The First

by Rebekah R. Ganiere

Two Brothers who hate each other.
One Girl who Could Destroy or Save an Entire World.
A Foretold Destiny that None of them wanted.

Skye Johnson has her life all planned out—survive junior year, ace her exams, and secure early admission to Columbia. No surprises. No distractions. Just a future she could control... Until they arrive.

Ash and Talon aren’t just the hot new guys in town—they’ve come with a purpose. Their sapphire eyes pull Skye in, awakening something buried deep inside her… something dangerous. Ash is all charm, a golden boy with a wicked grin who makes Skye feel wanted. Talon is dark, brooding, and maddeningly irresistible—especially when his touch ignites visions of a future she doesn’t understand.

Then tragedy strikes and suddenly, Skye’s world is unrecognizable. Lives unravel. Lies are exposed. And the girl who once dreamed of Ivy League acceptance letters is thrust into the middle of a battle she never prepared for.

Because Skye isn’t just any girl, she’s the key to the survival of an ancient civilization. And the only people who can keep her alive are the brothers who may have been sent to stop her.

The First is a sizzling, action-packed sci-fi romance filled with star-crossed love, deadly secrets, and a heroine who must unlock her power before her enemies claim her.

For those who loved I am Number Four and Mortal Instruments, Scroll up and One Click Now to uncover the Secret of - The First.

412 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2025

About the author

Rebekah is a USA Today Bestselling Author and Award Winning, Emmy Nominated Screenwriter. Her debut novel Dead Awakenings, hit the bestseller list on release day. She has won several awards in both writing and screenwriting. Books in her popular fairytale retelling series Fairelle have won many awards including Best Fantasy Series of 2014 from the Paranormal Romance Guild. Rebekah is a prolific author releasing upwards of five books a year and is currently working on six different series.



Rebekah is the former President of the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter of RWA as well as a member of several local and online chapters. In her spare time when she isn't writing you can find her teaching all over the US and online. Rebekah has been a guest speaker and panelist at Comic Cons and conventions all over the US. Her first feature film, based on her novel Rekindling Christmas, was nominated for an Emmy for Best Picture.

Reviews

[Cyd’s Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m rating this 3.5-3.75 stars.

I really liked our FMC, she was shy and intelligent but definitely holding herself back with inner teenage turmoil, but I do love an angsty type character in YA so we can see the growth during the book.

I dislike a love triangle, but I like how this one played out and the fact it wasn’t too dragged out. The plot is good with mystery/secrets unfolding and the pacing is great.

I will 100% continue the series, I would’ve rated it higher but I’m not too attached to the characters just yet.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I am totally blown away by this book. I was hooked from the very first chapter and 100 pages in I was thinking, 'how long until the next book comes out?'

Skye is just a normal girl going to a normal high school probably feeling like a lot of other high schoolers. You're either confident in yourself or not and Skye just wants to be left alone and be invisible. She is driven and determined to keep her grades up so she can go to college after high school. Halfway into Skye's junior year, these 2 hot guys show up at her school who happen to be brothers. One of the brothers looks like this guy that Skye has dreamed about for as long as she can remember. Weird things start happening to Skye like her hands seem to become radioactive and glow randomly. The brothers are acting strange. Ash shows interest in her but his brother, Talon, seems to hate her for no reason. Then their house is broken into and only some beads that her mother uses to make jewelry are stolen. Her mother is terrified that someone from her past is looking for her. Then something happens that turns she and her dad's world upside down. She learns real quick that her mother is not who they thought she was and Skye is actually a princess to a land she knows nothing about. That is all the spoilers you will get from me. Book 1 of the Tharnaxian Chronicles is a fast paced read full of adventures, twists, and turns. Readers of all ages will love this book!

Thank you to BookSirens and Rebekah R Ganiere for the advanced review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Evelyn Dotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skye is in high school with many friends. When strange occurrences start occurring, she has no idea what is happening or who to turn to. Many secrets surround her mother and their lives. She is trying to discover what is happening and why. When two new brothers appear in her high school and life, things are not always what they seem.

One brother is blonde and lightness, but something is off. Another is dark and dangerous and deceptive. Both have secrets and will not give her the answers she needs. She has feelings and attraction for both. There is tension between the two brothers. An intensity that borders on hatred. She is highly confused.

When the answers start coming, many lives are in danger. She will discover her life has been a lie. She is needed elsewhere to overcome an evil that has put others in danger and servitude to a tyrant. She is so young, naïve, and has not been prepared for this choice. A choice that will take her far away from what she knows and loves.

In the process, she will also have to make choices that are based on only the good of others. Her choices soon become those of one at a maturity level she is far behind. Her experiences become deadly. Those she loves the most will make sacrifices she is not prepared to face. One will turn on her, and one will be out to help her live up to what is demanded of her. The game turns into cat and mouse.

Her explorations will cost others in ways that will change the very essence of her soul. The demands she faces will make her sink or swim. With no other options, no places to hide, and to outsmart the enemies, will require her and her entourage to fight like they have no before…it ends in a climatic cliffhanger that will make you need that next book NOW!

[neus.dreamybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skye is a junior year high school student with few but great friends and basically she wants to keep being invisible while studying and getting in an ivy league university.

That's her life till a new handsome guy arrives to town and just keeps being friendly and trying to be in her inner circle. Somehow she starts dating him, Ash, and then his broodier and darker stepbrother comes to town too and he is in all her advanced classes. So we'll see some enemies to lovers and love triangle.

Skye has been having strange dreams since she was little and someone with the same eyes as the new brothers always was there. And since her 17th birthday she has been different because sometimes she sees her hand glowing and sometimes she sees "visions" when touching Talon (the dark brother).

This is the first book in a new sci-fi new adult romance and we get to know the basics about Skye's family past and about Ash & Talon real intentions and relationship.

I enjoyed their story and almost every one of the side characters but her best friend is sometimes so selfish that I can't stand her. And Skye has some problems being herself and saying out loud what she wants but maybe that's because she is only a teenager .

-ARC read-

[Kat Rei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading The First was like riding an epic rollercoaster! Skye’s journey takes us through many twists, turns, highs, and lows. Her story is simultaneously both heartbreaking and heartwarming, but in the best ways possible.
Skye is an average teenage girl with great friends, a loving family, and is completely focused on getting good grades to go to college. That is, until two strange brothers show up out of nowhere, and secrets start to be revealed. Skye’s life suddenly changes in an instant and she’s forced to make decisions no teenager should have to make! I was captivated the whole time!
Although there were instances where the characters were a little cliché (mean girl cheerleader) and predictable, I still loved Skye and her rag-tag team of found family (literally)! I'm not usually a sci-fi reader, but I'm so glad I got to read this! This was my first ever ARC, so thank you so much for this opportunity to read this book and provide this review! I loved it and can’t wait for the next one! *I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dina Bushrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I loved this book. The author really out did herself in this exciting scifi thriller. It's a perfect young adult story that will be loved by any age. The main characters are all in high school with the regular popular crowd and the not so popular. The majority of the story takes place in a small town on earth, with characters that will have you trying to figure out if they're the good guys or not. Plenty of hormones and testosterone running around to cause just enough trouble to make it exciting. Throw weird stuff happening to our main character that then turns into danger, and the truth finally comes out amongst all the excitement. We're then kicked into the exciting scifi portion of the story. Oh yes, space ships, wormholes, and yes buckets of puke from the newbies in space. This first book in this series ends perfectly. Will they make it to safety before they're found by the enemy? Well I sure hope so.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skye is just your typical high school teenager whose wants to ace her exams and go to college all whilst not drawing attention to herself. She has a best friend, she has a small group of friends and she is super close with her mum, dad and extended family. Then one day her world gets turned upside down and it will never be the same for her again. First off 2 brothers appear at her school, both vying for her attention and even fighting each other about it, then there’s a break in at her house and her mums stuff is taken and then there’s the secrets and deception and the lies and then the real danger kicks in. It’s an incredible read, that has you hooked from the get go and does not let up. Exciting, thrilling, its action packed, it’s intense and it’s exhilarating as Skye finds herself in the middle of the unexplainable and life is not as she once knew it. I thoroughly enjoyed this and am so excited for the next book!

[Amara F · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I was given this book as an eArc but my review is based solely on my own thoughts and opinions*

I love YA books, it’s one of my fav genres to read. Genuine YA, where there’s no sexy time but there’s romance and tension. I loved the brothers and the who will she choose aspect? I was hooked at the beginning but then it slowed down and dragged. I feel like this book could have been edited down. It also got really confusing, like 80% of the book is just her at school and no information about what is going on, I would have liked some sort of information. Also, why is piper her best friend? She sucked. The only character I liked was her cousin haha. He kept it real. I would have just like more explanation about things. However this was still fun and exciting and if this was a tv show, I would totally watch it.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the plot of this story. Skye is a teenage girl finding out she may not be a typical teenage girl. She catches the eye if 2 brothers and has to figure out who each of them really are. The perspective of Skye is written in a way that feels relatable. She is just trying to figure out who she is. Both Ash and Talon were written well and came across as dynamic and having depth.

This story is intriguing. For me, the beginning felt a little slow and drawn out but when it picked up it really got started. I did enjoy the faster pacing of the second part of the book. This is a book for anyone who wants a nice Sci-fi experience. Keep in mind that it is the first of the series.

I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can pretty much guarantee that I'll love anything Ganiere puts out, so I knew I was gonna love this book, based on the description. It took me a bit to get the hang of what was going on, but once I got it, man, it was on! I loved the slow build, though. It really added to the mystery and intrigue, and I can't wait for the next book. I read it in just 2 sittings. I couldn't put it down once I really got going. It's not short, so I stayed up super late to keep reading, till my eyes were blurry, and I was practically dropping my phone! But I really loved it. It seemed so real, and I could totally relate to the characters. I needed a hanky--if you're sensitive at all, you may need some at hand! I am grateful to have received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

[Chasity Trimble · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I was not disappointed! I loved this sci-fi thriller! Even with the slow start for me, it didn’t take too long for me to get drawn in.

I really liked how relatable Sky is as a teenager in high school, going through the normal social issues that teen go through. Then everything changes when 2 brothers show up and are competing for her attention.

I enjoyed the world building in this book as well as the suspenseful plot. The further into the story I got the more I felt connected to the characters and needed to have answers. The twists and turns will have you second guessing and you’ll be left with anticipation of the next book when that cliffhanger leaves you in distress!
4.5/5

[Tara Dorough · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First is book 1 of Rebekah R. Ganiere's amazing new series The Tharnaxian Chronicles. The world building is wonderful. The characters will have you laughing, groaning, holding your breath, guessing and asking yourself what just happened. This is Rebekah's first sci-fi book. It has to be one of the best first books I've read. I couldn't out it down. Skye's character is so well written you'll think she has to be based on a real girl. All the human characters could honestly be from your own small hometown. I can't wait for the rest of the series. Thank Rebekah for writing such seen amazing story for yourself and your fans.

[Ophelia Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been in a little bit of a rut with my reading lately and was looking for something to shake it up and give me faith in books again.

I found it.

Actually I enjoyed it so much I told my teenage daughter she’d enjoy it too. This is very much her type of book.

As for me personally, I like that fact it started easy and eased the reader into the alien world. You only get a taste of what life could be off earth. The imagination and thought that went into this was great.

The tensions and emotional threads were good.

Trying to figure out how to persuade everyone to read it without giving spoilers away. So just go it. Read it. Unless you just read non-fiction, then maybe not.

[Jenn H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book unlike others by this author but man am I glad I gave it a chance!! This sci-fi book is about a high school student who is just trying her best to get through her day with great grades and mostly unnoticed so she can get into Columbia. That takes an unexpected twist and a new student enrols into her school and takes an interest in her. Followed by his half brother shortly thereafter. Cue in dreams that feel real, mysterious conversations with her mom and so much more! I cannot wait to read the next book to this series. It does end on a cliffhanger but it’s well done.

