Halcyon: A Sentinel Novel

by Caroline Akervik, Ruth Rankin

It’s hard enough to always be the new girl at school for Hailey Schick. She’s managed to irritate the ruling clique at the school and Trevor, the boy she sort of likes, is total social outcast. Nothing is as it seems at University. Preston and Chelsea rule the school with an iron fist and are obsessed with stomping out all nonconformity. There is more going on here than the usual cutthroat high school games. Eternally young sentinels from the parallel universe of Halcyon have infiltrated their school and plan to use it as a launching pad for a planned takeover of Earth.. Hailey and Trevor may be all that stands between Earth and a takeover by the militaristic Juventus.

270 pages, Paperback

About the author

Caroline Akervik has always been a voracious reader of most any genre, with the exception of horror, because it's scary. Blessed with a wonderful husband and three amazing grown children, Caroline has worked as a horse trainer and as a school librarian. She remains an animal lover and believes that libraries are among the most magical of places. Her writings reflect the eclectic nature of her life and reading taste, and her books include sweet romances, horse stories and even science fiction. Caroline seeks to write from the heart, to transport her readers and to give wings to their imaginations.

Reviews

[maria arcara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read; I liked the 2 main characters, Hailey and Trevor. They each possessed a strong sense of self, and an acceptance of who they are despite the messages from those trying to bring them down. They also both were intelligent, witty, and loyal to those close to them. I enjoyed the parallel dimension premise and the statement being made about the prominent culture in our society that overvaluies youth, as well. I think think book has some really good messages for young adults!
I think the reason I am giving 4 stars rather than 5 is because some of the information about Halcyon is repeated in detail numerous times and I didn't feel that was necessary... it seemed a strategic plan for conveying the information to the reader, maybe in bits using foreshadowing, or maybe divulging it all early on and then merely referencing it later, would have given the story a bit more finesse. Anyway, taking the story at face value, I found it entertaining and I'm glad I read it!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this young adult novel. It tells the story of Hailey, a teenager at a new school who is just trying to fit in. Hailey reluctantly gets involved with Trevor, a handsome outsider at school who informs her that the popular kids are actually from an alien world. The aliens value youth above all and are planning to take over the Earth. Together, they must save Trevor’s mentor and themselves from the aliens. This sci-fi book is a fun read full of teenage angst, adventure, and a touch of romance.

[Brodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hailey is overall an okay character it just sucks that at the beginning she is only focused on fitting in and being popular and not worried about the fact that she isn’t being herself.
Trevor is a cute character and I love his relationship with Mr.H and his relationship with Hailey near the second half was adorable.
I wish Mr. H was in the story more. Other than the fact that Trevor basically trained to save him... I love the character and I just think it would’ve been cool to have seen more from him and learn more about his past and what else he’s up to now.
Every time Preston’s name popped up I was filled with extreme hatred and disgust at the character. He is such a jerk and I can’t imagine how lonely a life of trying to destroy others must be. All of the Juventus really pissed me off, I understand the appeal of being young forever (I guess) but forcing it upon people and making laws to execute people who don’t agree with it is so messed up! Ugh Halcyon seems like it could’ve been a cool place before the Juventus took over.
4 stars because the parts I wanted to be more descriptive and longer were shorter than I’d like, and the parts that didn’t need as much description were longer than they needed to be. But I overall loved the story and will probably read more from these authors.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Hailey attends her first day of school at Halcyon, she wants nothing more than to fit in with the popular crowd. Even if that means putting up with the bossy Chelsea. But Hailey isn't one to always do as she's told and she also has a crush on Trevor, the good-looking nerd who nobody likes. There's something about Trevor that makes her curious and flustered.

Chelsea and Preston rule the school, but there's more than meets the eye. Preston is the lead sentinel from an alternate universe that's planning to take over Earth and Chelsea will do anything to stay on his good side. Her target: Hailey.

After receiving community service, Hailey finds herself Trevor's partner at the library and finds herself enjoying his company. When Hailey witnesses something she can't explain, even with her own eyes, she find herself drawn into the fight to save Earth.


Final Verdict: This book is slightly repetitive at times, but there's enough drama and action to keep you curious about what's going to happen next. I would recommend this to fans of science fiction and intergalactic fighting.

[Sabetha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is Mean Girls meets Hunger Games. It kept me intrigued throughout the whole story. I loved that Hailey wasn't your typical YA main character. She followed the crowd to be popular, didn't accept the out of the ordinary just because someone told her it was so, and second guessed everything about herself and her decisions every step of the way. Typical teen. The "plastics" of this story were brutal, and screamed real high school experience for anyone of a Clique like that. I also appreciated that at the end of the day, no matter what was going on in the bigger picture, for these Sophomores it always came back to arguing about day to day school drama, like who's hot and who's not, who likes who, and who is smart. The world may be ending but 15 year olds will always be 15 year olds. LOL

[Tiffany Wittman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going to a new school is never easy. Being sought out by the cool crowd then thrown to wolves is even harder. Hailey finds out the hard way in the new budding series by sisters Caroline Akervik and Ruth Rankin. Hailey must do her community service hours at the local library with the school exile Trevor. When she means Trevor's mentor Mr. Henderson, her world gets turned upsidedown. During one of her breaks she witnesses him being attacked and disappearing. Her and Trevor must now save not only save Mr.H, but earth as well. Can they both do it?

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Halcyon:


Hailey is a normal teen trying to not stand out too much, hiding her intelligence, and trying to fit into the right cliche.


But what does an alien invasion do to your social life?


Honestly was not sure how I would feel about this book being about aliens but it definitely warmed on me. The characters are quirky but in a way that endears them to the reader.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read with a different take on alien invasions. Hailey and Trevor are good main characters. They are both smart, strong and know who they are. While Hailey is new and wanting to make a good impression on the "in-crowd" she also stands up for herself. I have a couple of questions about the end of the book, but interested in reading a second for sure to see where things go.

[Ginger Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was actually wonderful. It is not part of my normal type of book that I read. I was surprised at just how fast I was pulled in. Mostly out of sheer curiosity of what would happen next. Whole reason that I gave it three stars was because the end was quite a bit of a let down. Too abrupt for me.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mean Girls meets Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in this genre mixing YA novel. This author duo presents an interesting take on the causes and effects of bullying. There is all the drama of high school hallways as well as the action that reader's have come to expect from YA dystopia/sci-fi novels.

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. Good protagonists: Hailey, Trevor, and Mr. Henderson as well as decent antagonists: Chelsea and Preston. A little romance. Combat to the death, puzzles, and deadly obstacle courses.

I was provided this book as an ARC by the author; however, the review is my honest opinion.

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. Good protagonists: Hailey, Trevor, and Mr. Henderson as well as decent antagonists: Chelsea and Preston. A little romance. Combat to the death, puzzles, and deadly obstacle courses.

I was provided this book as an ARC by the author; however, the review is my honest opinion.

[Tera Comer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I love the blend of YA, sci-fi and romance. There is plenty of action that keeps you pulled and turning every page to find out what happens next. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Linda Stelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This young adult novel is very engaging and beautifully written. Teens will relate to the social drama. The sci-fi plot is highly creative and vividly described. The romance between Trevor and Hailey is tender and sweet.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 3 out of 5]

An exciting trek into the realms of parallel universes and high school social order.

Read full review in the 2018 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Gloria · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book Halcyon is the first book I have ever read by authors Caroline Akervik and Ruth Rankin. This is a sci-fi book aimed for young adults that consist of two main characters Hailey and Trevor who have the task of saving earth from invaders from another parallel universe known as Halcyon. The alien invaders are a group called Juventus that have found a cure to conquer the aging process that lets them remain youthful and the youthful age these alien invaders have chosen to remain is within the teenage group. Therefore, part of the setting of the book is set on earth in a high school in which Preston, a Juventus (who is actually an earthly) uses the popular cliques to control and keep order of the high school hierarchy that they can control in the future to take over the earth by the primacy (which is group that rules over the Juventus in the universe Halcyon) as these cliques are expected to have leadership roles/power in the future. Hailey and Trevor with the assistance of Mr. H who was former primacy but is against the belief he once practice is the two who are expected to fight a whole alien race from invading earth.
The plot of the book had potential, but it seemed to be repeat some of the same information and what I felt was an important part of the book in which these two teens are attempting on saving earth felt too rushed, and left me with unanswered questions, I am still wondering what happened to the Primacy/Juventus after the three-task completed to save the life of MR. H and as well as the main characters when the setting changed to the universe of halcyon when they left earth to save MR. H.Preston is mentioned in the end that he was removed from earth, but nothing more is elaborated about how the earth invasion was defeated and it seems it was only a temporary and there is potential Preston and other Juventus will return to earth to finish the task of invading earth.
As for the characters, I was not able to connect with either of them. I was not fond of Hailey, she was to be someone who was independent and strong and did not conform to the idea of the high school hierarchy. It seemed all she cared about was acceptance of the popular kids, the same popular kids that were under the control of the Juventus. She cared more about popularity and was whiney throughout the whole book, she had a privileged attitude and I could see why Trevor would have thought Hailey would bail to save herself when she had the opportunity to return to earth. Trevor, I wanted him to be the mysterious one and surer about himself, there were points in the book where he thought he was not good enough. He was characterized as a nerd, but I initially had the impression he was popular at one point in high school, but Preston changed that because he would not let himself conform and be controlled. There were times that he was trying so hard to be someone he was not, and spent most of the book trying to convince Hailey about how she was an equal counterpart to help save earth.
The romance that was supposed to be between Hailey and Trevor felt short. There was a lack of chemistry between the two, there was no romance and it takes the very end to deliver their acknowledgment of their interest in each other and then it ends, the romance just needs more development in the story.
As I mentioned the book has potential it just needed more developments in some areas in the book. Also, the preface needed to be more mysterious about what the book was about. When I read the preface, it was more of a spoiler of the book, I knew that the whole story in reading the preface and the book become more predictable as I read the book. The preface summed the whole book, I wanted to be engrossed in the book that would have kept me guessing instead of getting straight to the point of what the story and then dragging it more on about something I already knew, but yet I stilled had unanswered questions about some of the storyline.

* I received an ARC for my honest review.

[Kanyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the plot of this novel. It isn’t an idea I have read about before, so I give props to the authors for creating an exciting and action-packed original story. The only slow point was the moments where we read very informed details of the aliens repeatedly. I think learning along the way or simply stating it once would have made for lighter reading, for me personally anyway. I liked the main characters and they acted their age, but they were also strong and loyal to their each other and their mission. The difference between doing what is right vs wrong is prevalent in many scenarios throughout the reading. I am interested in reading what awaits these two teens next.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy reading young adult sci-fi/fantasy clean romance books.

I voluntarily received and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Final Rating: 4 Stars

[maria arcara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read; I liked the 2 main characters, Hailey and Trevor. They each possessed a strong sense of self, and an acceptance of who they are despite the messages from those trying to bring them down. They also both were intelligent, witty, and loyal to those close to them. I enjoyed the parallel dimension premise and the statement being made about the prominent culture in our society that overvalues youth. I think this book has some really good messages for young adults.
I did find that some of the information about Halcyon was repeated in detail numerous times and I didn't feel that was necessary... it seemed that if the authors had a strategic plan for conveying the information to the reader, maybe in bits using foreshadowing, or maybe divulging it all early on and then merely referencing it later, it would have given the story a bit more finesse. Anyway, taking the story at face value, I did find it entertaining overall.

[Cali Jewel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an emotionally thrilling, action packed, all out fight to save the world as we know it filled with drama, suspense, thrills and young love.

Hailey Schick is a smart, sweet, charming and authentic teenager that is used to being the new girl in school, yet something about this new school is way off. Trevor is a sweet, charming, hot nerd that is a complete social outcast and the guy she is trying so hard not to crush on. Preston and Chelsea rule the school and stomp out any one that does not follow. Underlying all this is a plot by an alien race of forever young, rule loving, conformity needing, humanoid beings to take over our earth from a alternate dimension called Halcyon. Highly entertaining and engaging reading that keep me hooked till the last page and looking forward to more.

[Jennifer Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this novel in return for an honest review. Halcyon is a parallel universe with humanoids seeking youth. In their quest to do so they need to inhabit new planets so their younger generations have a place in their race.

The concept of this novel is fascinating but is approached by putting a spotlight on stereotypical high school groups and relying on a poorly developed romance. It honestly reminded me of mean girls meets the hunger games with an alien invasion.

The authors repeat themselves throughout each chapter and this makes the novel seem long and boring. The last several chapters hold the crux of what could have been a thrilling and spine tingling finish, but due to early drawn out repetition, the end felt rushed and unsatisfying. This had so much potential but missed the mark for me.

[Stephen Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great YA book, even enjoyable for those of us older, lol! A new twist on alien invasions with alternate reality thrown in, it will keep you reading until your done and looking for the second book! I received this book from an authors reading club which in no way affected my review.