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Sentinels of Creation #1
A Power Renewed
This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B01DKXC2WC
Out of the smoldering ruins of the war in heaven Archangels Raphael and Michael cannot believe the agreement made between God and His Morning Star, Lucifer.
Unwilling to either destroy the fallen Angel or leave him with a free hand upon the world, God sets in motion a struggle that will span the millennia from creation to present day.
Two Sentinels are invested with the ability to bend the laws of creation to their will and each represents the primal forces of Order and Chaos. Throughout the centuries, Micah ben Judah has shouldered the burden of keeping legions of unnatural creatures in check, but no more.
The time has come for Raphael to renew the Sentinel’s power in another. He has found that successor in current day Atlanta.
Kellan Thorne never thought he would ever have an Angel come knocking. Sarcastic, irreverent, and prone to fits of profanity, Kellan is more at home making obscure references to Doctor Who and Star Wars than religious introspection.
His life will change forever as the veil between worlds is torn free and he is placed at the center of a war of Angels and Demons in which he may be the biggest prize. Kellan must accept the power and burden of his own free will, but can Micah and Raphael keep him alive long enough to decide?
Out of the smoldering ruins of the war in heaven Archangels Raphael and Michael cannot believe the agreement made between God and His Morning Star, Lucifer.
Unwilling to either destroy the fallen Angel or leave him with a free hand upon the world, God sets in motion a struggle that will span the millennia from creation to present day.
Two Sentinels are invested with the ability to bend the laws of creation to their will and each represents the primal forces of Order and Chaos. Throughout the centuries, Micah ben Judah has shouldered the burden of keeping legions of unnatural creatures in check, but no more.
The time has come for Raphael to renew the Sentinel’s power in another. He has found that successor in current day Atlanta.
Kellan Thorne never thought he would ever have an Angel come knocking. Sarcastic, irreverent, and prone to fits of profanity, Kellan is more at home making obscure references to Doctor Who and Star Wars than religious introspection.
His life will change forever as the veil between worlds is torn free and he is placed at the center of a war of Angels and Demons in which he may be the biggest prize. Kellan must accept the power and burden of his own free will, but can Micah and Raphael keep him alive long enough to decide?
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2017
56 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 10, 2018
KU
DNF 59% I really tried to get into this but I finally just lost interest. The writing is good, however, the story becomes bogged down with mammoth paragraphs of pure, self-indulgent blather. I don’t mind the contemporary references, but after a while even those become overused. The science elements are far too long eventually moving away from the plotline rather than enhancing it.
In a nutshell, I gave up.
DNF 59% I really tried to get into this but I finally just lost interest. The writing is good, however, the story becomes bogged down with mammoth paragraphs of pure, self-indulgent blather. I don’t mind the contemporary references, but after a while even those become overused. The science elements are far too long eventually moving away from the plotline rather than enhancing it.
In a nutshell, I gave up.
August 15, 2018
Ok so I listen to this book on audible by one of my favorite narrators, Nick Podehl. He really made this book super enjoyable. All the pop culture reference were so in my wheelhouse I had to smile. I like the protaginist and the world building. It almost make Atlanta seem liveable..almost ;)
April 3, 2016
I loved this book. The characters are a blast. The story is really interesting and it is a new concept I've not yet found in Urban Fantasy. I don't want to give anything away, other than I got a huge kick out of the adventures of protagonist, Kellan Thorne, and his penchant for well placed profanity. If you love Urban Fantasy and SciFi and are a fan of Harry Dresden, Doctor Who, Supernatural, Star Trek, Harry Potter, etc ...you will most likely really love this book. This was written by a self published author. It's his first novel. Give it a try.
December 15, 2020
This was a really good first book and while it had way too much references to other Amazing books/tv series. Which frankly became too much quickly. It was still a good book.
August 29, 2020
I purchased this audiobook as an audible daily sale. The book was a fast-paced light book and contained some decent humor, although I thought the reliance on contemporary references was overdone. I thought story lacked sufficient world-building to make the theology believable. I was not a huge fan of the narrator and I found the voice he used for Micah to be childish and annoying. Although the main character was likable, I struggled with the concept that eidetic memory would provide god-like wisdom with so little experience, and the fact that no time in this story does the character ever read a book, presumably having gained ultimate wisdom of the world and all Science Fiction and television by the age of 30 something. I thought the addition of time travel to explain gaps in story and logic made the book feel choppy and underdeveloped. Ultimately the book was not bad, if somewhat immature, and lacking in depth. Probably 2.3 stars rounded down. I did not enjoy it enough to purchase additional books in the series.
December 8, 2017
I LOVED the female characters in this book.
They were complicated, intelligent, and surprising.
The dialog and interplay are phenomenal and the pastiche of pop cultural references and the like are joyous - on the level of "Ready Player One"
I only rarely will give 5 stars - but this came close.
I think the thing that prevents me from going there is I'd want to feel the protagonist is more at risk, emotionally - if not physically.
While he does have several life-threatening engagements, they are often rather rapidly resolved and the sense of danger wasn't prominent.
However - that just means more time for characters to banter - and again - its wonderful and charming and organic. Robert Ross clearly has a talent for such.
Hats off sir.
I'm buying the next and reading it immediately after finishing this post.
They were complicated, intelligent, and surprising.
The dialog and interplay are phenomenal and the pastiche of pop cultural references and the like are joyous - on the level of "Ready Player One"
I only rarely will give 5 stars - but this came close.
I think the thing that prevents me from going there is I'd want to feel the protagonist is more at risk, emotionally - if not physically.
While he does have several life-threatening engagements, they are often rather rapidly resolved and the sense of danger wasn't prominent.
However - that just means more time for characters to banter - and again - its wonderful and charming and organic. Robert Ross clearly has a talent for such.
Hats off sir.
I'm buying the next and reading it immediately after finishing this post.
July 8, 2019
I have to say that I enjoyed the writing style in the book a lot. The humour, the dialogue, the characters...good stuff all.
That said, I have a huge issue with one of the central things here - the time travel. I think that fans of Doctor Who might enjoy this a lot. Myself - I prefer the logical type of time travel with branching alternate realities (as in, every time you travel in time, you basically enter a new alternate world and it's impossible to go back into the one you've left), or a stuck pre-determined loop, as anything else doesn't make sense due to paradoxes. Sadly, most books tend to go for the popular, easy to write non-sensical type of time travel, and so does this one. As the time-travel used in this series is central to the books and extremely illogical, it kept popping up and ruining my enjoyment.
That said, I have a huge issue with one of the central things here - the time travel. I think that fans of Doctor Who might enjoy this a lot. Myself - I prefer the logical type of time travel with branching alternate realities (as in, every time you travel in time, you basically enter a new alternate world and it's impossible to go back into the one you've left), or a stuck pre-determined loop, as anything else doesn't make sense due to paradoxes. Sadly, most books tend to go for the popular, easy to write non-sensical type of time travel, and so does this one. As the time-travel used in this series is central to the books and extremely illogical, it kept popping up and ruining my enjoyment.
November 21, 2019
I found the MC's constant use of pop-culture references to an oblivious audience to be irritating, but the frequency diminished to a tolerable level after a while. The overall system put in place to manage the mortal realm seems arbitrary and illogical... which is probably in keeping with the Bible's portrayal of God.
Where this novel shines is in its characters. I want to get to know all of them a lot better, thus I'm diving straight into book two.
I'm sure other reviewers will point out the obvious plot holes, paradoxes, and sloppy world-building, but this is a fun book... not a heavy literary tome. I can forgive a lot for a few hours of light-hearted enjoyment.
Where this novel shines is in its characters. I want to get to know all of them a lot better, thus I'm diving straight into book two.
I'm sure other reviewers will point out the obvious plot holes, paradoxes, and sloppy world-building, but this is a fun book... not a heavy literary tome. I can forgive a lot for a few hours of light-hearted enjoyment.
June 19, 2019
2 to 2.5 stars. This book feels like 4 different stories put together, it feels disjointed. I liked the MC and he shows promise but not enough to make up for the other characters lame story line. Just not a big fan of this one even with some bright spots.
June 22, 2018
I had very mixed feelings through this book.
I'd forgotten the synopsis by the time I got to this book so i had 0 idea what it was going to be even about except that there had been power, it was going to be renewed and somewhere sentinels would be involved and they watched over or looked at creation.
Well with that in mind:
The action is split between 3 POV for the first third of the book and whilst they are very different the writing makes it clear who we are talking about and it's hard to get lost.
The MC isn't written as super smart and he doesn't pretend he is.
Then we get introduced to the women in his life. For a hundrer pages or so i was worried this was going to be a harem story especially since the women are all compartimentalized and only interact with the MC.
I'd forgotten the synopsis by the time I got to this book so i had 0 idea what it was going to be even about except that there had been power, it was going to be renewed and somewhere sentinels would be involved and they watched over or looked at creation.
Well with that in mind:
The action is split between 3 POV for the first third of the book and whilst they are very different the writing makes it clear who we are talking about and it's hard to get lost.
The MC isn't written as super smart and he doesn't pretend he is.
Then we get introduced to the women in his life. For a hundrer pages or so i was worried this was going to be a harem story especially since the women are all compartimentalized and only interact with the MC.
June 22, 2020
This book was an Audible Daily Deal a few days ago, and I thought I might as well give it a chance because I'm waiting for a pre-order and I needed something to fill those waiting days with. And that is probably the only reason I finished this book to begin with.
There was no clear plot other than the change the MC went through. After that, he just flailed around going on killing-sprees. All while being all high and mighty about how one shouldn't judge someone based on rumor and race. He still performed genocide.
Then there were the league of hot girls surrounding him. All from the smart ass to the kick ass - that of course as PTSD that shows in her being overly sexual - and the rogue - that gets a crush in the MC the moment they meet.
It just. No thank you.
Also, the whole final fight seemed weird to me. Wasn't that not allowed? Wasn't that the whole point of the story behind the book?
Nah, this wasn't for me at all.
This is why I avoid UF books by male authors. It seems every time I try to give those books a chance, they are about a random guy getting all powerful and having a bunch of girls hanging around. And there is no story! Just him doing stuff to make himself feel better.
There was no clear plot other than the change the MC went through. After that, he just flailed around going on killing-sprees. All while being all high and mighty about how one shouldn't judge someone based on rumor and race. He still performed genocide.
Then there were the league of hot girls surrounding him. All from the smart ass to the kick ass - that of course as PTSD that shows in her being overly sexual - and the rogue - that gets a crush in the MC the moment they meet.
It just. No thank you.
Also, the whole final fight seemed weird to me. Wasn't that not allowed? Wasn't that the whole point of the story behind the book?
Nah, this wasn't for me at all.
This is why I avoid UF books by male authors. It seems every time I try to give those books a chance, they are about a random guy getting all powerful and having a bunch of girls hanging around. And there is no story! Just him doing stuff to make himself feel better.
April 1, 2021
March 2016 is the publishing date. My last comment referred to Apple and Siri being soooo last decade and perhaps the Author gets a pass. I liked this book a lot and it really challenged my trivia references for the bible, geek culture, fantasy book culture, british television fandom, and more. It's definitely a book that requires some of those references as background to get through with the mindset. That's ok for me...they add depth. Movies like: It's a wonderful life, Name of the Wind, Doctor Who, Star Wars, Star Trek, The Big Lebowski, and more. These just added to my enjoyment of the book which clipped along at a fast pace read by the brilliant Nick Podehl. There may have been product placements in the form of coke, a coffee station, Apple products, beer, and whiskey but they didn't reach the level of too much for me. If they continue in the rest of the series I may avoid the author for something more pure. I don't know. So, a good book about mysticism across time. Super, Timey Wimey!
February 23, 2021
Audio book review.
DNF
I listened to the first hour and a half, then realized I was not sure what was going on, guess I still had book hangover from the previous book I read. Went back and read it again, but my mind ended up wandering after a while again. There's so much info dump and world building and lore. I found the world somewhat relatable, as I'm a big fan of the show Supernatural, and I have sort of preconceived visuals for Michael and Raphael and Lucifer. I mean, he's wearing a Supernatural anti-possession symbol on the cover! Of course I'm going to love this book! It just didn't draw me in. There wasn't enough character power in the sarcastic protagonist or his sassy defending girl best friend to really draw me in and keep me interested. After the second realization that I'm not following what's going on, just decided to DNF.
DNF
I listened to the first hour and a half, then realized I was not sure what was going on, guess I still had book hangover from the previous book I read. Went back and read it again, but my mind ended up wandering after a while again. There's so much info dump and world building and lore. I found the world somewhat relatable, as I'm a big fan of the show Supernatural, and I have sort of preconceived visuals for Michael and Raphael and Lucifer. I mean, he's wearing a Supernatural anti-possession symbol on the cover! Of course I'm going to love this book! It just didn't draw me in. There wasn't enough character power in the sarcastic protagonist or his sassy defending girl best friend to really draw me in and keep me interested. After the second realization that I'm not following what's going on, just decided to DNF.
October 26, 2022
DUDE!! I freaking LOVED this book and am currently listening to the third book. I try to listen to everything narrated by Nick Podehl which is how I found this book. Robert Ross is a mastermind at creating that perfect balance of humor, action and everything in between and Nick is the G.O.A.T at bringing the characters to life- when he voices the female characters I totally forget he’s a dude 🤣 I find myself literally laughing out loud and I’m awarded with weird looks from people…but I really don’t care. Love the characters and Kellen is hilarious!
I just can’t say enough good things about this book, the author or the narrator! Just read the book and if you can’t read or don’t want to read- LISTEN to it. You won’t regret it!
I just can’t say enough good things about this book, the author or the narrator! Just read the book and if you can’t read or don’t want to read- LISTEN to it. You won’t regret it!
March 6, 2021
I listened to this book while on the road, not really thinking I’d be all that into it, but put it on figuring at the very least it could be background noise. It was a bit of a rough start for me to be honest, and for a moment had me terribly confused, thinking I’d really blacked out and missed a huge chunk of the story, just to find out that that part is being told in two different time periods Thankfully it explained it eventually (within the same chapter), and I started to really get into the story. Overall, I can’t wait to see where the story goes, especially considering we’ve already witnessed the death of an archangel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2020
Feels like a lot of the information as pulled directly from Wikipedia and just tied together. The rest of the book is a bad version of paint by numbers but in novel form. Boring cast of characters, making jokes instead of pushing the plot, when the plot is pushed its in a very unorganized manner, and just overall bad story structure.
I'm surprised people could understand it well enough to give it good reviews. I have definitely read much better books with worse reviews, so to each his own I guess.
I'm surprised people could understand it well enough to give it good reviews. I have definitely read much better books with worse reviews, so to each his own I guess.
July 3, 2020
So got the book as part of the offers that Audible provides daily and it had a interesting description so got it.
No regrets, it started slow with a lot of information that when you are half way starts to make sense, but it makes it a slow start. The great part is the build of the character, and the pop culture references that are all over the place, and makes the read enjoyable.
The book has action, good plot, and interesting relationships that span several centuries. the good thing is that is a hero in training and this makes it interesting seen the main character grow.
like it!
No regrets, it started slow with a lot of information that when you are half way starts to make sense, but it makes it a slow start. The great part is the build of the character, and the pop culture references that are all over the place, and makes the read enjoyable.
The book has action, good plot, and interesting relationships that span several centuries. the good thing is that is a hero in training and this makes it interesting seen the main character grow.
like it!
August 30, 2020
I use ratings to decide which books I am going to buy, and I recently decided I am partially responsible for inflating the ratings on books. Either they were 5 star or 1 star. I decided to use the star rating more objectively as follows:
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
This is a 4 star book at times but mainly a 3 star.
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
This is a 4 star book at times but mainly a 3 star.
August 2, 2021
I don't even know why I picked this up. I hope I don't regret it.
This actually turned out okay. The stoner shaggy from Scooby-Doo on the cover, and the bad start had me thinking of dropping it, but once you get past the stupid endless pop culture references, it had an okay story.
Don't know if I will continue the series. I was thinking of it during the middle, but by the end I don't know.
3/5 Stars
This actually turned out okay. The stoner shaggy from Scooby-Doo on the cover, and the bad start had me thinking of dropping it, but once you get past the stupid endless pop culture references, it had an okay story.
Don't know if I will continue the series. I was thinking of it during the middle, but by the end I don't know.
3/5 Stars
September 14, 2022
As a person who is not a follower of the aberhamic faiths I had my hesitation. That being said as a theology nerd and just a nerd in general I have to say this was a very enjoyable book. With references to Doctor Who, Starwars, Startrek, Power Rangers, Lord of the rings, Marvel Comics, and many other fandoms this book was one of the most enjoyable I have ever read. I would give it 5 stars but the mythos really annoyed me at time.
October 29, 2023
Robert Ross’ Sentinels of Creation: A Power Renewed tells the story of the transition of the power from the first sentinel, Micah, to his successor, Kellan.
Armed with an eidetic memory, sarcastic wit, and a plethora of pop culture, Kellan must now fight to maintain order and keep unnatural enemies at bay.
I enjoyed this book. Kellan is a fascinating character. I am interested in seeing what the next one will bring.
Armed with an eidetic memory, sarcastic wit, and a plethora of pop culture, Kellan must now fight to maintain order and keep unnatural enemies at bay.
I enjoyed this book. Kellan is a fascinating character. I am interested in seeing what the next one will bring.
January 8, 2023
Solid start to the series. I started this series after reading the Paradigm 2045 series by the same author and was clued in to characters overlapping in the next book in the Paradigm 2045 series. While it is obvious this is some of the author's earlier work there is a similar vibe with the characters and story telling. Overall a short fun listen... now on to book 2.
November 18, 2017
I really like this book, I hope there is several more to come.
April 25, 2018
Greatly enjoyed this book. Pretty fun creative world and very enjoyable characters.
November 21, 2019
This book is fantastic. I loved the pop culture references and the banter between characters was great.
June 22, 2020
I tried. I really did.
But this is just plain bad.
Characters are flat and boring.
Theology is just dumb and uninspired.
YMMV, but I just couldn’t finish this.
But this is just plain bad.
Characters are flat and boring.
Theology is just dumb and uninspired.
YMMV, but I just couldn’t finish this.
October 20, 2020
Loved it. The whole series. The audiobook narrator is fantastic.
January 31, 2021
Very entertaining read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it highly to anyone that like twist and surprise with action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it highly to anyone that like twist and surprise with action.
May 9, 2021
2.5/5. Not bad urban fantasy. I though the pacing wasn’t the greatest. Side characters needed more depth. Unlike other readers though, I thoroughly enjoyed the pop culture references.
September 28, 2022
Well that was a fun introduction
...Its not a perfect, but a gosh darn enjoyable first novel. I'm curious to see how this series plays out over the next couple of books.
...Its not a perfect, but a gosh darn enjoyable first novel. I'm curious to see how this series plays out over the next couple of books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews