the elements Earth, Water, Wind and Fire give Wind Warrior a new spin on a superhero/paranormal type book, giving the book a fresh feel and making it different to other books in the same genre. In this book we meet pretty much all of the last of the Wind Warriors, and some Fire Warriors, too. I hope that throughout the series there are some characters included from the other elements to really tie all of them together. The first half of the book focused slightly too much on Xander’s mundane college life for my liking. When he did discover his superpowers, it would have been nice to focus slightly more on that, instead we jumped into a slightly unrealistic relationship with Sammy, a new girl at College who turns out to be one of Xanders biggest rivals. Although both characters describe the quick ‘pull’ towards each other, it seemed rather rushed, and needed to slow down a little to make it seem more real. Although the first part of the book seemed slow and drawn out, the second half was much better, leading to some greatly descriptive fight scenes, which with the inclusion of the wind and fire elements were quite fascinating to read, It was interesting to read the different ways the Warriors could use their elements, and rather than just shooting gusts of wind or fireballs out of their hands, Messenger came up with some unique ways to use the elements to create a much more vivid scene. I find it difficult to read a book when I have trouble connecting to the main character, which is what happened in the first three quarters of this book. Although I did find myself warming to Xander towards the end, I preferred other characters, such as Xanders grandfather, his best friend, Sean, and his almost girlfriend, Jessica, and especially the human latter two, I couldn’t help but hope they would somehow get some superpowers of their own and join the battle! The last part of this book was when it all really started to pick up and get me hooked into it, and I was a little annoyed when it ended as I just wish it had been that gripping from earlier on, and I really hope the next book in this series jumps straight into it and carries on from this book with a great storyline that keeps me turning the pages. I am looking forward to seeing where the next part takes the story and the characters.
Wind Warrior is book 1 in the World Aflame series by Jon Messenger. Revolving around Xander, a 20 year old student whose life is spun upside down when he discovers he is a Wind Warrior, able to control the wind and told he has to help save his race against the Fire Warriors, who are trying to speed up the process of them taking over the world from the Wind Warriors by killing the last of them. The inclusion of the elements Earth, Water, Wind and Fire give Wind Warrior a new spin on a superhero/paranormal type book, giving the book a fresh feel and making it different to other books in the same genre. In this book we meet pretty much all of the last of the Wind Warriors, and some Fire Warriors, too. I hope that throughout the series there are some characters included from the other elements to really tie all of them together. The first half of the book focused slightly too much on Xander’s mundane college life for my liking. When he did discover his superpowers, it would have been nice to focus slightly more on that, instead we jumped into a slightly unrealistic relationship with Sammy, a new girl at College who turns out to be one of Xanders biggest rivals. Although both characters describe the quick ‘pull’ towards each other, it seemed rather rushed, and needed to slow down a little to make it seem more real. Although the first part of the book seemed slow and drawn out, the second half was much better, leading to some greatly descriptive fight scenes, which with the inclusion of the wind and fire elements were quite fascinating to read, It was interesting to read the different ways the Warriors could use their elements, and rather than just shooting gusts of wind or fireballs out of their hands, Messenger came up with some unique ways to use the elements to create a much more vivid scene. I find it difficult to read a book when I have trouble connecting to the main character, which is what happened in the first three quarters of this book. Although I did find myself warming to Xander towards the end, I preferred other characters, such as Xanders grandfather, his best friend, Sean, and his almost girlfriend, Jessica, and especially the human latter two, I couldn’t help but hope they would somehow get some superpowers of their own and join the battle! The last part of this book was when it all really started to pick up and get me hooked into it, and I was a little annoyed when it ended as I just wish it had been that gripping from earlier on, and I really hope the next book in this series jumps straight into it and carries on from this book with a great storyline that keeps me turning the pages. I am looking forward to seeing where the next part takes the story and the characters.
October 13, 2013
My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 unicorns - I loved it!!!
Well I bought it, started reading it, got to chapter 8, reluctantly put it down to go to the Facebook release party that started at 7 pm Central and went until 10 pm, then I finished reading it…..and it was AWESOME!! I’m not sure what it is about stories with elementals, but they draw me in. I think it has something to do with my childhood because I used to stand outside (near Chicago) and pretend I could make the wind gust….sigh sadly though no wind super powers for me. Sorry easily sidetracked :)
The story was wonderful written and sucked you straight into the fabulous world Jon created. I loved both Xander and Sammy equally :) and have secret hopes that in the future they will team up and kick the bad guys’ butts….sorry another tangent! The story has elementals, college, drama, battles, family secrets, heroism and so much more.
Do you like X-men, Firestarter, Air Benders, well how about superheroes? Then you want to read this book, I mean it :) I think I’m going to have to buy this one for my classroom library too!!
Well I bought it, started reading it, got to chapter 8, reluctantly put it down to go to the Facebook release party that started at 7 pm Central and went until 10 pm, then I finished reading it…..and it was AWESOME!! I’m not sure what it is about stories with elementals, but they draw me in. I think it has something to do with my childhood because I used to stand outside (near Chicago) and pretend I could make the wind gust….sigh sadly though no wind super powers for me. Sorry easily sidetracked :)
The story was wonderful written and sucked you straight into the fabulous world Jon created. I loved both Xander and Sammy equally :) and have secret hopes that in the future they will team up and kick the bad guys’ butts….sorry another tangent! The story has elementals, college, drama, battles, family secrets, heroism and so much more.
Do you like X-men, Firestarter, Air Benders, well how about superheroes? Then you want to read this book, I mean it :) I think I’m going to have to buy this one for my classroom library too!!
February 3, 2014
Wind Warrior starts when college student Xander discovers very mysterious powers which he didn't know he possesses. He must learn how to use them in order to save himself from other supernatural powers that he didn't know existed.
I really loved this book from the start, Xander is such a likable character, and the more we know about his powers and other supernatural beings the more hooked I was. I don't think I've read the story that uses four elements in that way so it definitely was a big plus. The story is also full of action and the fighting scenes are very well written, I could picture everything in my head. I want Sean to appear more in the next installments, I liked him from the beginning (Captain America t-shirt!), and besides what's a superhero without his side-kick?
I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Well done.
Thanks for sending me a free copy from the Making Connections group.
I really loved this book from the start, Xander is such a likable character, and the more we know about his powers and other supernatural beings the more hooked I was. I don't think I've read the story that uses four elements in that way so it definitely was a big plus. The story is also full of action and the fighting scenes are very well written, I could picture everything in my head. I want Sean to appear more in the next installments, I liked him from the beginning (Captain America t-shirt!), and besides what's a superhero without his side-kick?
I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Well done.
Thanks for sending me a free copy from the Making Connections group.
June 25, 2013
This is one of my favorite books that are in a male's perspective. I usually have a hard time connecting with the main character if they are a male because, well, I'm not one; but I really could not help but like Xander. Something else I really loved in this book was the relationship between Xander and his grandfather. At first I saw him as this cranky old man that walked with a cane, like the old man in the movie UP. I could not help myself. But, he's more like a mix of him and Clint Eastwood in Million Dollar Baby. I know, my brain is weird. Everyone should have a grandfather like that!
There is also some very amazing supporting characters in this story - Sammy, Jessica, and Sean. Sean is by far one of my favorite supporting characters in a book. His scenes in the story made me laugh out loud - especially one involving a fire extinguisher (if you've read the book, I know you will understand this!). He is the typical college boy that has great ideas but forgets to think things through to the end. He's also the big tail puller, you know the type - the one who picks on the girl he likes to try to hide his attraction to her. That brings us to Jessica, the girl you love to hate but cannot help but root for her. I really hope there is more of her in the series because I can see quite a bit of character growth to the point that she could be an integral part of the elemental world that Messenger has created.
Sammy is an enigma I think. It was pretty obvious "what" she was when her character was introduced, but I could not help but like her. She was so refreshing compared to Jessica, like a breath of fresh air (I know, I know, insert cheesy eye roll here). She is fun, light-hearted (for the most part), and spontaneous. It nearly broke my heart when all was revealed about her.
Then there are the pretty bad-ass Fire Caste. I had a hard time imagining the fire caste as blondes, I really wanted them to be red-heads to match their personality, but it works well for them because of where they come from - living in the depths of the Earth and all that. I can't even imagine how horrible the heat would treat my hair. I know that is a silly thing to mention in a review, but it is one of the things that ran through my head as I was reading.
I am so excited to get the next installment of the World Aflame series, that I am hoping will be at least a trilogy. I am desperate to learn more about Sammy and her part of this puzzle that Messenger has wonderfully built up in this book. I see many amazing things happening with Xander that will probably be something completely new to any wind warriors - his abilities, I think, are something that no other wind warrior has done in the past.
There is also some very amazing supporting characters in this story - Sammy, Jessica, and Sean. Sean is by far one of my favorite supporting characters in a book. His scenes in the story made me laugh out loud - especially one involving a fire extinguisher (if you've read the book, I know you will understand this!). He is the typical college boy that has great ideas but forgets to think things through to the end. He's also the big tail puller, you know the type - the one who picks on the girl he likes to try to hide his attraction to her. That brings us to Jessica, the girl you love to hate but cannot help but root for her. I really hope there is more of her in the series because I can see quite a bit of character growth to the point that she could be an integral part of the elemental world that Messenger has created.
Sammy is an enigma I think. It was pretty obvious "what" she was when her character was introduced, but I could not help but like her. She was so refreshing compared to Jessica, like a breath of fresh air (I know, I know, insert cheesy eye roll here). She is fun, light-hearted (for the most part), and spontaneous. It nearly broke my heart when all was revealed about her.
Then there are the pretty bad-ass Fire Caste. I had a hard time imagining the fire caste as blondes, I really wanted them to be red-heads to match their personality, but it works well for them because of where they come from - living in the depths of the Earth and all that. I can't even imagine how horrible the heat would treat my hair. I know that is a silly thing to mention in a review, but it is one of the things that ran through my head as I was reading.
I am so excited to get the next installment of the World Aflame series, that I am hoping will be at least a trilogy. I am desperate to learn more about Sammy and her part of this puzzle that Messenger has wonderfully built up in this book. I see many amazing things happening with Xander that will probably be something completely new to any wind warriors - his abilities, I think, are something that no other wind warrior has done in the past.
April 24, 2014
THE EARTH GIVES WAY TO THE SEA,
THE SEA BOWS BEFORE THE WIND,
THE WIND FEEDS THE FLAME,
THE FLAME BURNS THE WORLD OF MAN DOWN TO THE EARTH.
Welcome to the World Aflame series by Jon Messenger. We're diving in today with a review of book one in the series Wind Warrior.
Messenger has crafted a mythology with this series of elemental beings that wield the forces of nature to preserve the earth and keep the balance. He first introduces us to the main character of the series, Xander Sirocco, a young man traveling a dull path to nowhere. Xander and the reader soon discover that he is meant for much more than aimlessly attending college, he is the newest member of a dying cast of elementals, the Wind Warriors. Wind Warriors come from a family line of warriors, yet even though Xander still lives at home he has no knowledge of his heritage, until a strange girl comes to town. Suddenly all hell comes to town and Xander is trapped in the middle of a feud he is ready to battle in his mind, but not quite with his heart, soul and most importantly, his new found powers.
The world crafted here, added with the mythology and the truly well thought out cast of characters is what makes this novel so attractive. In developing his world, characters, mythology, story direction, and plot; Messenger went into a new realm and came out swinging. There is a lot of action, clear intrigue and mystery, a nice romance angle that has potential disaster written all over it, and a lot of emotion.
Action is what propels the story, but there are moments when the story moves a little slower than the plot demands, that minor flaw in an otherwise great book. I am definitely aiming to read the next two books in the series and interested in reading the other books in Jon's collection of works.
THE SEA BOWS BEFORE THE WIND,
THE WIND FEEDS THE FLAME,
THE FLAME BURNS THE WORLD OF MAN DOWN TO THE EARTH.
Welcome to the World Aflame series by Jon Messenger. We're diving in today with a review of book one in the series Wind Warrior.
Messenger has crafted a mythology with this series of elemental beings that wield the forces of nature to preserve the earth and keep the balance. He first introduces us to the main character of the series, Xander Sirocco, a young man traveling a dull path to nowhere. Xander and the reader soon discover that he is meant for much more than aimlessly attending college, he is the newest member of a dying cast of elementals, the Wind Warriors. Wind Warriors come from a family line of warriors, yet even though Xander still lives at home he has no knowledge of his heritage, until a strange girl comes to town. Suddenly all hell comes to town and Xander is trapped in the middle of a feud he is ready to battle in his mind, but not quite with his heart, soul and most importantly, his new found powers.
The world crafted here, added with the mythology and the truly well thought out cast of characters is what makes this novel so attractive. In developing his world, characters, mythology, story direction, and plot; Messenger went into a new realm and came out swinging. There is a lot of action, clear intrigue and mystery, a nice romance angle that has potential disaster written all over it, and a lot of emotion.
Action is what propels the story, but there are moments when the story moves a little slower than the plot demands, that minor flaw in an otherwise great book. I am definitely aiming to read the next two books in the series and interested in reading the other books in Jon's collection of works.
January 6, 2014
An excellent opening to an exciting series!
Jon Messenger re-invents elemental power in modern day America to bring us Wind Warrior, the story of young man Xander Sirocco and his discovery that he is descended from the Wind Caste, a tribe of elemental warriors on the verge of extinction. In this relatively short novel Messenger delivers the first great struggle of Xander's journey with plenty of drama, action and heartache going on.
I usually prefer villains to heroes in my adventure books and this one is no exception! I'm already a big fan of the complex issues surrounding Lord Balour and General Abraxas was vividly described, dangerous, conniving and a little bit doo-lally-tap. Loved his appearances a great deal! If you do happen to be a fan of heroes and sidekicks, however, you'll find protagonists Xander and Sammy are suitably likeable with relatable issues for young people trying to find their place in the world. The cast of other Wind Warriors that Xander meets are also highly intriguing, I hope to see more of them as the series continues.
Due to its length I would highly recommend picking up this perma-free read for an afternoon in, but most especially if you're trying to encourage a young teen to read. Its simple but engaging storytelling certainly keeps you interested and there's plenty of action and high drama to make you keep turning the pages. I'm sincerely looking forward to continuing the series with Flame Caller, a longer and more involved novel, in the near future. Overall it was an enjoyable and very interesting read!
Jon Messenger re-invents elemental power in modern day America to bring us Wind Warrior, the story of young man Xander Sirocco and his discovery that he is descended from the Wind Caste, a tribe of elemental warriors on the verge of extinction. In this relatively short novel Messenger delivers the first great struggle of Xander's journey with plenty of drama, action and heartache going on.
I usually prefer villains to heroes in my adventure books and this one is no exception! I'm already a big fan of the complex issues surrounding Lord Balour and General Abraxas was vividly described, dangerous, conniving and a little bit doo-lally-tap. Loved his appearances a great deal! If you do happen to be a fan of heroes and sidekicks, however, you'll find protagonists Xander and Sammy are suitably likeable with relatable issues for young people trying to find their place in the world. The cast of other Wind Warriors that Xander meets are also highly intriguing, I hope to see more of them as the series continues.
Due to its length I would highly recommend picking up this perma-free read for an afternoon in, but most especially if you're trying to encourage a young teen to read. Its simple but engaging storytelling certainly keeps you interested and there's plenty of action and high drama to make you keep turning the pages. I'm sincerely looking forward to continuing the series with Flame Caller, a longer and more involved novel, in the near future. Overall it was an enjoyable and very interesting read!
August 22, 2013
For me, this was a quick read that was enjoyable. I particularly liked Sean, Zander’s best friend. Sean is supportive and fiercely loyal to his buddy. He also loves to joke around and can be somewhat of a trickster. This book is all about the final days before Armageddon and the prophecy of fire devastating everything, everywhere is fearsome. Only a few Wind Warriors remain, but the Fire Warriors are on the rise, and most of them want to exterminate their foes the Wind Warriors so they can destroy the wicked world and give the planet a fresh, clean start.
Zander comes into his power unexpectedly and most dramatically. What happen amazes him as much as it does the small audience that observes the event. Unfortunately, by calling on his new power, he also unwittingly leads the Fire Warriors to his doorstep. Sammy’s mission is to kill Zander; however, plans change because she and Zander feel a compulsive attraction that defies logic.
This novella is packed with lots of action, bizarre twists, and plenty of humor. It’s a good introduction to an imminent confrontation in which the plight of the whole world will hang in the balance. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next in this planned series.
This book was provided to me by Clean Teen Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
Zander comes into his power unexpectedly and most dramatically. What happen amazes him as much as it does the small audience that observes the event. Unfortunately, by calling on his new power, he also unwittingly leads the Fire Warriors to his doorstep. Sammy’s mission is to kill Zander; however, plans change because she and Zander feel a compulsive attraction that defies logic.
This novella is packed with lots of action, bizarre twists, and plenty of humor. It’s a good introduction to an imminent confrontation in which the plight of the whole world will hang in the balance. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next in this planned series.
This book was provided to me by Clean Teen Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
September 20, 2013
I loved the plot of this story surrounding the elemental powers and that it was not clearly a good verses evil tale. I usually do not enjoy YA as much as I enjoyed Wind Warrior! This was a great read for so many reasons, one being that the male characters were written so well. The characters truly come alive, and Sean was by far my favorite. I loved Xander and Sammy too and can see theirs being an epic love story but hope the next book includes Sean and Jessica because they added so much down to earth humor. Although young readers can read this story, the characters and story were by no means immature. The narrative just flowed and was never dull. The fact that the author went where he went in the end impressed me, I won't spoil it, I was a bit shocked at first then thought it added a depth overall that was necessary. Also, I feel comfortable letting my thirteen year old read this novel that he is sure to love! I have read in reviews that Jon Messenger writes books other than YA, so I will be eagerly searching them out as well. Wind Warrior was a very well written fantasy adventure that had me totally immersed in the story from beginning to end and rooting for the characters. It has left me longing to know what happens next! This is going to be a great series!
June 10, 2015
I have had this book since 2013 and have wanted to read it. I signed up for this tour so that I would force myself to finally read it. I have been wanting to start this series for forever, but I always had other books I needed to read first.
I did enjoy the story of the elementals and the fight for control over the Earth. I had a hard time with this book because it felt rushed at times and things weren't fleshed out enough. There didn't seem to be a lot of explanation or development of the characters. I never really got a good connection to any of them. There were times where a character would act a certain way with absolutely no explanation as to why they did it. I think this could be a much better story if some information was given along with the event that is happening or at the very least some more character development. I also noticed quite a few grammatical errors but not enough to detract from the story. I think this could be a 4-4.5 story if more of the story was fleshed out. Right now I have to give it 3 books. I have the 2nd book in the series Flame Caller, but have not started it yet. I'm a little hesitant as I don't have any real connection to the story or the characters.
I did enjoy the story of the elementals and the fight for control over the Earth. I had a hard time with this book because it felt rushed at times and things weren't fleshed out enough. There didn't seem to be a lot of explanation or development of the characters. I never really got a good connection to any of them. There were times where a character would act a certain way with absolutely no explanation as to why they did it. I think this could be a much better story if some information was given along with the event that is happening or at the very least some more character development. I also noticed quite a few grammatical errors but not enough to detract from the story. I think this could be a 4-4.5 story if more of the story was fleshed out. Right now I have to give it 3 books. I have the 2nd book in the series Flame Caller, but have not started it yet. I'm a little hesitant as I don't have any real connection to the story or the characters.
June 1, 2014
The Wind Warrior was a great start to a YA series that's a little hard to categorize completely, but I'd say it could fall into science fiction/apocalyptic. What I really thought was really original was the system of elemental powers that people possess, including earth, wind, water and fire. There is a cycle, with each caste being in control before giving way to the next. The abilities they have aren't magical in nature, but rather supernatural powers. It was a fast read that flowed well and I really enjoyed the book. When I came to the end, it was sort of a cliff-hanger, but I really wanted to start the next book right away to find out how the story continues.
As far as the main characters, I liked Xander and Sammy both, and over the course of the book, their relationship grows into something more, with Sammy recognizes that she cares about Xander and what happens to him. Out of the characters introduced in The Wind Warrior, I think my favorites would have to be Xander's grandfather and Giovanni, and it was easy to root for them because of what they were facing.
My rating for The Wind Warrior, book 1 in the World Aflame series is 4/5 platypires.
As far as the main characters, I liked Xander and Sammy both, and over the course of the book, their relationship grows into something more, with Sammy recognizes that she cares about Xander and what happens to him. Out of the characters introduced in The Wind Warrior, I think my favorites would have to be Xander's grandfather and Giovanni, and it was easy to root for them because of what they were facing.
My rating for The Wind Warrior, book 1 in the World Aflame series is 4/5 platypires.
November 13, 2013
I won a paperback copy of this book from a giveaway from Clean Teen Publishing, in return for an honest review. This book totally blew me away. I loved the story line and how the author was able to bring these characters to life in my mind. I felt as if I was watching a movie while reading this book. I was full of excitement, surprises, and lots of action from beginning to end and it was very hard to put this remarkable book down. When I did put it down, I was daydreaming about what might be happening next. It’s a RECOMMENDED MUST READ that will entertain and entice you to want to read more of this phenomenal story that has made it to my top 5 Teen Paranormal Sci-Fi of 2013. I am very excited and anxious to read more from this author and the wild ride that is sure to come in the next book. This author’s writing has a way to reel you in and keep you entertained for a few hours of awesomeness. The ending alone has me very curious about how everything will turn out. Thank you, Clean Teen Publishing and Jon Messenger, for this unforgettable and fun read!!!
May 18, 2014
In a world heading towards the apocalypse, one completely unmotivated college student could be all that can save the world from complete destruction. Will he succeed?
I don't know. Looks like I'm going to have to continue reading this series to find out just how concerned I should be about the impending apocalypse.
I found the basic idea behind this story to be very intriguing, that there are select supernatural castes of people sent to the Earth to see it through specific phases of development. While it doesn't really focus on a religious aspect, for me it got me thinking about it, and I'm not particularly religious. It makes a certain kind of sense that God would send fire wielding super humans to destroy the Earth to be recycled. I find it a sign of a good book when it makes me think of things outside of the realm of the story itself.
While the main character is in college, I would have no problem with my children reading this book in middle school or so.
I don't know. Looks like I'm going to have to continue reading this series to find out just how concerned I should be about the impending apocalypse.
I found the basic idea behind this story to be very intriguing, that there are select supernatural castes of people sent to the Earth to see it through specific phases of development. While it doesn't really focus on a religious aspect, for me it got me thinking about it, and I'm not particularly religious. It makes a certain kind of sense that God would send fire wielding super humans to destroy the Earth to be recycled. I find it a sign of a good book when it makes me think of things outside of the realm of the story itself.
While the main character is in college, I would have no problem with my children reading this book in middle school or so.
March 3, 2016
3 Platypires for Wind Warrior by Jon Messenger
I was really looking forward to reading Wind Warrior. I think the cover is amazing and it was really what grabbed me. What I was not expecting was that it read like a middle grade book. The whole time I kept thinking of Percy Jackson and Bobby Pendragon yet this novel is for adults. Xander is a 20 year old college student living at home and having nothing much going for him till he develops a super power. The writing was pretty simple which even though Xander is a 20 year old man , I kept think he was a young teenager. I think I had real trouble picturing him as older.
Now as for the story, I thought it was pretty good. It kept me pretty interested and it was really quick read. The story was really fact paced and I sorta wish there was more development in the back story. Here's hoping more is revealed in the upcoming novels.
Overall , I liked Wind Warrior and plan on reading the next book in the series.
I was really looking forward to reading Wind Warrior. I think the cover is amazing and it was really what grabbed me. What I was not expecting was that it read like a middle grade book. The whole time I kept thinking of Percy Jackson and Bobby Pendragon yet this novel is for adults. Xander is a 20 year old college student living at home and having nothing much going for him till he develops a super power. The writing was pretty simple which even though Xander is a 20 year old man , I kept think he was a young teenager. I think I had real trouble picturing him as older.
Now as for the story, I thought it was pretty good. It kept me pretty interested and it was really quick read. The story was really fact paced and I sorta wish there was more development in the back story. Here's hoping more is revealed in the upcoming novels.
Overall , I liked Wind Warrior and plan on reading the next book in the series.
May 24, 2014
Wind Warrior by Jon Messenger has me hooked. It is easy to picture these characters in your head as go through the trials that they face. This book was so different from other books that I have read that I did not put it down until I came to the end. It captured my attention that thoroughly. If you are looking for a sweet romance, this is not your book. This is about finding out that you have a super power and that there are people trying to kill you (like your date to a dance).
Xander falls for Sammy. It should be simple, but Xander is a wind warrior and Sammy is a fire warrior. They are supposed to hate each other. I found myself amused, angry and heartbroken when I read this book. This series is a must read if you are looking for something new. I give it 5 stars because it was so entertaining, I read it twice.
Xander falls for Sammy. It should be simple, but Xander is a wind warrior and Sammy is a fire warrior. They are supposed to hate each other. I found myself amused, angry and heartbroken when I read this book. This series is a must read if you are looking for something new. I give it 5 stars because it was so entertaining, I read it twice.
May 31, 2014
I have been eagerly waiting for a time to read this book, so I was very excited to find out that it was my Relentless Reviewers book for May.
There has yet to be a CTP book that I haven't enjoyed, and this book is no exception. Although I already had high expectations for it.
Xander is an awesome character, although I do find his grandfather to be much cooler than he was.
There are some issues in the book, mostly with grammar. I also felt there were parts that went by too quickly, and so they lacked the full emotional connection they could have had with the readers.
I very much enjoyed how the elemental powers worked in this book, and I cannot wait to read more in this series.
4/5 Platypires
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/w...
There has yet to be a CTP book that I haven't enjoyed, and this book is no exception. Although I already had high expectations for it.
Xander is an awesome character, although I do find his grandfather to be much cooler than he was.
There are some issues in the book, mostly with grammar. I also felt there were parts that went by too quickly, and so they lacked the full emotional connection they could have had with the readers.
I very much enjoyed how the elemental powers worked in this book, and I cannot wait to read more in this series.
4/5 Platypires
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/w...
November 13, 2013
I give it a 5 star
I was sucked right in to this world of wind and flame. For the first word to the last, Messenger keeps the action going. With the wind caste trying to survive, the fire caste wanting their turn to rule..the battles between the two groups are scorching.
"The sea bows before the WIND, the WIND feeds the FLAME, the FLAME burns the world of man down to the EARTH." (absolutely true)
"People with super powers don't just suddenly appear without someone noticing."
I was sucked right in to this world of wind and flame. For the first word to the last, Messenger keeps the action going. With the wind caste trying to survive, the fire caste wanting their turn to rule..the battles between the two groups are scorching.
"The sea bows before the WIND, the WIND feeds the FLAME, the FLAME burns the world of man down to the EARTH." (absolutely true)
"People with super powers don't just suddenly appear without someone noticing."
November 17, 2013
Loved It!!
I've never read an elemental book before and Wind Warrior has me wanting to read more in the genre.
It's exciting, intruguing with a relatable main character.
A sweet romantic element pulled it all together for me.
Well done Jon!
I've never read an elemental book before and Wind Warrior has me wanting to read more in the genre.
It's exciting, intruguing with a relatable main character.
A sweet romantic element pulled it all together for me.
Well done Jon!
March 5, 2015
I don't really want to go on about this book for too long, specifically because I don't actually care all that much about it, but I don't want to not write anything so here goes.
I found this book on Goodreads, and was excited to read it, so I bought the book and was waiting for it to ship when I discovered that the first book was free on Amazon Kindle, so I decided to get the ebook and read it before my physical book shipped to see if I'd actually really enjoy this enough to buy the physical copy, which was around $12-15. Unfortunately, while the book deals with elementals, which I haven't read a whole lot of and so thought it was very original, I found that the book fell a little flat for me. I am apparently in the minority, as I have recently (in the last 3 or 4 months recently) taken to reading reviews on Goodreads before starting new book series I have never heard of to find out if I would like them prior to purchasing them. The reviews all sounded really good, and even the bad reviews didn't say anything about things that I would be annoyed with, so I gave it a shot and came away slightly disappointed. But my bonus is that I was able to cancel the book before it shipped, so I didn't have to spend any money on it.
I had several things that rubbed me the wrong way. The first, is apparently the main character (I literally just finished this book exactly an hour ago, but can't remember any names) is going out with this girl, but then again, apparently they aren't dating. His best friend claims that the main character was devoted to her, and she seemed to think they were together, but when he described their relationship in his head, it was "she's a friend and I don't think I want to pursue that with her", which tells me they aren't actually dating? I'm not sure. That bugs me, and seriously, just commit. Either go out with her or don't. The ridiculous we are kinda together but kinda not is an attitude that is too rampant now a days. I find it all the time everywhere. Just make a choice and stick with it. Goodness.
Secondly, I get that some people like to move out when they go to college, even when their parents live in the same place as the university/college, but other people like to stay home. What is the problem with that? The whole first portion of the book constantly had the guy getting made fun of by everyone including himself because he was 20 and still living at home. What is wrong with that? I'm 27 and still living at home, because hey, this way I get to save money, pay off student loans, and save up to buy a house. And most of my friends (except for like 3) still live with their parents. I felt really offended the whole time that they were giving him a hard time, and even when he was like "I'm a loser cuz I live with my parents and I'm 20". And his parents did it too. Goodness, what is wrong with him staying at home? I get some people like to move out immediately after high school graduation, but there are just as many who don't. And when you live in a city that has an extremely high cost of living, sometimes, to lessen the amount of debt you're in, people decide to stay home. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT and I don't appreciate being made to feel like I'm less of a person because I've made a choice to save money. Did not appreciate this part of the story and actually took a full star away just for it.
Thirdly, he met the actual love interest one day, and seriously, within like minutes they are flirting, his pseudo-girlfriend is all angry and jealous, and literally almost a week later he's all she betrayed me but I love her. What? They literally had one conversation during a class, a confrontation with his ex, and then they had their first date at the spring formal (although what university has formals like high school? Mine sure didn't. We had concerts and other things, but no formals which to me signify high school life). At the formal he practically decides he's in love with her, but then she tries to kill him, and he's all I love her but I should hate her, but I'm in love with her and just want to see her. Gah.
Fourthly, his powers. If I saved someone's life by making the wind move and create an air bubble in the sky and I had never been able to do that before, I think I would have freaked out more, but he was just like, nope that's awesome. And him and his bff seemed overly immature the whole time about it, and other things. Especially his bff's hatred of main guy's pseudo-gf, although there seemed to be something between them at one point, but then it disappeared again, so not sure what is up with that. And then the parents and grandfather know about the wind powers and even after he confronts them, they don't really say anything. He gets angry about their silence and tries to leave, they are all it's too dangerous for you, and then he's all I don't care, and the dad just says maybe it's for the best? Yeah, let us let our child go out into the world where he'll be in danger. So at first, the father is all you still live at home when you shouldn't, and then is all it's too dangerous to leave, and then just let him go? Gah, adults in these types of novels.
I gave it 2 stars instead of the 1 I think it deserves based on the concept and idea Jon Messenger had, but it was just too poorly executed for me to get behind. If you aren't bothered by any of the above mentioned things, and feel still very much interested in the story, give it a go. And even if you are, perhaps this won't rub you the wrong way, as everyone seems to like this book. It just wasn't the best book I've read, and not the absolute worst, but was difficult for me to fully buy into the book, I didn't really care for any of the characters, and as I said, I don't even remember their names after reading the book 1 hour ago, which doesn't bode well for my liking of a story. I really did want to like this one, but just found it too blah to bother reading anymore. My only consolation is that I read the free ebook in time to delete the physical book from my order prior to it being shipped. Thank goodness.
I found this book on Goodreads, and was excited to read it, so I bought the book and was waiting for it to ship when I discovered that the first book was free on Amazon Kindle, so I decided to get the ebook and read it before my physical book shipped to see if I'd actually really enjoy this enough to buy the physical copy, which was around $12-15. Unfortunately, while the book deals with elementals, which I haven't read a whole lot of and so thought it was very original, I found that the book fell a little flat for me. I am apparently in the minority, as I have recently (in the last 3 or 4 months recently) taken to reading reviews on Goodreads before starting new book series I have never heard of to find out if I would like them prior to purchasing them. The reviews all sounded really good, and even the bad reviews didn't say anything about things that I would be annoyed with, so I gave it a shot and came away slightly disappointed. But my bonus is that I was able to cancel the book before it shipped, so I didn't have to spend any money on it.
I had several things that rubbed me the wrong way. The first, is apparently the main character (I literally just finished this book exactly an hour ago, but can't remember any names) is going out with this girl, but then again, apparently they aren't dating. His best friend claims that the main character was devoted to her, and she seemed to think they were together, but when he described their relationship in his head, it was "she's a friend and I don't think I want to pursue that with her", which tells me they aren't actually dating? I'm not sure. That bugs me, and seriously, just commit. Either go out with her or don't. The ridiculous we are kinda together but kinda not is an attitude that is too rampant now a days. I find it all the time everywhere. Just make a choice and stick with it. Goodness.
Secondly, I get that some people like to move out when they go to college, even when their parents live in the same place as the university/college, but other people like to stay home. What is the problem with that? The whole first portion of the book constantly had the guy getting made fun of by everyone including himself because he was 20 and still living at home. What is wrong with that? I'm 27 and still living at home, because hey, this way I get to save money, pay off student loans, and save up to buy a house. And most of my friends (except for like 3) still live with their parents. I felt really offended the whole time that they were giving him a hard time, and even when he was like "I'm a loser cuz I live with my parents and I'm 20". And his parents did it too. Goodness, what is wrong with him staying at home? I get some people like to move out immediately after high school graduation, but there are just as many who don't. And when you live in a city that has an extremely high cost of living, sometimes, to lessen the amount of debt you're in, people decide to stay home. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT and I don't appreciate being made to feel like I'm less of a person because I've made a choice to save money. Did not appreciate this part of the story and actually took a full star away just for it.
Thirdly, he met the actual love interest one day, and seriously, within like minutes they are flirting, his pseudo-girlfriend is all angry and jealous, and literally almost a week later he's all she betrayed me but I love her. What? They literally had one conversation during a class, a confrontation with his ex, and then they had their first date at the spring formal (although what university has formals like high school? Mine sure didn't. We had concerts and other things, but no formals which to me signify high school life). At the formal he practically decides he's in love with her, but then she tries to kill him, and he's all I love her but I should hate her, but I'm in love with her and just want to see her. Gah.
Fourthly, his powers. If I saved someone's life by making the wind move and create an air bubble in the sky and I had never been able to do that before, I think I would have freaked out more, but he was just like, nope that's awesome. And him and his bff seemed overly immature the whole time about it, and other things. Especially his bff's hatred of main guy's pseudo-gf, although there seemed to be something between them at one point, but then it disappeared again, so not sure what is up with that. And then the parents and grandfather know about the wind powers and even after he confronts them, they don't really say anything. He gets angry about their silence and tries to leave, they are all it's too dangerous for you, and then he's all I don't care, and the dad just says maybe it's for the best? Yeah, let us let our child go out into the world where he'll be in danger. So at first, the father is all you still live at home when you shouldn't, and then is all it's too dangerous to leave, and then just let him go? Gah, adults in these types of novels.
I gave it 2 stars instead of the 1 I think it deserves based on the concept and idea Jon Messenger had, but it was just too poorly executed for me to get behind. If you aren't bothered by any of the above mentioned things, and feel still very much interested in the story, give it a go. And even if you are, perhaps this won't rub you the wrong way, as everyone seems to like this book. It just wasn't the best book I've read, and not the absolute worst, but was difficult for me to fully buy into the book, I didn't really care for any of the characters, and as I said, I don't even remember their names after reading the book 1 hour ago, which doesn't bode well for my liking of a story. I really did want to like this one, but just found it too blah to bother reading anymore. My only consolation is that I read the free ebook in time to delete the physical book from my order prior to it being shipped. Thank goodness.
August 24, 2013
This review taken from:
RamblingsOnReadings
Title: Wind Warrior
Author: Jon Messenger
Genre: New Adult Fantasy
Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing
Pages: 192 pages
Best for: 15 and up (no sex, very little language)
Check it out: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Good Reads
I received this book from Clean Teen Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book! Fast paced with lots of action and fantasy, and the promise for a great sequel! Jon Messenger’s writing is clean and crisp, making the book easy and enjoyable to read. The story was fairly simple, although there is a lot of promise for a complex conflict later on.
Messenger doesn’t waste any time; you meet Xander, the main character and then BAM you head straight into the conflict.
I had a little trouble connecting with Xander. I think perhaps it was because he’s a guy, and an unmotivated college student, two things I am not. I am a very motivated college student, not to mention a girl :) Anyway, that being said, I LOVED Sammy, and connected much better with her character. She is part of a complicated family, and has to figure out what she believes is right, which was a nice little sub plot that I enjoyed quite a bit. I hope to get more insight into her character in the second book.
There is a long history of conflict between the Wind Caste (Wind Warriors) and the Fire Caste (Fire Warriors) that felt very High Fantasy to me; this book is set in our world though, in modern day, so it’s not written as High Fantasy. But you get to see a young man gain new powers, forced to learn how to use those powers out of necessity, and then rise to try to defeat a very powerful enemy. I’m really excited to see where this series goes because Wind Warrior was quite short, and I kept wanting to know more about the characters and what happened next. There’s a wealth of potential for this series, and as I read, I got the feeling that Messenger was a talented enough writer to really tap into that as the books progressed. I really hope he spends a little time fleshing out his characters in the next one, because he set a good foundation and the conflict is excellent. He has my attention.
Don’t waste that.
There is definitely insta-love in this book. HOWEVER, Messenger kept hinting that there was some sort of supernatural explanation for that, so I’m assuming that is coming in the next book. I’m interested to see what it might be. Also, since New Adult is such a new genre and is working on defining itself, I didn’t really think to categorize it as such until I looked on Good Reads and remembered the characters are in college. So while there is no sex and very little language, I would still categorize it as New Adult (thank you for some clean books in this genre!!)
Secondary characters Sean and Jessica had a few chapters to themselves that were quite entertaining. I REALLY hope they join Xander as side-kick comic relief in the second book because they were very funny. I feel like they will add a nice layer of realness (not reality, no) to the story, because they are such ordinary people having to react to an extraordinary circumstance, and they react with humor (or, at least, they react in ways that are humorous to the reader). Always a positive.
So I have high hopes for the second book. While I really enjoyed this book (hence the glowing review), it was not a book I felt compelled to read straight through in one sitting (hence the four stars rather than five). But I was highly entertained, and it was a pleasant, easy, well-crafted read.
RamblingsOnReadings
Title: Wind Warrior
Author: Jon Messenger
Genre: New Adult Fantasy
Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing
Pages: 192 pages
Best for: 15 and up (no sex, very little language)
Check it out: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Good Reads
I received this book from Clean Teen Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book! Fast paced with lots of action and fantasy, and the promise for a great sequel! Jon Messenger’s writing is clean and crisp, making the book easy and enjoyable to read. The story was fairly simple, although there is a lot of promise for a complex conflict later on.
Messenger doesn’t waste any time; you meet Xander, the main character and then BAM you head straight into the conflict.
I had a little trouble connecting with Xander. I think perhaps it was because he’s a guy, and an unmotivated college student, two things I am not. I am a very motivated college student, not to mention a girl :) Anyway, that being said, I LOVED Sammy, and connected much better with her character. She is part of a complicated family, and has to figure out what she believes is right, which was a nice little sub plot that I enjoyed quite a bit. I hope to get more insight into her character in the second book.
There is a long history of conflict between the Wind Caste (Wind Warriors) and the Fire Caste (Fire Warriors) that felt very High Fantasy to me; this book is set in our world though, in modern day, so it’s not written as High Fantasy. But you get to see a young man gain new powers, forced to learn how to use those powers out of necessity, and then rise to try to defeat a very powerful enemy. I’m really excited to see where this series goes because Wind Warrior was quite short, and I kept wanting to know more about the characters and what happened next. There’s a wealth of potential for this series, and as I read, I got the feeling that Messenger was a talented enough writer to really tap into that as the books progressed. I really hope he spends a little time fleshing out his characters in the next one, because he set a good foundation and the conflict is excellent. He has my attention.
Don’t waste that.
There is definitely insta-love in this book. HOWEVER, Messenger kept hinting that there was some sort of supernatural explanation for that, so I’m assuming that is coming in the next book. I’m interested to see what it might be. Also, since New Adult is such a new genre and is working on defining itself, I didn’t really think to categorize it as such until I looked on Good Reads and remembered the characters are in college. So while there is no sex and very little language, I would still categorize it as New Adult (thank you for some clean books in this genre!!)
Secondary characters Sean and Jessica had a few chapters to themselves that were quite entertaining. I REALLY hope they join Xander as side-kick comic relief in the second book because they were very funny. I feel like they will add a nice layer of realness (not reality, no) to the story, because they are such ordinary people having to react to an extraordinary circumstance, and they react with humor (or, at least, they react in ways that are humorous to the reader). Always a positive.
So I have high hopes for the second book. While I really enjoyed this book (hence the glowing review), it was not a book I felt compelled to read straight through in one sitting (hence the four stars rather than five). But I was highly entertained, and it was a pleasant, easy, well-crafted read.
September 26, 2013
I had such high hopes for this. It really had such great potential. I think if it would have had a stronger set-up in the beginning for the story it would have worked better for me.
Here are the questions/issues that I just couldn't get out of my head as I read this and the next book, Flame Caller:
1. The protagonists are supposed to be college age, but to me they act more like they're in high school.
2. You follow two of Xander's friends in the story, but it's like they might have a partial chapter and then they disappear and I don't know why their story is being told. It seems a little irrelevant. Maybe more will happen later that involves them, but it just seems out of place - the way they're included.
3. Probably my biggest thing has to do with the attitude of the wind warriors towards Sammy and the fire warriors. Supposedly they've never fought each other, ever met a fire warrior, or had a reason too, yet they have this insane hatred for them and have trained in their arts to do battles. It just doesn't make sense why they would do that or be that way or why they would seclude themselves when they haven't been doing anything for the world or against anyone for many decades, if not longer. None of this is really ever explained and when some information is given it isn't complete or even completely makes sense to me.
4. I get that there supposedly is a purpose to the elemental powers that these people are given, but I don't see any of that in the actual story being carried out. The world and these powers just don't make sense to me.
5. There is some inconsistency to what Xander hears from his father and grandfather. He hears them arguing about trying to protect him that others will find him, yet they shouldn't be at risk of anyone doing so if the fire warriors and wind warriors really have been living at peace and just wait for their time to end/begin. So, this didn't make sense to me. It would work if they just wanted to leave to have another life, but there isn't a reason not to tell Xander who he is at this point and prepare him for his powers to come so that he doesn't do something he shouldn't and he wouldn't be at risk because the fire warriors haven't ever tried to kill anyone before.
For me, who likes things to be consistent and make sense, to be given information about the past or about a world and then have that information be obsolete or not having any bearing as the story unfolds just doesn't work for me. I think that if the background would have been different so that it supported what the different groups and characters felt and did then it would have worked a lot better.
I do think that the author has great potential. I would also say that the characters were likable and the story could have been really good. It just didn't work for me. It also was completely clean, which is a huge plus for me.
Here are the questions/issues that I just couldn't get out of my head as I read this and the next book, Flame Caller:
1. The protagonists are supposed to be college age, but to me they act more like they're in high school.
2. You follow two of Xander's friends in the story, but it's like they might have a partial chapter and then they disappear and I don't know why their story is being told. It seems a little irrelevant. Maybe more will happen later that involves them, but it just seems out of place - the way they're included.
3. Probably my biggest thing has to do with the attitude of the wind warriors towards Sammy and the fire warriors. Supposedly they've never fought each other, ever met a fire warrior, or had a reason too, yet they have this insane hatred for them and have trained in their arts to do battles. It just doesn't make sense why they would do that or be that way or why they would seclude themselves when they haven't been doing anything for the world or against anyone for many decades, if not longer. None of this is really ever explained and when some information is given it isn't complete or even completely makes sense to me.
4. I get that there supposedly is a purpose to the elemental powers that these people are given, but I don't see any of that in the actual story being carried out. The world and these powers just don't make sense to me.
5. There is some inconsistency to what Xander hears from his father and grandfather. He hears them arguing about trying to protect him that others will find him, yet they shouldn't be at risk of anyone doing so if the fire warriors and wind warriors really have been living at peace and just wait for their time to end/begin. So, this didn't make sense to me. It would work if they just wanted to leave to have another life, but there isn't a reason not to tell Xander who he is at this point and prepare him for his powers to come so that he doesn't do something he shouldn't and he wouldn't be at risk because the fire warriors haven't ever tried to kill anyone before.
For me, who likes things to be consistent and make sense, to be given information about the past or about a world and then have that information be obsolete or not having any bearing as the story unfolds just doesn't work for me. I think that if the background would have been different so that it supported what the different groups and characters felt and did then it would have worked a lot better.
I do think that the author has great potential. I would also say that the characters were likable and the story could have been really good. It just didn't work for me. It also was completely clean, which is a huge plus for me.
July 25, 2014
I'm actually surprised by how good this book was. It is a very quick read, and it's pretty well done, aside from a couple of errors I found, but those are negligible. I didn't really "stub my toe" reading over the errors.
So within the first few pages, I was hooked because Xander discovers he has powers. And he's 20. SO he's a little more mature, yet still pretty funny, and not so annoyingly and stupidly immature as some protagonists in YA novels can be.
This is another book that bounces back and forth in point of views, but since it is written in 3rd person POV, it isn't confusing. You immediately know from which perspective you are reading from.
This is a mellow read. What I mean by that is that this, in my opinion, wasn't super packed and charged with emotion and action and totally ballistic that your head spins like other novels can do. It has action, and it has romance and some humor. But none of those take away any focus form the book. What really gave this book it's drive is the plot. I wanted to find out what happens next. I wanted to know more. I couldn't really form a "bond" with the characters and the romance isn't the focus at all. And that isn't a bad thing, not for this book at least.
Jon Messenger is an exceptional narrative writer. Great creative writing, but there wasn't a lot of focus to detail. And by detail, I don't mean go on for paragraphs explaining one object. I mean like finding a nice little phrase or euphemism to express an object or idea. While it may be creative like "The magnificent spray of water twinkled down all around us" but it isn't really detailed where I can picture how it can look exactly like "Cool misty droplets spray over the area like diamond dust rain in the dawn of spring."
I don't know if I was just tired or anything. But I didn't see a big effort put into literary elements like detailed writing, or clever symbolism. I felt like this was made just for the sake of writing a book. And I think that's alright too. Even though I do enjoy reading books that really test me and make me want to analyze, this book was just as good. It was a book made for entertainment, and entertained I was. I didn't have to work my brain like crazy, I just read and allowed my mind to picture things on its own.
Overall, this book was something I really enjoyed. If you're a bookworm, but your brain is fried and you want to relax, yet you have an addiction to literature. I recommend you pick up this book. You will be addicted. And even then, if you just want to read, I think this is a nice book.
FOUR STARS!
So within the first few pages, I was hooked because Xander discovers he has powers. And he's 20. SO he's a little more mature, yet still pretty funny, and not so annoyingly and stupidly immature as some protagonists in YA novels can be.
This is another book that bounces back and forth in point of views, but since it is written in 3rd person POV, it isn't confusing. You immediately know from which perspective you are reading from.
This is a mellow read. What I mean by that is that this, in my opinion, wasn't super packed and charged with emotion and action and totally ballistic that your head spins like other novels can do. It has action, and it has romance and some humor. But none of those take away any focus form the book. What really gave this book it's drive is the plot. I wanted to find out what happens next. I wanted to know more. I couldn't really form a "bond" with the characters and the romance isn't the focus at all. And that isn't a bad thing, not for this book at least.
Jon Messenger is an exceptional narrative writer. Great creative writing, but there wasn't a lot of focus to detail. And by detail, I don't mean go on for paragraphs explaining one object. I mean like finding a nice little phrase or euphemism to express an object or idea. While it may be creative like "The magnificent spray of water twinkled down all around us" but it isn't really detailed where I can picture how it can look exactly like "Cool misty droplets spray over the area like diamond dust rain in the dawn of spring."
I don't know if I was just tired or anything. But I didn't see a big effort put into literary elements like detailed writing, or clever symbolism. I felt like this was made just for the sake of writing a book. And I think that's alright too. Even though I do enjoy reading books that really test me and make me want to analyze, this book was just as good. It was a book made for entertainment, and entertained I was. I didn't have to work my brain like crazy, I just read and allowed my mind to picture things on its own.
Overall, this book was something I really enjoyed. If you're a bookworm, but your brain is fried and you want to relax, yet you have an addiction to literature. I recommend you pick up this book. You will be addicted. And even then, if you just want to read, I think this is a nice book.
FOUR STARS!
August 9, 2013
Well, there it is--another series that I am going to have to fan girl and obsess over.
I was really struggling to find my new fix waiting for the next Mortal Instruments and Divergent book--well I found it!
Wind Warrior is a amazingly written, thrilling adventure that could totally be made into a movie! It isn't just another story about teens thrust into the important task of saving the world--oh no--it is so much more than that. Wind Warrior doesn't fall into any of the cliches that other young adult books fall into. That is what I liked most about it. Each character--even the unlikable ones--were so richly developed that you can't help but like each and every one of them.
Wind Warrior, just like most book ones in a fantasy series, is a lot of world building, and character development. However, I wasn't bored. Jon was able to suck me into his world without much effort, and wrote the characters so well--along with the perfectly placed action scenes--that I didn't have time to be bored. I was riveted and could see each scene play out in the back of my mind.
Sammy was a perfectly constructed heroine! I wanted to be her--you know that moment when you realize you are fantasizing about being the lead female in a story? Yeah--totally me reading her parts! I love the defiant daughter!
Sean--oh, Sean the trusty sidekick. See, kind of like Simon Lewis in The Mortal Instruments I love him--I'm a nerd so my heart goes to the nerd guy totally.
Bring on some more baddies! Oh, now he's a baddie out for revenge?! I'm all over the scared and pissed baddie!
And Xander--Don't worry--as much as I cried for you--Jon just gave you more of a reason to be a total bad ass in the rest of the series! Your pain will lead the way to great things. Just look at every other amazing hero in literary past!
The dialogue had great clever quips that rivaled Joss Whedon--who is the King of clever dialogue.
The only downside--I now have to wait for book TWO! I know he's working on it but the waiting is like water board torture for a reader!
If you are a fan of young adult, if you are a fan of the popular series going around now, you MUST grab this book! I loved it!
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
I was really struggling to find my new fix waiting for the next Mortal Instruments and Divergent book--well I found it!
Wind Warrior is a amazingly written, thrilling adventure that could totally be made into a movie! It isn't just another story about teens thrust into the important task of saving the world--oh no--it is so much more than that. Wind Warrior doesn't fall into any of the cliches that other young adult books fall into. That is what I liked most about it. Each character--even the unlikable ones--were so richly developed that you can't help but like each and every one of them.
Wind Warrior, just like most book ones in a fantasy series, is a lot of world building, and character development. However, I wasn't bored. Jon was able to suck me into his world without much effort, and wrote the characters so well--along with the perfectly placed action scenes--that I didn't have time to be bored. I was riveted and could see each scene play out in the back of my mind.
Sammy was a perfectly constructed heroine! I wanted to be her--you know that moment when you realize you are fantasizing about being the lead female in a story? Yeah--totally me reading her parts! I love the defiant daughter!
Sean--oh, Sean the trusty sidekick. See, kind of like Simon Lewis in The Mortal Instruments I love him--I'm a nerd so my heart goes to the nerd guy totally.
Bring on some more baddies! Oh, now he's a baddie out for revenge?! I'm all over the scared and pissed baddie!
And Xander--Don't worry--as much as I cried for you--Jon just gave you more of a reason to be a total bad ass in the rest of the series! Your pain will lead the way to great things. Just look at every other amazing hero in literary past!
The dialogue had great clever quips that rivaled Joss Whedon--who is the King of clever dialogue.
The only downside--I now have to wait for book TWO! I know he's working on it but the waiting is like water board torture for a reader!
If you are a fan of young adult, if you are a fan of the popular series going around now, you MUST grab this book! I loved it!
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
November 13, 2013
*I received this book from the author via Say What? Savannah Mae*
I knew from the moment I had first heard about this book that it was going to be good. The story follows Xander, an average slacker college student, who in the wake of a near horrible accident, discovers he has the ability to control wind. While it's all cool at first, it quickly heads south and Xander is forced to flee for his life. The wind Caste's time is nearly up and the Fire Caste is getting tired of waiting for their turn.
I did find a few minor errors, none of which impeded my reading speed. The story flows beautifully and remains on track the entire time.
I would absolutely recommend this book to lovers of the paranormal, tales of the end of the world, and/or stories about the supernatural of all ages. I firmly believe every fan of the genre will enjoy this book.
I do recommend that the author have someone do a quick sweep of the book to find a fore mentioned errors though, just to avoid any issues from those would would downplay the book over literally a handful of errors.
All in all, I thought the book was a great. Between the Romeo and Juliet-esque young love, to the detailed fight scenes, that despite my insisting I would only finish the chapter I was on and go to bed, I continued to turn pages and read until the book was finished.I eagerly await when I get my paws on Flame Caller, the next book in the series. For the time being I'll just have to sate my appetite for the series with the freebie novella. I look forward to seeing what else Mr. Messenger plucks out of his head, clearly he has talent that should be recognized by all fans of this genre.
I give this book 5 of 5 paws.
October 14, 2013
Whatever else he may be Jon Messenger is a fabulous storyteller. I enjoyed Wind Warriors from beginning to end. Not only are there interesting characters, but the story moves quickly and is action-packed.
Xander seems like a pretty normal college student who doodles through class and is more interested in going to the spring formal than doing his homework. But everything changes the day he discovers he can control the wind. At first, he is thrilled until the day the girl he likes tries to kill him and he realizes his power has put a target on his back. With the help of his grandfather, Xander must master his power before he loses everything that is important to him.
At the same time that Xander is wrestling with the stunning information that he has been presented with, Sammy, the Fire Warrior who tries to kill Xander, must confront her own demons and the possibility that everything she has been taught is a lie. Can the feelings between Xander and Sammy possibly survive?
The premise of the book is quite an interesting one. The idea being that the different elements (earth, water, wind, and fire) will each have their turn governing the earth and each gives way to the one that follows. Unfortunately for Xander and the other Wind Warriors, some in the Fire Caste have become impatient and want to destroy them now so they can destroy the human world.
Strengths: The action moves the story along quite effortlessly which makes the book quite a quick read. Most of the characters are interesting and I appreciated that the 'villain' turns out to have some depth to him, more than I expected going in. The powers are awesome and portrayed beautifully.
Weaknesses: There isn't as much character development as I would have liked to see, the focus is on the action, but since most young readers prefer action to character development it works for the target audience.
Content: The book is listed as New Adult, but only because the characters are 20 and up. There is a mild amount of profanity and swearing and a couple of sexual comments, but no sex. There is quite a bit of violence related to fire and death. For more specific information check out the content disclosure at the Clean Teen Publishing website.
Xander seems like a pretty normal college student who doodles through class and is more interested in going to the spring formal than doing his homework. But everything changes the day he discovers he can control the wind. At first, he is thrilled until the day the girl he likes tries to kill him and he realizes his power has put a target on his back. With the help of his grandfather, Xander must master his power before he loses everything that is important to him.
At the same time that Xander is wrestling with the stunning information that he has been presented with, Sammy, the Fire Warrior who tries to kill Xander, must confront her own demons and the possibility that everything she has been taught is a lie. Can the feelings between Xander and Sammy possibly survive?
The premise of the book is quite an interesting one. The idea being that the different elements (earth, water, wind, and fire) will each have their turn governing the earth and each gives way to the one that follows. Unfortunately for Xander and the other Wind Warriors, some in the Fire Caste have become impatient and want to destroy them now so they can destroy the human world.
Strengths: The action moves the story along quite effortlessly which makes the book quite a quick read. Most of the characters are interesting and I appreciated that the 'villain' turns out to have some depth to him, more than I expected going in. The powers are awesome and portrayed beautifully.
Weaknesses: There isn't as much character development as I would have liked to see, the focus is on the action, but since most young readers prefer action to character development it works for the target audience.
Content: The book is listed as New Adult, but only because the characters are 20 and up. There is a mild amount of profanity and swearing and a couple of sexual comments, but no sex. There is quite a bit of violence related to fire and death. For more specific information check out the content disclosure at the Clean Teen Publishing website.
April 13, 2015
I really enjoyed this book! I don't come across very many elemental stories and this one was amazing! Jon Messenger did a fantastic job, the characters were awesome, relatable and very down to earth.
The story centers around Xander and his pretty mundane life until one day when he saves a man by wielding the power of air. Not sure if he is dreaming or not Xander goes home and tries this power out for himself with little success until suddenly a swirling wind is twirling around his bedroom! Xander not knowing what to think turns to his best friend Sean for advice whose only words of wisdom are "your a freaking Superhero"
Xander's life pretty much swirls out of control from that day forward especially when he learns his family comes from a long line of wind warriors. Also the town has seemed to be over run by blonde fire warriors bent on killing him! can his day get and worse? probably cause one of those fire warriors is a smoking hot girl that for some reason Xander can't get out of his mind, even after she tries to kill him.
THE EARTH GIVES WAY TO THE SEA,
THE SEA BOWS BEFORE THE WIND,
THE WIND FEEDS THE FLAME,
THE FLAME BURNS THE WORLD OF MAN DOWN TO THE EARTH.
Is how the prophecy goes but Xander is determined that this is not the time of the fire caste! and he is going to prove it!
I so loved this book! Jon is a great writer. The book starts off a little slow but quickly picks up. I really loved the character of Sammy, she was so lost, alone and I wanted to help her. She was also very brave and even though she was conflicted stood up for herself and others in the end which took a lot of courage.
The Fire caste its self as a whole I wouldn't say were overly sacry. what they could do by burning down everything certainly was! the general of the army was defiantly scary! and I would not ever want to run into him powers or not...lol...he was a evil person for sure!
If you haven't read this book yet I highly recommend it! It was a wonderful read! Jon Messenger is a brilliant author and I can't wait to find out what happens next in the series!
The story centers around Xander and his pretty mundane life until one day when he saves a man by wielding the power of air. Not sure if he is dreaming or not Xander goes home and tries this power out for himself with little success until suddenly a swirling wind is twirling around his bedroom! Xander not knowing what to think turns to his best friend Sean for advice whose only words of wisdom are "your a freaking Superhero"
Xander's life pretty much swirls out of control from that day forward especially when he learns his family comes from a long line of wind warriors. Also the town has seemed to be over run by blonde fire warriors bent on killing him! can his day get and worse? probably cause one of those fire warriors is a smoking hot girl that for some reason Xander can't get out of his mind, even after she tries to kill him.
THE EARTH GIVES WAY TO THE SEA,
THE SEA BOWS BEFORE THE WIND,
THE WIND FEEDS THE FLAME,
THE FLAME BURNS THE WORLD OF MAN DOWN TO THE EARTH.
Is how the prophecy goes but Xander is determined that this is not the time of the fire caste! and he is going to prove it!
I so loved this book! Jon is a great writer. The book starts off a little slow but quickly picks up. I really loved the character of Sammy, she was so lost, alone and I wanted to help her. She was also very brave and even though she was conflicted stood up for herself and others in the end which took a lot of courage.
The Fire caste its self as a whole I wouldn't say were overly sacry. what they could do by burning down everything certainly was! the general of the army was defiantly scary! and I would not ever want to run into him powers or not...lol...he was a evil person for sure!
If you haven't read this book yet I highly recommend it! It was a wonderful read! Jon Messenger is a brilliant author and I can't wait to find out what happens next in the series!
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