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The Susa Chronicles #1
Protector
As the orphaned daughter of a traitor, Novalise grew up in hiding with an outlawed religious group hated by the Crown. She dreams of aiding her people as a scientist and begs her overprotective brother for a chance to assist in his schemes against the government. All her hopes of making a difference implode when she's kidnapped and forced to compete against the Enhanced—a group of highly trained, biologically upgraded young women—for a position as the king's Protector.
Plagued by insomnia, King Zadien is still reeling from his father's untimely death. When his council suggests a competition as the way to choose his new bodyguard, he lacks the confidence to oppose the plan. Given the role he played in his father's murder, choosing the right Protector could mean relieving his guilt or repeating his worst mistakes. Can he trust the intriguing and beautiful candidate who's nothing like the others?
After discovering a long-hidden connection between the Enhanced and her father, Novalise realizes winning the competition would give her people the strategic advantage they desperately need. But is that leverage worth compromising herself, body and soul?
Plagued by insomnia, King Zadien is still reeling from his father's untimely death. When his council suggests a competition as the way to choose his new bodyguard, he lacks the confidence to oppose the plan. Given the role he played in his father's murder, choosing the right Protector could mean relieving his guilt or repeating his worst mistakes. Can he trust the intriguing and beautiful candidate who's nothing like the others?
After discovering a long-hidden connection between the Enhanced and her father, Novalise realizes winning the competition would give her people the strategic advantage they desperately need. But is that leverage worth compromising herself, body and soul?
294 pages, Paperback
Published April 4, 2024
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306 people want to read
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June 6, 2025
3 stars ⭐️ Christian Fiction - Dystopian YA
Series: Book #2 in “The Susa Chronicles” series.
Spiritual Content- Romans 8:37 at the dedication; God is called ‘Alpha’ in this world and His followers are called ‘Alphanites’; Alphanites are considered to be “religious extremists/radicals” by this government and it has been deemed treason to teach about Alpha (thus they live in hiding like Novalise’s group); Prayers to Alpha & Thanking Alpha; A few talks about Alpha; 'H's are not capital when referring to Alpha; A ‘for Alpha’s sake’ is said once and eight ‘Thank Alpha’s are said (the majority seem sincere); Mentions of the Alpha (God) & Alphanites (Christians);
*Note: Novalise hears a voice in her head that she thinks is Alpha (God) (They talk about boys, science, and Novalise trusts the voice; The voice gives her directions on how to move during fights; At the beginning, she notes that “All the years I’ve heard this voice, I’ve known it was a he. The timbre has aged with me, sounding more like a childhood playmate when he first showed up almost twelve years ago, Even then, a deep peace accompanied his words, spoken somewhere in the depths of my heart”; The others in her group comment on her ‘imaginary friend’ but some also think she is directly talking to Alpha; Novalise recalls being taught about Alpha by a friend’s parents and “they said we could hear his guidance if we listened hard enough. Everyone else took that as a metaphor. Not me. I hear Alpha, and we talk, same as I do with my friends now.”; As the book continues, she wonders if it’s just an imaginary voice or a friend in her head and doesn’t hear his voice as clearly as she usually does, but the voice is insistent that that isn’t true; At one point, she thinks about hearing about people who hear voices are sick people with broken minds; Novalise avoids asking the voice about some of her thoughts or ideas; She feels peace at times when talking to this voice and other times, she feels his pride in her and him winking at her; The voice is insulted when Novalise calls him her conscience; *Spoiler* ); Someone makes a few negative and snide comments about the Alphanites’ god not allowing “progress or some nonsense” when it comes to the “health upgrades” being offered; A mention of a bone protruding at an “unholy angle”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: two ‘shut up’s, four forms of ‘dumb’, seven forms of ‘idiot’, and twenty-seven forms of ‘stupid’; Fictional curses include: a ‘how in the name of the sun’ (which the voice in Novalise’s head says the sun can’t help her), a ‘sun help me’, a ‘swear on the sun’, a ‘sun rest them’ (when talking about a deceased person), two ‘sun-forsaken’s, three ‘thank the sun’s, six forms of ‘for sun’s sake’, six ‘sun knows’, eight forms of ‘what/why the sun’, six ‘blazing’, and nine ‘blazes/what the blazes’; Eye rolling & Sarcasm (including between siblings); Novalise and her brother clash and argue at times (*Spoilers* *Major Spoiler* ); Seeing deaths, a picture of a dead body (including a broken neck and those executed by pulse guns, which all greatly affect Novalise and she feels sick) and someone’s leg being caught and badly injured/broken in a heavy moving door (up to semi-detailed); Lots of Fighting (including in training and for her life), Being attacked/beaten, Being kidnapped, Being tied-up, Pain, Injuries, Blood/Bleeding, & Being knocked unconscious (up to semi-detailed); Throwing up (due to guilt); Zadien feels guilt for his father’s murder (*Main Spoilers* ; The Enhanced are considered not to be humans, but war machines by some (including the creator of the technology and *Spoilers, but kidnapping notes* ; There are also glitches that happen when the technology moves faster than the rest of them and usually results in death; The creator wants to fix these glitches by developing a new serum that can be injected into the brain stem to make their brains faster); Many mentions of executions (particularly of the Enhanced who failed their mission of protecting the king, the Enhanced who fail their tests, and traitors to the government), deaths, how it happens (including snapped necks and backs & by pulse guns ot the head), & deaths (boarder-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Many mentions of a murder/assassination & trying to find the killers; Many mentions of fights/fighting, injuries, broken bones, pain, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of tattoos (as those in the city all receive tattoos starting when they are twelve to cover their nano-tech incisions; Novalise also creates and maintains fake ones for her brother and friends; The Enhanced guards are covered in tattoos because of all of their tech upgrades); Mentions of deaths/murders & grief (including of parents); Mentions of kidnappings and children being taken from their families because of the parents having “fanatical (religious) beliefs”, drug use, criminal activity, mental instability, or orphaned after their parents deaths/murders; Mentions of terrorists (including Novalise’s father who was branded as one); Mentions of fires & burns (including a child’s home being set on fire by those that were afraid of their religious beliefs); Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of manipulation; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of throwing up; A few mentions of some “taking matters into their own hands” (implied suicide in the context); A few mentions of arrests, prisoners, & interrogation (implying beatings); A few mentions of nightmares; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of threats; A mention of someone viewing a family member like a grandmother who is a “burden who will hopefully die soon” (what Novalise thinks her brother thinks of her); A mention of a potential drowning; A mention of the possibility of someone wetting their pants; A mention of something being like a dead animal; A mention of being shot like rabid dogs;
*Note: At one point, Novalise thinks about hearing about people who hear voices are sick people with broken minds (and she wonders if that is the case with her, though the voice in her head says it’s not); In the city, when a child turns twelve, they are required to do a nano treatment that will scar, so tattoos are done to cover it (to not do this is to be considered “markless” and that person will be banned from public areas and denied medical services); The Enhanced are guards for the king and are covered in tattoos to cover the scars from all of their tech upgrades; Novalise has some prejudice towards those with enhancement technology and call them “nano-boosted freaks” (but realizes later that they aren’t all evil).
Sexual Content- A cheek kiss, an almost kiss (barely-above-not-detailed), a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, a semi-detailed kissing session (with many little kisses not on the lips) and a border-line semi-detailed // detailed kiss; Staring at lips; Remembering kisses (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Touches, Hand holding, Shivers, Flutters, Nearness, & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Remembering touches (barely-above-not-detailed); Wanting to touch (up to semi-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Staring (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Zadien loved the previous Chief Protector, Vastri (*Spoiler* ); After meeting Novalise, Zadien wonders if he is drawn to the forbidden (as Protectors can’t get married; he later wonders if it was him rebelling) or if he is trying to back Vastri back from the dead by “snuggling up to one of her peers” which puts a sour taste in his mouth; *Spoilers, but sexual suggestions/assumptions* ; A radio program calls Zadien “scrumptious” and asks the question if he or another king would look better with their shirts off; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of attraction, crushes, & handsome guys; Mentions of flirting; Mentions of jealousy; A mention of a rumor about an Enhanced having plenty of other relationships (but not marriage); A mention of Novalise never sneaking out to meet a boy; Some love/attraction, crushes/falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: The Enhanced are unable to have children due to being sterilized; In the author’s note, she shares that the story of Esther and how the king’s advisors rounded up beautiful young virgins, them each spending a night with the king, and while the Bible doesn’t say exactly what happened on that night, the women were moved to be with the king’s concubines “so we can make assumptions”.
-Novalise, age 18
-Zadien, age 20
1st person P.O.V. switches between them
294 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
For some reason, I wasn’t expecting this book to be so intense. Silly me, this is a dystopian plot after all. I have mixed thoughts…positives and negatives to share, so we’ll go back and forth.
