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The Solomon Code #1
The Nephilim Protocol
Everyone in his life has always seemed to hate him. Chad has never known why, until the day he smashes a wall and breaks a friends jawbone. And then he knows. Descended from the race of the half-angel Nephilim, Chad has massive strength, quick reflexes, and other strange magic abilities. Once, his ancestors were kings, Templars, demigods; using their powers to wield cruel and absolute power over the world. The government keeps their descendants locked up on Attu Island, far off the coast of Alaska, to prevent any of them from resuming their reign of terror.But Chad doesn't want to be a monster, and he doesn't want to die on the island. Fighting against guards, fellow prisoners, and the very elements, Chad and his friends must find a way to escape the prison--and their dark heritage. But at the end of the world, can even an angel escape?
300 pages, Paperback
Published September 14, 2020
15 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Kloosterman
3 books17 followersUrban fantasy / Steampunk author from Kalamazoo Michigan. Writer of "The Solomon Code" series.
JD Kloosterman spends his days teaching high school students and his nights writing the adventures of Chad Dickson, a half-angel teenager caught up in a millenia-old war. He also enjoys drawing and video games in his spare time.
JD Kloosterman spends his days teaching high school students and his nights writing the adventures of Chad Dickson, a half-angel teenager caught up in a millenia-old war. He also enjoys drawing and video games in his spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 12, 2020
Being a Teenager is hard, even more so if you're half-Angel.
One day, you're an average teenage boy, but after one day of raging of more-than-normal hormones, and you're shipped off to a camp in the middle of a frozen wasteland.
I was contacted by the author for an honest review. I'm no expert, but these are my honest opinions. After reading 24% of the book, I felt no investment in the plot or characters to continue.
What I liked:
I was intrigued by the premise, a group of half-angel descendants living among the global population. I like that these individuals were found all around the world, and not just within a particular country or ethnicity. I also liked that the Nephilim characters had relatable weaknesses instead of being super-human tropes.
What I didn't like:
For starters, the gratuitous profanity. I think excessive vulgarity detracts from the story and makes the characters seem like they have nothing more intelligent or thoughtful to say. I thought, for the most part, the characters lacked depth. Also, I didn't get a sense of what the main conflict of the MC was, externally or internally, which is why I wasn't invested in his success.
Overall:
The concept had promise, but the story failed to deliver.
I gave The Nephilim Protocol 2 stars.
One day, you're an average teenage boy, but after one day of raging of more-than-normal hormones, and you're shipped off to a camp in the middle of a frozen wasteland.
I was contacted by the author for an honest review. I'm no expert, but these are my honest opinions. After reading 24% of the book, I felt no investment in the plot or characters to continue.
What I liked:
I was intrigued by the premise, a group of half-angel descendants living among the global population. I like that these individuals were found all around the world, and not just within a particular country or ethnicity. I also liked that the Nephilim characters had relatable weaknesses instead of being super-human tropes.
What I didn't like:
For starters, the gratuitous profanity. I think excessive vulgarity detracts from the story and makes the characters seem like they have nothing more intelligent or thoughtful to say. I thought, for the most part, the characters lacked depth. Also, I didn't get a sense of what the main conflict of the MC was, externally or internally, which is why I wasn't invested in his success.
Overall:
The concept had promise, but the story failed to deliver.
I gave The Nephilim Protocol 2 stars.
December 31, 2020
What to expect?
The Nephilim Protocol is a good read. Expect some humour. The book is written in first person from the perspective of Chad, the main protagonist, who is a teenager. The reader gets an insight into Chad’s thoughts, which are peculiar at times, considering the situations he finds himself in.
The book does not shy away from issues that teenagers face including race, sex and identity, with the characters often using crude words to voice their thoughts and emotions.
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, there is a lot of swearing in the book. I was not offended by this, but readers should be aware. On his website page, https://the-solomon-code.com/2020/09/... the author
JD Kloosterman explains his reasons for using such language. I understand his desire to create fully authentic characters. Using colourful language is something I struggle with when writing stories, out of fear that I may be changed as a result of using them. I feel the author did the characters justice in this aspect.
Expect a rush of adrenaline when reading the fight scenes in the book, and there are many. From solid punches and kicks to the chest, resulting in bends and breaks in bones, to the complete ripping off of jaws from unfortunate victims, the author, with tremendous effort, describes the sequence of events to the smallest detail.
Who can read?
The book is suited for young adults and older. However, because of the clear use of strong language and the sensitive topics discussed, some may find parts of it unsettling.
Excerpts
Here are some parts of the book I found amusing
READERS BE ADVISED THAT THE FOLLOWING EXCERPTS MAY CONTAINS WORDS OR DESCRIPTIONS OF SENSITIVE NATURE
A struggle ensues between Chad and someone with a gun
Smooth metal meets my palm. The gun. I yank back with all my force and practically take the coat with it. But I’ve got the gun. I jump to my feet, and I pull the trigger three or four times before realizing the safety’s on. That gives my brain enough pause for me to yell. “Stop! Sto-Stop right there! Lie still! Lie still, you bastard! Not another move!” My brains starting to catch up. “Not one more fucking move. He’s writhing on the ground. A part of my brain notes that that is technically moving. “Did you hear me?” I yell. “I’ll blow your brains out if you move an inch. Don’t think I won’t!” His body wrenches around to look at me. It takes me a minute to understand what I am seeing. The whole lower half of his face is missing. I can even see it, lying on the floor. His jaw’s been ripped off. I ripped it off. But how? I look down at my damaged hand.
Sue introduces himself to the others.
“Sue.”
There’s no translation. Just the pure, unvarnished name, and it hangs in the frozen air for a solid moment. My brain’s still trying to process what I just heard.
Ball Buster laughs…
“C’mon, man. You gotta admit it’s a funny name,” Ball Buster says.
“Which is why you get to laugh about it once,” Sue says.
Ball Buster keeps chuckling. “You ever heard that Johnny Cash song about-“
“Yes, yes, fuck you, yes. And so did my daddy, who thought it was oh-so-hilarious when he left me with that name. But fuck him, and fuck you, and fuck all of this.” He rubs his arm and looks around. “Now, y’all got any breakfast in this crib?”
“Black people seriously say ‘crib’?” Ball Baster asks.
Sue punches him.
The Characters
Although the book is replete with diverse characters and their unique personalities, the focus is on the protagonist and his drive to figure out why the world hates him so much. As you read, you cannot help but understand his frustration at the treatment he receives from his family and so-called friends.
Throughout the book, Chad tries his best to think good thoughts and use acceptable speech, taking the concept of political correctness to a whole new level. His companions on the other hand, are not as considerate. You can only imagine how awkward their conversations get with Chad often rebuking them on their rude remarks.
The weight of his fate as a Nephil (singular for Nephilim) weighs heavily on Chad’s shoulders. He also struggles with his own identity, constantly overthinking his actions and utterances, as well as that of the people around him. Having a strong moral compass comes at a cost, as his decisions are often unpopular, putting him at odds with the rest of his companions. He wishes the world would just give him a break as he experiences persecution, even from those he helps.
The one character I would have loved to read more of is Jess. Apart from an experience shared by her and Chad in the first chapter, there is little else available. I found this surprising, considering her close association with the protagonist. I wonder about the essence of their friendship and if she had any knowledge of his true nature. I understand that the author may not have found this necessary to include in the story, but I feel it would have been an excellent addition.
What Could Have Been Better
Due to translation issues with the Nephilim, the use of handles (nicknames) is encouraged. Prisoners often address themselves by this rather than use their actual names. Whilst I understand the writer’s position, I found it confusing at times trying to figure out who was who in the group.
I also noticed a few grammatical errors. These didn’t drastically affect my reading experience.
The fight scenes were particularly good. My only issue here was the length of some of them, as they appeared to drag on. Also, there was a fight between Chad and Sidewinder. I feel Chad overreacted and did not have a good enough reason to confront Sidewinder the way he did.
What I loved
Amazing opening chapter. It is wonderful how the author introduces Chad and reveals his uniqueness. The second chapter was even better than the first, building up my excitement as I began to understand what exactly was happening to Chad. I knew the book would be fun to read before I opened the first page, but what I did not expect was the excitement that left me wanting more.
I loved the author’s writing style-his use of figurative language to deliver strong imagery and onomatopoeia for literary effect. As I write, I recall the distinct sounds made by weapons clashing against each other, as well as the sizzle of burning flesh.
As mentioned earlier, I have no qualms with the author’s use of crude words. I actually think the characters are more relatable because of this.
Final Comments
The Nephilim Protocol is a very good read. Central to the story, is a group of unique individuals seeking acceptance from a world that fears and rejects them solely because of traits and abilities that they have no control over. Apart from the entertainment found within its pages, the book also sheds light on bigger issues such as racism and identity. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
The Nephilim Protocol is a good read. Expect some humour. The book is written in first person from the perspective of Chad, the main protagonist, who is a teenager. The reader gets an insight into Chad’s thoughts, which are peculiar at times, considering the situations he finds himself in.
The book does not shy away from issues that teenagers face including race, sex and identity, with the characters often using crude words to voice their thoughts and emotions.
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, there is a lot of swearing in the book. I was not offended by this, but readers should be aware. On his website page, https://the-solomon-code.com/2020/09/... the author
JD Kloosterman explains his reasons for using such language. I understand his desire to create fully authentic characters. Using colourful language is something I struggle with when writing stories, out of fear that I may be changed as a result of using them. I feel the author did the characters justice in this aspect.Expect a rush of adrenaline when reading the fight scenes in the book, and there are many. From solid punches and kicks to the chest, resulting in bends and breaks in bones, to the complete ripping off of jaws from unfortunate victims, the author, with tremendous effort, describes the sequence of events to the smallest detail.
Who can read?
The book is suited for young adults and older. However, because of the clear use of strong language and the sensitive topics discussed, some may find parts of it unsettling.
Excerpts
Here are some parts of the book I found amusing
READERS BE ADVISED THAT THE FOLLOWING EXCERPTS MAY CONTAINS WORDS OR DESCRIPTIONS OF SENSITIVE NATURE
A struggle ensues between Chad and someone with a gun
Smooth metal meets my palm. The gun. I yank back with all my force and practically take the coat with it. But I’ve got the gun. I jump to my feet, and I pull the trigger three or four times before realizing the safety’s on. That gives my brain enough pause for me to yell. “Stop! Sto-Stop right there! Lie still! Lie still, you bastard! Not another move!” My brains starting to catch up. “Not one more fucking move. He’s writhing on the ground. A part of my brain notes that that is technically moving. “Did you hear me?” I yell. “I’ll blow your brains out if you move an inch. Don’t think I won’t!” His body wrenches around to look at me. It takes me a minute to understand what I am seeing. The whole lower half of his face is missing. I can even see it, lying on the floor. His jaw’s been ripped off. I ripped it off. But how? I look down at my damaged hand.
Sue introduces himself to the others.
“Sue.”
There’s no translation. Just the pure, unvarnished name, and it hangs in the frozen air for a solid moment. My brain’s still trying to process what I just heard.
Ball Buster laughs…
“C’mon, man. You gotta admit it’s a funny name,” Ball Buster says.
“Which is why you get to laugh about it once,” Sue says.
Ball Buster keeps chuckling. “You ever heard that Johnny Cash song about-“
“Yes, yes, fuck you, yes. And so did my daddy, who thought it was oh-so-hilarious when he left me with that name. But fuck him, and fuck you, and fuck all of this.” He rubs his arm and looks around. “Now, y’all got any breakfast in this crib?”
“Black people seriously say ‘crib’?” Ball Baster asks.
Sue punches him.
The Characters
Although the book is replete with diverse characters and their unique personalities, the focus is on the protagonist and his drive to figure out why the world hates him so much. As you read, you cannot help but understand his frustration at the treatment he receives from his family and so-called friends.
Throughout the book, Chad tries his best to think good thoughts and use acceptable speech, taking the concept of political correctness to a whole new level. His companions on the other hand, are not as considerate. You can only imagine how awkward their conversations get with Chad often rebuking them on their rude remarks.
The weight of his fate as a Nephil (singular for Nephilim) weighs heavily on Chad’s shoulders. He also struggles with his own identity, constantly overthinking his actions and utterances, as well as that of the people around him. Having a strong moral compass comes at a cost, as his decisions are often unpopular, putting him at odds with the rest of his companions. He wishes the world would just give him a break as he experiences persecution, even from those he helps.
The one character I would have loved to read more of is Jess. Apart from an experience shared by her and Chad in the first chapter, there is little else available. I found this surprising, considering her close association with the protagonist. I wonder about the essence of their friendship and if she had any knowledge of his true nature. I understand that the author may not have found this necessary to include in the story, but I feel it would have been an excellent addition.
What Could Have Been Better
Due to translation issues with the Nephilim, the use of handles (nicknames) is encouraged. Prisoners often address themselves by this rather than use their actual names. Whilst I understand the writer’s position, I found it confusing at times trying to figure out who was who in the group.
I also noticed a few grammatical errors. These didn’t drastically affect my reading experience.
The fight scenes were particularly good. My only issue here was the length of some of them, as they appeared to drag on. Also, there was a fight between Chad and Sidewinder. I feel Chad overreacted and did not have a good enough reason to confront Sidewinder the way he did.
What I loved
Amazing opening chapter. It is wonderful how the author introduces Chad and reveals his uniqueness. The second chapter was even better than the first, building up my excitement as I began to understand what exactly was happening to Chad. I knew the book would be fun to read before I opened the first page, but what I did not expect was the excitement that left me wanting more.
I loved the author’s writing style-his use of figurative language to deliver strong imagery and onomatopoeia for literary effect. As I write, I recall the distinct sounds made by weapons clashing against each other, as well as the sizzle of burning flesh.
As mentioned earlier, I have no qualms with the author’s use of crude words. I actually think the characters are more relatable because of this.
Final Comments
The Nephilim Protocol is a very good read. Central to the story, is a group of unique individuals seeking acceptance from a world that fears and rejects them solely because of traits and abilities that they have no control over. Apart from the entertainment found within its pages, the book also sheds light on bigger issues such as racism and identity. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
January 2, 2021
So I finally read this book!
Maybe it's because I finished it just after rereading some of the Dresden Files novels, but random similarities between the two series have been jumping out at me. Not that they're really the same genre at all, they just feel weirdly alike. For instance, they've both got some fun action sequences, weird magical powers being used in crazy ways, knights (ish), wise old dudes, and a main character who's hung up on chivalry. Also, I know Dresden Files gets a lot of criticism for its politically incorrect elements, especially the male gaze, and I think this series (once the next few books come out) will probably have to deal with the same thing. Not so much for the male gaze; more the racial and social commentary running internally through the main character's head, as well as some cringy behavior from the other guys in his group.
Nephilim Protocol's summary makes it sound like another teenage fantasy/post-apocalyptic novel where the whole world is against the main character and his groupies, and they fight their way to freedom to save the messed up world by more or less destroying the social order and stuff (similar to Maze Runner, Divergent, Hunger Games, I'm sure there's more). And it really kind of is! But first it's more like, "this is Chad, and as you can see, he has a problem trying not to be a racist/sexist/stereotypical white boy." Sometimes you even get the feeling that if he'd stop thinking about it so much, maybe he wouldn't have so much of a problem (one of the other characters points this out to him later).
You almost have to read this book expecting the bad language and the commentary on kids struggling with social issues. There's an author's note at the end of the book explaining it was a conscious decision, and more about the decision on a blogpost about the book (the-solomon-code.com)
By the end of the book, though, a lot of the shock you experience from the derogatory slang, violence, and cringy behavior from the first half of the book has dissipated, partially because the plot and characters really start taking off and leaving less room for anything else, and partially because the characters themselves start becoming better defined, to themselves and each other, so Chad doesn't stereotype them as much in his head. Also, there are some great conversations between the characters, both about sensitive subjects and not.
The plot, worldbuilding, and characters themselves all made this a fun book to read. Looking forward to the next one!
Maybe it's because I finished it just after rereading some of the Dresden Files novels, but random similarities between the two series have been jumping out at me. Not that they're really the same genre at all, they just feel weirdly alike. For instance, they've both got some fun action sequences, weird magical powers being used in crazy ways, knights (ish), wise old dudes, and a main character who's hung up on chivalry. Also, I know Dresden Files gets a lot of criticism for its politically incorrect elements, especially the male gaze, and I think this series (once the next few books come out) will probably have to deal with the same thing. Not so much for the male gaze; more the racial and social commentary running internally through the main character's head, as well as some cringy behavior from the other guys in his group.
Nephilim Protocol's summary makes it sound like another teenage fantasy/post-apocalyptic novel where the whole world is against the main character and his groupies, and they fight their way to freedom to save the messed up world by more or less destroying the social order and stuff (similar to Maze Runner, Divergent, Hunger Games, I'm sure there's more). And it really kind of is! But first it's more like, "this is Chad, and as you can see, he has a problem trying not to be a racist/sexist/stereotypical white boy." Sometimes you even get the feeling that if he'd stop thinking about it so much, maybe he wouldn't have so much of a problem (one of the other characters points this out to him later).
You almost have to read this book expecting the bad language and the commentary on kids struggling with social issues. There's an author's note at the end of the book explaining it was a conscious decision, and more about the decision on a blogpost about the book (the-solomon-code.com)
By the end of the book, though, a lot of the shock you experience from the derogatory slang, violence, and cringy behavior from the first half of the book has dissipated, partially because the plot and characters really start taking off and leaving less room for anything else, and partially because the characters themselves start becoming better defined, to themselves and each other, so Chad doesn't stereotype them as much in his head. Also, there are some great conversations between the characters, both about sensitive subjects and not.
The plot, worldbuilding, and characters themselves all made this a fun book to read. Looking forward to the next one!
September 7, 2020
Thank you to J.D Kloosterman for providing an e-arc
The most exciting thing I saw about his book was the word "NEPHILIM"
I immediately liked the fact that you had started with a violent scene, but it seemed like the whole thing was just violence! VIOLENCE! VIOLENCE! which kind of blew me off because there was like NO ROMANCE!
There was also the fact that it had aspects of like a male version of Fallen with Percy Jackson
It also seemed cliche of the fact of that he is descended from royalty who were demigods. Which I recommend you could have said "Archangels"
Overall, the storyline and the characters are great. Just add a bit of Spice.
The most exciting thing I saw about his book was the word "NEPHILIM"
I immediately liked the fact that you had started with a violent scene, but it seemed like the whole thing was just violence! VIOLENCE! VIOLENCE! which kind of blew me off because there was like NO ROMANCE!
There was also the fact that it had aspects of like a male version of Fallen with Percy Jackson
It also seemed cliche of the fact of that he is descended from royalty who were demigods. Which I recommend you could have said "Archangels"
Overall, the storyline and the characters are great. Just add a bit of Spice.
November 5, 2020
I loved most of this book for the themes: friendship, heroism and determination. Also, for the lessons taught: Chad not committed to indulging in sexual intercourse with Val, the boys being chivalrous with Heather. Indeed a novel that most teenage boys would love for the fight scenes, the blood, gore and the testosterone driven conflicts. That being said, I didn't like it for those same reasons; the constant swearing is appalling to me. However, I do admire and respect JD for this novel perspective!
September 21, 2020
I received a free ARC from the author.
Wow, this one was unique. Chad really wants to be a good guy, and to do all the right things. He never can seem to get it right, people hate him, and he doesn't know why. Until the aftermath of a school shooting reveals that he is nephilim, descended from a fallen angel.
Teenage boys in a sort of prison/boot camp, doing the kinds of things teenage boys usually do. Kloosterman sets up a few plot mysteries that I guess will be resolved in future books. The worldbuilding is a bit confusing since a lot is hidden from the boys. Fans of The Maze Runner would like this, I think. I'm looking forward to book 2.
Wow, this one was unique. Chad really wants to be a good guy, and to do all the right things. He never can seem to get it right, people hate him, and he doesn't know why. Until the aftermath of a school shooting reveals that he is nephilim, descended from a fallen angel.
Teenage boys in a sort of prison/boot camp, doing the kinds of things teenage boys usually do. Kloosterman sets up a few plot mysteries that I guess will be resolved in future books. The worldbuilding is a bit confusing since a lot is hidden from the boys. Fans of The Maze Runner would like this, I think. I'm looking forward to book 2.
November 9, 2020
*Author provided a free copy for an honest review.*
When I first read the description, I immediately wanted to read this. What an original idea! After the first few chapters, I was so enthralled. I couldn't wait to see where this explosive plot would lead, and how Chad would learn and grow as a character (I dont just mean physically or with his superpowers). First chapter by the way is hectic!
Then, nothing really happened. I mean plenty of really cool stuff happened, like amazingly written descriptive fight scenes for instance. But plot wise, from 15% to 80% through, the plot had barely moved. I really felt let down in the end. I'm still giving this 4 stars, because I stil think the idea is awesome, especially for boys in the YA age group. Im 40 years old, well above the age this book is intended for, so maybe I was expecting too much in terms of depth. I would definitely recommend this for boys between 13-17, I think they will love it. I would buy the sequel to see where it goes.
When I first read the description, I immediately wanted to read this. What an original idea! After the first few chapters, I was so enthralled. I couldn't wait to see where this explosive plot would lead, and how Chad would learn and grow as a character (I dont just mean physically or with his superpowers). First chapter by the way is hectic!
Then, nothing really happened. I mean plenty of really cool stuff happened, like amazingly written descriptive fight scenes for instance. But plot wise, from 15% to 80% through, the plot had barely moved. I really felt let down in the end. I'm still giving this 4 stars, because I stil think the idea is awesome, especially for boys in the YA age group. Im 40 years old, well above the age this book is intended for, so maybe I was expecting too much in terms of depth. I would definitely recommend this for boys between 13-17, I think they will love it. I would buy the sequel to see where it goes.
October 20, 2021
WOW!! It's so rare these days to find a self published book that's actually good quality, but this is one of them!!! I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to read the next! It has great writing quality and a really original and gripping storyline, with relatable characters and realistic thoughts, emotions and reactions. The only fault I found was a tendency to mix up the order of introductions to new concepts or characters, for example a new nickname was used without explanation and then the next chapter the name was explained with the situation that generated it, but that's a consequence of self publishing I guess, as there isn't such a strict proof reading and editing process. But looking past that mild inconvenience this book is almost entirely free from typos and grammatical errors, which is such a refreshing change from books these days, and as I said a really interesting and original plotline. It keeps you guessing the whole way through and there's still a lot I want answers to in the next book. 100% recommend reading!!
I was given an ARC in exchange for a review but this is a completely honest review and this is definitely one of the best ARCs I've read in recent years!
I was given an ARC in exchange for a review but this is a completely honest review and this is definitely one of the best ARCs I've read in recent years!
Read
December 13, 2021An enjoyable romp but confusing at times
The thrills in this book begin from the first words and never really relent. The writing is absolutely first class and the author handles having so many characters superbly. Chad really stands out as a likeable, decent human but with flaws. I can only assume that other reviewers who complain about the amount of profanity have never met teenage boys!
Not all is perfect, though. At times this story is confusing (particularly the ending) and unless you're reading it all in one sitting it is sometimes hard to keep track of whose side particular characters are on.
This is yet another independently-published book that is far better than many traditionally published books I have read of late. I genuinely recommend it and hope the next book in this series is as entertaining.
The thrills in this book begin from the first words and never really relent. The writing is absolutely first class and the author handles having so many characters superbly. Chad really stands out as a likeable, decent human but with flaws. I can only assume that other reviewers who complain about the amount of profanity have never met teenage boys!
Not all is perfect, though. At times this story is confusing (particularly the ending) and unless you're reading it all in one sitting it is sometimes hard to keep track of whose side particular characters are on.
This is yet another independently-published book that is far better than many traditionally published books I have read of late. I genuinely recommend it and hope the next book in this series is as entertaining.
December 2, 2020
It was a challenging story to read. Not that it was hard, but the characters were challenging. To get to know them there was a lot of cursing to wade through. The main character Chad didn't know what was going on most of the time; clueless. But the others that became his buddies seemed to like him and he was mindful of others, probably the only one in the group who was nice. There was a lot of fighting and gorey parts. But the story line was compelling.
October 3, 2021
Action packed
The story starts off a bit slow but quickly turns into a fast paced, action filled journey with the Nephilim. I highly recommend this book from teens to adult.
The story starts off a bit slow but quickly turns into a fast paced, action filled journey with the Nephilim. I highly recommend this book from teens to adult.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews