The Protector Project

by Jenna Lincoln

Teen soldier Mara de la Luz is about to find out what makes her so special that some would kidnap and kill her—and others, willingly die for her.ENDLESS CARNAGE. ENDLESS QUESTIONS.Mara is a 17-year-old soldier who’s spent years fighting a war that’s lasted generations. Wide-eyed children, some just turned thirteen, rarely survive their first fights despite her best efforts to train and lead them. What she thinks she wants is to uncover the root causes of the war between the Protectors and the masked Gaishan, maybe find a way to end it. But what she really wants is a future—for herself and the others—beyond the battlefield.Then she’s injured in combat, and when an enemy fighter not only heals her wounds but reveals his face, she sees the promise of all she desires. This cunning teen Gaishan has answers to her questions, but first she must commit treason and travel beyond the boundaries of her world. She must brave a place where everything rests on the point of a her loyalties, her friends, her heart.

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2015

About the author

Jenna Lincoln loves to read, write, and talk about reading and writing. She spent many happy years as a language arts teacher doing just those things.

After dabbling in X-Files, Firefly, and Supernatural fan fiction, Jenna got serious about building her own imaginary world, big enough to get lost in for a long, long time.

When she comes back to reality, Jenna enjoys her home in beautiful Colorado with her husband and two daughters.

Reviews

[diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never been more happy to be confused in my entire life!
The Protector Project is such a complex and extraordinary world and although I found it hard to keep up at times it was such a great read that I didn't mind it that much.

Honestly I didn't expect that I'd love this book as much as I did. It started out a bit slow for me and if it weren't for Dalin showing up when he did I probably would have DNF-ed this.

The Protector Project has a very unique concept. Not only is it intriguing it also has well-written characters. Mara is such a strong heroine. What I love most about reading YAs is that I almost always come across strong-headed, independent and sassy heroines. And Mara is exactly that.
I love taking the journey with her. There were times that I was completely baffled by the things she doesn't know exist but for the most part I enjoyed going through the journey with her.
Dalin too was a great hero. At times he reminded me of Elias from An Ember in the Ashes (or is it just the mask?) and I love him for it. And although the romance didn't quite work out for me, I love the progress that Mara and Dalin's relationship took. It wasn't insta-love and so it felt believable.

I'm supposed to keep my review short since its past midnight where I am and my bed has been calling to me so I'm just gonna say that this book is amazingly written! There was romance, action and intrigue that will captivate you from beginning to end. Recommended!

I received an e-arc to read and review.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy that the sequel is coming out soon! I was having a good time, liking Mara and how capable and honest she is, but when I first met the tree character, I started reading to see if she would become a central player. When the book mentions that scientists research why the tree inhibits certain technologies, the idea that nature herself could attempt to curb environmental destruction and climate change was so enrapturing to me I blew through the rest of the book in no time. The whole cocktail: staying up late to read when I needed to be up for work in the morning, getting to appointments five minutes early so I could sneak a few more pages on my ereader, carrying my ereader with me everywhere just in case I got a few seconds... great job!

[Ann Murdock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great for engaging bright readers. There are character dilemmas that challenge the reader to think deeply, but there are no inappropriate adult situations. It is often difficult to find novels that reach gifted students intellectually without involving topics for more mature readers. In fact, the crush situation is handled in a manner that is exciting for kids and simply tender for teachers.

[Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to YA Bound Book Tours and author Jenna Lincoln for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for an honest review!

Find this review and more on my blog The Rest Is Still Unwritten!

The Protector Project is Jenna Lincoln’s debut novel and is an intriguing tale of twists and turns that will draw you in and keep you guessing all the way through.

Sixteen year old Mara de la Luz is a Protector; a soldier who has spent years training, fighting and battling against her people’s sworn enemy, the Gaishan. Fierce, brave and determined, Mara is the leader of her cohort and content to continue the battle against the masked Gaishan, even though secretly she would love more from life. Yet when an injury on the battlefield sees Mara saved by an enemy solider, Mara soon begins to discover that not everything is as it seems and the truth is going to change her life forever………

Heading into The Protector Project I wasn’t really sure what to expect. The premise sounded interesting, if not mysterious and I found myself intrigued to discover just what was going on; something that remained the same throughout the entire story. The Protector Project was a delightful blend of simplistic living and advanced technology that really highlights the different societies existing in The Protector Project.

The world within The Protector Project really isn’t what is seems and as the main character Mara slowly comes to discover this, so too do we as the reader. This is one of those instances where as the reader, you only know as much, or as little, as the protagonist knows and as Mara begins to discover the truth about her world we discover alongside her.

Personally I really liked Mara’s voice and the character Jennifer Lincoln wrote her to be. She has a lot of courage and ability, but she also managed to have personality. I enjoyed the innocence she had regarding a lot of the world around her and the childlike wonder she expressed as she learnt to do everyday things like read and write within the Gaishan world.

Dalin is a great love interest, supporter, friend and somewhat savior to Mara in The Protector Project. Coming into the story as someone who saves Mara’s life, Dalin’s involvement is initially what forces Mara to see her world through different eyes and it’s with his help that she manages to leave behind her role in the project and discover unexpected truths.

There’s many different elements that make The Protector Project an enjoyable read and I’m impressed with what I’ve read so far. Fantasy, magic and nicely told battle scenes blend together with friendship, family and romance, and are all tied together and topped with mystery to create a debut that is sure to leave you ready for the next instalment!

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I read a young adult book, and I think it's okay, but some of my students will like it. This book, however, was hard for me to put down. It will intrigue not only teenagers, but adults will like it also. I will spend time still thinking about the main characters, Mara and Dalin, in the next few weeks, and I'm excited for the sequel to come out. This is a book that I will definitely encourage my students to read. Who doesn't love a strong female character, mixed in with adventure and romance?

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, fantastic book! Really enjoyable, great world, and great characters! Just awesome!

[Hmr28 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf