Destroyer: Guardians of Life Series

by Anthony Segarra

One man’s fate is not for the faint of heart.

A happy James lives in a tranquil town under the caring guidance of his stepmother. Thriving within the only world he’s ever known, his life is shattered after he’s accused of something that he can’t understand, much less deny. Suddenly, he’s thrust into an awe-inspiring place where mystical creatures—and his true destiny—reside.

As James uncovers a brutal betrayal by those closest to him, he must also navigate mysterious prophecies and family legacies that force him to question everything. Alongside a cast of eccentric characters, he confronts powerful entities beyond his wildest imagination. But with more questions than answers and a mystery that teeters on horror, can James prove his innocence once all is revealed? And more Does he want to?

This epic first-in-series fantasy will have readers on the edge of their seats in a world where everything is possible.

347 pages, Hardcover

Published June 26, 2024

About the author

Anthony Segarra grew up in the diverse neighborhoods of New York, sparking a bold relationship between the magical and the mundane. His parents are hearing-impaired, so Segarra is fluent in both English and sign language. This unique background shapes his writing with nuanced understanding and compassion.

He graduated from Fordham University and went on to earn his MBA from Centenary University. His first book, Destroyer, received high praise for its originality, emotional depth, and world-building, inspiring Segarra to continue the series with Creator.

Segarra finds joy in nature, history, and sharing enchanting fantasy tales with his daughter, nieces, and nephews. Balancing family, work, and writing has evolved into a deeply fulfilling pursuit.

To his readers, Segarra extends an invitation to join him through the boundless realms of imagination, where tales of love and magic dance in “harmonious splendor.”

Learn more about Segarra and his work at his website, www.anthonysegarrabooks.com.

BookLife Reviews:
Destroyer:
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Creator:
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Reviews

[MikeLikesBooks]

I want to thank the author for gifting me his book, This review is voluntary and reflect my opinions.

I love the world that the author builds. There are humans, but also humans that can use magic. There are creatures that are part human and part draconian worms (say what?!), dwarfs and beings called Guardians.

I loved following James as he discovers an interesting world and finding who he really is. The dwarf realm was fascinating to me, with dwarf royalty and grand rooms and waterfalls. The author is very descriptive.

I loved the concept of guardians with their own powers and objectives/deceit. There is a scene with the Guardian of Death which was shocking. There is also the Guardian of Void and the Guardian of Water.

All these things lead to an ending that won’t be resolved in this book. I’m looking forward to book two to find out what happens to James and Eva. Things are vague on purpose.

There are a lot of different characters to get use to, but they all play important roles in the story.

Also I thought it was interesting how at times the dialog was formal then it would become more casual. For example, when a character would say “how’s it going buddy?” or “she has the hots for him”.

I want to note that the author’s daughter created the cover. It’s very stunning.

[Diane]

Fast paced, well balanced A page turner from the begining. A great read!!!! Delve into the realms of fantasy with James and Ethan! I just luuuv this book!!!

[Chris BReads]

I had a lot of fun reading through this book. The author did a phenomenal job with the world building and giving the huge cast of characters distinct voices. We have a multi pov story, ancient guardians, magic, and some found family. I think it's worth checking out.

[Sally]

There is no good starting point for this review. The start is full of weird descriptions of a stepmother interacting with her stepson that can be stated to be purely out of concern, the naked sitting on each other’s laps required for magic is entirely the authors choice. The end has these two lines directly after each other: It explodes out of him, and at the same time, he utters a name that feels unfamiliar yet significant: “NAECO!” James realizes it is “OCEAN” spelled backward.

To prove how much the author trusts the readers to get the point, everything is explained and rehashed by the next character so there is no room for interpretation or intrigue. There’s too many characters introduced at the same time to try and fake political intrigue amongst the big paragraphs of explanation, and the characters themselves are flat as paper dolls.

The writing itself is aiming for an epic fantasy vibe but stumbles immediately over the dialogue with the language swapping between formal and intensely casual (bro, got the hots for, sis). I will give a half star of kudos for having the female dwarves be in charge when the gender ratio in their population is skewed male as well as the perceived casual acceptance of queer relationships but that doesn’t save the rest of the plot. There’s an attempt at conflict between the two main factions but it could be clarified in a single conversation which is a delicate hinge to set a series on. With the focus on bloodline and inheritance, the main ‘villain’s relationship to the families involved doesn’t make internal sense either.

Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.

[Cheryl Wilson]

The Destroyer by Anthony Segarra was such a surprising read for me—not my usual genre. It takes a bit but I was eventually pulled in. The story follows James, a seemingly ordinary farmer who discovers he has mysterious powers and a dark lineage. As he uncovers the truth, he finds out he's descended from a king who destroyed and altered entire realms—and is hated by most because of it. Even Eva, the woman he thought was his stepmother, has secrets of her own. Forced to leave home, James is swept into a series of quests to help save multiple realms from unknown threats.

Running parallel to James’s journey is the story of Princess Celestia, her family, and friends, who are fighting to stop the rise of the Guardian of Darkness—a powerful force threatening to destroy everything. These two storylines eventually start to intertwine in really compelling ways.

Segarra packs in a lot of detail, making it easy to visualize the characters, the scenery, and the unique beings and creatures that populate the Realms. With so many realms, characters, and names, I think a map and glossary would be super helpful. Still, I was impressed by how immersive and vivid the storytelling was. Definitely looking forward to the next book!

[Clint Irvin]

Destroyer by Anthony Segarra is a strong start to the Guardians of Life series, with rich worldbuilding and a clear long-term vision. The story follows James as his quiet life unravels and he’s pulled into a much larger conflict filled with magic, hidden truths, and ancient forces.

One of my favorite parts was the dwarven kingdom and how deeply it’s shaped by the actions of the previous Destroyer. The changes they’ve had to make over time add real complexity and make the world feel lived-in. I also loved the variety of magic systems, which kept the world feeling dynamic and interesting.

Overall, this is a great pick for fans of epic fantasy who enjoy deep lore, evolving cultures, and magic-heavy worlds.

[Nicole Chittick]

What an amazing world Anthony Segarra has created for us to enjoy in this first book of the Guardians of Life series! I thoroughly enjoyed the combination of familiar mythology with totally original components. This world has so many layers and deep connections to explore. Destroyer’s main characters are approachable and relatable with mystery and magic woven together seamlessly. I couldn’t put it down- I am definitely looking forward to continuing the adventure in the second installment and beyond! Highly recommend ⭐️



I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carla]

SO SO GOOD!!!!!
One of my favorite things while reading is when an author can draw you in from the first page and doesn't let go. Destroyer certainly does that.

A fresh and unique magical system that is filled with intrigue, allies and foes.

James was one of my favorite characters. His character development was a treasure to read and I can't wait to read more about him and the other characters wherever the journey may take them.

[Irina Shuranova]

Destroyer is an ambitious opening to the Guardians of Life series, built around the classic themes of a chosen hero, an ancient prophecy, and a dangerous inherited power. The author has created a vast fantasy world filled with elemental magic, ancient races, forgotten kingdoms, secret societies, and powerful beings whose past decisions continue to shape the present. I especially enjoyed the idea that the protagonist inherits not only great abilities but also the guilt and terrible reputation attached to his bloodline. This gives the familiar chosen one narrative a more morally complicated foundation. The magical Guardians are also intriguing because they feel ancient, unpredictable, and not entirely bound by human ideas of kindness or justice. Eva was the most compelling character for me, combining mystery, authority, emotional restraint, and genuine maternal affection. The novel contains many imaginative locations, creatures, magical traditions, and pieces of history, which show how much thought the author has invested in the world. At the same time, the amount of information can become overwhelming, particularly when new characters, bloodlines, prophecies, cultures, and political conflicts are introduced in rapid succession. The story sometimes feels less like a complete first adventure and more like an extended introduction to a much larger series. I also found the main character rather passive, since many important decisions are made by his mentors, his ancestry, or the demands of the prophecy. Too many events occur simply because they were foretold, which occasionally weakens the sense that the characters are creating consequences through their own choices. Several powerful revelations and emotional shocks are followed almost immediately by the next journey or confrontation. I would have appreciated more reflection and more time for the characters to process how these discoveries changed their identities and relationships. Despite these weaknesses, the novel has a strong mythological core, an impressive sense of scale, and several promising moral conflicts surrounding power, responsibility, and inherited wrongdoing. Readers who enjoy traditional epic fantasy, detailed worldbuilding, ancient prophecies, elemental magic, and chosen one stories may find a great deal to appreciate here.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.