Slow Echoes

Post Worlds #1

by Kristina M. Serrano

Selk Baioumi is Croatian. She’s also Egyptian. And American. Despite her vast heritage, the only family she has known is her mom and late grandfather. Other than that, the closest relationship she has is with her boxing/kickboxing instructor, Cliff. And she’s perfectly happy with her life, until two new men show up in her cozy hometown of Snow Hill, Maryland. The first, Whistler, an ill-reputed boxer with a paranormal secret. The second, Zahid, the Egyptian father who’d left her mother the day after Selk was born.

Zahid’s return brings the truth about Selk’s ancestry and promises of death for many, including Whistler, the not-so-bad boy who’s stolen her heart with his dry smile and effortless empathy. In order to obliterate those promises, Selk and Whistler must enter and survive an alternate Egypt where crocodiles swim in venom, stained-glass labyrinths come to life and mummies can slow your every move, even speech—if overprotective Cliff doesn’t kill Whistler first.

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 15, 2016

About the author

Kristina M. Serrano's first-grade teacher told her she was going to write books one day, and here she is. After starting college at 16, she earned an Associates Degree in Arts, BFA in Fiction, and a Certificate in Publishing by the time she was 20, which she regretted because she loved college and wanted to stay there longer. She rode horses for 10 years, sang the national anthem at four large events, and gave up her title as Executive Editor of a literary magazine for more time to pursue her writing career.

Some random facts: her favorite color is Tiffany Blue, her handwriting is terrible, she believes in God, she has an adorable Bichon Frise named Jake who doesn't know he's a dog as well as puppy-like fish, and she loves anime (her absolute favorite is BLEACH) and manga.

Only recently, her whole life has started to make sense, as she was diagnosed with autism this year at 26, along with comorbids of severe depression, anxiety, and OCD.

Reviews

[Mariah Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I don't read a lot of YA books anymore, but there was something about this one that made me want to read it. It was an interesting and fun book to read, a departure from what I'm used to reading in the YA genre. The pace was good, the characters were entertaining and pretty well rounded. I enjoyed Cliff and Sheridan especially. The love story between Whistler and Selk was a nice touch, but didn't take focus away from the main story, which was nice. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Slow Echoes begins with main character Selk interviewing a boxer after a fight. Initially I was unsure about Slow Echoes, but the more I read the more I was drawn in.
There seems to be a trend at the moment for books involving Gods and myths such as Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series (Greek), The Kane Chronicles (Egypt) and Magnus Chase (Norse). There is also a very good series involving Indian and Hindu Gods by Sarwat Chadda. Slow Echoes is a perfect book to read after reading Riordan's Kane Chronicles, as it's in the same vein with Egyptian Gods and Goddesses but is far more mature than The Kane Chronicles. I would definitely recommend Slow Echoes as a follow on to the above, for those who want a more mature and in-depth read.

Slow Echoes was very well written, and despite my initial reservations I found myself whizzing through the book, enjoying both the plot and the characters. I would definitely read any sequels.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to write a book about a girl who fell in love with a boxer. I also wanted to write a book about Egypt. And, since I have extreme difficulty writing anything without paranormal or fantasy elements, SLOW ECHOES was born.

[Rachael Groover Kenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous story that I couldn't put down! I'm probably off on the date, but close enough .