The Sentinels

by Liane Mahugh

Lou thinks that the only thing she has to worry about when she moves to a new house is fitting in with new friends. What she doesn’t count on is the strange field across the road, with mysterious trees that beg to be explored. But danger hides in the tall grass, and the trees turn out to be much more than she initially bargained for.

Along with her sister Kerry and friend Tim, they discover the true nature of the trees. Together they will navigate through a summer filled with bullies, young love, and one horrible event that will shatter their innocence, and leave at least one of them changed forever.

Genres: Fantasy

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2021

About the author

I am an award-winning Canadian author. Born in Ontario, currently living on Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

I'm excited to announce my book, Down Comes the Dark, has won an award. This is the monthly gold star level award from Literary Titan.

https://literarytitan.com/2023/12/01/...

Reviews

[Ricardo Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have Just finished "The Sentinels" by Liane Mahugh, reading it on my tablet thanks to the kindle unlimited subscription of my girlfriend.

The story follows two sisters, Kerry and Lou, as they navigate growing up in a new neighborhood, making friends, and facing bullying from some unfriendly peers. However, they discover a field next to their home with trees that hold a mysterious ancient secret that could help them in unexpected ways and in fact they will do.

Liane tells a heartwarming yet poignant tale, shedding light on the challenges that children can face, including bullying and mistreatment by adults. Despite the tough and sad themes, the book is a quick and engaging read that I devoured in just a couple of sittings. I recommend it!

PS: I really loved the prologue! It is especially captivating, and I would love to see Liane expand it into a full-length book.

[D. Peach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story and would describe it as a YA paranormal fantasy. The Sentinels are trees in a creepy field that two sisters Lou and Kerry and their neighbor Tim befriend. The sisters endure a series of traumatic events, primarily recurrent bullying, throughout the story, and the trees offer both solace and protection.

The book took quite some time to ramp up into the main plot with the inciting event (an off-stage rape) occurring about 35% in. There is a lot of description and numerous backstory tidbits that slowed down the first part of the story, as well as a number of tangents that don’t really go anywhere (Lou’s relationship with snakes, for example).

My favorite part of the read was the relationship between the sisters. I thought this was well done, and I found the friendships and loyalty of the trio, including Tim, authentic and heartwarming. Secondary characters were also well-developed. The exception may be the bad guy whose personality seemed to change from charming abuser to psychopath near the end. An entertaining read overall, with many themes suited to young teens.

[Kelly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sentinels opens with 13-year-old Lou (Louella) moving into a new home with her mother and sister Kerry, who is 14. Their father is in their lives apart, but does not live with them.
Their townhouse is in a community where they already have friends, including Tim, who is the son of their mother’s friend Jane and a close pal to Lou.
Tim informs Lou that the grassy field across the way are avoided by everyone else, but he does not know why. Naturally, Lou, Kerry, and Tim decide to explore the area and are drawn to the trees that border the field and are perfect for climbing.
The author does a good job of capturing the angst of the early teen years and the sort of scuffles that might occur, even between friends. The writing, in 3rd person point of view, is easy to read and ideal for a middle grade read. There are dark issues covered in the plot in a fairly realistic way without any explicit details given.
I love the creepy vibe of the cover, which drew me to the story. I do wonder if it is a good cover for a “Children’s Book,” which is one of the Amazon categories this book is listed in. At any rate, I enjoyed the read, even though the climax was a touch predictable. There is an epilogue which does a nice job of tying up the story and giving the reader a glimpse of how the young characters evolved over the years.

[Robert Appleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The innocence of youth needs protection from corrupting forces in this affecting coming-of-age tale with supernatural elements. When thirteen-year-old Lou explores the field across the road from her family’s new home, little does she realize what secrets lie among the trees in the tall grass. Her older sister, Kerry, and new friend, Tim, glimpse a few extraordinary things there, but it’s Lou who perceives something truly special about the Sentinels, the kids’ nickname for the old, mysterious trees.

The new move seems to be going well: the girls quickly make new friends, and the enchanting quirks of nature among the Sentinels, such as butterflies gathering around Lou, promise a fun summer. But it isn’t long before things take a dark turn. Lou has to contend with bullying when a local girl she was friends with turns nasty and keeps attacking her. Meanwhile, Kerry suffers a harrowing experience at the hands of someone they all trusted, which triggers rancor in the community. Their new home becomes far from idyllic, but no matter how bad things get, Lou always feels safe among the Sentinels.

Liane Mahugh does a good job balancing the light and dark here. She portrays a strong bond between the two sisters, and a sweet, growing affection between Lou and her redheaded boyfriend, Tim. The relationships unfold naturally, with all the ups and downs and flinty behaviour you’d expect at that age. Teresa, the girl who bullies Lou, is herself a victim of domestic abuse; it’s made her volatile. Their on-again-off-again friendship strikes true in that both girls really want to be pals, but it’s the chip on Teresa’s shoulder, that toxic psychology she can’t control, that keeps coming between them. Similarly, Lou and Kerry feel helpless when the law fails to protect them from hostile elements in the town.

The metaphor of the Sentinels watching over them is a fascinating one. It wouldn’t be fair to say any more about the mystery, but the story did go where I wanted it to in the last act. Ms. Mahugh brings her themes and plot strands together very well for a perfectly judged denouement. And I love the bittersweetness in the epilogue. There’s a touch of Stephen King in this middle-grade tale, but the author puts her own stamp on it. The supernatural element is carefully layered into the story, and pays off when it has to. I enjoyed the read very much, and would recommend it to all readers intrigued by the premise.

[Tracey Morait · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sentinels is a young adult, fantasy novel by first-time Canadian author Liane Mahugh, telling the story of Louann, her older sister Kerry and their friend Tim. Lou and Kerry have moved to a new housing complex with their mum Dana, who is separated from the girls’ father Geoff, close to Tim’s mum and Dana’s friend Jane. The three friends are drawn to a field opposite their housing complex with long grass and three strange trees. They soon find out very early on that the trees have some kind of protective, nurturing power towards them; whenever they feel the need for safety, the children climb the trees and give them a nickname to reflect their shielding power: the Sentinels. The Sentinels are invaluable when Lou incurs the wrath of Teresa, a girl with an enormous chip on her shoulder, and when Kerry has a traumatic encounter with a local man.

This is not a very long book and could be read in one sitting. Much of it focuses on the challenges the friends face while trying to fit into their new community and although the Sentinels are meant to be the main centre of the story, they do not feature as often as the reader might think they should. I was intrigued by the spellings of certain words, a mixture of British and American, until I did a bit of research and found out that by and large Canadians tend to spell their words the same way as the British do, words such as ‘colour’, but later I saw ‘neighbour’ spelt ‘neighbor’, ‘centre’ as ‘center’, and most double-L words spelt the American way, such as ‘counselor’. If an author chooses a method of spelling, it should be consistent throughout.

All that said, this is a very enjoyable book. The characters are well-drawn and believable, and despite some references to uncomfortable topics and frightening scenes, it is suitable for readers age twelve and upwards.

[sonicsquirtgun · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the end, I think I would classify The Sentinels as a smooth, slice-of-life narrative with fantasy elements around the fringe. The ideal audience is younger YA or upper mid-grade due to the style of writing and some of the content.

The story follows Lou, and her older sister Kerry as they move into a new place with their mom. They already have some friends in the area, but they have to deal with new encounters as well. Across from them is a field bordered by trees—these trees are what the kids dub The Sentinels.

Much of the story is spent following the girls through their day-to-day lives. At first, I felt as though the book moved too slowly, but after I began to read it as a more relaxed slice-of-life story, it was very enjoyable. There are a couple of primary conflicts as the girls deal with persistent bullying, and an extremely tragic event affecting the older sister, Kerry. Much of the latter half of the book deals with the aftermath of this event and the way the rest of their community reacts (much of which is, sadly, realistically negative). The trees themselves offer refuge from the hostile world the girls face, and, as we learn in the end, are more than what they appear.

I’d absolutely recommend this for anyone looking for a relaxing, casual read, albeit with some darker moments peppered throughout.

(CW: There is off-screen sexual assault, though the author is very careful to never get explicit in the details and does a good job in the discussion of this.)

[Lubov Leonova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing magical mystery

The Sentinels is an amazing story about three children who happened to live close to the magical trees. The story started slowly, however, the pace fastened as the story unfolded and the characters faced real, life-threatening obstacles. 

This read was very engaging. The beginning reminded me of a ‘Dandelion wine’ by Ray Bradbury. It contains very vivid descriptions of summer nature and immersed me into the magical atmosphere of childhood and summer. In the last parts of the book the conflict develops in the school, and these chapters are set around two other magical seasons - Halloween and Christmas. The action is happening in Canada, Ontario, and it was another fact that pleasantly surprised me as I live close to this area myself.

Overall, I enjoyed the characters and the way they were growing up, learning to support and protect each other. This book shows relevant issues such as child abuse and school bullying, and I recommend it for both parents and Younger readers.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to keep in touch with what young people are reading, but I wouldn’t have liked to read this book when I was in the 11 – 18 age bracket. It’s not that it’s badly-written, it’s well-executed, in fact. I’m just not sure what reaction it was trying to provoke, and whether it succeeds.

In the Prologue, set over nine-hundred years B.C., a Viking community of women, children and three ageing warriors—the younger men are away fighting elsewhere—defends itself against a cowardly and brutal attack by Danes. The entire village is wiped out, by violent and grisly actions—but before that they act and fight as one, even though they were never going to win.

Fast-forward to modern-day Canada, and it’s a depressing story. Lou, Kerry and mother Dana have moved to a new house in a new community, a fresh start after what appears to be a broken marriage. Friend Tim and his mother Jane are there too, so with a new school and potential friends to be made, it’s all looking rosy, right? Wrong. This is a community fighting against itself, parental assault of their children, sexual assault of minors, children with anger-management issues, bullying, victim-blaming, offenders released to offend again and the victims left with a total lack of justice—I can’t help thinking that the Viking community was a better place to live, despite its gory annihilation.

The idea of ancient Viking spirits inhabiting trees is a good one, although there’s not a lot they can do outside of their immediate patch of ground. This community needs an effective system of justice and social services to protect its members. Is this the message the author intends to convey? If so, she’s doing a good job. I wasn’t expecting a happy ending, and I won’t tell what does happen. I came away a depressed and angry adult though—had I been a confused and hormonal adolescent I’m not sure it would have done me any good.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I loved the main characters and how they bonded together to protect each other. This is a great first novel. I am glad that I read it. I look forward to your next book.

[Aaron Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liane Mahugh’s The Sentinels is a young adult novel set in Ontario, Canada, in a small town about five hours outside of Ottawa. The book follows the lives of two sisters passing from childhood into their teenage years. Kerry, the older sibling, is in a supporting role, while her younger sister Lou, is the main protagonist. The novel traces the lives of these sisters living in with their single mother. They do get visitation with their father, but even an amicable separation of their parents has left some scars. We meet Lou and Kerry as they move out of a series of cramped apartments and into a detached home in a small town, across the street from a field with three old trees standing in a line.

But wait. This is not how the novel begins. In fact, we start out in the past, in Norway circa 930 CE, watching Danish raiders destroy a village, including setting alight a building filled with the town’s children locked inside. As torture they force three old men, beyond their fighting years and who failed to stop the attack, watch the building burn and listen to the children’s screams, before they themselves are hanged.

Hmmm. Three old men. Three old trees.

While The Sentinels is not a fantasy novel—it reads like contemporary fiction, a young adult coming-of-age story—there is a hint of something… special going on. I’ll say no more, because potentiality is sauce for the goose.

The Sentinels is a story about growing up, about that transition from childhood to adulthood, where responsibility and the weight of life begin to overwhelm the childish sense of wonder, of feeling carefree and innocent. Nowhere is this more evident than in the failure of the legal system to deal with a sexual assault, one that ends up essentially punishing the victim instead of the perpetrator. The family becomes a pariah in the community, as friends and family of the perpetrator take his side over this group of newcomers to their community.

While this tragedy unfolds, and the siblings must navigate a town where they are no longer welcome, or safe, their father announces he is moving to Ottawa, about five hours away. This means their weekend stays with him will come to an end. From now on they will only see him on holidays, and possibly school break.

Childhood’s end. Yet Lou’s guardians, her sentinels across the road in that field, continue to offer comfort, and even more. At the climax of the story they act as protectors, protecting the sisters in a way they could not protect the children of their own village so long ago.

The supernatural brings a catharsis, but does not prevent the inevitable and merciless advance of time. Nothing can do that, and Mahugh understands this. This is why, despite protecting the sisters from danger more than once, her sentinels are themselves defeated by that cruel reality all children must endure: nothing lasts forever.

The Sentinels is not only a great book for young readers, it is an entertaining and fun read for old folks like me. I did not want to put the book down, because I wanted to know what happened next. Mahugh got me invested in the characters and caught up in the nostalgia of my own childhood – I remember the bumpy ice and stalks of dead grass poking through the homemade backyard skating rinks of my youth. What more could anyone ask of a book, or its writer?

Oh, and that groundhog routine? Priceless.

[William Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story. In the opening of this book, three ancient warriors get embroiled in an intense battle, trying to defend against invading raiders. From the start, you’re invested in the warriors, and their story. The book then shifts to a quite different (but equally engaging) present-day coming of age story. But it doesn’t take too long to realize how the ancient warriors and their story tie into the current-day story.

We get to know 13-year-old Lou and her family as they settle into a new home. She’s a really likable protagonist, and you quickly begin to care about her and her older sister, Kerry, and their friend Tim. I really liked the way that Kerry and Tim always looked out for Lou. From the start there’s also some intrigue with a mysterious field and the trees that reside there.

We get a slice of their life through the year, and it’s enjoyable to go along for the ride. There’s some drama between the main characters and some peers. Teresa was relentless, and a bit exhausting, but there was explanation behind it.

Some heavier things happen to one of the characters in this book. There is a sexual assault (but the topic is handled delicately, more-so alluding to it after the fact than giving too much detail). The book does a good job showing the aftermath effects on a victim, and their family. It also addresses the very real fear that a victim might not be taken seriously, or be ridiculed for reporting the crime. It also touches on how sometimes the justice system benefits the perpetrators rather than the victims of crime. It presents these important topics in a conscientious and realistic way. In the wake of the terrible event, the bullying ramps up, and it adds to the overall tension.

As the book goes by, the nearby mysterious field and trees continue to play a part. There are some light supernatural elements in this book, and it was such a great aspect to the story. The supernatural elements were sprinkled in a perfect amount in this book, adding so much. The narrative was still able to remain focused on the main characters we’ve come to like. The trees and field seemed like such a simple thing, but in this context, they became magical, and I loved it whenever the characters spent time there. I can’t remember when a field and trees have been so cool.

This book moves along at an easy pace for the most part, but things ramp up to a thrilling conclusion that is frightening, exciting, and satisfying. I loved the Sentinels, and I thought the ending and resolution of this book was perfect.

This book was a great read, and the first one I’ve read by Liane Mahugh. After this, I’d definitely be interested in checking out more.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick YA Read

I have very mixed feelings about this book. The prologue of this book really captured my attention. It was exciting and dramatic, a little bit gory and it served a purpose for the main story.

When we start chapter one, we see a huge shift in the tone of the writing. I found the opening chapters rather slow, and I was worried that the pacing was not to my taste. I’m a huge fan of YA, and can usually get along with a teenaged protagonist, but I did find it difficult to fully engage with the story. That’s not a bad thing, it just means that I wasn’t the target for this author.

The thing is though, the themes in the book were not simplistic. We deal with bullying, isolation, sexual assault, a fight for justice, as well as first love and the supernatural element of the sentinels, so it leaves me wondering who this book is intended for. There is a huge focus on the perpetrator of the assault, and although this happens in real life, the book didn’t show the fall out very well. The child just has to get on with her life while the man who assaulted her leers and waves at her from across the street and there is a complete lack of justice.

Lack of justice seems to be a theme that runs through the entire book- Lou never gets justice against Teresa for all the bullying. If anything she is a doormat who never learns, and forgives far too easily. Dana never gets justice against the local hooligans who terrorise her home, threaten her children, and vandalise her car, and no real justice is brought against Joe for the sexual assault against Kerry. The sentinels provide that justice, but before that happens, the way the character just gets to continue his life and have the community blame Kerry makes me feel this would be damaging to any young reader who is dealing with similar issues.

I enjoyed the premise of the book, but I wish we’d seen a deeper pov and maybe a little more emotion. These themes were heavy and the book just seemed to gloss over the pain.

The ending, although exciting, didn’t feel like a win and even in the epilogue we see a total absence of justice. The end result seems to be that Joe ruined Kerry’s life and no matter what, she’s never going to be ok. And that’s a bitter pill to swallow.

Overall, I found the book to be a quick read, engaging and error free, and I did enjoy reading it despite my points above.

[Elle Sie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really grew on me. I chose it initially because of the intriguing cover, which hints at a literary fiction story, and the premise of the strange field and mysterious trees drawing in the main character, Lou and her friends. I found the start a bit slow as Louann (Lou) and big sis Kerry got settled into their new life, with mundane details of their day to day lives - at first. Lou, Kerry and Tim happened upon the trees early on in the book, which Lou viewed as the titular Sentinels, protecting them from strange energy from the field beyond - that all three sensed. This piqued my interest enough to keep reading even though it was a while before this theme was revisited. Later, events within the story became so engrossing that I found myself absorbed in the story regardless of the mysterious trees and field: Kerry suffering a harrowing event in the new community and the fallout from this in a sadly all-too-realistic sense. In the aftermath of this incident, I was only briefly thrown out of the story when Lou and Kerry's mother, Dana, laughed and joked that Lou was a 'little lawyer' like Perry Mason, regarding her knowledge of the legal system; in light of what had happened to Kerry and the ongoing precarious position of the family at the hands of the perpetrator, I didn't think it realistic that a mother would make light of the situation. This was a minor nitpick though in an otherwise gripping part of the book. In the latter half, the author really showed the power of the sentinels as they offered protection to the girls from people in the community who victimised them. Though I read what happened as paranormal, because the story was told from Lou's point of view, and given the trauma she experienced, it could be taken as a metaphor for emotional self-protection. I really enjoyed that aspect of it; not an ambiguous story by any means, but one that can be enjoyed from different perspectives.

[PWGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling but dark

A story with a lot of possible triggers: sexual abuse, verbal abuse, violence.

The starting scene setting of three old Viking warriors was interesting and grabbing, although possibly too violent and gory for a YA book. And although there is a loose link to the rest of the story, in my opinion it did not particularly enhance the rest of the storyline.

The main story is about two teenage sisters who come to live in a new area together with their mother. Their daily life soon takes a negative turn as one of the sisters is sexually abused by a man in the neighborhood, and the other sister comes to blows with several fist fights with a local girl. Despite the mother and daughters being well-intentioned the response of the locals is very negative, with threats to kill the girls, slashing tires and egging the mother’s car and other aggressive behavior towards the three women. Added to this, the police and the justice department seem completely unable to help. Reading the book, I felt rather hopeless for them, which left me feeling somewhat depressed, and yet also compelled to read on.

The uplifting part of the story is about three old oak trees that are standing close to the house where the mother and two daughters live. The trees seem to be inhabited by spirits that want to protect the girls against the aggressive people living in the town. I found the trees an interesting supernatural part of the book but would have liked to see the kids discover the powers and understand the history through the main storyline, rather than it being introduced in the prologue.

The sweet romantic young love story between Lou and Tim warmed my heart, but it felt almost lost in the middle of the much darker scenes of the surrounding story.

The book is well written, with no spelling or layout errors. It was easy to read and the flow kept me going, wanting to know the ending.

[Eduardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Sentinels" is an enthralling young adult novel that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy and the paranormal with slice-of-life realism. The story follows Lou, a young girl who moves to a new house and expects nothing more than making new friends. However, her world takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a dark field across the road, adorned with enigmatic oaks that entice her curiosity. Mahugh skillfully weaves a tale that captures the essence of adolescence, showcasing the characters' struggles with bullies, the throes of young love, and the irrevocable impact of a tragic event. Lou, alongside her sister Kerry and friend Tim, embarks on a summer filled with hidden dangers lurking within the tall grass and revelations about the true nature of the trees. What sets "The Sentinels" apart is its ability to transport readers into a realm where the mundane and the extraordinary coexist. Mahugh's prose paints vivid imagery, effortlessly immersing readers into the world she has created. The blending of fantastical elements with everyday challenges adds a layer of depth to the narrative, making it relatable to young adult readers while captivating their imagination. Furthermore, the author skillfully crafts well-rounded characters, each with their distinct voices and personal growth arcs. Lou's journey, in particular, stands out as she confronts the harsh realities of life and grapples with the aftermath of the tragic event, leaving an indelible mark on her innocence. Overall, this is a captivating coming-of-age tale that intertwines fantasy and the paranormal with the challenges and emotions of adolescence. Liane Mahugh's seamless storytelling and well-developed characters make this novel a compelling read for young adult readers and fans of the genre alike.

[Kit Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me say from the outset that I’m probably not the ideal target audience for this book, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the novel, and I can see how it might really chime with a younger teenage readership (or their parents). The narrative is well written and engaging, following the story and experiences of two girls, who, I have to admit, sometimes seemed a lot younger than their given ages of 13 and 14, but that may be a deliberate choice on the part of the author to show their innocence, vulnerability and curiosity.

The Sentinels is a difficult book to really pigeonhole, as sections feel like a childhood memoir of relocation and first love, others as the supernatural Stephen King-esque pitch suggested by the cover and blurb, and the rest contains quite a disturbed psychological exploration of the trauma, but the author manages to bring these elements together for the conclusion.

I may be over analysing but it would be quite possible to read the book in very different ways, with safety of parents and wonder of childhood innocence in the trees, and change from childhood to young adulthood in the cutting of the grass, as an alternate reading to the viewpoint of Lou and her almost journal-like listing of the daily events in her young life. I suspect I’ll be thinking about this for a while.

From the notes it is clear this is a very personal story to the author, and I think she very much succeeds in getting across the bond and strength of the sisters though a word of warning to potential readers; despite euphemistic language, there are some very dark turns that might upset some readers.

[Megan Bushree · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sentinels opens with a prologue set in Norway, 930 AD that gives us a glimpse at the legend behind the magic of trees. We are then thrust into modern time and the story follows thirteen-year-old Lou, and her fourteen-year-old sister, Kerry, who have just moved with their mother into a new home. The home is part of a complex and is surrounded by other families, including Lou’s best friend Tim. There are elements of a coming-of-age tale including first kisses, summer camp, and entering a brand-new school. Lou and Kerry’s father lives nearby and is attentive while still around and we learn that this family has moved around a lot.
Things start to get strange when the people around Lou and Kerry become oddly violent and dangerous. There are minor offenders and one particular evil character who is relentless. It all works within the confines of the story. The only sense of peace for the girls comes from the protective trees.
There’s quite a bit of the story that I could get deeper into but that would be spoiling quite a bit and this story is best read without too much prior knowledge. Lou, Kerry, and Tim are good kids that we root for and the villainous characters are incredibly horrid and I cheered for their downfall.
Author Liane Mahugh crafts a fascinating story that held my attention all the way through. I needed to know what would happen next. I kept trying to predict what may happen next based on the character’s behaviors and my general knowledge of Norse legends and was pleasantly surprised to find that my guesses were incorrect. I found the ending to be satisfying and rather poetic. Overall, I enjoyed the book immensely and highly recommend it.

[Anneliese Dahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sentinels by Liane Mahugh is an interesting and well-written story about two young sisters, Lou and Kerry, who move to a new neighborhood with their mother next to a family friend. The two sisters, and their friend Tim, are drawn to trees and a sinister field across from their homes. It is simultaneously eerie and wondrous with the children seeming closer to nature and the magic of the world when they are there climbing the three mysterious trees, the Sentinels. There is a bit of a Stephen King feel to the story, with the innocence of young friendship and the eventual encounter with evil, though the evils they encounter are less supernatural than they are, sadly, the evils too many young children face in the world.

The children are charming and engaging, setting a good example in this young adult fantasy novel for kindness and loyalty and courage. Lou, Kerry, and Tim are believable, interesting, and distinct, and the adults are also representative of real-life. The author takes you along on an interesting ride as the children experience both the typical challenges of childhood bullying and harassment, but when it takes a dark turn (handled discreetly) you truly see the mettle of these children. The paranormal aspect of the story is impactful, beautiful in a way, and it is almost dreamlike, as though it is something the children will stop believing once they get older. But clearly they remember forever the more human aspects of the challenges they faced, and it is one of the things I like best about this novel. I highly recommend it.

[Vicky Peplow · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Intriguing story!

Beginning in Norway with Viking brothers Magnus. Torvinn, and Erik. 3 infamous fighters who had fought together to make a name for themselves so that they'd gain access to Valhalla once they died. Unfortunately, they had grew older and no longer able to leave on the long boats to fight. The Danes arrive and kill everyone on sight and hung the 3 Vikings but before that made the men watch the children trapped in a long house which was set to burn with them inside. The brother's couldn't do anything about it.
Moving to present day Canada. Lou has just moved to a new house with her mom and older sister, Kerry.
Lou and her best friend, Tim noticed three trees sitting together and Kerry joined them as they went to climbed them. You follow the kids through their everyday lives. Just as a prep warning, there is bullying and child abuse within this book but it doesn't go into all the information regarding the abuse but you do get where it's going. As the days and weeks move along the girls bullying for reporting the abuse gets worse. With all this happening, the three friends start their new schools and while on a computer Lou begins to research regarding their oak trees and old legends leading them to believe they were more than just ordinary trees.
I don't want to give the whole story away but the storyline has been well thought out and the characters were put together thoughtfully. Even though the book covers sensitive subjects, the author has dealt with them with nothing but respect. Well done.

[Rob The Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This charming YA tale carries overtones of magic realism and explores the themes of family and coming of age in a clear, wholesome way.

I liked the main characters of Lou and Kerry, their sisterly dynamic was a highlight and one of the best parts of this book. Dana, Jane and Tim round out the cast. I was impressed with the way author Liane Mahugh crafted characters that felt like real, complete individuals with their own foibles and struggles. The plot is a little bit or miss, with the strengths being Lou's frenetic frenemy realationship and Kerry's unfortunate assault being the main sources of conflict. Both are done well and kept me engaged.

The book does have a very cozy feel to it, with the mundanities of everyday life being described in detail. This might work for some but didn't for me. Likewise the revelations about the Sentinels opened the door for many possibilities that are never explored. To me this book is more like an 80s style story, so if that's what you are looking for then enjoy.

I don't usually comment on covers but this time I have to because this book needs a better one.

The abrupt change in personality for the antagonists came out of nowhere, and reminded me of a tv movie in that all of a sudden this needs to happen because we need an ending. I found that disappointing, because I was enjoying my time with this little family.

Kudos to Mahugh for a nice read.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!

An unusual mix between a very serious subject matter, the sexual assault of a child, and a fantasy about magic child protecting trees. I was left a bit conflicted on how I felt about the mix.
The author does not sugarcoat the long term effects of sexual assault on mental health, and this book may be triggering for some. But at the same time the story seemed to be more about relationships between family and close friends/romantic partners during traumatic times, and the injustice of reality. I found myself wondering at the end if the sentinels were even real or just a metaphor for emotional support, but the prologue and the final climax seem to make this unlikely.
My absolute favourite thing about this book (and this author) was the little moments, the short scenes that maybe seemed unimportant but felt so authentically written. She had a great way of showing family bonds, and giving weight to unimportant moments in very few words, and I loved that.
The book also made me furious!! But only because it did a good job at showing a very real lack of justice in the world, particularly for kids, and women. And it gave a depressing glimpse of mob mentality, and trauma cycles in other characters. So it was difficult to read at times, but only because this was really well done.
Very interesting and strange YA book, glad I read it.

[David Howlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Sentinels" by Liane Mahugh is an enchanting young adult fantasy that captured my imagination from start to finish. Mahugh skillfully weaves an engaging plot with relatable characters, making it an effortless and enjoyable read. The story revolves around Louann, her sister Kerry, and their friend Tim, who discover a mysterious field with three protective trees they affectionately call The Sentinels. The bond between the characters is beautifully depicted, and their reactions to the unfolding events are easily relatable.
The metaphor of The Sentinels watching over the children is captivating, drawing you deeper into the mystery. The story's themes and plot strands are masterfully brought together, leading to a perfectly judged denouement with a touch of bittersweetness in the epilogue.
Mahugh's writing style exhibits a hint of Stephen King, but she puts her unique stamp on the story. The supernatural elements are seamlessly integrated, enhancing the story's depth and allure. The book manages to balance romance, suspense, and serious themes, making it a must-read for teens and young adults alike.
As a debut author, Liane Mahugh impresses with her well-crafted storytelling, leaving me eager to explore more of her literary works in the future. I wholeheartedly recommend "The Sentinels" to anyone intrigued by its premise.

[Barbara J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book by the intriguing cover and title, however, I had a bit of trouble trying to figure out what this book was really about. Logically speaking, the same trees that are in the opening scene could not possibly still exist thousands of years later as the story unfolds, but I was interested to see how it unfolded. In addition, I struggled with the notion that these trees are protective when in fact, they were the scene of murders previously.
The plot seems to involve many themes, with a child abuser neighbor, first love, and the dynamics of a friend whom herself is abused by her father, and as a result, develops apparently coping mechanisms to act out and abuse her friend. There doesn't seem to be much depth in these relationships, which would be an opportunity for this writer to reflect insights into these behaviors with resolution, which teenagers could benefit from.
I found the writing a tad bit weak and lacking creative description and imagination, although the story does flow at a good pace, and I was able to easily follow the story.
I gave this book a three for the above reasons. Again this is written quite appropriately for the age groups indicated, and again, the title and cover made it seem engaging.

[Zoe Tasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sentinels by Liane Mahugh begins with an account of a Danish raiding party viciously attacking a Norse village long ago. Then the author introduces the reader to the main contemporary characters, Lou and Kerry. The sisters have just moved to a new home. I enjoyed the interactions between Lou and Kerry and those between them and Tim, a friend. I found them realistic and loved how protective they were of each other.

Three large oaks (the Sentinels) attract the children’s interest and eventually it’s explained how the first part about the attack ties into the story as a whole. I’m a fan of having paranormal elements and folklore in books and thought the addition clever.

The book covers hard hitting issues like bullying and child molestation. I appreciated the author’s delicate touch when writing about such disturbing occurrences, but wish, in the case of bullying, that the abuse taking place at home was addressed.

The read was quick and kept my interest. In one character’s case, the ending was particularly sad and made me wonder if this story’s roots came from an event in the author’s life. I prefer happily ever afters, but realistically, they don’t always occur.

Despite the issues mentioned, overall, I enjoyed the book.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I liked the mystery of the trees - The Sentinels - as per the title of the book. Lou and her sister Kerry have just moved into a new house opposite a field where three large oak trees beckon to them. This is a nice bit of mystery and magic that counters against the darker themes of the book. The storyline centers around the sexual assault of one of the sisters and the ramifications for the family and community. The effect of the assault on both sisters is explored, not just the one assaulted.

I found it hard to get into the story for the first few chapters as there are a lot of characters introduced by name early on without much context. There are also many very short 'slice of life' scenes that, while some might like, I found disjointed. The book says it's set in 'present day' Canada although it felt more like the 90s or maybe early 2000s. This certainly isn't an issue, but the occasional more modern reference threw me.

I kept reading because I wanted to see what happened to the perpetrator and was intrigued by the storyline with the trees. The climax was well done and had me reading on the edge of my seat with a real sense of menace and tension, and it brought together the different aspects of the storyline in a satisfying way.

[Josie Bembridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than I expected to! Admittedly I found it quite hard to get into at first, with lots going on and quite fast-paced in places, with days going by very quickly, as well as lots of things happening that I didn't think accounted for much. However! Before I knew it I was almost halfway through, and heavily invested in the characters!

The actual sentinels weren't in the book as much as I'd thought they'd be. But it was clear how much they meant to the children, especially Lou, who has a lovely relationship with nature overall. Which I believe the sentinels picked up on, along with their teenage innocence, and as a reader I was grateful for their protection of Lou and her family and friends.

There are some dark topics covered in this book, as mentioned in the bio. Which were handled well, and in such a way that all readers were able to understand what had occurred, without going into any detail, which would have taken away from the innocence of the book. I also liked that the author chose to highlight flaws in the legal system, which Lou in particular was very passionate about!

[Cathy Lynn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teens and young adults will love this book. It has everything kids like. Some romance, suspense, a little supernatural, tackling some serious topics, and good, clean fun. I enjoyed following the story of Lou, Kerry, their mom, Dana and their close friend, Tim.

The story opens as the family is moving into a new townhouse. They all seem excited, but a little apprehensive about starting a new school in the fall. It’s summer and they’ve moved closer to their friend, Tim. Lou and Tim begin exploring the neighbourhood and find a field with a couple of trees, that seem to beacon them. They climb the trees and feel a weird coolness before being surrounded by butterflies. They realize there is something special and they name the trees, the Sentinels meaning soldiers or protectors.

The summer brings fun but also some scary events and the family considers moving away. Lou has mixed feelings because she has just settled in and doesn’t want to move, however the events give them all reasons to want to flee.

[David Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thought-Provoking Read

Sisters Lou and Kerry move with their mother to a new house in Canada. Lou is thirteen and Kerry is one year older. Their mother, Dana, and the girls’ father have separated, but still maintain a friendship. Across the road from their house is a wild field and a stand of three oak trees, shunned by locals. The girls and Lou’s friend Tim love the field and, in particular, the three trees and call them the Sentinels. The teenagers believe the trees, or the spirits that reside in them, are their protectors. The story tells of the difficulties the two girls face setting into a new area, a new school, and the aftermath of a sexual assault.

I must start by saying that I am not the target age for this novel, but I found it an absorbing, if challenging, read. We get to know the two girls, but most of the characters are skimmed over. It covers important topics, doesn’t provide easy answers, and everything does not necessarily end well. Personally, I would have liked to have seen some lighter moments to offset the darkness, but a thought-provoking read.

[Lyndi Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Sentinels, Lianne Mahugh writes on a tough subject matter with sensitivity covering both bullying and sexual assault on a minor. It’s the type of read you’d want your teen to discuss with you as a parent as it speaks to the frustrations the victims, and thus the reader, have with the justice system. Without the fantasy element of protective trees as sentinels, this story would have a much different outcome. Even so, and rightly so given what has occurred, Kerry, Lou and their mom need help to heal.

The story also has a lovely friendship to first kisses story about young Lou and her friend Tim. There is also a wonderful show of support for the family from Tim’s mom. I struggled a little with this book in what felt to me like an unevenness in the writing between the prologue, story and epilogue. Due to the subject matter this is not easiest read but it’s certainly a worthwhile one.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Enjoyed it!

The Sentinels takes readers on an intriguing journey filled with mystery, friendship, and unexpected dangers. Lou, the protagonist, initially expects her biggest concern in her new house to be making friends. However, she soon discovers a dark field across the road, adorned with enigmatic oaks that beckon her exploration. Little does she know that lurking within the tall grass and beneath the tree's branches lie hidden perils she never anticipated.

Joined by her sister Kerry and friend Tim, Lou embarks on an unforgettable summer adventure. Together, they navigate the challenges of bullies, young love, and a horrifying event that forever alters their innocence. As the true nature of the trees is revealed, at least one of them will undergo a transformation that shapes their destiny.

All that to say, I enjoyed the novel and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series!