The Orphans: Book One: The Lost Race Trilogy

by Deborah Riley-Magnus

Hope. Magic. Balance. The true, holiest of causes. Eighteen-year-old Gracie Caine wants to live a simple, normal life after leaving Ariel’s Gate Orphanage. All she has is a photographic memory and a twisted club foot, but she feels good about herself until a shocking set of unexpected wings and a deadly war turn her hopeful future into something very different. She has awakened to a secret world of angels and demons, bloody war and terror. It’s a world unseen by humans, veiled in magic, inhabited by breathing archangels and ancient beings, and ruled by battle strategy, money, and power. Realizing that normal will never happen for the only known surviving pure Nephilim, Gracie is set on a precarious path burdened with the duty to protect her entire race. A promise was made in the beginning and the Nephilim are failing miserably. Their end is near, generating serious danger to human beings and the planet. Gracie must deal with her own fears and limitations, the diverse elements of their race, and those who wish to destroy it in a desperate effort to regain balance between good and evil.

360 pages, Paperback

Published November 27, 2018

About the author

For over twenty years, Deborah Riley-Magnus has taught people how to creatively think outside the box--helping writers, artists, quilters, designers, musicians, cooks, bakers, events planners, and entrepreneurs explore different and new ways of looking at their personal creative process. She teaches those techniques for marketing and craft, opening doors for success.

Deborah is an author, Author Success Coach, and Creative Brilliance Coach with forty-plus years professional background in marketing, advertising, and public relations. She has been a writer for print, television, and radio. She writes fiction and nonfiction, and has been a ghostwriter for several clients.

She teaches online and live workshops for advanced creativity exploration. She writes instructive and creative blogs, and coaches one-on-one, for the development of unique creative brilliance.

Deborah writes dark fantasy, paranormal, urban fantasy, and speculative military thrillers.

She belongs to several writing, speaking, and professional organizations. She has lived on both the east and west coast of the United States and has traveled extensively. She is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and returned in 2011 after living, writing, and coaching in Los Angeles, California for several years.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Orphans: Book One, The Lost Race Trilogy by Deborah Riley-Magnus is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary. I didn't read all the blurb just that she was a teen in an orphanage and she has a club foot and a photographic memory. I don't like to read to much of a blurb but it was a fantasy so I requested it.
The amazing way the book unfolds is incredible! You don't know why the kids are isolated in the orphanage but they seem to be treated well. They all go through a "Acclamation" at graduation but each is one-on-one and private so no one knows what it is! There are "enemies" , what are they? There is a circus with unusual characters, how are they linked? It is so exciting! So much suspense, many mysteries, surprises, and more. What is a "soul sword"?
It is written so well! This is one fantastic fantasy novel that adds just the right about of thrills and suspense!

[Cam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley and publisher for this book to review.

An orphanage, Ariel’s Gate, raises kids til the age of 18 is closing down due to a murder of one of the kids. 5 kids that will be aging out will be “acclimated” with the help of a past resident,Cole, who vowed to help when needed.
I felt disconnected from the characters and this book was a too long winded for me. I think if half the verbiage was cut out it would be a good short story. For those that like build up in a book you would probably like this book. Unfortunately I wouldn’t be interested in continuing the cliff hanger book.

[Sue Plant · Rating 4 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this fascinating book

good v evil
angels v demons

there is a war coming......

gracie is in an orphanage.... where she has been most of her life...she is counting the days till her 18 birthday...where she will get her acclamation......and leave

but before that happen strange things happen and the orphanage is disbanded.. and the other children are sent away for parts unknown...

i found this all very fascinating and couldnt put the book down...the battle between good v evil, and how this book dealt with it all was very interesting and i couldnt quite put the book down....

cant wait for the next one in this series...

[Kim Lewandowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is for the Audible version only. If you are reading it through Kindle then the issues mentioned do not apply.

I loved the story of Gracious and Cole. It is well thought out and the characters are well developed. It has an active storyline that keeps your attention from start to finish.

As far as the narration/production, I did have a problem. There seemed to be bouts of static that didn't detract from the story but was annoying. In addition, and it is worse at the beginning, there was frequent audible intakes of breath. Also a bit annoying.

Thankfully, these issues became less noticeable as the story progressed. Not completely sure if it was resolved or I just became more obtuse to it occurring.

Outside of that, Adrianne Flores did a good job with the characters and pace of the story.

If you can tolerate the issues in the first few chapters, the story is great!! And I highly recommend it! But you do have to overcome the initial annoyance.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover definitely grabs you, I was very confused at first but wow by chapter 3 I was hooked. The story builds and builds, so interesting! I really enjoyed this book and now cannot wait for book two. It had so many layers, and the characters really grow on you, I am bummed Jenny got killed off so quickly because I feel like there was more to learn about her story and am also Very mad at Esther for sleep screwing Cole!!! Now she will probably have a half demon half angel baby!
Had the pleasure of meeting the author and picking her brain and it made the book even more deep, and personal.
Now I have to wait for fall for book two!

[Michelle Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am impressed how the author combines real world with the mystical realm of angels. She takes historical figures, and she incorporates them into the fight between good and evil. This story is about the war being fought between good and evil, and a teenager that is appointed the savior. I really feel for the female protagonist, and I can understand how overwhelming it must be to be thrust into that role. I like the idea of the ancients guiding the angels, and striving between a balance of good and evil. My only contention is the ending. The ending is a cliffhanger, and leaves you desparate to learn how it all plays out. I can't wait to read the next book in this trilogy#

[Deedra · Rating 3 out of 5]

audible:I tried this book more than once.It is a terrific story made nearly unbearable to listen to by the narration. Adrianne Flores may be a fine narrator if she didn;t take loud breaths and have something electronic in the background.It was all very distracting.
The Orphans are a group of children from birth to age 18 living in a weird orphanage.One day a student is killed and the orphanage is dismantled.Former students are called back to fulfill their vow to the head 'teacher'.I advise you read the book.I hope the next book has better narration.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'

[Moona · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Orphans: Book One of The Lost Race Trilogy by Deborah Riley-Magnus is a gripping fantasy tale that mixes self-discovery with epic stakes. Without diving deep into plot twists, this book brings readers into a hidden world of angels, demons, and ancient secrets, where one young woman must come to terms with her unique identity and overwhelming responsibility.

The writing blends magic and myth with real emotional struggles, creating a story that’s as much about inner strength as it is about outer battles. Perfect for readers who enjoy rich world-building, strong female leads, and the eternal fight between light and darkness.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, can we take a moment to appreciate that our heroine isn't picture-perfect and has a disability? It's so rare to see that in books, and I really think the representation is important. The characters are all unique, and I was happy to see the kids at the orphanage weren't abused or anything (a trope that can be overdone at times). Gracie is an interesting character, and her life is turned upside down just before she reaches 18 when the orphanage is closed and the kids scattered to the winds. The real and the mystical combine in an intriguing story that you won't want to put down.

[Ileana Renfroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Orphans: Book One, The Lost Race Trilogy is the first book I have read from this author and I must say I was very pleased with the overall storyline, characters and even the ending.

This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Here we find Gracie wanting to live a simple and normal life. She has just left the orphanage at the age of eighteen. Of course, simple and normal are not in the cards.

This is a Really GOOD mystery that I highly recommend. A Winner!

[Vickie Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an interesting read. From page one I couldn't stop reading until my eyes hurt. Than as soon as I woke up I picked it up and finished. The only reason I haven't started book 2 is I need to rest my eyes. Normally the first mention of demons and I am running in fear, but the protection of the angels kept my mind shielded with hope. The characters are so realistic that I can feel them in my soul. There are surprises and tears, and a hope for balance to be restored. Loved this book. Great job Deborah Riley-Magnus.

[Kivalina Mauck · Rating 5 out of 5]

#TheOrphansBookOneTheLostRaceTrilogy #NetGalley
I really liked this book . It kept me reading . It is 1 I think others would be better off reading for themselves.

[Heather Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! I have found a new favorite author and I can't wait for another from her. I was wrapped up in the story from the first few chapters.

[Kade Gulluscio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this arc early.
I honestly wasn’t sure what I would say in this review. This genre isn’t my normal go to. Some parts of the story were difficult to follow. I definitely had to force
Myself to get through a few points in the story, as I really wasn’t interested. Overall, I’m not the best person to review this book as I didn’t enjoy the storyline as much as I’d hope.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing start to a new trilogy. The story opens with a bang and unfolds in completely unexpected ways. Everyone is so much more than they seem on the surface and even the characters who don’t stick around long have an impact. Gracie has just barely made it to adulthood and has so much thrown at her at once, include the loss of her only home, being thrust into the outside world with no preparation, her first love, and finding out that everything she thought she knew is a lie. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read the rest of the trilogy.