First Born

First Born #1

by Janelle Gabay

Young Adult/Fantasy/Romance/Adventure
The Chase is on for nineteen-year-old Tarian Prescott.
Did you know immortals run the government? Did you know these three hundred and fifty immortals built our great nation? No, neither did Tarian until someone tried to kill him for his immortal DNA.
Audrey, a fierce fighter and beautiful immortal, may be the only person he can trust to save his life. Hidden inside the magical Guardian village, he has only days to train and develop his immortal gifts. If he and Audrey fail to find the killer, all immortals will die, and the nation will lose its greatest asset.
Love and betrayal weave into the fast-paced adventure. First Born hurls the reader into an unforgettable journey.

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia

303 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2022

About the author

Janelle Gabay is an award-winning author of YA contemporary and YA paranormal romance novels. She grew up around the world as an Air Force brat but has called Florida home for many years. A graduate of the University of South Florida and a member of SCBWI. As the mom of three competitive tennis players, she spent fifteen years entrenched in the world of USTA junior tennis.

To learn more about her, her books, and her new release coming in June, visit her website janellegabaybooks.com.

Reviews

[John Winston · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Born, a robust story with mystery, intrigue, and suspense, performs on every level. Backstory is woven in strategically and helps the reader feel invested in the story and characters. Janelle Gabay combines descriptive writing with authentic dialogue and perfectly placed action to give First Born a cinematic flair that puts the reader dead center of the story. This is one of those novels that gets better as the story progresses. It gets faster, smarter, and deeper.

In short, this well-developed story had no weakness, but its strength is clearly in its character and plot development. There’s just something about a hero like Tarian that makes him easy to root for and a character like Audrey easy to admire. The growing tension that Gabay creates between these two elicits a type of angst within the reader that compels them to keep turning pages. There’s an undeniable longing to see what will come of this unlikely pairing and this riveting story. Secondary characters like Delia, Roman, Gabe, Maria, and Eleanor are also well-developed, and the reader can’t help but ache to see these characters portrayed on the big screen as well.

The pacing is on point and the second-to-none world-building also carries the reader away into a future world that feels feasible and strangely familiar. Although Gabay’s style has a cinematic flair her literary skills are formidable. Check it out.

“She cradled his pain, making it easier for him to release his brave exterior” and “The tiny droplet of doubt about his father’s innocence had a tricky way of multiplying into rivers of questionable thoughts,” and finally “The poison seeped from his words, just as it had from hers. His aching wound reopened and turned into a jealous laceration, infecting his entire being.”

First born, a great story crafted around great characters wrapped in great writing is highly recommended, a 5-star plus read.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tarian is training to be a soldier when he is attacked by a group of people who are intent in killing him.
He then finds out from his superiors that he is an Immortal, the first born in hundreds of years and it is foretold that he will save mankind.
A fantasy story of a dystopian future where people have to fight to survive.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jared Temple · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a signed copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.

When I first picked up this book, the plot intrigued me (I mean I am studying Biology and Chemistry in college, so of course I loved it). With the action starting within the first few pages of the story, I knew I would be hooked. The mystery of the plot kept me reading and the action scenes were wonderfully written. The way the author writes took a little while to get used to, but reading a new author does that to everyone. I also loved the way she would describe things with detail but not too much, just enough to enjoy it.

Now normally I do not cry near the ending of a book, but when I do (like for this one) it automatically becomes one of my top books on my list. Just the emotion it brought was so real, and that it tugged at my heartstrings!

Also, I am SO HAPPY to see that this will be a series too!!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and kudos to the author on an amazing first book! I will definitely be buying the next book(s)!

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book with the free giveaways and I am really glad that I did, since I don't think I would have known about this author or series; I read mainly fantasy, but I would put this is as a urban sci fi (if there is such a thing). This is a really good book and I cannot wait until the next one. Before I had finished this book, I was thinking what would she do with the next book; I am glad that she left us thinking about the next book at the end. Thank you for the book!

[Deepankita · Rating 1 out of 5]

So much ambiguity. So much confusion. So many things happening.

Thank you Netgalley and Booksgosocial for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[William Bitner Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading “First Born” by Janelle Gabay. I was lucky enough to have won a print copy of this book on Goodreads.com...and I’m so very glad I had the opportunity to read it. This is my first read by Janelle Gabay but it will not be my last. The concept of this read was original and the story was very compelling and not your usual run of the mill science fiction/fantasy read. This is a fantastic beginning to a new series, and brilliant debut novel by Janelle. I am waiting and looking forward to the next installment in the “All Souls” trilogy. There are some twist and turns in this read that will have you saying “what?” but they are necessary, and worth the adventure and journey. "You live in the moment. That's a good thing; as an immortal that is a necessary quality."

Synopsis: “At nineteen-years-old, Tarian Prescott is under attack for the immortal DNA he didn’t know he possessed. Audrey, his Cadet Sergeant, rescues him from an air strike on the Entente Military Academy. She takes him to the magical Guardians of Dare village, where he discovers his true identity. It is here that he learns about the secret society of immortals that run the government and keep the Entente of Nations safe. But the immortals are mysteriously dying, and Tarian’s miraculous birth nineteen years ago may be the link to their survival. Being the first immortal to be born in over five hundred years, his DNA holds the answer to the reproduction of his kind. But in the wrong hands, his existence may lead to something far more destructive. While his superiors debate over his role as the First Born, he seeks only revenge. His father was the first immortal killed by Death Serum. Now that Tarian knows the truth about himself and his dad, he will find the murderous traitor and bring him to justice. But Tarian is young, and his immortal gifts have not matured. With the help and guidance of Audrey, he may have a chance. Tarian’s journey is both a physical challenge as well as an emotional coming of age enlightenment. His path of self-identity braids through the mortal and immortal world. With breath catching character revelations turning enemies into friends and friends into enemies, he must fight to save his loved ones and secure the two worlds he has come to love.

First Born mixes fantasy with action adventure set in a near-future North America on the brink of a Border War offering a unique twist on an immortal tale. Interesting historical facts weave cleverly throughout the narrative providing extensive character background and playful speculation. Combining romantic fantasy with aggressive action think the All Souls trilogy meets the Divergent Trilogy.”

[C.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great debut novel! The plot concept is a new and interesting one set in the future with a secretive group of immortals, that come to surface when the last immortal is born, Tarian Prescott. Too bad someone wants him dead, in which a killer is on the loose and Tarian learns about a new world to where he belongs outside of what he thought his life was set to be. Lies are weaved and secret governments are revealed, interesting conflicts and layers with Tarian and his girlfriend Delia. Definitely worth your time to check this story out - can't wait for book two!

[Jenny Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my full review at http://blackwords-whitepages1977.blog...

This was an amazing story so full of action, suspense, and secrets at the turn of every page.

The characters in this story were amazing, yet mysterious and I felt a connection with them as I continued to become a part of their world.

The story-line was fantastic! I was sucked in from the beginning and was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story. I can so see how this book won the awards that it did!! It's an awesome story and I highly recommend it.

[Toni Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, I enjoyed it.

[Ava Natoli · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny story here:

There is a boy that goes to my school that I am friends with. His mom is the author of this book. She did a writing elective with a small group of people (including me) and it was fun! She is a great lady and a great author! Overall, I can't wait for the second one!

Miss Janelle, if you see this, thank you!

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

"First Born" is the story of Tarian, who is 19 when his father dies and he discovers that he, like his father, is an Immortal. In an alternate timeline of the US, most of the country is now the EMA. Immortals came to the US as the Roanoke Colony and disappeared so as to live on their own. Now, many of them work as soldiers or scientists, depending on their magical abilities. Several also hold positions of power, like his girlfriend Dalia's father. Tarian begins to train with the military and Immortals (he becomes especially close to Audrey). As he learns more and more, he learns that there are threats to the Immortals and humans- the longer life lasts, the more power hungry some individuals become.

The chase is on to decode the mysteries of his father's death and who the enemy is within the Immortal community- as well as how Dalia and her father are involved. Overall, it's a fast paced and interested sci-fi plot. I found it somewhat difficult to follow and had to piece together this alternate timeline throughout the book. I like the Immortal idea with the special abilities and Tarian was a great character to learn from. I feel like I needed a little more hand-holding in terms of what this place was like (we learn bits and pieces as the story goes on about the wars and enemies they are fighting and about why the capitol is in Boston, etc.). This is a complex world and needs to be built in a detailed fashion.

The idea of Immortals dying (like Tarian's father) was a little odd, but I could accept it (I mean, we have ways for Vampires to die in books and the like). I was particularly intrigued by the way the plot developed and the ending- very curious for the next installment! The last half of the book was definitely better than the first half. It grew as a story and a world and got more and more intriguing. I hope I will be able to read the next books and they will continue to improve!

Please note that I received this book through a goodreads giveaway.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the author's bio, you can quickly realize why she chose a military-based writing style. After growing up on multiple army bases, the influenced seeped into her writing.

The plot and dialogue contain a structured and stiff influence that made me immediately feel like I was in a soldier's life (which is exactly where we are at in this book). The author was very successful in setting the tone we needed to start this series. Almost the entire plot surrounds military bases and missions that need this mind set.


With that being said, there is a lot of action and attacks, but this was also a place where mortals secretly shares their world with immortal and witches. There is magic in this world. Those born immortal have a variety of special powers that we get to see put into action in combat. It reminded me of some sort of special ops unit.


But the girlfriend..


I could not stand Tarian's girlfriend in the least. She just got on my nerves a lot in this book between her actions and mouth, but I will say that we start to like her just a teeny bit more later in the book.


Overall, this is a great start to the series. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. The story was an interesting concept, but I wasn't captivated. The ending contained some "that's messed up" moments which would be interesting to see how they would play out in Book 2. I also felt a little bored in a few slow spots. But ultimately, it was fun to explore this world of immortals and magic set in a dystopian world.

[Cassandra **The Bibliophagist** · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is far from your typical Sci-Fi tale. It is packed with so much action that I hated putting it down. Janelle does an amazing job world building. As a reader, I could visualize this entire community of Immortals and the struggles they faced. I sensed the emotions Tarian felt. The plot and character development were very well written. There were even plot turns that I never saw coming. Those are the best kind...the ones that surprise you.
Characters are each developed throughout the story, pulling the reader in...making them wonder about each person and what will happen to them. I connected most with Tarian. I felt his pain as he faced many physical and emotional challenges on his journey. The plot twists got me...the antagonist was not who I originally thought. Very well done.
Overall...this book was great! The second half did move much faster than the first...so do not give up so easily, it gets much much better.

[Bobbi Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a signed copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
This was an amazing book. One of the best debut novels I have read.
I was not sure if I enjoyed science fiction until I read all the way through the book. I enjoyed the Hobbit series and a few others, but some kind of put me off. This was well told and had characters I could fall in love with. I love when a book really takes you to another place and this one did that for me. Please read this book you will not be disappointed.

[BJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thriller, a futuristic sci-fi, a who-done-it. He did it, no, HE did it, no, she did it. I haven't read sci-fi since the seventies much, but picked this one up on the recommendation of a friend. Quite the ride! The characters are well-developed, scenes well described, good writing, but many grammatical errors, incorrect word usage. Would suggest more thorough ARC readers! Would welcome the next one...

[Gabriel Dedeic · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great read. The characters come alive. The story is one of being reborn, awakening to one's true self and seeing the truth of the world. There is a great plot of greed, murder, lies and bitter sweet love.

The novel takes hold of your attention and keeps it.

I recommend this book. I received this book as a free giveaway from Goodreads.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science fiction with a touch of fantasy and dystopia, a touch of romance, and definitely adventure. What happens when one finds out they are immortal and that they had an immortal parent? Who does one trust? Who's trying to kill them? Just when you think you might have it figured out, something new happens that changes things.

[Marilyn Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story and character's draw you into the book and it was hard to put down. The story is constantly changing and surprising you. Wonderful debut book and I am looking forward to the next book from Janelle Gabay. Thank you for the book also as it was a win I will be holding onto!

[Beth Ann Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically unique young adult story with a dystopian setting. Tarian, the first born immortal, in more the 500 years, is suddenly thrust into his new world. He only has days to discover his gifts and train to save the world and those that he loves. Can't wait for the next installment.

[Patrice Angeli · Rating 4 out of 5]

FIRST BORN is a fantastic story with skillfully developed characters whom the readers hates to put down. The plot is unique with surprising twists and turns.

[Steven Schaedel]

Very enjoyable.

[Elaine Plourde · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me little while to get into the story line of this book but once I did I had a hard time putting it down. The author did a great job in keeping my interest.

[Margaret Appel · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Born is the story of a young man, Tarian, who finds out he is immortal after an attack on his academy. He is saved by his instructor, taken to a magical village (kind of like the Tardis of Doctor Who, bigger on the inside than on the outside), where he undergoes training to grow into his immortal powers quickly. War is pending, someone wants to kill him, and wouldn't you know it, a few immortals want to rule the humans. I found First Born a wonderful mix of adventure, science fiction, and romance, chock full of twists and turns, intrigue, and betrayal that kept me guessing until the very end. First Born would be an enjoyable read for many folks.

[Anthony Philosophos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tarian is a student at a military school that suddenly gets attacked. He escapes with his Sargent and discovers he is immortal. Not only an immortal but the last immortal. Different factions are trying to kill him.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Received from a Goodreads Giveaway

I wasn't very impressed. In my opinion, the story was very slow moving. Even the action sequences seemed slow and dull. I didn't find myself invested in any of the characters. The "magical" setting that Tarian is taken to did catch my interest, but not enough.

[Jasmine gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book In the giveaway

At first, I wasn't interested In It,but after some time I couldn't put It down.This book Is every interesting and exciting.If you don't like It in the begging I urge you to continue.You won't be disappointed.

[Liz]

Haven't gotten to read this but it looks amazing. I would love to win the giveaway and be able to read it. I've heard it's really good. Will review if I win and finish it.

[Trina]

Goodreads win. Will review once received.