I definitely could see the Esther inspiration, but it’s definitely not a retelling. Because of knowing the events of Esther, it gave me a slight comfort in knowing that it should all end okay…right? Right? Well, I guess I’ll have to find out because this book ends in a pretty big cliffhanger. (Which is why I waited to read this one until closer to the sequel’s release date!)
I had a harder time picturing all the scenery and action/fighting/competition parts. Perhaps that’s for the better because the Enhanced fighting is rough (to say the least), but I wasn’t able to follow along as easily as I would have liked.
I did really like all the technology and thought a lot of it was unique compared to other dystopian books I’ve read. Fascinating enough, there is a no-screen order because of the addiction that happened in past generations—which both amused me and also felt a little odd with all the technology around the characters. It would have been good to learn a bit more about that ruling, but all the other tech was interesting—and okay, yes, some of it was horrifying. Such is a dystopian plot.
It was a little…grittier or maybe edgier than I usually prefer, but that can come with the dystopian plotline and it was definitely the cause for this book. I didn’t know what to think about Nova and the situation she’s in, but as the book continued and things were revealed, I started to get more interested in the plot and everything happening.
I’m not sure how I feel about “the Alpha” talking to Nova in her head…it’s obviously supposed to represent God. If it was all Scriptural based I think I would have been fine with it, but because the voice is kind of like an imaginary friend to her (to the point that she even thinks it’s that) and they discuss science and boys, he compliments her, and she feels him wink at her, it felt a little strange and ended up affecting my personal rating. I’m not sure how other readers will feel about this element and it’s was the hardest part of this book to note for this content review. I liked the message of Novalise relying on the Alpha and the importance of having a relationship with him, but how it was done was outside of my comfort zone…and in not a good way.
There was some sexual suggestions that I didn’t care for, but it made sense for the plot—to a degree. Unfortunately, there were some comments connected to the “one night with the king” element that brought down my rating and make me only suggest this book for older teens who have read a lot of dystopian books. If we were going to compare to other dystopian books, I’ve never read “The Hunger Games”, so I can’t compare to that series’ content, but it wasn’t as much sexual content/suggestions as “The Remnants” series by Lisa T Bergren, but wasn’t as clean as the “Anomaly” trilogy by Krista McGee. This book reminded me of the Bergren series at times because of this and also the brutal fighting. “Protector” might not have been as detailed and border-line gory as I remember that series being, but the training and injuries—and seeing deaths—that Novalise/Astra goes through is brutal.
I have to admit to not really liking Zadien at times. He was an unstable jerk towards the end and is very aware of manipulation in general but yet not realizing fully that someone else is manipulating him. I hope he’ll realize the irony in the second book. Honestly, I’m pretty sure I made a face each time he appeared after he did a massive stupid and jerkish thing. He flipped a switch to become a blockhead and then later flipped back the way he was for the beginning part of the book. It was almost whiplash to me, but Novalise is too busy trying not to swoon over him when he is kind.
God’s name is replaced in a lot of fictional curses that Zadien says, which while I appreciate God’s name not being taken in vain, I still winced almost every time because it was so easy to replace it with God’s name. It made sense that because he has grown up in a society that has banned the Alpha (God) that they would use something else, but one character who is supposed to know the Alpha uses “For Alpha’s sake” when frustrated, which was disappointing.
This was interesting. I definitely liked some parts, but also didn’t like some as well. I do plan to read the sequel soon to find out what happens.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
Series: Book #2 in “The Susa Chronicles” series.
Spiritual Content- Romans 8:37 at the dedication; God is called ‘Alpha’ in this world and His followers are called ‘Alphanites’; Alphanites are considered to be “religious extremists/radicals” by this government and it has been deemed treason to teach about Alpha (thus they live in hiding like Novalise’s group); Prayers to Alpha & Thanking Alpha; A few talks about Alpha; 'H's are not capital when referring to Alpha; A ‘for Alpha’s sake’ is said once and eight ‘Thank Alpha’s are said (the majority seem sincere); Mentions of the Alpha (God) & Alphanites (Christians);
*Note: Novalise hears a voice in her head that she thinks is Alpha (God) (They talk about boys, science, and Novalise trusts the voice; The voice gives her directions on how to move during fights; At the beginning, she notes that “All the years I’ve heard this voice, I’ve known it was a he. The timbre has aged with me, sounding more like a childhood playmate when he first showed up almost twelve years ago, Even then, a deep peace accompanied his words, spoken somewhere in the depths of my heart”; The others in her group comment on her ‘imaginary friend’ but some also think she is directly talking to Alpha; Novalise recalls being taught about Alpha by a friend’s parents and “they said we could hear his guidance if we listened hard enough. Everyone else took that as a metaphor. Not me. I hear Alpha, and we talk, same as I do with my friends now.”; As the book continues, she wonders if it’s just an imaginary voice or a friend in her head and doesn’t hear his voice as clearly as she usually does, but the voice is insistent that that isn’t true; At one point, she thinks about hearing about people who hear voices are sick people with broken minds; Novalise avoids asking the voice about some of her thoughts or ideas; She feels peace at times when talking to this voice and other times, she feels his pride in her and him winking at her; The voice is insulted when Novalise calls him her conscience; *Spoiler* ); Someone makes a few negative and snide comments about the Alphanites’ god not allowing “progress or some nonsense” when it comes to the “health upgrades” being offered; A mention of a bone protruding at an “unholy angle”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: two ‘shut up’s, four forms of ‘dumb’, seven forms of ‘idiot’, and twenty-seven forms of ‘stupid’; Fictional curses include: a ‘how in the name of the sun’ (which the voice in Novalise’s head says the sun can’t help her), a ‘sun help me’, a ‘swear on the sun’, a ‘sun rest them’ (when talking about a deceased person), two ‘sun-forsaken’s, three ‘thank the sun’s, six forms of ‘for sun’s sake’, six ‘sun knows’, eight forms of ‘what/why the sun’, six ‘blazing’, and nine ‘blazes/what the blazes’; Eye rolling & Sarcasm (including between siblings); Novalise and her brother clash and argue at times (*Spoilers* *Major Spoiler* ); Seeing deaths, a picture of a dead body (including a broken neck and those executed by pulse guns, which all greatly affect Novalise and she feels sick) and someone’s leg being caught and badly injured/broken in a heavy moving door (up to semi-detailed); Lots of Fighting (including in training and for her life), Being attacked/beaten, Being kidnapped, Being tied-up, Pain, Injuries, Blood/Bleeding, & Being knocked unconscious (up to semi-detailed); Throwing up (due to guilt); Zadien feels guilt for his father’s murder (*Main Spoilers* ; The Enhanced are considered not to be humans, but war machines by some (including the creator of the technology and *Spoilers, but kidnapping notes* ; There are also glitches that happen when the technology moves faster than the rest of them and usually results in death; The creator wants to fix these glitches by developing a new serum that can be injected into the brain stem to make their brains faster); Many mentions of executions (particularly of the Enhanced who failed their mission of protecting the king, the Enhanced who fail their tests, and traitors to the government), deaths, how it happens (including snapped necks and backs & by pulse guns ot the head), & deaths (boarder-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Many mentions of a murder/assassination & trying to find the killers; Many mentions of fights/fighting, injuries, broken bones, pain, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of tattoos (as those in the city all receive tattoos starting when they are twelve to cover their nano-tech incisions; Novalise also creates and maintains fake ones for her brother and friends; The Enhanced guards are covered in tattoos because of all of their tech upgrades); Mentions of deaths/murders & grief (including of parents); Mentions of kidnappings and children being taken from their families because of the parents having “fanatical (religious) beliefs”, drug use, criminal activity, mental instability, or orphaned after their parents deaths/murders; Mentions of terrorists (including Novalise’s father who was branded as one); Mentions of fires & burns (including a child’s home being set on fire by those that were afraid of their religious beliefs); Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of manipulation; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of throwing up; A few mentions of some “taking matters into their own hands” (implied suicide in the context); A few mentions of arrests, prisoners, & interrogation (implying beatings); A few mentions of nightmares; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of threats; A mention of someone viewing a family member like a grandmother who is a “burden who will hopefully die soon” (what Novalise thinks her brother thinks of her); A mention of a potential drowning; A mention of the possibility of someone wetting their pants; A mention of something being like a dead animal; A mention of being shot like rabid dogs;
*Note: At one point, Novalise thinks about hearing about people who hear voices are sick people with broken minds (and she wonders if that is the case with her, though the voice in her head says it’s not); In the city, when a child turns twelve, they are required to do a nano treatment that will scar, so tattoos are done to cover it (to not do this is to be considered “markless” and that person will be banned from public areas and denied medical services); The Enhanced are guards for the king and are covered in tattoos to cover the scars from all of their tech upgrades; Novalise has some prejudice towards those with enhancement technology and call them “nano-boosted freaks” (but realizes later that they aren’t all evil).
Sexual Content- A cheek kiss, an almost kiss (barely-above-not-detailed), a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, a semi-detailed kissing session (with many little kisses not on the lips) and a border-line semi-detailed // detailed kiss; Staring at lips; Remembering kisses (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Touches, Hand holding, Shivers, Flutters, Nearness, & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Remembering touches (barely-above-not-detailed); Wanting to touch (up to semi-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Staring (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Zadien loved the previous Chief Protector, Vastri (*Spoiler* ); After meeting Novalise, Zadien wonders if he is drawn to the forbidden (as Protectors can’t get married; he later wonders if it was him rebelling) or if he is trying to back Vastri back from the dead by “snuggling up to one of her peers” which puts a sour taste in his mouth; *Spoilers, but sexual suggestions/assumptions* ; A radio program calls Zadien “scrumptious” and asks the question if he or another king would look better with their shirts off; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of attraction, crushes, & handsome guys; Mentions of flirting; Mentions of jealousy; A mention of a rumor about an Enhanced having plenty of other relationships (but not marriage); A mention of Novalise never sneaking out to meet a boy; Some love/attraction, crushes/falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: The Enhanced are unable to have children due to being sterilized; In the author’s note, she shares that the story of Esther and how the king’s advisors rounded up beautiful young virgins, them each spending a night with the king, and while the Bible doesn’t say exactly what happened on that night, the women were moved to be with the king’s concubines “so we can make assumptions”.
-Novalise, age 18
-Zadien, age 20
1st person P.O.V. switches between them
294 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
For some reason, I wasn’t expecting this book to be so intense. Silly me, this is a dystopian plot after all. I have mixed thoughts…positives and negatives to share, so we’ll go back and forth.
I definitely could see the Esther inspiration, but it’s definitely not a retelling. Because of knowing the events of Esther, it gave me a slight comfort in knowing that it should all end okay…right? Right? Well, I guess I’ll have to find out because this book ends in a pretty big cliffhanger. (Which is why I waited to read this one until closer to the sequel’s release date!)
I had a harder time picturing all the scenery and action/fighting/competition parts. Perhaps that’s for the better because the Enhanced fighting is rough (to say the least), but I wasn’t able to follow along as easily as I would have liked.
I did really like all the technology and thought a lot of it was unique compared to other dystopian books I’ve read. Fascinating enough, there is a no-screen order because of the addiction that happened in past generations—which both amused me and also felt a little odd with all the technology around the characters. It would have been good to learn a bit more about that ruling, but all the other tech was interesting—and okay, yes, some of it was horrifying. Such is a dystopian plot.
It was a little…grittier or maybe edgier than I usually prefer, but that can come with the dystopian plotline and it was definitely the cause for this book. I didn’t know what to think about Nova and the situation she’s in, but as the book continued and things were revealed, I started to get more interested in the plot and everything happening.
I’m not sure how I feel about “the Alpha” talking to Nova in her head…it’s obviously supposed to represent God. If it was all Scriptural based I think I would have been fine with it, but because the voice is kind of like an imaginary friend to her (to the point that she even thinks it’s that) and they discuss science and boys, he compliments her, and she feels him wink at her, it felt a little strange and ended up affecting my personal rating. I’m not sure how other readers will feel about this element and it’s was the hardest part of this book to note for this content review. I liked the message of Novalise relying on the Alpha and the importance of having a relationship with him, but how it was done was outside of my comfort zone…and in not a good way.
There was some sexual suggestions that I didn’t care for, but it made sense for the plot—to a degree. Unfortunately, there were some comments connected to the “one night with the king” element that brought down my rating and make me only suggest this book for older teens who have read a lot of dystopian books. If we were going to compare to other dystopian books, I’ve never read “The Hunger Games”, so I can’t compare to that series’ content, but it wasn’t as much sexual content/suggestions as “The Remnants” series by Lisa T Bergren, but wasn’t as clean as the “Anomaly” trilogy by Krista McGee. This book reminded me of the Bergren series at times because of this and also the brutal fighting. “Protector” might not have been as detailed and border-line gory as I remember that series being, but the training and injuries—and seeing deaths—that Novalise/Astra goes through is brutal.
I have to admit to not really liking Zadien at times. He was an unstable jerk towards the end and is very aware of manipulation in general but yet not realizing fully that someone else is manipulating him. I hope he’ll realize the irony in the second book. Honestly, I’m pretty sure I made a face each time he appeared after he did a massive stupid and jerkish thing. He flipped a switch to become a blockhead and then later flipped back the way he was for the beginning part of the book. It was almost whiplash to me, but Novalise is too busy trying not to swoon over him when he is kind.
God’s name is replaced in a lot of fictional curses that Zadien says, which while I appreciate God’s name not being taken in vain, I still winced almost every time because it was so easy to replace it with God’s name. It made sense that because he has grown up in a society that has banned the Alpha (God) that they would use something else, but one character who is supposed to know the Alpha uses “For Alpha’s sake” when frustrated, which was disappointing.
This was interesting. I definitely liked some parts, but also didn’t like some as well. I do plan to read the sequel soon to find out what happens.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
September 26, 2024
This book was SO good. Yes, it took me a week to read, but I'm 100% blaming school for that, because this book didn't lag for a single beat.
First off, can we all just say that this is an expert and incredibly original retelling of Esther? It holds all the elements and the heart of the story, and yet it's crafted into something completely new... and something riveting. Schaulis uses words like weapons, wielded ever so carefully and always hitting their point.
I docked a star simply because the violence was a bit much at times (as one can expect in a battle to be the Protector). Hearing about the Enhanced's glitches definitely was a bit grim, although certainly understandable. It was intended to be disturbing, obviously... I just thought it was an important note.
But apart from that, everything about this novel was so beautiful. The found family... the bravery... and my absolute favorite part was how Alpha spoke to Novalise. I loved the way Schaulis gave Him authority, and yet spunk... and Novalise's journey of listening to Him was truly relatable for just about all of us, I daresay.
Overall, this book was an easy new favorite, and I can't wait for Proclaimer to release!
First off, can we all just say that this is an expert and incredibly original retelling of Esther? It holds all the elements and the heart of the story, and yet it's crafted into something completely new... and something riveting. Schaulis uses words like weapons, wielded ever so carefully and always hitting their point.
I docked a star simply because the violence was a bit much at times (as one can expect in a battle to be the Protector). Hearing about the Enhanced's glitches definitely was a bit grim, although certainly understandable. It was intended to be disturbing, obviously... I just thought it was an important note.
But apart from that, everything about this novel was so beautiful. The found family... the bravery... and my absolute favorite part was how Alpha spoke to Novalise. I loved the way Schaulis gave Him authority, and yet spunk... and Novalise's journey of listening to Him was truly relatable for just about all of us, I daresay.
Overall, this book was an easy new favorite, and I can't wait for Proclaimer to release!
July 28, 2024
What an incredible story of faith, courage, and purpose. From first page to last I was utterly captivated by Novalise and Zadien's story and the journey both of them take to discovering not only who they are but their purpose and reason to stand in a world determined to pull them down. Brilliantly written and imagined, Protector is a story that will stay with me a very long time. Can't wait for book two!
While I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers, I was not required to write a positive review (nope, that just came naturally!). All opinions expressed are my own.
While I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers, I was not required to write a positive review (nope, that just came naturally!). All opinions expressed are my own.
November 4, 2024
A thoroughly spectacular start to a trilogy I can't wait to devour. Protector follows the Biblical story of Esther in ways that will ignite your imagination and give you a fresh perspective on the historical narrative. There are handsome princes, nano-tech, action packed competitions, and secret rendezvous that make you slow down to soak up every word. And THAT ending! I have to know what happens in book two. Schaulis is an author to put on your radar!
May 22, 2024
I’m not typically a fantasy reader, but now I’m thinking maybe I should be based on how much I enjoyed this one. If the next book in this series was already available, I would have started reading it as soon as I finished the last page. I CANNOT wait to read more of this series!
April 26, 2024
This is seriously one of my favorite books of the year!! I was hooked right from the first page, and I did not want to stop reading. My only complaint about the book is having to wait until book two to see how it will all work out! You would never guess this is the debut book for this author, the way she weaves the story together and all the details she put into building her story world.
Novalise is such a great heroine. Her story arc and all she went through to become a Protector was inspiring and kept me turning the pages to see how she would fare in the competition. King Zadien made a great hero. His struggles with guilt and the pressures of suddenly being the king were very relatable. I adored the sweet romance between him and Novalise and am excitedly looking forward to book 2 to see how their relationship will grow.
The faith element was expertly done and woven into the book in such a way that it never felt preachy or forced. I think the faith struggles that Novalise has, wondering at times if Alpha is real or a figment of her imagination, were very relatable and added depth to her story. I so appreciated how the author showed that relationship as well. I can't recommend this book highly enough.
I received a free advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
Novalise is such a great heroine. Her story arc and all she went through to become a Protector was inspiring and kept me turning the pages to see how she would fare in the competition. King Zadien made a great hero. His struggles with guilt and the pressures of suddenly being the king were very relatable. I adored the sweet romance between him and Novalise and am excitedly looking forward to book 2 to see how their relationship will grow.
The faith element was expertly done and woven into the book in such a way that it never felt preachy or forced. I think the faith struggles that Novalise has, wondering at times if Alpha is real or a figment of her imagination, were very relatable and added depth to her story. I so appreciated how the author showed that relationship as well. I can't recommend this book highly enough.
I received a free advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
April 23, 2024
Worth the read!!
"Protector" by Megan Schaulis is an amazing book that once you start, you won't be able to put down. It's a beautiful retelling of the Esther tale set in a dystopian world, packed with action, suspense, romance, and great storytelling.
From page one, it draws you in and keeps you coming back for more. I particularly enjoyed seeing the relationships between characters like Novalise and Zadien develop, as well as Novalise's talks with Alpha. The emotional and spiritual journey the characters embark on is truly inspiring.
Despite being categorized as a young adult novel, I recommend it to readers of all ages and eagerly await the next installment in the series.
I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
"Protector" by Megan Schaulis is an amazing book that once you start, you won't be able to put down. It's a beautiful retelling of the Esther tale set in a dystopian world, packed with action, suspense, romance, and great storytelling.
From page one, it draws you in and keeps you coming back for more. I particularly enjoyed seeing the relationships between characters like Novalise and Zadien develop, as well as Novalise's talks with Alpha. The emotional and spiritual journey the characters embark on is truly inspiring.
Despite being categorized as a young adult novel, I recommend it to readers of all ages and eagerly await the next installment in the series.
I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
March 11, 2025
What an interesting concept!! I really enjoyed this dystopian Esther retelling! Full review to come 😊
November 16, 2025
What a fantastic YA retelling of Esther! I was drawn into this one from the start. It has some great lessons throughout. The setting has some Hunger Games vibes (which I loved), the characters are all well-developed, and I cannot wait to dive into book two! I’m just thankful I don’t have to wait to do so because the ending of this one definitely has me hanging on the ledge! So good!
April 15, 2024
Magan Schaulis is a new-to-me author, and this will not be the last book of hers I read. She took the story of Esther from the Bible, threw in a few elements from the Biblical book of Revelation, placed it in the future and created a can’t-put-it-down dystopian novel. I was hooked from the first page.
In the opening pages we meet a group of Alphanites who have been chased out of society due to their belief in Alpha. Novalise and Declan (Dex) are the children of a former engineer of Susa who had to flee for their lives when they were young due to their parents' objection to a major technological “advancement” of the country which resulted in implanting girls with nanotechnology that enhanced certain abilities.
I loved Novalise’s connection to Alpha and the fact that she talked with him and heard him respond. She is committed to what she has learned about Alpha, although at times throughout the story, her faith is tested. I loved the protection Dex and their closest friends (all men) felt toward Novalise.
There is so much I loved about this book but I don’t want to share any spoilers by telling you more. I look forward to reading the second book in the Susa Chronicles.
Protector is the perfect book for those who enjoy dystopian fiction as well as for those who enjoy “modernized” Biblical stories.
Protector would be a great addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for high school.
I received a complimentary copy of Protector. This is my honest review.
In the opening pages we meet a group of Alphanites who have been chased out of society due to their belief in Alpha. Novalise and Declan (Dex) are the children of a former engineer of Susa who had to flee for their lives when they were young due to their parents' objection to a major technological “advancement” of the country which resulted in implanting girls with nanotechnology that enhanced certain abilities.
I loved Novalise’s connection to Alpha and the fact that she talked with him and heard him respond. She is committed to what she has learned about Alpha, although at times throughout the story, her faith is tested. I loved the protection Dex and their closest friends (all men) felt toward Novalise.
There is so much I loved about this book but I don’t want to share any spoilers by telling you more. I look forward to reading the second book in the Susa Chronicles.
Protector is the perfect book for those who enjoy dystopian fiction as well as for those who enjoy “modernized” Biblical stories.
Protector would be a great addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for high school.
I received a complimentary copy of Protector. This is my honest review.
April 4, 2025
Absolutely brilliant!!!
I've been looking forward to reading this book since I heard of a Dystopian retelling of Esther and I was not disappointed. This book keeps you captivated and I read every minute I got.
The characters have depth and the story is interesting. It has romance, it has action, and enough intrigue to keep you hooked. You will love going on a journey with Novalise, Zadien, and Dex.
I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good dystopian novel. I can't wait for Book Number Two to come out.
P.S. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I've been looking forward to reading this book since I heard of a Dystopian retelling of Esther and I was not disappointed. This book keeps you captivated and I read every minute I got.
The characters have depth and the story is interesting. It has romance, it has action, and enough intrigue to keep you hooked. You will love going on a journey with Novalise, Zadien, and Dex.
I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good dystopian novel. I can't wait for Book Number Two to come out.
P.S. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
April 21, 2024
I loved this creative reimagining of Esther! I especially loved how the original story came through in the themes (and the repeated lesson to be learned), that God's ways and plans are better than doing it on our own, that God cares for his people, and that He gives us what we need to overcome difficult situations, even if it's not how we pictured or wanted it.
Schaulis creates a compelling dystopian world, where nanotechnology has been used to create weaponized female warriors — something that was both fascinating and at the same time, dealt with in a way that the negative implications and dangers of creating humans as weapons were fully realized. The characters all felt complex and real, and I loved the bits of humor woven into a serious story (why WERE there ruffles?). And truly, no review would be complete without mentioning just how cool the challenges were. Personally, typically characters hearing from God (or God's equivalent in a fictional world, in this case Alpha) tends to give me some pause, though in this story, I did not find it bothering me quite as much as it usually would.
Overall, it was action-packed, with high stakes that had me turning pages well past when I should and a cliff-hanger of an ending that was gut-punching in the best of ways. Can't wait for book 2!
Schaulis creates a compelling dystopian world, where nanotechnology has been used to create weaponized female warriors — something that was both fascinating and at the same time, dealt with in a way that the negative implications and dangers of creating humans as weapons were fully realized. The characters all felt complex and real, and I loved the bits of humor woven into a serious story (why WERE there ruffles?). And truly, no review would be complete without mentioning just how cool the challenges were. Personally, typically characters hearing from God (or God's equivalent in a fictional world, in this case Alpha) tends to give me some pause, though in this story, I did not find it bothering me quite as much as it usually would.
Overall, it was action-packed, with high stakes that had me turning pages well past when I should and a cliff-hanger of an ending that was gut-punching in the best of ways. Can't wait for book 2!
May 9, 2024
This was such a wonderfully written story that sends the reader on an emotional rollercoaster. The coaster picks up steam as the end of the book nears and man does it end on a cliffhanger. I definitely felt the Esther vibes once we go to the setting of the castle. Yet while the essence of Esther is there, there is so much depth to this story. I loved that even knowing the book of Esther, I could never have predicted the elements of this story. There is action, some hints of romance and even some mystery woven together in a beautiful tapestry, with characters whom I loved and am fully invested into their futures. To demonstrate how much this book affected me, it has been at least a week since I finished this story and that last scene of the book is still with me. It is breaking my heart. I cannot wait for the next book so I can discover where this journey goes. I can't wait for the next book, and to continue this journey that Megan began because I imagine this road has many more twists and turns before we get to the end.
July 2, 2024
For such a time as this. Protector is an incredible story held together with the strong strand of truth from God-that His plans are best, that we are at our best when we live as He created us to be, and that He has put us where we are for such a time as this.
The tech-filled world-building by Schaulis sets a stunning backdrop for a character driven story of loss, hope, and fighting against the odds. Though Astra and Zadien are scarred by the same type of loss, their different responses have made them completely unique, and characters I can’t wait to learn more about.
Coupled with an intriguing plot, a diverse supporting cast, and a hint of mystery, Protector is a book you won’t want to put down until you reach the last page-and even then, the cliffhanger leaves you longing for the next one!
The tech-filled world-building by Schaulis sets a stunning backdrop for a character driven story of loss, hope, and fighting against the odds. Though Astra and Zadien are scarred by the same type of loss, their different responses have made them completely unique, and characters I can’t wait to learn more about.
Coupled with an intriguing plot, a diverse supporting cast, and a hint of mystery, Protector is a book you won’t want to put down until you reach the last page-and even then, the cliffhanger leaves you longing for the next one!
April 9, 2024
Protector by Megan Schaulis was amazing!
When I started reading the book I couldn’t put it down !
I really enjoyed the story and I didn’t know when I started that it was a retelling of the story of Esther but I guessed it was straight away and then found out about it online
I think Megan gave me a new way to look at that story (that I already liked) and now I can understand more what Esther might have been through.
It is a powerfull story and I loved how Novalise speaks to Alpha. I think this was one of my favorite parts of the book.
I can’t wait for the second book to come out and read the end of the story !
-- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. --
When I started reading the book I couldn’t put it down !
I really enjoyed the story and I didn’t know when I started that it was a retelling of the story of Esther but I guessed it was straight away and then found out about it online
I think Megan gave me a new way to look at that story (that I already liked) and now I can understand more what Esther might have been through.
It is a powerfull story and I loved how Novalise speaks to Alpha. I think this was one of my favorite parts of the book.
I can’t wait for the second book to come out and read the end of the story !
-- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. --
May 5, 2024
I received an early e-copy in exchange for an honest review. I loved it!!! It kept me on my toes and I didn’t want to put it down! It has a Dual point of view, which is enjoyable to see the main character development. It has a modern day spin on the story of Esther from the Old Testament.
I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
December 23, 2024
If you're familiar with my reviews, you know by now I'm an avid reader, and a pretty big fan of faithful Biblical fiction. Thus yes, I have read my share of Esther retellings, some stronger than others. Until Protector though, I had never read a speculative fantasy retelling of Esther before and didn't know what to expect. Actually, I bought Protector long before reading it. It just kind of ended up sitting on my TBR pile. Once I got started though, I ended up saying, "What took me so long?"
I do want to offer a slight disclaimer, in that Protector is a young adult novel and I'm somewhat "outside" the target audience. Yet, I write and love YA, so I hope you'll indulge me. Plus, this particular book is superb. Part of the reason is of course, the characters. Novalisse/Astra caught my attention right away with a voice that sounds like an authentic young adult, but holds the signature maturity of a young woman who's lived as an orphan for years and is also a brilliant survivor in a gritty, harsh world. I remember feeling like she did when I was younger. In fact, I still have moments when like Astra, I say, "I want to make a difference. I'm sick of the sidelines; I want to do something real!" And then I end up saying, "No, I didn't mean like *that!*"
Besides that, Astra is a cool, fascinating character, precisely because she and I are different. She's a soldier and an athlete, and a gifted one at that. I indulged in a rueful laugh when Astra first began competing, as in, "Yeah, I'm totally out." Yet I followed her out of admiration and complete respect. I also loved her subtle nods toward friendship, even though she knew helping other girls win would mean she would lose and likely die. This, coupled with moments of understandable cowardice, lent depth and gravitas to her character. Plus, brownie points for Astra's talent in chemistry and ink and some of her ending surprise moves on the final obstacle course. I remember thinking, "Wow! I'd want to try something like that!"
The plot of Protector had me reading at a breakneck pace and on the edge of my seat more than once. One moment in particular, with Hej, had me sitting up and exclaiming out loud, "Okay, WHAT did I just read?" Then I read it again--and said the same thing again! Hej is one shocking character, as are Zadien, Dex, Hatch, and so many others. In fact, one of the best things about Protector's plot is, you think you know who these characters are based on the Esther underpinnings. You think you know who Esther is, who Haman is, who Xerxes is, and what they're going to do at all times.
But while the character archetypes exist, no one does what they're "supposed to do" on an expected timeline. Protector hosts several twists that kept me guessing, and I didn't mind in the least. These twists gave some new gravitas to the story without straying from the basic truths of the Scriptural background. For instance, Astra is understandably angry that she's often left in the dark while everybody else seemingly gets to push her around. That's not in Scripture, but knowing what we do of Esther's character and how she got to Xerxes' palace, yes, she absolutely could've experienced similar emotions. Later, Astra and Zadien end up burned because of how an initial chemistry-filled romance plays out. Again, the Bible doesn't tell us anything like that, but given their culture and the expectations placed on royals--again, it works.
What also worked for me was Megan Shaulis' excellent world-building. First of all, her world-building is surprisingly deft and detailed for a relatively short book. Second, I embraced and devoured every detail, from the contestants' enhancements to the intrigues of a tech-enhanced royal court in the middle of desert Susa, to the hidden, yet nefarious plot against young women in particular. I was somewhat shocked and disappointed at Megan's cliffhanger ending, but that cliffhanger just left me salivating for more of Astra's world, its people, and her story as the follower of Alpha who would save her country's women and people.
Ah, yes, last but not least, Alpha and the subtle yet beautiful spiritual threads. I really can't thank Megan enough for the route she took with them. That is--and I have written this before--the Christian fiction market has a lot of books in which Christianity is completely banned or hidden, and teenagers are tasked with either "saving" it or bringing it back (see Left Behind: The Kids, the Mark series, When Angels Cry, and so on. Nothing wrong with those books, it's just, they've been seen, a lot).
With Astra's world, Alpha is in fact God, and He is in fact the Judeo-Christian God as far as readers can tell. But here, He speaks to Astra as a real, constant Person in her life, while still sounding as the real God might sound, based on the Old and New Testaments. Moreover, Astra doesn't read as the "savior" who will keep Alpha from being "banned." Rather, in her world, it's more, "Alpha exists and following Him is a risk. But here is why the risk is worth it, and why it will keep being worth it." That's a new take I can definitely get behind and want to see more of in Megan's next installment.
I personally can't wait for that installment. Since I have no choice, I recommend Protector, as well as similar books like it, such as The Nightmare Virus or the Cry of the Raven trilogy. I hope to meet Megan and readers back here sooner rather than later to discover where Astra's version of the Esther story goes next.
I do want to offer a slight disclaimer, in that Protector is a young adult novel and I'm somewhat "outside" the target audience. Yet, I write and love YA, so I hope you'll indulge me. Plus, this particular book is superb. Part of the reason is of course, the characters. Novalisse/Astra caught my attention right away with a voice that sounds like an authentic young adult, but holds the signature maturity of a young woman who's lived as an orphan for years and is also a brilliant survivor in a gritty, harsh world. I remember feeling like she did when I was younger. In fact, I still have moments when like Astra, I say, "I want to make a difference. I'm sick of the sidelines; I want to do something real!" And then I end up saying, "No, I didn't mean like *that!*"
Besides that, Astra is a cool, fascinating character, precisely because she and I are different. She's a soldier and an athlete, and a gifted one at that. I indulged in a rueful laugh when Astra first began competing, as in, "Yeah, I'm totally out." Yet I followed her out of admiration and complete respect. I also loved her subtle nods toward friendship, even though she knew helping other girls win would mean she would lose and likely die. This, coupled with moments of understandable cowardice, lent depth and gravitas to her character. Plus, brownie points for Astra's talent in chemistry and ink and some of her ending surprise moves on the final obstacle course. I remember thinking, "Wow! I'd want to try something like that!"
The plot of Protector had me reading at a breakneck pace and on the edge of my seat more than once. One moment in particular, with Hej, had me sitting up and exclaiming out loud, "Okay, WHAT did I just read?" Then I read it again--and said the same thing again! Hej is one shocking character, as are Zadien, Dex, Hatch, and so many others. In fact, one of the best things about Protector's plot is, you think you know who these characters are based on the Esther underpinnings. You think you know who Esther is, who Haman is, who Xerxes is, and what they're going to do at all times.
But while the character archetypes exist, no one does what they're "supposed to do" on an expected timeline. Protector hosts several twists that kept me guessing, and I didn't mind in the least. These twists gave some new gravitas to the story without straying from the basic truths of the Scriptural background. For instance, Astra is understandably angry that she's often left in the dark while everybody else seemingly gets to push her around. That's not in Scripture, but knowing what we do of Esther's character and how she got to Xerxes' palace, yes, she absolutely could've experienced similar emotions. Later, Astra and Zadien end up burned because of how an initial chemistry-filled romance plays out. Again, the Bible doesn't tell us anything like that, but given their culture and the expectations placed on royals--again, it works.
What also worked for me was Megan Shaulis' excellent world-building. First of all, her world-building is surprisingly deft and detailed for a relatively short book. Second, I embraced and devoured every detail, from the contestants' enhancements to the intrigues of a tech-enhanced royal court in the middle of desert Susa, to the hidden, yet nefarious plot against young women in particular. I was somewhat shocked and disappointed at Megan's cliffhanger ending, but that cliffhanger just left me salivating for more of Astra's world, its people, and her story as the follower of Alpha who would save her country's women and people.
Ah, yes, last but not least, Alpha and the subtle yet beautiful spiritual threads. I really can't thank Megan enough for the route she took with them. That is--and I have written this before--the Christian fiction market has a lot of books in which Christianity is completely banned or hidden, and teenagers are tasked with either "saving" it or bringing it back (see Left Behind: The Kids, the Mark series, When Angels Cry, and so on. Nothing wrong with those books, it's just, they've been seen, a lot).
With Astra's world, Alpha is in fact God, and He is in fact the Judeo-Christian God as far as readers can tell. But here, He speaks to Astra as a real, constant Person in her life, while still sounding as the real God might sound, based on the Old and New Testaments. Moreover, Astra doesn't read as the "savior" who will keep Alpha from being "banned." Rather, in her world, it's more, "Alpha exists and following Him is a risk. But here is why the risk is worth it, and why it will keep being worth it." That's a new take I can definitely get behind and want to see more of in Megan's next installment.
I personally can't wait for that installment. Since I have no choice, I recommend Protector, as well as similar books like it, such as The Nightmare Virus or the Cry of the Raven trilogy. I hope to meet Megan and readers back here sooner rather than later to discover where Astra's version of the Esther story goes next.
July 26, 2025
Super creative retelling of Esther. World building is vivid and immersive, every plot point meticulously followed through, and tremendous care was clearly given to the crafting of each character in a very large cast. I was so invested in the story and will definitely be reading the sequel!
May 7, 2025
The Book of Esther goes dystopian. The premise is intriguing, and it is a great read! I enjoyed the adventure and wondering how the author was going to make it work. There were definitely surprises along the way. I loved this author’s take on a dystopian world and future tech. There were sexual suggestions that totally fit with the book and were tastefully done, but if that is an issue for you then you may want to at least skip parts of it. Of course, the author left us looking forward to the next book.
May 9, 2024
Novalise has grown up separated, an outcast from Susa's society. Her people, known as the Alphanites, have hidden in the mountains since refusing to abide by Susa's registration laws. But when Susa's new king is looking for women to join his elite bodyguards called the Protectors, Novalise is conscripted into the competition, forced to fight against nano-enhanced young women who possess super-human powers.
Zadien feels unready and unworthy to ascend to the throne after his father's murder. As he deals with anxiety, he relies heavily upon his advisors as he begins reigning over his kingdom. He needs new Protectors, and even though he has misgivings about a grand competition to sort through the candidates, he agrees to it.
As Novalise navigates the world of the Citadel and the competition among women who are not like her, she hears the voice of Alpha in her head, guiding her. She comes to surprising realizations about who are friends and who are enemies.
This retelling of the Biblical Esther story mixes a dystopian world with a little bit of American Ninja Warrior and a hint of Hunger Games. It was interesting to see different ways a story I am so familiar with translated into a completely different setting.
For me, the book was slow getting started, and I had trouble with Novalise's attitude at times. The book also used a trope that is a personal pet peeve of mine, which I realize is totally my hang-up and not the fault of the book. However, Novalise grows a lot through the course of the novel and once the story gets going there is much to draw the reader in. Action. Faith. Romance, both requited and unrequited. Though the book does come to a conclusion, there are plenty of threads left hanging for the second book in the series. I can't wait to see how everything comes together!
I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Zadien feels unready and unworthy to ascend to the throne after his father's murder. As he deals with anxiety, he relies heavily upon his advisors as he begins reigning over his kingdom. He needs new Protectors, and even though he has misgivings about a grand competition to sort through the candidates, he agrees to it.
As Novalise navigates the world of the Citadel and the competition among women who are not like her, she hears the voice of Alpha in her head, guiding her. She comes to surprising realizations about who are friends and who are enemies.
This retelling of the Biblical Esther story mixes a dystopian world with a little bit of American Ninja Warrior and a hint of Hunger Games. It was interesting to see different ways a story I am so familiar with translated into a completely different setting.
For me, the book was slow getting started, and I had trouble with Novalise's attitude at times. The book also used a trope that is a personal pet peeve of mine, which I realize is totally my hang-up and not the fault of the book. However, Novalise grows a lot through the course of the novel and once the story gets going there is much to draw the reader in. Action. Faith. Romance, both requited and unrequited. Though the book does come to a conclusion, there are plenty of threads left hanging for the second book in the series. I can't wait to see how everything comes together!
I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.
April 10, 2025
Great dystopian, Christian fiction for young adults. A retelling of Queen Esther’s story set in a future Persia, this book is sure to keep you on the edge if you seat and give a satisfying result. I highly recommend this series.
April 12, 2024
Explore a tangible, future world in this beautiful and immersive debut. Protector’s true-to-life characters will sweep you into an exciting, heart-wrenching, and brave coming-of-age adventure.
May 3, 2024
What an amazing dystopian retelling of Esther’s biblical story!
This debut novel from the author is pretty amazing and shows already how promising her books will be! Megan Schaulis has created a unique world in the Kingdom of Susa, very advanced in technology and engineering, especially in solar and energy systems. I love how realistic everything sounds even if it’s not real!
I won’t tell you much about the blurb because you can easily read it for yourself. But I can tell you that the plot full of unique turns and twists is completely unputdownable.
The characters are so well developed, particularly Novalise -later Astra- and King Zadien. They were not perfect at all, each with their own flaws, fears and insecurities. But that’s why they felt so relatable. Novalise, always wanting to become more involved in her brother and friends team -a family of outcasts due to their religion beliefs- that infiltrates the Royal Citadel, finally gets her chance to prove herself. But is her new mission about proving her worth or about sacrificing herself for the freedom of her people? I loved her sassiness, her sense of humor and her courage too. King Zadien has his own demons to fight, carrying enormous guilt surrounding his father’s murder. Sleeplessness, anxiety are only few of the battles he’s fighting. Filling in his father’s shoes feels like an impossible burden full of exceeding expectations. But when he meets Astra. Who completely ignores his Royal status, he finally finds someone he can be himself with, who values him for who he is inside and not for his title or the power he beholds. But his hidden identity can’t remain like that forever. Will Astra forgive him and most of all, will she accept him with all his emotional baggage? The events keep you reeling and guessing as to what will happen next. The world of the Enhanced women -with astounding abilities due to nanotechnology injected in their bodies- was pretty intriguing and unique. I loved the friendship Astra finds in Lynelle and Dahlia, so human and loyal in spite of their superhuman condition. Novalise’s relationship with Dex, her half brother and protector, was realistic as she battles untrust and a possible betrayal. I loved how their relationship was restored at the end, and the way that was achieved. I also loved Novalise’s childhood friends, who were more like family: Berg, Lennox, Hatch. All so loyal and supportive. Loved their banter and different personalities. Loved the way the author describes the emotions and thinking from both main characters POV. Complex, yet genuine. my favorite part was Novalise’s relationship with her God, known as Alpha. their relationship was intimate, trusting, and not devoid of humor. You can sense Alpha’s unconditional love for Novalise, and it made me yearn for such a close relationship with God, with Jesus. Talking to him through your mind and heart during the day and is special moments. The faith inspiring message about trusting God, not your physical abilities, about forgiveness, about what’s really important in life, was priceless. The story isn’t finished, Novalise is just starting new mission in this book, so I can’t wait to read the next installment of Susa Chronicles! I’m sure is going to be as exciting or more than this one! This is a story I highly recommend, not only for YA, but for older adults the same. It’s amazing and captivating! I couldn’t get enough!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion. I liked the book so much that I halfway bought my own copy!
This debut novel from the author is pretty amazing and shows already how promising her books will be! Megan Schaulis has created a unique world in the Kingdom of Susa, very advanced in technology and engineering, especially in solar and energy systems. I love how realistic everything sounds even if it’s not real!
I won’t tell you much about the blurb because you can easily read it for yourself. But I can tell you that the plot full of unique turns and twists is completely unputdownable.
The characters are so well developed, particularly Novalise -later Astra- and King Zadien. They were not perfect at all, each with their own flaws, fears and insecurities. But that’s why they felt so relatable. Novalise, always wanting to become more involved in her brother and friends team -a family of outcasts due to their religion beliefs- that infiltrates the Royal Citadel, finally gets her chance to prove herself. But is her new mission about proving her worth or about sacrificing herself for the freedom of her people? I loved her sassiness, her sense of humor and her courage too. King Zadien has his own demons to fight, carrying enormous guilt surrounding his father’s murder. Sleeplessness, anxiety are only few of the battles he’s fighting. Filling in his father’s shoes feels like an impossible burden full of exceeding expectations. But when he meets Astra. Who completely ignores his Royal status, he finally finds someone he can be himself with, who values him for who he is inside and not for his title or the power he beholds. But his hidden identity can’t remain like that forever. Will Astra forgive him and most of all, will she accept him with all his emotional baggage? The events keep you reeling and guessing as to what will happen next. The world of the Enhanced women -with astounding abilities due to nanotechnology injected in their bodies- was pretty intriguing and unique. I loved the friendship Astra finds in Lynelle and Dahlia, so human and loyal in spite of their superhuman condition. Novalise’s relationship with Dex, her half brother and protector, was realistic as she battles untrust and a possible betrayal. I loved how their relationship was restored at the end, and the way that was achieved. I also loved Novalise’s childhood friends, who were more like family: Berg, Lennox, Hatch. All so loyal and supportive. Loved their banter and different personalities. Loved the way the author describes the emotions and thinking from both main characters POV. Complex, yet genuine. my favorite part was Novalise’s relationship with her God, known as Alpha. their relationship was intimate, trusting, and not devoid of humor. You can sense Alpha’s unconditional love for Novalise, and it made me yearn for such a close relationship with God, with Jesus. Talking to him through your mind and heart during the day and is special moments. The faith inspiring message about trusting God, not your physical abilities, about forgiveness, about what’s really important in life, was priceless. The story isn’t finished, Novalise is just starting new mission in this book, so I can’t wait to read the next installment of Susa Chronicles! I’m sure is going to be as exciting or more than this one! This is a story I highly recommend, not only for YA, but for older adults the same. It’s amazing and captivating! I couldn’t get enough!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion. I liked the book so much that I halfway bought my own copy!
April 21, 2024
I actually could not put this book down - lots of twists and chapter-cliff hangers! Protector is a YA dystopia, set in a near-ish future with “Hunger Games” vibes plus a bit of “I am Margaret” by Corinna Turner (religion is outlawed/secret).
It’s a retelling of the bible story of Queen Esther: our main girl seeks a position near the king in order to help her oppressed people.
Alpha is the god and Alphalites are the outlaws who believe in him. The religion is not elaborated on, but you can put together it’s based on the Christian concept of God.
There isn’t a clear “bad guy.” The king is not the bad guy and government/social system isn’t objectively evil. I like this because it leaves room for potential redemption instead of obliteration. The king is actually our other main character. The chapters alternate between Novalise’s pov and Zadien’s pov, with cute chapter headings that set the tone. I feel like the characters’ ages range a bit older than usual for YA dystopia (18/20), but I honestly prefer that.
I’m really curious about the world-building of the super high-tech country/kingdom of Susa and I hope future books in the series elaborate more on its history. Everything is solar powered and there aren’t any screens or videos. There is a reference to an event called the “Screen Death” that we can imagine is pretty self-explanatory but also…what happened!?! A large portion of the tech advancement (and the export of the country) is based on human experimentation which is a main thing that Novalise and the Alphalites are morally opposed to. “Enhanced” is the title given to women (interestingly, the bio tech only works on women) who are biologically altered to be able to do superhuman things: super strength, super fast, super high jumping, weightlessness and good balance, etc. They use these skills to protect the ruler of Susa, mostly using hand to hand combat skills. Weapons don’t come into play too much and the little combat described in the book is not gory. Novalise is definitely weirded out by the Enhanced but I like the character growth she shows as she realizes they aren’t robots and still retain their humanity. I think what she is really afraid of is the bio tech taking away her free will.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
YA is a label for a wide age range, and I definitely think a wide age range could read and enjoy this book!
It’s a retelling of the bible story of Queen Esther: our main girl seeks a position near the king in order to help her oppressed people.
Alpha is the god and Alphalites are the outlaws who believe in him. The religion is not elaborated on, but you can put together it’s based on the Christian concept of God.
There isn’t a clear “bad guy.” The king is not the bad guy and government/social system isn’t objectively evil. I like this because it leaves room for potential redemption instead of obliteration. The king is actually our other main character. The chapters alternate between Novalise’s pov and Zadien’s pov, with cute chapter headings that set the tone. I feel like the characters’ ages range a bit older than usual for YA dystopia (18/20), but I honestly prefer that.
I’m really curious about the world-building of the super high-tech country/kingdom of Susa and I hope future books in the series elaborate more on its history. Everything is solar powered and there aren’t any screens or videos. There is a reference to an event called the “Screen Death” that we can imagine is pretty self-explanatory but also…what happened!?! A large portion of the tech advancement (and the export of the country) is based on human experimentation which is a main thing that Novalise and the Alphalites are morally opposed to. “Enhanced” is the title given to women (interestingly, the bio tech only works on women) who are biologically altered to be able to do superhuman things: super strength, super fast, super high jumping, weightlessness and good balance, etc. They use these skills to protect the ruler of Susa, mostly using hand to hand combat skills. Weapons don’t come into play too much and the little combat described in the book is not gory. Novalise is definitely weirded out by the Enhanced but I like the character growth she shows as she realizes they aren’t robots and still retain their humanity. I think what she is really afraid of is the bio tech taking away her free will.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
YA is a label for a wide age range, and I definitely think a wide age range could read and enjoy this book!
May 16, 2024
Wow! Protector by Megan Schaulis is a wonderful debut. This is the first book in the Susa Chronicles and I can not wait to read book two (especially because it ends on a cliffhanger).
As soon as I learned about this book I was intrigued. Not only is it a distopian novel, which I love, but it is also a biblical retelling of the book of Esther, which I'm learning is one of my favorite Bible stories to read retellings of.
I loved discovering the biblical parallels as I read about Novalise and King Zadien in this future, distopian world set in the Middle East.
Novalise is an Alphanite, a believer in Alpha, which is a forbidden religious group. She lives with what is left of her family and her friends in a mountain community. She's been helping her brother and a few friends fake required registration tatoos so they can work in the Citadel, though she would love to do more. And then, she suddenly finds herself kidnapped and being forced to take place in a competition that will determine which of the Enhanced girls will become a part of King Zadien's new protection squad. Tiny problem, the Alphanites don't believe in getting registered and she has none of those fancy nanotech enhancements that are required. How will she survive against these superhuman young ladies? How will she keep her secret from becoming exposed?
King Zadien is a young monarch whose father was recently attacked and murdered, which is why a new protector team needs to be chosen. But there is guilt and uncertainty he is dealing with, which allows him to be manipulated by members of his council. And there is rage against whoever it was that killed his father.
A chance meeting at night brings Novalise and King Zadien together, though they have their secrets and don't really know who the other really is. Additionally Zadien knows he can't have a relationship with his Protector, so he can't allow himself to have feelings for this young lady.
The author did a great job making me care for these main characters and there were some great side characters as well. I was intrigued by this world, though I did hope to learn more about how the world ended up divided the way it was. I loved Novalise's relationship with Alpha and her strong faith. It is a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.
As soon as I learned about this book I was intrigued. Not only is it a distopian novel, which I love, but it is also a biblical retelling of the book of Esther, which I'm learning is one of my favorite Bible stories to read retellings of.
I loved discovering the biblical parallels as I read about Novalise and King Zadien in this future, distopian world set in the Middle East.
Novalise is an Alphanite, a believer in Alpha, which is a forbidden religious group. She lives with what is left of her family and her friends in a mountain community. She's been helping her brother and a few friends fake required registration tatoos so they can work in the Citadel, though she would love to do more. And then, she suddenly finds herself kidnapped and being forced to take place in a competition that will determine which of the Enhanced girls will become a part of King Zadien's new protection squad. Tiny problem, the Alphanites don't believe in getting registered and she has none of those fancy nanotech enhancements that are required. How will she survive against these superhuman young ladies? How will she keep her secret from becoming exposed?
King Zadien is a young monarch whose father was recently attacked and murdered, which is why a new protector team needs to be chosen. But there is guilt and uncertainty he is dealing with, which allows him to be manipulated by members of his council. And there is rage against whoever it was that killed his father.
A chance meeting at night brings Novalise and King Zadien together, though they have their secrets and don't really know who the other really is. Additionally Zadien knows he can't have a relationship with his Protector, so he can't allow himself to have feelings for this young lady.
The author did a great job making me care for these main characters and there were some great side characters as well. I was intrigued by this world, though I did hope to learn more about how the world ended up divided the way it was. I loved Novalise's relationship with Alpha and her strong faith. It is a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.
April 26, 2024
Protector by Megan Schaulis brings readers a completely unique experience full of adventure, mystery, a new world, courage, and heartache. Although in the first few chapters I was initially uncertain about where the book was leading, I enjoyed and was truly blown away by this book. I was highly impressed by the great world Ms. Schaulis created and the unique technologies and ideas she incorporated into the Kingdom of Susa. Having a world that was modern, dystopian, and yet had ties and symbols to the Biblical account of Esther was unique and very compelling.
I always enjoy books with family reconciliations and I appreciated the relationships between Novalise and her brother and close friends. As Novalise and her brother Declan or Dex play different roles throughout the book, I was impressed by how realistically Ms. Schaulis made their relationship. Novalise and Dex were obviously not perfect and had plenty of fights and misunderstanding; however, I appreciate how Ms. Schaulis brought reconciliation, trust, and respect between Novalise and Dex by the end of the book. As orphans, Novalise and Dex had close friends that were basically family. The group including Hatch, Lennox, Berg, along with Dex and Novalise reminded me of a fun, fierce, and mildly dysfunctional family. I loved the family dynamics, humor, fierce loyalty, courage, and faith under pressure that were displayed with these characters. The great characters and character development throughout the book tied in with a fast-paced and intriguing plot make it easy for me to give this a five star review. I highly recommend Protector by Megan Schaulis. This book genuinely surprised me, completely drew me in, and left me at the edge of my seat wanting to read the next one. Protector definitely tops my list of favorite and most unique reads so far this year. Check out Protector by Megan Schaulis. Happy readings!
Disclaimer: White Crown Publishing graciously provided me with a copy of this book . All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.
I always enjoy books with family reconciliations and I appreciated the relationships between Novalise and her brother and close friends. As Novalise and her brother Declan or Dex play different roles throughout the book, I was impressed by how realistically Ms. Schaulis made their relationship. Novalise and Dex were obviously not perfect and had plenty of fights and misunderstanding; however, I appreciate how Ms. Schaulis brought reconciliation, trust, and respect between Novalise and Dex by the end of the book. As orphans, Novalise and Dex had close friends that were basically family. The group including Hatch, Lennox, Berg, along with Dex and Novalise reminded me of a fun, fierce, and mildly dysfunctional family. I loved the family dynamics, humor, fierce loyalty, courage, and faith under pressure that were displayed with these characters. The great characters and character development throughout the book tied in with a fast-paced and intriguing plot make it easy for me to give this a five star review. I highly recommend Protector by Megan Schaulis. This book genuinely surprised me, completely drew me in, and left me at the edge of my seat wanting to read the next one. Protector definitely tops my list of favorite and most unique reads so far this year. Check out Protector by Megan Schaulis. Happy readings!
Disclaimer: White Crown Publishing graciously provided me with a copy of this book . All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.
June 25, 2024
Dystopian young adult fiction is not one of my go-to genres, but when my daughter-in-love told me she was writing a futuristic Esther novel, my interest was piqued right away. As she hinted that there would be tattooed nano-tech enhanced characters competing against a non-enhanced young lady, I was even more intrigued. And I was thrilled to receive a copy as a gift.
When we got the book, I decided I would read it aloud, so my husband could enjoy the story, too. Unfortunately, the times he was able to listen were not nearly as often as I would have liked—especially once the action began to build.
The book did start a bit slowly, alternating between the first-person point-of-view characters, Novalise and King Zadien. The present tense storytelling was a bit awkward for me to get used to, as well. We get hints of the background of the tall, pretty young lady in hiding because of her beliefs and the recent heir to the throne who’s guilt over his father’s early death make it hard for him to step into his leadership role. Novalise wants to prove her usefulness to her cause; Zadien would like a good night’s sleep.
Once Novalise is accosted and moved to the Citadel, everything accelerated and escalated. I couldn’t wait for the next opportunity to read to my husband! The twists and turns in this book were breathtaking. It was great to see the bonds forged by Novalise, renamed Astra, and to watch her come into her own by fully submitting to Alpha. The love triangle between Astra, her friend and trainer Hatch and King Zadien was tense.
Just when we thought all was well, the story ended with a triumph followed by a heart-wrenching twist! I’m not sure I can wait a whole year to find out what happens next.
While I do not recommend this book for teens under age 15-16, due to some of its themes, this is a great book for young adults and older. It covers topics so relevant today and deals with them in a savvy, non-preachy way. It will be awesome when this comes out as an audio book (hopefully dramatized and with sound effects)!
When we got the book, I decided I would read it aloud, so my husband could enjoy the story, too. Unfortunately, the times he was able to listen were not nearly as often as I would have liked—especially once the action began to build.
The book did start a bit slowly, alternating between the first-person point-of-view characters, Novalise and King Zadien. The present tense storytelling was a bit awkward for me to get used to, as well. We get hints of the background of the tall, pretty young lady in hiding because of her beliefs and the recent heir to the throne who’s guilt over his father’s early death make it hard for him to step into his leadership role. Novalise wants to prove her usefulness to her cause; Zadien would like a good night’s sleep.
Once Novalise is accosted and moved to the Citadel, everything accelerated and escalated. I couldn’t wait for the next opportunity to read to my husband! The twists and turns in this book were breathtaking. It was great to see the bonds forged by Novalise, renamed Astra, and to watch her come into her own by fully submitting to Alpha. The love triangle between Astra, her friend and trainer Hatch and King Zadien was tense.
Just when we thought all was well, the story ended with a triumph followed by a heart-wrenching twist! I’m not sure I can wait a whole year to find out what happens next.
While I do not recommend this book for teens under age 15-16, due to some of its themes, this is a great book for young adults and older. It covers topics so relevant today and deals with them in a savvy, non-preachy way. It will be awesome when this comes out as an audio book (hopefully dramatized and with sound effects)!
April 7, 2024
What a debut novel for Megan Schaulis! This dystopian, YA story grips you from the first chapter and gives the reader a wild ride through to the last page. A whole new future for the world is set up in this book, with enhanced people sitting on top. Megan Schaulis builds a world around the reader with attention to details and wonderful description to paint a full picture. Then the characters add all the layers for a full story. They pull the reader in with their imperfect lives and trying to figure out how to move in the right direction for the greater good. Through faith and trust they all must learn how to forge the way forward.
I didn't want to put this book down for even a moment. I wanted more of the story and what would happen next. Then suddenly the book was finished but there is so much story left to experience and live. I can't wait for the next book in this series! Megan Schaulis has shown she has a place in the top level of authors and I look forward to what she writes in the future. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I didn't want to put this book down for even a moment. I wanted more of the story and what would happen next. Then suddenly the book was finished but there is so much story left to experience and live. I can't wait for the next book in this series! Megan Schaulis has shown she has a place in the top level of authors and I look forward to what she writes in the future. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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August 17, 2025I was pretty excited to read this one . And in a lot of ways it did not disappoint !
I loved Astra and her found family . Each character just worked really well with each other and I wish we saw more of them . Especially Hatch 😉 .
I also loved what the Alphanites were fighting for . The stakes were high and I appreciated that !!
(( Spoilers ))
The romance wasn't really what I wanted . It was a little rushed and they didn't feel right together
Astra had the chance to be with a guy , Hatch , who she has known her whole life , who's STABLE , shares her same beliefs and is fighting for the same things she is. He already loves and protects her , and she has some feelings for him as well.
She instead falls in love with Zaiden , a man she has met in a gym a couple of times . And while they do have some cute moments , they really knew nothing about each other up to a certain point .
There's nothing really wrong with Zaiden. The romance is supposed to be based on the story of Esther and that's why the romance was written this way . I just really liked Hatch 😂 😭.
I did end up enjoying this book, and I will definitely check out the sequel !!
I loved Astra and her found family . Each character just worked really well with each other and I wish we saw more of them . Especially Hatch 😉 .
I also loved what the Alphanites were fighting for . The stakes were high and I appreciated that !!
(( Spoilers ))
The romance wasn't really what I wanted . It was a little rushed and they didn't feel right together
Astra had the chance to be with a guy , Hatch , who she has known her whole life , who's STABLE , shares her same beliefs and is fighting for the same things she is. He already loves and protects her , and she has some feelings for him as well.
She instead falls in love with Zaiden , a man she has met in a gym a couple of times . And while they do have some cute moments , they really knew nothing about each other up to a certain point .
There's nothing really wrong with Zaiden. The romance is supposed to be based on the story of Esther and that's why the romance was written this way . I just really liked Hatch 😂 😭.
I did end up enjoying this book, and I will definitely check out the sequel !!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2024
The world needs more stories like this! I loved the amazing dystopian world, relatable and lovable characters, and faith filled allegory. Novalise is such a likeable heroine, both strong and good. I loved her relationship with God and her unwavering faith. On a personal level, I adored the fact that she was tall. Being over six feet, I love tall heroines and feel most are petite and dainty. Zadien is the king, but you actually feel such sympathy/empathy for him, having to deal with so much loss and grief. I love how they meet unknowing of each other true identity, and how their sweet relationship begins. Novalise is surrounded by amazing supporting characters that you care about and root for, even her infuriating brother. The story is full of adventure and is so creative, something different yet still familiar, as an Esther retelling. The only negative I can say is that I didn’t want the book to end. I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for the sequel! I received an ARC of this book, but all opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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