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Oleah Chronicles #1
Truth
What would you do if everything you thought to be true in your life were a lie?
Sixteen-year-old Angel Seriki is forced to face overwhelming truths about her so-called ordinary family when she meets Zander Black; a new student to her high school who is smart, charming and devastatingly beautiful. The revelations he uncovers to her about a danger that threatens to resurface from a past she never knew was her own, changes everything. Life as she knows it will never be the same again. In order to keep her family safe she has no choice but to trust Zander, despite his connection to her enemy. He’s the only resource she has if she ever expects to understand the true reality of who and what she is. However, things become complicated when neither can ignore the magnetic energy between them. As their relationship and feelings deepen, so do the risks involved. She must now accept her fate, even if that means giving up everything she knows, including being human.
Sixteen-year-old Angel Seriki is forced to face overwhelming truths about her so-called ordinary family when she meets Zander Black; a new student to her high school who is smart, charming and devastatingly beautiful. The revelations he uncovers to her about a danger that threatens to resurface from a past she never knew was her own, changes everything. Life as she knows it will never be the same again. In order to keep her family safe she has no choice but to trust Zander, despite his connection to her enemy. He’s the only resource she has if she ever expects to understand the true reality of who and what she is. However, things become complicated when neither can ignore the magnetic energy between them. As their relationship and feelings deepen, so do the risks involved. She must now accept her fate, even if that means giving up everything she knows, including being human.
182 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
25 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Johnson
6 books23 followersThroughout my childhood I was always told I had a very creative imagination. I was drawn to stories of mythical creatures and all things that would usually give my peers the heebie geebies. Shows like Tales from the Crypt Keeper and Buffy the Vampire Slayer were among some of my favourites.
I developed a strong passion for design and illustration, drawing the ideas that arose in my head and finding great excitement in bringing them to life. This led me to pursue a career in graphic design and marketing so that I could always use my creativity to the fullest.
I have always loved reading and the way a compelling story would allow my mind to absorb its detailed imagery. I began to use writing as a tool to bring my creative thoughts to fruition one day, which has brought me to this moment.
I'm a romantic at heart and a sucker for stories about true love which is reflected in my writing and helped bring the Oleah Chronicles to life. I hope you enjoy my first book and through it you experience the eccentric vision that began in my mind so long ago.
I developed a strong passion for design and illustration, drawing the ideas that arose in my head and finding great excitement in bringing them to life. This led me to pursue a career in graphic design and marketing so that I could always use my creativity to the fullest.
I have always loved reading and the way a compelling story would allow my mind to absorb its detailed imagery. I began to use writing as a tool to bring my creative thoughts to fruition one day, which has brought me to this moment.
I'm a romantic at heart and a sucker for stories about true love which is reflected in my writing and helped bring the Oleah Chronicles to life. I hope you enjoy my first book and through it you experience the eccentric vision that began in my mind so long ago.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 21, 2015
(A free copy was given to me by the author Michelle Johnson in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating and opinion of the book.)
Surprisingly good! It's a debut novel and it successfully made a great impression.
The story opens with the protagonist Angel Seriki living an ordinary life together with her parents in Ontario. Set in a Young Adult setting, she didn't have any idea that she's not a human but an Oleah-- a creature with a combination of human and lion features. Oleahs originally live in a planet called Uforika. While growing up, her parents kept this huge secret about their true form from her in order to protect her against Sindrell (an evil witch known as the sister of Satan) who's on a mission to abduct her and steal her unusual powers that could distract enemies.
What made me feel drawn to this book was the clever and incredibly dynamic theme the author was able to come up with. I haven't met a mythical creature with lion features. There were witches, wolves, vampires, faeries, but Oleah? It's something new and refreshing, it simply opens a lot of fascinating things to my imagination.
The writing style of the author was simplistic and very easy to digest. Though there were some parts that made me crave for more descriptions and elaborations, especially the action scenes, still, Michelle Johnson was able to nail important details about the story.
The main characters and secondary ones were not difficult to love as well. Angel was a genuine character. I like how she was able to unfold herself over the course of the story. How she dealt with the truth about her identity and the way she accepted her fate and the dangers that surround her and her family.
Zander, on the hand, (MY OH MY, ZANDER), was one of the characters that intrigued me. He was so mysterious and well, a hotness incarnate and swoon-worthy fictional guy who can easily get into the hearts of the female readers. Why not? In this book he was described as someone with an air of mystery, danger, and oozing sexiness. Sign me up!
This book, all in all, took me by surprise. I did not expect to like it, but I did. This book simply offered a refreshing charm that kept me turning pages to see how the story would unfold. The pacing was fast and there were no boring parts. It was easy to read, and if only I'm not a very busy person, I would've been able to devour it in one or two sittings, because it's simply addictive and a very interesting read.
This is the first book of the series. I don't have an idea how many sequels are waiting, but surely I will keep myself posted because I want to follow this series. Thumbs up for a very well-done debut novel, Michelle!
Rating: 5 Stars
Surprisingly good! It's a debut novel and it successfully made a great impression.
The story opens with the protagonist Angel Seriki living an ordinary life together with her parents in Ontario. Set in a Young Adult setting, she didn't have any idea that she's not a human but an Oleah-- a creature with a combination of human and lion features. Oleahs originally live in a planet called Uforika. While growing up, her parents kept this huge secret about their true form from her in order to protect her against Sindrell (an evil witch known as the sister of Satan) who's on a mission to abduct her and steal her unusual powers that could distract enemies.
What made me feel drawn to this book was the clever and incredibly dynamic theme the author was able to come up with. I haven't met a mythical creature with lion features. There were witches, wolves, vampires, faeries, but Oleah? It's something new and refreshing, it simply opens a lot of fascinating things to my imagination.
The writing style of the author was simplistic and very easy to digest. Though there were some parts that made me crave for more descriptions and elaborations, especially the action scenes, still, Michelle Johnson was able to nail important details about the story.
The main characters and secondary ones were not difficult to love as well. Angel was a genuine character. I like how she was able to unfold herself over the course of the story. How she dealt with the truth about her identity and the way she accepted her fate and the dangers that surround her and her family.
Zander, on the hand, (MY OH MY, ZANDER), was one of the characters that intrigued me. He was so mysterious and well, a hotness incarnate and swoon-worthy fictional guy who can easily get into the hearts of the female readers. Why not? In this book he was described as someone with an air of mystery, danger, and oozing sexiness. Sign me up!
This book, all in all, took me by surprise. I did not expect to like it, but I did. This book simply offered a refreshing charm that kept me turning pages to see how the story would unfold. The pacing was fast and there were no boring parts. It was easy to read, and if only I'm not a very busy person, I would've been able to devour it in one or two sittings, because it's simply addictive and a very interesting read.
This is the first book of the series. I don't have an idea how many sequels are waiting, but surely I will keep myself posted because I want to follow this series. Thumbs up for a very well-done debut novel, Michelle!
Rating: 5 Stars
September 4, 2015
Rating 2.5:
"With lightning speed, he grabbed the mirror out of my backpack and held it up to my face. This was worse than any of my nightmares. My eyes were a tawny golden yellow with a small black pupil, identical to those of a lion with wide irises filling up all the white space...my eyes glowed a silvery blue-green, like a cat's in the dark. I stopped thrashing and stared at myself, stunned."
(From Amazon)"What would you do if everything you thought to be true in your life was a lie?
Sixteen year old Angel Seriki must face overwhelming truths about her family when she meets Zander Black, a new student to her high school who is smart, charming and devastatingly beautiful. The revelations he uncovers to her about her family's past changes everything, and as her relationship and feelings for Zander deepen, so do the risks involved. She must now accept her fate and face the true reality of who and what she is. Even if that means giving up everything, including being human."
Angel discovers that she and her parents are not human, but are "Oleah", "creatures with a combination of human and lion features". Angel learns that she and her family were in grave danger on the planet "Uforika" and had to flee to Earth when Angel was just a toddler. The author does a good job in the introduction describing the details of the attack of Uforika from the evil "Land of Darkness". We are then transported to the future in the real world, where Angel is now sixteen and living the life of a normal teenager, in Ontario. For some reason, I felt that Angel had too young of a voice, as did her friend "Jewls", or Julie. I read many YA books, and I can always connect and identify with the characters, even those who are sixteen, or even younger. I take myself back to the time of the character and experience again those youthful times. I was not able to do that in this case. Even though Zander was described as devastatingly beautiful, I did not feel a great connection to him. Therefore, I did not feel a great chemistry between Angel and Zander, even in their romantic scenes. Because I was never involved with many of the characters, including Angel's parents, I could not fully become involved in the book. This may be a case where the "Oleah Chronicles: Truth" was just not for me. Usually I finish book one in a series, and count the days until the sequel is released, but I did not have such a feeling, this time...
(From Amazon)"What would you do if everything you thought to be true in your life was a lie?
Sixteen year old Angel Seriki must face overwhelming truths about her family when she meets Zander Black, a new student to her high school who is smart, charming and devastatingly beautiful. The revelations he uncovers to her about her family's past changes everything, and as her relationship and feelings for Zander deepen, so do the risks involved. She must now accept her fate and face the true reality of who and what she is. Even if that means giving up everything, including being human."
Angel discovers that she and her parents are not human, but are "Oleah", "creatures with a combination of human and lion features". Angel learns that she and her family were in grave danger on the planet "Uforika" and had to flee to Earth when Angel was just a toddler. The author does a good job in the introduction describing the details of the attack of Uforika from the evil "Land of Darkness". We are then transported to the future in the real world, where Angel is now sixteen and living the life of a normal teenager, in Ontario. For some reason, I felt that Angel had too young of a voice, as did her friend "Jewls", or Julie. I read many YA books, and I can always connect and identify with the characters, even those who are sixteen, or even younger. I take myself back to the time of the character and experience again those youthful times. I was not able to do that in this case. Even though Zander was described as devastatingly beautiful, I did not feel a great connection to him. Therefore, I did not feel a great chemistry between Angel and Zander, even in their romantic scenes. Because I was never involved with many of the characters, including Angel's parents, I could not fully become involved in the book. This may be a case where the "Oleah Chronicles: Truth" was just not for me. Usually I finish book one in a series, and count the days until the sequel is released, but I did not have such a feeling, this time...
September 24, 2015
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I thought the book was pretty good. I didn't love it or hate it.
The main character Angel is sent to Earth from Uforika (through a portal only a cherub can open) to live her life as a human and be safe. She is actually an Oleah, which is a man/lion person thing :)
So Angel goes to high school and has a blast not knowing anything about her real life. She has a best friend named Julie that she has known since kindergarten. They are typical teenage girls, at this point anyway.
Then we have Zander who is hot and new to the school, but Zander isn't all he seems to be either and he ends up telling Angel everything. Well, I guess someone should by now right?
But of course.... evilness catches up in the name of Sindrell and he puts a damper on everything. The end of the book ends on a cliff hanger with this evil person, so we shall see what's next!
*I would like to thank the author for a free print copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
I thought the book was pretty good. I didn't love it or hate it.
The main character Angel is sent to Earth from Uforika (through a portal only a cherub can open) to live her life as a human and be safe. She is actually an Oleah, which is a man/lion person thing :)
So Angel goes to high school and has a blast not knowing anything about her real life. She has a best friend named Julie that she has known since kindergarten. They are typical teenage girls, at this point anyway.
Then we have Zander who is hot and new to the school, but Zander isn't all he seems to be either and he ends up telling Angel everything. Well, I guess someone should by now right?
But of course.... evilness catches up in the name of Sindrell and he puts a damper on everything. The end of the book ends on a cliff hanger with this evil person, so we shall see what's next!
*I would like to thank the author for a free print copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
June 18, 2016
I won Oleah Chronicles: Truth from Michelle Johnson's book giveaway last year. Thank you, Mich!
This book has really promising concept! Oleah, half lion, half human. Interesting, right? Right. So I expected something new, and different.
Kindren is a planet where all beings of the darkness dwell. A planet which is ruled by Lucifer's sister, Sindrell. Later then, she became obsessed with power. She invaded the planets of the angels, until only one remained. The most protected, and cherished planet by God, Uforika. Ruled by a king, and a queen whose daughter was made out of pure love. And that child was born indestructible. Since Sindrell is on the hunt for the child. With no other choice, the king, queen, and the princess flew from their home.
Best friends Angel and Julie are too childish. They spent their time swooning over Zander, and discussing Angel's seventeenth birthday. Then there's Zander, the guy who's supposed to be hot and all. But I only find him conceited. He's one who's always grinning.
I'm supposed to find it adorable, bit it only made me sick thinking that two teenage girls, are being immature over a guy they just met.
In Oleah, readers were taken into new worlds. Yes, there are not just one. It's quite complex, yet it's truly fascinating, and intriguing since it holds a new and fresh one.
Oleah's plot is pretty cliché for a YA Fantasy, but its aspects are new and quite diverting to read. The book being fast paced, was fine because it's action-packed and books like this need not to have a pace like a snail.
The writing is really well. It's simple, yet catching. My problem is how the characters were portrayed. This book is supposed to be for Young Adults, but reading the book, and criticizing the characters, especially best friends Angel and Julie, they act and talk like middle graders. Their dialogues are a bit juvenile. Though not a huge dilemma, there's still a huge impact. Also, some details became a bit lengthy, and most paragraphs are extraneous.
The book became agreeable almost at 40 pages before the end of the first installment. Characters are starting to undergo development. Everything was ferocious. I was just sitting on my bed, aghast. It left me hanging, and waiting for the next book.
Oleah Chronicles: Truth, is still a well-founded introduction to the series. Enough to keep readers anticipated, because it really has potential and the notion held a lot of words.
This book has really promising concept! Oleah, half lion, half human. Interesting, right? Right. So I expected something new, and different.
Kindren is a planet where all beings of the darkness dwell. A planet which is ruled by Lucifer's sister, Sindrell. Later then, she became obsessed with power. She invaded the planets of the angels, until only one remained. The most protected, and cherished planet by God, Uforika. Ruled by a king, and a queen whose daughter was made out of pure love. And that child was born indestructible. Since Sindrell is on the hunt for the child. With no other choice, the king, queen, and the princess flew from their home.
Best friends Angel and Julie are too childish. They spent their time swooning over Zander, and discussing Angel's seventeenth birthday. Then there's Zander, the guy who's supposed to be hot and all. But I only find him conceited. He's one who's always grinning.
I'm supposed to find it adorable, bit it only made me sick thinking that two teenage girls, are being immature over a guy they just met.
In Oleah, readers were taken into new worlds. Yes, there are not just one. It's quite complex, yet it's truly fascinating, and intriguing since it holds a new and fresh one.
Oleah's plot is pretty cliché for a YA Fantasy, but its aspects are new and quite diverting to read. The book being fast paced, was fine because it's action-packed and books like this need not to have a pace like a snail.
The writing is really well. It's simple, yet catching. My problem is how the characters were portrayed. This book is supposed to be for Young Adults, but reading the book, and criticizing the characters, especially best friends Angel and Julie, they act and talk like middle graders. Their dialogues are a bit juvenile. Though not a huge dilemma, there's still a huge impact. Also, some details became a bit lengthy, and most paragraphs are extraneous.
The book became agreeable almost at 40 pages before the end of the first installment. Characters are starting to undergo development. Everything was ferocious. I was just sitting on my bed, aghast. It left me hanging, and waiting for the next book.
Oleah Chronicles: Truth, is still a well-founded introduction to the series. Enough to keep readers anticipated, because it really has potential and the notion held a lot of words.
September 16, 2015
'Listen closely for the night to speak, for you never know when your message will come.'
1.5 stars.
I was provided with a physical copy of Oleah Chronicles: Truth by the author. This will not effect my review whatsoever.
So the gist of this story is that Angel Seriki is not normal. (Are they ever?) She is a sixteen year old Oleah, which I gather is something like a centaur, but half lion and half human. Now, I thought this idea was very interesting. Especially since I have never read anything like it before. I felt that it was a bold new take on the paranormal/fantasy in YA fiction.
I was hoping that this story would be like a hidden gem, and in a small way it was. Though I didn't even come close to identifying or relating to any of the characters, I did like Zander. I kind of wanted more of him...and less of Julie and Angel.
"How can you not want the main character and her side-kick?" Easy. Because they were the most annoying characters I've read about in a while. Reason being is because:
One
-You cannot tell me that Julie was not trying to go after Zander in her own way. You just can't. She had such a big mouth, and never knew when to shut up. Girl, you have a filter, use it.
Two
-Angel was very aloof and somewhat air-headed, not to mention naive. Which, now that I think about it, How is she even going to handle what's coming? How can anyone expect that level of responsibility from her?
"I felt so conflicted. I was deeply attracted to him and part of me didn't care what he'd done in the past, he wasn't the same now."
But. How. Do. You. Know? I mean, I get that that's all apart of his cliche "mysterious bad boy" vibe, but when he's given more reasons not to trust him, than reasons to trust him....what would you do?
Three
-I like a main character that's a strong lead throughout. All Angel did was question and doubt herself to the point where I had no choice but to do the same. She found more logic in hiding things from her very accepting and loving parents. These things could have been confronted at the beginning, more than likely making the story more entertaining.
Another thing I feel like I should say is that, teenagers do not talk this way. All of the "So passed that test!", "Totally!", and "O-M-G, you guys!". It's just not a thing.
The cliches didn't much bother me because I was so caught up in the aspect of vampires and lions ! I mean, who comes up with that idea? I thought it was amazing.
But Oleah Chronicles: Truth started to sound so much like something I've already read or watched on TV.
The new guy at school is just drop dead gorgeous, not to mention mysterious. You look around your shoulder and there he is! You look away. Look back. And he's gone! You go to your class and see him sitting at a table next to the only available empty chair! Your partner for the class project is no one else but the person seated next to you! He knows you better than you know yourself. Better than the reader even knows you!
But all in all, the relationship between Zander and Angel lacked chemistry. They had no real reason to be together at all. If the book would have been more like how it was towards the end throughout, I would have been a little more invested.
The story had multiple directions that it was going in and it just needed a better execution, that's all. This book just wasn't for me, but I think that it will appeal to many others out there!
1.5 stars.
I was provided with a physical copy of Oleah Chronicles: Truth by the author. This will not effect my review whatsoever.
So the gist of this story is that Angel Seriki is not normal. (Are they ever?) She is a sixteen year old Oleah, which I gather is something like a centaur, but half lion and half human. Now, I thought this idea was very interesting. Especially since I have never read anything like it before. I felt that it was a bold new take on the paranormal/fantasy in YA fiction.
I was hoping that this story would be like a hidden gem, and in a small way it was. Though I didn't even come close to identifying or relating to any of the characters, I did like Zander. I kind of wanted more of him...and less of Julie and Angel.
"How can you not want the main character and her side-kick?" Easy. Because they were the most annoying characters I've read about in a while. Reason being is because:
One
-You cannot tell me that Julie was not trying to go after Zander in her own way. You just can't. She had such a big mouth, and never knew when to shut up. Girl, you have a filter, use it.
Two
-Angel was very aloof and somewhat air-headed, not to mention naive. Which, now that I think about it, How is she even going to handle what's coming? How can anyone expect that level of responsibility from her?
"I felt so conflicted. I was deeply attracted to him and part of me didn't care what he'd done in the past, he wasn't the same now."
But. How. Do. You. Know? I mean, I get that that's all apart of his cliche "mysterious bad boy" vibe, but when he's given more reasons not to trust him, than reasons to trust him....what would you do?
Three
-I like a main character that's a strong lead throughout. All Angel did was question and doubt herself to the point where I had no choice but to do the same. She found more logic in hiding things from her very accepting and loving parents. These things could have been confronted at the beginning, more than likely making the story more entertaining.
Another thing I feel like I should say is that, teenagers do not talk this way. All of the "So passed that test!", "Totally!", and "O-M-G, you guys!". It's just not a thing.
The cliches didn't much bother me because I was so caught up in the aspect of vampires and lions ! I mean, who comes up with that idea? I thought it was amazing.
But Oleah Chronicles: Truth started to sound so much like something I've already read or watched on TV.
The new guy at school is just drop dead gorgeous, not to mention mysterious. You look around your shoulder and there he is! You look away. Look back. And he's gone! You go to your class and see him sitting at a table next to the only available empty chair! Your partner for the class project is no one else but the person seated next to you! He knows you better than you know yourself. Better than the reader even knows you!
But all in all, the relationship between Zander and Angel lacked chemistry. They had no real reason to be together at all. If the book would have been more like how it was towards the end throughout, I would have been a little more invested.
The story had multiple directions that it was going in and it just needed a better execution, that's all. This book just wasn't for me, but I think that it will appeal to many others out there!
September 5, 2015
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
I really liked the whole premise of this story and that this book was a bit different. The 'oleah' concept was interesting and it wasn't something I had read about before. It isn't like the typical creatures you read about in paranormal books which made it a refreshing read.
The book was well written, easy to read and the writing flowed well. The characters were easy to like and it was overall a very enjoyable book to read.
This was a great first novel by this author and to this new series. I am interested to know what happens next.
I really liked the whole premise of this story and that this book was a bit different. The 'oleah' concept was interesting and it wasn't something I had read about before. It isn't like the typical creatures you read about in paranormal books which made it a refreshing read.
The book was well written, easy to read and the writing flowed well. The characters were easy to like and it was overall a very enjoyable book to read.
This was a great first novel by this author and to this new series. I am interested to know what happens next.
October 22, 2015
Everyone's aware of Superman's origin, right? Well, the premise of Oleah Chronicles is somewhat similar to Kal El's. Angel, the daughter princess of the Tribal Queen of Oleah, was sent to Earth to protect her from the evil fallen angel Sindrell. Coral, the cherub from Urofika, was the one who opened the portal to planet Earth and would stay close until Angel fulfiled her destiny. (So far, that's where the similarity ends).
Angel didn't know anything else about her true identity, so she grew up to be as human as possible. She had a bestfriend named Julie who meant the world to her. She was living a normal life, until she felt chills ran down to her bones the moment she met the hot guy but cold-blooded transfer student, Zander. Suddenly, she could feel him whenever he was near. Suddenly, she had this feelings she couldn't describe. Suddenly, she heard voices in the middle of the night and caught her parents talking to the bright full moon. Suddenly she became aware of the shadows that prowled in the dark.
It was only a matter of time before Angel finally learned the truth about her. About her claws. About the chills. About her gold and hazel eyes. About her dreams at night. Zander was a big part of the revelation, but could she trust him after she learned about his cruelty and allegiance to Sindrell? After he admitted that he was originally sent to kill her?
I just had a grand time reading the Truth and it was awesome!
Oleah Chronicles is a whole new frontier for me. While I have read a lot of books featuring shapeshifters (wolves/werewolves, bears and cougars) this is the first time I read about mountain lions shifting and coming from another galaxy. And vampires from another planet. Quite intriguing, huh?
I liked how the story unfolded right before my eyes. The world building was consistent and imaginative. I thought I would get bored to death because of the wordy descriptions and history of the Kindren and Oleah and fallen angels, but surprisingly, I was hooked and drawn to their world. I thought I had this out-of-my-body experience and had traveled beyond galaxies just to be able to have a feel to be an Oleah.
Michelle Johnson had created a unique world that felt like home and I'm loving it. This is her debut novel and I must say, she rocks her first time! Now I have this longing as I await for the release of the next book in the series!
NOTE: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Angel didn't know anything else about her true identity, so she grew up to be as human as possible. She had a bestfriend named Julie who meant the world to her. She was living a normal life, until she felt chills ran down to her bones the moment she met the hot guy but cold-blooded transfer student, Zander. Suddenly, she could feel him whenever he was near. Suddenly, she had this feelings she couldn't describe. Suddenly, she heard voices in the middle of the night and caught her parents talking to the bright full moon. Suddenly she became aware of the shadows that prowled in the dark.
It was only a matter of time before Angel finally learned the truth about her. About her claws. About the chills. About her gold and hazel eyes. About her dreams at night. Zander was a big part of the revelation, but could she trust him after she learned about his cruelty and allegiance to Sindrell? After he admitted that he was originally sent to kill her?
I just had a grand time reading the Truth and it was awesome!
Oleah Chronicles is a whole new frontier for me. While I have read a lot of books featuring shapeshifters (wolves/werewolves, bears and cougars) this is the first time I read about mountain lions shifting and coming from another galaxy. And vampires from another planet. Quite intriguing, huh?
I liked how the story unfolded right before my eyes. The world building was consistent and imaginative. I thought I would get bored to death because of the wordy descriptions and history of the Kindren and Oleah and fallen angels, but surprisingly, I was hooked and drawn to their world. I thought I had this out-of-my-body experience and had traveled beyond galaxies just to be able to have a feel to be an Oleah.
Michelle Johnson had created a unique world that felt like home and I'm loving it. This is her debut novel and I must say, she rocks her first time! Now I have this longing as I await for the release of the next book in the series!
NOTE: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2016
*I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review. This has not influenced my rating in any way. *
Hm. This was certainly interesting.
So, I went into this expecting something new, something different. And I must say, in that sense, this book didn't disappoint.
So what's it talking about? It's about Angel, a teen living a normally in contemporary Toronto, oblivious to the fact that she is an Oleah, which is basically a human/lion hybrid.
Okay, so I found that idea completely refreshing from the usual supernatural creatures (vampires, werewolves, etc.) It was..creative, and that was what pulled me in in the first place. I did think Johnson explored its full potential, since I didn't have any questions regarding Oleahs themselves, and I felt overall satisfied with their descriptions.
The pacing was excellent. It didn't drag, and everything flowed smoothly enough to fully engage the reader with the plot and its characters.
The mythology integrated within this book was very unique as well. Michelle Johnson took well-known stories and twisted them this way and that, and the result was amazing. (Think The Da Vinci Code) It was new, it was interesting.
But. Here's where this lost a star from me (and the reason is not uncommon; I often find this in books): The main character, Angel, was simply not interesting enough or reliable enough to see the book from her perspective. Often I found her simply irritating, and the characters around her were more far more interesting.
Like who? Well, like Zander. He was the most fleshed-out character, with his backstory adding another layer to his personality. I found myself wishing that he was the main character, or at least I would like a novella about his past, since he was a definitely unique.
The second lost star is for the writing, which felt inconsistent at times and made it a bit difficult to keep up with, particularly in the action scenes.
But overall? I liked this very much. It was refreshing and captivating, with a fast-paced plot, interesting creatures, and awesome side characters.
This review also appears on my blog, JustAddAWord.com
Hm. This was certainly interesting.
So, I went into this expecting something new, something different. And I must say, in that sense, this book didn't disappoint.
So what's it talking about? It's about Angel, a teen living a normally in contemporary Toronto, oblivious to the fact that she is an Oleah, which is basically a human/lion hybrid.
Okay, so I found that idea completely refreshing from the usual supernatural creatures (vampires, werewolves, etc.) It was..creative, and that was what pulled me in in the first place. I did think Johnson explored its full potential, since I didn't have any questions regarding Oleahs themselves, and I felt overall satisfied with their descriptions.
The pacing was excellent. It didn't drag, and everything flowed smoothly enough to fully engage the reader with the plot and its characters.
The mythology integrated within this book was very unique as well. Michelle Johnson took well-known stories and twisted them this way and that, and the result was amazing. (Think The Da Vinci Code) It was new, it was interesting.
But. Here's where this lost a star from me (and the reason is not uncommon; I often find this in books): The main character, Angel, was simply not interesting enough or reliable enough to see the book from her perspective. Often I found her simply irritating, and the characters around her were more far more interesting.
Like who? Well, like Zander. He was the most fleshed-out character, with his backstory adding another layer to his personality. I found myself wishing that he was the main character, or at least I would like a novella about his past, since he was a definitely unique.
The second lost star is for the writing, which felt inconsistent at times and made it a bit difficult to keep up with, particularly in the action scenes.
But overall? I liked this very much. It was refreshing and captivating, with a fast-paced plot, interesting creatures, and awesome side characters.
This review also appears on my blog, JustAddAWord.com
July 15, 2015
*I received this book in exchange for a honest review*
Angel is just your normal average sixteen year old girl... or so she thought. Angel goes to school everyday, her parents pressure her to get good grades. Her parents even tell her not to date, just like a normal family. But when Zander shows up, normal goes out the window. Angel's life is not what she thought. She's a princess from another galaxy, blessed by God. Zander is a vampire who was sent to kill her, well to take her to the woman who would kill her, Satan's sister.
This world that Michelle Johnson has created is so vast, so amazing. The Oleah are so cool! Zander is freaking hot. I love that Angel is real, she and best friend have a fight, she gets embarrassed by her parents, she's a real teenager! She's also very strong. A girl could really look up to Angel.
The author's writing is witty, easy to understand, and again, I love how she made Angel actually feel like a real teenager, with first love and being nervous around Zander, I honestly can say that I enjoyed this book so much, it was a wonderful and powerful story of love.
Angel is just your normal average sixteen year old girl... or so she thought. Angel goes to school everyday, her parents pressure her to get good grades. Her parents even tell her not to date, just like a normal family. But when Zander shows up, normal goes out the window. Angel's life is not what she thought. She's a princess from another galaxy, blessed by God. Zander is a vampire who was sent to kill her, well to take her to the woman who would kill her, Satan's sister.
This world that Michelle Johnson has created is so vast, so amazing. The Oleah are so cool! Zander is freaking hot. I love that Angel is real, she and best friend have a fight, she gets embarrassed by her parents, she's a real teenager! She's also very strong. A girl could really look up to Angel.
The author's writing is witty, easy to understand, and again, I love how she made Angel actually feel like a real teenager, with first love and being nervous around Zander, I honestly can say that I enjoyed this book so much, it was a wonderful and powerful story of love.
January 16, 2016
There’s a specific place each group originated in. Angel was the main character, and she is just finding out her true origins. She’s a gorgeous high school girl, who has a crush on a handsome boy from school who turns out to be an enemy of her people, the Oleah. She doesn’t know what to do, because she’s never heard about “her people” at all. Her parents took their whole family to Earth in order to be safe from everything happening on their planet. The family decided to live on Earth and continue on in their human forms for as long as they could be kept a secret...
Read more here!
https://pointextaken.wordpress.com/20...
Aubrey Joy
Read more here!
https://pointextaken.wordpress.com/20...
Aubrey Joy
November 6, 2015
Book: Oleah Chronicles: Truth
Author: Michelle Johnson
Finished Reading: November 5, 2015 (Thursday)
This book was quite extraordinary. :)
FULL REVIEW SOON.
Author: Michelle Johnson
Finished Reading: November 5, 2015 (Thursday)
This book was quite extraordinary. :)
FULL REVIEW SOON.
October 22, 2015
Original Review posted at http://sandrathebookworm.blogspot.com...
The author was kind enough to send me a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was very interesting and different I really enjoyed the concept and all the different creatures that Michelle brought together in this book. Angel is a normal 16 year old until she begins to have nightmares and visions. When the new boy Zander starts to take an interest in her she can feel this strange pull towards him, Zander reveals that she and her family come from another Galaxy from a race called Oleah (who are like centaurs except with the body of a lion). I don't want to give too much away so I will leave it at that.
Like I said at the beginning this book is very interesting I really enjoyed the different concept, I have never read anything like it before; with that said I did have some minor problems with it. First I felt that Angel gave her trust to Zander a little too quickly I would have made him work for it, I mean he had done horrible things to her family and all she had to hear to trust him was I'm not like that anymore, second Julie, Angels best friend was very irritating at points I mean I get it you want your friend to be with Zander, but at some points I felt like she was the one interested in hooking up with him. There were also some things that kept me turning the pages like the fact that there are vampires, angels, Satans sister and Demons that just intrigued me so much! Also towards the end the book starts getting a lot more action and we start to see more of the Oleahs; which I’m really looking forward to. I am going to continue with the series, I really want to know more about Zander and Angel; I’m also very intrigued to see where the story goes.
-SandraTheBookWorm
The author was kind enough to send me a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was very interesting and different I really enjoyed the concept and all the different creatures that Michelle brought together in this book. Angel is a normal 16 year old until she begins to have nightmares and visions. When the new boy Zander starts to take an interest in her she can feel this strange pull towards him, Zander reveals that she and her family come from another Galaxy from a race called Oleah (who are like centaurs except with the body of a lion). I don't want to give too much away so I will leave it at that.
Like I said at the beginning this book is very interesting I really enjoyed the different concept, I have never read anything like it before; with that said I did have some minor problems with it. First I felt that Angel gave her trust to Zander a little too quickly I would have made him work for it, I mean he had done horrible things to her family and all she had to hear to trust him was I'm not like that anymore, second Julie, Angels best friend was very irritating at points I mean I get it you want your friend to be with Zander, but at some points I felt like she was the one interested in hooking up with him. There were also some things that kept me turning the pages like the fact that there are vampires, angels, Satans sister and Demons that just intrigued me so much! Also towards the end the book starts getting a lot more action and we start to see more of the Oleahs; which I’m really looking forward to. I am going to continue with the series, I really want to know more about Zander and Angel; I’m also very intrigued to see where the story goes.
-SandraTheBookWorm
July 26, 2015
The Oleah Chronicles: Truth is a young adult paranormal romance novel that will appeal to a wide variety of readers. It’s a phenomenal introduction to the series. I absolutely loved the beginning that brought the readers into the center of a conflict that resulted in Angel’s family fleeing their planet. The urgency of their flight from their home had me hooked early on as I anticipated the events that would follow. Read More
I received a copy of Oleah Chronicles: Truth from the Author in exchange for an honest Review.
I received a copy of Oleah Chronicles: Truth from the Author in exchange for an honest Review.
November 6, 2015
This was written so well I cannot believe it is a debut novel. The author did a flawless job of creating characters that just blow you away and the story was so beautifully crafted. Most YA fiction books it takes me a few days to get through, as I usually lose interest in them, but this one kept my interest right to the last page.
August 17, 2015
A fantastic debut novel! I read this all in two sittings!
Angel is your normal girl, trying to survive the world known as high school. But upon meeting Zander, everything starts to change for her. Her parents suddenly turn fearful, keeping things from her, and Angel becomes hard-pressed to find out what's going on. What she discovers is nothing like she imagined. A destiny literally out of this world, with powers unheard of, all combine into the frightening concept known as the truth.
I really liked Angel. She's an introvert, which is to say mostly quiet and shy, and dislikes attention. She avoids loud parties and big crowds, and has all the love she needs between her best friend Julie and her amazing parents. However, when push comes to shove, Angel isn't afraid to take charge and act. She firmly believes in her own heart and the goodness of others, and is simply pure both heart and soul. She's a very realistic character, which I absolutely loved, and it was so easy to imagine her as any normal girl living somewhere in my neighbourhood.
Julie, Angel's best friend, was awesome. She offset Angel's character perfectly. Loud, energetic, and extremely happy for Angel's sake, she was all over Angel when it came to Zander. Julie was absolutely loyal to Angel, and never missed an opportunity to be excited for Angel for anything. Yes, she tried to get Angel out of her comfort zone, but if things ever went south, she pulled back right away. She's the kind of girl you'd want as your best friend, the kind who loves you so much that she can't stay angry at you for very long. Julie and Angel share a close friendship, and I loved every moment of it, smiling the entire time.
Zander. Oh, Zander. Needless to say, he is awesome and sweet and super cute with Angel (I mean, he insists on calling her "Princess," which is adorable). Zander is a generally good guy, yet haunted with a past he can't wipe away. Originally sent to Earth by the sorceress Sindrell to track and kill Angel, things didn't go as planned as his time on Earth and time spent near Angel made him realize everything he believed was wrong. He instantly became Angel's guide to her true heritage, and offered her the answers no one else was giving her. What I loved was that Zander was the fact that Zander was facing his own set of problems. Apart from trying to defy Sindrell, he also harboured intense shame and guilt of having tried to kill Angel before on her home planet. Because of that, he knew with certainty that Angel's parents would kill him the moment they laid eyes on him, remembering him as the killer he once was. Zander struggles to work things out with Angel, to make her and eventually her parents believe that he isn't the same person he was before.
I absolutely loved Angel's parents. They were awesome! In many YA books, the parents of main characters usually are not present, or even their real parents. This was not the case, and I was glad! Angel's parents were fantastic and fun, and very present. Yes, they were a little overprotective, but they cared so much about Angel and were very involved with her life, just like normal parents are. Everything they do is with Angel's best at heart. In return, Angel loves her parents very much, and it pains her a lot to see them hiding something from her. What I particularly liked with Angel and her parents' relationship was Angel's concern for her parents. She knew that her parents were hiding something from her, but it wasn't curiosity that drove her try to discover their secret; it was her general concern for them, her fear that something bad was happening to her parents, and if that was the case, she wanted to help them. You can't help someone if you don't know what the issue is, after all!
The concept of an Oleah was new to me, but I enjoyed it. It was new, and though at first was a little hard to imagine, it was refreshing to read about. The details weren't overwhelming, and it was easy to fall in love with the Oleahs, their cultures and their traditions. I'm really looking forward to learning more about them!
The ending. Oh god, the ending! Angel was beyond awesome, and her parents' reactions in an attempt to protect her were super cute. And ZANDER. My heart stopped when...well, if you've read the book, you know what I'm talking about. The ending introduced a new set of elements and characters, taking the book to new heights, with promise to continue to develop characters and places new and old in the next book. But still...that ENDING! What on earth is Angel going to do??? Argh, I'm dying to know what happens!!!
All in all, this was a great read. The writing flowed easily, the characters realistic, the pacing perfect, and the setting in a place I'm familiar with. (Toronto! A novel with reference to Ontario, yay! :D) The narrative was witty, which kept me unable to put it down, and the world is thoughtfully both creative and original. The only complaint I have is that it was too short, as I was devastated when I realized I only had five pages left. I really hope the next one comes out soon!
Original post at Books, Stars, Writing. And Everything In Between.
Angel is your normal girl, trying to survive the world known as high school. But upon meeting Zander, everything starts to change for her. Her parents suddenly turn fearful, keeping things from her, and Angel becomes hard-pressed to find out what's going on. What she discovers is nothing like she imagined. A destiny literally out of this world, with powers unheard of, all combine into the frightening concept known as the truth.
I really liked Angel. She's an introvert, which is to say mostly quiet and shy, and dislikes attention. She avoids loud parties and big crowds, and has all the love she needs between her best friend Julie and her amazing parents. However, when push comes to shove, Angel isn't afraid to take charge and act. She firmly believes in her own heart and the goodness of others, and is simply pure both heart and soul. She's a very realistic character, which I absolutely loved, and it was so easy to imagine her as any normal girl living somewhere in my neighbourhood.
Julie, Angel's best friend, was awesome. She offset Angel's character perfectly. Loud, energetic, and extremely happy for Angel's sake, she was all over Angel when it came to Zander. Julie was absolutely loyal to Angel, and never missed an opportunity to be excited for Angel for anything. Yes, she tried to get Angel out of her comfort zone, but if things ever went south, she pulled back right away. She's the kind of girl you'd want as your best friend, the kind who loves you so much that she can't stay angry at you for very long. Julie and Angel share a close friendship, and I loved every moment of it, smiling the entire time.
Zander. Oh, Zander. Needless to say, he is awesome and sweet and super cute with Angel (I mean, he insists on calling her "Princess," which is adorable). Zander is a generally good guy, yet haunted with a past he can't wipe away. Originally sent to Earth by the sorceress Sindrell to track and kill Angel, things didn't go as planned as his time on Earth and time spent near Angel made him realize everything he believed was wrong. He instantly became Angel's guide to her true heritage, and offered her the answers no one else was giving her. What I loved was that Zander was the fact that Zander was facing his own set of problems. Apart from trying to defy Sindrell, he also harboured intense shame and guilt of having tried to kill Angel before on her home planet. Because of that, he knew with certainty that Angel's parents would kill him the moment they laid eyes on him, remembering him as the killer he once was. Zander struggles to work things out with Angel, to make her and eventually her parents believe that he isn't the same person he was before.
I absolutely loved Angel's parents. They were awesome! In many YA books, the parents of main characters usually are not present, or even their real parents. This was not the case, and I was glad! Angel's parents were fantastic and fun, and very present. Yes, they were a little overprotective, but they cared so much about Angel and were very involved with her life, just like normal parents are. Everything they do is with Angel's best at heart. In return, Angel loves her parents very much, and it pains her a lot to see them hiding something from her. What I particularly liked with Angel and her parents' relationship was Angel's concern for her parents. She knew that her parents were hiding something from her, but it wasn't curiosity that drove her try to discover their secret; it was her general concern for them, her fear that something bad was happening to her parents, and if that was the case, she wanted to help them. You can't help someone if you don't know what the issue is, after all!
The concept of an Oleah was new to me, but I enjoyed it. It was new, and though at first was a little hard to imagine, it was refreshing to read about. The details weren't overwhelming, and it was easy to fall in love with the Oleahs, their cultures and their traditions. I'm really looking forward to learning more about them!
The ending. Oh god, the ending! Angel was beyond awesome, and her parents' reactions in an attempt to protect her were super cute. And ZANDER. My heart stopped when...well, if you've read the book, you know what I'm talking about. The ending introduced a new set of elements and characters, taking the book to new heights, with promise to continue to develop characters and places new and old in the next book. But still...that ENDING! What on earth is Angel going to do??? Argh, I'm dying to know what happens!!!
All in all, this was a great read. The writing flowed easily, the characters realistic, the pacing perfect, and the setting in a place I'm familiar with. (Toronto! A novel with reference to Ontario, yay! :D) The narrative was witty, which kept me unable to put it down, and the world is thoughtfully both creative and original. The only complaint I have is that it was too short, as I was devastated when I realized I only had five pages left. I really hope the next one comes out soon!
Original post at Books, Stars, Writing. And Everything In Between.
May 11, 2019
Truth⭐⭐⭐1/2 (Everyone needs a Julie)
Read full review at: https://grimmsnaughtblog.home.blog/
Story:
Follows some the classical features common in YA books with supernatural creatures, and shows that they still work. But I did notice my age here, because I got more of a sense of nostalgia reading it than any other emotion. Nothing really surprised or chocked me, but I still enjoyed the ride.
What I did enjoy most was the friendship and family relationships between the characters and how much space they took up compared to the romance. A great balance between the two if you ask me.
World:
Except for our world, we have different planets and dimensions ruled by creatures that are predisposed to be good or bad depending on their creator. Some of these worlds are at war with each other because of jealousy between the creators, and our main character Angel is moved to earth to be hidden here because her kinds powers becomes dormant in this atmosphere.
I can’t write much more about this without giving away huge spoilers. But it’s a new take on a mythology and I really enjoyed it.
Conclusion:
This book was sadly not really for me. I can see my teenage self absolutely loving this book, but my adult self does not swoon that much over it. Everything is morally just a bit too neat and black and white for my taste. With that said, will I recommend this book to other readers? Hell yes! The story and mythology are interesting, the writing good and the characters are well developed. This was a really good debut and I want to know what happens in the next book.
3,5 stars, but for the teenage me this could have easily been a 4+ star book.
Read full review at: https://grimmsnaughtblog.home.blog/
Story:
Follows some the classical features common in YA books with supernatural creatures, and shows that they still work. But I did notice my age here, because I got more of a sense of nostalgia reading it than any other emotion. Nothing really surprised or chocked me, but I still enjoyed the ride.
What I did enjoy most was the friendship and family relationships between the characters and how much space they took up compared to the romance. A great balance between the two if you ask me.
World:
Except for our world, we have different planets and dimensions ruled by creatures that are predisposed to be good or bad depending on their creator. Some of these worlds are at war with each other because of jealousy between the creators, and our main character Angel is moved to earth to be hidden here because her kinds powers becomes dormant in this atmosphere.
I can’t write much more about this without giving away huge spoilers. But it’s a new take on a mythology and I really enjoyed it.
Conclusion:
This book was sadly not really for me. I can see my teenage self absolutely loving this book, but my adult self does not swoon that much over it. Everything is morally just a bit too neat and black and white for my taste. With that said, will I recommend this book to other readers? Hell yes! The story and mythology are interesting, the writing good and the characters are well developed. This was a really good debut and I want to know what happens in the next book.
3,5 stars, but for the teenage me this could have easily been a 4+ star book.
August 16, 2016
The debut novel in the Oleah Chronicles has a basic premise with added unique flair, and it mixes into something I feel like I've seen dozens of times before but the flavor is just different enough to make it its own.
I liked the idea of the main character, Angel, but I had a hard time connecting with her at different points in the novel. She was such a hot-and-cold type for me--sometimes I thought she fit, and other times I just didn't jive with her at all. Same with her pal Julie, and although I did love their adorable relationship, I felt it added more to Julie as a character than Angel. Maybe I had such mixed feelings because of the instalove.
Yep. The dreaded instalove.
I liked Zander. He was cool, and a vampire, and had that whole bad backstory that he was claiming to run away from. I'm all about that. The thing is...why does he care about Angel so much? So fast? I can see why he'd feel guilty and try to protect her--yes, that makes sense--but I don't understand why it went from guilt to crush to "I'd defy the cosmos for you" in just a few pages. I wish the relationship had slowed down and been given time to build, because otherwise it just comes off a little creepy, especially since there was no soulmate aspect. And plus Angel finds out the dude is a vampire who tried to hunt down her whole family for years, and she just throws it out the window. Come on, girl, you're smarter than that. Go for the forbidden attraction but maybe think through it just a little more. I wanted more conflict that way, I think--more "prove to me you're a good guy now." I'm hopeful for more exploration of their relationship in book two.
Now Angel's parents are the ones that really stole the show. I loved them. Too often in YA the parents are left out of the picture, but not these royals. They were the most layered and detailed characters in the novel, I thought, and added such an elegant and real dynamic. They weren't just cardboard stand-ins for the overprotective stereotype either. They stood on their own and I loved them for that. I hope they're in the next book equally as much, if not more.
For me, the place the Oleah Chronicles really shines is in its mythology. It feels totally new and different than anything else I've read. Like I said, the plot itself is a standard origin story, but the origins are refreshing and bold. The idea of the Oleahs was pretty cool, and I thought it was super interesting how it was tied to religious aspects, such as God creating these half lion people to defeat Sindrell, one of Satan's fallen angels. That's new. Points to Michelle Johnson for coming up with something all its own, because when it comes to mythology, I feel as though ideas are reused over and over.
The plot built up to the inevitable showdown with evil herself--Sindrell--in an awesome battle. She's a great bad guy. I think she'll bring a lot to the table in the upcoming books. And it brought one of my favorite scenes: when Zander helps Angel calm her powers down. I don't know why, exactly, but I LOVED that moment. Ah. And of course, there's the dun dun dun cliffhanger that leaves everything wide open for book two. I'll be interested to see where it takes everyone.
Rated 3.8/5 for an interesting new mythology and awesome parents that kick royal butt
I liked the idea of the main character, Angel, but I had a hard time connecting with her at different points in the novel. She was such a hot-and-cold type for me--sometimes I thought she fit, and other times I just didn't jive with her at all. Same with her pal Julie, and although I did love their adorable relationship, I felt it added more to Julie as a character than Angel. Maybe I had such mixed feelings because of the instalove.
Yep. The dreaded instalove.
I liked Zander. He was cool, and a vampire, and had that whole bad backstory that he was claiming to run away from. I'm all about that. The thing is...why does he care about Angel so much? So fast? I can see why he'd feel guilty and try to protect her--yes, that makes sense--but I don't understand why it went from guilt to crush to "I'd defy the cosmos for you" in just a few pages. I wish the relationship had slowed down and been given time to build, because otherwise it just comes off a little creepy, especially since there was no soulmate aspect. And plus Angel finds out the dude is a vampire who tried to hunt down her whole family for years, and she just throws it out the window. Come on, girl, you're smarter than that. Go for the forbidden attraction but maybe think through it just a little more. I wanted more conflict that way, I think--more "prove to me you're a good guy now." I'm hopeful for more exploration of their relationship in book two.
Now Angel's parents are the ones that really stole the show. I loved them. Too often in YA the parents are left out of the picture, but not these royals. They were the most layered and detailed characters in the novel, I thought, and added such an elegant and real dynamic. They weren't just cardboard stand-ins for the overprotective stereotype either. They stood on their own and I loved them for that. I hope they're in the next book equally as much, if not more.
For me, the place the Oleah Chronicles really shines is in its mythology. It feels totally new and different than anything else I've read. Like I said, the plot itself is a standard origin story, but the origins are refreshing and bold. The idea of the Oleahs was pretty cool, and I thought it was super interesting how it was tied to religious aspects, such as God creating these half lion people to defeat Sindrell, one of Satan's fallen angels. That's new. Points to Michelle Johnson for coming up with something all its own, because when it comes to mythology, I feel as though ideas are reused over and over.
The plot built up to the inevitable showdown with evil herself--Sindrell--in an awesome battle. She's a great bad guy. I think she'll bring a lot to the table in the upcoming books. And it brought one of my favorite scenes: when Zander helps Angel calm her powers down. I don't know why, exactly, but I LOVED that moment. Ah. And of course, there's the dun dun dun cliffhanger that leaves everything wide open for book two. I'll be interested to see where it takes everyone.
Rated 3.8/5 for an interesting new mythology and awesome parents that kick royal butt
September 16, 2016
This is not a book that I would have chosen myself, but because I currently have restricted access to broadband I asked Whispering Stories to send something at random and Truth was one of the books that I received.
Out of choice, I do not read Paranormal, Romance or Teenage books so why was I captured by this book that has all those elements and was told in the first person by a sixteen year old schoolgirl? The answer is simple. The story zipped along, it was very easy to read and it was well written. Because of the Intro chapter, we had the advantage of knowing more than the narrator so to some extent we knew where the base story and the romance were heading but there was still a lot of entertainment along the way.
The book is published by Oleah Publishing which suggests that it is self-published. If so, then Michelle and her proof readers are to be congratulated because there are hardly any grammatical or typographical errors. The only exception appeared to be the use of an apostrophe every time the plural of Oleah was used, but maybe in Oleahan written language it is correct!
The book is the first in a series and I can see that a second book Oleah Chronicles: Justice has already been published. At the end of Truth the story is still very much open and while it ends at a pivotal moment in Angel’s life there are many threads still hanging, some of which are added to in the preview chapter for Oleah Chronicles: Justice which was at the end of my copy of Truth.
Because I have read so little in this genre, it is difficult for me to compare it to its competition in the current market place, but although I do not fit the target audience, I enjoyed it and I cannot see why a younger audience should not give it a try. After all, Amazon will put it on your Kindle for just 99p and it will take just a few hours to read.
I have awarded the book four stars.
Reviewed by Clive at www.whisperingstories.com
Out of choice, I do not read Paranormal, Romance or Teenage books so why was I captured by this book that has all those elements and was told in the first person by a sixteen year old schoolgirl? The answer is simple. The story zipped along, it was very easy to read and it was well written. Because of the Intro chapter, we had the advantage of knowing more than the narrator so to some extent we knew where the base story and the romance were heading but there was still a lot of entertainment along the way.
The book is published by Oleah Publishing which suggests that it is self-published. If so, then Michelle and her proof readers are to be congratulated because there are hardly any grammatical or typographical errors. The only exception appeared to be the use of an apostrophe every time the plural of Oleah was used, but maybe in Oleahan written language it is correct!
The book is the first in a series and I can see that a second book Oleah Chronicles: Justice has already been published. At the end of Truth the story is still very much open and while it ends at a pivotal moment in Angel’s life there are many threads still hanging, some of which are added to in the preview chapter for Oleah Chronicles: Justice which was at the end of my copy of Truth.
Because I have read so little in this genre, it is difficult for me to compare it to its competition in the current market place, but although I do not fit the target audience, I enjoyed it and I cannot see why a younger audience should not give it a try. After all, Amazon will put it on your Kindle for just 99p and it will take just a few hours to read.
I have awarded the book four stars.
Reviewed by Clive at www.whisperingstories.com
February 23, 2017
Check out the full review here! https://goo.gl/Em9A7Y
(I was sent this to review from the author; it has not affected my rating in any way.)
This was a pleasant surprise! I wasn't sure what I'd think about this for two reasons... 1) It's self-published which normally means it's dodgy erotica or really crap (it was neither of these thankfully) and 2) there wasn't many other reviews out there when I started reading this, so I was going in blind... But I'm so glad I took the risk!
Angel, the protagonist, was a really likeable and cutesy character that shows what it's like being a teen, other than the fact she's not a human, obviously. The only fault I have with Angel is her choice of crew. Zander is a tool and she deserves better. That's all I'm going to say about that. But don't get me started on Julie... She's the perfect stereotype and the perfect nightmare. The teens in this book are 17 and I'm only a year younger so I can guarantee that teens do not act like Julie does. If my best friend started having a full blown mental breakdown, started feeling sick at all times, and generally started acting like she just found out she wasn't human, I'd notice. However, Julie doesn't have a clue. She doesn't see what's happening a cm in front of her nose and it started to get so annoying. They're supposed to be best friends! I don't know how friendships work in this fictional America but in real life Britain they are not like this. That is another thing I can guarantee.
The style of writing is a little different too... Not bad, just different, and it definitely takes some getting used to. It's written in really simplistic language, which I warmed up to, weirdly. It reminds me a lot of the sort of language in a middle-grade book, with the occasional out-of-place word. But I figured this was a good choice on Johnson's part, because if you're going to have a really ambitious storyline, it's easy to overwhelm if it's paired with complex language. So having simpler language puts more emphasis on the story, which was a clever thing on Johnson's part. But I'd rank it more a middle-grade book than a young-adult book. But maybe that's just me!
Anyway! To conclude, I did really enjoy 'Truth'! Angel is a great protagonist and I can tell the story is only going to improve! The only fault I can pick out is Julie... I don't like her. But other than that, it was fantastic! So should you read it? Yeah! It's a really fun and light read that won't take you too long to finish, and besides, it's always good to support your indie authors!
(I was sent this to review from the author; it has not affected my rating in any way.)
This was a pleasant surprise! I wasn't sure what I'd think about this for two reasons... 1) It's self-published which normally means it's dodgy erotica or really crap (it was neither of these thankfully) and 2) there wasn't many other reviews out there when I started reading this, so I was going in blind... But I'm so glad I took the risk!
Angel, the protagonist, was a really likeable and cutesy character that shows what it's like being a teen, other than the fact she's not a human, obviously. The only fault I have with Angel is her choice of crew. Zander is a tool and she deserves better. That's all I'm going to say about that. But don't get me started on Julie... She's the perfect stereotype and the perfect nightmare. The teens in this book are 17 and I'm only a year younger so I can guarantee that teens do not act like Julie does. If my best friend started having a full blown mental breakdown, started feeling sick at all times, and generally started acting like she just found out she wasn't human, I'd notice. However, Julie doesn't have a clue. She doesn't see what's happening a cm in front of her nose and it started to get so annoying. They're supposed to be best friends! I don't know how friendships work in this fictional America but in real life Britain they are not like this. That is another thing I can guarantee.
The style of writing is a little different too... Not bad, just different, and it definitely takes some getting used to. It's written in really simplistic language, which I warmed up to, weirdly. It reminds me a lot of the sort of language in a middle-grade book, with the occasional out-of-place word. But I figured this was a good choice on Johnson's part, because if you're going to have a really ambitious storyline, it's easy to overwhelm if it's paired with complex language. So having simpler language puts more emphasis on the story, which was a clever thing on Johnson's part. But I'd rank it more a middle-grade book than a young-adult book. But maybe that's just me!
Anyway! To conclude, I did really enjoy 'Truth'! Angel is a great protagonist and I can tell the story is only going to improve! The only fault I can pick out is Julie... I don't like her. But other than that, it was fantastic! So should you read it? Yeah! It's a really fun and light read that won't take you too long to finish, and besides, it's always good to support your indie authors!
February 23, 2016
*Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
I managed to read it in one sitting but it wasn't without it's difficulties. I found this book to be too cliche and predictable. There were an excessive amount of exclamation marks that weren't my favorite and I couldn't get lost in the story no matter how hard I tried.
None of the characters met my requirements and it was disappointing. The main girl and her best friend were too busy being star-struck over some guy for almost the entire book when they didn't even know him all that well. It focused too much on the 'romance' aspect and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I wish it hadn't. 95% of this book was spent freaking out about this guy instead of focusing on the much needed world-building. If the romance wasn't such a main focus point, I wouldn't have minded it, but it was, and it wasn't realistic nor believable. I didn't feel a spark between the characters and I honestly didn't see the point of it.
The dialogue was also too juvenile for me. Deep matters were rarely discussed; it was mostly superficial stuff. Even the Demons that were supposed to be these higher and worse beings talked like they were 15 years old. I have a lot of expectations when Demons and Angels are touched upon and sadly, I wasn't impressed.
The main character's crush couldn't choose an age. At times he sounded ancient and at other times he sounded like a teenager.
I also didn't like how the author described her characters by comparing them to actors and it took the fun out of creating the characters in my head out of it. The confrontation towards the end was anti-climactic, at its best, after waiting the entire novel for it. I honestly don't have the urge to revisit these characters. This book was not for me.
I managed to read it in one sitting but it wasn't without it's difficulties. I found this book to be too cliche and predictable. There were an excessive amount of exclamation marks that weren't my favorite and I couldn't get lost in the story no matter how hard I tried.
None of the characters met my requirements and it was disappointing. The main girl and her best friend were too busy being star-struck over some guy for almost the entire book when they didn't even know him all that well. It focused too much on the 'romance' aspect and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I wish it hadn't. 95% of this book was spent freaking out about this guy instead of focusing on the much needed world-building. If the romance wasn't such a main focus point, I wouldn't have minded it, but it was, and it wasn't realistic nor believable. I didn't feel a spark between the characters and I honestly didn't see the point of it.
The dialogue was also too juvenile for me. Deep matters were rarely discussed; it was mostly superficial stuff. Even the Demons that were supposed to be these higher and worse beings talked like they were 15 years old. I have a lot of expectations when Demons and Angels are touched upon and sadly, I wasn't impressed.
The main character's crush couldn't choose an age. At times he sounded ancient and at other times he sounded like a teenager.
I also didn't like how the author described her characters by comparing them to actors and it took the fun out of creating the characters in my head out of it. The confrontation towards the end was anti-climactic, at its best, after waiting the entire novel for it. I honestly don't have the urge to revisit these characters. This book was not for me.
August 29, 2015
3.5 stars!
Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was surprisingly really good!
Angel's life is great. It's normal. She gets good grades, has nice friends, and nothing unusual really happens to her. That all changes when she meets Zander.
Suddenly, her parents are always whispering to each other and they're trying too hard to not let her know about anything. Freaky things are happening to her. She thinks she might be going insane, but she's not. She's just not human. She's an Oleah. Oleahs are creatures with a combination of human and lion features. Her parents had to protect themselves and most especially, Angel. There was a threat to all of their lives, so no matter how hard it was for them, they had to move planets and adjust. That threat would be Sindrell, satan's sister.
I understood when Angel would get frustrated with her parents hiding things from her. She's a teenager, I was a teenager as well. I was extremely temperamental, and things always seemed worse than they really were.
Zander was really great. I was intrigued by him. I never seemed to decide whether he was evil or not. He was mysterious. He proved himself in the end, and that's what counts.
This book is the first one in the series, and I'm looking forward to the next book. I feel like that book would have more action and adventure.
This book was short and entertaining. I will be following the series, because the concepts are just so interesting, and I'm looking forward to how the story will develop.
BLOG POST
Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was surprisingly really good!
Angel's life is great. It's normal. She gets good grades, has nice friends, and nothing unusual really happens to her. That all changes when she meets Zander.
Suddenly, her parents are always whispering to each other and they're trying too hard to not let her know about anything. Freaky things are happening to her. She thinks she might be going insane, but she's not. She's just not human. She's an Oleah. Oleahs are creatures with a combination of human and lion features. Her parents had to protect themselves and most especially, Angel. There was a threat to all of their lives, so no matter how hard it was for them, they had to move planets and adjust. That threat would be Sindrell, satan's sister.
I understood when Angel would get frustrated with her parents hiding things from her. She's a teenager, I was a teenager as well. I was extremely temperamental, and things always seemed worse than they really were.
Zander was really great. I was intrigued by him. I never seemed to decide whether he was evil or not. He was mysterious. He proved himself in the end, and that's what counts.
This book is the first one in the series, and I'm looking forward to the next book. I feel like that book would have more action and adventure.
This book was short and entertaining. I will be following the series, because the concepts are just so interesting, and I'm looking forward to how the story will develop.
BLOG POST
June 19, 2016
"An Oleah could be described as a creature with a combination of human and lion features."
What do you do when you find out that you are a princess from an unknown place? When your parents have been hiding things from you, your whole life? Angel starts having weird dreams and feeling icy chills whenever this strange new guy is around. Who is this strange new guy? What do her dreams mean? To Angel's surprise, the new boy, Zander, has all her answers. Zander admits to being an Obiri and is the one to tell Angel that she is an Oleah. They are in danger. Angel is being hunted. Angel belongs in Uforika, so why is she on Earth? Why have her parents never explained any of this? Why don't they like Zander? Angel is in for the surprise of her life. Her whole world is about to be turned upside down. She has powers that she has never imagined.
"It was in that moment that I saw the fear in her eyes. I was stronger than she was and she knew it. Her magic didn't work on me."
When you pick up Oleah Chronicles: Truth, you are in for a wild ride. This book is exciting right from the start. There is never a dull moment in this story and it was so fast paced, that I couldn't stop reading. Michelle Johnson takes you into an amazing world, where people turn into lions, vampire exists, magic is real, and danger is everywhere.
This story is extremely unique and I've never read anything like it. Michelle Johnson is amazing! I can't wait to read book 2!
"I cannot change what I've done in my past. Only the present and the future will reveal to you where my heart truly lies."
What do you do when you find out that you are a princess from an unknown place? When your parents have been hiding things from you, your whole life? Angel starts having weird dreams and feeling icy chills whenever this strange new guy is around. Who is this strange new guy? What do her dreams mean? To Angel's surprise, the new boy, Zander, has all her answers. Zander admits to being an Obiri and is the one to tell Angel that she is an Oleah. They are in danger. Angel is being hunted. Angel belongs in Uforika, so why is she on Earth? Why have her parents never explained any of this? Why don't they like Zander? Angel is in for the surprise of her life. Her whole world is about to be turned upside down. She has powers that she has never imagined.
"It was in that moment that I saw the fear in her eyes. I was stronger than she was and she knew it. Her magic didn't work on me."
When you pick up Oleah Chronicles: Truth, you are in for a wild ride. This book is exciting right from the start. There is never a dull moment in this story and it was so fast paced, that I couldn't stop reading. Michelle Johnson takes you into an amazing world, where people turn into lions, vampire exists, magic is real, and danger is everywhere.
This story is extremely unique and I've never read anything like it. Michelle Johnson is amazing! I can't wait to read book 2!
"I cannot change what I've done in my past. Only the present and the future will reveal to you where my heart truly lies."
October 10, 2015
"Only the wing glitter of one cherub could reopen the portal back to earth..."
Angel Seriki is a typical teenaged girl, hanging out with her bestie Jewls; sweating exams and crushing on boys. But the resemblance ends there: Angel radiates an unearthly beauty with her cappuccino skin, luxurious long black hair, and stunning, gold, catlike eyes. So is it any wonder that the new guy in school: the superhot, ubercool Zander, homes in on her from day one?
Yet Zander has a strange affect on Angel; sometimes his presence makes her flush with excitement, but other times, she feels a cold chill when he's near.
Angel's parents' secrecy about the family's origins, and Zander's sudden appearance in her life, somehow feel connected. As a series of scary events and disturbing revelations threaten to tear down the fragile stage-set she once called home, Angel begins to realize that the world she lives in and the world she belongs in, are light-years apart.
Author Michelle Johnson has written a story so visually stunning you feel as if you are reading it in 3-D. She weaves fantasy and reality expertly; but at its heart, this book is about the epic and eternal struggle between good and evil, and the power of love and redemption.
The Oleah Chronicles: Truth is a great read. And it has the breadth and depth not only for a sequel, but for a series.
Angel Seriki is a typical teenaged girl, hanging out with her bestie Jewls; sweating exams and crushing on boys. But the resemblance ends there: Angel radiates an unearthly beauty with her cappuccino skin, luxurious long black hair, and stunning, gold, catlike eyes. So is it any wonder that the new guy in school: the superhot, ubercool Zander, homes in on her from day one?
Yet Zander has a strange affect on Angel; sometimes his presence makes her flush with excitement, but other times, she feels a cold chill when he's near.
Angel's parents' secrecy about the family's origins, and Zander's sudden appearance in her life, somehow feel connected. As a series of scary events and disturbing revelations threaten to tear down the fragile stage-set she once called home, Angel begins to realize that the world she lives in and the world she belongs in, are light-years apart.
Author Michelle Johnson has written a story so visually stunning you feel as if you are reading it in 3-D. She weaves fantasy and reality expertly; but at its heart, this book is about the epic and eternal struggle between good and evil, and the power of love and redemption.
The Oleah Chronicles: Truth is a great read. And it has the breadth and depth not only for a sequel, but for a series.
August 24, 2015
Okay let me start off by saying I am a sucker for a good Paranormal read. Don’t get me wrong, contemporary books are fun, BUT you’re still “here”…. The literary magic is in leaving “here” and finding yourself in a new place with a new set of rules.
That being said, for a Paranormal story to be good for me, world building is a big deal. The world has to make sense to me, with a set of rules that make sense as well (like our lovely gravity…..). If the rules aren’t set I can get lost pretty easily. And if the rules are set and later broken with no explanation then I’m so stuck on the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ to the point where I can’t get into the book anymore.
This book… this book was awesome. It had everything I look for in world building. It wasn’t super elaborate, which was great because that would be a lot to remember. It had my favorite “hate to love” storyline and of course the heroine coming into her own.
I’m going to keep this as spoiler free as possible because I want you to experience this book blind the way I did.
That being said, for a Paranormal story to be good for me, world building is a big deal. The world has to make sense to me, with a set of rules that make sense as well (like our lovely gravity…..). If the rules aren’t set I can get lost pretty easily. And if the rules are set and later broken with no explanation then I’m so stuck on the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ to the point where I can’t get into the book anymore.
This book… this book was awesome. It had everything I look for in world building. It wasn’t super elaborate, which was great because that would be a lot to remember. It had my favorite “hate to love” storyline and of course the heroine coming into her own.
I’m going to keep this as spoiler free as possible because I want you to experience this book blind the way I did.
July 8, 2015
First in its series, Truth is the beginning of an adventure worth falling into. Angel is so beautifully a teenager- mortified by the smallest things, somewhat emotionally irrational, but with a strong heart truly worth her lineage.
It is so rare to find a quality fantasy/adventure story featuring a protagonist of color. Angel is a very positive character- flawed, but willing to acknowledge and work on them with all of the dreams and desires of a teenager. The world that Michelle Johnson has created, inhabited by mortal beings and superior others is easy to jump in to without being overly described. There's just enough back story to keep you interested and the cliff hanger heightens the urgency and sense of danger.
The story is very well written (no clunky dialogue, action, or narration), the characters are extremely likable (which is impressive considering the story mainly revolves around two teenage girls) and the romance is sweetly forbidden. Angel is a strong, realistic character who is growing and a perfect romantic lead to inspire young women.
It is so rare to find a quality fantasy/adventure story featuring a protagonist of color. Angel is a very positive character- flawed, but willing to acknowledge and work on them with all of the dreams and desires of a teenager. The world that Michelle Johnson has created, inhabited by mortal beings and superior others is easy to jump in to without being overly described. There's just enough back story to keep you interested and the cliff hanger heightens the urgency and sense of danger.
The story is very well written (no clunky dialogue, action, or narration), the characters are extremely likable (which is impressive considering the story mainly revolves around two teenage girls) and the romance is sweetly forbidden. Angel is a strong, realistic character who is growing and a perfect romantic lead to inspire young women.
January 31, 2026
***I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.***
Overall, I thought this was a good introduction to a new series. It was fast paced and fun. What I enjoyed the most about this story was the characters. Angel was a normal teenager who worried about her grades and gossiped with her best friend about the cutest guy in school. She also had amazing parents who really cared about her.
This story was fast-paced, but I wish it hadn’t been quite so fast. The action was non-stop and the reader barely had any time to digest the new information that was being revealed. The book is just under 200 pages, and that does not allow for a lot of time to explain the details of an entirely new mythical species.
Oleah Chronicles: Truth told a story that was like nothing I have ever read before. It was a fun read and I am interested in seeing what comes next. This is an impressive debut novel and I look forward to seeing this series grow. If you are looking for a unique fantasy / paranormal read that will suck you into the action quickly, then check this one out.
Overall, I thought this was a good introduction to a new series. It was fast paced and fun. What I enjoyed the most about this story was the characters. Angel was a normal teenager who worried about her grades and gossiped with her best friend about the cutest guy in school. She also had amazing parents who really cared about her.
This story was fast-paced, but I wish it hadn’t been quite so fast. The action was non-stop and the reader barely had any time to digest the new information that was being revealed. The book is just under 200 pages, and that does not allow for a lot of time to explain the details of an entirely new mythical species.
Oleah Chronicles: Truth told a story that was like nothing I have ever read before. It was a fun read and I am interested in seeing what comes next. This is an impressive debut novel and I look forward to seeing this series grow. If you are looking for a unique fantasy / paranormal read that will suck you into the action quickly, then check this one out.
August 12, 2015
I was gifted a copy for an honest review.
Truth, Oleah Chronicles, is a great paranormal YA book. The interaction between characters is entertaining and perfect for high school age characters. The boy freak outs and parent overprotective bashing is fun to read. Michelle builds us a beautiful world in Oleah and a very believable human world.
Angel is being brought up as a human and has both her parents with her. So many of these books have the heroine/hero with no parents, or a single bad parent, and I really liked that Angel had both and that they were such great parents.
Zander is a hottie and mysterious. Angel's best friend Julie is a force unto herself.
This is the first in a series and should be a great series you could recommend to youth and adults alike. I can't wait to read what happens with Angel and Zander.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog
Truth, Oleah Chronicles, is a great paranormal YA book. The interaction between characters is entertaining and perfect for high school age characters. The boy freak outs and parent overprotective bashing is fun to read. Michelle builds us a beautiful world in Oleah and a very believable human world.
Angel is being brought up as a human and has both her parents with her. So many of these books have the heroine/hero with no parents, or a single bad parent, and I really liked that Angel had both and that they were such great parents.
Zander is a hottie and mysterious. Angel's best friend Julie is a force unto herself.
This is the first in a series and should be a great series you could recommend to youth and adults alike. I can't wait to read what happens with Angel and Zander.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog
December 23, 2015
I got a copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review, so I'm going to do it here instead of at Amazon where I could not for some reason. Kudos to the author for bringing to life one of the most believable heroines. She's likeable and most of all I could believe her and her interactions with the other characters, most of all with Jewls, her best friend. I so enjoy the book and hope that there'll be a second book so that I can read more about their exploits. I totally and honestly could see this book turning into a great movie in the hands of a decent director who hopefully stays true to the book. I love this book to bits and I heart the characters, hoping that they'll live happily ever after at the end of the book.
I would like to thank the author for the free copy of the ebook and I need to emphasize that this does in no way affect my rating of this book.
I would like to thank the author for the free copy of the ebook and I need to emphasize that this does in no way affect my rating of this book.
July 26, 2015
This book was really interesting. It was a mix between a normal day in the life of a teenage girl and a world full of fantasy. You meet Angel who is hidden from what she really is for her protection. Throughout the book she finds out her true nature and falls in love with her savior and past enemy.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast and easy read. It was written very well. I absolutely loved Angel and her best friend Julie. I even loved Zander even though at times not so much. The ending was such a cliff hanger. I can't wait to read more.
Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book. It was awesome....Stormi
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I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast and easy read. It was written very well. I absolutely loved Angel and her best friend Julie. I even loved Zander even though at times not so much. The ending was such a cliff hanger. I can't wait to read more.
Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book. It was awesome....Stormi
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August 8, 2015
Great Debut from an Extraordinary New Speculative Fiction Author!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review of Oleah Chronicles: Truth. This is YA paranormal romance and was an interesting and unique read. The writing was crisp and I truly felt like I was in the head of a teenager. Some of the scenes were drawn out, but nothing that slowed down the story. It had a good tone throughout. The book started with action and kept a good pace until the end. I like the concept of the book. The main character, Angel, was a girl I could relate to. She reminded me of how I was as a teenager. The story is full of adventure and wonder. I would recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review of Oleah Chronicles: Truth. This is YA paranormal romance and was an interesting and unique read. The writing was crisp and I truly felt like I was in the head of a teenager. Some of the scenes were drawn out, but nothing that slowed down the story. It had a good tone throughout. The book started with action and kept a good pace until the end. I like the concept of the book. The main character, Angel, was a girl I could relate to. She reminded me of how I was as a teenager. The story is full of adventure and wonder. I would recommend it.
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