Almana

by Julayn Adams

Original cover/edit

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Teen, Dystopia

298 pages, Paperback

Published March 4, 2016

About the author

With four fabulous children and two equally fabulous step-daughters, Julayn Adams has been likened to the little old lady who lives in a shoe, minus the old part, of course. She and her husband, along with their kids and the laziest cat in the world, Triscuit, reside in Melbourne, Australia after having moved from the United States. Julayn has enjoyed working in a variety of professions including sonography, preschool teaching, and professional princess (true story). Having now turned her passion for writing into a career, she enjoys her days reading and writing in the Australian sun. Julayn’s first published work is a picture book illustrated by her son, Gavin, entitled My Brother’s Name is Masen: a true story about Gavin’s relationship with his autistic brother. Now, with books I and II of the Almana Series published, she looks forward to the release of Almana’s final chapter, Insurgence, in late 2018.

Reviews

[Steve Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the years I have read many books but the Young Adult genre is one that I have not often ventured into. I'm glad I made an exception here. This book is well written with attention to detail and a beautifully descriptive style that immerses the reader into the world of Almana primarily from her perspective. What a wonderful thing it is when such a vivid imagination is paired with the ability to share the results of that imagination in a way that makes it feel as if it could, possibly be real.

[Petra Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

I received an ARC of the author in exchange of an honest review.

First things first: I really like this book. It has an interesting concept and I can see the fans of Fallen and Angelfall enjoying this one. Mix post-apocalyptic setting with angels and romance and you have a good adventure. There's danger, adventure and romance and some things came up as refreshing. I love Cam, Alexa and Almana

I was a little bit confused at the end, but to be honest I didn't care. I'm sure the sequel will explain more and I can't wait to read it. This is my first Julayn Adams but you can bet it won't be the last.

[Regina O'Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This story hooked me from page one! A heavenly, heartbreaking and heartwarming tale full of believable characters you'll love, and love to hate. I literally could not put it down! I believe I have found my next "must read" author!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novel for publication.

Almana is Julayn Adams' début young adult (YA) novel that centres around Dystopian/Paranormal themes and is set for release on the 15th of February 2016.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book. It sounded right up my alley, with a paranormal twist. It's not often you read a Dystopian set in WWIII and angels. I thought Adams' descriptions were superb and I found myself easily invested in the characters, especially connecting with the romance between Ali and Cam.

However, for the majority of the book I thought that nothing really happened and the dystopian themes weren't surprising. I've felt like I've read this numerous times before. I commend Adams on the twist and conclusion as things started to get tense and everything began to tie in together, leaving me wanted more.

Despite this not being astounding, I appreciate Adams in rekindling my interest in paranormal/romance fiction. This book was very reminiscent of the books I read when I was younger, such as Fallen and Halo. I think I would of loved this when I was younger. It is definitely more suited towards early teens.

Nonetheless, Almana was a quick, fun read. I enjoyed stepping out of my comfort zone and reading something I wouldn't usually pick up. I'll definitely be picking up the sequel when I'm in need of a pick me up.

3.5 stars!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from the Publisher Angel Press Publications for an honest review.
Expected publication: February 2016

I was not really sure what I was getting into when I accepted this book. I can tell you I'm sure glad I read it. The book gripped me from the very first page.

I love Almana, Cam and Alexa. All 3 of them are very strong characters.

Almana is an Angel, she volunteers to leave heaven to come and help Alexa. Alexa does discover that Almana is an Angel she does not really know why she is here. Almana knows that once she leaves heaven and her mission is over she will never beable to return back to heaven. She will have to stay on earth forever. Knowing this she still comes to earth, she can not die and she will never age. What Almana finds she was not expecting. I don't really want to say much don't want to give anything away. I can tell you that this book has a sad ending and there will be a book 2.

I have never read anything from this Author before and I think Julayn Adams did a wonderful job creating the novel, I also love this cover.

[Angela Mortimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written YA book.
Good against evil is sadly a tale that doesn't diminish as our humanity appears to. However, no matter the terror in this world, good survives and hope and heroes grow, not diminished by the evil surrounding them. It is a book full of the best of us, as seen by an angel, and the worst too, when evil, seemingly invincible, threatens to engulf us all. This first book has set the story and I can't wait to see the battles for the way of light and goodness and the conclusion in the next two. Highly recommended.

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of a very human angel on a mission and a girl who is destined to save the world. It is a story of love and duty, of good and evil, of war and the battle for peace. Beautifully written, this story is addictive and compelling. I could not put this wonderful book down once I started reading this. Loved the ending - in fact I adored every word. The author is one to watch and I cannot wait for the next installment of Almana.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of an angel who comes to earth to protect her charge in the aftermath of Armageddon. Alana has to disguise herself as a human but Alexa sees her on entry to earth seeing her wings. I can’t say much more for fear of revealing too much but this is a gorgeous story which kept me hooked and I look forward to book two. All the key ingredients are there, love, friendship and evil mixed together to make a mighty fine book.

[Chrissi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am usually not a huge fan of YA, though this book has totally changed my opinion. It is a book filled with beautifully developed characters, and a storyline that will have glued to the book until the very last page!

[Charlotte Jain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember angel stories being a huge thing a few years ago (I think… around the time Halo and Hush Hush were happening), and since then I felt a bit washed out by angel tales – there was just soooo many of them. So when I saw Almana, the time seemed right to jump back into the whole angel situation, and I wasn’t disappointed! Almana throws us straight into the grips of World War III from the point of view (mostly) of Ali, an angel sent from a heaven that has been pretty much abandoned to guide and protect Alexa. Alexa is coming to a crossroads, it seems, and Ali is sent to make sure the path taken is to salvation, not more destruction. If the end of the world wasn’t bad enough, there are now lawless gangs roaming around and everyone is scrambling to rebuild their own little piece of civilisation and safe haven.

“The greed of the people has brought on reins of fire, but the war was only the beginning.”

I found it a refreshing surprise that the two main characters (Ali and Alexa) found each other almost immediately, in what I had expected to be a long drawn out search for ‘The Chosen One’. Ali pretty much dropped from heaven in front of Alexa, which was Angelically convenient, and really got the story moving from the outset. That being said, I found some sections a touch slow, and after being hooked on the opening I felt the story kind of dragged a bit while we met all of the characters and as Ali became acclimatised to the camp where Alexa lives with her family. The dynamics between everyone living together in the camp were well constructed and engaging, and everyone seemed to have their own stories, which added a lot of depth.

“The people of this world all have the same stories: was, violence, fear and loss. They focus on today and plan for their tomorrows, for better or for worse. Yesterday cannot be changed.”

There was also a hint of insta-love in the early stages, and I was a bit worried, but the relationship developed through the book and I think it was a fun (but also heart-breaking) romance.

“The tingling and cinnamon is stronger now that Cam’s so close. I try to ignore it, but the pull to him is so strong, inviting. Shaking my head, I pull myself out of the daze I find myself in.”

All up, I enjoyed reading Almana. And that ending… what?!

Thank you to the author for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Grant Leishman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised with Almana. It was a well-written story that immediately drew me in and endeared the characters to me. In its essence Almana is a dystopian, young-adult novel from Julayn Adams.

Set following World War III, humanity is struggling to survive in North America, especially on the West Coast and Los Angeles. The city is ruled by an evil overlord, Equis, who commands obedience through fear and terror. Scattered around the surrounding countryside are small enclaves of survivors who are determined to rebuild civilisation and live happy and productive lives despite the horrors that have been bequeathed them.

Into one of these enclaves, the Angel Almana has been sent. Heaven and Angels, it appears, have almost given up on humanity. They tried desperately to stop the conflict before it began, but man's evil nature won out in the end. Almana's specific task is to protect a young girl, Alexa, who is destined to be the one who will save the world and humanity.

The story has the feel of the old west, with good, upright citizens trying their best to live fruitful and productive lives, whilst surrounded by violence and terror. When Almana arrives in this tiny settlement, she meets and falls in love with Alexa's brother. The story is full of the usual issues and petty jealousies that one would find in any small, self-sufficient community. I particularly liked the way the author was able to weave in a real humanity into Almana's character, who is, of course, a supernatural being. The romance, I felt, was especially well done.

I enjoyed this story much more than I expected. As the first book in what is clearly to be a series, I must congratulate the author on hooking the reader to await the next episode of this captivating tale. If dystopian, young-adult fiction is your thing, I am confident you will love Almana. An excellent beginning to this new series and I'm happy to award a very solid four stars to Almana by Julayn Adams. Good job!

[Phil Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took this book on after a friend had recommended it to me. It tells the story of Almana, an angel, sent to Earth after a third world war had ravaged it. Set on the west coast of America, it unfurls quickly, bringing great characters like Alexa, Cam, and Doc into the readers world. Almana is here to help humanity endure, through the future efforts of Alexa. It is a book of hope.

The author brings it all together with such skill and commitment, plunging you into their world whether you like it or not. You immediately feel for the characters, as Adams weaves her narrative skills, bringing plenty of heartfelt moments that wash over you.

The book isn't short. Nor is it long. It felt like just the right length, leaving you wanting more. There are twists and turns, horror and heartbreak that Adams dishes out with consumate ease. It has aspects of The Beach and Lord Of The Flies about it. But make no mistake, this is Adams' own creation.

A great book, expertly crafted and wonderfully told. I cannot wait for future stories of Almana.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never been drawn to dystopian/fantasy books before but this one landed in my lap and I have to admit I really enjoyed it. Julayn writes eloquently and her descriptions are so visual that you can picture them in your mind. I particularly love the parts of the novel when it focus on Almana's inner thoughts and loneliness - she is the heartbroken angel who comes to earth to help a girl save the planet in WWIII. Paragraphs like this were enchanting where the words dance on the page: "As happy as I am with Alexa and her family, I've felt bottled up, like my wings have been tied. It makes me feel claustrophobic at times. I turn ninety degrees and head straight up into the night’s sky, breaking through the thick clouds. I fly as high and as fast as I can before I hit the ceiling that traps me to this world. A cruel reminder of how alone I truly am." The author makes these aspects of Almana's loneliness so real that I wonder if she knows something about the unseen world that we don't. What a great surprising read.

[Vesper Vesper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't really know what I expected when I decided to take this on for my reading. It seemed interesting enough and I love the whole angel thing. The story was well written and engaging with characters that were believable. At first, it seemed like I was reading a story in the perspective of the "main character's" guide (does that make sense)? I mean, I've read a lot of books where the main character meets some person who ends up opening their world to all these changes and stuff, and that whole time, that one person is trying to make sure they fulfill their destiny in the background... it seemed like a book that took place in that guide's perspective, which was refreshing to me.

The plot was well done; the ending scenes were... (more via website)

[Jess James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I was thoroughly impressed. A well designed and written story with an apocalyptic theme, but done in a way that is not all gore and drama.

It is after WW3 and an angel named Almana is sent to earth to help a teenager come to terms with a new life. The quest is to bring peace, hope and happiness to this new life – a new beginning as they rebuild the world. However, quite aptly the author builds tension and suspense – with a certain evil that is lurking.

A great book, ends with a well crafted cliffhanger and will surely make people seek to pick up the next by this author!

[Lanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been so refreshing from the everyday YA books that are out right now. I enjoyed this book from the beginning, screamed alittle, cried alittle, pouted....but loved that it pulled at every emotion in me. The storyline is unique and the characters are very well written. A great debut from Julyan, I am patiently waiting for book two!!

[* * * Chata loves Eddie Veder * * * · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love This book

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun YA read. Loved the character development, the feel of the story, the way Almana (Ali) grew throughout the book.

Lots of beautiful visuals, and wonderful storytelling. Would definitely recommend.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Almana,” is a YA dystopian story with an interesting plot. Alama is an angel who comes to earth to guide and protect Alexa who is on a dangerous mission to save the world. Adams has a unique voice and lovely prose. This is a well-crafted, evocative and unique book. Well done!

[Rod Semple · Rating 4 out of 5]

World War three is over. Civilisation as we know it lies in ruins and Almana has been given a commission to protect Alexa, the one person whose destiny is to return hope to mankind and change the destiny of earth and Heaven. Complications arise when Almana finds herself developing strong feelings for Alexa’s brother, Cameron. Nothing new here, except—

Almana seems to be a normal sixteen or seventeen year old lassie, but her looks are deceptive. She is an angel, and a warrior on a divine mission. Is this an impossible relationship?

The concept of angel/human relationships disturbs me. Are such things possible? I left the theological questions aside, downloaded to my Kindle and began reading.

Young adult, Paranormal, Urban Fiction, WW III—is not my usual genre. I’m more into biographies, history and business, but I found myself immersed in the story.

This is obviously the first book in a series and left many unanswered questions—Smart thinking on the author's part.

I’m still working through the theology that the story line raises. I would also have liked more background about the ultimate adversary Equis his army Armageddon and his role in the outbreak of WWIII. Perhaps that will be outlined in the sequences. I hope so.

Julayn Adams grabbed my attention and ‘Almana’ turned out to be a page turner. This is Julayn Adam’s first book and self publish too. It raises more questions than it answered, so I’m hanging out for the sequence. (Please make it soon).

If you enjoyed ‘Tomorrow, When the War Began’ and ‘Hunger Games’… You just might enjoy this one too.

I would rate this story a (good) four stars

[Alyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALMANA by Julayn Adams is a lovely story set within a YA dystopian novel. Almana, nicknamed Ali, is an angel sent on a dangerous mission to help a girl named Alexa realize her full potential. Along the way she is adopted into Alexa's family and fall's for her brother. The love story is quite beautiful as is the prose that the author employs.

Alexa comes from strong stock. Her father, Doc, runs the settlement camp in the dystopian society where most of the characters live. He handles all conflicts and challenges with justice. It is not surprising to learn that Alexa is slated to be a savior of the society.

The story delves into many matters including love, jealousy, cliques, gossip, good vs. evil and the afterlife. It was an interesting read from start to finish. I cannot wait to read the next installment in the series which I understand is to be titled, VISION.

Many thanks to the Julayn Adams, the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance digital copy of this book for my honest, unbiased review. It will be published in February 15, 2016.

[Julian Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was recently asked to recommend some books for an adult literacy class and have found myself reading a lot of Young Adult fiction for the first time in years. I think that writing good quality fiction for this audience is one of hardest genres a writer can enter and of the many books I have read, few do it well enough to have broader appeal. Almana does. It is a beautifully crafted story which employs none of the more obvious routes generally taken by post-apocalyptic fiction. Although the main character, Almana, is an angel, the story deals with her as an ordinary teenager coming to terms with a new life. The world created by Julayn Adams skilfully combines fantasy, the challenges and adventures of creating a future, adding elements of danger and violence without ever becoming predictable. In short this is a very entertaining tale for any age.
Do I have any gripes? Just one and it is hard to explain without creating spoilers. I can say that if you are thinking about buying this book, do so. I have no hesitation in recommending it. Cheers

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This YA dystopian paranormal novel tells the story of Almana - an angel who has given up her place in Heaven to come to Earth to protect Alexa and help her fulfil her destiny. This is book one in a trilogy. I loved the world building and the rich descriptions. The majority of this novel was setting up the series and it read more like a romance. I liked the characters and was drawn in emotionally to the story, but was left hanging at the end with more questions than I started with.

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.

[Rae (Bookmark Chronicles) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need the next book ASAP. I need answers!!!

[Debbie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t give 5 stars easily, unless the characters remain with me days later, pondering their futures or wondering what could have been. Almana hits this mark. The characters are well developed and genuine, which is important with a paranormal read. I miss Ali, Cam, and Alexa already, and looking forward to finding out what the future holds for Los Angeles once the next novel is released. The book is written in first person present, which is my favorite point of view, as it held my attention and made me feel like I was in the middle of the action as it was happening. I walked around the camp with them, and took a dip in the lake, fully aware of my surroundings (when I was meant to be.) That’s what makes this story worthy of five stars to me. The personal touches throughout the formatting was an extra treat, and I adore it when a cover truly depicts the character as described and is appealing to the eye. The story is full of love, loss, trials, and tribulation. If you’re like me, no matter your age, you will enjoy this YA paranormal romantic suspense.

[Amy Proebstel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Enjoyable Adventure Into The Future

When the world is coming to an end, Almana’s decision to come to Earth to protect the one person capable of leading the world back to humanity to avoid Armageddon may also be her undoing. This well-written, fast-paced story is filled with sage advice for keeping a peaceful heart, helping one another, and believing in the power of love to overcome evil. This is the first book of the series and set up the storyline quite well to lead into the next book. I would recommend this book to young adults and above for an enjoyable adventure into the future.

[R. Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from Julayn Adams but it wont be my last, for one I need to sequel to this book!!

I Loved the detail the author put in, the time to explain everything, so much so that it made everything come to life.

Almana is such a perfect name for the angel, and a beautiful one at that, and it fitted perfectly with the book.

I cannot wait to read the next one!

[Denise Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this book 5 stars. I liked the idea of the book and it was a quick read. An angel comes to earth to lead a girl on her destiny to ensure the world starts to overcome the things that started to destroy it. I liked the romantic angle that the author went with it felt natural.

[Chandra Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Read!

I really enjoyed this book! It was a great Dystopian novel! I love a good book that has me rooting for the good guys and booing the bad guys! All in all it's a great read!

[Clifton Kenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling story, well crafted, characters and plot held my attention and kept the pages turning! This is a stand out in a genre that can be somewhat crowded. I also found the kindness/compassion to be an element we need more of in these times. Looking forward to more in this series. :)