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Branded
Henry Murphy’s parents never told him he was from another realm. They couldn’t, because they have become as unaware as Henry. Everything was forgotten—memories siphoned away by the dark force that stalked them. For the last seventeen years, Henry has been living a lie.
All those years of hiding have been compromised. Henry’s parents fled as refugees after stealing the location of the furnace—a source of power that would have allowed the Nekura uncontested rule over all life. But with their memories silenced, the Nekura have closed in on them unnoticed.
The first warning was the screaming girl. After she broke into Henry’s high school classroom and screamed for him to run, she was hauled away and disappeared. The only friend Henry finds to help him is Charley, a strong-willed orphan girl with a fractured past.
Henry is thrust into a reality he never knew existed and must fight against sinister creatures he cannot touch for reasons he doesn’t understand. What he doesn’t know can still hurt him, and it is hunting him down. Their only hope is the Light—a legendary force that bestows intangible power for those connected to it. Henry must uncover the shrouded memory of his family’s past and race to find the furnace before the Nekura tear his family apart and destroy both worlds in the process. Henry will learn the heartache of the forgotten, the joy of the reclaimed, strength beyond himself, and the unbreakable ties that bind family together.
All those years of hiding have been compromised. Henry’s parents fled as refugees after stealing the location of the furnace—a source of power that would have allowed the Nekura uncontested rule over all life. But with their memories silenced, the Nekura have closed in on them unnoticed.
The first warning was the screaming girl. After she broke into Henry’s high school classroom and screamed for him to run, she was hauled away and disappeared. The only friend Henry finds to help him is Charley, a strong-willed orphan girl with a fractured past.
Henry is thrust into a reality he never knew existed and must fight against sinister creatures he cannot touch for reasons he doesn’t understand. What he doesn’t know can still hurt him, and it is hunting him down. Their only hope is the Light—a legendary force that bestows intangible power for those connected to it. Henry must uncover the shrouded memory of his family’s past and race to find the furnace before the Nekura tear his family apart and destroy both worlds in the process. Henry will learn the heartache of the forgotten, the joy of the reclaimed, strength beyond himself, and the unbreakable ties that bind family together.
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First published November 16, 2021
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About the author
Joseph T. Humphrey
1 book3 followersJoseph T. Humphrey is a premiering author of contemporary fiction for young adults with adult crossover appeal. He loves a good thriller with complex, cerebral plot lines and plenty of action. And he loves his heroes to be heroic!
When Joseph is not writing, he works as a board-certified emergency medicine physician, although he wishes he could be out slaying minions of the darkness with the characters in his books. He lives in Illinois with his fabulous wife, who gave him inspiration for his story. He also served as a flight surgeon for the U.S. Navy, but even more perilously, he is the father of two young boys.
Joseph is also a Christian thinker and speaker—he loves talking about Jesus Christ and the Gospel message. He tries playing the banjo when his lovable Goldendoodle allows him a break from the constant petting. He likes baseball, loves the Avengers, and hunts for the best donuts shops across the country.
When Joseph is not writing, he works as a board-certified emergency medicine physician, although he wishes he could be out slaying minions of the darkness with the characters in his books. He lives in Illinois with his fabulous wife, who gave him inspiration for his story. He also served as a flight surgeon for the U.S. Navy, but even more perilously, he is the father of two young boys.
Joseph is also a Christian thinker and speaker—he loves talking about Jesus Christ and the Gospel message. He tries playing the banjo when his lovable Goldendoodle allows him a break from the constant petting. He likes baseball, loves the Avengers, and hunts for the best donuts shops across the country.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 19, 2024
Branded by Joseph T. Humphrey is a YA fantasy that pulls you into a world teetering on the edge of darkness and light. The story follows Henry Murphy, a seemingly ordinary high school student whose life is turned upside down when he discovers that he hails from another realm. His parents, Thom and Dawn, fled to protect him from the sinister Nekura—creatures bent on ruling with an iron fist.
Humphrey expertly weaves an engaging tale filled with suspense and adventure. The introduction of Charley, Henry's strong-willed friend with her own troubled past, adds depth to the story and highlights the theme of found family. As they navigate this newfound reality, the stakes rise, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The pacing is brisk, ensuring there’s never a dull moment, and the plot twists keep you guessing about what lies ahead.
The writing is vivid and immersive, successfully transporting readers into a fantastical realm filled with danger and intrigue. However, there are moments where character dynamics, particularly between Henry and Charley, could have been fleshed out more to enhance emotional connections. Despite this, the overarching themes of courage, family, and the battle between light and darkness shine through beautifully.
Overall, Branded is a thrilling start to The Forgotten Series that will resonate with fans of the genre. Humphrey's imaginative world-building and engaging storytelling make it a must-read for anyone seeking an adventure that blends action with heartfelt moments. I’m excited to see how Henry and Charley’s journey unfolds in the future!
Humphrey expertly weaves an engaging tale filled with suspense and adventure. The introduction of Charley, Henry's strong-willed friend with her own troubled past, adds depth to the story and highlights the theme of found family. As they navigate this newfound reality, the stakes rise, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The pacing is brisk, ensuring there’s never a dull moment, and the plot twists keep you guessing about what lies ahead.
The writing is vivid and immersive, successfully transporting readers into a fantastical realm filled with danger and intrigue. However, there are moments where character dynamics, particularly between Henry and Charley, could have been fleshed out more to enhance emotional connections. Despite this, the overarching themes of courage, family, and the battle between light and darkness shine through beautifully.
Overall, Branded is a thrilling start to The Forgotten Series that will resonate with fans of the genre. Humphrey's imaginative world-building and engaging storytelling make it a must-read for anyone seeking an adventure that blends action with heartfelt moments. I’m excited to see how Henry and Charley’s journey unfolds in the future!
December 14, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and Intrepid Pen for sending me this ARC. All thoughts on this review are completely mine.
1 ⭐️
This book was a wild ride to get through. I think the base plotline was amazing but it was developed the best wasn’t. This is classified as a YA but most of the language used isn't very typical for characters of that age. I was very excited to read it but I found that it did not at all meet my expectations. The characters felt bland, the storyline at most points was repetitive and boring all and all there's a lot to improve here.
1 ⭐️
This book was a wild ride to get through. I think the base plotline was amazing but it was developed the best wasn’t. This is classified as a YA but most of the language used isn't very typical for characters of that age. I was very excited to read it but I found that it did not at all meet my expectations. The characters felt bland, the storyline at most points was repetitive and boring all and all there's a lot to improve here.
February 10, 2022
I like giving lesser known books and authors a chance and this cover absolutely intrigued me. Plus, YA fantasy is one of my go-to genres. Unfortunately, the story could not thrill me.
The thing that bothered me the most is that the pacing is very off. This book is a little over 500 pages, but felt much longer. This is partly due to the fact that the story feels a lot like a road trip, there's so much driving and running around. The other factor is something I don't say often: the chapters are way too short. There are other ways to structure your text without ending up with almost 200 chapters.
One thing I did enjoy were the two protagonists. I especially liked Charley, she was a really well fleshed-out character.
The thing that bothered me the most is that the pacing is very off. This book is a little over 500 pages, but felt much longer. This is partly due to the fact that the story feels a lot like a road trip, there's so much driving and running around. The other factor is something I don't say often: the chapters are way too short. There are other ways to structure your text without ending up with almost 200 chapters.
One thing I did enjoy were the two protagonists. I especially liked Charley, she was a really well fleshed-out character.
January 23, 2022
I couldn’t put this book down! When I had to stop reading I picked it up as soon as I could. This book is about a young boy named Henry and his best friend Charley. They find out that our world is not quite what it seems. They have to find out what is going on and put an end to it with the help of Henry’s parents.
Henry is an average teen boy, focusing mostly on baseball and school but everything goes kind of off one day when one of his classmates comes into the classroom screaming. The teachers the next day have no clue what happened and the adventure takes off from there.
The author does a great job of describing the emotions and details of the story. I could feel Henry and Charley’s fear and panic in parts and their happiness in others. The book is amazing and I highly recommend you give it a read, it’s an awesome story.
Henry is an average teen boy, focusing mostly on baseball and school but everything goes kind of off one day when one of his classmates comes into the classroom screaming. The teachers the next day have no clue what happened and the adventure takes off from there.
The author does a great job of describing the emotions and details of the story. I could feel Henry and Charley’s fear and panic in parts and their happiness in others. The book is amazing and I highly recommend you give it a read, it’s an awesome story.
November 17, 2021
Branded follows a young boy named Henry, whose world changes abruptly one day. The catalyst for this change? When his friend, Rachel, bursts into his class screaming, looking as though she has had a run-in with a pack of wild dogs. The problem is that no one, save his best friend Charley, seems to remember or care about this. Cue a bunch of crazy monsters hunting them down, in search of the very thing his parents fought to protect (and subsequently gave up their memories for).
Unfortunately, overall, this just wasn't my cup of tea. I feel as though this would be better categorized as middle grade fiction, based off of the prose and general story. I personally felt as though the characters fell flat, and the writing was a bit clunky. This was ultimately the result of a heck of a lot of telling, and very little showing. We were given a play by play of actions and emotions, rather than a vivid landscape of what was happening. Often descriptions of the action would read like, "Henry walked to the door, and opened the door." (And let's not forget excessive adverbs and unusual verb usage.)
To me, it lacked interest.
Thank you to NetGalley and Intrepid Pen for providing me with an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, overall, this just wasn't my cup of tea. I feel as though this would be better categorized as middle grade fiction, based off of the prose and general story. I personally felt as though the characters fell flat, and the writing was a bit clunky. This was ultimately the result of a heck of a lot of telling, and very little showing. We were given a play by play of actions and emotions, rather than a vivid landscape of what was happening. Often descriptions of the action would read like, "Henry walked to the door, and opened the door." (And let's not forget excessive adverbs and unusual verb usage.)
To me, it lacked interest.
Thank you to NetGalley and Intrepid Pen for providing me with an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. And honestly? I have no idea where this one even came from...sometimes I get approached to ask if I would be interested in reading a book so I am guessing that is what happened with this one...I really don't read children's or young adult fiction much anymore...and this is why. I don't think I connect with it anymore and I can't do it justice when I give a review. I'm not saying it wasn't good because it was a good book with good characters and a good story line but at no point did it make me feel much of anything and that is what I am looking for now...I would still recommend it to anyone that does still read those genres...
October 31, 2021
Just lived this book! I absolutely enjoyed reading it! Thank you so much Netgalley for selectecting me to receiv an advanced copy to read and review in exchange for my honest review. The main character, Henry, is raised by parents whose memories were wiped clean, so they have no idea who Henry really is or their past life. It is not until Henry reaches 17 that he begins to discover the shocking truth. As the story unfolds we follow Henry and his only friend Charley through a series of adventures to save two worlds and uncover his parents past. An exciting tales of adventure, full of fantasy band paranormal. I look forward to the next book in the series and highly recommend. Five starts for this one!
April 24, 2022
The Matrix meets The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Branded is a fast paced, action packed thriller that will keep you off balance as the pages turn. Branded is great for young readers but will also appeal to adults. The adventures of the Murphy family is not only a fun read but also a great conversation starter on spiritual matters for parents and their children. Connect to the Light….discover the truth.
January 5, 2022
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Branded
Author: Joseph T. Humphrey
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Diversity: MC in Foster Care and Orphaned
Recommended For...: young adult readers, urban fantasy, fantasy, monsters
Publication Date: November 16, 2021
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (bullying, abelism on mental health, drugs mentioned, violence, gore slight, parent death)
Explanation of CWs: There is bullying shown in this book. There are some comments made about mental health that are abelist. Drugs are mentioned. There is violence, including gun violence, and slight gore. There is also parent death mentioned and shown.
Publisher: Intrepid Pen Publishing LLC
Pages: 494
Synopsis: Henry Murphy’s parents never told him he was from another realm. They couldn’t, because they have become as unaware as Henry. Everything was forgotten—memories siphoned away by the dark force that stalked them. For the last seventeen years, Henry has been living a lie.
All those years of hiding have been compromised. Henry’s parents fled as refugees after stealing the location of the furnace—a source of power that would have allowed the Nekura uncontested rule over all life. But with their memories silenced, the Nekura have closed in on them unnoticed.
The first warning was the screaming girl. After she broke into Henry’s high school classroom and screamed for him to run, she was hauled away and disappeared. The only friend Henry finds to help him is Charley, a strong-willed orphan girl with a fractured past.
Henry is thrust into a reality he never knew existed and must fight against sinister creatures he cannot touch for reasons he doesn’t understand. What he doesn’t know can still hurt him, and it is hunting him down. Their only hope is the Light—a legendary force that bestows intangible power for those connected to it. Henry must uncover the shrouded memory of his family’s past and race to find the furnace before the Nekura tear his family apart and destroy both worlds in the process. Henry will learn the heartache of the forgotten, the joy of the reclaimed, strength beyond himself, and the unbreakable ties that bind family together.
Review: I thought this was an ok book. The book did good with multiple POVs and the character development was well done. The book had an intriguing plot that kept me going throughout the book and I felt that the book had a decent story.
However, the book feels a bit underdeveloped. I think there’s some good stuff in the book, but the book is fast paced and confusing. The pacing doesn’t help the reader get used to the elements in the book and the writing doesn’t develop the world building or the magic system beyond a couple of plot points. I got severely lost in the book and it felt like nothing was well explained.
Verdict: It was ok.
Book: Branded
Author: Joseph T. Humphrey
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Diversity: MC in Foster Care and Orphaned
Recommended For...: young adult readers, urban fantasy, fantasy, monsters
Publication Date: November 16, 2021
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (bullying, abelism on mental health, drugs mentioned, violence, gore slight, parent death)
Explanation of CWs: There is bullying shown in this book. There are some comments made about mental health that are abelist. Drugs are mentioned. There is violence, including gun violence, and slight gore. There is also parent death mentioned and shown.
Publisher: Intrepid Pen Publishing LLC
Pages: 494
Synopsis: Henry Murphy’s parents never told him he was from another realm. They couldn’t, because they have become as unaware as Henry. Everything was forgotten—memories siphoned away by the dark force that stalked them. For the last seventeen years, Henry has been living a lie.
All those years of hiding have been compromised. Henry’s parents fled as refugees after stealing the location of the furnace—a source of power that would have allowed the Nekura uncontested rule over all life. But with their memories silenced, the Nekura have closed in on them unnoticed.
The first warning was the screaming girl. After she broke into Henry’s high school classroom and screamed for him to run, she was hauled away and disappeared. The only friend Henry finds to help him is Charley, a strong-willed orphan girl with a fractured past.
Henry is thrust into a reality he never knew existed and must fight against sinister creatures he cannot touch for reasons he doesn’t understand. What he doesn’t know can still hurt him, and it is hunting him down. Their only hope is the Light—a legendary force that bestows intangible power for those connected to it. Henry must uncover the shrouded memory of his family’s past and race to find the furnace before the Nekura tear his family apart and destroy both worlds in the process. Henry will learn the heartache of the forgotten, the joy of the reclaimed, strength beyond himself, and the unbreakable ties that bind family together.
Review: I thought this was an ok book. The book did good with multiple POVs and the character development was well done. The book had an intriguing plot that kept me going throughout the book and I felt that the book had a decent story.
However, the book feels a bit underdeveloped. I think there’s some good stuff in the book, but the book is fast paced and confusing. The pacing doesn’t help the reader get used to the elements in the book and the writing doesn’t develop the world building or the magic system beyond a couple of plot points. I got severely lost in the book and it felt like nothing was well explained.
Verdict: It was ok.
January 30, 2022
Synopsis: “Henry Murphy’s parents never told him he was from another realm. They couldn’t, because they have become as unaware as Henry. Everything was forgotten—memories siphoned away by the dark force that stalked them. For the last seventeen years, Henry has been living a lie.
All those years of hiding have been compromised. Henry’s parents fled as refugees after stealing the location of the furnace—a source of power that would have allowed the Nekura uncontested rule over all life. But with their memories silenced, the Nekura have closed in on them unnoticed.
The first warning was the screaming girl. After she broke into Henry’s high school classroom and screamed for him to run, she was hauled away and disappeared. The only friend Henry finds to help him is Charley, a strong-willed orphan girl with a fractured past.
Henry is thrust into a reality he never knew existed and must fight against sinister creatures he cannot touch for reasons he doesn’t understand. What he doesn’t know can still hurt him, and it is hunting him down. Their only hope is the Light—a legendary force that bestows intangible power for those connected to it. Henry must uncover the shrouded memory of his family’s past and race to find the furnace before the Nekura tear his family apart and destroy both worlds in the process. Henry will learn the heartache of the forgotten, the joy of the reclaimed, strength beyond himself, and the unbreakable ties that bind family together.”
Review: Branded by Joseph T. Humphrey was a fun and wild ride. It was fast-paced and full of action in every chapter. This book is good for the YA audience more than a middle-grade novel. The fantasy was captivating, and in many ways, it reminded me of a mix between Stranger Things, The Matrix, and The Neverending Story. I had a hard time putting it down; I was sucked right into the world Joseph created for his readers. I appreciated the short chapters because they didn’t feel like fillers. Instead, they moved the plot right along. Branded had a deep sense of family, which was beautiful, and connections between characters that remain memorable.
I would recommend this book to teenagers (YA & NA), as well as adults, if they’re in the mood for a fun fantasy full of adventure and action.
CW: Bullying, death
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
All those years of hiding have been compromised. Henry’s parents fled as refugees after stealing the location of the furnace—a source of power that would have allowed the Nekura uncontested rule over all life. But with their memories silenced, the Nekura have closed in on them unnoticed.
The first warning was the screaming girl. After she broke into Henry’s high school classroom and screamed for him to run, she was hauled away and disappeared. The only friend Henry finds to help him is Charley, a strong-willed orphan girl with a fractured past.
Henry is thrust into a reality he never knew existed and must fight against sinister creatures he cannot touch for reasons he doesn’t understand. What he doesn’t know can still hurt him, and it is hunting him down. Their only hope is the Light—a legendary force that bestows intangible power for those connected to it. Henry must uncover the shrouded memory of his family’s past and race to find the furnace before the Nekura tear his family apart and destroy both worlds in the process. Henry will learn the heartache of the forgotten, the joy of the reclaimed, strength beyond himself, and the unbreakable ties that bind family together.”
Review: Branded by Joseph T. Humphrey was a fun and wild ride. It was fast-paced and full of action in every chapter. This book is good for the YA audience more than a middle-grade novel. The fantasy was captivating, and in many ways, it reminded me of a mix between Stranger Things, The Matrix, and The Neverending Story. I had a hard time putting it down; I was sucked right into the world Joseph created for his readers. I appreciated the short chapters because they didn’t feel like fillers. Instead, they moved the plot right along. Branded had a deep sense of family, which was beautiful, and connections between characters that remain memorable.
I would recommend this book to teenagers (YA & NA), as well as adults, if they’re in the mood for a fun fantasy full of adventure and action.
CW: Bullying, death
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 16, 2022
BRANDED by Joseph T. Humphrey is a YA novel in which Henry starts off with a perfectly normal life, his biggest stressor being whether or not he’ll get a baseball scholarship for college. All of that gets sidelined when one of his fellow students shows up to class in tatters, shouting at him to run. Everyone, besides his friend Charley, seems to believe the classmate was just having a mental break, but Henry can’t let it go. When he begins making his own inquiries into her safety, what he uncovers is something he never could’ve imagined. Not only is he from another realm, but there are deadly creatures after him and his family, who if not stopped, plan to remove all Light from the world.
The premise of this book is captivating. The Nekura, or monsters, that Humphrey has created are terrifying, and I love how different kinds are introduced throughout the plot, each time getting scarier and more difficult to defeat. The way the Light also develops and changes in Henry and his family kept me from being able to guess what was next, which made it an exciting action-adventure journey. Yet, it’s still interspersed with philosophical moments and quiet interpersonal exchanges, as it’s really about a family who is getting to truly know one another and themselves for the first time.
That being said, there were multiple times while reading that I found myself skimming through the description as it was unnecessary for understanding the action or the emotional arcs. Also, the conflict between Henry and Charley could’ve been more grounded to help us understand Henry’s perspective. Henry is pretty cruel to Charley, and considering her circumstances and the fact that it wasn’t fully deserved, it alienated Henry from me in the beginning.
Overall, though, BRANDED is a great novel for those who love reading about lands from the other side of the vail, a solid good vs. evil plot, found family themes, meaty backstory, and the belief that all is not as it seems. The story ends on a great cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to see how the author expands this world. With everything Humphrey brought to this first book, I could easily see this story morphing into prequels, sequels, novellas, and whatever else is in his imagination.
Review originally posted on YA Books Central: https://www.yabookscentral.com/brande...
The premise of this book is captivating. The Nekura, or monsters, that Humphrey has created are terrifying, and I love how different kinds are introduced throughout the plot, each time getting scarier and more difficult to defeat. The way the Light also develops and changes in Henry and his family kept me from being able to guess what was next, which made it an exciting action-adventure journey. Yet, it’s still interspersed with philosophical moments and quiet interpersonal exchanges, as it’s really about a family who is getting to truly know one another and themselves for the first time.
That being said, there were multiple times while reading that I found myself skimming through the description as it was unnecessary for understanding the action or the emotional arcs. Also, the conflict between Henry and Charley could’ve been more grounded to help us understand Henry’s perspective. Henry is pretty cruel to Charley, and considering her circumstances and the fact that it wasn’t fully deserved, it alienated Henry from me in the beginning.
Overall, though, BRANDED is a great novel for those who love reading about lands from the other side of the vail, a solid good vs. evil plot, found family themes, meaty backstory, and the belief that all is not as it seems. The story ends on a great cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to see how the author expands this world. With everything Humphrey brought to this first book, I could easily see this story morphing into prequels, sequels, novellas, and whatever else is in his imagination.
Review originally posted on YA Books Central: https://www.yabookscentral.com/brande...
November 28, 2025
🌈Title: Branded
✍️Author: Joseph T. Humphrey
📚Review: We live in a country, on a continent and on an earth full of people. People who are different, who are unique and are a mixed bag of personalities, races and cultures. It cannot get any more complex cant it? Unless you hail from a realm other than the one you are currently residing in. Teenagers already have a handful of complexities shoved down their throats while having to survive the dire consequences of High School. To think that there are some entwined with the phenomenon of cosmic proportions is an altogether different situation to deal with.
It all began with that heart-rendering, gruesome scream which came out of Rachel, a girl who was a close friend to Henry and Charlie. Henry and Charlie were both witnesses to the gruelling and terrifying scream, a scream that couldn't have escaped from the mouth of their friend. But it certainly did and was throttled by unforeseen forces and then worked away as a distraction. The two friends knew that this wasn't normal and they got them into a mess that nobody could have asked of themselves. They had asked for the rage of Nekura.
So started the revelations that Henry wasn't ready to learn. The revelation about her mother's origin. The knowledge of the light and the furnace that Nekura is after. All of it included is an adventure to death because The Nekura is a sentient being that cannot be harmed unless light assists you. Nekura is almost an evil emperor ready to claim the throne of God if its goals to attain the Furnace are not throttled. If not all is doomed and everything light and fair will need to disappear from existence. A great journey ahead for Henry's family and Charlie to pursue, one that knows no end because otherwise end will be made into a point of no return.
✨#books #bookstagram #book #booklover #reading
✍️Author: Joseph T. Humphrey
📚Review: We live in a country, on a continent and on an earth full of people. People who are different, who are unique and are a mixed bag of personalities, races and cultures. It cannot get any more complex cant it? Unless you hail from a realm other than the one you are currently residing in. Teenagers already have a handful of complexities shoved down their throats while having to survive the dire consequences of High School. To think that there are some entwined with the phenomenon of cosmic proportions is an altogether different situation to deal with.
It all began with that heart-rendering, gruesome scream which came out of Rachel, a girl who was a close friend to Henry and Charlie. Henry and Charlie were both witnesses to the gruelling and terrifying scream, a scream that couldn't have escaped from the mouth of their friend. But it certainly did and was throttled by unforeseen forces and then worked away as a distraction. The two friends knew that this wasn't normal and they got them into a mess that nobody could have asked of themselves. They had asked for the rage of Nekura.
So started the revelations that Henry wasn't ready to learn. The revelation about her mother's origin. The knowledge of the light and the furnace that Nekura is after. All of it included is an adventure to death because The Nekura is a sentient being that cannot be harmed unless light assists you. Nekura is almost an evil emperor ready to claim the throne of God if its goals to attain the Furnace are not throttled. If not all is doomed and everything light and fair will need to disappear from existence. A great journey ahead for Henry's family and Charlie to pursue, one that knows no end because otherwise end will be made into a point of no return.
✨#books #bookstagram #book #booklover #reading
April 27, 2022
Thom and Dawn were successful enough to take their baby and flee to safety as Nekura the manifestation of evil had grabbed their trail while in search of a power that might ascertain its being the ruler of the universe. Thom and Dawn had known the heights of the situation and they also know the significance of concealing what they were for so long. It is only human to save your skin in front of the darkness that swallows all light. Light yes, it is something that dispels darkness and it is something that has its individuality. Something more solid than the cement we stand on but yet something more particulate than the fringes we see. Light is the reason for the mountains that rage and it is the reason for the happy cooing of a newborn. It is the reason that life thrives while darkness like the nekura is made to learn its limits.
All of this and a lot more is the foundation of the story while the heart of it lies within Henry, the person who holds the key to the furnace. The one person who can find the furnace as it is integrated within him by his father for safekeeping. Accompanying Henry is her dear friend Charlie, an athletic yet shy girl who knew not her parents, orphaned and juggled between foster parents she found her place with Henry and Rachel. Yes, Rachel too until she was messed with while telling her friends to run as she was taken by assailants that nobody knew about.
Rivetting suspense grows when the shades grow closer and the cosmic fights that ensue in the future. Every day the danger grows closer while having to keep themselves safe. The Thom household and Charlie harnessing the light are ready to face off the minions of darkness in a race to find the furnace due to which all of this violence had originally begun.
All of this and a lot more is the foundation of the story while the heart of it lies within Henry, the person who holds the key to the furnace. The one person who can find the furnace as it is integrated within him by his father for safekeeping. Accompanying Henry is her dear friend Charlie, an athletic yet shy girl who knew not her parents, orphaned and juggled between foster parents she found her place with Henry and Rachel. Yes, Rachel too until she was messed with while telling her friends to run as she was taken by assailants that nobody knew about.
Rivetting suspense grows when the shades grow closer and the cosmic fights that ensue in the future. Every day the danger grows closer while having to keep themselves safe. The Thom household and Charlie harnessing the light are ready to face off the minions of darkness in a race to find the furnace due to which all of this violence had originally begun.
September 16, 2022
A classic tale of a boy from another realm. Henry's parents have kept a secret from him his entire life. They fled the land they came from when Henry was a baby because they stole a powerful artifact that would give evil forces the ability to control life. But when they fled, their memories faded until they forgot about their old life altogether. But the evil Nekura never forgot and have been hunting them down for years. Now they are closing in. When a strange girl bursts into Henry's class and yells at him to run, he isn't sure what to do. But with his best friend Charley at his side, Henry takes up the mantle of his destiny and save the realm his family once called home.
This one was okay. The plot fell a little flat. Henry wasn't the best friend to Charley. It just never fully grabbed me and kept me wanting to keep going but for younger readers this may be very captivating and engaging. It is the standard story of good vs. evil, with lots of Percy Jackson vibes. The plot is very interesting but the writing made the execution a little shaky. I think the idea is interesting enough but it was inconsistent. It also was very long and young readers likely will lose interest with something that takes them days to get through. For being that length it felt underdeveloped and the characters were lacking depth. The dialogue can be choppy and there is some gore and violence too. 2.5 stars.
This one was okay. The plot fell a little flat. Henry wasn't the best friend to Charley. It just never fully grabbed me and kept me wanting to keep going but for younger readers this may be very captivating and engaging. It is the standard story of good vs. evil, with lots of Percy Jackson vibes. The plot is very interesting but the writing made the execution a little shaky. I think the idea is interesting enough but it was inconsistent. It also was very long and young readers likely will lose interest with something that takes them days to get through. For being that length it felt underdeveloped and the characters were lacking depth. The dialogue can be choppy and there is some gore and violence too. 2.5 stars.
March 9, 2022
Branded is a Young Adult fantasy novel penned by the author Joseph T Humphrey. This is the first installment in 'The Forgotten Series'.
Main character of the story is a high school kid named Henry Murphy. When Henry was born, his parents had to enter another realm to save their lives. Henry's parents Thom and Dawn entered the new realm and mixed up with others to live a normal life. After years, Henry is a senior at Middleton High. Charley is an orphan girl and is a friend of Henry at the school.
Once when Henry was in the classroom, he saw a hall monitor in a blue vest taking Rachel out of the classroom. But when Henry checked with others, they all said nothing like that happened. Henry even told his parents about it. Read this story to know what happens next. What challenges Henry might have to face?
This is a wonderful story. Plot of the story is interesting. Cover photo is eye-catching and the language used in the book is lucid. Pace of the story is fast and I wasn't bored anytime while reading it. Those who enjoy reading fantasy stories shouldn't miss to get their hands on this book.
Main character of the story is a high school kid named Henry Murphy. When Henry was born, his parents had to enter another realm to save their lives. Henry's parents Thom and Dawn entered the new realm and mixed up with others to live a normal life. After years, Henry is a senior at Middleton High. Charley is an orphan girl and is a friend of Henry at the school.
Once when Henry was in the classroom, he saw a hall monitor in a blue vest taking Rachel out of the classroom. But when Henry checked with others, they all said nothing like that happened. Henry even told his parents about it. Read this story to know what happens next. What challenges Henry might have to face?
This is a wonderful story. Plot of the story is interesting. Cover photo is eye-catching and the language used in the book is lucid. Pace of the story is fast and I wasn't bored anytime while reading it. Those who enjoy reading fantasy stories shouldn't miss to get their hands on this book.
March 9, 2022
𝑻𝒊𝒕𝒍𝒆: Branded
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: Joseph T Humphrey
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
I love reading fantasy stories. Recently I read the book Branded written by Joseph Humphrey. Story revolves around a high schooler Henry Murphy who is the son of Thom and Dawn Murphy. When Henry was born, his parents could sense the darkness coming near so they had to rush to another realm. They wanted to give their son Henry a chance to live.
The Nekura had set themselves as Gods and they were dark forces. There needs to be a fight against the darkness of the Nekura and the safe protection of the light.
This is a captivating story. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. Joseph's writing will pull you into the fantasy realm to the extent that you will forget the real world around you. I was on the edge while reading the story. With every page, I was curious to find out what will happen next. I appreciate the storytelling skills of Joseph and the author's imagination in creating this fantasy world.
Looking forward to reading the next book by the author.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 5/5
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: Joseph T Humphrey
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
I love reading fantasy stories. Recently I read the book Branded written by Joseph Humphrey. Story revolves around a high schooler Henry Murphy who is the son of Thom and Dawn Murphy. When Henry was born, his parents could sense the darkness coming near so they had to rush to another realm. They wanted to give their son Henry a chance to live.
The Nekura had set themselves as Gods and they were dark forces. There needs to be a fight against the darkness of the Nekura and the safe protection of the light.
This is a captivating story. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. Joseph's writing will pull you into the fantasy realm to the extent that you will forget the real world around you. I was on the edge while reading the story. With every page, I was curious to find out what will happen next. I appreciate the storytelling skills of Joseph and the author's imagination in creating this fantasy world.
Looking forward to reading the next book by the author.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 5/5
January 1, 2022
I'd like to thank Netgalley and Intrepid Pen Publishing, L.L.C. for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to like this book more and I had high hopes for the story after reading the description and the beautiful cover. The story has a lot of potential and a great plot. There were some very intense and exciting points in the book that kept me reading. The premise of the book was very interesting but I'm afraid that is all I can say I liked about the book.
I think it is labeled incorrectly. It's labeled as a YA but I feel that it's geared to a more younger group. This book has a lot of twists and turns which I think was too much. They were kind of thrown at you one after the other. I hate saying this but it seemed to have too much "action".
I feel that middle school grade would love this type of book.
I wanted to like this book more and I had high hopes for the story after reading the description and the beautiful cover. The story has a lot of potential and a great plot. There were some very intense and exciting points in the book that kept me reading. The premise of the book was very interesting but I'm afraid that is all I can say I liked about the book.
I think it is labeled incorrectly. It's labeled as a YA but I feel that it's geared to a more younger group. This book has a lot of twists and turns which I think was too much. They were kind of thrown at you one after the other. I hate saying this but it seemed to have too much "action".
I feel that middle school grade would love this type of book.
February 21, 2022
First of all, before I started my review, I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher to provide an e-ARC of this book for an honest review.
DNF at 20 %
Yeah and anyway let's just go to the pros and cons of this book.
Pros: this book is so imaginative, and I like how the author created the tension between the characters.
Cons: there's a bunch of.. some kind of info dumping(?), some repetition, and also I couldn't connect to the characters.
Here's a few reason why I put it down (or I couldn't finish it):
This book feels flat, the pacing is wonky (and it's enough to made me stressed out) and also, it feels like it's completely under developed. I often wondering if this book has been edited, since the writing is so amateurish.
Overall, 2 stars for this book.
DNF at 20 %
Yeah and anyway let's just go to the pros and cons of this book.
Pros: this book is so imaginative, and I like how the author created the tension between the characters.
Cons: there's a bunch of.. some kind of info dumping(?), some repetition, and also I couldn't connect to the characters.
Here's a few reason why I put it down (or I couldn't finish it):
This book feels flat, the pacing is wonky (and it's enough to made me stressed out) and also, it feels like it's completely under developed. I often wondering if this book has been edited, since the writing is so amateurish.
Overall, 2 stars for this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2022
This novel is a morality tale, with some pretty strong religious undertones. Henry and his family are fighting on the side of the Light; his mother is a Salient, a being of Light who is connected to the Celestials. They are fighting the Nekura, beings of darkness and deception, who misdirect, lie, and try to steal the Light for the purpose of putting it out; people who are caught in their deceptions are transformed into beings of darkness, never to be redeemed. For what it is, it's well done, but the morality can be a bit in-your-face, especially in the second half of the novel, where various characters are given the opportunity to accept the Light into themselves and become one with it. I would have preferred that part to be a bit more subtle, as I found it rather off-putting.
October 24, 2021
Solid debut, but I think I would've liked it more if it had been categorized differently and therefore adjusted my expectations. The level of development of characters, world, and plot was more suited to middle grade than YA, and you could easily replace the Light with God and call it Christian—I wasn't sure whether that was intentional though. The chapters are really short and the writing is simple, which makes this book very approachable. However, it wasn't overly deep and the only 3D character was Charley. The similes were super funny—Henry is "like a maddened and half-blind ostrich."
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2021
This story had so much potential. The plot itself was interesting and there were bright spots that made me excited. Henry's struggles with coming to terms with his true nature, Charley finding purpose. The parents remembering and explaining the truth of their nature. But the book was saddened down by lectures of tell instead of show. It was to the point of being preachy rather than poignant.
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. I had high hopes for it going in. I really think that it has potential but it needs more work.
Thank you to #NetGalley for allowing me to review this book.
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. I had high hopes for it going in. I really think that it has potential but it needs more work.
Thank you to #NetGalley for allowing me to review this book.
January 12, 2022
Fantastical in all the best senses! Mysterious, fun and a bit soul searching at times. This book starts off intense and certainly finishes answering all your questions. The book I will say is very fast paced so if you’re looking for a quick read this would be good. The chapters are short even though there are many, some could’ve been conjoined in my opinion but otherwise a great story nevertheless. Like others have stated the vocabulary used by our main character is odd and displaced somehow feeling forceful in its use. I will however say you will never see the ending or plot twist coming.
April 8, 2022
An epic page turner that keeps you engaged right up till the end!
What a great read! From the minute you open the book, you drop right into the action! I often found myself saying, ok just one more chapter before I get back to chores or other things and then 3-4 chapters later saying… ok I have to put this down! Im the kind of person who typically will figure out the mystery in shows and books long before they’re revealed… but such Joseph T. Humphrey did such a masterful job weaving the story, I didn’t see the end coming! Can’t wait for the next one!
What a great read! From the minute you open the book, you drop right into the action! I often found myself saying, ok just one more chapter before I get back to chores or other things and then 3-4 chapters later saying… ok I have to put this down! Im the kind of person who typically will figure out the mystery in shows and books long before they’re revealed… but such Joseph T. Humphrey did such a masterful job weaving the story, I didn’t see the end coming! Can’t wait for the next one!
February 5, 2024
the story could not thrill me.
The thing that bothered me the most is that the pacing was very off. This book is a little over 500 pages, but felt much longer. This is partly due to the fact that the story feels a lot like a road trip, there's so much driving and running around. The other factor is something I don't say often: the chapters are way too short. There are other ways to structure your text without ending up with almost 200 chapters.
One thing I did enjoy were the two protagonists.
The thing that bothered me the most is that the pacing was very off. This book is a little over 500 pages, but felt much longer. This is partly due to the fact that the story feels a lot like a road trip, there's so much driving and running around. The other factor is something I don't say often: the chapters are way too short. There are other ways to structure your text without ending up with almost 200 chapters.
One thing I did enjoy were the two protagonists.
January 9, 2022
this is classified as a ya but it's honestly more for around middle school ages. the language was definitely in no way for teenager-to put it properly, it's what someone from a different generation thinks teens sound like. the characters all fell flat and i didn't care for any of them. the plot sounded promising but the way it was executed was very disappointing, there left no room for character development at all.
thank you to netgalley for providing me a copy of this book
thank you to netgalley for providing me a copy of this book
August 7, 2024
This is a great, urban fantasy book that can be read and enjoyed by teens and adults. It has a gripping storyline and fast pace which kept me intrigued and wanting to read more. One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is its emphasis on good vs evil. The main characters are good role models while also not being too “perfect”. They have struggles, doubts and learn lessons about friendship and relationships as they’re thrust into a battle for their lives.
October 23, 2021
This just wasn’t it for me. The story was all over the place. Lots of twists and turns and although I love a good twist most of them felt forced or were predictable. Also every action/fight sequence felt the same as if the same template was used over and over again. Despite an intriguing premise, it just didn’t deliver.
November 30, 2021
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me an eARC in exchange for a honest review. 2.5 stars. I feel like this would be a good book for people who really like this kind of genre but it really just wasn't for me. Because I wasn't a fan of the genre it made me bored and found most of the story confusing because of that. The only other problem was that this book seemed to be so fast paced that I found it hard to keep up. Other then that I though that the writing style was great for a debut and that the characters were interesting enough for me. I feel like this book would be great for some people but not for me.
January 8, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked parts of the book, but it didn’t feel like a cohesive whole. The book kept feeling like it was wrapping up and then kept going several times. The first half of the book and second half felt like different books to me. The pace was slow and a little difficult to get through.
I liked parts of the book, but it didn’t feel like a cohesive whole. The book kept feeling like it was wrapping up and then kept going several times. The first half of the book and second half felt like different books to me. The pace was slow and a little difficult to get through.
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