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Spirit Warriors : Secrets of A Hidden Realm Book 1
Who would’ve thought being a reject would be this dangerous
Tyrique was nothing more than a lanky 16-year-old boy from the hood looking for a way out for him and his family until he decided to rob houses with some of his homeboys from the neighborhood.
Selena is from the OTHER side of town where spending thousands of dollars on a pair of heels is an afterthought. She stumbles her way through the backbiting smog that is the highschool social order until she is nearly killed by Tyrique and his accomplices’ failed robbery attempt.
That was when all Hell broke loose, LITERALLY. Turns out the strange creatures they had been seeing were more than just a figment of their borderline insane imaginations.
These terrible beasts aren’t just there for show and if Tyrique and Selena don’t embrace their gift and figure out how to defeat these demons, they won’t make it to see 17.
Demons, Swords, and Relationships. The makings of a perfect African American urban fantasy romance story or a cruel tale about the slaughter of minors? Read and Find Out!
Tyrique was nothing more than a lanky 16-year-old boy from the hood looking for a way out for him and his family until he decided to rob houses with some of his homeboys from the neighborhood.
Selena is from the OTHER side of town where spending thousands of dollars on a pair of heels is an afterthought. She stumbles her way through the backbiting smog that is the highschool social order until she is nearly killed by Tyrique and his accomplices’ failed robbery attempt.
That was when all Hell broke loose, LITERALLY. Turns out the strange creatures they had been seeing were more than just a figment of their borderline insane imaginations.
These terrible beasts aren’t just there for show and if Tyrique and Selena don’t embrace their gift and figure out how to defeat these demons, they won’t make it to see 17.
Demons, Swords, and Relationships. The makings of a perfect African American urban fantasy romance story or a cruel tale about the slaughter of minors? Read and Find Out!
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 24, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up
Spirit Warriors is a promising first novel about two Black teenagers destined to become Spirit Warriors and battle demons.
Tyrique lives on the poor side of town, caring for his younger brothers while his mom struggles with addiction. And when there's not enough food left in the house, he turns to stealing with a group of guys despite his conscience. Selena comes from a wealthy family, but her parents are more interested in acquiring power and wealth than taking an interest in her. Both of them have a secret: they can see things most people can't, things that will draw them into a dangerous battle with competing factions.
It's worth noting that this had a lot more graphic violence than I was expecting, putting it on the older side of YA. Fight scenes yes, but also kidnapping, murder, torture, etc. This isn't necessarily a critique, but readers should have a heads up. That said, the writing was fairly good and many of the scenes were quite gripping. Things do become a bit muddy at times what with flashbacks and visions of the future that aren't always clearly delineated from the main story. There are a lot of moving pieces, which is interesting, but might be a challenge for some readers to keep track of.
There are times that the lessons of the book about morality and behavior feel a bit too on the nose, and some of the villains can feel a bit overwritten and mustache twirling. That said, I appreciate the nuance given to a lot of the characters, even villainous ones, demonstrating how an abusive childhood can lead people to enact violence on others. It also walks this line of being sympathetic to people who feel forced into dangerous or illegal actions, while also suggesting there is a better way. Much less sympathy exists for the rich and powerful who selfishly use their privilege. While not a perfect book, I think there is a lot to like here and readers into this kind of story will probably have a good time with it.
In terms of the world-building, this posits demons as the real power behind a lot of evil in the world, including the horrors of Nazi Germany. It also draws on myth from around the world in creating some of the more powerful demons you hear about later in the book. Meanwhile Spirit Warriors are chosen by God to have special abilities and fight these demons. Again, readers may have different responses to this depending on their background. I received a copy of this book for review from the author. All opinions are my own.
Spirit Warriors is a promising first novel about two Black teenagers destined to become Spirit Warriors and battle demons.
Tyrique lives on the poor side of town, caring for his younger brothers while his mom struggles with addiction. And when there's not enough food left in the house, he turns to stealing with a group of guys despite his conscience. Selena comes from a wealthy family, but her parents are more interested in acquiring power and wealth than taking an interest in her. Both of them have a secret: they can see things most people can't, things that will draw them into a dangerous battle with competing factions.
It's worth noting that this had a lot more graphic violence than I was expecting, putting it on the older side of YA. Fight scenes yes, but also kidnapping, murder, torture, etc. This isn't necessarily a critique, but readers should have a heads up. That said, the writing was fairly good and many of the scenes were quite gripping. Things do become a bit muddy at times what with flashbacks and visions of the future that aren't always clearly delineated from the main story. There are a lot of moving pieces, which is interesting, but might be a challenge for some readers to keep track of.
There are times that the lessons of the book about morality and behavior feel a bit too on the nose, and some of the villains can feel a bit overwritten and mustache twirling. That said, I appreciate the nuance given to a lot of the characters, even villainous ones, demonstrating how an abusive childhood can lead people to enact violence on others. It also walks this line of being sympathetic to people who feel forced into dangerous or illegal actions, while also suggesting there is a better way. Much less sympathy exists for the rich and powerful who selfishly use their privilege. While not a perfect book, I think there is a lot to like here and readers into this kind of story will probably have a good time with it.
In terms of the world-building, this posits demons as the real power behind a lot of evil in the world, including the horrors of Nazi Germany. It also draws on myth from around the world in creating some of the more powerful demons you hear about later in the book. Meanwhile Spirit Warriors are chosen by God to have special abilities and fight these demons. Again, readers may have different responses to this depending on their background. I received a copy of this book for review from the author. All opinions are my own.
March 29, 2021
Action, adventure, magic, demons, prophecies and a bit of romance- what more could we ask for in a YA novel??
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the plot follows Tyrique and Selina who are average high schoolers thrown into a world of demons and magic.
The characters are well fleshed out and well written, forming their own opinions and thoughts clearly.
The pace was a little slow to start for me, I found myself itching for something magical to happen but it speeds up halfway through and takes us on such a journey! I did not expect the ending at all and I can't wait to read the next one.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the plot follows Tyrique and Selina who are average high schoolers thrown into a world of demons and magic.
The characters are well fleshed out and well written, forming their own opinions and thoughts clearly.
The pace was a little slow to start for me, I found myself itching for something magical to happen but it speeds up halfway through and takes us on such a journey! I did not expect the ending at all and I can't wait to read the next one.
April 3, 2021
A good, well written fantasy. Tyrique and Selena, two high school teenagers, one rich, one not, thrown together by fate into a world where all is not as it seems. Their lives unfold from home life problems to something much bigger. Good characters throughout with plenty of action, mystery, murder and fantasy. A cliff hanger ending with much more to come.
April 8, 2021
Spirit Warriors: Secrets of A Hidden Realm Book 1, my first read from author Chris C. Howard. First things first, I like this book. However, that said it's obviously the author's first published work and he needs a better editor. A well-written story that needs some polish & cleaning up. Pronouns, for example, I was sick of Darwin's name when it was overused multiple times on a page when a pronoun would have flowed better. Since this is book 1 of the Secrets of A Hidden Realm Book 1, I assume there will be a book 2, which I will read because I liked this book and assume that the second book will be improved. December seemed to be my month for new authors, January & February & then March continued the trend, and now April. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
maybe-to-read
March 7, 2022***Who sucked me in?***
Thomas from SFF180 on YouTube in their SFF180 | Mailbag Monday | March 7, 2022 video published 7 maart 2022.
***Why a maybe***
Don't get me wrong. That blurb makes it seems like a very fun story! But YA and me... We have a history of not getting along.
Thomas from SFF180 on YouTube in their SFF180 | Mailbag Monday | March 7, 2022 video published 7 maart 2022.
***Why a maybe***
Don't get me wrong. That blurb makes it seems like a very fun story! But YA and me... We have a history of not getting along.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews