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Vassals
Taylor Prince, a high school Sophomore, has all the issues one would expect in a young man of this age. He has girlfriend issues, conflicts with several upper class men, and a test in History he's not quite prepared to take.
He's also dealing with a few problems that are outside of the norm. Taylor lost his twin brother, Tyrone, to a drive-by shooting - and it seems that everyone in the family is not quite over it - his father was a realtor when the housing bubble burst, and, oh yeah, Taylor's been possessed by a Dragon! There may be a very good reason why his Anger Management is not going as well as hoped,
Old world definitions are shattered by new world realizations as the realms of the Dragons, the Seraphi, and the Fae collide with the realm of Humans. This is the Return of the Striders!
He's also dealing with a few problems that are outside of the norm. Taylor lost his twin brother, Tyrone, to a drive-by shooting - and it seems that everyone in the family is not quite over it - his father was a realtor when the housing bubble burst, and, oh yeah, Taylor's been possessed by a Dragon! There may be a very good reason why his Anger Management is not going as well as hoped,
Old world definitions are shattered by new world realizations as the realms of the Dragons, the Seraphi, and the Fae collide with the realm of Humans. This is the Return of the Striders!
Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2018
3 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
G. Russell Gaynor
25 books109 followersAlso writes under the pen name Reiter.
The World According to Garp was perhaps the first sign to a troubled young man that his life might very well be okay. It was incredibly reassuring to see that a young man from such a deeply interesting background can find his niche in life. G. Russell Gaynor was not nearly as challenged as T. S. Garp but until the revelation of the character, relatively speaking Russell was the weirdest kid on his block. His father, a career United States Navy man, taught him how to stand up to face the most challenging aspects of life including the unknown. His mother, a nurse and a technician for the U.S Geological Survey, taught him how to love and how to understand.
Russell was 5 when he found that people should be responsible for what they say when he had to write a story to back up his claim to his grandmother that he could do better in his sleep than the black and white movie he had watched. He handed two notebook pads to his grandmother who then agreed with his opinion. That was indeed the beginning!
In the beginning, it was mostly stories about super heroes and the stuff of comic books. Then came the works of Alexandre Dumas and the ideal of romantic heroes. Now there was a need to make women swoon and men weep as poetry was discovered and written. Russell was 12 when he went to his first play, which revealed a love for the stage and was 14 when role-playing games filled his head with the adventures of steel and sorcery. This all concluded with the love of the story and its affect on the audience. Although life defies understanding, Russell has set about the challenge of teaching through his stories, in small baby steps, the lessons of love and life he has come to treasure since learning so much through the viewpoints of others.
It will always be the opinion of those who receive art to measure its worth, but to date Russell is working his way to penning his 40th book. That goes along with his score of scripts, (three which have been optioned), two plays, scores of poems and a role-playing game system. This too is only a beginning!
The World According to Garp was perhaps the first sign to a troubled young man that his life might very well be okay. It was incredibly reassuring to see that a young man from such a deeply interesting background can find his niche in life. G. Russell Gaynor was not nearly as challenged as T. S. Garp but until the revelation of the character, relatively speaking Russell was the weirdest kid on his block. His father, a career United States Navy man, taught him how to stand up to face the most challenging aspects of life including the unknown. His mother, a nurse and a technician for the U.S Geological Survey, taught him how to love and how to understand.
Russell was 5 when he found that people should be responsible for what they say when he had to write a story to back up his claim to his grandmother that he could do better in his sleep than the black and white movie he had watched. He handed two notebook pads to his grandmother who then agreed with his opinion. That was indeed the beginning!
In the beginning, it was mostly stories about super heroes and the stuff of comic books. Then came the works of Alexandre Dumas and the ideal of romantic heroes. Now there was a need to make women swoon and men weep as poetry was discovered and written. Russell was 12 when he went to his first play, which revealed a love for the stage and was 14 when role-playing games filled his head with the adventures of steel and sorcery. This all concluded with the love of the story and its affect on the audience. Although life defies understanding, Russell has set about the challenge of teaching through his stories, in small baby steps, the lessons of love and life he has come to treasure since learning so much through the viewpoints of others.
It will always be the opinion of those who receive art to measure its worth, but to date Russell is working his way to penning his 40th book. That goes along with his score of scripts, (three which have been optioned), two plays, scores of poems and a role-playing game system. This too is only a beginning!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 2, 2018
Have you ever read a book & instantly disliked the main character? In Vassals, that’s exactly what happened to this reader. The young man is arrogant, abrasive, rude, petulant… in short, a complete ass.
--BUT--
The story itself is so engaging that you find yourself continuing to read in spite of wanting to throttle Taylor (the young man in question). And the further you get, the more you discover reasons for why he acts as he does, and you’re introduced to forces both external and internal which are at play. You begin to sympathize… and he begins to grow & mature… and somewhere along the way, you meet in the middle and find that you are, in fact, rooting for him. He’s still an ass – but he’s a charming one.
The action, storyline, dialogue, and world-building are all top-notch, as seems to be a habit with this author, and you’re pulled in & engaged from the first page to the last.
Vassals is an urban fantasy that goes beyond the streets of our world & takes you in directions you definitely didn’t expect… A great ride!
--BUT--
The story itself is so engaging that you find yourself continuing to read in spite of wanting to throttle Taylor (the young man in question). And the further you get, the more you discover reasons for why he acts as he does, and you’re introduced to forces both external and internal which are at play. You begin to sympathize… and he begins to grow & mature… and somewhere along the way, you meet in the middle and find that you are, in fact, rooting for him. He’s still an ass – but he’s a charming one.
The action, storyline, dialogue, and world-building are all top-notch, as seems to be a habit with this author, and you’re pulled in & engaged from the first page to the last.
Vassals is an urban fantasy that goes beyond the streets of our world & takes you in directions you definitely didn’t expect… A great ride!
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January 18, 2024Author Review
It was a job - making an adorable ass of a character. For me Taylor is equally repelling and alluring, and only by what is happening in the story do I know to root for him or curse him out! Fun to write, fun to read!
It was a job - making an adorable ass of a character. For me Taylor is equally repelling and alluring, and only by what is happening in the story do I know to root for him or curse him out! Fun to write, fun to read!
August 6, 2020
The story is very well written, the story sucks you in and makes you feel you are part of the story. There is a depth and richness to the characters that you don't find in a lot of books. The plot has several twists and turns that will keep you guessing and wanting for more. The action is fast paced and keeps the story moving smoothly. I highly recommend it, once you start you will not want to put it down until you finish it.
June 12, 2024
"Vassals: Return of the Striders" by G. Russell Gaynor seamlessly merges the tumultuous journey of high school life with an unexpected supernatural twist. Taylor Prince, a typical high school sophomore, grapples with the usual teenage tribulations: relationship woes, conflicts with peers, and academic stress. However, his struggles are compounded by the profound loss of his twin brother to senseless violence and the startling revelation that he's been inhabited by a dragon.
Gaynor skillfully blends the mundane with the fantastical, creating a narrative that feels both familiar and refreshingly original. As Taylor navigates the complexities of grief and identity, readers are drawn into a world where ancient mythologies collide with modern-day realities. The collision of these disparate realms adds depth and intrigue to the story, propelling Taylor on a journey of self-discovery and redemption.
What sets "Vassals: Return of the Striders" apart is its exploration of the human experience against a backdrop of supernatural forces. Through Taylor's struggles with anger management and his quest for understanding, Gaynor delves into themes of resilience, transformation, and the enduring power of hope. The result is a compelling narrative that will captivate readers of all ages.
With its richly drawn characters, immersive world-building, and gripping storyline, "Vassals" promises to leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series. Gaynor's unique blend of heart, humor, and magic makes this novel a standout in the realm of young adult fiction.
Gaynor skillfully blends the mundane with the fantastical, creating a narrative that feels both familiar and refreshingly original. As Taylor navigates the complexities of grief and identity, readers are drawn into a world where ancient mythologies collide with modern-day realities. The collision of these disparate realms adds depth and intrigue to the story, propelling Taylor on a journey of self-discovery and redemption.
What sets "Vassals: Return of the Striders" apart is its exploration of the human experience against a backdrop of supernatural forces. Through Taylor's struggles with anger management and his quest for understanding, Gaynor delves into themes of resilience, transformation, and the enduring power of hope. The result is a compelling narrative that will captivate readers of all ages.
With its richly drawn characters, immersive world-building, and gripping storyline, "Vassals" promises to leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series. Gaynor's unique blend of heart, humor, and magic makes this novel a standout in the realm of young adult fiction.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews