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The School of Ministry #1
The Windgate
TO CHOOSE, IS FATE!
When Ziv is recruited by the secret society known as The Sect, he finds himself cast into a perilous journey of identity, love, and hope. As a Conduit, Ziv possess the ability to see creatures of the night: demons. The Sect trains him along with two other trainees to be warriors of light and confront the challenges of the treacherous Quad, in order to control their fear and hone their abilities. As an untimely love triangle emerges, Ziv must control his emotions and chase down the evil Akabod before he can destroy The Windgate and banish the entire planet into enslavement by the underworld.
When Ziv is recruited by the secret society known as The Sect, he finds himself cast into a perilous journey of identity, love, and hope. As a Conduit, Ziv possess the ability to see creatures of the night: demons. The Sect trains him along with two other trainees to be warriors of light and confront the challenges of the treacherous Quad, in order to control their fear and hone their abilities. As an untimely love triangle emerges, Ziv must control his emotions and chase down the evil Akabod before he can destroy The Windgate and banish the entire planet into enslavement by the underworld.
290 pages, Paperback
First published August 21, 2013
5 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Braxton A. Cosby
30 books171 followersMulti-Award Winning and #1 Amazon Bestselling author Braxton A. Cosby is a dreamer who transitioned his ideas on pen and paper to pixels and keyboards. He has penned over 18 novels and written several screenplays based on his works. He tells stories that evoke emotions and stimulate thought. THE STARCROSSED SAGA and THE CAPE are currently Young Adult and Superhero series he created, with spins offs for INFINITY 7: GODS AMONG MEN and his latest Bounty Hunter, scifi release, STEEL REIGN: FLIGHT OF THE STARSHIP CONCORD. THE STARCROSSED SAGA has won multiple science fiction and young adult awards, while THE CAPE has also earned recognition for its prowess as a literary fiction series. Braxton is the CEO of Cosby Media Productions and lives in Georgia with his amazing wife and a highly energetic Morkie named StarKozy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 4, 2015
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review).
(This review may contain spoilers).
I would, ideally, give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. I found Ziv an intriguing character and it was nice to read a book that was a Christian fantasy. I did, however, find myself getting a bit lost in parts.
The most interesting thing in this book, I felt, was the relationship between the team, in particular Jaythan, Francis and Ziv. I didn’t really like Jaythan’s character through the book, I have to say – Francis was a much more intriguing person, though I was a bit confused about some of the aspects of his character.
I found the testing parts of this book to be particularly interesting, though some of them came across as a bit confusing. I also questioned why one of the characters in particular was a part of the organisation, considering he actually came across as a really awful person – and no one seemed to see anything wrong with the way he treated people.
The Tenants were a particularly intriguing part of the testing, too, though I was a bit lost about how the organisation set everything up, especially with the first task. Still, it was the time on the boat that caused me to like Francis more as a character… and it was good that he opened up more to Ziv.
I was less than thrilled with the romantic interests mess. I felt that the love triangle/square was close to taking over the story… and I found the sense of brotherhood much more interesting. Plus, Ziv and Miss Evans really didn’t have chemisty. In my opinion, it seemed very forced between them.
I quite liked Maxwell as a character and I would have liked to see more of him. I also liked seeing Ziv and Francis fighting together. It was interesting to see how the three members of the team each picked out a different weapon… one that seemed to fit well with their true personalities.
I’d be interested in reading the next book/s in this series. It would be interesting to see where the author takes the characters and the plots next.
(This review may contain spoilers).
I would, ideally, give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. I found Ziv an intriguing character and it was nice to read a book that was a Christian fantasy. I did, however, find myself getting a bit lost in parts.
The most interesting thing in this book, I felt, was the relationship between the team, in particular Jaythan, Francis and Ziv. I didn’t really like Jaythan’s character through the book, I have to say – Francis was a much more intriguing person, though I was a bit confused about some of the aspects of his character.
I found the testing parts of this book to be particularly interesting, though some of them came across as a bit confusing. I also questioned why one of the characters in particular was a part of the organisation, considering he actually came across as a really awful person – and no one seemed to see anything wrong with the way he treated people.
The Tenants were a particularly intriguing part of the testing, too, though I was a bit lost about how the organisation set everything up, especially with the first task. Still, it was the time on the boat that caused me to like Francis more as a character… and it was good that he opened up more to Ziv.
I was less than thrilled with the romantic interests mess. I felt that the love triangle/square was close to taking over the story… and I found the sense of brotherhood much more interesting. Plus, Ziv and Miss Evans really didn’t have chemisty. In my opinion, it seemed very forced between them.
I quite liked Maxwell as a character and I would have liked to see more of him. I also liked seeing Ziv and Francis fighting together. It was interesting to see how the three members of the team each picked out a different weapon… one that seemed to fit well with their true personalities.
I’d be interested in reading the next book/s in this series. It would be interesting to see where the author takes the characters and the plots next.
August 26, 2013
Wow. What Braxton put into words is simply amazing. I could not stop reading. A story so fresh and new, yet flavored with a stylish prose reminiscent to the classic tales of old. I am thoroughly impressed and can't wait for the next installment. It's got everything you'd want in a Young Adult book from action, intrigue, drama and of course, the reliable love triangle. What more could you ask for. Great read!
August 25, 2013
Loved every bit of writing this story.
August 26, 2013
Christian themes can be a double-edged sword when it comes to narrative storytelling. On the one hand, Christianity is a universally established platform on which to build a story, which gives an author the enviable advantage of being able to presume a great deal of background information in the reader. The caveat is that Christian-themes, because of their allegorical nature, run a higher risk of browbeating the reader with moral heavy-handedness. Fortunately, this is not the case with School of Ministry: The Windgate, the first book in a new series by Braxton A. Cosby.
Young Ziv was shaped by two events in his childhood. The first was the death of his parents, making him an orphan, and the second was his discovery that he has the gift of sight, the ability to see the demons that hover around bad people doing bad things. Now a young man, Ziv is a bit lost as he moves through life. However all that changes when he is recruited into the School of Ministry, an institution dedicated to fostering the talents of gifted young people like Ziv. After being grouped together with fellow recruits Jaythan and Francis, and handler Miss Evans, Ziv embarks on his study of The Way, a rigorous course of mental and physical training that will prepare them for the foes they will meet in the outside world. As the training exercises get more intense, the young recruits have their mettle tested, until finally they are sent on a task to recover the sacred book that holds the secret location to the Windgate, a kind of conduit through which the Holy Spirit resonates throughout this world. But what kind of task would it be without a nemesis? And in this case the nemesis is the evil Akabod, who wants to seize control of the Windgate and shut it down for good.
School of Ministry has a strong plot with plenty of twists and enough set-pieces to keep the reader entertained along the way. Mr. Cosby renders his setting well. In fact, one of my favorite passages in the book is his steampunk description of the Windgate itself. The characters are likable, and you do root for Ziv to find his inner peace, but for me the strongest component of the story was the concept itself, as that was what kept me turning pages throughout. There were a few parts where the story did start to drag a little (mostly during Ziv’s training exercises), and the ending did feel a bit rushed, but even then the main hook kept pulling me forward.
As mentioned before, Mr. Cosby is able to render his themes with a steady hand. There is much here that stems from the Bible, but at its core SOM: The Windgate is a story about self-discipline. The recruits are put on a path of self-improvement, harnessing their virtues of their own free will in order to serve the school, and by extension God. But make no mistake: one need not be a Christian, or even religious, to enjoy this story. In a Young Adult marketplace dominated by self-obsession, it should be refreshing to read about selflessness as a way of life regardless of one’s theological disposition.
Rating: 4/5 Stars.
December 19, 2013
This review was originally written for Mind-Ventures
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love how this book mixes the paranormal aspect with christian faith. Some Christian books don't mix well with the paranormal and fantasy type stories that I enjoy, but this one does. It has a good plot line that's original and is filled with lots of obstacles that the main characters must face.
There were a few scenes in the book that needed a little polishing. Some of the transitions from one bit of action to another wasn't smooth. I'd have to flip back and check how they got from point A to point B. For example, they were out of the country on a mission in one scene, then they are entering the facility a couple sentences later. Hardly a mention of the journey back. Luckily, this only happens a handful of times throughout the book.
I enjoyed reading the Quad scenes. (The quad is sort of like a fear landscape that's in the Divergent books, but not quite as taylored to each individual.) The initiates must enter the Quad and go through a series of tests. Some tests range from choosing a weapon (easy) to getting out of a flame filled room (much harder). The tests get more difficult each time an initiate enters the Quad. I enjoyed seeing Cosby's creativity come through during these scenes.
The book has a lot of action mixed all throughout it. The initiates must pass many tests. Some are on location at the facility (like the Quad), but others are off location. The initiates travel quite a bit, and come face to face with various demons. Cosby doesn't go into much detail about what the demons look like, but focuses more on their abilities. I like this because it lets my imagination fill in the blanks.
The main character, Ziv, has a lot of anger in him. Many of his actions (or reactions)stem from his anger. I liked how the author allows Ziv to recognize this and try to do something about it. He has several chances to let go of his anger, but he chooses to hang on to it because his anger is part of him. It's what he relies on to get him through tough times. However, he learns that his anger can be a bit of a distraction that could get him killed. He has to decide if it is worth keeping or if he can finally let it go.
This book is told from Ziv's point of view. Readers will be able to really get to know what motivates him and how he deals with this transition in his life. Ziv interacts with Francis, Jaythan, Mr. C, and Miss Evans, but I want to know more about what's in their heads too. This isn't a criticism at all. Those chatacters all seem to have a little something that they are hiding, and I want to know what they are thinking instead of waiting on when/if their secerets are revealed.
If you want a paranormal book with Christian undertones, then I would recommend this book to you. There's a lot of action and adventure and just a touch of romance that is perfect for teens and adults.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love how this book mixes the paranormal aspect with christian faith. Some Christian books don't mix well with the paranormal and fantasy type stories that I enjoy, but this one does. It has a good plot line that's original and is filled with lots of obstacles that the main characters must face.
There were a few scenes in the book that needed a little polishing. Some of the transitions from one bit of action to another wasn't smooth. I'd have to flip back and check how they got from point A to point B. For example, they were out of the country on a mission in one scene, then they are entering the facility a couple sentences later. Hardly a mention of the journey back. Luckily, this only happens a handful of times throughout the book.
I enjoyed reading the Quad scenes. (The quad is sort of like a fear landscape that's in the Divergent books, but not quite as taylored to each individual.) The initiates must enter the Quad and go through a series of tests. Some tests range from choosing a weapon (easy) to getting out of a flame filled room (much harder). The tests get more difficult each time an initiate enters the Quad. I enjoyed seeing Cosby's creativity come through during these scenes.
The book has a lot of action mixed all throughout it. The initiates must pass many tests. Some are on location at the facility (like the Quad), but others are off location. The initiates travel quite a bit, and come face to face with various demons. Cosby doesn't go into much detail about what the demons look like, but focuses more on their abilities. I like this because it lets my imagination fill in the blanks.
The main character, Ziv, has a lot of anger in him. Many of his actions (or reactions)stem from his anger. I liked how the author allows Ziv to recognize this and try to do something about it. He has several chances to let go of his anger, but he chooses to hang on to it because his anger is part of him. It's what he relies on to get him through tough times. However, he learns that his anger can be a bit of a distraction that could get him killed. He has to decide if it is worth keeping or if he can finally let it go.
This book is told from Ziv's point of view. Readers will be able to really get to know what motivates him and how he deals with this transition in his life. Ziv interacts with Francis, Jaythan, Mr. C, and Miss Evans, but I want to know more about what's in their heads too. This isn't a criticism at all. Those chatacters all seem to have a little something that they are hiding, and I want to know what they are thinking instead of waiting on when/if their secerets are revealed.
If you want a paranormal book with Christian undertones, then I would recommend this book to you. There's a lot of action and adventure and just a touch of romance that is perfect for teens and adults.
October 23, 2013
The School of Ministry is a really interesting concept about the battle between good and evil. The book centers on new recruits who have been brought to a facility to learn about using their gifts and talents to battle evil in the name of the Lord. I couldn’t help but think that even though they were battling evil things were not always what they appeared. I finished the book still believing that a lot of truth was being withheld. I will be interested in seeing how it all unfolds later.
I enjoyed the characters in this book a lot. Ziv was unsure and full of fear in the beginning. I enjoyed his growth in the book. I loved reading about him learning to trust himself in situations. He was clever and quick on his feet when it was necessary. Francis was a bad boy type. He was one of my favorite characters. He seemed sullen and a bit arrogant, but every little glimpse of his true self made me like him more. Jaythan seemed like an all around good guy, but I found him a bit too perfect at times. I never knew what to think of Miss Evans. She was a great character, just a bit mysterious at times. There was one character that I only got a brief glimpse of but I cannot wait to learn more about her. She caught my attention and more than once I found myself wondering about her. I loved that all of the characters fit so easily into the mold that Braxton A. Cosby wrote for them.
The plot for this book is fast and very exciting. The recruits are going through training at what seems like top speed and then missions just as fast. Even though the time line was quick, I didn’t feel rushed. Cosby used amazing detail and his wonderful storytelling ability to make this fast paced story engaging. A great part of this book was the gifts and talents the characters had. While there wasn’t a clear view of all the characters’ abilities yet, there was a lot about Ziv’s gifts. I enjoyed watching them grow and watching him learn how to use them. I also loved the way that parts of the Bible and Biblical history were worked into the book. I can’t wait to see how this great battle of good and evil continues in later books.
I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
I enjoyed the characters in this book a lot. Ziv was unsure and full of fear in the beginning. I enjoyed his growth in the book. I loved reading about him learning to trust himself in situations. He was clever and quick on his feet when it was necessary. Francis was a bad boy type. He was one of my favorite characters. He seemed sullen and a bit arrogant, but every little glimpse of his true self made me like him more. Jaythan seemed like an all around good guy, but I found him a bit too perfect at times. I never knew what to think of Miss Evans. She was a great character, just a bit mysterious at times. There was one character that I only got a brief glimpse of but I cannot wait to learn more about her. She caught my attention and more than once I found myself wondering about her. I loved that all of the characters fit so easily into the mold that Braxton A. Cosby wrote for them.
The plot for this book is fast and very exciting. The recruits are going through training at what seems like top speed and then missions just as fast. Even though the time line was quick, I didn’t feel rushed. Cosby used amazing detail and his wonderful storytelling ability to make this fast paced story engaging. A great part of this book was the gifts and talents the characters had. While there wasn’t a clear view of all the characters’ abilities yet, there was a lot about Ziv’s gifts. I enjoyed watching them grow and watching him learn how to use them. I also loved the way that parts of the Bible and Biblical history were worked into the book. I can’t wait to see how this great battle of good and evil continues in later books.
I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
May 2, 2015
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The Sect: The Windgate definitely brings forth a unique tale that you probably haven’t heard before, or at least not from a male’s point of view before. Reading these kind of supernatural events from a guys POV was super different and a little difficult to get my head around. The Sect is a secret society of people dedicated to God and are committed to destroying evil forces that would go against him. Ziv just so happens to be their newest recruit when his friend/long time crush goes missing. As he learns more about the society, his life is further placed in danger, and he quickly discovers that not everything or anyone is what they seem.
This book had quite a lot of potential and an interesting character dynamic that I hadn’t encountered before. The story more so focused on the evolution of Ziv as a person as he goes through the trials of The Sect in order to become officially initiated. Throughout this process, he is thrown into various life threatening situations, each unlike the first. His companions in his quest are Francis and Jaythan, each of which were equally suspicious throughout. By the time the ending rolled around I soo predicated how things were gonna play out!
The Sect did have some very genuinely unique moments, but I found myself wishing for more extended action scenes. Though there were many action packed moments, they ended before they even got started. Also, I was expecting a little more romance than what was originally implied. There were suggestions of love between Ziv and another female character, but nothing was ever acted upon, so that was a little disappointing.
As the events came to a close, the story followed it’s same pattern of “over-too-fast action.” Yes the ending was good, but the enemy was defeated before I could really get hooked by the suspense. Overall The Sect: The Windgate was a different supernatural story filled with action packed sequences and left with an opening for more to come.
http://escapeinsidthepages.wordpress.com
The Sect: The Windgate definitely brings forth a unique tale that you probably haven’t heard before, or at least not from a male’s point of view before. Reading these kind of supernatural events from a guys POV was super different and a little difficult to get my head around. The Sect is a secret society of people dedicated to God and are committed to destroying evil forces that would go against him. Ziv just so happens to be their newest recruit when his friend/long time crush goes missing. As he learns more about the society, his life is further placed in danger, and he quickly discovers that not everything or anyone is what they seem.
This book had quite a lot of potential and an interesting character dynamic that I hadn’t encountered before. The story more so focused on the evolution of Ziv as a person as he goes through the trials of The Sect in order to become officially initiated. Throughout this process, he is thrown into various life threatening situations, each unlike the first. His companions in his quest are Francis and Jaythan, each of which were equally suspicious throughout. By the time the ending rolled around I soo predicated how things were gonna play out!
The Sect did have some very genuinely unique moments, but I found myself wishing for more extended action scenes. Though there were many action packed moments, they ended before they even got started. Also, I was expecting a little more romance than what was originally implied. There were suggestions of love between Ziv and another female character, but nothing was ever acted upon, so that was a little disappointing.
As the events came to a close, the story followed it’s same pattern of “over-too-fast action.” Yes the ending was good, but the enemy was defeated before I could really get hooked by the suspense. Overall The Sect: The Windgate was a different supernatural story filled with action packed sequences and left with an opening for more to come.
October 31, 2013
As soon as I sat down to start in on The School Of Ministry I would find myself mad that I would have to put it down to go and do something else. I was reading this book at the bus stop with my son in the morning, on my breaks and lunches at work, and after everything was done for the day and the kids were in bed I would find myself right back to reading it!
The author introduces as to Ziv who had lost his parents when he was younger and was in and out of foster care. You immediately feel for the guy when you are then introduced to his love interest, Stephanie. When she is taken and he ends up in The School Of Ministry, the book takes a whole new twist. You are then introduced to a world where there are three things to life: your soul, your flesh and your spirit. The novel was very creative and I was sucked in by the easiness that it flowed. There were not huge gaudy paragraphs and the dialogue was fun and easy to follow.
Ziv has the ability to see the demons and that is what makes him a vital part to The School Of Ministry. There are two other recruits there with him (again the magic of three) and their names are Jaythan and Francis. This book will have you rooting for Ziv as he finds himself in the school and also on his plight to find his best friend in the world that has been snatched. I loved all the descriptions throughout the book. The author made it easy for you to imagine that you were there among the plot. This was a very unique twist on people that have extraordinary powers beyond what the natural human life does. I will definitely be following up on the series as this only labeled as number one. It gets FIVE stars from me because I was entranced from beginning to end.
Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.
The author introduces as to Ziv who had lost his parents when he was younger and was in and out of foster care. You immediately feel for the guy when you are then introduced to his love interest, Stephanie. When she is taken and he ends up in The School Of Ministry, the book takes a whole new twist. You are then introduced to a world where there are three things to life: your soul, your flesh and your spirit. The novel was very creative and I was sucked in by the easiness that it flowed. There were not huge gaudy paragraphs and the dialogue was fun and easy to follow.
Ziv has the ability to see the demons and that is what makes him a vital part to The School Of Ministry. There are two other recruits there with him (again the magic of three) and their names are Jaythan and Francis. This book will have you rooting for Ziv as he finds himself in the school and also on his plight to find his best friend in the world that has been snatched. I loved all the descriptions throughout the book. The author made it easy for you to imagine that you were there among the plot. This was a very unique twist on people that have extraordinary powers beyond what the natural human life does. I will definitely be following up on the series as this only labeled as number one. It gets FIVE stars from me because I was entranced from beginning to end.
Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.
November 25, 2013
I know of very few people who don't love a story that pits good against evil, has a romantic side to it and then throws some wickedly great challenges in. Braxton Cosby seems to have the recipe for creating fascinating stories that the reader can't put down. I started reading this on my commute to and from school. I was not making much progress. My evenings were tied up preventing me from reading. All it took was one glorious day with no school, no writing and the book was mine. I finished it in a little under four hours. I love the world Cosby has built inside "The School of Ministry". For every test and trial that Ziv went through I looked at my own life. They are life lessons that we can apply to our own life. Ziv has an issue with holding onto anger. The lessons he learned by looking within himself and the way it affected his walk with God made me to the same thing. I took these lessons he learned and learned from them myself. I don't think this was necessarily what the author was going for when he wrote the book. I believe this is just an added bonus. The Christian aspect was a plus for me. The non-believer as well as the believer will enjoy this story. The action in this book is told in such a way that for a visual person like me I was carried into each battle and training. I felt my heart pounding whenever Ziv's heart would pound. As far as the two possible love interests in the story, I haven't made up my mind about them. Cosby has left so many neatly tied up loose ends that the next book in the series can take many twists and turns. All of them will be absolutely delightful. The only thing I absolutely hate, is that I will need to wait for the next book in the series to come out. To that I say, "Write faster Braxton Cosby".
January 1, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
The Windgate is the first book in the School of Ministry series. It’s kind of like Harry Potter but with demons instead of wizards. It’s also intended for a slightly older audience. The book is definitely intriguing, and I got hooked on the story early on, and I was sad to see it end.
Ziv struggles to find his place in life. His parents were murdered, so he’s an orphan, bouncing from one foster hme into another. He has gifts he doesn’t understand – like the ability to see demons. Along with two others who have the same ability, he gets recruited for The School of Ministry, a secret society that promises him to help him find Stephanie, his best friend who has gone missing. If he wants their help, he has to join the School of Ministry though – and that means going through a series of treacherous challenges and leave on a mission to securet the Windgate. In the meantime, he has to face some serious challenges in the love department, and has to fight evil itself.
I wasn’t too fond of the whole evil itself conflict – I’m convinced no one is truly evil, and everyone is a mix of things – but that aside, the book was great. Ziv – awesome name, by the way – is an enthralling, endaring character. His life story may be dipped in sadness, but he always manages to see the bright side of things, no matter how much he’s struggling.
There’s definitely more story to tell here, and I can’t wait for the sequel. Four well-deserved stars.
The Windgate is the first book in the School of Ministry series. It’s kind of like Harry Potter but with demons instead of wizards. It’s also intended for a slightly older audience. The book is definitely intriguing, and I got hooked on the story early on, and I was sad to see it end.
Ziv struggles to find his place in life. His parents were murdered, so he’s an orphan, bouncing from one foster hme into another. He has gifts he doesn’t understand – like the ability to see demons. Along with two others who have the same ability, he gets recruited for The School of Ministry, a secret society that promises him to help him find Stephanie, his best friend who has gone missing. If he wants their help, he has to join the School of Ministry though – and that means going through a series of treacherous challenges and leave on a mission to securet the Windgate. In the meantime, he has to face some serious challenges in the love department, and has to fight evil itself.
I wasn’t too fond of the whole evil itself conflict – I’m convinced no one is truly evil, and everyone is a mix of things – but that aside, the book was great. Ziv – awesome name, by the way – is an enthralling, endaring character. His life story may be dipped in sadness, but he always manages to see the bright side of things, no matter how much he’s struggling.
There’s definitely more story to tell here, and I can’t wait for the sequel. Four well-deserved stars.
September 9, 2013
*I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
The School of Ministry: The Windgate by Braxton Cosby is a story of hope, courage, and perseverance—qualities we could stand to have more of in the world. Cosby is a very gifted storyteller and provides great action throughout the novel. Though the SOM series is categorized as YA, I also believe it could fit into the New Adult genre, especially with the ages of the characters and themes of the book.
The main character, Ziv, is a very likeable character whom readers will come to care about, wanting to know what is in store for him after each challenge he faces. The other characters are very interesting and when one of the “bad guys” is revealed—I must say that I did not see that coming. Therefore, Cosby does an excellent job of creating mystery and intrigue throughout.
At times, there was so much detail—for my taste—that it took away from the action. However, this story, as a whole, was a fun and entertaining read that made me excited to get to the end.
The ending of The Windgate was executed well, leaving me satisfied but also in understanding that there are still unanswered questions and more adventures ahead for Ziv and his companions. Overall, The School of Ministry: The Windgate is a great read that provides a new perspective on Christian themes through the avenue of literary fiction. I look forward to the next installment in this series.
The School of Ministry: The Windgate by Braxton Cosby is a story of hope, courage, and perseverance—qualities we could stand to have more of in the world. Cosby is a very gifted storyteller and provides great action throughout the novel. Though the SOM series is categorized as YA, I also believe it could fit into the New Adult genre, especially with the ages of the characters and themes of the book.
The main character, Ziv, is a very likeable character whom readers will come to care about, wanting to know what is in store for him after each challenge he faces. The other characters are very interesting and when one of the “bad guys” is revealed—I must say that I did not see that coming. Therefore, Cosby does an excellent job of creating mystery and intrigue throughout.
At times, there was so much detail—for my taste—that it took away from the action. However, this story, as a whole, was a fun and entertaining read that made me excited to get to the end.
The ending of The Windgate was executed well, leaving me satisfied but also in understanding that there are still unanswered questions and more adventures ahead for Ziv and his companions. Overall, The School of Ministry: The Windgate is a great read that provides a new perspective on Christian themes through the avenue of literary fiction. I look forward to the next installment in this series.
September 7, 2013
An action-packed thrill ride with a moral compass:
I continue to reflect on Braxton Cosby’s young adult Christian novel, School of Ministry (the Wingate) long after finishing the book. Similar to Harry Potter or Percy Jackson in world building and revelation, The School of Ministry offers readers an action-packed supernatural world full of vivid imagery set on a biblical foundation.
When the main character Ziv is recruited by the School of Ministry he quickly learns that the SOM is no meek seminary or bible school, it’s a facility dedicated to cultivating modern spiritual warriors. Using intellect, physical strength, cutting-edge tech, and faith, he fights bad guys, overcomes impossible obstacles and travels all over the world accomplishing impossible missions in the name of God. From cruise ships to tropical islands, volcanoes to cornfields, SOM contains some of the most enjoyable and memorable action settings available in young adult fiction.
At the School of Ministry, Ziv is tested in every way possible, including matters of the heart. Ziv’s love triangle keeps him tethered to both his old and new worlds; to his long-time crush who needs saving and the mysterious new girl who can save herself and, if need be, him. At turns sweet and complicated without being romancy, Ziv’s love entanglements will keep you guessing until the last page.
I eagerly await the next installment in this inspired new series!
I continue to reflect on Braxton Cosby’s young adult Christian novel, School of Ministry (the Wingate) long after finishing the book. Similar to Harry Potter or Percy Jackson in world building and revelation, The School of Ministry offers readers an action-packed supernatural world full of vivid imagery set on a biblical foundation.
When the main character Ziv is recruited by the School of Ministry he quickly learns that the SOM is no meek seminary or bible school, it’s a facility dedicated to cultivating modern spiritual warriors. Using intellect, physical strength, cutting-edge tech, and faith, he fights bad guys, overcomes impossible obstacles and travels all over the world accomplishing impossible missions in the name of God. From cruise ships to tropical islands, volcanoes to cornfields, SOM contains some of the most enjoyable and memorable action settings available in young adult fiction.
At the School of Ministry, Ziv is tested in every way possible, including matters of the heart. Ziv’s love triangle keeps him tethered to both his old and new worlds; to his long-time crush who needs saving and the mysterious new girl who can save herself and, if need be, him. At turns sweet and complicated without being romancy, Ziv’s love entanglements will keep you guessing until the last page.
I eagerly await the next installment in this inspired new series!
October 21, 2013
3 1/2 stars....
I'd like to thank the author as well as Promotional Book Tours for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
It's been awhile since I've given anything less than 4 stars, and I feel badly about giving this book anything less than 4 stars because towards the end it was really good. The premise behind the book was intriguing, and I loved it. The first half of it moved so slowly, it was almost painful to get through.I was glad I did get through it because it did pick up for me.
The author is a great writer, and he write so descriptively, it is easy to feel yourself in the story line. Some of the word choices that were made during the writing made things a little awkward. I found myself sitting back and wondering why he used that particular word. For instance, there's a part where the main character "crumbles" into a seat. I expected the word crumple, and if it was the first instance of a strange word choice, I would have put it up to a typo. However, if you think about it, crumbling and crumpling into a seat could both technically be done, but I don't really like to examine an author's word choice that closely, especially if I'm in the middle of an action scene.
I have seen some incredible reviews for this, very positive ones. I guess I just wasn't feeling this book from cover to cover.
I'd like to thank the author as well as Promotional Book Tours for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
It's been awhile since I've given anything less than 4 stars, and I feel badly about giving this book anything less than 4 stars because towards the end it was really good. The premise behind the book was intriguing, and I loved it. The first half of it moved so slowly, it was almost painful to get through.I was glad I did get through it because it did pick up for me.
The author is a great writer, and he write so descriptively, it is easy to feel yourself in the story line. Some of the word choices that were made during the writing made things a little awkward. I found myself sitting back and wondering why he used that particular word. For instance, there's a part where the main character "crumbles" into a seat. I expected the word crumple, and if it was the first instance of a strange word choice, I would have put it up to a typo. However, if you think about it, crumbling and crumpling into a seat could both technically be done, but I don't really like to examine an author's word choice that closely, especially if I'm in the middle of an action scene.
I have seen some incredible reviews for this, very positive ones. I guess I just wasn't feeling this book from cover to cover.
December 16, 2013
The School of Ministry revolves around Ziv. We learn about his past, that both his parents were murdered, leaving him orphaned and forced to go in and out of foster homes. As an adult, he lives a life that is more evil than good. That is, until he discovers and accepts his gift of sight—seeing creatures from the afterlife. Ziv, along with two other men that share similar gifts, is recruited by The School of Ministry, a secret society that’s purpose is to eradicate evil and help the weak. Ziv is left with a tough decision. His best friend, Stephanie, goes missing and to find her, he must join The School of Ministry. To join means starting a new life, completing training and challenges to prepare him for whats to come. A true test of Good versus Evil.
This is a superb read—5 stars! It’s intriguing and captivating. A novel of adventure, courage, hope, and even a little humor and romance. It pulls you in, putting you alongside Ziv, joining his journey to a potentially better life. The battle of Good versus Evil is throughout the book and gives the novel a nice element of suspense, making you wonder what will happen next. Each character is unique and adds depth to the storyline. The relationships that form also contribute to that depth and meaningfulness. Another wonderful element is the Christian theme, the true purpose behind The School of Ministry.
This is a superb read—5 stars! It’s intriguing and captivating. A novel of adventure, courage, hope, and even a little humor and romance. It pulls you in, putting you alongside Ziv, joining his journey to a potentially better life. The battle of Good versus Evil is throughout the book and gives the novel a nice element of suspense, making you wonder what will happen next. Each character is unique and adds depth to the storyline. The relationships that form also contribute to that depth and meaningfulness. Another wonderful element is the Christian theme, the true purpose behind The School of Ministry.
October 6, 2013
Cosby throws ideas together on paper like Pollack throws paint on a wall.
It is easy to find yourself regularly questioning his story only to find that each streak of color blends in perfectly with the next. However, to take that a step further, every line of thought is intentional and of value to the story he pens. If at any point, he has missed a tittle, it is made irrelevant with the astonishing circumstances his characters must walk through.
There will be times where you feel a little out of place, maybe a little disoriented by the twist in the cavernous journey. However, if you will simply hold onto that torch a little further into the cave...you may find that the demons behind you are conquered by the one thing that you have pushed away for so long.
His letters are etched in blood forcing the pitfalls of this world to bay. And when treachery shows its ugly head as one of the unprecedented disarming tiger-like twists, the value of a stone-cold comrade will surely have you wrapped up in the reality that your reality may never be what it seems.
Dr. Braxton Cosby opens eyes through his beautiful craftsmanship of an engrossing maze of colors, mindsets, and wild conditions, all of which are sure to make the voyage aboard the ferry well worth the trip.
It is easy to find yourself regularly questioning his story only to find that each streak of color blends in perfectly with the next. However, to take that a step further, every line of thought is intentional and of value to the story he pens. If at any point, he has missed a tittle, it is made irrelevant with the astonishing circumstances his characters must walk through.
There will be times where you feel a little out of place, maybe a little disoriented by the twist in the cavernous journey. However, if you will simply hold onto that torch a little further into the cave...you may find that the demons behind you are conquered by the one thing that you have pushed away for so long.
His letters are etched in blood forcing the pitfalls of this world to bay. And when treachery shows its ugly head as one of the unprecedented disarming tiger-like twists, the value of a stone-cold comrade will surely have you wrapped up in the reality that your reality may never be what it seems.
Dr. Braxton Cosby opens eyes through his beautiful craftsmanship of an engrossing maze of colors, mindsets, and wild conditions, all of which are sure to make the voyage aboard the ferry well worth the trip.
April 29, 2015
I had the honor of reading this book by Braxton A. Cosby. This novel is unlike other YA and NA books you may read. It follows a man who is recruited into a group called the sect. This novel is a faith filled heart pumping read that has caused me to have a little more faith in modern christian novels. This novel deals with the spiritual gifts and follows the sect as they work to banish demons from the world and bring love and hope back to humanity. I know it may not sound thrilling but it certainly is. The detail that Mr Cosby applied to this novel and the wording will leave you captivated and wanting more, he is a truly skilled author and I felt myself being pulled deep into the pages of this novel, I felt as though I could feel what the characters were feeling and see what they were seeing. I am truly impressed and look forward to seeing more from him in the future. I am highly recommending this to anyone wanting something different in faith based novels. I can't even think of enough good things to say about his writing, very rarely you find an author that can transport you into their world and make you not want to leave. I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to read it.
October 12, 2013
I received an e-ARC copy of this book for a blog tour in return for an honest review. I have to start off by saying that I was extremely skeptical to read this book. First off, it deals with Christianity and I wasn't sure which way this book was going to go. So, I decided to dive right into it. Secondly, when I started the book, I felt it was slow and my attention kept wanting to wonder off, and then I would have to put it away and read another book. But as I would keep pondering ideas of this book in my head, I kept on going. Then, the book started picking up and keeping my attention longer. It was from then on, fast paced and extremely addicting. This is a great Young Adult book that could also be considered New Adult as well. It's full of fresh ideas, lovable and unforgettable characters, and a twisted plot that will keep you intrigued and entertained from beginning to end featuring an amazingly climatic battle. This is a recommended read for anyone who love's Young Adult Christian story's such as this one. I am curious to see how book two will play out and am really excited to read it.
December 20, 2013
Ziv is lost, dejected, and uncomfortable in his own skin and a lifetime victim of bullying and an orphan. He has skills and abilities that he does not understand. He lost his parents to murder and bounced around the foster system. Ziv is thrown into a situation where he is forced to embrace his gifts and search for his spirituality and inner strength.
This is a little of Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and some Bible thrown in for good measure. It was a wonderful journey as Ziv searched, questioned, gained friends, learned trust and found his inner peace. I found myself rooting for him from the beginning, cheering when he triumphed and yelling when he was wronged. The trials and training Ziv and his teammates go through are there to help them in the ultimate final battle. The inner battles Ziv has with himself are filled with lessons for the reader as well. Ziv is told that he “must learn to strip away the limited old self, and put on the new self, tapping into the limitless potential of the spirit that lived inside {you}.”
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is a little of Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and some Bible thrown in for good measure. It was a wonderful journey as Ziv searched, questioned, gained friends, learned trust and found his inner peace. I found myself rooting for him from the beginning, cheering when he triumphed and yelling when he was wronged. The trials and training Ziv and his teammates go through are there to help them in the ultimate final battle. The inner battles Ziv has with himself are filled with lessons for the reader as well. Ziv is told that he “must learn to strip away the limited old self, and put on the new self, tapping into the limitless potential of the spirit that lived inside {you}.”
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 22, 2015
This is a very inspirational story about faith, love and finding ones destiny. It is very well written. I especially loved how everything and every scene is so detailed and perfectly described that it gives a vivid picture of what is happening. Characters are so well developed that I couldn't help but love them. In my opinion this is a very interesting and entertaining novel, which all readers will enjoy.
Ziv has always been different. Growing up an orphan, he has never felt like he belongs anywhere. Over time he over comes his problems and learns to live a productive life. He doesn't pay much attention to his ability of seeing things. But now he knows that he has a 'gift' which makes him unique. When his friend Stephanie goes missing, he is recruited by The Sect. They need his help to find her and he is more than willing to help them. He loves her and wants to make sure that she is safe. There is a lot he must learn first. He must prove himself worthy of becoming a part of this secret group whose mission is to protect the world from evil.
P.S. I got complementary copy of this book
Ziv has always been different. Growing up an orphan, he has never felt like he belongs anywhere. Over time he over comes his problems and learns to live a productive life. He doesn't pay much attention to his ability of seeing things. But now he knows that he has a 'gift' which makes him unique. When his friend Stephanie goes missing, he is recruited by The Sect. They need his help to find her and he is more than willing to help them. He loves her and wants to make sure that she is safe. There is a lot he must learn first. He must prove himself worthy of becoming a part of this secret group whose mission is to protect the world from evil.
P.S. I got complementary copy of this book
April 30, 2015
I read through this book pretty quickly as I agreed to review it. At first I wasn't too sure if I would enjoy it. There aren't many faith based books out there that keep my attention. In fact I base all faith reads on one particular author. I was surprisingly pleased by this story. Braxton intertwined the ever constant battle of good vs evil with mystery, demons, and love. It is a story of survival. I believe this is a great story for young adults. While reading g this book, you are entertained, but it also makes you seek Him. It makes you think.
Ziv has grown up an orphan cause his parents were murdered when he was young. He was never adopted and by the time he was an adult he pretty much didn't trust anyone and lived a life of evil. At one point, he finally accepts the fact that he has a gift. This gift is exactly what a secret society wants and needs. The School of Ministry seeks him out to help them overthrow the evil in the world. Enter love interests and mystery as one goes missing and you have yourself an amazing story.
Ziv has grown up an orphan cause his parents were murdered when he was young. He was never adopted and by the time he was an adult he pretty much didn't trust anyone and lived a life of evil. At one point, he finally accepts the fact that he has a gift. This gift is exactly what a secret society wants and needs. The School of Ministry seeks him out to help them overthrow the evil in the world. Enter love interests and mystery as one goes missing and you have yourself an amazing story.
April 30, 2015
I read through this book pretty quickly as I agreed to review it. At first I wasn't too sure if I would enjoy it. There aren't many faith based books out there that keep my attention. In fact I base all faith reads on one particular author. I was surprisingly pleased by this story. Braxton intertwined the ever constant battle of good vs evil with mystery, demons, and love. It is a story of survival. I believe this is a great story for young adults. While reading g this book, you are entertained, but it also makes you seek Him. It makes you think.
Ziv has grown up an orphan cause his parents were murdered when he was young. He was never adopted and by the time he was an adult he pretty much didn't trust anyone and lived a life of evil. At one point, he finally accepts the fact that he has a gift. This gift is exactly what a secret society wants and needs. The School of Ministry seeks him out to help them overthrow the evil in the world. Enter love interests and mystery as one goes missing and you have yourself an amazing story.
May 28, 2015
really enjoyed Braxton A. Cosby's latest book, The Sect: The Windgate. This is the first book in his School of Ministry series. The reader takes a journey with Ziv as he attempts to make sense of both his love life and his true purpose. Ziv knows that he's different. He knows that either has special gifts or that he's crazy. But when it comes down to it, Ziv has to make a choice. He can either dwell on his past and the darkness that dwells there, or he can make something of himself and reach his full God-given potential.
But as often happens in life, there are more questions than answers. Where is Stephanie? What is he really being recruited to do, and will he succeed, or will he die trying? What secrets are those around him hiding, and are they out to help or harm him? What is Ziv truly capable of? The reader can look forward to discovering the answers to these questions and more.
I suspect the next book in the series will have just as many twists and turns as this one, and I can't wait for it to be published as well.
But as often happens in life, there are more questions than answers. Where is Stephanie? What is he really being recruited to do, and will he succeed, or will he die trying? What secrets are those around him hiding, and are they out to help or harm him? What is Ziv truly capable of? The reader can look forward to discovering the answers to these questions and more.
I suspect the next book in the series will have just as many twists and turns as this one, and I can't wait for it to be published as well.
November 1, 2013
Wow! I originally picked up the book because of Cosby. I'm a fan of Bill Cosby so I figured Braxton Cosby if anything like his relative would be a good read for me. I was not disappointed. This guy can write! This book was full of suspense and made me not want to put it down. Unfortunately, as a mommy to 9 who homeschools I did have to put it down and quite a bit more often than I wanted to.
I think if you enjoy suspense and mystery books that you will enjoy this one. I say go find a copy, pick it up and have a good read! You will find yourself trying to find out what Ziv does next and who is going to win out in the end. Do good or evil prevail!?
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for a review from Promotional Book Tours; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I think if you enjoy suspense and mystery books that you will enjoy this one. I say go find a copy, pick it up and have a good read! You will find yourself trying to find out what Ziv does next and who is going to win out in the end. Do good or evil prevail!?
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for a review from Promotional Book Tours; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 6, 2013
The School of Ministry-Windgate by Braxton Cosby is a brand new young adult Christian e-book adventure! After his parents are killed, young Ziv makes his way in life as best he can until he is kidnapped into the School of Ministry. He discovers that he can see demons and has other skills that will enable him ultimately to fight against the devil himself in the age-old drama of good and God vs. evil. During his training, he learns to discern many things, including who he can trust and who he cannot trust. He also has a love interest choice to make between his lifelong best friend, and a School of Ministry career woman. This is an action-packed novel full of plot twists which will keep you guessing until the very end featuring a climactic battle. Don’t miss Cosby's new creation.
October 14, 2013
The School of Ministry was a wild, unique, cerebral read. It’s Christian based in its theology but I felt a more spiritual theme develop after a bit. Ziv is a fantastically strong young man who gets thrown a lot of junk in his life. It keeps on ticking and moving. In a twist of fate he meets this “league of extraordinary gentleman” called the School of Ministry who show him things that can’t ever be unseen, but also verify to him, he’s not crazy. It’s fast paced, it has vivid imagery and although the actual villain may have been a shock to some, I wasn’t surprised. This isn’t your usual vanilla religious story. It has twists and issues that far exceed expectations. My only critique? The author has a love for !’s everywhere. I seriously recommend this book!
October 18, 2013
From the minute I read the preview I knew I wanted to read this book. I am not disappointed at all, as matter a fact I loved it. what a great way of writing, so detailed so fresh.
I am an fan from now on and I can't wait to read more from Braxton!
You will meet orphaned Ziv and his best friend Stephanie, when she comes to visit with her twins she disappears and Ziv will do anything to find them, even join a Christian group that fights off evil. He becomes a soldier and he is promised help to get Stephanie back.
He can travel between this and the spirit world, with two others that can do the same, he all evil.
I received a copy of this book for a honest review.
I am an fan from now on and I can't wait to read more from Braxton!
You will meet orphaned Ziv and his best friend Stephanie, when she comes to visit with her twins she disappears and Ziv will do anything to find them, even join a Christian group that fights off evil. He becomes a soldier and he is promised help to get Stephanie back.
He can travel between this and the spirit world, with two others that can do the same, he all evil.
I received a copy of this book for a honest review.
August 26, 2013
Braxton Cosby's new adventure "The Windgate", the first of the "School of Ministry" series takes you on a journey filled with choices, fear, fate & love. I felt completely drawn to each character and found myself making choices each time decision making would arise. Every time I felt confident about the story, the turning of pages brought a new perspective full of twists and turns. Braxton's book is a must read for all ages ~ beautifully written, amazing execution!
October 12, 2013
A great read so far "The School of Ministry-Windgate" by Braxton A. Cosby who is such a nice author, who organized this book so remarkably. Young Ziv is the main role here who have struggled after his parents' death. Story goes on in a way where there has twists. Every characters are organized and played their roles in a way - which is speechless. I melted myself while reading and ended it in a sit. Love the passion and feelings through out the book.
October 11, 2013
Review a part of blog tour and will be posted later.
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January 16, 2014This was an interesting book.
See my indepth review: http://www.jamericanspice.com/2013/10...
See my indepth review: http://www.jamericanspice.com/2013/10...
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