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the beginning I was engaged and then somewhere around the half time mark when things started to pick up Skye’s reaction did not seem genuine to me. It was more focused on her getting answers to her question that it made it some robotic. I’m all for the characters being vague but at some point, it started to feel like filler. I did enjoy the story, the love triangle was a little messy and at time the politics of the world building didn’t make solid sense to me

thanks booksiren for the arc of this book

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skye just wants to keep her head down, study hard and get good grade to get into college. Ash and Talon are half brothers that show up half way into her junior year and things stop going according to plan. The brothers are different as night and day personality wise, and yet the both draw her in. There are many things for Skye to figure out...dreams, visions, glowing hands, mom's past. Where will this all lead. Personally I can't wait for the next book to see where this is going.

[Andreea Pădurean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall it was a pleasant reading and the plot was good.

However, the narration could have been better. It felt like the actions of the characters had been chopped. Also, it seemed that the narrator had a limited view, even though she was supposed to know everything.

Some scenes were predictable which was a bit disappointing, and the story didn't catch me 100%. It felt like I was unable to be all in the story, but rather 1 step in and 1 step out.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this was unexpected. Loved this book. Ash comes across as such a good sweet guy but wait for it. Talon comes of as bad cop. Not sure I’d want Piper as my best friend but Skye loves her and they both live such charmed lives. Growing up can really be difficult. Can’t wait for book two this one was just spectacular.

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

[Bookish Venturess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously loved this book so much. Skye is such a great character and you can totally understand where she is coming from throughout the entire book. Ash and Talon make this book so much more interesting and add to the drama. You think you like one but find out it's not all you thought it was. The emotions are high with this book and you go from aww to what the heck to heartbreak really quick. If you're looking for a book that ends up with a big twist and some sci Fi this is the book for you.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. From the first page until the last. It braws you into the story, and you feel like you're right there with Skye and Talon and the rest of the characters in this book. I felt every emotion they felt. You really need to read this book it is highly recommended you will not be disappointed.

[Andrea Oczvirkova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skye was normal teenage girl. Little bit nerdy, mostly invisible. She want only one thing. To get into Columbia University as soon as possible. But when she met Ash, everything changes. And the his stepbrother arrived and the things get quickly messy. Who is friend and who is fiend. And who is Skye´s happilly ever after? What is her destiny?

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a slow burn for me. Ash and Talon just appeared with no background to being there and seemed fishy. The family concept of a biker "gang" made me feel kind of cozy.
As we got further into the book the more it grabbed me, making me want to learn more about Tharanax. I look forward to the next book!

[tre.wandereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this book! The suspense of the plot was done nicely, the storytelling really thought out. The relationship building was also really good as the flow was smooth and it made complete sense. I love these coming of age and growing into your real self books as it is relatable, even if not exactly 100%. It was a pretty fun and easy read!

[Zooleyus · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book in the series. Starts off with Skye, and her so called set life. Then two boys show up and thebl adventures begin. Skye, Ash, and Talon must face changes. Will they overcome everything? Would recommend this book.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 3.8 I was bummed when I finished because I wanted to read what happens next. This one might have been plot driven but the characters spoiled me and not always in a good way. Worth the read. I received this ARC from Booksirens and am happy to leave this review.

[lorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great. The story is well and very intense at times. I really enjoyed this book.

[Rebecca Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful beginning to a new series by
Rebekah R. Ganiere. Skye thinks she is a normal girl going
to high school trying hard to keep her grades up to get in a good college. But brothers Ash and Talon come along messing everything up. I loved reading. Can't wait to read book two...

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book completely hooked me from chapter 1! I didn’t know who to trust and what was the truth from anyone. I absolutely cried in this book and will probably cry throughout the series. This gave me vibes of Mortal Instruments, Superman, and a little bit of 5th Wave feels. I originally loved both brothers and couldn’t decide who she was meant to be with. I am so glad I always go towards the Damon Salvatore characters in the end because I loved Talon!! I cannot wait for the next book in the series and hope it’s released soon!! Skye has a tough road ahead and I am ready to ride this story with her to the end!

[Nai · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

She was just trying to live a normal life and doing what she can to get into her dream college when two brothers showed up—dark, intense, and clearly not from around here—desperate to find something only she could help them unlock. The twist? She had no idea she was connected to it, or that something powerful and otherworldly was waking up inside her. The brothers were nothing alike—one guarded and ruthless, the other haunted and kind—but both were hiding truths that changed everything. But who is she, and who are the brothers??? Read and find out!!

Definitely a page turner!