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Strength: A Coming of Age Fantasy Novel
Save the world or study for calculus?
Roxie Lohr wishes all her choices were that easy. Between college applications, boys, and homework, she doesn’t have a lot of spare time to figure out why intense emotions make her eyes glow (freaking glow), or why she has the weirdest feeling that someone or something vital is missing from her life.
And, it’s not like the answers, when she starts to get them, are reassuring. Sure, she finds Aerigo, the one other person whose eyes are like hers, and yeah, he unlocks some crazy hidden powers in her. All that hardly makes up for the fact that she and Aerigo are a species literally being hunted to extinction by someone a lot more powerful and a whole lot more insane.
This is hardly the post-graduation summer road-trip adventure Roxie had in mind. Faced with strange prophecies, mad gods, and debates about the tensile strength of the fabric of reality, Roxie must learn to accept the unbelievable and believe she is strong enough to fight back. The alternative is everything she is and everyone she loves will cease to exist...or worse.
Roxie Lohr wishes all her choices were that easy. Between college applications, boys, and homework, she doesn’t have a lot of spare time to figure out why intense emotions make her eyes glow (freaking glow), or why she has the weirdest feeling that someone or something vital is missing from her life.
And, it’s not like the answers, when she starts to get them, are reassuring. Sure, she finds Aerigo, the one other person whose eyes are like hers, and yeah, he unlocks some crazy hidden powers in her. All that hardly makes up for the fact that she and Aerigo are a species literally being hunted to extinction by someone a lot more powerful and a whole lot more insane.
This is hardly the post-graduation summer road-trip adventure Roxie had in mind. Faced with strange prophecies, mad gods, and debates about the tensile strength of the fabric of reality, Roxie must learn to accept the unbelievable and believe she is strong enough to fight back. The alternative is everything she is and everyone she loves will cease to exist...or worse.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 4, 2018
1 person is currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 7, 2025
Angela Guajardo’s Strength delivers a captivating start to the Mortal Guardians series, with immersive world-building and nuanced character development that truly draw you in. The way Guajardo crafts the realms and the mythology behind the Aigis feels fresh and vivid, making it easy to get lost in this richly imagined universe.
Roxie Lohr’s transformation from human to Aigis is handled with care and depth, preparing readers for a profound life change that reshapes her identity in unexpected ways. Her journey feels authentic and relatable, even as she’s thrust into a world filled with gods, danger, and destiny. Roxie’s glowing eyes, once a mysterious quirk, become a powerful symbol of her unique role—and this transition sets the tone for the rest of the series.
Aerigo, her mentor turned love interest, is a well-crafted character—protective, caring, and understandably worried given the stakes. His presence adds emotional weight and complexity, showing how Roxie’s transformation is just as impactful on those around her. Their evolving relationship adds a tender layer to the story without overshadowing the larger conflicts.
One thing to note is that this first book does not resolve the central dilemma, but it sets the stage expertly for the second installment. The tension between Nexus and Baku—son and father—feels like a looming conflict that will have major consequences. Their pattern of avoiding critical issues while putting the universe at risk adds a compelling layer of intrigue and stakes that I’m eager to see unfold.
The premise of gods calling upon mortals with special powers, the Aigis, to solve problems they cannot handle alone is intriguing and sets up high stakes from the start. Roxie’s whirlwind journey—from everyday concerns like boys and college to battles that could decide the fate of worlds—is thrilling and keeps you hooked.
While the story is fast-paced and packed with action, Guajardo balances it with moments of introspection and growth, making the characters feel real and their struggles meaningful. The only reason I’m giving it 4.5 stars instead of a full 5 is a slight desire for deeper exploration of some secondary characters and world lore, but I’m confident those will come in future installments.
Overall, Strength is a strong, engaging read that sets up an exciting series. Fans of urban fantasy and mythological adventures will find a lot to love here.
Roxie Lohr’s transformation from human to Aigis is handled with care and depth, preparing readers for a profound life change that reshapes her identity in unexpected ways. Her journey feels authentic and relatable, even as she’s thrust into a world filled with gods, danger, and destiny. Roxie’s glowing eyes, once a mysterious quirk, become a powerful symbol of her unique role—and this transition sets the tone for the rest of the series.
Aerigo, her mentor turned love interest, is a well-crafted character—protective, caring, and understandably worried given the stakes. His presence adds emotional weight and complexity, showing how Roxie’s transformation is just as impactful on those around her. Their evolving relationship adds a tender layer to the story without overshadowing the larger conflicts.
One thing to note is that this first book does not resolve the central dilemma, but it sets the stage expertly for the second installment. The tension between Nexus and Baku—son and father—feels like a looming conflict that will have major consequences. Their pattern of avoiding critical issues while putting the universe at risk adds a compelling layer of intrigue and stakes that I’m eager to see unfold.
The premise of gods calling upon mortals with special powers, the Aigis, to solve problems they cannot handle alone is intriguing and sets up high stakes from the start. Roxie’s whirlwind journey—from everyday concerns like boys and college to battles that could decide the fate of worlds—is thrilling and keeps you hooked.
While the story is fast-paced and packed with action, Guajardo balances it with moments of introspection and growth, making the characters feel real and their struggles meaningful. The only reason I’m giving it 4.5 stars instead of a full 5 is a slight desire for deeper exploration of some secondary characters and world lore, but I’m confident those will come in future installments.
Overall, Strength is a strong, engaging read that sets up an exciting series. Fans of urban fantasy and mythological adventures will find a lot to love here.
August 19, 2025
(I received a copy to review through voracious readers)
This books was good because of all the different worlds that they travelled to. I loved reading the descriptions of the towns and heir journey. I would recommend reading, however I wouldn't have bought it if I hadn't been offered this copy.
This books was good because of all the different worlds that they travelled to. I loved reading the descriptions of the towns and heir journey. I would recommend reading, however I wouldn't have bought it if I hadn't been offered this copy.
November 25, 2025
It was well written and i couldn't stop reading until the end. I love the characters as well continue writing will like to read more. I will probably read it again.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews