Errant

The 12:01 Trilogy #1

by Montrez

Superpowers transform one anxious outside into New York's most wanted girl in this soulful, spirited YA Contemporary Fantasy.

16-year-old Savannah Scarlett struggles to reclaim her life after the devastating loss of her father. but finding a place to belong isn't easy for someone who's used to living life on the sidelines.Just when she thinks things can't get any worse, Savannah witnesses an impossible phenomenon that triggers the emergence of a wild and powerful gift. She must learn to accept and control her newfound ability or die trying. That is if a deadly organization of vicious hunters doesn't kill her first.Running for her life, Savannah soon finds refuge with the Errants, a ragtag group of powerful misfits who share her power and all the danger that comes with it. A supernatural war has long been brewing. Savannah is no chosen one or savior, but she may be the catalyst needed for the Errants to have a fighting chance at survival against an immortal enemy.

Fans of Divergent and the Darkest Mind are sure to enjoy.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2020

About the author

Montrez is the author of the YA urban fantasy Errant, the novella Knockout, and the upcoming YA portal fantasy Labyrinth Park.

She loves writing character-driven fantasy and sci-fi with super-powered action, heartfelt adventure, and heroes of diverse shades, shapes, and backgrounds.

Montrez lives in the moody Midwest with her husband and three sons, and when she’s not writing, you can find her spending time with family, enjoying coffee, and refilling her creative wells with all the latest sci-fi/fantasy reads, movies, and tv shows.

Reviews

[rebecca | velvet opus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m on a rooftop with no knowledge of how I got here or how to get down.

Have you ever dreamed of having superpowers? Waking up on top of a skyscraper, drenched, with no idea how you got there? Savannah Scarlett knows the feeling. As if she didn’t have enough to deal with, with a new step-dad, new school and racist Aunt - now she’s seeing people jump off the Empire State Building. That no-one else can see. And they're claiming she’s like them - superpowered. She must be going crazy, right? And if she isn’t, that means she’s something else.

"You’re not crazy, sick, or broken. You’re just different. You’re an Errant"

Errant is a fast-paced young-adult fantasy with vertigo-inducing scenes and superpowered teens in a unique way I hadn't seen before. It follows Savannah, a teenager who makes mistakes, and friends, as she comes to terms with who she is while battling perils in her new home of New York City. Racist bullies are as real as immortal-like villains and that means she has a whole lot on her plate.

Add to that some seriously cool outfits and thrift shopping - I’m a sucker for the you-need-new-clothes transformation scene in YA fantasy - the bustle of NYC, nightclubs with teens and I got The Mortal Instruments vibes but more diverse character representation.

There’s a quote that really resonated with me, and helped me bond with Savannah as a character: "Give me some good music and a good book and let me shut myself up in my room". Amen to that. Savannah, in addition to being a secret book-lover, is tough - not perfect, she makes mistakes - but she is tough. A heroine I came to root for.

Thanks to the author for providing a review copy via StoryOrigin!

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[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Errant was an excellent genre blender that mixes in a paranormal mystery and urban fantasy to craft a compelling story full of twists and turns. Savannah Scarlett is trying to find her place in the world after a year of dramatic change in her life. Along the way, she discovers and hones in on her own abilities, finds new allies, and winds up on multiple sides of a supernatural war. Savannah herself is easy to relate to as she first has to contend with being an outcast in more ways than one and I love her journey through the struggle to embrace her true self. The powers themselves were pretty interesting with a few twists, and while it took me a bit to understand, I enjoyed seeing how they were implemented. The pacing was well done, not stuck in one place for too long. I love the characters and lore and feel we're just scratching the surface in the opening book of this series, and await more adventures.
*I received a review copy from the author. All opinions are my own.*

[KMart Vet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Errant by Montrez is a spirited YA contemporary fantasy that perfectly blends superhero nostalgia with urban fantasy. As a kid, I was totally into the X-Men (and superheroes in general), so this book immediately took me back - but it still feels original. The story follows Savannah as she struggles to reclaim her life after a devastating loss. Living on the sidelines for so long, she’s suddenly thrust into a whirlwind of supernatural chaos when something awakens a powerful gift within her.

What I loved most about Errant is the way it tackles social commentary and family dynamics. Savannah’s coming-of-age journey is not just about mastering her newfound abilities—it’s also a poignant exploration of mental health and the struggles of finding a place to belong in a difficult world. The characters are wonderfully authentic and age-appropriate, and the bit of romance is simply adorable.

The Errants—a ragtag group of powerful misfits who share gifts—offer a refreshing take on the superhero team dynamic, and their camaraderie is heartwarming and their conflicts are interesting. This book truly caters to fans of YA urban fantasy and superhero stories, and its blend of action, introspection, and social awareness makes it a standout read. Much like the comics it possibly takes inspiration from.

If you love a good mix of nostalgic superhero vibes, great characters, and a story that doesn’t shy away from tough themes, Errant is a wonderful choice for teens and adults. I’m incredibly curious to see where Savannah’s journey will take her next.

[K.A. Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great. Fresh, fun, and propulsive. Genre-bending to the point where I'm not totally sure what bucket to put it in. Urban Fantasy, but also there's a crazy-kid/asylum element at the start, and it's not totally clear if the powers that come in are more SF or fantasy/paranormal. I kinda get X-Men vibes off of the way the powers come in, with warring, underground factions and powerful forces hunting kids down. Light love triangle, some good training montages, and a bunch of injuries/fainting, with a deep, slow-burn character arc. I'll definitely be looking for book 2!

[Amena · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is even more than it’s promised to be

I adore this book. It’s everything the author promises and more — it has a lovely coming of age story that’s gritty, realistic, and powerful, a found family that survives and comes together despite their flaws, vivid multi-faceted character development, an unflinching portrayal of grief, mental health, complicated families, interesting powers, and ALL THE EMOTION. This book needs to be a bigger deal than it is because it’s everything that a real story of heroes and hope should be. I am so looking forward to the sequel! (And yes, I will be daydreaming of this book for a good many days to come.) Also, the narration was awesome! I enjoyed all the voices and accents, and the narrator really captured the feel of the story.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first experience with Montrez's work, and I enjoyed it a lot. Although the book did remind me of the "Divergent Trilogy", there were enough differences that kept my interest in this story. I am looking forward to the next book in the trilogy. I recommend this book with the caveat that there were some violent scenes described in the story. Jessie Lou Darrow's narration was great and added to the story's entertainment. I was given a free copy of the audiobook and I have voluntarily left this review.

[Tamiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book... Can't wait for the next one... I loved how the MC hot over her fears and doubts to do something brave

[Sarah L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complementary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only in return for my honest opinion.
I absolutely loved this book! It is an original take on superpowers. Savannah is a wonderfully relatable character. It was interesting how the author tied her feelings of invincibility to her her powers. I was completely drawn into the relationship between between her and her mother. For the most part, I enjoyed all of the characters. I have to admit, I had a hard time buying into the romantic relationship, but maybe the next book will change my mind. The best part about this book is that it constantly keeps you guessing. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, I was completely wrong. Who the "posers" really are is still a mystery to Me! Hopefully, we will get to figure it out in the next book. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next one.

[Joy E. Rancatore · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Errant by Montrez, I now have a new favorite series and author and cannot wait to get my hands on book two.

Savannah is a main character readers can relate to and cheer for. As if the teen years aren't tumultuous enough, she has to deal with the grief of losing a parent and the terror of powers that feel the opposite of a gift.

I didn't want to set this book down while I read it. The action scenes are riveting and the world-building and character-developing scenes kept me engaged as well. I recommend this to anyone (teens and up) who enjoys clean YA with tons of action, magic and adventure along with a real-life picture of teens trying to figure out this crazy thing called life.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I struggle a lot with contemporary fiction, and oh boy did everything about Savannah's school experience give me deep anxiety (you can't just miss class! Ah!), and I do think the narrative voice and characters were very teen, but this is a contemporary fantasy YA book, so those are Me problems and not so much Errant problems. Even with those barriers, I still became deeply invested (especially once the contemporary took less of a focus), and I even found myself tearing up a few times. Definitely recommend, especially to those more in the target demographic. I'm hugely interested in continuing the series.

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - I was hooked until the end. The story was original, engaging and developed at a good pace with interesting characters. The ending felt slightly rushed but overall it was a great read. Really looking forward to the next one!

[K.R.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story all around. This is a book that YA fantasy fans don’t want to miss. I love how the MC acted like a real teen girl rather than an overpowered hero… I loved watching her come into her strength a d power. Good characters, a fun adventure, a unique supernatural story. I recommend it!

[Kirsty Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good steady pace, and a good intriguing plot. An interesting new premise of superhero. Will look to other books by this author

[Amanda Hallam-Taillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a solid YA read. I very much enjoyed the ride.

I received a copy of this book through Voracious Readers Only

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting YA fantasy adventure! An enjoyable tale following a teenage girl as she learns & develops her new powers. A group a misfits complete the story with an intriguing plot & story line!
Something a little different for me but still a pleasant way to pass the time!

[Jennifer Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weird disclaimer to start: I am currently on the ARC team for Montrez, but I purchased and read this book before joining that team. Take this review with all of that in mind, please.

Have you ever felt so immersed in a book that the characters almost felt like friends? That's errant.

I'm a really slow reader, and if I put a book down I tend to get distracted for days at a time. Or weeks. It's never the book's fault, I just have ADHD. But what CAN be attributed to the book, specifically Errant in this case, is how it manages to draw you back into reading. For me, I'd get the idle thought "Oh I should grab my kindle" and immediately Errant would be in my brain going "oohh, don't you want to know how Savannah's doing? What about Geezer? KO? Rox? Tristan? EVERYONE?" Honestly it was weird for me, because usually I don't feel that connected to characters. But these characters were so vivid, so fully formed that they were almost like real people that I wanted to go visit.

Honestly, I don't know how Montrez did it. She manages to pack so much character into the smallest things; the tiredness in someone's eyes, the sheen of their leather jacket as they turn their back to you.

As far as the plot, I have to say I'm hooked. I get the same vibes that every great YA spec fic gives me in the first book; where there's been all this action and adventure and heartbreak, and then you get to the end and you realize that the author was only just setting the stage.

Also, not once did I find myself glancing down to the "time left in this chapter" indicator out of boredom. Anticipation as I try to figure out pwhat's going to happen next? Oh heck yeah. Did I glance down to see if I could squeeze in another chapter before I needed to stop reading? Definitely. But I'm an antsy, easily bored person, and none of my usual "get this over with" attitudes activated. Not one.

Before I ramble on forever, I'll summarize. This book is filled with great characters, it's the perfect pace for me (fast-ish), and it'll grip you from the get-go. 100% worth a read.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story started off a little too slow for my liking. I felt that the amount of detail given could’ve been done in a lot less time. While I understand that it was setting up the rest of the story, I worried I’d lose interest and that I’d stop reading. With that said, however, the moment it amped up, it did not come back down. Once chapter six begins, my emotions never quite settled again.

Savannah thinks that she is a completely ordinary, and seemingly invisible, teenage girl. While being shown around New York City by her cousins Angie and Jay, she witnesses something that causes her to “freak out” and then haunts her. In the following weeks, she begins to find herself in a slew of unexplainable predicaments that eventually send her to a psychiatrist and then to a special facility. It is here that her true journey begins.

The outcast mentality that is ever-present in the story is completely relatable in the absence of the Errant gifts. Life is strange and finding a place where you truly fit is often difficult and can be elusive. For this reason, I found it easy to empathize with most of the characters. I even found many of them genuinely likable.

I assume that the ending, although maddening, is meant to set us up for the story to continue. This was frustrating because I want/need to know what happens next. Will the Errants defeat Santos and the “Posers?” Will we find out who the insider is and whether or not they are actually trustworthy? Also as a sucker for a good romance, what happens with K.O. and Savannah? These are all questions I want to know the answers to. I can’t wait to read the next installment.


Voluntarily reviewed after I received a free copy of this book courtesy of Voracious Readers and the author, Montrez, in exchange for my honest review.

[Sapphire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not typically a fan of YA because it usually revolves around the same five tropes, but this was probably the most original concept in a YA book I've read in a long time. The writing was strong and fast paced. I appreciated that it wasn't super heavy in the romance field (but don't get me wrong there is definitely a little bit of something there), which can be really hard to get away from in YA. I'm actually looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in return for an honest review.

I don't know if it's a trend with these complimentary copies, but this is the second one I've read that has more than its fair share of minor editorial errors. Easily fixable errors that should have been caught during line or copy editing. Specifically for this book, I remember the use of "faze" when it clearly should have been "phase," and the repeated use of the word "sleep" when it should have read "asleep" (though this last one could have been a style choice). I'm going to try and keep better track in future reads because it feels a little too coincidental that my first two complimentary reads would have so many similar errors.

I liked this book despite the fact that I had a hard time liking the main character. Savannah spent a large portion of this book whining and being — as one character put it — a crybaby. Yes, she was still dealing with the aftermath of her dad's death and her mom's remarriage, but for the most part, her internal dialogues on these matters weren't relatable, just grating. Her preferred state of being was denial, even with evidence thrown in her face. Being thrown off a building and surviving was still not quite enough to convince her she was "special".

Yes, Savannah has superpowers, which helpfully explain her feelings of invisibility, recent blackouts, exhaustion, and extreme hunger and thirst. As expected, some evil people are after her, but she's rescued by a group of teenage misfits who also have superpowers — Errants. The situation is very similar to, for example, the Shadowhunter books, where Clary has been living as a mundane and is taken in by other Hunters when her powers begin to break through. Or the Harley Merlin series when Harley is taken into a coven when she learns she's a witch. The point is, it's a scenario we've seen before.

The main difference here is that Savannah is a POC. She is, in fact, bi-racial; her father was white, her mother black. Her extended white family includes an aunt who might as well be named Karen. Her mother is fairly stereotypical in that she is focused on her career and new marriage, while ignoring her emotionally struggling daughter. I did really appreciate the fact that the author made a point to introduce therapy as a way for mother and daughter to work through their issues as it can be so hard for mothers and teenage daughters to have meaningful conversations during this time of life.

The end of the book wrapped up a little too neatly and a little too quickly for my taste. Savannah spent 3/4 of the book not trusting the people who initially rescued her, but within a few pages she's ready to risk her life for their "rivals"? She got comfortable pretty fast.

Overall, I liked the book. Montrez does a good job of making you want to keep reading at the end of a chapter. I'm interested in seeing how the series continues.

[Tina Capricorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a wild ride of found family, super powered teenagers, a secret society of immortals hidden in the shadows! Kept me guessing til the very end! Along with teen angst, grief, the agony of growing up and having to face your fears and a bit of a slow burn mini-romance, this book has something for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it via audiobook too, the narrator really brings the characters of Scarlet, Geezer, K.O., Rox, Max, Chloe and everyone to life. Montrez did an exceptional job making this dense cast of characters distinct, unique and memorable. I was rooting for Savannah Scarlett as she navigates her powers, and peers like her--who also have extraordinary gifts and are ruthlessly hunted by a shady, secretive organization of immortals. Curious to see where her romance goes with a certain character in the next book. Eagerly awaiting the sequel in this trilogy!

[Heidz · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I really wanted to love this book. I love urban fantasy and was excited when I came across this indie book. Sadly this just didn’t do it for me. It’s too YA for me, which I won’t doc it for. The story is very choppy. Somehow the story was slow and fast at the same thing. It felt like nothing happened because it was training and the FMC, Savannah, passing out and then a major scene would break seemingly out of nowhere. I liked the writing style but the story didn’t flow well at all.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75. superpowers with teenagers. very thrilling, this book was a little slow in the beginning and wish some of her backstory was shown in the first half instead of second half. I love the friendships she made and them fighting for each other. the little romance was cute, eventually I will pick up the second book. as always with young adult books, I hated the parents. I do think the author combined her favorite fantasy ideas from popular books into one though

[Happy Hippie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong black female character. Love it.