The Determiner

by Jean Knight Pace, Jacob Kennedy

Henry will do anything to save his father. Even if it means keeping secrets. Big ones. Thirteen-year-old Henry Miller knows he's not typical. And it's not just because he's the president's son. When a mysterious assassin attacks him after school, Henry uncovers a strange the world slows down while he speeds up--stronger and faster than his short, stout body has ever been. Trouble is, Henry can't seem to talk about it. Literally. Or make this new strength happen at will. If he could, he might be able to help some people, and to be seen as his own person instead of just a politician's kid. Instead, he's stuck navigating the daunting world of White House ushers and antiques, maids and security. As if that's not enough, there's his fancy new school with its formidable principal and the senator's snotty daughter. In the midst of it all, Henry feels a little lost and a lot useless. Until he and his best friend Lucy uncover a plot to assassinate his father. But the closer Henry gets to finding the assassin, the more he begins to wonder if it's really the president at stake. Or is his father just a pawn in a game where they need to find the king?

390 pages, Paperback

Published December 3, 2022

About the author

Jean Knight Pace is the author of the young adult novels Grey Stone and Grey Lore. She has had work published in Puerto del Sol, The Lakeview Review, and other literary magazines. She’s also written for Dollar Stretcher and Authors Publish. She has a BA in music and an MFA in creative writing. She lives in southern Indiana with her husband, four children, ten ducks, and a cat. She blogs at jeanknightpace.com and tastycheapskate.blogspot.com.

Reviews

[Feather Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing

What a fun perspective! It was intriguing to enter the mysterious world of a president’s son. I highly recommend this book to upper middle grades and older readers who enjoy a grand adventure. The young man in this story goes through his share of hard knocks, and even tries out a little espionage in order to figure out who is threatening his family. I love the way the author slipped in trivial facts about the White House and different presidents throughout the work. it was done in a humorous and memorable way. I was left on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Ami Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting!

This book was hard to put down! Once I had read very far, I had to finish it just to see what happened next. It has the feel of Orson Scott Card in some ways… think Ender’s Game or Seventh Son.

[Tanya Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!
-first chapter really intrigued me
-SO MANY GOOD questions that made me want to keep reading.
-Action packed (especially at the end)
-Learned so much about the White House
My 11 year old son review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
He loved it! He wants book #2 now! Lots of plot twists. Main character was relatable and did a good job keeping him true to a boy his age.

Recommend for kids 10+

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good! We have Henry a not your typical 13 year old whose life is complicated as he is the son of the president and therefore has the stormy waters of the White House to contend with as well as a fancy schamncyw school. But Henry has a secret, one that he cannot tell anyone, one that slows time down and speeds him up and makes him incredibly strong. It’s an exciting and thrilling read that finds you drawn in and totally hooked as we follow Henry on his adventures to find an assassin and save the day.

[Dale Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story follows thirteen year-old Henry Miller, son of the president elect. While he expects his life to change when the family is uprooted from Michigan to Washington, D.C., he couldn’t have anticipated the severity of the changes in his wildest dreams. Dealing with teenage angst becomes the least of Henry’s worries.
The plot evolves beautifully, intricately adding layers to the problems and decisions facing young Henry. Well written characters and relationships keep the pages turning as the story, and the stakes, build.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so this book gave me Ender’s Game vibes and not sure about anyone else but I had to read that in school.. and it was okay but this was like YES. Only complaint is the dang cliffhanger. I feel like there was quite a bit that I wanted to know more about and did not get answers too/:

I want to thank Jean for the Ebook and note that all opinions/thoughts above are completely my own!

[AnneMarie Mazotti Gouveia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, action packed plot and characters

The evolving storyline of Henry, son of the US President, and his friend Lucy, along with the assassination plot they must stop, kept me turning the pages wanting to know what would happen next. Full of intrigue, twists, and surprises that keep the reader guessing. Unexpected ending, this story really delivers on escapism fantasy.

[Paula Furlong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Sci-Fi Fantasy adventure involves a political setting where mysteries need to be solved. The Determiner is full of action, adventure, otherworldly powers and young heroes. Definitely binge worthy.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I nearly passed this book up. While the synopsis appealed to me, I thought it was for younger readers. I’m 71, so I hesitated. I am so glad I did read it! It is very well constructed with real characters and believable plot. I do recommend it for all ages. A stimulating and thought provoking read.

[Karen Dimick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting and intriguing, but it ends in quite the cliff hanger. Don't read it if you want things all tied up neatly. Very well written.

[Sienna S'Zell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting storyline, sucked me right in! I'm glad I've got the two sequels. Can't even imagine what's going to happen.