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Longevity: The Wardens Of Time
Readers' Favorite Book Awards 2019 Finalist in Young Adult Paranormal. Noah Thomas is a scrawny seventh grader who is bullied to the brink in his new town. Friendless, except for sassy tomboy Wendy Sherman, who seems to lend him the confidence he needs to stand up to his oppressors. Upon stumbling into a bookshop one afternoon while on the run from some teenaged tyrants, Noah is hurled into an unexplainable adventure. Noah learns that the bookshop does, in fact, lead to the Akashic Records – a place that holds all spirit lives recorded in tablets of light. With this new found knowledge, Noah begins to grow in wisdom and confidence to face his fears. His biggest challenge comes in the form of five demonic spirits that he accidentally lets loose from a lost tablet. Will Noah succeed with the help of his guardian angel cat he calls Keeper, or will all Hell's henchman prevail?
- GenresFantasy
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2018
20 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 5, 2019
Longevity isn't just a story. It's a gift to the literary community. I admire the concepts that Smith presents in this book. Not only is it imaginative and well written, but the story contains a clear cut view of the author's religious beliefs. Which in my humble opinion, is a brave thing to do. Longevity is filled with action, adventure, and fun. But it also pulls back the veil and peeks into the divine, offering a heart warming display of spirituality. I greatly appreciate the sincerity within the pages, and I am looking forward to reading more from Caleb Smith.
October 3, 2018
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
One young man’s journey of self-discovery leads to a world of magic and danger in author Caleb Smith’s novel Longevity: The Wardens of Time. Here is the synopsis.
The Synopsis
Noah Thomas is a scrawny seventh grader who is bullied to the brink in his new town. Friendless, except for sassy tomboy Wendy Sherman, who seems to lend him the confidence he needs to stand up to his oppressors. Upon stumbling into a bookshop one afternoon while on the run from some teenaged tyrants, Noah is hurled into an unexplainable adventure. Noah learns that the bookshop does, in fact, lead to the Akashic Records – a place that holds all spirit lives recorded in tablets of light. With this new found knowledge, Noah begins to grow in wisdom and confidence to face his fears. His biggest challenge comes in the form of five demonic spirits that he accidentally lets loose from a lost tablet. Will Noah succeed with the help of his guardian angel cat he calls Keeper, or will all Hell's henchman prevail?
The Review
This YA Paranormal/Coming of Age story was an incredible read. The author does a marvelous job of blending the struggles of a young middle school child struggling with his status as an outsider and being bullied with the magical and mythical circumstances he finds himself in throughout the book. Noah is a very relatable and heartbreaking character. In an age where bullying and even cyber-bullying are at an all time high, Noah’s struggle with the bullies at his school and it’s affect on his life was an emotional struggle that readers will be able to hone in on. Meanwhile Noah also struggles with maintaining his first real friendship with Wendy, while also coming of age and discovering his independence while dealing with a worried single mother and no father to help guide him through the hardships of life.
While children will identify with Noah and his adventures, parents will immediately love Noah’s mother and Wendy’s father as they both serve as single parents struggling to raise children on their own. Meanwhile the paranormal element of the story helps illuminate Noah’s real life struggles by giving him a taste of heroism and showing the power that stories and words really have in this world. Delving into the lore of a surprising mythology, the story turns to a classic yet epic battle of good vs evil, and what happens when a small, frightened young boy grows into an adult and becomes the protector he was always meant to be. The writing here was well done, using the mythology told throughout the story to paint a fantastic image of what ancient forces descending on a small town would really look like.
The Verdict
Overall I loved this story. The characters and story really did an amazing job of drawing me into the book and created a fantastic new YA mythology that has the potential for far more stories in the franchise. It’s a story of finding hope, discovering your inner strength and standing up to the bullies and evil of the world around you. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of Longevity: The Wardens of Time by Caleb Smith, available for pre-order now and set to release on October 25th, 2018.
One young man’s journey of self-discovery leads to a world of magic and danger in author Caleb Smith’s novel Longevity: The Wardens of Time. Here is the synopsis.
The Synopsis
Noah Thomas is a scrawny seventh grader who is bullied to the brink in his new town. Friendless, except for sassy tomboy Wendy Sherman, who seems to lend him the confidence he needs to stand up to his oppressors. Upon stumbling into a bookshop one afternoon while on the run from some teenaged tyrants, Noah is hurled into an unexplainable adventure. Noah learns that the bookshop does, in fact, lead to the Akashic Records – a place that holds all spirit lives recorded in tablets of light. With this new found knowledge, Noah begins to grow in wisdom and confidence to face his fears. His biggest challenge comes in the form of five demonic spirits that he accidentally lets loose from a lost tablet. Will Noah succeed with the help of his guardian angel cat he calls Keeper, or will all Hell's henchman prevail?
The Review
This YA Paranormal/Coming of Age story was an incredible read. The author does a marvelous job of blending the struggles of a young middle school child struggling with his status as an outsider and being bullied with the magical and mythical circumstances he finds himself in throughout the book. Noah is a very relatable and heartbreaking character. In an age where bullying and even cyber-bullying are at an all time high, Noah’s struggle with the bullies at his school and it’s affect on his life was an emotional struggle that readers will be able to hone in on. Meanwhile Noah also struggles with maintaining his first real friendship with Wendy, while also coming of age and discovering his independence while dealing with a worried single mother and no father to help guide him through the hardships of life.
While children will identify with Noah and his adventures, parents will immediately love Noah’s mother and Wendy’s father as they both serve as single parents struggling to raise children on their own. Meanwhile the paranormal element of the story helps illuminate Noah’s real life struggles by giving him a taste of heroism and showing the power that stories and words really have in this world. Delving into the lore of a surprising mythology, the story turns to a classic yet epic battle of good vs evil, and what happens when a small, frightened young boy grows into an adult and becomes the protector he was always meant to be. The writing here was well done, using the mythology told throughout the story to paint a fantastic image of what ancient forces descending on a small town would really look like.
The Verdict
Overall I loved this story. The characters and story really did an amazing job of drawing me into the book and created a fantastic new YA mythology that has the potential for far more stories in the franchise. It’s a story of finding hope, discovering your inner strength and standing up to the bullies and evil of the world around you. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of Longevity: The Wardens of Time by Caleb Smith, available for pre-order now and set to release on October 25th, 2018.
November 28, 2018
Noah is a seventh grader and his mother have moved to Mid-Town. She works three jobs because, Noah’s father died in an accident leaving them with no money. Noah is a kid who is bullied daily at school and whenever his bullies catch him outside of it. He keeps to himself and doesn’t have any friends due to the bullies. When Wendy Sherman goes to school for the first day, Noah can’t believe his eyes. She doesn’t dress like most of the girls in school. Wendy and Noah become friends. Noah learns to work with Wendy at her dad’s place. Wendy’s dad gets the bullies off Wendy and Noah’s back when they return from school. One day while running from the bullies, he goes into a bookshop. The bookshop is a strange place where he meets Enoch and then later his twin Elijah. They give him instructional books to read where Noah discovers among other things how to fly.
The author has written an excellent novel. It gives Noah coming of age experiences. As I read this book, it turns into a fantasy and then horror. I say horror as demons come into the last part of the book. I can’t wait for the next book! At least I hope there is a next one!
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The author has written an excellent novel. It gives Noah coming of age experiences. As I read this book, it turns into a fantasy and then horror. I say horror as demons come into the last part of the book. I can’t wait for the next book! At least I hope there is a next one!
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
November 26, 2018
Noah Thomas is a scrawny seventh grader who is bullied to the brink in his new town. Friendless, except for sassy tomboy Wendy Sherman, who seems to lend him the confidence he needs to stand up to his oppressors. Upon stumbling into a bookshop one afternoon while on the run from some teenaged tyrants, Noah is hurled into an unexplainable adventure. Noah learns that the bookshop does, in fact, lead to the Akashic Records – a place that holds all spirit lives recorded in tablets of light. With this new found knowledge, Noah begins to grow in wisdom and confidence to face his fears. His biggest challenge comes in the form of five demonic spirits that he accidentally lets loose from a lost tablet. Will Noah succeed with the help of his guardian angel cat he calls Keeper, or will all Hell's henchman prevail?
March 6, 2019
Great style
I have to admit that I enjoyed the character development found here. The inhabitants are 3 dimensional and fully formed. The storyline is... Slightly problematic for me(it might not be for others). It felt like vacation bible school memories and life before I realized that adults were not "all knowing". It, to me, is too simple. There were too many moments in it that caused me to pause because the situation was lacking in explanation or that lack of reality jolted me out of the universe. I read to escape or to learn. This story provides neither.
I have to admit that I enjoyed the character development found here. The inhabitants are 3 dimensional and fully formed. The storyline is... Slightly problematic for me(it might not be for others). It felt like vacation bible school memories and life before I realized that adults were not "all knowing". It, to me, is too simple. There were too many moments in it that caused me to pause because the situation was lacking in explanation or that lack of reality jolted me out of the universe. I read to escape or to learn. This story provides neither.
December 3, 2018
Received book as a giveaway
This was a excellent read of finding out who you are and coming of age. Fantasy at it’s best. Now looking forward to book 2 and continue the adventure. I could not put this book down and devoured it in short time. Loved the relationship building, and the challenges Noah faced and the different ways he overcame them.
This was a excellent read of finding out who you are and coming of age. Fantasy at it’s best. Now looking forward to book 2 and continue the adventure. I could not put this book down and devoured it in short time. Loved the relationship building, and the challenges Noah faced and the different ways he overcame them.
October 4, 2018
Received an arc from netgalley. This is a paranormal ya book that is great. Would love to find that door in a bookstore and have adventures! Definitely recommend this book!
January 25, 2020
Longevity: Wardens of Time is an amazing book about spiritual warfare between demons and angels here on earth. The hero is a young boy named Noah who is a newcomer to Mid-Town and finds himself the favorite prey of the school's bullies. Soon he finds himself in a bookstore and befriended by two angels who teach him magical things by lessons in books that take him to an ethereal place in time and space. In a short time Noah finds himself in the middle of a war that he started when he releases a demon from an ancient book.
Caleb Smith writes a gripping tale of friendship and loyalty. I found this book to hit home in so many areas in my life. I would recommend this book to kids, young adults and adults.
A great read!
Caleb Smith writes a gripping tale of friendship and loyalty. I found this book to hit home in so many areas in my life. I would recommend this book to kids, young adults and adults.
A great read!
May 17, 2019
A great epic for young readers. Caleb Smith weaved an exciting tale, combining the coming-of-age story of a young outsider and his tomboy friend and a battle between angels and demons. I miss the good old days of young adult fiction that didn't water down the sadness and/or scares--Clive Barker's The Thief of Always anyone?--and this book delivers a truthful look at real life heartache (being bullied can be devastating) and the shocking fantasy of power-hungry demons (Hey, they ain't demons for nothing!) I truly enjoyed this book, and I cannot wait for our main character to meet...
March 20, 2019
Enjoyable read, enjoyable characters, well developed plot.
I found that, in parts, it was a little slow and overly descriptive but that is the only drawback to this book.
I would recommend this read to anyone that enjoys the battle between good and evil.
I found that, in parts, it was a little slow and overly descriptive but that is the only drawback to this book.
I would recommend this read to anyone that enjoys the battle between good and evil.
December 27, 2018
I liked this book to a degree [it was OK], Noah was an interesting as a character and his activities were engaging. His new found friend Wendy also had a bit of something about her too. Both of them were relatively new in town and in school. Noah however was being bullied and Wendy became his friend and aide in escaping the bullies. While on his own Noah discovers a bookshop and within the magic of books which help him learn techniques to evade the bullies. Meanwhile a darker evil than bullies appears on the scene and despair stalks the town.
I was enjoying the book until it became very Christian religious, which I wasn't expecting. I like my books to be less preachy and more escapism. I was hoping that the book would give inspiration to youngsters on how to cope with bullies [without having to develop some sort of superpower], but I don't feel that it 100% worked in that respect. I found the 'hell' bit of the book rather tedious to trawl through and the characters from that area a bit weak.
This all means that I was happily reading away until I got to the middle portion of the book, when I hit a slow patch and had to plough through that to find out how the book ended. I anticipate that younger readers will find it enjoyable and will rave about it.
For those that don't know, US 7th grade is around 12 years old, equivalent to Year 7 or Year 8 (Key Stage 3) in UK.
I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. NetGalley does not allow for paid reviews.
I was enjoying the book until it became very Christian religious, which I wasn't expecting. I like my books to be less preachy and more escapism. I was hoping that the book would give inspiration to youngsters on how to cope with bullies [without having to develop some sort of superpower], but I don't feel that it 100% worked in that respect. I found the 'hell' bit of the book rather tedious to trawl through and the characters from that area a bit weak.
This all means that I was happily reading away until I got to the middle portion of the book, when I hit a slow patch and had to plough through that to find out how the book ended. I anticipate that younger readers will find it enjoyable and will rave about it.
For those that don't know, US 7th grade is around 12 years old, equivalent to Year 7 or Year 8 (Key Stage 3) in UK.
“I’m not going anywhere, and I really don’t care who is coming.” “Oh, but you will, Wendy.”
I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. NetGalley does not allow for paid reviews.
May 3, 2019
I'm in the process of reading Caleb Smith's heartwarming story, Longevity, and I had to begin sharing my view of his charming tale, and delightful writing. Noah is a lovable boy with an even more lovable way in which he interacts with the world. The author has a knack of really tapping into what childhood means, and the innocence that kids embody, even if it means finding the perfect, rusted bicycle in a junkyard. To Noah, simple treasures mean the world, something that is easily forgotten by adults. They say you must channel your inner child to write for children, and he most certainly does. Even down to a momentary way a kid counts the pavement segments when walking down the street, or a child's imagination stretching the boundaries of what drying regular silverware could really be. These minor, and honest/pure details really engulfed me into his tale, which was exciting on its own. When Noah encounters Enoch... magic happens and the story takes a sharper form. I adore reading tales where books come alive, and Smith plays with all the nostalgic magical elements that kept me entertained as a kid. Will update as I continue with Noah's adventures. So far, this book won't disappoint, especially if you enjoy magical and imaginative middle grade novels that capture the joyful view of a young boy on an adventure. I sure do.
April 11, 2019
Good. Enjoyed it.
March 6, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the release of this review in exchange for an honest review.
I was excited to get this ebook but when I started reading it, It took me a little to get into and the story just was not for me. It was good read but it just wasn't a story I enjoyed.
I was excited to get this ebook but when I started reading it, It took me a little to get into and the story just was not for me. It was good read but it just wasn't a story I enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews