What do you think?
Rate this book
The Slayer and the Sphinx #1
The Slayer and the Sphinx
Porter Collins is a Slayer with no mercy. Sarah Heisen is a sphinx with no freedom. Brought together in a life altering accident, they find themselves hopelessly lost in the wilderness. Once mortal enemies, they must now rely on each other if they wish to survive. Going against everything they've ever known, they travel together, beginning a journey that is destined to change the world.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2012
1 person is currently reading
402 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 26, 2013
I'm not sure what I expected when I received this book, but I got a very pleasant surprise! I had never heard if the author or the book, but I've learned that new doesn't mean bad. Giving this author and this book a chance turned out to be a great decision! His book captured my attention on the first page. When I got to the last page, I wanted to scream "No! It can't be over yet"!
Sarah is a Mythic, a creature that is "unreal" to most of us. (She is a sphinx, which is a creature most of us have only heard of while studying about Egypt.) Porter is a Slayer, he kills Mythic creatures! Unforseen circumstances put them in a place where they must learn to trust each other in order to survive. Their budding friendship(dare I hope, romance?) is shown as the two of them find themselves in a situation where they have no one else to rely on.
I liked this well-written story because of the descriptions used to describe the two main characters, their circumstances, their location,and the people they meet while on their journey. Porter starts out as a flatter character than Sarah, but as the story progresses he becomes a person that many of us might relate to. My only problem is that I wish the story was longer. However, it stopped at a perfect place for a sequel to pick up and continue.
Suitable for all ages from Middle School and up. I give this book 5 stars (would give more if I could).
This book was given to me in return for an honest review.
Sarah is a Mythic, a creature that is "unreal" to most of us. (She is a sphinx, which is a creature most of us have only heard of while studying about Egypt.) Porter is a Slayer, he kills Mythic creatures! Unforseen circumstances put them in a place where they must learn to trust each other in order to survive. Their budding friendship(dare I hope, romance?) is shown as the two of them find themselves in a situation where they have no one else to rely on.
I liked this well-written story because of the descriptions used to describe the two main characters, their circumstances, their location,and the people they meet while on their journey. Porter starts out as a flatter character than Sarah, but as the story progresses he becomes a person that many of us might relate to. My only problem is that I wish the story was longer. However, it stopped at a perfect place for a sequel to pick up and continue.
Suitable for all ages from Middle School and up. I give this book 5 stars (would give more if I could).
This book was given to me in return for an honest review.
July 6, 2013
This was a rather dark story about humans who willfully exterminate legendary creatures, evil or otherwise. I enjoyed the change of heart that the young Slayer developed through an unlikely friendship with a young female Sphinx. I would like to continue this series.
Reviewed for Bitten by Books. http://bittenbybooks.com.
Reviewed for Bitten by Books. http://bittenbybooks.com.
August 17, 2012
WARNING! This book has a cliffhanger! It's actually the first in a series, a fantasy following the adventures of a boy living in bitterness against "Mythics," creatures we think of as belonging in mythology and fairy tales, but which are real in his world. Porter has been trained, along with others, to kill on sight any of these "monsters." Sarah, by virtue of being a sphinx, falls into that category for Porter.
The theme of the book, "Who really is a monster?" is very well done. It's not just a war between humans and fantastic creatures. It's about digging down inside you and being the right person yourself, no matter what kind of craziness surrounds you. Bolander pays tribute to classic fantasy fiction. Video gamers will find he has given props to elements they love, too.
The descriptions are pretty sparse and it was hard at times to "see" where Porter and Sarah were going and what they were experiencing. Otherwise it was a well-told story and I believe Bolander's tale will grow stronger in future installments and will continue to please fans of the fantasy genre.
The theme of the book, "Who really is a monster?" is very well done. It's not just a war between humans and fantastic creatures. It's about digging down inside you and being the right person yourself, no matter what kind of craziness surrounds you. Bolander pays tribute to classic fantasy fiction. Video gamers will find he has given props to elements they love, too.
The descriptions are pretty sparse and it was hard at times to "see" where Porter and Sarah were going and what they were experiencing. Otherwise it was a well-told story and I believe Bolander's tale will grow stronger in future installments and will continue to please fans of the fantasy genre.
August 10, 2016
While this is an adventure slash quest themed book like say, Lord of the Rings, I think the message in this book is much more like Lord of the Flies. Control and power gained through fear which leads to mayhem and war.
I was curious about the book because it had the sphinx. It had all kinds of other fantastic creatures too. There were elves, dwarves, gnomes, fairies, chimeras, talking pigeons and some that were new to me as well! One of my favorite parts was the Soul Smith and how he made his tools and the magical power they possessed.
Porter is a Slayer and Sarah is a Sphinx. His mission is to take her out but instead he suffers an injury and gets amnesia. He doesn't remember they're enemies and they become best friends, depending on each other for survival in a land new to both of them. An elf gifted with sight tells them that they are meant to make a difference, to change the world. They will bring peace between two great armies.
If given a second chance would you do it all the same or change your ways? Is history destined to repeat itself or could it be changed? What if you learn there's more to the story than you were told? Is it right for a small percentage of the population to keep certain facts of history hidden from the majority? With the passing generations, is the fight even for the same cause anymore? These are just a few questions this book offers the reader to think about. I look forward to reading this with my granddaughter when she's older and discussing some of these things with her.
I really enjoyed this book! I was going to give it 4 stars but as I write this review I've changed my mind and I'm giving it 5. I found it had deep meaning but it was a fun adventure the whole way. It had my attention from the very beginning and kept it until the end. I didn't put the book down until it was done and the second book is next on my to read list!
I was curious about the book because it had the sphinx. It had all kinds of other fantastic creatures too. There were elves, dwarves, gnomes, fairies, chimeras, talking pigeons and some that were new to me as well! One of my favorite parts was the Soul Smith and how he made his tools and the magical power they possessed.
Porter is a Slayer and Sarah is a Sphinx. His mission is to take her out but instead he suffers an injury and gets amnesia. He doesn't remember they're enemies and they become best friends, depending on each other for survival in a land new to both of them. An elf gifted with sight tells them that they are meant to make a difference, to change the world. They will bring peace between two great armies.
If given a second chance would you do it all the same or change your ways? Is history destined to repeat itself or could it be changed? What if you learn there's more to the story than you were told? Is it right for a small percentage of the population to keep certain facts of history hidden from the majority? With the passing generations, is the fight even for the same cause anymore? These are just a few questions this book offers the reader to think about. I look forward to reading this with my granddaughter when she's older and discussing some of these things with her.
I really enjoyed this book! I was going to give it 4 stars but as I write this review I've changed my mind and I'm giving it 5. I found it had deep meaning but it was a fun adventure the whole way. It had my attention from the very beginning and kept it until the end. I didn't put the book down until it was done and the second book is next on my to read list!
February 25, 2013
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
Porter is a Slayer. He kills the mythological creatures of the world, aka Mythics, and he's good at his job. On the flipside, there's Sarah, a Sphinx, just minding her own business when her house is attacked by a trio of Slayers, Porter included. When she tries to escape by teleporting, she unknowingly brings Porter along for the ride, and she doesn't know what will happen when he wakes up. However, he's damaged goods, and doesn't remember who or what he is. Cue adventure!
I'll admit, when I first glanced at the cover for this book, I thought it might be slightly childish, maybe a middle-grade book. Boy, was I wrong!! It completely pulled me in from the very beginning, and all I could picture was Porter fighting alongside Buffy. Once the pair teleports and Porter loses his memory, I was so engrossed in the story, trying to guess what would happen around the next corner, how he would remember himself and what he would think. I'm definitely going to read Book 2 in the series, because I need more of these two (and Tick!) and their struggle to deal with the world around them!
5 stars
Porter is a Slayer. He kills the mythological creatures of the world, aka Mythics, and he's good at his job. On the flipside, there's Sarah, a Sphinx, just minding her own business when her house is attacked by a trio of Slayers, Porter included. When she tries to escape by teleporting, she unknowingly brings Porter along for the ride, and she doesn't know what will happen when he wakes up. However, he's damaged goods, and doesn't remember who or what he is. Cue adventure!
I'll admit, when I first glanced at the cover for this book, I thought it might be slightly childish, maybe a middle-grade book. Boy, was I wrong!! It completely pulled me in from the very beginning, and all I could picture was Porter fighting alongside Buffy. Once the pair teleports and Porter loses his memory, I was so engrossed in the story, trying to guess what would happen around the next corner, how he would remember himself and what he would think. I'm definitely going to read Book 2 in the series, because I need more of these two (and Tick!) and their struggle to deal with the world around them!
5 stars
July 1, 2024
From the book description, I was interested in my love for all things “mythical.” I then saw the cover of the book and wondered what in the heck I had gotten myself into. The cover of the book made me think that I was about to read a tween book. The first chapter of the book followed with this notion, with a younger type of dialogue and I was hesitant to press on.
Luckily, I felt an obligation to give this book a fair shot and see it through to the end for a review since I had committed myself to it. Thank goodness I felt that way, because every chapter following just drew me into the story even more and was nothing at all like the first chapter. The book completely redeems itself from the youngster scene-setting of the beginning.
The Slayer and the Sphinx is written by Adam Bolander, and Adam has created a new and exciting fantasy world in this novel. The main characters that we are following are a female Sphinx named Sarah (whom I secretly wanted to have a majestic name) and a Slayer named Porter. As a slayer, Porter is trained and lives to kill creatures referred to as mythic (and the sort of creature we now like to say doesn’t exist that has gone into hiding). During a raid on Sarah’s house, Porter is hit in the head and gets amnesia as to his past. This unlikely event leads Porter and Sarah to rely on one another for survival and end up as close friends. Together, they set off on a journey and encounter many new creatures that you don’t often find in stories and a great scene setting for an epic series. Alas, the ending is such a cliffhanger that I felt as if I was watching a series finale on a TV show and wanted to yell “Noooo” at the book and get started on the rest of the story right away as this is merely a Book 1 in a series already written out to Book 3.
Overall, this book did not start well for me, as stated before, but it was spectacular after that. If not for the tween-like dialogue in the beginning, I would give it a 5-star rating. Otherwise, this book was awesome, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves to read fantasy. It was a tiny bit on the young adult side, but that concept was lost as you get immersed into the story and journey that Sarah & Porter have embarked upon. There are so many pieces set up for action to come that I am interested in seeing what will happen and hope to see more of the same kind of great storytelling. I was captivated and couldn’t put it down, finishing it in a few short hours with minor life interruptions. Overall 4 stars and an eager hope for a 5 star remainder of the trilogy.
Luckily, I felt an obligation to give this book a fair shot and see it through to the end for a review since I had committed myself to it. Thank goodness I felt that way, because every chapter following just drew me into the story even more and was nothing at all like the first chapter. The book completely redeems itself from the youngster scene-setting of the beginning.
The Slayer and the Sphinx is written by Adam Bolander, and Adam has created a new and exciting fantasy world in this novel. The main characters that we are following are a female Sphinx named Sarah (whom I secretly wanted to have a majestic name) and a Slayer named Porter. As a slayer, Porter is trained and lives to kill creatures referred to as mythic (and the sort of creature we now like to say doesn’t exist that has gone into hiding). During a raid on Sarah’s house, Porter is hit in the head and gets amnesia as to his past. This unlikely event leads Porter and Sarah to rely on one another for survival and end up as close friends. Together, they set off on a journey and encounter many new creatures that you don’t often find in stories and a great scene setting for an epic series. Alas, the ending is such a cliffhanger that I felt as if I was watching a series finale on a TV show and wanted to yell “Noooo” at the book and get started on the rest of the story right away as this is merely a Book 1 in a series already written out to Book 3.
Overall, this book did not start well for me, as stated before, but it was spectacular after that. If not for the tween-like dialogue in the beginning, I would give it a 5-star rating. Otherwise, this book was awesome, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves to read fantasy. It was a tiny bit on the young adult side, but that concept was lost as you get immersed into the story and journey that Sarah & Porter have embarked upon. There are so many pieces set up for action to come that I am interested in seeing what will happen and hope to see more of the same kind of great storytelling. I was captivated and couldn’t put it down, finishing it in a few short hours with minor life interruptions. Overall 4 stars and an eager hope for a 5 star remainder of the trilogy.
March 7, 2013
An unexpectedly delightful read!
So, I went in to reading this particular book (Slayer and the Sphinx) with the mindset that I wasn’t in the mood for a YA novel right now. I just got done reading and reviewing one and, to be quite honest, the plethora that is currently bogging down the market has me kinda set against them.
So it was that I started reading The Slayer and the Sphinx with a closed, perhaps even antagonistic viewpoint.
So it was that the writer was able to surmount such a start – certainly there are aspects of the story that one must stretch one’s imagination when it comes to believability and character interaction (SPOILER: I hate any and all amnesia stories, especially my own), but what do you expect? This is a freakin’ YA novel.
The action is fair, the background and environments are fairly well-written, and the worldbuilding is kinda impressive. With ALL THAT stated, I find that it’s the honesty of the quest itself that impresses me, and while the situation itself may be slightly forced it’s what the characters DO with it that kept me reading, even after I was ready to hurl my smartphone into the fire during that first chapter.
NOW, a powerful con in my book - using the autospellcheck is all good and gravy, but "wad" and "had" are two different words. This happened at several occasions in my reading of the book, and is exactly why a proofreader can save ya the time of doing it yourself...but even if you HAVE to do it yourself, at least it gets done. :3 Despite the VERY few instances this happened, the read was still groovy.
Did you see what I did there? Yup. I meant to do that though...
Yeap, S&S gets a solid 4/5. I WOULD have rated it a 3/5, except the story…man, the story IS pretty good! Good enough that I’m going to get my hands on the sequel (ugh, sequel hook) once I hear that it’s out and, to be quite honest, so should you. :3
~Thomas Duder, Author of the Things
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorOfTheTh...
So, I went in to reading this particular book (Slayer and the Sphinx) with the mindset that I wasn’t in the mood for a YA novel right now. I just got done reading and reviewing one and, to be quite honest, the plethora that is currently bogging down the market has me kinda set against them.
So it was that I started reading The Slayer and the Sphinx with a closed, perhaps even antagonistic viewpoint.
So it was that the writer was able to surmount such a start – certainly there are aspects of the story that one must stretch one’s imagination when it comes to believability and character interaction (SPOILER: I hate any and all amnesia stories, especially my own), but what do you expect? This is a freakin’ YA novel.
The action is fair, the background and environments are fairly well-written, and the worldbuilding is kinda impressive. With ALL THAT stated, I find that it’s the honesty of the quest itself that impresses me, and while the situation itself may be slightly forced it’s what the characters DO with it that kept me reading, even after I was ready to hurl my smartphone into the fire during that first chapter.
NOW, a powerful con in my book - using the autospellcheck is all good and gravy, but "wad" and "had" are two different words. This happened at several occasions in my reading of the book, and is exactly why a proofreader can save ya the time of doing it yourself...but even if you HAVE to do it yourself, at least it gets done. :3 Despite the VERY few instances this happened, the read was still groovy.
Did you see what I did there? Yup. I meant to do that though...
Yeap, S&S gets a solid 4/5. I WOULD have rated it a 3/5, except the story…man, the story IS pretty good! Good enough that I’m going to get my hands on the sequel (ugh, sequel hook) once I hear that it’s out and, to be quite honest, so should you. :3
~Thomas Duder, Author of the Things
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorOfTheTh...
April 26, 2014
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review).
(This review may contain spoilers).
I think I'd give this book 4.5 stars ideally, but since I can't give half stars, I'll again leave this at 4.
Although this book sounded quite intriguing, when I received it, I was kind of expecting a love at first sight, eye-rolling insta!romance thing. I was actually pleasantly surprised, though. The reason behind Porter and Sarah travelling together actually makes sense and I really like how their relationship progresses over the course of the book.
There's a lot of contrast, which I'm not going to go into detail here about, but which makes a lot of sense. I feel that the strongest part of this book is the relationship between Porter and Sarah.
The idea about the Mythics is a pretty good one and I really like how Sarah was a Sphinx, rather than a more common mythical animal. There were some really minor things that I felt revealed her true nature - such as her curling up and walking on all fours. The details are always important, after all.
I liked the use of the different races in the book, too. I think I would like to see more of the others in the later books.
It was also interesting to find out the history of the Slayers. Everything has to start somewhere, but I was a bit surprised to see how much the organisation had changed from its original purpose.
I did like some of the other characters in the book as well, especially Tick. I also really liked how he and Porter became almost like brothers.
There were some errors in the book, but they didn't detract from how much I enjoyed it. I will definitely read the next book in the series at some point and I imagine I would enjoy reading this book again. This has engaging characters and a good, intriguing storyline. I definitely recommend it.
(This review may contain spoilers).
I think I'd give this book 4.5 stars ideally, but since I can't give half stars, I'll again leave this at 4.
Although this book sounded quite intriguing, when I received it, I was kind of expecting a love at first sight, eye-rolling insta!romance thing. I was actually pleasantly surprised, though. The reason behind Porter and Sarah travelling together actually makes sense and I really like how their relationship progresses over the course of the book.
There's a lot of contrast, which I'm not going to go into detail here about, but which makes a lot of sense. I feel that the strongest part of this book is the relationship between Porter and Sarah.
The idea about the Mythics is a pretty good one and I really like how Sarah was a Sphinx, rather than a more common mythical animal. There were some really minor things that I felt revealed her true nature - such as her curling up and walking on all fours. The details are always important, after all.
I liked the use of the different races in the book, too. I think I would like to see more of the others in the later books.
It was also interesting to find out the history of the Slayers. Everything has to start somewhere, but I was a bit surprised to see how much the organisation had changed from its original purpose.
I did like some of the other characters in the book as well, especially Tick. I also really liked how he and Porter became almost like brothers.
There were some errors in the book, but they didn't detract from how much I enjoyed it. I will definitely read the next book in the series at some point and I imagine I would enjoy reading this book again. This has engaging characters and a good, intriguing storyline. I definitely recommend it.
February 22, 2017
An angsty teenage Sphinx, a slick-faced, adolescent Slayer, and mythical monsters, mixed-in with a weird, modern-day world, that is somehow off-kilter from the one we know, make for a backdrop you've never read before.
Throughout this unexpected journey, I picked up subtle flavors of Narnia, LOTR, Star Wars, maybe, just a wisp, of Harry Potter, and dare I say, X-Men?
This story keeps you on your toes the entire time, and loves to slap you broadside the brain, with every chapter.
The headlong plunge into this new world, tripped me up at first, but after regaining my mental footing in the next few chapters, I really started enjoying this book. The terrain was familiar, but not distasteful. This story is a fun antidote against afternoon boredom, and keeps you hanging on every word, till the end.
This is the first installment, of what appears to be a series, and I am looking forward to the next one. I really want to see what creatures the characters meet next, and if the age-long coup, between Mythics and Slayers, can be squelched by the two, unlikely main characters.
If you enjoy fantasy, action, and mild teenage angst, I highly recommend this book. I will be looking forward to reading the second part of this story!
Sincerely,
Ken Wallin
@Desert Rose Reviews
*I was given a complimentary eCopy of this book, from the author, to read in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2013
The Slayer and the Sphinx: Book 1 (Volume 1) seeks to teach children to judge others for themselves and to think differently about those who are different. The moral is somewhat heavy handed but done in such a way that I believe that children would remain engaged in the story. I know adults who “pre-read” for their children and they may find the message heavy handed but positive.
Children will love the idea of a world going on behind the scenes of our own world. The Sphinx family is prestigious but, of course, no one knows that they’re not ordinary, everyday, humans. The narrative does get hung up here and there but overall flows pretty smoothly from one challenge to the next.
In a lot of ways, this novel suffers from the first book curse. The author is getting to know the characters as we do and how they would react to certain situations. He’s getting to know them and fleshing them out on the table, so to speak. I believe as Bolander continues the story his writing and knowledge of the characters will only improve. The Slayer and the Sphinx: Book 1 (Volume 1) is only the first part of what is sure to be an ongoing series. The first novel, to my mind, ends with a pretty impressive cliffhanger that will carry on the storyline in future novels. There’s a hint at a romance story which may not appeal to what appears to be the target audience.
The Slayer and the Sphinx: Book 1 (Volume 1)overall feels like half a book. I believe that children from 12-14 will enjoy the characters and world and look forward with eagerness to the next installment.
August 26, 2013
I try to keep up with what my son is reading, but since he has much more time than I have this has become an impossible task. Well, he ran out of books, so I downloaded The Slayer and the Sphinx on my Kindle for him - he read it in one night and the next morning he was saying that it was his favorite book, and that he hoped 'They' would make a movie out of it.
It took me a while to find the time to finish it, but when I read it I definitely understood why my son liked it so much. It is a very unique fantasy story set in modern times in our own world rather than in ancient times in a fantastic world. The story moves fast from the very first page and never really slows down. The battle scenes are described clearly, and it is never hard to picture what is happening. The characters are well-developed and themes about trust and honesty give the story more depth than it would have as just a simple adventure story. There is one particular 'white lie' that, I am sure, will have some interesting consequences for the heroes in future books.
This is definitely a great book for older kids and young teens. There is nothing offensive or smutty in it. There is some mild violence in the book, but nothing gross or graphic.
Lastly, I think it is quite impressive how Bolander manages to make an interesting story using such obscure creatures as Sphinxes, Banshees and Chimeras etc. He definitely challenged himself in choosing to write about such creatures instead of focusing on the more traditional goblins, dwarves and elves.
It took me a while to find the time to finish it, but when I read it I definitely understood why my son liked it so much. It is a very unique fantasy story set in modern times in our own world rather than in ancient times in a fantastic world. The story moves fast from the very first page and never really slows down. The battle scenes are described clearly, and it is never hard to picture what is happening. The characters are well-developed and themes about trust and honesty give the story more depth than it would have as just a simple adventure story. There is one particular 'white lie' that, I am sure, will have some interesting consequences for the heroes in future books.
This is definitely a great book for older kids and young teens. There is nothing offensive or smutty in it. There is some mild violence in the book, but nothing gross or graphic.
Lastly, I think it is quite impressive how Bolander manages to make an interesting story using such obscure creatures as Sphinxes, Banshees and Chimeras etc. He definitely challenged himself in choosing to write about such creatures instead of focusing on the more traditional goblins, dwarves and elves.
June 6, 2013
The Slayer and the Sphinx is a great book for both middle readers, teens and adults. I'm an avid romance reader, and this type of book isn't normally on my shelf. But the author quickly grabs you and takes you into the world of Mythics and Slayers, and doesn't let you go. Even after the story is over, he leaves you wanting for more. Literature buffs may get angry at my analogy, but the book is Romeo and Juliet meets Lord of the Rings, and they all travel to Narnia. There is the sweet bond of friendships between unlikely characters, a nail biting journey filled with adventures and battles, and surprises with every turn of the page.
Homeschoolers might want to consider adding this book to their curriculum. There are great spiritual messages and multiple layers of symbolism for students to peel back. As a former youth leader, my head was reeling with all the lessons I could pull from the book. My kids are definitely reading it this summer, and many discussions will follow!
Homeschoolers might want to consider adding this book to their curriculum. There are great spiritual messages and multiple layers of symbolism for students to peel back. As a former youth leader, my head was reeling with all the lessons I could pull from the book. My kids are definitely reading it this summer, and many discussions will follow!
May 15, 2014
A group of remorseless killers out to rid the world of all magical creatures. These are the Slayers and their eternal enemies are the Mythics. Porter Collins is one such slayer who on a mission to kill a sphinx meets an accident and loses his memory. The Sphinx takes pity on him and so begins an unlikely friendship.
This is the first book of the series and the story has started well enough. Not much has been explained but the author does manage to sustain interest. The premise also looks solid with some long lost mother of all evil creature awaiting resurrection and our heroes all in place.
The reason I have given it only three stars is that it didn't end grandly enough. As in, the end didn't have the necessary bang or rather the author didn't make a bang out of it. I didn't realize that I was actually on the climax. It felt like another minor scuffle the guys had got into when suddenly I find that the book has ended.
This is the first book of the series and the story has started well enough. Not much has been explained but the author does manage to sustain interest. The premise also looks solid with some long lost mother of all evil creature awaiting resurrection and our heroes all in place.
The reason I have given it only three stars is that it didn't end grandly enough. As in, the end didn't have the necessary bang or rather the author didn't make a bang out of it. I didn't realize that I was actually on the climax. It felt like another minor scuffle the guys had got into when suddenly I find that the book has ended.
October 15, 2014
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. After much deliberation, I have decided I would give this book a solid 3.5 stars. The story was interesting. I'm not always enthralled with quest stories, but this one was pretty good. I thought some of the characters fell flat though. The bad guys had no real redeeming qualities, they were just evil villains. Porter was the only exception to that rule, but he was a hero of the story & only because he had amnesia. While the story was written for middle graders, I could still enjoy it. If more of the characters had been fleshed out and made to be more than good or evil, this would've gotten 4 stars. Also, there were a few typos throughout the story, so it's in need of another look from an editor. All in all though, a fun story that I will share with my 12 year old niece, and I will probably finish the series myself as well.
October 22, 2014
not much to say about this one, it had a good concept just no real delivery. Almost the entire book is a Deus ex machina, the main protagonist porter seems to have no real influence on the story himself and must be saved at every turn. The conversations are dry and emotionless, just a bunch of banter of explanation, re-explanation, and then summary of what they just said. No one in this book felt real, the only character I could remotely enjoy was the villains, because even though they where poorly portrayed they still where the only ones to have any since of what to do. So to sum it all up, "read at your own risk". This book has put me to sleep meany times and I almost couldent even finish it, but when I did, I already knew the ending. Predictable.
May 15, 2014
* I was given this book by the author for an honest review*
Although the premise sounded good, I had trouble getting into the book. The flow was slow and the characters didn't make me care about them. Also, lying to someone" for their own good" is not something I believe in. This book was about tolerance and leaving prejudices behind. Also about knowledge really is power in the characters cases. I recommend this book for new readers into fantasy fiction ages 8-10. Over all not a bad read.
Although the premise sounded good, I had trouble getting into the book. The flow was slow and the characters didn't make me care about them. Also, lying to someone" for their own good" is not something I believe in. This book was about tolerance and leaving prejudices behind. Also about knowledge really is power in the characters cases. I recommend this book for new readers into fantasy fiction ages 8-10. Over all not a bad read.
May 10, 2013
I got to sit down with the author for an interview, which you can read right here: http://christfictionandvideogames.blo...
My little review from the interview is here:
I keep asking myself why I was surprised that I enjoyed The Slayer and the Sphinx as much as I did. Were my expectations low? I had no reason for them to be. In any case, I really enjoyed the book. Author Adam Bolander, whom I had the privilege of sitting down with for a chat recently, did a nice job. The book was exciting, I liked the characters instantly and got sucked into the fictional world that the author created.
The story begins with one of the most promising young Slayers, Porter, doing what he does best: killing a legendary creature called a Mythic. The Slayers are horrible racists, out to purge all nonhumans from the world. Porter is soon sent to slaughter a family of sphinxes, including young Sarah, but something goes wrong. Sarah transports herself away from the danger but accidentally takes Porter, who now has amnesia, with her. All of a sudden, these two mortal enemies (even if Porter doesn’t know it), find themselves teamed up to survive. This story is their journey.
Like I said, I genuinely enjoyed it. It was a quick, easy read and lots of fun. I think that, in particular, fans of the Percy Jackson series would really have a blast. Teens and adults who like a lot of action and adventure could do a lot worse, that’s for sure.
Now, the version of The Slayer and the Sphinx that is currently available is actually an updated edition. The first printing was about half the length, but now this book is split into two consecutive parts, Book One: Destinies Collide and Book Two: The Historian’s Tower. I am very glad that I got my hands on the book after the addition because it would have really annoyed me to have a copy that only contained the first half. Not only would that be a very short novel, but it didn’t have any sort of an ending. It simply stopped in the middle of the story. Things are a bit better with The Historian’s Tower included, since that part centers around the tower itself as a major set piece and the adventurers leave it behind at the end, but the author still doesn’t seem to have much interest in closing this section of the journey in any real way. I understand that this is the first book in a planned trilogy, but I’m of the opinion that, when you release a book to the public, it should have a clear beginning, middle and end even if it’s part of a series that has its own story beats. This book doesn’t do a great job providing a clear ending for this part of the story, so it seems kind of arbitrary when the book just ends in the middle.
My other quibble with the book (have you ever noticed that flaws of books you enjoy seem more pronounced that those of books you’re indifferent toward—or is that just me?) really didn’t bother me much while reading it, but has pestered me as I’ve thought about the book since. You’ll see some of this in our interview but I felt like thinking too much about certain aspects of this world sort of fall apart if you poke them at all. The Historian’s Tower itself is one such example. It’s a secret tower in the middle of nowhere that most people don’t believe exists. It’s full of historians who are willing to give their life to protect the histories they spend all of their time chronicling, but it’s difficult to see why. I got to ask the author about it, and you can read our exchange below, but I honestly didn’t buy his explanation. If that sort of thing bothers you, you might want to steer clear; however, if you’d like a fun, action-packed read that you don’t need to think about too much, this is a great choice. I certainly intend to read the sequels!
My little review from the interview is here:
I keep asking myself why I was surprised that I enjoyed The Slayer and the Sphinx as much as I did. Were my expectations low? I had no reason for them to be. In any case, I really enjoyed the book. Author Adam Bolander, whom I had the privilege of sitting down with for a chat recently, did a nice job. The book was exciting, I liked the characters instantly and got sucked into the fictional world that the author created.
The story begins with one of the most promising young Slayers, Porter, doing what he does best: killing a legendary creature called a Mythic. The Slayers are horrible racists, out to purge all nonhumans from the world. Porter is soon sent to slaughter a family of sphinxes, including young Sarah, but something goes wrong. Sarah transports herself away from the danger but accidentally takes Porter, who now has amnesia, with her. All of a sudden, these two mortal enemies (even if Porter doesn’t know it), find themselves teamed up to survive. This story is their journey.
Like I said, I genuinely enjoyed it. It was a quick, easy read and lots of fun. I think that, in particular, fans of the Percy Jackson series would really have a blast. Teens and adults who like a lot of action and adventure could do a lot worse, that’s for sure.
Now, the version of The Slayer and the Sphinx that is currently available is actually an updated edition. The first printing was about half the length, but now this book is split into two consecutive parts, Book One: Destinies Collide and Book Two: The Historian’s Tower. I am very glad that I got my hands on the book after the addition because it would have really annoyed me to have a copy that only contained the first half. Not only would that be a very short novel, but it didn’t have any sort of an ending. It simply stopped in the middle of the story. Things are a bit better with The Historian’s Tower included, since that part centers around the tower itself as a major set piece and the adventurers leave it behind at the end, but the author still doesn’t seem to have much interest in closing this section of the journey in any real way. I understand that this is the first book in a planned trilogy, but I’m of the opinion that, when you release a book to the public, it should have a clear beginning, middle and end even if it’s part of a series that has its own story beats. This book doesn’t do a great job providing a clear ending for this part of the story, so it seems kind of arbitrary when the book just ends in the middle.
My other quibble with the book (have you ever noticed that flaws of books you enjoy seem more pronounced that those of books you’re indifferent toward—or is that just me?) really didn’t bother me much while reading it, but has pestered me as I’ve thought about the book since. You’ll see some of this in our interview but I felt like thinking too much about certain aspects of this world sort of fall apart if you poke them at all. The Historian’s Tower itself is one such example. It’s a secret tower in the middle of nowhere that most people don’t believe exists. It’s full of historians who are willing to give their life to protect the histories they spend all of their time chronicling, but it’s difficult to see why. I got to ask the author about it, and you can read our exchange below, but I honestly didn’t buy his explanation. If that sort of thing bothers you, you might want to steer clear; however, if you’d like a fun, action-packed read that you don’t need to think about too much, this is a great choice. I certainly intend to read the sequels!
August 23, 2013
Rarely am I tempted to call in sick to work to finish a book. This was one of those books. (Not that I did.)
Readers who like “epic journey” or “quest” books, along the lines of “The Lord of the Rings”, would love this story. But it is so different from the usual cast of characters. And the reason behind the journey they embark upon is one that I haven’t seen before, at least not exactly with the same background.
Porter Collins is a young man who was taken in as a young child by the Slayers, and raised by the party line: all Mythics are bad, violent, out to destroy all humans, and must be destroyed at every chance.
Hidden elsewhere, Sarah Heisen is a Sphinx who wants nothing more than to see the world. Her parents know the dangers outside of their mansion’s walls, and keep her close.
But the safety net breaks, and Porter and Sarah meet under the worst of circumstances. When Sarah teleports out of the danger zone, she inadvertently takes an unconscious Porter with her. He wakes up with no memory of who he is or why he is with Sarah. All he remembers is his name.
Sarah, for her part, has no idea where she is. Emergency teleportation can do that to a person. She considers killing Porter; after all, those humans were so horrible and nasty–or so she’d been brought up to believe. But she decides against it, hoping she doesn’t regret her decision later on. It seems to her that she is safe as long as his memory doesn’t return.
They set out on their journey to find a hidden Mythic center, hoping to find a way back to Sarah’s parents. On the way, they meet elves, goblins, a Soul Smith named Droma, a chimera by the name of Tick, and a tower full of Mythics and humans living happily together.
All along the way, Porter is trying to remember his past, while Droma and Sarah hope that he does not. Neither knows what will happen if he does. But when Sarah is captured, and Porter shows his cold-blooded Slayer’s talents to rescue her, it becomes imperative that his memory remains hidden - if only for his own safety in that land of mythical creatures.
But their concern becomes moot when they are suddenly attacked by other Slayers, who have found their way there through the forced cooperation of the inhabitants of the forest that Porter and Sarah have wandered through. We leave our heroes fleeing the murderers, with Sarah having learned the full history of the war between the Mythics and the Slayers.
This story, as I mentioned above, was so captivating that nothing else seemed important. The characters were so vivid, and the growing relationship between Sarah and Porter was just right. And the companionship grows into friendship very slowly, as one would expect from the way they originally met.
The lesson is plainly seen, through deftly written words: that every individual should be accepted as who he or she is–not because of background or gender, or nationality. To pre-judge someone because of his/her ancestry is just wrong. Prejudice bred by generations of people adding rumor to half-truths has destroyed so many lives and relationships, and has no place in a world that has enough room for everyone.
Droma’s words to his fellow adventurers ring true, and is prevalent throughout the book: “All creatures are placed on earth for a purpose, even if we cannot see that purpose. To say otherwise is to say that their purpose is inadequate.”
I have to agree one-hundred percent. Thanks for a great story, Mr. Bolander!
Readers who like “epic journey” or “quest” books, along the lines of “The Lord of the Rings”, would love this story. But it is so different from the usual cast of characters. And the reason behind the journey they embark upon is one that I haven’t seen before, at least not exactly with the same background.
Porter Collins is a young man who was taken in as a young child by the Slayers, and raised by the party line: all Mythics are bad, violent, out to destroy all humans, and must be destroyed at every chance.
Hidden elsewhere, Sarah Heisen is a Sphinx who wants nothing more than to see the world. Her parents know the dangers outside of their mansion’s walls, and keep her close.
But the safety net breaks, and Porter and Sarah meet under the worst of circumstances. When Sarah teleports out of the danger zone, she inadvertently takes an unconscious Porter with her. He wakes up with no memory of who he is or why he is with Sarah. All he remembers is his name.
Sarah, for her part, has no idea where she is. Emergency teleportation can do that to a person. She considers killing Porter; after all, those humans were so horrible and nasty–or so she’d been brought up to believe. But she decides against it, hoping she doesn’t regret her decision later on. It seems to her that she is safe as long as his memory doesn’t return.
They set out on their journey to find a hidden Mythic center, hoping to find a way back to Sarah’s parents. On the way, they meet elves, goblins, a Soul Smith named Droma, a chimera by the name of Tick, and a tower full of Mythics and humans living happily together.
All along the way, Porter is trying to remember his past, while Droma and Sarah hope that he does not. Neither knows what will happen if he does. But when Sarah is captured, and Porter shows his cold-blooded Slayer’s talents to rescue her, it becomes imperative that his memory remains hidden - if only for his own safety in that land of mythical creatures.
But their concern becomes moot when they are suddenly attacked by other Slayers, who have found their way there through the forced cooperation of the inhabitants of the forest that Porter and Sarah have wandered through. We leave our heroes fleeing the murderers, with Sarah having learned the full history of the war between the Mythics and the Slayers.
This story, as I mentioned above, was so captivating that nothing else seemed important. The characters were so vivid, and the growing relationship between Sarah and Porter was just right. And the companionship grows into friendship very slowly, as one would expect from the way they originally met.
The lesson is plainly seen, through deftly written words: that every individual should be accepted as who he or she is–not because of background or gender, or nationality. To pre-judge someone because of his/her ancestry is just wrong. Prejudice bred by generations of people adding rumor to half-truths has destroyed so many lives and relationships, and has no place in a world that has enough room for everyone.
Droma’s words to his fellow adventurers ring true, and is prevalent throughout the book: “All creatures are placed on earth for a purpose, even if we cannot see that purpose. To say otherwise is to say that their purpose is inadequate.”
I have to agree one-hundred percent. Thanks for a great story, Mr. Bolander!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2014
When I was approached by Adam Bolander to review his book, The Slayer and the Sphinx: Book 1 I wasn’t sure what I was going to find. There are quite a wide range of books in print today by Indie Authors who write within the realms of Fantasy, Mythology, and Urban Fantasy. As well, there are wide ranging demographics of age, character development, and world building. When each requirement is met, and well developed, there can be a really great story – or something not so good.
Bolander has done a ‘fair-to-good’ job with his first in this new series. Definitely a book for a younger set, you shouldn’t hesitate to hand it over to your younger child who would enjoy a book with a good, solid quest theme. Porter belongs to a secret Order of Slayers, who track down and kill “Mythics,” mythological creatures with well developed cultures and mythologies of their own. Hated and persecuted by humans, especially the Order, the Mythics are races besieged by xenophobia.
When Porter, the teenaged slayer, attacks the home of the young sphinx Sarah, there is an accident, leaving Porter with no idea of what his mission was, why he was doing it, or even who he is. Forced to work together, they must overcome problems, and learn to trust and depend upon one another. This is, in my opinion, one of the better developments within the story line, as it encourages young readers to embrace the idea of personal growth.
There are drawbacks to the story. I felt that it was limited, in some ways, by the lack of world building that would have pulled me more into the story. There were also some bothersome contradictions in the storyline. For example, right at the beginning of Sarah’s story she is left at home by her parents when they go off to what is supposedly one of the safest spots for Mythics to be – and they travel by “transport beam” so it just didn’t make sense to me. Of course, if she wasn’t left alone at home with the Banshee housekeeper then there wouldn’t be a story – but the reasoning could have been handled better. Other issues of “Now why in the world would that person do that?” were a bit of an issue, but not something that the target audience should be bothered by.
All in all, I really liked that Bolander didn’t fall into the over utilized werewolf, vampire, elf, fairy habit. I have been looking around for more gargoyle, sphinx, barghest sort of creatures in stories based upon more Northern and African prototypes. This is quite a positive in my opinion.
I would have liked to give this a higher rating than three stars. Maybe by the next volume Bolander will be able to loosen up his writing, filling in more of the world building requirements, backstorying more carefully, and generally giving us a broader view of his characters and his world. If that happens, I will be more than happy to kick in another star. Oh, and of course, a better editor would be nice.
Fine for children, preteens and teens. There is some violence - Porter cuts the head off of a Kitsune in the first chapter of the book, which I personally found distasteful, but then I always root for the "Mythic" creatures! Possibly not of interest to readers who are not fans of high fantasy.
Bolander has done a ‘fair-to-good’ job with his first in this new series. Definitely a book for a younger set, you shouldn’t hesitate to hand it over to your younger child who would enjoy a book with a good, solid quest theme. Porter belongs to a secret Order of Slayers, who track down and kill “Mythics,” mythological creatures with well developed cultures and mythologies of their own. Hated and persecuted by humans, especially the Order, the Mythics are races besieged by xenophobia.
When Porter, the teenaged slayer, attacks the home of the young sphinx Sarah, there is an accident, leaving Porter with no idea of what his mission was, why he was doing it, or even who he is. Forced to work together, they must overcome problems, and learn to trust and depend upon one another. This is, in my opinion, one of the better developments within the story line, as it encourages young readers to embrace the idea of personal growth.
There are drawbacks to the story. I felt that it was limited, in some ways, by the lack of world building that would have pulled me more into the story. There were also some bothersome contradictions in the storyline. For example, right at the beginning of Sarah’s story she is left at home by her parents when they go off to what is supposedly one of the safest spots for Mythics to be – and they travel by “transport beam” so it just didn’t make sense to me. Of course, if she wasn’t left alone at home with the Banshee housekeeper then there wouldn’t be a story – but the reasoning could have been handled better. Other issues of “Now why in the world would that person do that?” were a bit of an issue, but not something that the target audience should be bothered by.
All in all, I really liked that Bolander didn’t fall into the over utilized werewolf, vampire, elf, fairy habit. I have been looking around for more gargoyle, sphinx, barghest sort of creatures in stories based upon more Northern and African prototypes. This is quite a positive in my opinion.
I would have liked to give this a higher rating than three stars. Maybe by the next volume Bolander will be able to loosen up his writing, filling in more of the world building requirements, backstorying more carefully, and generally giving us a broader view of his characters and his world. If that happens, I will be more than happy to kick in another star. Oh, and of course, a better editor would be nice.
Fine for children, preteens and teens. There is some violence - Porter cuts the head off of a Kitsune in the first chapter of the book, which I personally found distasteful, but then I always root for the "Mythic" creatures! Possibly not of interest to readers who are not fans of high fantasy.
June 15, 2013
This young adult fantasy features several races of "Mythics" (fantasy creatures) who secretly inhabit our own world but are shunned, feared, or persecuted by humans. Porter, a teenage boy, is a "slayer" whose job is to hunt down and kill Mythics. Sarah, a young sphinx, is one of his targets. But things go wrong when he attacks her home; he is injured and ends up with amnesia, forgetting his mission and his own identity. Sarah and Porter end up lost in a forest together, forced to rely on each other for survival as they try to find their way out. Along the way, they meet other Mythics and encounter a variety of dangers. The story ends before Porter regains his memory or the two (plus friends they've made along the way) reach their destination, so readers will be forced to read the sequel (which is not yet available) to find out what happens.
All in all, this was an interesting story. The author had some great ideas, and I felt that he fleshed out the characters pretty well. Each particular race of Mythics was given distinct traits and a unique culture, which made me interested to meet more of them. Some creative concepts were presented, my favorite being a sentient sword that could communicate with its master.
I did feel, however, that parts of the story could have been fleshed out better. The settings were very narrowly described, so that I never got a clear picture of what the larger world was like or even what part of the world the story takes place in. Some issues were a little unclear, such as why Sarah's parents said it was too dangerous for her to accompany them on a direct trip (using teleportation) to one of the safest havens in the world for Mythics; why someone who had just met Porter would give him a rare and valuable weapon; why and how a few animals can talk but not others; how the rules of magic use among humans work, etc. Certain character actions and reactions seemed a little unrealistic (for example, if I had seen someone I'd known all my life beheaded, I would have responded with a lot more grief, terror, and anger; and I would have kept recalling and probably having nightmares about the event). Also, I found a number of typos and errors in grammar and punctuation in the book. (Hey, I'm a teacher; I can't help but notice these things!)
Overall, though, The Slayer and the Sphinx was an enjoyable book. I would give it three out of five stars and recommend it to teens, preteens, or kids (it's pretty easy to read) who like fantasy. If it had a rating, it would probably be PG for mild violence and "children in jeopardy". There was no profanity, sex, or unnecessary blood and guts in the fighting scenes. The story promoted positive moral values like trust, loyalty, and the concept that no matter a person's past, anyone can change and start a new life. If you enjoy the fantasy genre and don't get too bothered by minor misuses of English, I'd say it's worth the 99 cents the eBook will cost you. Happy reading!
All in all, this was an interesting story. The author had some great ideas, and I felt that he fleshed out the characters pretty well. Each particular race of Mythics was given distinct traits and a unique culture, which made me interested to meet more of them. Some creative concepts were presented, my favorite being a sentient sword that could communicate with its master.
I did feel, however, that parts of the story could have been fleshed out better. The settings were very narrowly described, so that I never got a clear picture of what the larger world was like or even what part of the world the story takes place in. Some issues were a little unclear, such as why Sarah's parents said it was too dangerous for her to accompany them on a direct trip (using teleportation) to one of the safest havens in the world for Mythics; why someone who had just met Porter would give him a rare and valuable weapon; why and how a few animals can talk but not others; how the rules of magic use among humans work, etc. Certain character actions and reactions seemed a little unrealistic (for example, if I had seen someone I'd known all my life beheaded, I would have responded with a lot more grief, terror, and anger; and I would have kept recalling and probably having nightmares about the event). Also, I found a number of typos and errors in grammar and punctuation in the book. (Hey, I'm a teacher; I can't help but notice these things!)
Overall, though, The Slayer and the Sphinx was an enjoyable book. I would give it three out of five stars and recommend it to teens, preteens, or kids (it's pretty easy to read) who like fantasy. If it had a rating, it would probably be PG for mild violence and "children in jeopardy". There was no profanity, sex, or unnecessary blood and guts in the fighting scenes. The story promoted positive moral values like trust, loyalty, and the concept that no matter a person's past, anyone can change and start a new life. If you enjoy the fantasy genre and don't get too bothered by minor misuses of English, I'd say it's worth the 99 cents the eBook will cost you. Happy reading!
April 13, 2013
Porter, one of the two main characters of this series, is a young human who is also a Slayer-in-training. From the first chapter on, the obvious purpose of all Slayers is to kill Mythics, the creatures of mythology. Sarah, the other main character of the series, is a sphinx, a special kind of Mythic. One of Porter's first missions is to hunt down and kill Sarah and her famliy of sphinxes. And that is where the adventure basically begins.
Porter is injured during this mission to kill the family of sphinxes and tragically loses his memory in the process. Sarah befriends him and later on Porter rescues her from a slave-trader of Mythics.
The story of Book One takes a different path when Droma, a Soul Smith, is introduced. This character tells Sarah that she is a creature of destiny. From here on, Sarah struggles with what her destiny will be as well as if/when Porter will regain his memory and again try to kill her.
The Slayer and the Sphinx, Book One, ends with a huge cliffhanger which leads into The Historians Tower, Book Two. This second part of the adventure begins with Sarah's father vowing revenge against the Slayers who kidnapped his daughter. And this is the last time her father is seen. (I suppose Adam is saving this adventure for Book Three?)
The middle of Book Two is full of information about how the Historians who live and work in the Tower record the history of the world. The details of how the mirrors and marbles, the Documenters and the Keeping Fire do their jobs is overly-detailed and takes away from the action of the end of book one. But after wading through those chapters, the action does pick up dramatically as Slayers have discovered the location of the Tower.
Throughout both books, Adam has done a find job of mixing short expository sequences with dialogue and action. An interesting aspect of Book One are the dual storylines of Porter, the young slayer and Sarah, the just-as-young Mythic/sphinx. From the beginning of Book One up to about Chapter Nine, it feels like Porter is the main character. But from this chapter into the next few, there's some irritating "head-hopping" instances where the narrator is inside Sarah's head and then a few sentences later is inside Porters. As for Book Two, there is very little of this POV problem.
Overall, the first two books of this trilogy offer an entertaining and quick read for teenagers and above. Because of a few somewhat graphic battle scenes, I would not recommend it for younger readers.
I enjoyed reading the first two parts of this fantasy/adventure series and look forward to the next part.
This honest review is based on a PDF copy that Adam graciously donated.
Porter is injured during this mission to kill the family of sphinxes and tragically loses his memory in the process. Sarah befriends him and later on Porter rescues her from a slave-trader of Mythics.
The story of Book One takes a different path when Droma, a Soul Smith, is introduced. This character tells Sarah that she is a creature of destiny. From here on, Sarah struggles with what her destiny will be as well as if/when Porter will regain his memory and again try to kill her.
The Slayer and the Sphinx, Book One, ends with a huge cliffhanger which leads into The Historians Tower, Book Two. This second part of the adventure begins with Sarah's father vowing revenge against the Slayers who kidnapped his daughter. And this is the last time her father is seen. (I suppose Adam is saving this adventure for Book Three?)
The middle of Book Two is full of information about how the Historians who live and work in the Tower record the history of the world. The details of how the mirrors and marbles, the Documenters and the Keeping Fire do their jobs is overly-detailed and takes away from the action of the end of book one. But after wading through those chapters, the action does pick up dramatically as Slayers have discovered the location of the Tower.
Throughout both books, Adam has done a find job of mixing short expository sequences with dialogue and action. An interesting aspect of Book One are the dual storylines of Porter, the young slayer and Sarah, the just-as-young Mythic/sphinx. From the beginning of Book One up to about Chapter Nine, it feels like Porter is the main character. But from this chapter into the next few, there's some irritating "head-hopping" instances where the narrator is inside Sarah's head and then a few sentences later is inside Porters. As for Book Two, there is very little of this POV problem.
Overall, the first two books of this trilogy offer an entertaining and quick read for teenagers and above. Because of a few somewhat graphic battle scenes, I would not recommend it for younger readers.
I enjoyed reading the first two parts of this fantasy/adventure series and look forward to the next part.
This honest review is based on a PDF copy that Adam graciously donated.
September 18, 2013
Full disclosure -- I received a free Smashwords copy of The Slayer and the Sphinx to read from the author and for an honest review, he’ll give me the second book, The Convict and the Captive. Of course, that is a very attractive deal only because The Slayer and the Sphinx was such a good read!
The author Adam Bolander has crafted a well-written and imaginative story.
The book opens with a harsh introduction to our male lead, Porter, a 16-year-old boy who hunts down and kills a magical creature. We quickly learn he is a Slayer, and his primary goal is to kill magical creatures, which are defined as Mythics.
The female lead is a young sphinx (Sarah) being raised in a luxurious mansion, cared for by her parents and their banshee maid. While she is well aware of her need to hide her existence from both Slayers and humans, she longs for something more than her rather lonely, sheltered life.
The story follows the confrontation and unlikely friendship of the two leads. Bolander introduces a number of interesting Mythics and is able to quickly hook the reader with his fast paced story. Several times I found myself delighted by his imaginative concepts and backstories.
The Slayer and the Sphinx is an easy read, yet is not overly simple. It ends mid-adventure (similar to LOTR, the primary quest is not complete after one book), so be warned, you will need to read the next book, and probably another after that. Bolander’s writing is smooth and even, allowing the reader to experience a range of events (fights, encounters, explanations) quickly, yet without feeling deprived of details.
I look forward to reading the next book(s), to see if Sarah fulfills her destiny, find out which Porter prevails, and to complete my understanding of the secondary characters. I look forward to learning more about the heritage of Tick the chimera, as well as the investigation by the Soul Smiths.
Bolander’s book is creative and clever. I recommend The Slayer and the Sphinx for both teens and adults who appreciate fantasy and adventure.
The author Adam Bolander has crafted a well-written and imaginative story.
The book opens with a harsh introduction to our male lead, Porter, a 16-year-old boy who hunts down and kills a magical creature. We quickly learn he is a Slayer, and his primary goal is to kill magical creatures, which are defined as Mythics.
The female lead is a young sphinx (Sarah) being raised in a luxurious mansion, cared for by her parents and their banshee maid. While she is well aware of her need to hide her existence from both Slayers and humans, she longs for something more than her rather lonely, sheltered life.
The story follows the confrontation and unlikely friendship of the two leads. Bolander introduces a number of interesting Mythics and is able to quickly hook the reader with his fast paced story. Several times I found myself delighted by his imaginative concepts and backstories.
The Slayer and the Sphinx is an easy read, yet is not overly simple. It ends mid-adventure (similar to LOTR, the primary quest is not complete after one book), so be warned, you will need to read the next book, and probably another after that. Bolander’s writing is smooth and even, allowing the reader to experience a range of events (fights, encounters, explanations) quickly, yet without feeling deprived of details.
I look forward to reading the next book(s), to see if Sarah fulfills her destiny, find out which Porter prevails, and to complete my understanding of the secondary characters. I look forward to learning more about the heritage of Tick the chimera, as well as the investigation by the Soul Smiths.
Bolander’s book is creative and clever. I recommend The Slayer and the Sphinx for both teens and adults who appreciate fantasy and adventure.
June 2, 2014
I got this book for free in exchange for an honest review. So that being said... It was an "okay" book.
The thing is, I want to say more, but... That's it for me. It really was just an "okay" book to me. The two main characters, Sarah and Porter, are both nice enough. It takes a while for their characters to develop properly, but they're obviously pretty well thought out. Their relationship is really the core of the story, but... Yeah, nothing "really" happens. I mean, I'm a sucker for romance in my young adult novels and there's none here. Or at least nothing in comparison with the usual young adult novels. It's more like a really great friendship. But... Here's the thing. At some point in the story, there are some hints being dropped that Sarah and Porter will become romantically involved. And yet, nothing like that happens here? The next installment might provide some relief in that aspect, but I just don't like "unfinished" story lines like that. At least not for a first book.
I guess I just feel like I'm too old for this book. The story lines, while nice enough, don't really pack a punch for me. The book is also very short, to be honest, and that makes many of the encounters with other characters feel rushed. Sure, there's some "inner dialogue", but it still feels so very rushed. Give it a few extra pages and your story is so much more enriched! Now a lot of the events kind of fall flat for me. And given that kind of non-suspenseful writing, coupled with basically no romance whatsoever... I feel like this shouldn't be labelled as "young adult". This is for kids in middle school, not a 16-year old teenager wanting someone to swoon over.
All in all it's not a bad book. I'm just not the right audience for the book in its current form. With a little editing - read: more pages where events take place more slowly & less "easygoing" - it could be good for teenagers. But for now I would stick to 12-year-olds who like an easy adventure book.
The thing is, I want to say more, but... That's it for me. It really was just an "okay" book to me. The two main characters, Sarah and Porter, are both nice enough. It takes a while for their characters to develop properly, but they're obviously pretty well thought out. Their relationship is really the core of the story, but... Yeah, nothing "really" happens. I mean, I'm a sucker for romance in my young adult novels and there's none here. Or at least nothing in comparison with the usual young adult novels. It's more like a really great friendship. But... Here's the thing. At some point in the story, there are some hints being dropped that Sarah and Porter will become romantically involved. And yet, nothing like that happens here? The next installment might provide some relief in that aspect, but I just don't like "unfinished" story lines like that. At least not for a first book.
I guess I just feel like I'm too old for this book. The story lines, while nice enough, don't really pack a punch for me. The book is also very short, to be honest, and that makes many of the encounters with other characters feel rushed. Sure, there's some "inner dialogue", but it still feels so very rushed. Give it a few extra pages and your story is so much more enriched! Now a lot of the events kind of fall flat for me. And given that kind of non-suspenseful writing, coupled with basically no romance whatsoever... I feel like this shouldn't be labelled as "young adult". This is for kids in middle school, not a 16-year old teenager wanting someone to swoon over.
All in all it's not a bad book. I'm just not the right audience for the book in its current form. With a little editing - read: more pages where events take place more slowly & less "easygoing" - it could be good for teenagers. But for now I would stick to 12-year-olds who like an easy adventure book.
October 12, 2014
The Slayer and the Sphinx is an interesting play on fantasy.
The Slayers are a group of people whose purpose is to track down and destroy mythical creatures. Porter, a teenaged slayer with a grudge, is sent on a dangerous mission. Young Sarah, home alone but for her family's maid, narrowly escapes the attack, but not without accidentally taking Porter with her.
One of the things I like about this story is that it features a good vs. evil plotline, where those who are supposed to be good are the monsters, and those who are supposed to be the monsters are the innocent victims. I also enjoy that the danger isn't solely external. Porter's inner demon is as dangerous as any of the enemies he and Sarah face on their journey. I also like how a larger world and history is revealed as the story progresses. Glimmers and hints, discovery alongside the characters, and plenty of action all make this a fun read.
The only thing I didn't like was that there were a few rough edges here and there. Some extra words, homophones (words that sound alike, but mean different things), and other typos snuck in here and there, though not bad enough to affect my rating. The overall language use, structure and writing, however, were excellent.
So, overall, I really liked this book, the first of three. It is appropriate for teen readers, but the slayers do kill, and quite brutally, so keep that in mind. This isn't a YA book, but more like a modern fantasy that happens to star teenaged heroes and villains. I would recommend this for readers who like fantasy, but would like something a little different.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
The Slayers are a group of people whose purpose is to track down and destroy mythical creatures. Porter, a teenaged slayer with a grudge, is sent on a dangerous mission. Young Sarah, home alone but for her family's maid, narrowly escapes the attack, but not without accidentally taking Porter with her.
One of the things I like about this story is that it features a good vs. evil plotline, where those who are supposed to be good are the monsters, and those who are supposed to be the monsters are the innocent victims. I also enjoy that the danger isn't solely external. Porter's inner demon is as dangerous as any of the enemies he and Sarah face on their journey. I also like how a larger world and history is revealed as the story progresses. Glimmers and hints, discovery alongside the characters, and plenty of action all make this a fun read.
The only thing I didn't like was that there were a few rough edges here and there. Some extra words, homophones (words that sound alike, but mean different things), and other typos snuck in here and there, though not bad enough to affect my rating. The overall language use, structure and writing, however, were excellent.
So, overall, I really liked this book, the first of three. It is appropriate for teen readers, but the slayers do kill, and quite brutally, so keep that in mind. This isn't a YA book, but more like a modern fantasy that happens to star teenaged heroes and villains. I would recommend this for readers who like fantasy, but would like something a little different.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
October 17, 2014
I had high hopes when I picked up this book. Who wouldn't? It looked very promising!!! Good plot and it drew me in.
So why the one star?
I will tell you why.
I found it extremely difficult to get through the first chapter, let alone hours to days of this torture.
Normally I can push through books with a boring beginning if it seems promising, but that proved more difficult than normal with The Slayer and the Sphinx.
Now before you think I'm overreacting, hear me out.
I felt NOTHING when reading this. Isn't that what reading is about? Escaping the drama and feeling like you can be there with the characters, feeling their pain? That is what I'm saying. There was literally no emotion in his words and it all seemed dry and repetitive to me. Maybe I'm into different writing styles than the others reading this. That could be all this is.
Though to me, I don't know why this book has so many stars. I am a big reader, even if I don't review or post every book I've read. But things need to be mixed up a little, and this is like something off of my elementary school reading list.
I used this book to put my friend to sleep when he was having a bad day. Literally. I told him to read it and he literally fell asleep on my shoulder within a few minutes. And yes, he was fully rested the night before. Honestly, this book could have so much more to it. More emotion and maybe less use of the same sentences and ideas over and over.
Again, maybe it is just me, but this is my review and my opinion on this book. I do not recommend this book to anyone above the age of eleven, at the OLDEST. That is all.
So why the one star?
I will tell you why.
I found it extremely difficult to get through the first chapter, let alone hours to days of this torture.
Normally I can push through books with a boring beginning if it seems promising, but that proved more difficult than normal with The Slayer and the Sphinx.
Now before you think I'm overreacting, hear me out.
I felt NOTHING when reading this. Isn't that what reading is about? Escaping the drama and feeling like you can be there with the characters, feeling their pain? That is what I'm saying. There was literally no emotion in his words and it all seemed dry and repetitive to me. Maybe I'm into different writing styles than the others reading this. That could be all this is.
Though to me, I don't know why this book has so many stars. I am a big reader, even if I don't review or post every book I've read. But things need to be mixed up a little, and this is like something off of my elementary school reading list.
I used this book to put my friend to sleep when he was having a bad day. Literally. I told him to read it and he literally fell asleep on my shoulder within a few minutes. And yes, he was fully rested the night before. Honestly, this book could have so much more to it. More emotion and maybe less use of the same sentences and ideas over and over.
Again, maybe it is just me, but this is my review and my opinion on this book. I do not recommend this book to anyone above the age of eleven, at the OLDEST. That is all.
April 6, 2014
First of all, full disclosure, I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
There are enough review for people to get the idea of the plot - A hidden world within our own, comprising Mythics – the last of the non-humans in the World, and Slayers - the reason they're the last of their kind – Porter a Slayer and Sarah a sphinx - two natural enemies thrown together by circumstance and needing to survive.
A word of warning, I have to confess that I was worried by the first couple of chapters, they are not up to the standard of the rest of the book and I fear, had I not made a commitment to review, I would have put the book aside. This isn't unusual in a new author – I'd argue much the same about JK Rowling in the first Harry Potter, and the fact that the book managed to engage me after a sticky start is a clear credit to the author, not the reverse.
Some terrific ideas in there – for instance the History Tower and the mechanics of the way the history keepers operate is well realised and interesting. The Slayers are properly evil, but motivated to see their efforts as just and right. The World is well realised and the author clearly has a very clear vision of the Universe he is operating in and the rules it follows.
Summarising, really a young to young adult read, this book is well worth the effort, the characters are engaging and once the author finds his voice the dialogue is natural. The story has the feel of a beginning epic, but the small stuff holds together well. I enjoyed it and look forward to more adventures with Sarah and Porter.
There are enough review for people to get the idea of the plot - A hidden world within our own, comprising Mythics – the last of the non-humans in the World, and Slayers - the reason they're the last of their kind – Porter a Slayer and Sarah a sphinx - two natural enemies thrown together by circumstance and needing to survive.
A word of warning, I have to confess that I was worried by the first couple of chapters, they are not up to the standard of the rest of the book and I fear, had I not made a commitment to review, I would have put the book aside. This isn't unusual in a new author – I'd argue much the same about JK Rowling in the first Harry Potter, and the fact that the book managed to engage me after a sticky start is a clear credit to the author, not the reverse.
Some terrific ideas in there – for instance the History Tower and the mechanics of the way the history keepers operate is well realised and interesting. The Slayers are properly evil, but motivated to see their efforts as just and right. The World is well realised and the author clearly has a very clear vision of the Universe he is operating in and the rules it follows.
Summarising, really a young to young adult read, this book is well worth the effort, the characters are engaging and once the author finds his voice the dialogue is natural. The story has the feel of a beginning epic, but the small stuff holds together well. I enjoyed it and look forward to more adventures with Sarah and Porter.
October 29, 2014
Where do I begin?? The Slayer and the Sphinx begins by introducing us to a young Slayer, Porter, someone who goes about the world destroying mythical creatures most humans don't think exist... And our young Mythic heroine, Sarah, who becomes one of Porters targets.
We don't learn a lot about Porter right away, but he becomes a more rounded character through out the book.
As Porter and Sarah meet up, and under strange circumstances find themselves becoming unexpected traveling partners, we follow them through their journey to a Sanctuary, one of the only places Mythics can be themselves, without fear of Slayers.
During their journey they meet up with fun loving characters along the way and have little conflicts that lead up to the main conflict at the end of the story.
While the Main conflict is resolved at the end of the book, it still ends on a cliff hanger so, be aware, you'll need the second book on hand.
This was a quick read, read it this morning, and is a great book for middle school and up. Possibly even younger.
The foreshadowing in the book could be a bit less obvious, but I'm all for hiding things like that and making us think ;)
I did notice a few errors where there was an added word or a missing letter in a word that turned it onto a different word (oops) in the kindle version, but nothing that can't be quickly understood.
I'd definitely say this is another author to watch :D
We don't learn a lot about Porter right away, but he becomes a more rounded character through out the book.
As Porter and Sarah meet up, and under strange circumstances find themselves becoming unexpected traveling partners, we follow them through their journey to a Sanctuary, one of the only places Mythics can be themselves, without fear of Slayers.
During their journey they meet up with fun loving characters along the way and have little conflicts that lead up to the main conflict at the end of the story.
While the Main conflict is resolved at the end of the book, it still ends on a cliff hanger so, be aware, you'll need the second book on hand.
This was a quick read, read it this morning, and is a great book for middle school and up. Possibly even younger.
The foreshadowing in the book could be a bit less obvious, but I'm all for hiding things like that and making us think ;)
I did notice a few errors where there was an added word or a missing letter in a word that turned it onto a different word (oops) in the kindle version, but nothing that can't be quickly understood.
I'd definitely say this is another author to watch :D
October 8, 2014
(Source: Downloaded for free from Amazon.co.uk.)
This was a pretty good YA fantasy novel, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised!
I liked the characters in this book; I felt quite sorry for Porter with his amnesia, and I felt quite sorry for Sarah and the way her family was victimised. I didn’t appreciate the way Sarah lied to Porter during the course of the story, but I could see why she did it.
The storyline in this was pretty good, and I have to say that this book really surprised me! I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but this one needs a better one, because looking at the cover I thought this book would be fairly dull, and it really wasn’t.
Anyway, I liked the action in this book, I liked the adventure, and I liked the world building. It reminded me a little bit of ‘The Hobbit’ especially with the journeying, and this really was a real fantasy adventure!
This one was free of romance, and totally clean, so suitable for younger readers too.
The ending to this was a cliff-hanger, but we still got a big dramatic finish!
Overall; I have to say that this was a really good YA fantasy/adventure story,
7.2 out of 10
This was a pretty good YA fantasy novel, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised!
I liked the characters in this book; I felt quite sorry for Porter with his amnesia, and I felt quite sorry for Sarah and the way her family was victimised. I didn’t appreciate the way Sarah lied to Porter during the course of the story, but I could see why she did it.
The storyline in this was pretty good, and I have to say that this book really surprised me! I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but this one needs a better one, because looking at the cover I thought this book would be fairly dull, and it really wasn’t.
Anyway, I liked the action in this book, I liked the adventure, and I liked the world building. It reminded me a little bit of ‘The Hobbit’ especially with the journeying, and this really was a real fantasy adventure!
This one was free of romance, and totally clean, so suitable for younger readers too.
The ending to this was a cliff-hanger, but we still got a big dramatic finish!
Overall; I have to say that this was a really good YA fantasy/adventure story,
7.2 out of 10
February 18, 2015
The Slayer and the Sphinx is based on many mythical creatures. I very much enjoyed reading this book it was enticing and made me want to keep reading.
There are many twists in turns that I never expected. These were used to introduce the readers to other mythical creatures.
As I am a fan of mythology and mythical creatures I was appreciative that they were used correctly.
Porter a hunter and Sarah a Sphinx, who thought they could ever be around each other without fighting. A really good book, I suggest it for anyone who has been interested in Mythical creatures or fantasy.
I was given this book by Shut Up and Read in exchange for an honest review.
There are many twists in turns that I never expected. These were used to introduce the readers to other mythical creatures.
As I am a fan of mythology and mythical creatures I was appreciative that they were used correctly.
Porter a hunter and Sarah a Sphinx, who thought they could ever be around each other without fighting. A really good book, I suggest it for anyone who has been interested in Mythical creatures or fantasy.
I was given this book by Shut Up and Read in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2014
I loved reading this book. It was great. I got it from the author for free in return for a review. I was worried that I had agreed to review a children's or young teen's book that would be on the level of Twilight or something as equally as cheesy. However, once I committed to reading the book and followed through I realized this was a great book. Cover art aside it's a book worth the read. I strongly suggest it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews