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VanOps #1
The Lost Power
DA VINCI CODE meets TOMB RAIDER in this award-winning thriller.
Spain 1057: During a thunderous battle, the first King of Aragon wrestles Alexander the Great's priceless Egyptian weapon from the Moors, but finds it holds a terrifying and mysterious power.
Nearly a thousand years later, on a fog-shrouded Napa Valley morning, gunshots and the sound of breaking glass rip through the silence. Maddy Marshall, an app designer with special martial-arts abilities, and her twin brother, Will Argones, quickly run toward the sound. Horrified, they discover a sniper has cut down two members of their family.
Before the pool of blood on the living room floor is dry, their father sends the twins on a dangerous quest to recover Alexander's ancient weapon. Joined by a broad-shouldered friend who harbors a secret alliance with VanOps, an ultra-black covert agency, they soon discover the lethal sniper is from Russia.
They follow time-worn clues from a medieval Spanish castle to a lost warren under the streets of Jerusalem, racing to unlock the secrets that will lead them to an arcane power—before a hostile state seizes the power and cripples the United States.
To survive, they must go undercover and off-grid. No place is safe, a wrong move means death, and even a simple phone call is off limits. Because now, the sniper has his sights set on them.
Spain 1057: During a thunderous battle, the first King of Aragon wrestles Alexander the Great's priceless Egyptian weapon from the Moors, but finds it holds a terrifying and mysterious power.
Nearly a thousand years later, on a fog-shrouded Napa Valley morning, gunshots and the sound of breaking glass rip through the silence. Maddy Marshall, an app designer with special martial-arts abilities, and her twin brother, Will Argones, quickly run toward the sound. Horrified, they discover a sniper has cut down two members of their family.
Before the pool of blood on the living room floor is dry, their father sends the twins on a dangerous quest to recover Alexander's ancient weapon. Joined by a broad-shouldered friend who harbors a secret alliance with VanOps, an ultra-black covert agency, they soon discover the lethal sniper is from Russia.
They follow time-worn clues from a medieval Spanish castle to a lost warren under the streets of Jerusalem, racing to unlock the secrets that will lead them to an arcane power—before a hostile state seizes the power and cripples the United States.
To survive, they must go undercover and off-grid. No place is safe, a wrong move means death, and even a simple phone call is off limits. Because now, the sniper has his sights set on them.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2019
518 people are currently reading
5002 people want to read
About the author
Avanti Centrae
8 books396 followersAvanti Centrae is the author of the international award-winning VANOPS thriller series. She's honored to have won fourteen literary awards, including a Chanticleer Genre grand prize for both The Lost Power and Solstice Shadows. The Doomsday Medallion won Best Political Thriller at the annual BestThrillers.com contest and Cleopatra’s Vendetta took home a gold medal in the Conspiracy Thrillers category at the Readers’ Favorite Awards ceremony.
Her books have hit the Top 100 bestseller lists in the United States, Canadian, and Australian Amazon Kindle stores as well as the Barnes & Noble Nook store.
She’s appeared on ten radio shows, including NPR, and has been featured in dozens of podcasts and interviews. Mystery & Suspense Magazine, Authority Magazine and Thrive Global have published her articles and she was mentioned in Newsweek.
She finds inspiration from her father, who served as a US marine corporal in Okinawa gathering military intelligence and her mom, who loves history. Avanti graduated from Purdue University and has spent time in a spectrum of professions, from lifeguard and raft guide to Silicon Valley IT executive. When not traveling the world or hiking in the Sierra mountains, she’s writing her next thriller in Northern California, helped by her family and distracted by her German shepherds.
Her books have hit the Top 100 bestseller lists in the United States, Canadian, and Australian Amazon Kindle stores as well as the Barnes & Noble Nook store.
She’s appeared on ten radio shows, including NPR, and has been featured in dozens of podcasts and interviews. Mystery & Suspense Magazine, Authority Magazine and Thrive Global have published her articles and she was mentioned in Newsweek.
She finds inspiration from her father, who served as a US marine corporal in Okinawa gathering military intelligence and her mom, who loves history. Avanti graduated from Purdue University and has spent time in a spectrum of professions, from lifeguard and raft guide to Silicon Valley IT executive. When not traveling the world or hiking in the Sierra mountains, she’s writing her next thriller in Northern California, helped by her family and distracted by her German shepherds.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
November 6, 2022
In this exciting thriller The Lost power by Avanti Centae which was narrated so good. Will wife and
Maddgie are shot dead by a deadly Russian sniper. The action is non-stop there. This really good ride
loved it
Maddgie are shot dead by a deadly Russian sniper. The action is non-stop there. This really good ride
loved it
September 9, 2019
Summary
The story begins with a fascinating history during the early part of the High Middle ages; It was the year 1057 in the country of Spain when Ramiro, the King of Aragon battles Alexander the Great to get a priceless Egyptian weapon from the Moors. Uncovering the mysterious power it holds becomes his objective, promising himself to guard it from those who intend to use it for evil. After almost a thousand years, three individuals of different expertise team up to find this power. Maddy Marshall is an aikido instructor and her twin brother Will Argones is an engineer. His wife, Maria and their father are shot by Russians so the twins are determined to expose the truth behind the injustice and how this connects to the lost power that they must find. Overwhelmed by the series of attacks that seem to follow and kill them just like it did Maria and their father, they trust an old friend known as Bear to help them with their quest. Bear’s background in the marines gives a big advantage for Maddy and Will because of his fighting skills. On top of this, he is an expert on history. What Maddy and Will are completely unaware of is the fact that Bear is a secret agent of VanOps, whose mission is also to find the mysterious weapon.
Review
It felt like I was watching a movie when I read this because I kept on imagining it very vividly. The action and suspense were non-stop so there was no dull moment and no time to even predict about what’s going to happen because things just keep happening! This is one of the most fast-pacing novels that I have ever read and noting it as a page-turner is an understatement; words aren’t enough to describe the excitement this book brings. I literally didn’t stop reading until I have finished it and I am hungry for the series to be complete so I can read more of Avanti’s amazing work. Her writing style is picture perfect that it’s hard to stop expressing how in awe I was after finishing the book. Maddy, Will, and Bear are my favorite team novel characters now. They seriously complete each other and make the conversations so fun to read because of its humor. An aikido instructor plus engineer plus history expert just made this even more enjoyable to read on top of the already exciting series of quest and exotic places. The intellectual flow of the story in combining science, history and human emotion is remarkable and intriguing. Overall, brainpower and entertainment are two main things that are in my mind to describe what this book is about. If you’re a fan of Dan Brown, this is the perfect book for you, and I am 100% sure you’ll get hooked.
The story begins with a fascinating history during the early part of the High Middle ages; It was the year 1057 in the country of Spain when Ramiro, the King of Aragon battles Alexander the Great to get a priceless Egyptian weapon from the Moors. Uncovering the mysterious power it holds becomes his objective, promising himself to guard it from those who intend to use it for evil. After almost a thousand years, three individuals of different expertise team up to find this power. Maddy Marshall is an aikido instructor and her twin brother Will Argones is an engineer. His wife, Maria and their father are shot by Russians so the twins are determined to expose the truth behind the injustice and how this connects to the lost power that they must find. Overwhelmed by the series of attacks that seem to follow and kill them just like it did Maria and their father, they trust an old friend known as Bear to help them with their quest. Bear’s background in the marines gives a big advantage for Maddy and Will because of his fighting skills. On top of this, he is an expert on history. What Maddy and Will are completely unaware of is the fact that Bear is a secret agent of VanOps, whose mission is also to find the mysterious weapon.
Review
It felt like I was watching a movie when I read this because I kept on imagining it very vividly. The action and suspense were non-stop so there was no dull moment and no time to even predict about what’s going to happen because things just keep happening! This is one of the most fast-pacing novels that I have ever read and noting it as a page-turner is an understatement; words aren’t enough to describe the excitement this book brings. I literally didn’t stop reading until I have finished it and I am hungry for the series to be complete so I can read more of Avanti’s amazing work. Her writing style is picture perfect that it’s hard to stop expressing how in awe I was after finishing the book. Maddy, Will, and Bear are my favorite team novel characters now. They seriously complete each other and make the conversations so fun to read because of its humor. An aikido instructor plus engineer plus history expert just made this even more enjoyable to read on top of the already exciting series of quest and exotic places. The intellectual flow of the story in combining science, history and human emotion is remarkable and intriguing. Overall, brainpower and entertainment are two main things that are in my mind to describe what this book is about. If you’re a fan of Dan Brown, this is the perfect book for you, and I am 100% sure you’ll get hooked.
September 13, 2021
Right from the very first page, you can see why "The Lost Power" won awards - and probably should have won quite a few more. Interesting characters that stay interesting, writing that flows like melted butter, and a plot that is incredibly rounded and rich. This is a non-stop adventure, sprinkled with history and mystery, that you won't want to stop reading.
My thanks to the author. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
August 13, 2019
Sometimes I'll go out on a limb and read a book that wasn't necessarily on my radar, by an author who's new to me, and even within a genre (or crosses several genres) that I don't read often. I like reading outside of my comfort zone because this is often where I'll find the shiniest gems of books that may otherwise pass me by. 'The Lost Power' is one of those books; touted as 'Da Vinci Code meets Tomb Raider' (both of which I know of, but haven't read or seen, and probably just as well), I knew that others had found popular works to compare it to, but I'm glad I went in blind.
A family get-together in Napa, ruined by sniper's gunshots, is the opening setting for this exciting novel; app designer and Aikido instructor Maddy Marshall meets up with her estranged twin brother Will, go there to meet their elderly father, who reveals a dark, family secret, as he takes his last breaths. They then meet up with an old classmate, Bear, who accompanies them on their adventure across the globe, perhaps not so coincidentally.
The trio set out on a quest to discover a secret ‘Lost Power’ (with some dangerous people trying to beat them to it), before it can possibly endanger millions. It’s something of a quest to find the Holy Grail, filled with encounters in Spain, Jerusalem, and flying in a hot-air balloon.
What is so captivating about this novel, and what I didn’t expect, is the way that author Avanti Centrae has created a story about a brother and sister, with a rich family history, and made their relationship relatable, endearing, and it drives a lot of the action through. By having their friend Bear along for the adventure, he acts as the perfect buffer for the twins’ rough spots and develops into a fuller character than I expected. Rather than Will and Bear taking the lead with all the action in this book, it was completely refreshing to have Maddy be the person who ends up kicking butt, and it makes a change to both the male and female characters airing their fears and showing their weaknesses.
Like any action adventure, there are many sequences that seem implausible (Spielberg and authors like Dan Brown say it can be done though), but it felt really good to read a book that was just one crazy ride.
This is a heart-pounding action thriller that makes you feel like you have stepped into an adventure movie, where your every move will have you moving from one exotic locale to another, looking over your shoulder for who is chasing you, and tapping into the author’s vast knowledge of history and world religions and cultures, to solve an international mystery with unbelievably high stakes.
Thank you so much to Booktasters for the chance to read this; I powered through it during a recent readathon, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A family get-together in Napa, ruined by sniper's gunshots, is the opening setting for this exciting novel; app designer and Aikido instructor Maddy Marshall meets up with her estranged twin brother Will, go there to meet their elderly father, who reveals a dark, family secret, as he takes his last breaths. They then meet up with an old classmate, Bear, who accompanies them on their adventure across the globe, perhaps not so coincidentally.
The trio set out on a quest to discover a secret ‘Lost Power’ (with some dangerous people trying to beat them to it), before it can possibly endanger millions. It’s something of a quest to find the Holy Grail, filled with encounters in Spain, Jerusalem, and flying in a hot-air balloon.
What is so captivating about this novel, and what I didn’t expect, is the way that author Avanti Centrae has created a story about a brother and sister, with a rich family history, and made their relationship relatable, endearing, and it drives a lot of the action through. By having their friend Bear along for the adventure, he acts as the perfect buffer for the twins’ rough spots and develops into a fuller character than I expected. Rather than Will and Bear taking the lead with all the action in this book, it was completely refreshing to have Maddy be the person who ends up kicking butt, and it makes a change to both the male and female characters airing their fears and showing their weaknesses.
Like any action adventure, there are many sequences that seem implausible (Spielberg and authors like Dan Brown say it can be done though), but it felt really good to read a book that was just one crazy ride.
This is a heart-pounding action thriller that makes you feel like you have stepped into an adventure movie, where your every move will have you moving from one exotic locale to another, looking over your shoulder for who is chasing you, and tapping into the author’s vast knowledge of history and world religions and cultures, to solve an international mystery with unbelievably high stakes.
Thank you so much to Booktasters for the chance to read this; I powered through it during a recent readathon, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 11, 2019
I received a free copy of VanOps: The Lost Power by Avanti Centrae for reviewing purposes.
This is a great read. Three people—fraternal twins Maddy and Will and their friend Bear—race around the world trying to figure out a family mystery related to Maddy and Will’s family story. As relatives of the Spanish royal family, they are charged to find an ancient weapon than an ancestor grabbed from the Moors in the eleventh century—a weapon the Russians desperately want. This journey takes them to castles in Spain, Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, Lithuania, a monastery in Myanmar, and pyramids in Egypt.
Maddy is the action hero in the story. She is athletic and fearless and recently became unengaged, but she seems more angry than heartbroken. Her brother, Will, is the intellectual and the keeper of the more human emotions of doubt and fear. His wife was killed at the beginning of the adventure, but he hasn’t had a chance to mourn. Bear is the history nerd. Having Bear around was great. Instead of reading dry text about the history of the various sites, Bear explained historical facts with a conversational tone. Plus he has had a crush on Maddy for years. Plus he has a secret of his own.
All along the way other characters drop in and out of the story, and the reader gets to learn more about what makes Maddy, Will, and Bear tick. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure stories with lots of travel.
This is a great read. Three people—fraternal twins Maddy and Will and their friend Bear—race around the world trying to figure out a family mystery related to Maddy and Will’s family story. As relatives of the Spanish royal family, they are charged to find an ancient weapon than an ancestor grabbed from the Moors in the eleventh century—a weapon the Russians desperately want. This journey takes them to castles in Spain, Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, Lithuania, a monastery in Myanmar, and pyramids in Egypt.
Maddy is the action hero in the story. She is athletic and fearless and recently became unengaged, but she seems more angry than heartbroken. Her brother, Will, is the intellectual and the keeper of the more human emotions of doubt and fear. His wife was killed at the beginning of the adventure, but he hasn’t had a chance to mourn. Bear is the history nerd. Having Bear around was great. Instead of reading dry text about the history of the various sites, Bear explained historical facts with a conversational tone. Plus he has had a crush on Maddy for years. Plus he has a secret of his own.
All along the way other characters drop in and out of the story, and the reader gets to learn more about what makes Maddy, Will, and Bear tick. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure stories with lots of travel.
October 14, 2019
Will and Maddy meet their dad at the family vineyard at the urgent message from their dad. Maddy has been too distracted by the breakup from her longtime boyfriend and her heart is not in the visit. She drives up to see her brother playing catch with Squirrel in the driveway with no idea what is going on. Shots ring out they enter the library to find their father and Will's wife dead. The last words from their father are to go to the Sacramento attorney. With those passing words, they are thrown into a family legacy that puts their lives and everyone around them in danger. The search for the family secret takes them across the world into secret societies and truths long buried. With their family friend Bear who works for VanOps and is in for more than just helping friends.
This thriller is definitely designed for the lovers of Dan Brown, Indiana Jones, and Clive Cussler. Avanti Centrae new what she was doing with the storyline and characters to make this into a series for all to love. I found the storyline to be unique and the characters intertwined in a way that leaves you wondering what else is not being said. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am looking forward to reading more of this series in the future.
This thriller is definitely designed for the lovers of Dan Brown, Indiana Jones, and Clive Cussler. Avanti Centrae new what she was doing with the storyline and characters to make this into a series for all to love. I found the storyline to be unique and the characters intertwined in a way that leaves you wondering what else is not being said. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am looking forward to reading more of this series in the future.
July 7, 2019
This book was great!! I absolutely loved reading this novel! I am amazed at the amount of detail and description Avanti provided and how she fluidly introduced the characters and background throughout the novel. I love it. Now I can’t wait for the second one!!! I definitely recommend for anyone looking for adventure, suspense, mystery, and a fun read!
Want to read
August 4, 2019I can see why this engaging book won an award. It has a lot going for it -- travel, good dialog, mystery, adventure -- all told by a very talented author. Highly recommended.
I really appreciate the advanced copy for review!!
I really appreciate the advanced copy for review!!
October 3, 2019
4 stars
Maddy Marshall and Will Argones, twin brother ans sister, arrive at their father's old vineyard in the Napa Valley of California. Just as they arrive, a shot rings out that kills their father and Will's wife Maria. A young boy named AJ that was traveling with Maddie sees a black BMW hurry away from the scene.
After exhaustive interviews with somewhat incompetent appearing detectives, Will, Maddie and AJ leave. They see the BMW on the side of the road and a car chase ensues. The BMW crashes, but one of the assassins survives. They learn from the police that he is Russian. Another attempt is made on their lives at their attorney's office.
They obtain false passports to try to evade the Russian and flee to Spain which is their historical family seat. There they meet Carlos a cousin and the son of the King of Spain, who is their uncle. Carlos is a shady character, but they like the King. He shows them a mysterious codex and imparts some knowledge to aid their search for a mysterious weapon of some sort.
Their search takes them on a world-wide journey. Along the way, they discuss the form their search may take them. Just what is it they are looking for? How do these shooters keep finding them?
Maddy nearly drove me crazy with her feud with her brother Will. She ran hot and cold, sometimes she almost liked him and then she would get mad at him all over. Arrgh! But, as time passed and Maddie learned from various encounters more about herself and her emotions, her anger at her brother and others attenuated. I wondered to myself just how she had advanced as far as she had in Aikido still holding on to her anger and self-ignorance.
This is a well written and plotted novel. The content is consistent and follows a logical progression. I really liked the historical information given in the book. Ms. Centrae did her research for these parts of the book. It was most interesting. I really liked the “Bear” character. Especially his history lessons. This book will stretch your beliefs, but I reminded myself that it is an entertaining novel and continued to read for the pleasure of it. Ms. Centrae is a very good writer and I immediately went to Amazon to look at her other novels.
I want to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
Maddy Marshall and Will Argones, twin brother ans sister, arrive at their father's old vineyard in the Napa Valley of California. Just as they arrive, a shot rings out that kills their father and Will's wife Maria. A young boy named AJ that was traveling with Maddie sees a black BMW hurry away from the scene.
After exhaustive interviews with somewhat incompetent appearing detectives, Will, Maddie and AJ leave. They see the BMW on the side of the road and a car chase ensues. The BMW crashes, but one of the assassins survives. They learn from the police that he is Russian. Another attempt is made on their lives at their attorney's office.
They obtain false passports to try to evade the Russian and flee to Spain which is their historical family seat. There they meet Carlos a cousin and the son of the King of Spain, who is their uncle. Carlos is a shady character, but they like the King. He shows them a mysterious codex and imparts some knowledge to aid their search for a mysterious weapon of some sort.
Their search takes them on a world-wide journey. Along the way, they discuss the form their search may take them. Just what is it they are looking for? How do these shooters keep finding them?
Maddy nearly drove me crazy with her feud with her brother Will. She ran hot and cold, sometimes she almost liked him and then she would get mad at him all over. Arrgh! But, as time passed and Maddie learned from various encounters more about herself and her emotions, her anger at her brother and others attenuated. I wondered to myself just how she had advanced as far as she had in Aikido still holding on to her anger and self-ignorance.
This is a well written and plotted novel. The content is consistent and follows a logical progression. I really liked the historical information given in the book. Ms. Centrae did her research for these parts of the book. It was most interesting. I really liked the “Bear” character. Especially his history lessons. This book will stretch your beliefs, but I reminded myself that it is an entertaining novel and continued to read for the pleasure of it. Ms. Centrae is a very good writer and I immediately went to Amazon to look at her other novels.
I want to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
July 17, 2019
VanOps has so much packed in it, it has a little bit of everything for everyone. Interesting characters and storyline. I would read more by this author.
July 13, 2019
I can’t say much about without spoiling. So if you do like books with a lot of unexpected things going on you should read it.
July 8, 2019
Fast paced adventure! My favorite things were the travel and descriptions of the architecture, monastery, castles, pyramids, etc. I would still like to see a map of the travels maybe in the front cover or even a few of them throughout the book as the trio moves. I also would like to see more emotion from the twins after their loss, but I'm a sap. I most enjoyed the end and the epilogue. Wow! And I do really think it would be a fun adventure, bond-like movie.
November 9, 2019
Outstanding! Exciting and emotional! A masterpiece of storytelling that is surprising for a first novel, we'll written and intriguing. I found myself captivated and invested from the first few chapters. A devastating loss that ripples through the twins sends them on a quest for an unbelievable object that may just have unimaginable powers. Passed down from one generation to the next, from the first King of Spain until now. Every new generation is given the clues, but only the worthy will discover where it lies, only the worthy will find it. Chased across the globe, hunted, shot at, with losses coming one after the other, the twins with their friend Bear face them all head on.
Exciting. Action-packed. Emotional and tragic. I could not put it down! I cannot wait to see where it leads to next! Five stars is the least I could give to it!
Exciting. Action-packed. Emotional and tragic. I could not put it down! I cannot wait to see where it leads to next! Five stars is the least I could give to it!
November 3, 2019
A wonderfully crafted action-packed story with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat right to the last page. The amount of historical information given in the book shows that the author has done her research. The wonderfully developed characters continually provide surprises as the story unfolds as each one deals with their strengths and weaknesses. This is a genuine page turner with lots of adventure, action and plot twists. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2019
Number of stars 5 out of 5
I wish I can give this book more then 5 stars if I have to it will be 10 stars. That is how great this book is.
I absolutely love this book. It's fast paced full of action, mystery and you can't stop reading this book. You want to keep reading again and again. I'm going to reread this book that is how much I love it.
You guys have to pick up this amazing wonderful beautiful book.
I wish I can give this book more then 5 stars if I have to it will be 10 stars. That is how great this book is.
I absolutely love this book. It's fast paced full of action, mystery and you can't stop reading this book. You want to keep reading again and again. I'm going to reread this book that is how much I love it.
You guys have to pick up this amazing wonderful beautiful book.
October 31, 2019
Lost power is a good read. The story jumped from place to place ....but had me reading late into the night wanting to find out what is going to happen next. I will definitely read the next book.
October 3, 2019
One of the joys of reading is finding an author that you have never read before and adding them to your must-read list. Avanti Centrae is the latest author whose book The Lost Power, the first in the Van Ops series, captured me on the first page and did not let go until the very end.
Opening in 1057, Ramiro, the king of Aragon, faces a terrifying weapon that devastates his troops. With the help of his son, the weapon is captured, hidden and protected by his ancestors. Fast forward to the present where Maddy and her twin brother Will have been summoned to the family vineyard by their father. Before he can explain the urgency behind his summons, he is assassinated and the killer is now chasing them. Consulting their father’s lawyer, they are each given a packet explaining the family’s responsibility.
On the death of the senior member of the family, a secret is passed down to the next generation. They are the descendants of Ramiro and related to the current king of Spain. There are clues to the location of the weapon hidden by Ramiro that must be protected, but the Russians are now on the trail, believing that this weapon could fuel a more modern weapon that they have developed. Maddy and Will are joined on their quest by Bear (Theodore Thorenson), a military veteran who has had a crush on Maddy since their school years. From Spain to Jerusalem, Vilnius and Mandalay, the trio are constantly challenged to determine their worthiness to continue the quest while also dodging assassins at every turn. As they search temples and landmarks for signs, Bear provides commentary on the historical significance of the locations. What they do not know is that Bear also works for Van Ops (Vanguard Operations), a part of the CIA that searches for obscure and unusual threats.
Centrae provides a story that moves at breakneck speed. Her characters are easy to relate to as Maddy and Will overcome their troubled relationship to work together. Bear must not only deal with his feelings for Maddy, but also the guilt he carries for not revealing his connection to Van Ops. As you read the story it is easy to visualize the action, making this an exciting read. If you are a fan of James Rollins, you will truly enjoy The Lost Power.
I would like to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.
Opening in 1057, Ramiro, the king of Aragon, faces a terrifying weapon that devastates his troops. With the help of his son, the weapon is captured, hidden and protected by his ancestors. Fast forward to the present where Maddy and her twin brother Will have been summoned to the family vineyard by their father. Before he can explain the urgency behind his summons, he is assassinated and the killer is now chasing them. Consulting their father’s lawyer, they are each given a packet explaining the family’s responsibility.
On the death of the senior member of the family, a secret is passed down to the next generation. They are the descendants of Ramiro and related to the current king of Spain. There are clues to the location of the weapon hidden by Ramiro that must be protected, but the Russians are now on the trail, believing that this weapon could fuel a more modern weapon that they have developed. Maddy and Will are joined on their quest by Bear (Theodore Thorenson), a military veteran who has had a crush on Maddy since their school years. From Spain to Jerusalem, Vilnius and Mandalay, the trio are constantly challenged to determine their worthiness to continue the quest while also dodging assassins at every turn. As they search temples and landmarks for signs, Bear provides commentary on the historical significance of the locations. What they do not know is that Bear also works for Van Ops (Vanguard Operations), a part of the CIA that searches for obscure and unusual threats.
Centrae provides a story that moves at breakneck speed. Her characters are easy to relate to as Maddy and Will overcome their troubled relationship to work together. Bear must not only deal with his feelings for Maddy, but also the guilt he carries for not revealing his connection to Van Ops. As you read the story it is easy to visualize the action, making this an exciting read. If you are a fan of James Rollins, you will truly enjoy The Lost Power.
I would like to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 14, 2019
I'm looking forward to the next VanOps mission already!!
This was such a riveting, enjoyable read, and there was so much I liked about it including: the historical ties and weaving of different points in time through the family generational connections; geographical references and travel to foreign lands; suspense of the quest and finding the clues; the subtle romance building throughout the book; and especially the culmination of this thriller ending.
I became fully engaged in the book as if I was in the scenes with the characters, and after that I couldn't put the book down. I was amazed at how thoroughly the details of the character introduced in the beginning supported and intertwined one another throughout the book, which really lead to the depth of the mystery and thrill of it unfolding.
The writing is very active, but is filled with just enough historical and realistic detail and background to allow you to visually create the reality in your mind as if you are there.
Super enjoyable read and I'm absolutely a VanOps Fan!! I'm hoping they are on another mission sometime soon.
The Lost Power
This was such a riveting, enjoyable read, and there was so much I liked about it including: the historical ties and weaving of different points in time through the family generational connections; geographical references and travel to foreign lands; suspense of the quest and finding the clues; the subtle romance building throughout the book; and especially the culmination of this thriller ending.
I became fully engaged in the book as if I was in the scenes with the characters, and after that I couldn't put the book down. I was amazed at how thoroughly the details of the character introduced in the beginning supported and intertwined one another throughout the book, which really lead to the depth of the mystery and thrill of it unfolding.
The writing is very active, but is filled with just enough historical and realistic detail and background to allow you to visually create the reality in your mind as if you are there.
Super enjoyable read and I'm absolutely a VanOps Fan!! I'm hoping they are on another mission sometime soon.
The Lost Power
January 14, 2022
Avanti Centrae’s thriller The Lost Power has it all! Readers will gallop the globe to outwit Russian spies seeking ancient obelisks, possibly Alexander the Great's weapons, with purported mystical power of superconductivity. Weapons with power that could wreak worldwide havoc in the wrong hands.
Join characters Maddy and her twin brother, Will—American members of the centuries' old royal Spanish Argones family—and their friend Bear, as they set off on a dangerous mission spurred by the killing of close family members. Their goal? To find the legendary Argones Châsse containing the powerful objects. But first, the trio must obtain the right granted by a series of tests if they are to proceed.
Will they be the first to find what they seek so as to control the fate of the objects, avenge their love ones’ deaths, solve a kidnapping, reveal a dark family secret, and bring all the criminals to justice, no matter who they turn out to be? These answers and much more can be found inside The Lost Power!
Join characters Maddy and her twin brother, Will—American members of the centuries' old royal Spanish Argones family—and their friend Bear, as they set off on a dangerous mission spurred by the killing of close family members. Their goal? To find the legendary Argones Châsse containing the powerful objects. But first, the trio must obtain the right granted by a series of tests if they are to proceed.
Will they be the first to find what they seek so as to control the fate of the objects, avenge their love ones’ deaths, solve a kidnapping, reveal a dark family secret, and bring all the criminals to justice, no matter who they turn out to be? These answers and much more can be found inside The Lost Power!
October 5, 2019
Can't possibly go wrong with this one: murder, conspiracy, international pursuit, and all interspersed with historical data! It's a real thrill ride complete with martial arts, medieval weaponry, car chases, and even helicopter pursuit! The publisher's blurb is pretty good for an intro, and no spoilers here. Kept me reading straight through to the end and waiting for the next one!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Books Go Social via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Books Go Social via NetGalley. Thank you!
July 6, 2019
What a great read. I love the interaction between Maddy and Will as they race around the world with their friend Bear, trying to stay alive while they search for a powerful force that could change the fate of the world. I'm looking forward to the next book.
August 28, 2019
What can I say, I loved every minute of this thriller.
A cross between Indiana Jones and the Da Vinci Code, fantastic characterisation and a story line that had me gripped from the start. I can't wait for the next one in the series.
A cross between Indiana Jones and the Da Vinci Code, fantastic characterisation and a story line that had me gripped from the start. I can't wait for the next one in the series.
August 14, 2019
I couldn't put this book down, finished in four evenings!!!! There was not a doll moment. Can't wait for the next one to come out!
December 14, 2021
This is the definition of a page-turner. Absolutely riveting from start to finish. If you enjoy books in the vein of Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum and Dan Brown, definitely check our Avanti Centrae's The Lost Power. There's a reason why this is a best-selling series.
July 5, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It is a genuine page turner with lost of adventure, action and plot twists. I look forward to reading more by this author.
July 6, 2019
Great book. When I couldn’t read, I was thinking about when I would have time to read. Always a good sign.
June 16, 2019
I'm still trying to catch my breath. What a fun ride! I normally read at night to help me sleep, but this book did just the opposite. To call this book a page-turner would be an understatement. Once I started, I couldn't put it down! This is great adventure with plenty of action and some wild twists.
Maddy, her twin brother, Will, and high school friend Bear, find themselves the unexpected center of a race to find a Lost Power that could change the world's balance of power and put thousands, if not millions, of lives in danger. What I think I liked best about this story, besides the well-described international locations (almost felt like I was there), is the way the characters have to stretch themselves to rise to the many challenges that they face. They're not born super-heroes like in so many thriller and adventure novels. They're everyday people that have to learn how to be "super-heroes". The stakes are too high not to. And what's more, they do all this without the action slowing down.
This is the first book in a planned series...I can hardly wait for book two!!!!
Maddy, her twin brother, Will, and high school friend Bear, find themselves the unexpected center of a race to find a Lost Power that could change the world's balance of power and put thousands, if not millions, of lives in danger. What I think I liked best about this story, besides the well-described international locations (almost felt like I was there), is the way the characters have to stretch themselves to rise to the many challenges that they face. They're not born super-heroes like in so many thriller and adventure novels. They're everyday people that have to learn how to be "super-heroes". The stakes are too high not to. And what's more, they do all this without the action slowing down.
This is the first book in a planned series...I can hardly wait for book two!!!!
July 28, 2019
I received this book via Booktasters in exchange for a review. It was a great read and had my interest from beginning to end. It has a little bit of everything for everyone. I am looking forward to more from this author and highly recommend it.
July 20, 2019
Absolutely LOVED the story!!
Loved the mix of fantasy and reality. It grabbed me from the start with Ramiro I, and on to Napa with Maddy and Will, and then Bear and the crazy assassin(s).
The descriptions made me feel like I was there with everyone. Through all the adventures, I had a hard time putting it down to do other things that I needed to do (like work).
Loved the mix of fantasy and reality. It grabbed me from the start with Ramiro I, and on to Napa with Maddy and Will, and then Bear and the crazy assassin(s).
The descriptions made me feel like I was there with everyone. Through all the adventures, I had a hard time putting it down to do other things that I needed to do (like work).
October 3, 2019
4 stars
Maddy Marshall and Will Argones, twin brother ans sister, arrive at their father's old vineyard in the Napa Valley of California. Just as they arrive, a shot rings out that kills their father and Will's wife Maria. A young boy named AJ that was traveling with Maddie sees a black BMW hurry away from the scene.
After exhaustive interviews with somewhat incompetent appearing detectives, Will, Maddie and AJ leave. They see the BMW on the side of the road and a car chase ensues. The BMW crashes, but one of the assassins survives. They learn from the police that he is Russian. Another attempt is made on their lives at their attorney's office.
They obtain false passports to try to evade the Russian and flee to Spain which is their historical family seat. There they meet Carlos a cousin and the son of the King of Spain, who is their uncle. Carlos is a shady character, but they like the King. He shows them a mysterious codex and imparts some knowledge to aid their search for a mysterious weapon of some sort.
Their search takes them on a world-wide journey. Along the way, they discuss the form their search may take them. Just what is it they are looking for? How do these shooters keep finding them?
Maddy nearly drove me crazy with her feud with her brother Will. She ran hot and cold, sometimes she almost liked him and then she would get mad at him all over. Arrgh! But, as time passed and Maddie learned from various encounters more about herself and her emotions, her anger at her brother and others attenuated. I wondered to myself just how she had advanced as far as she had in Aikido still holding on to her anger and self-ignorance.
This is a well written and plotted novel. The content is consistent and follows a logical progression. I really liked the historical information given in the book. Ms. Centrae did her research for these parts of the book. It was most interesting. I really liked the “Bear” character. Especially his history lessons. This book will stretch your beliefs, but I reminded myself that it is an entertaining novel and continued to read for the pleasure of it. Ms. Centrae is a very good writer and I immediately went to Amazon to look at her other novels.
I want to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
Maddy Marshall and Will Argones, twin brother ans sister, arrive at their father's old vineyard in the Napa Valley of California. Just as they arrive, a shot rings out that kills their father and Will's wife Maria. A young boy named AJ that was traveling with Maddie sees a black BMW hurry away from the scene.
After exhaustive interviews with somewhat incompetent appearing detectives, Will, Maddie and AJ leave. They see the BMW on the side of the road and a car chase ensues. The BMW crashes, but one of the assassins survives. They learn from the police that he is Russian. Another attempt is made on their lives at their attorney's office.
They obtain false passports to try to evade the Russian and flee to Spain which is their historical family seat. There they meet Carlos a cousin and the son of the King of Spain, who is their uncle. Carlos is a shady character, but they like the King. He shows them a mysterious codex and imparts some knowledge to aid their search for a mysterious weapon of some sort.
Their search takes them on a world-wide journey. Along the way, they discuss the form their search may take them. Just what is it they are looking for? How do these shooters keep finding them?
Maddy nearly drove me crazy with her feud with her brother Will. She ran hot and cold, sometimes she almost liked him and then she would get mad at him all over. Arrgh! But, as time passed and Maddie learned from various encounters more about herself and her emotions, her anger at her brother and others attenuated. I wondered to myself just how she had advanced as far as she had in Aikido still holding on to her anger and self-ignorance.
This is a well written and plotted novel. The content is consistent and follows a logical progression. I really liked the historical information given in the book. Ms. Centrae did her research for these parts of the book. It was most interesting. I really liked the “Bear” character. Especially his history lessons. This book will stretch your beliefs, but I reminded myself that it is an entertaining novel and continued to read for the pleasure of it. Ms. Centrae is a very good writer and I immediately went to Amazon to look at her other novels.
I want to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
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