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Soulguard #1
Soulguard
Colin Rourke has lived his entire life knowing he has been hunted by creatures from a world connected to ours by portals. Raised by two Soulguards and gifted with abilities far beyond any known to them, he is trained from the moment he can walk to fight these beings. Now he is almost old enough to join the Soulguard and take his place as a defender of humanity in a secret war that has been fought in the shadows for over a thousand years. His very existence is a spark that could start a conflagration of destruction on our planet. Can he and the Soulguard stop what is coming? Will our world be enslaved by the race only known as Demons?
394 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2014
42 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 19, 2015
Well, if you're looking for a great action book look no further. Seriously, non-stop from the opening chapters. Even when the action stops, the characters are talking about new skills, training, or plans on next steps they need to take. Love it.
So to start though, we have the MC who's already at a level higher then most senior Mages/Guards in the Soulguard...this brings on various reactions from each person you meet. One skill that he has though, is he's able to see you're inner soul, the MC can tell how you feel about him and if you are lying. I liked that when Colin meets someone who doesn't like him, he doesn't go about trying to fix each person; some people fear him for his enormous power, cool, he shrugs it off, he's accepted that people may fear him. No whining and moaning for Colin.
Solid cast of side characters too, from Colin's first friends in school to his fellow Soulguards, each person has their own personality and brings something to the story.
One thing that I agree with fellow reviewers, is we don't really get a description on the "demons". We hear they are long armed, big, different types of them...but I could never really get a clear image while reading. Didn't bother me so much as the action is so great, but I wish there was a bit more on that end.
All in, I'm reading the second one now, was in the mood for some action and as Colin says...
"I freaking love Marines."
So to start though, we have the MC who's already at a level higher then most senior Mages/Guards in the Soulguard...this brings on various reactions from each person you meet. One skill that he has though, is he's able to see you're inner soul, the MC can tell how you feel about him and if you are lying. I liked that when Colin meets someone who doesn't like him, he doesn't go about trying to fix each person; some people fear him for his enormous power, cool, he shrugs it off, he's accepted that people may fear him. No whining and moaning for Colin.
Solid cast of side characters too, from Colin's first friends in school to his fellow Soulguards, each person has their own personality and brings something to the story.
One thing that I agree with fellow reviewers, is we don't really get a description on the "demons". We hear they are long armed, big, different types of them...but I could never really get a clear image while reading. Didn't bother me so much as the action is so great, but I wish there was a bit more on that end.
All in, I'm reading the second one now, was in the mood for some action and as Colin says...
"I freaking love Marines."
June 9, 2016
I spent last night reading this book even-though I was working today.
As a result I was a walking zombie today at work. Still, it was worth it!
As a result I was a walking zombie today at work. Still, it was worth it!
February 4, 2022
I got this book based on several 4 and 5 star ratings here and on Audible. Frankly I don't see why it got those and I'm sorry to say so.
Look, this could have been a much better book. It lacks both character and plot development. It's a YA but has a very young feel to the story telling.
I have written and have never been satisfied with most of my writing. Something I've said about some of my own efforts is true here. This reads more like an extended outline than a finished novel. While it tries to deal with somewhat older themes (sex among the characters for example) it comes across very young and underdeveloped.
For example, It was the main character's 18th birthday and his girlfriend meets him in his room. "I want to give you a special birthday present." So they go to bed. He observes, "it was a great birthday." There's no development of the scene it's just the idea stated.
Another thing is that our main character (Colin) might really have been named "Kal-El". When he starts training everything he does is the greatest, biggest, mostest ever seen...or at least for 800 years. Every time he does something it inspires gasps of astonishment, amazement and of course fear. There is also (of course) hate from those who were "the class top".
Another thing this may bring to mind is a school kid's daydream. "If I rescued the prettiest girl in class then she'd love me. Or if I rescue the teacher she'll give me a good grade."
Now that's not necessarily a bad place to start. Childhood fantasies can lead to good novels if done right. Here it's just a sort of young barebones (as I said) outline. Colin can sense evil miles away, destroy evil with almost a thought, he can see your soul, read your memories and spot your evil.
To top all this off I got the Audible version and it's burdened with an awful narrator. No, this could have been a really good story. There were times I thought it was going to surface (so to speak) and tell that good story, but it never managed to do it. I plan to return this to Audible and not follow the series. Maybe see for yourself what you think, but I can't recommend it.
Sorry.
Look, this could have been a much better book. It lacks both character and plot development. It's a YA but has a very young feel to the story telling.
I have written and have never been satisfied with most of my writing. Something I've said about some of my own efforts is true here. This reads more like an extended outline than a finished novel. While it tries to deal with somewhat older themes (sex among the characters for example) it comes across very young and underdeveloped.
For example, It was the main character's 18th birthday and his girlfriend meets him in his room. "I want to give you a special birthday present." So they go to bed. He observes, "it was a great birthday." There's no development of the scene it's just the idea stated.
Another thing is that our main character (Colin) might really have been named "Kal-El". When he starts training everything he does is the greatest, biggest, mostest ever seen...or at least for 800 years. Every time he does something it inspires gasps of astonishment, amazement and of course fear. There is also (of course) hate from those who were "the class top".
Another thing this may bring to mind is a school kid's daydream. "If I rescued the prettiest girl in class then she'd love me. Or if I rescue the teacher she'll give me a good grade."
Now that's not necessarily a bad place to start. Childhood fantasies can lead to good novels if done right. Here it's just a sort of young barebones (as I said) outline. Colin can sense evil miles away, destroy evil with almost a thought, he can see your soul, read your memories and spot your evil.
To top all this off I got the Audible version and it's burdened with an awful narrator. No, this could have been a really good story. There were times I thought it was going to surface (so to speak) and tell that good story, but it never managed to do it. I plan to return this to Audible and not follow the series. Maybe see for yourself what you think, but I can't recommend it.
Sorry.
May 1, 2018
I put off reading this book that I bought at Honorcon 2016 because I was being snobby about self-published books. So I had low expectations.
Boy, was I wrong. I can forgive many a typo (and there are a number of them) for a good story. This is not just a good story, it is a fascinating world with a cast of characters that stand a good chance of interesting development as this world is explored. This world can stand for a little more exposition on what the old ways were, before Colin came in and shook the foundations. I am also hoping for a clearer picture of the depth of the Archmage's betrayal and its impact. The resolution to that felt too easy. And I'm curious about the fate of Kevin Graves. Lucky me, there are three more books!
Here is my number one compliment: there is no romantic subplot. No one becomes whole from falling in love. There's the usual "they're perfect for each other" pair-offs, but no falling in love as salvation. Hallelujah! May this continue!
The only part that I'm curious about is the pace. The book covers about ten years, if I'm right, and some of the jumps in the timeline made me feel like I missed something in the story. It turns out I didn't, fortunately!
Boy, was I wrong. I can forgive many a typo (and there are a number of them) for a good story. This is not just a good story, it is a fascinating world with a cast of characters that stand a good chance of interesting development as this world is explored. This world can stand for a little more exposition on what the old ways were, before Colin came in and shook the foundations. I am also hoping for a clearer picture of the depth of the Archmage's betrayal and its impact. The resolution to that felt too easy. And I'm curious about the fate of Kevin Graves. Lucky me, there are three more books!
Here is my number one compliment: there is no romantic subplot. No one becomes whole from falling in love. There's the usual "they're perfect for each other" pair-offs, but no falling in love as salvation. Hallelujah! May this continue!
The only part that I'm curious about is the pace. The book covers about ten years, if I'm right, and some of the jumps in the timeline made me feel like I missed something in the story. It turns out I didn't, fortunately!
January 31, 2018
Fantastic first book in this series!!
At first I was not sure about the title of the book.
But I must say it has a wow' factor.
A great storyline with fantastic characters, I couldn't put the book down for long, just for sleep LOL.
The story is fantastic well written with a very good development within the characters, fantastic descriptions along the fights, special for the emotional part. The soulguard is a fantastic book about people with special abilities like Colin. He is actually able to see inside a soul and the soulstreams. He is send to the academy to learn how to use his abilities to be a soulguard. But as usual it will not be easy as there are Mages and Guards with hate and jealousy, special the Archmage and his son are not happy that Colin makes his way to be the best to fight Demons.
Read for yourself, I promise Mr Woods won't let you down. Fantastic book!!!
At first I was not sure about the title of the book.
But I must say it has a wow' factor.
A great storyline with fantastic characters, I couldn't put the book down for long, just for sleep LOL.
The story is fantastic well written with a very good development within the characters, fantastic descriptions along the fights, special for the emotional part. The soulguard is a fantastic book about people with special abilities like Colin. He is actually able to see inside a soul and the soulstreams. He is send to the academy to learn how to use his abilities to be a soulguard. But as usual it will not be easy as there are Mages and Guards with hate and jealousy, special the Archmage and his son are not happy that Colin makes his way to be the best to fight Demons.
Read for yourself, I promise Mr Woods won't let you down. Fantastic book!!!
April 12, 2020
Excellent fantasy series start. If you didn't know you liked fantasy, you'll certainly know for sure after reading this one. Demons, Magic, corrupt power hungry rulers, soldiers, and most of all, the hero who has to set it all right before things spiral out of control.
You can't beat this for action paced storytelling at it's best. This isn't your average boring retold fantasy world come to light, this is a vibrant alive world with something for everyone, and a hero that remains human despite the odds stacked against him.
You can't beat this for action paced storytelling at it's best. This isn't your average boring retold fantasy world come to light, this is a vibrant alive world with something for everyone, and a hero that remains human despite the odds stacked against him.
December 13, 2017
An interesting premise - it's a cool idea. Unfortunately, it wasn't executed with excellence... It's mediocre storytelling with unrealistic, one-dimensional characters and an overpowered main character. As intriguing as the potential of the novel is, I probably won't continue the series...
July 9, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book and all the characters are likeable also the banter between the characters is a perfect mix. I listened to the audio version and the only thing I didn't like was the narrator's voice kept grating so maybe they should've used a better equipment to record it.
January 23, 2018
Satisfactory
Should have been advertised as a team or young adult novel. Good enough action. Wasn't what I expected. Plot was there, barely.
Should have been advertised as a team or young adult novel. Good enough action. Wasn't what I expected. Plot was there, barely.
July 14, 2018
Start to finish in just 1 day. I really liked this one.
October 25, 2018
I did not get on with this at all, unfortunately. The main character amazing everyone with his brilliance got a bit tiring.
April 17, 2021
Great introduction to an immersive alternate universe.
April 24, 2021
Loved it
Unadulterated rubbish. And I loved it!
A bit disappointed with the editing, but it didn’t really detract from the story.
Unadulterated rubbish. And I loved it!
A bit disappointed with the editing, but it didn’t really detract from the story.
February 28, 2015
I liked it!
This book is the first book in a series of--so far--two books about a simmering threat to our world from another world that suddenly becomes an open war,and the special defenders required to fight the threat and the war.
The book really kinda starts out feeling like a Harry Potter story, or one of the many modern/urban fantasy slush novels that are so wide-spread these days, but begins picking up speed somewhat quickly.
A kid, whose parents are killed just as he is born, is raised by two friends of the family in a tradition of honor, integrity, and service. Besides being fighters in a covert war that has lasted for centuries, they have special abilities to fight the threat with, derived from harnessing their souls, and they teach their adopted son to use these same gifts, while also teaching him to hide among normals. Unlike his adoptive parents, however, the kid is able to do things that they can't, and--astonishingly enough, since most parents would be scared of their kid and attempt to over-control them--they encourage him to learn as much as he can about his abilities, without training from people with similar abilities. They have to raise him in secret, even from their allies, because there are those among the allies that would try to permanently remove his ability to do anything, since he is so much more powerful than the average fighter.
One day, he inadvertently reveals himself to another person he thinks is like himself, and the otherworldly invaders home in on him and launch an attack on his school. He defends, successfully, but a number of people end up dead or enslaved before his parents can arrive to help, and he begins his career as a "Soulguard" already knowing of loss and consequence. As yet another consequence of his actions, the Archmage's Soulguard Council becomes aware of him and he ends up getting sent to one of their academies, to learn to be a proper Soulmage. But, as we read, we start to realize that he is something more than a "normal" Soulmage...
I swear, I thought the academy thing was going to be another Harry Potter repeat, but I was very impressed that we weren't forced to endure another series delineated by years of schooling. While I loved reading Harry Potter books, I always wanted to read about adventures he would have AFTER school is over, when he supposedly did the job he was being trained for. Plus, I always wondered how Harry Potter turned out to be the amazingly moral and courageous person he was when in reality he should have turned out a bitter vengeful variation of his fat cousin. This main char had motivations for being who he was that were easy to trace and understand.
This character and the plot in this book develops evenly and with feeling. And while I could tell it was a debut novel, that only impressed me more. Most debut novels tend to be crap, but this was a great read. I only give it four stars because I'm giving five stars to the second book and there IS improvement between the two. And the character keeps developing.
This book starts out as Urban Fantasy and, by the end of the book, evolves to Military Fantasy (if that category is even out there).
One last comment...the author needs to find a better, living proofreader! Spell-check just doesn't catch word choice errors. :)
Btw, this book is available to borrow for free, through kindleunlimited, as is the sequel.
This book is the first book in a series of--so far--two books about a simmering threat to our world from another world that suddenly becomes an open war,and the special defenders required to fight the threat and the war.
The book really kinda starts out feeling like a Harry Potter story, or one of the many modern/urban fantasy slush novels that are so wide-spread these days, but begins picking up speed somewhat quickly.
A kid, whose parents are killed just as he is born, is raised by two friends of the family in a tradition of honor, integrity, and service. Besides being fighters in a covert war that has lasted for centuries, they have special abilities to fight the threat with, derived from harnessing their souls, and they teach their adopted son to use these same gifts, while also teaching him to hide among normals. Unlike his adoptive parents, however, the kid is able to do things that they can't, and--astonishingly enough, since most parents would be scared of their kid and attempt to over-control them--they encourage him to learn as much as he can about his abilities, without training from people with similar abilities. They have to raise him in secret, even from their allies, because there are those among the allies that would try to permanently remove his ability to do anything, since he is so much more powerful than the average fighter.
One day, he inadvertently reveals himself to another person he thinks is like himself, and the otherworldly invaders home in on him and launch an attack on his school. He defends, successfully, but a number of people end up dead or enslaved before his parents can arrive to help, and he begins his career as a "Soulguard" already knowing of loss and consequence. As yet another consequence of his actions, the Archmage's Soulguard Council becomes aware of him and he ends up getting sent to one of their academies, to learn to be a proper Soulmage. But, as we read, we start to realize that he is something more than a "normal" Soulmage...
I swear, I thought the academy thing was going to be another Harry Potter repeat, but I was very impressed that we weren't forced to endure another series delineated by years of schooling. While I loved reading Harry Potter books, I always wanted to read about adventures he would have AFTER school is over, when he supposedly did the job he was being trained for. Plus, I always wondered how Harry Potter turned out to be the amazingly moral and courageous person he was when in reality he should have turned out a bitter vengeful variation of his fat cousin. This main char had motivations for being who he was that were easy to trace and understand.
This character and the plot in this book develops evenly and with feeling. And while I could tell it was a debut novel, that only impressed me more. Most debut novels tend to be crap, but this was a great read. I only give it four stars because I'm giving five stars to the second book and there IS improvement between the two. And the character keeps developing.
This book starts out as Urban Fantasy and, by the end of the book, evolves to Military Fantasy (if that category is even out there).
One last comment...the author needs to find a better, living proofreader! Spell-check just doesn't catch word choice errors. :)
Btw, this book is available to borrow for free, through kindleunlimited, as is the sequel.
November 25, 2017
Great read! It is not often I read fantasy fiction but I met Christopher Woods at a book signing in Knoxville, TN, so I bought a copy and read it. Highly recommended and I will read more in the series!
December 11, 2014
I am not sure where I got this novel, and as the story goes in an overall look it is not a great story but not poorly writing just incomplete.
We have in (modern times) a group that fight's demons that enter our world through portal's and the soulguard" that fights them with magical abilities pulled from the earth.
The main character is a soullord who has power's beyond what the other mage's and guards have, so we have our overly powerful character which works well and we start when he is young and has abilities that allows him to look at a persons inner soul,good or evil,lying or telling the truth, strong fighting skills and gathers others around him and fights against demons as well as a corrupt governing system.
The main issue I had with this novel is not the flow or the writing which is fine but this is incomplete as we are just told demons, or a different demon thats stronger we never get any idea of what a demon looks like let alone what a diff' demon looks like and for myself I would like some characterization some idea of what the author was going for, we might get a height or longer arms description but would have been much more enjoyable if there would have been some time spent on a description and an idea of why they are attacking in the first place.
was not a book I looked forward to reading but once I started I read right through ,not a bad novel just an incomplete one. I liked the whole Idea of this novel and might look into next, but only if these incomplete descriptions are fleshed out a bit.
YA
We have in (modern times) a group that fight's demons that enter our world through portal's and the soulguard" that fights them with magical abilities pulled from the earth.
The main character is a soullord who has power's beyond what the other mage's and guards have, so we have our overly powerful character which works well and we start when he is young and has abilities that allows him to look at a persons inner soul,good or evil,lying or telling the truth, strong fighting skills and gathers others around him and fights against demons as well as a corrupt governing system.
The main issue I had with this novel is not the flow or the writing which is fine but this is incomplete as we are just told demons, or a different demon thats stronger we never get any idea of what a demon looks like let alone what a diff' demon looks like and for myself I would like some characterization some idea of what the author was going for, we might get a height or longer arms description but would have been much more enjoyable if there would have been some time spent on a description and an idea of why they are attacking in the first place.
was not a book I looked forward to reading but once I started I read right through ,not a bad novel just an incomplete one. I liked the whole Idea of this novel and might look into next, but only if these incomplete descriptions are fleshed out a bit.
YA
July 23, 2015
A good concept, but needs a lot of refinement and an editor. The dialog is a little confusing, punctuation is often in the wrong place, some words are capitalized for no reason, and time progresses in odd and inconsistent ways. Much of the book reads like it was lifted from a cliche military movie, complete with uninspired speeches to rouse the troops and the main character willing (and often expressing) his desire to give everything to save his brothers and sisters in arms.
Something that I found a little irksome is how every character that isn't tightly bound to the protagonists (and even some that are) are always in fear of him because of his abilities. If he randomly attacked people or was brutal or unstable I could see this, but it just reads like a McGuffin to give Colin a bit of friction for the sake of creating friction.
Something that I found a little irksome is how every character that isn't tightly bound to the protagonists (and even some that are) are always in fear of him because of his abilities. If he randomly attacked people or was brutal or unstable I could see this, but it just reads like a McGuffin to give Colin a bit of friction for the sake of creating friction.
January 18, 2015
I found this book from a recommendation list. The story centers around Colin, a relatively modest teen that happens to have bad ass abilities. After a catastrophic event that happens at his high school, he is sent to train at the "Academy ". Like his high school experience, he deals with groups of people that are supportive and those that are out to ruin him. What was refreshing about Colin was how he responded to any given situation - no pity party, no desperation, no cockiness. There was a lot of action, captivating characters, and humor. The music references were pretty awesome, too. Had to read this in one sitting. Looking forward to the next book.
February 5, 2015
An OK read ...
I purchased this book because I wanted to try a new author, someone whose work unfamiliar.
All in all, the story wasn't bad. I do wish the author had taken things a little slower. Some of the time jumps were pretty big.
Also, there were times when I thought the main character felt too much like a "Superman"-type. I might've had a little more appreciation for a character with a few more flaws.
Overall, not a bad book. I found it mostly enjoyable.
I purchased this book because I wanted to try a new author, someone whose work unfamiliar.
All in all, the story wasn't bad. I do wish the author had taken things a little slower. Some of the time jumps were pretty big.
Also, there were times when I thought the main character felt too much like a "Superman"-type. I might've had a little more appreciation for a character with a few more flaws.
Overall, not a bad book. I found it mostly enjoyable.
November 19, 2014
Great Book
I really enjoyed this book. Somewhat a coming of age book but with a lot more action. I really enjoyed that it didn't have a lot of " poor me" type of stuff in it like a lot of books do. The characters do what they need to do and that's it. I'm really looking forward to the next one and hope it's just as good
I really enjoyed this book. Somewhat a coming of age book but with a lot more action. I really enjoyed that it didn't have a lot of " poor me" type of stuff in it like a lot of books do. The characters do what they need to do and that's it. I'm really looking forward to the next one and hope it's just as good
February 9, 2015
Heroes and villains
A thoroughly enjoyable read. Good vs. evil storyline, light romance, and male and female characters that rock. Camaraderie, devotion and humor. Magical battles, struggles of loss and "fighting the good fight". I will definitely be following this series, somehow I have become attached to the characters. Great story fun read, uncomplicated.
A thoroughly enjoyable read. Good vs. evil storyline, light romance, and male and female characters that rock. Camaraderie, devotion and humor. Magical battles, struggles of loss and "fighting the good fight". I will definitely be following this series, somehow I have become attached to the characters. Great story fun read, uncomplicated.
October 1, 2015
Pretty good read. If I had one major it would be the time skips. Not that they happened or how much time was skipped but just that it was very hard to distinguish them. Often times years would pass between paragraphs will little indication. I don't mind time skips but if you are going to use them then make it obvious when they occur.
September 7, 2016
Great book
I love the pacing of this book it skips by years and tells a realistic story of gathering power, friends , and connections other than the common fantasy stories these days that only take a few weeks or a year to unfold this covers decades, of course they are almost immortal so that makes it more entertaining.
I love the pacing of this book it skips by years and tells a realistic story of gathering power, friends , and connections other than the common fantasy stories these days that only take a few weeks or a year to unfold this covers decades, of course they are almost immortal so that makes it more entertaining.
November 15, 2016
It was a good read and a very interesting concept however I feel like it was a bit rushed and some things were glossed over and there were some inconsistencies. Some of the characters sort of served as just side dressing and certain dialogue wasn't really good.
Overall I think it was a very good effort and I just hope these minor issues I have with the novel are fixed in the sequel.
Overall I think it was a very good effort and I just hope these minor issues I have with the novel are fixed in the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2014
I can't wait for the next book
who wouldn't want to read about a guy who blows himself up? this book is different from other books. it is serious and right when u think the string will break. I end up laughing. check out this book and u will see what I mean.
who wouldn't want to read about a guy who blows himself up? this book is different from other books. it is serious and right when u think the string will break. I end up laughing. check out this book and u will see what I mean.
July 7, 2015
Great book
I love this series. Lot's of great battles. The characters are well developed. You can't help but root for the hero. He has determination and a well defined sense of right and wrong. The interactions among the boulevard are humorous and endearing.
I love this series. Lot's of great battles. The characters are well developed. You can't help but root for the hero. He has determination and a well defined sense of right and wrong. The interactions among the boulevard are humorous and endearing.
December 6, 2015
I like the story, the writing is terrible.
March 18, 2015
Great book
I love this book and made me laugh many times while keeping me entertained the whole time. I also enjoyed the second book in the series aswell
I love this book and made me laugh many times while keeping me entertained the whole time. I also enjoyed the second book in the series aswell
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews