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Shrouded Secrets Chronicles #1
Shrouded Secrets
When a teenage brother and sister inherit secret metaphysical powers, they are unknowingly hunted by a group of clandestine immortals. While one of the siblings will reluctantly choose the path of righteousness, the other will defiantly dabble with the promise of true power and the darkness that accompanies it.
As David James begins his freshman year of high school, he learns that his older sister Danielle's popularity isn't genetic. However, their lives change dramatically with the discovery that they possess power which grants them vast unearthly abilities. The more they strive for reasonable normality, the more unstable their powers become when combined with the stresses of high school teenage life.
While jealousy, love, and anger unhinge their once typical lives, temptations to abuse their newfound gifts are manipulated by a shrouded and unyielding adversary who seeks to cast earth into a modern dark age. Soon secrets will injure the ones they love as the burden of true power begins to isolate them. Not even the ominous prospect of a crumbling world matters when each of them finds that they are helpless to control their own desires.
Shrouded Secrets is an imaginative story in which David and Danielle James encounter the realm Eruditus. It is there they are taught to employ powers of the Artifex. The Galinea, knighted protectors of Eruditus, have those among them who have gone rogue. These malcontents, known as the Shroud, have set their sights on the two siblings. A perilous adventure ensues as David and Danielle become entangled with enemies who seek to claim their very lives.
As David James begins his freshman year of high school, he learns that his older sister Danielle's popularity isn't genetic. However, their lives change dramatically with the discovery that they possess power which grants them vast unearthly abilities. The more they strive for reasonable normality, the more unstable their powers become when combined with the stresses of high school teenage life.
While jealousy, love, and anger unhinge their once typical lives, temptations to abuse their newfound gifts are manipulated by a shrouded and unyielding adversary who seeks to cast earth into a modern dark age. Soon secrets will injure the ones they love as the burden of true power begins to isolate them. Not even the ominous prospect of a crumbling world matters when each of them finds that they are helpless to control their own desires.
Shrouded Secrets is an imaginative story in which David and Danielle James encounter the realm Eruditus. It is there they are taught to employ powers of the Artifex. The Galinea, knighted protectors of Eruditus, have those among them who have gone rogue. These malcontents, known as the Shroud, have set their sights on the two siblings. A perilous adventure ensues as David and Danielle become entangled with enemies who seek to claim their very lives.
400 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2010
5 people are currently reading
1098 people want to read
About the author
Joel T. McGrath
9 books97 followersJoel T. McGrath is a proud member of the New Hampshire Writers’ Project.
He is a four-time top 20% choice for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award with four different manuscripts. He has sold foreign rights to his first novel through a literary agent in Turkey.
Joel is currently working with a Disney illustrator on a graphic novel and hopes to release portions of the work in summer 2017.
He is a four-time top 20% choice for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award with four different manuscripts. He has sold foreign rights to his first novel through a literary agent in Turkey.
Joel is currently working with a Disney illustrator on a graphic novel and hopes to release portions of the work in summer 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 29, 2011
ecret though, and it’s deadly. The two have an extraordinary amount of powers, leaving them either destined for a path of greatness or one of destruction. Desperate to learn the source of their power and their new destiny, David and Danielle have enough on their plate without a new force entering, hell-bent on acquiring their abilities. Can David and Danielle find balance when their world begins to fall apart, or will they go down with it?
How many of you have heard of Shrouded Secrets? Nobody? I’m not surprised, to be honest. There is pretty much zero hype surrounding the book, and when the author, Joel McGrath, asked if I’d be interested in reading and reviewing his book, I decided I had to do my research first. Shrouded Secrets is your classic untimely superhero story with a brother/sister twist, sending you on a journey with two teenage siblings as they try to comprehend the meaning of their lives, and their powers. Part superhero saga, part comic relief, Shrouded Secrets is a bit of a hidden gem in a sea of stories about uncommon heroes.
Shrouded Secrets was a bit of a wild ride, to be honest. The story kicks off in the first few pages, hooking you and connecting you with David and his sister, Danielle. You can feel David’s quirkiness and it resonates, balancing Danielle’s superiority and popularity. The introduction of powers feels perfectly untimely, if you catch my drift, throwing a wrench into the plot and propelling it forward. The great characters mesh well with a well-rounded plot, giving the reader something to immerse themselves in. I will admit, however, the plot did have a series of lulls and highs though, and there were a good amount of punctuation errors scattered throughout. However, they didn’t really detract from the overall story of Shrouded Secrets.
All in all, Shrouded Secrets is a nice start to a new superhero series, and I was pleased with the outcome – especially because there is a definite lead in to the next book without leaving us with an absurd cliffhanger. I give Shrouded Secrets a high 3.5 out of 5, and I’d recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy a rich blend of fantasy and sci-fi, and those who enjoyed the Percy Jackson series.
I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
How many of you have heard of Shrouded Secrets? Nobody? I’m not surprised, to be honest. There is pretty much zero hype surrounding the book, and when the author, Joel McGrath, asked if I’d be interested in reading and reviewing his book, I decided I had to do my research first. Shrouded Secrets is your classic untimely superhero story with a brother/sister twist, sending you on a journey with two teenage siblings as they try to comprehend the meaning of their lives, and their powers. Part superhero saga, part comic relief, Shrouded Secrets is a bit of a hidden gem in a sea of stories about uncommon heroes.
Shrouded Secrets was a bit of a wild ride, to be honest. The story kicks off in the first few pages, hooking you and connecting you with David and his sister, Danielle. You can feel David’s quirkiness and it resonates, balancing Danielle’s superiority and popularity. The introduction of powers feels perfectly untimely, if you catch my drift, throwing a wrench into the plot and propelling it forward. The great characters mesh well with a well-rounded plot, giving the reader something to immerse themselves in. I will admit, however, the plot did have a series of lulls and highs though, and there were a good amount of punctuation errors scattered throughout. However, they didn’t really detract from the overall story of Shrouded Secrets.
All in all, Shrouded Secrets is a nice start to a new superhero series, and I was pleased with the outcome – especially because there is a definite lead in to the next book without leaving us with an absurd cliffhanger. I give Shrouded Secrets a high 3.5 out of 5, and I’d recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy a rich blend of fantasy and sci-fi, and those who enjoyed the Percy Jackson series.
I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
January 10, 2015
I received a complimentary copy of Shrouded Secrets in exchange for a review and though it was about fourth in line on my "To Be Read" list, I picked it up one day to just take a peek. Well that peek turned into 100 pages, a wonderful preview of what was to come when it was up next on my list of books to review.
Shrouded Secrets is Joel T. McGrath's debut novel, a story that will immerse the reader in a world where an alternate reality can be accessed through hidden portals, but only if you are an Eruditian, or at least half Eruditian, like David and Danielle James. In many ways they are just like other teenagers living in San Diego, but they've inherited the legacy of their deceased father, one of the greatest Galinea, warriors of Eruditus who wield unearthly powers to fight against the evil "Shroud".
We first meet David and Danielle as typical teenagers dealing with the break-up of their family. Their step-father has left their mother; the family faces financial struggles; David is constantly bullied and Danielle falls a little too easily under the influence of the wrong peers. To relieve some of the family's stress, their grandfather invites the two teenagers to New Hampshire during the summer break and there they meet Appollos, a Galinea posing as Paul, their grandfather's paperboy. Their friendship with Paul introduces David to the existence of a world that isn't exactly as it seems. David's dreams take on a deeper reality and then one day while he and his sister get lost in the woods, they come across a railroad stationhouse strangely situated in the middle of nowhere. This house holds the key to connecting David and Danielle's world, Earth, with Eruditus, in the form of a mysterious kaleidoscope that David finds there, but they have yet to discover its use.
When David and Danielle return to San Diego for the school year, they have a new sense of themselves. Unaware of the powers of the kaleidoscope, David and Danielle still have issues to address. Both grow and become empowered when up against their adversaries in high school, always by taking the higher moral ground in confrontations. McGrath develops very real issues of teenagers by writing well-crafted dialogue. We can relate to David and Danielle on a very down-to-earth level. His succinct progression through what might otherwise appear to be a normal young adult story we soon discover quite skillfully paces us toward the development of their not-so-ordinary lives.
The two worlds of Earth and Eruditus function in different spatial and time realities, so the reader must wait before further action develops to advance the fight between the Galinea and the evil we begin to sense. McGrath intentionally intersperses the issues the two teenagers must confront on earth with the issues they deal with during their training visits to Eruditus. Though at times the pace may appear to meander, he always brings us full circle to the main theme, advancing the character's integrity and goodness even though it is darkly challenged. McGrath's interplay between good and evil, presented as relatable issues to teenagers on our earth plane and shrouded in the more esoteric issues of another invisible universe, he masters brilliantly in the form of the character Madison, the ultimate temptress to David's power and integrity. The tensions rise, the ante is upped and in the end we are hanging on to hope as an ugly battle is fought and the goodness of the entire earth is threatened by the Shroud. How does David overcome his temptations in the end? Will he succumb to the temptation of power or dig deep within himself to offer the ultimate solution to conquer the shroud? In the midst of ordinary teenage life in a world rife with struggle, political chaos, cultural conflict and pain is it possible to rise above? This is the question that McGrath so beautifully addresses to the young adult and for that alone he deserves the highest praise.
McGrath's story renews the struggle between good and evil. One might have thought this theme had been thoroughly routed in classic best-selling series such as Star Wars, Harry Potter and Twilight, but Shrouded Secrets makes a strong bid at keeping company with these epics. It could be best described as Young Adult, but because it has all the makings of classic other-worldly adventure, I believe it would appeal to fans of science fiction as well. I highly recommend it and look forward to a possible sequel! On my book blog www.literary-magic.com I've given it 5 out of a possible 5 Magic Books.
Shrouded Secrets is Joel T. McGrath's debut novel, a story that will immerse the reader in a world where an alternate reality can be accessed through hidden portals, but only if you are an Eruditian, or at least half Eruditian, like David and Danielle James. In many ways they are just like other teenagers living in San Diego, but they've inherited the legacy of their deceased father, one of the greatest Galinea, warriors of Eruditus who wield unearthly powers to fight against the evil "Shroud".
We first meet David and Danielle as typical teenagers dealing with the break-up of their family. Their step-father has left their mother; the family faces financial struggles; David is constantly bullied and Danielle falls a little too easily under the influence of the wrong peers. To relieve some of the family's stress, their grandfather invites the two teenagers to New Hampshire during the summer break and there they meet Appollos, a Galinea posing as Paul, their grandfather's paperboy. Their friendship with Paul introduces David to the existence of a world that isn't exactly as it seems. David's dreams take on a deeper reality and then one day while he and his sister get lost in the woods, they come across a railroad stationhouse strangely situated in the middle of nowhere. This house holds the key to connecting David and Danielle's world, Earth, with Eruditus, in the form of a mysterious kaleidoscope that David finds there, but they have yet to discover its use.
When David and Danielle return to San Diego for the school year, they have a new sense of themselves. Unaware of the powers of the kaleidoscope, David and Danielle still have issues to address. Both grow and become empowered when up against their adversaries in high school, always by taking the higher moral ground in confrontations. McGrath develops very real issues of teenagers by writing well-crafted dialogue. We can relate to David and Danielle on a very down-to-earth level. His succinct progression through what might otherwise appear to be a normal young adult story we soon discover quite skillfully paces us toward the development of their not-so-ordinary lives.
The two worlds of Earth and Eruditus function in different spatial and time realities, so the reader must wait before further action develops to advance the fight between the Galinea and the evil we begin to sense. McGrath intentionally intersperses the issues the two teenagers must confront on earth with the issues they deal with during their training visits to Eruditus. Though at times the pace may appear to meander, he always brings us full circle to the main theme, advancing the character's integrity and goodness even though it is darkly challenged. McGrath's interplay between good and evil, presented as relatable issues to teenagers on our earth plane and shrouded in the more esoteric issues of another invisible universe, he masters brilliantly in the form of the character Madison, the ultimate temptress to David's power and integrity. The tensions rise, the ante is upped and in the end we are hanging on to hope as an ugly battle is fought and the goodness of the entire earth is threatened by the Shroud. How does David overcome his temptations in the end? Will he succumb to the temptation of power or dig deep within himself to offer the ultimate solution to conquer the shroud? In the midst of ordinary teenage life in a world rife with struggle, political chaos, cultural conflict and pain is it possible to rise above? This is the question that McGrath so beautifully addresses to the young adult and for that alone he deserves the highest praise.
McGrath's story renews the struggle between good and evil. One might have thought this theme had been thoroughly routed in classic best-selling series such as Star Wars, Harry Potter and Twilight, but Shrouded Secrets makes a strong bid at keeping company with these epics. It could be best described as Young Adult, but because it has all the makings of classic other-worldly adventure, I believe it would appeal to fans of science fiction as well. I highly recommend it and look forward to a possible sequel! On my book blog www.literary-magic.com I've given it 5 out of a possible 5 Magic Books.
May 7, 2012
Shrouded Secrets by Joel T. McGrath is about two earthly teenagers, brother David and sister Danielle sent to visit their grandfather in New Hampshire and bored went exploring one days into the woods and find an abandoned train depot. What they did not know was they were standing on a portal to another dimension.
Meanwhile in another realm in danger of being destoryed the Almighty sent his son to seek for the purest warriors on the earthly realm and when needed to bring them back to their world to teach them lessons they would need and necessary if the two realms were going to survive it betrayal from rebels who stole the energy necessary to maintain their realm. Paul/Appollos adapts to the earthly realm and bonds with the two and the fun begins. Paul the son gave David a gift which was a means to entered into the other realm and he leaves a note telling the earth teen when the time is right he will be called to Paul's dimension, his world and the adventures will begin.
The author is writing this as a supernatural fantasy but has some lessons woven into the story, the two teenagers are going through a difficult separation the one year anniversary when they beloved step father walked out on them with no explanations.
Danielle rebelled and became difficult to handle for her single mother and her brother became the peace maker and accept all the guilt of the hurting family. He was afraid of many things in life, bullies, and other things as well as Danielle but on this adventure they both faced their fears and overcome their phobias.
They go back home to their mother and continue their reality as high school students with the regular teenagers angst, bullies, finding themselves and Danielle relaized her mom could not carried the household bills and secretly accepted a weekend job to earn her own income. The sibling rivalary between the two is normal and in secret when faced with a challenge or threat they will protect each other but denied the bond.
Sometime months later the gift that Paul/Appollos gave activated and it lead the two teenagers to the docks to a portal to Paul's world Euruditus and now they are in danger and need to equipped themselves with their abilities to fight they hidden foes out to kill them.
The training begins as well as the adventures to train yet be on the look-out for the traitors who are hunting them to stop the two warriors from achieving their abilities and became the defenders of both realms.
This story is about two teenagers faced with difficult choices and need to accept maturity and their destiny otherwise the home they came from Earth and the world their biological father was part of will be destroyed. This tale is a good choice for all ages it has fantasy suspense and life lessons young children could learn and for adults to become familiar with again. A summer time tale to be read at family time or to have a fun escape.
Highly recommend and you can go to Amazon link and see for yourselves.
http://www.amazon.com/Shrouded-Secret...
4 stars
Meanwhile in another realm in danger of being destoryed the Almighty sent his son to seek for the purest warriors on the earthly realm and when needed to bring them back to their world to teach them lessons they would need and necessary if the two realms were going to survive it betrayal from rebels who stole the energy necessary to maintain their realm. Paul/Appollos adapts to the earthly realm and bonds with the two and the fun begins. Paul the son gave David a gift which was a means to entered into the other realm and he leaves a note telling the earth teen when the time is right he will be called to Paul's dimension, his world and the adventures will begin.
The author is writing this as a supernatural fantasy but has some lessons woven into the story, the two teenagers are going through a difficult separation the one year anniversary when they beloved step father walked out on them with no explanations.
Danielle rebelled and became difficult to handle for her single mother and her brother became the peace maker and accept all the guilt of the hurting family. He was afraid of many things in life, bullies, and other things as well as Danielle but on this adventure they both faced their fears and overcome their phobias.
They go back home to their mother and continue their reality as high school students with the regular teenagers angst, bullies, finding themselves and Danielle relaized her mom could not carried the household bills and secretly accepted a weekend job to earn her own income. The sibling rivalary between the two is normal and in secret when faced with a challenge or threat they will protect each other but denied the bond.
Sometime months later the gift that Paul/Appollos gave activated and it lead the two teenagers to the docks to a portal to Paul's world Euruditus and now they are in danger and need to equipped themselves with their abilities to fight they hidden foes out to kill them.
The training begins as well as the adventures to train yet be on the look-out for the traitors who are hunting them to stop the two warriors from achieving their abilities and became the defenders of both realms.
This story is about two teenagers faced with difficult choices and need to accept maturity and their destiny otherwise the home they came from Earth and the world their biological father was part of will be destroyed. This tale is a good choice for all ages it has fantasy suspense and life lessons young children could learn and for adults to become familiar with again. A summer time tale to be read at family time or to have a fun escape.
Highly recommend and you can go to Amazon link and see for yourselves.
http://www.amazon.com/Shrouded-Secret...
4 stars
August 2, 2011
Reviewed for Wickedly Bookish
http://wickedlybookish.blogspot.com/
David and Danielle James are your everyday brother and sister; they argue, David bugs the crap out of his big sister, Danielle treats her brother like a nuisance, and underneath it all they really love each other. What these two don't know is that their normal lives are about to be turned upside down as they discover their hidden roots.
Shrouded Secrets reminds me of an old school fantasy book in that McGrath takes his time building up his characters so that you notice the subtle changes they go through that foreshadow the kind of person they will end up being. The world and culture of Eruditus are carefully constructed and introduced to the reader as if they too are a passenger on this fantastical ride. The problem I had was that I felt like this was a draft rather than a final product. Some of the dialogue and description was a bit wordy and could do with an edit. Shrouded Secrets has the potential to stand up there with titles like The Lightning Thief, but lacks a certain sparkly final coat.
This is a book parents will want their pre-teens to read. The situations and characters are very YA, but unlike other YA titles, you can trust that your kids are getting something really good out of their reading experience. The dialogue is relate-able, yet wholesome and the underlying messages of self-awareness and responsibility wrapped in a sci-fi fantasy package will leave them with concepts they can use in everyday life.
Overall, Shrouded Secrets is a heartfelt first installment to a series that has the potential to become a classic. Certain scenes really grabbed me on an emotional level. Without spoiling the main plot points, McGrath creates such a innately evil, totally dislike-able character in Madison that I whooped when she finally got what was coming to her. Also, I cried when I thought my favorite character was going to die. The character really became that real for me that I feared for his/her life. So now Mr. McGrath, you can say you made me cry, which is a difficult thing to do when it comes to books and movies. You see, McGrath's debut novel is no mindless read like most YA books today, which is why I recommend it. However, it may not appeal to more adult minds until it gets that final coat.
http://wickedlybookish.blogspot.com/
David and Danielle James are your everyday brother and sister; they argue, David bugs the crap out of his big sister, Danielle treats her brother like a nuisance, and underneath it all they really love each other. What these two don't know is that their normal lives are about to be turned upside down as they discover their hidden roots.
Shrouded Secrets reminds me of an old school fantasy book in that McGrath takes his time building up his characters so that you notice the subtle changes they go through that foreshadow the kind of person they will end up being. The world and culture of Eruditus are carefully constructed and introduced to the reader as if they too are a passenger on this fantastical ride. The problem I had was that I felt like this was a draft rather than a final product. Some of the dialogue and description was a bit wordy and could do with an edit. Shrouded Secrets has the potential to stand up there with titles like The Lightning Thief, but lacks a certain sparkly final coat.
This is a book parents will want their pre-teens to read. The situations and characters are very YA, but unlike other YA titles, you can trust that your kids are getting something really good out of their reading experience. The dialogue is relate-able, yet wholesome and the underlying messages of self-awareness and responsibility wrapped in a sci-fi fantasy package will leave them with concepts they can use in everyday life.
Overall, Shrouded Secrets is a heartfelt first installment to a series that has the potential to become a classic. Certain scenes really grabbed me on an emotional level. Without spoiling the main plot points, McGrath creates such a innately evil, totally dislike-able character in Madison that I whooped when she finally got what was coming to her. Also, I cried when I thought my favorite character was going to die. The character really became that real for me that I feared for his/her life. So now Mr. McGrath, you can say you made me cry, which is a difficult thing to do when it comes to books and movies. You see, McGrath's debut novel is no mindless read like most YA books today, which is why I recommend it. However, it may not appeal to more adult minds until it gets that final coat.
April 5, 2011
Right from the start, I was drawn into this story as the author introduced two different worlds. His well chosen words illustrated the settings and interesting characters. By chapter two, I was in for sure, as siblings David and Dannie visit Gramps in New Hampshire. This was an unsuspecting yet perfect setting for the story to start unfolding, and it did. Myself, a NH resident and lover, I can say that he nailed it and can take you there too.
The story kept me enthralled chapter by chapter to the end - there are no flat spots. I thoroughly enjoyed his imagination and his take on good versus evil. I feel that he must have early influences in classics like Star Wars, but yet his work is 100% original and believable. These seemingly normal brother and sister develop super powers while contending with pretty realistic teenage tribulations, but yet there’s nothing predictable about it.
The transitions were seamless, storyline was dynamic, and the characters were developed until I knew them and could picture them. Even as an adult, I can relate to their thoughts and emotions. In describing what the characters are thinking and feeling, it seems the author unknowingly lets you into his own head a little.
The author brought me on a journey, but unlike so many sci-fi endings, left me with closure and hope. I look forward to finding out more about David and Dannie, so I do hope that McGrath is working on the sequel.
September 5, 2011
"When a teenage brother and sister inherit secret metaphysical powers, they are unknowingly hunted by a group of clandestine immortals. While one of the siblings will reluctantly choose the path of righteousness, the other will defiantly dabble with the promise of true power and the darkness that accompanies it."
Joel T. McGrath is quite simply a brilliant writer. That said, in Shrouded Secrets, he has created a whole new world,peopled by original and well drawn characters, a fast paced plot and a wonderful senseof location. David James, the main character is quite an accomplishment- a character made so real and human- in a world unlike any we have know- this takes true skills- and in the hands of a master storyteller like Joel T. McGrath- it works perfectly!!
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
Joel T. McGrath is quite simply a brilliant writer. That said, in Shrouded Secrets, he has created a whole new world,peopled by original and well drawn characters, a fast paced plot and a wonderful senseof location. David James, the main character is quite an accomplishment- a character made so real and human- in a world unlike any we have know- this takes true skills- and in the hands of a master storyteller like Joel T. McGrath- it works perfectly!!
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
May 19, 2012
Shrouded Secrets by Joel T. McGrath is about two earthly teenagers, brother David and sister Danielle sent to visit their grandfather in New Hampshire and bored went exploring one days into the woods and find an abandoned train depot. What they did not know was they were standing on a portal to another dimension.
Meanwhile in another realm in danger of being destroyed the Almighty sent his son to seek for the purest warriors on the earthly realm and when needed to bring them back to their world to teach them lessons they would need and necessary if the two realms were going to survive it betrayal from rebels who stole the energy necessary to maintain their realm.
Paul/Appollos adapts to the earthly realm and bonds with the two and the fun begins. Paul the son gave David a gift which was a means to entered into the other realm and he leaves a note telling the earth teen when the time is right he will be called to Paul's dimension, his world and the adventures will begin.
The author is writing this as a supernatural fantasy but has some lessons woven into the story, the two teenagers are going through a difficult separation the one year anniversary when they beloved step father walked out on them with no explanations.
Danielle rebelled and became difficult to handle for her single mother and her brother became the peace maker and accept all the guilt of the hurting family. He was afraid of many things in life, bullies, and other things as well as Danielle but on this adventure they both faced their fears and overcome their phobias.
They go back home to their mother and continue their reality as high school students with the regular teenagers angst, bullies, finding themselves and Danielle relaized her mom could not carried the household bills and secretly accepted a weekend job to earn her own income. The sibling rivalary between the two is normal and in secret when faced with a challenge or threat they will protect each other but denied the bond.
Sometime months later the gift that Paul/Appollos gave activated and it lead the two teenagers to the docks to a portal to Paul's world Euruditus and now they are in danger and need to equipped themselves with their abilities to fight they hidden foes out to kill them.
The training begins as well as the adventures to train yet be on the look-out for the traitors who are hunting them to stop the two warriors from achieving their abilities and became the defenders of both realms.
This story is about two teenagers faced with difficult choices and need to accept maturity and their destiny otherwise the home they came from Earth and the world their biological father was part of will be destroyed. This tale is a good choice for all ages it has fantasy suspense and life lessons young children could learn and for adults to become familiar with again. A summer time tale to be read at family time or to have a fun escape.
Highly recommend and you can go to Amazon link and see for yourselves.
http://www.amazon.com/Shrouded-Secret...
Meanwhile in another realm in danger of being destroyed the Almighty sent his son to seek for the purest warriors on the earthly realm and when needed to bring them back to their world to teach them lessons they would need and necessary if the two realms were going to survive it betrayal from rebels who stole the energy necessary to maintain their realm.
Paul/Appollos adapts to the earthly realm and bonds with the two and the fun begins. Paul the son gave David a gift which was a means to entered into the other realm and he leaves a note telling the earth teen when the time is right he will be called to Paul's dimension, his world and the adventures will begin.
The author is writing this as a supernatural fantasy but has some lessons woven into the story, the two teenagers are going through a difficult separation the one year anniversary when they beloved step father walked out on them with no explanations.
Danielle rebelled and became difficult to handle for her single mother and her brother became the peace maker and accept all the guilt of the hurting family. He was afraid of many things in life, bullies, and other things as well as Danielle but on this adventure they both faced their fears and overcome their phobias.
They go back home to their mother and continue their reality as high school students with the regular teenagers angst, bullies, finding themselves and Danielle relaized her mom could not carried the household bills and secretly accepted a weekend job to earn her own income. The sibling rivalary between the two is normal and in secret when faced with a challenge or threat they will protect each other but denied the bond.
Sometime months later the gift that Paul/Appollos gave activated and it lead the two teenagers to the docks to a portal to Paul's world Euruditus and now they are in danger and need to equipped themselves with their abilities to fight they hidden foes out to kill them.
The training begins as well as the adventures to train yet be on the look-out for the traitors who are hunting them to stop the two warriors from achieving their abilities and became the defenders of both realms.
This story is about two teenagers faced with difficult choices and need to accept maturity and their destiny otherwise the home they came from Earth and the world their biological father was part of will be destroyed. This tale is a good choice for all ages it has fantasy suspense and life lessons young children could learn and for adults to become familiar with again. A summer time tale to be read at family time or to have a fun escape.
Highly recommend and you can go to Amazon link and see for yourselves.
http://www.amazon.com/Shrouded-Secret...
August 23, 2011
Shrouded Secrets is Joel T. McGrath's debut novel, a story that will immerse the reader in a world where an alternate reality can be accessed through hidden portals, but only if you are an Eruditian, or at least half Eruditian, like David and Danielle James. In many ways they are just like other teenagers living in San Diego, but they've inherited the legacy of their deceased father, one of the greatest Galinea, warriors of Eruditus who wield unearthly powers to fight against the evil "Shroud".
We first meet David and Danielle as typical teenagers dealing with the break-up of their family. Their step-father has left their mother; the family faces financial struggles; David is constantly bullied and Danielle falls a little too easily under the influence of the wrong peers. To relieve some of the family's stress, their grandfather invites the two teenagers to New Hampshire during the summer break and there they meet Appollos, a Galinea posing as Paul, their grandfather's paperboy. Their friendship with Paul introduces David to the existence of a world that isn't exactly as it seems. David's dreams take on a deeper reality and then one day while he and his sister get lost in the woods, they come across a railroad stationhouse strangely situated in the middle of nowhere. This house holds the key to connecting David and Danielle's world, Earth, with Eruditus, in the form of a mysterious kaleidoscope that David finds there, but they have yet to discover its use.
When David and Danielle return to San Diego for the school year, they have a new sense of themselves. Unaware of the powers of the kaleidoscope, David and Danielle still have issues to address. Both grow and become empowered when up against their adversaries in high school, always by taking the higher moral ground in confrontations. We can relate to David and Danielle on a very down-to-earth level.
McGrath's story renews the struggle between good and evil. One might have thought this theme had been thoroughly routed in classic best-selling series such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, but Shrouded Secrets makes a strong bid at keeping company with these epics. I believe this book would appeal to fans of science fiction.
We first meet David and Danielle as typical teenagers dealing with the break-up of their family. Their step-father has left their mother; the family faces financial struggles; David is constantly bullied and Danielle falls a little too easily under the influence of the wrong peers. To relieve some of the family's stress, their grandfather invites the two teenagers to New Hampshire during the summer break and there they meet Appollos, a Galinea posing as Paul, their grandfather's paperboy. Their friendship with Paul introduces David to the existence of a world that isn't exactly as it seems. David's dreams take on a deeper reality and then one day while he and his sister get lost in the woods, they come across a railroad stationhouse strangely situated in the middle of nowhere. This house holds the key to connecting David and Danielle's world, Earth, with Eruditus, in the form of a mysterious kaleidoscope that David finds there, but they have yet to discover its use.
When David and Danielle return to San Diego for the school year, they have a new sense of themselves. Unaware of the powers of the kaleidoscope, David and Danielle still have issues to address. Both grow and become empowered when up against their adversaries in high school, always by taking the higher moral ground in confrontations. We can relate to David and Danielle on a very down-to-earth level.
McGrath's story renews the struggle between good and evil. One might have thought this theme had been thoroughly routed in classic best-selling series such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, but Shrouded Secrets makes a strong bid at keeping company with these epics. I believe this book would appeal to fans of science fiction.
August 2, 2011
When I picked this book up, I had no idea what to expect. I found out that sometimes going into something without expectations can be a good thing. For instance, I went to see Super-8 this summer because it was hyped as the best movie since...since...I don't know, but they way hyped it up. I grabbed my concealed smacks, bought my ticket and prepared for the best movie that I'd probably ever seen, but it sucked and I wanted my money back.
Now that I've vented about failed, over-hyped expectations, I'll get to this book. The first few pages were awesome-you jump right into the action and you're left wondering the whole way how it's gonna go down in the end. It gets a little slow for a while, but the dialogue stays is crisp and true. By the time the world building happens, it doesn't feel too rushed since you get a small dose of it in the beginning.
I thought David had anger management issues, but they were relatable. His friend Ryan was a piece of needless luggage. Danielle was selfish in the beginning, but I understood why she was such a jerk, and actually started to dig her by the end. I liked the football $ricks, they remind me of the $ricks at my school, and let's see...what else...Seth was a cool guy, it's probably why I ended up liking Danielle in the end, well, until she...Never mind, don't wanna give it away.
Eruditus was pretty an awesome place. I only wish the author could have spent more time there, and less time other places. All in all, I wanted to read more, and while it wasn't totally perfect, I want to read the second in the series now. The ending was one of the best endings that I've seen in a while, and it wasn't a horrible cliffhanger like so many stupid series for the purpose of writing a series are these days.
The powers, and weapons were, um...sweet. The best way that I can describe it would be, Harry Potter, meets Star Wars, meets Highlander, meets like Friday Night Lights.
More reviews to come, now that I've got some time to do them.
Now that I've vented about failed, over-hyped expectations, I'll get to this book. The first few pages were awesome-you jump right into the action and you're left wondering the whole way how it's gonna go down in the end. It gets a little slow for a while, but the dialogue stays is crisp and true. By the time the world building happens, it doesn't feel too rushed since you get a small dose of it in the beginning.
I thought David had anger management issues, but they were relatable. His friend Ryan was a piece of needless luggage. Danielle was selfish in the beginning, but I understood why she was such a jerk, and actually started to dig her by the end. I liked the football $ricks, they remind me of the $ricks at my school, and let's see...what else...Seth was a cool guy, it's probably why I ended up liking Danielle in the end, well, until she...Never mind, don't wanna give it away.
Eruditus was pretty an awesome place. I only wish the author could have spent more time there, and less time other places. All in all, I wanted to read more, and while it wasn't totally perfect, I want to read the second in the series now. The ending was one of the best endings that I've seen in a while, and it wasn't a horrible cliffhanger like so many stupid series for the purpose of writing a series are these days.
The powers, and weapons were, um...sweet. The best way that I can describe it would be, Harry Potter, meets Star Wars, meets Highlander, meets like Friday Night Lights.
More reviews to come, now that I've got some time to do them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2013
A breath of fresh "fantasy" air in the angst ridden 1st person or many POV writing in "fashion' of YA today, Shrouded Secrets is intelligent storytelling.
Joel T.Mcgrath "tells" you the story in such a majestic cinematic way,in my head I hear a beautiful voice of the likes of Ian McKellan or Morgan Freeman narrating!
In the beginning the two siblings Danielle & David seem like young Mulder & Scully to me. Teenage bratty know it all "Scully" Danielle not seeing farther than what she already knows even when everything is changing around her to David's inquisitive, good natured open to the fantastical "Mulder". The characters "evolve" before are very eyes (not as you expect) as this new world of Eruditus with the ancient "Jedi" like power of the Artifex impacts their lives.
At points the change from one character to another is jarring, something that gets better as you go along (an artist tweaking, honing his craft)& one "love interest" kind of becomes a "big deal" without a seeming foundation, but the overall story is such a delight for our fantasy taste buds that you forget all about it. (This story is about the evolution of the characters of these children & their "mission" to save the 2 realms not a love triangle)
This realm of Eruditus is so enganging, as is their "proper" manner of speaking with interesting words like lumatwinks & lumabursts, making them all that more "epic". A fantastical realm of immortals, weapons that you will into existence, ancient mystical powers & prophecies, & great storytelling, what more do you need to get cracking and read this book?
Joel T.Mcgrath "tells" you the story in such a majestic cinematic way,in my head I hear a beautiful voice of the likes of Ian McKellan or Morgan Freeman narrating!
In the beginning the two siblings Danielle & David seem like young Mulder & Scully to me. Teenage bratty know it all "Scully" Danielle not seeing farther than what she already knows even when everything is changing around her to David's inquisitive, good natured open to the fantastical "Mulder". The characters "evolve" before are very eyes (not as you expect) as this new world of Eruditus with the ancient "Jedi" like power of the Artifex impacts their lives.
At points the change from one character to another is jarring, something that gets better as you go along (an artist tweaking, honing his craft)& one "love interest" kind of becomes a "big deal" without a seeming foundation, but the overall story is such a delight for our fantasy taste buds that you forget all about it. (This story is about the evolution of the characters of these children & their "mission" to save the 2 realms not a love triangle)
This realm of Eruditus is so enganging, as is their "proper" manner of speaking with interesting words like lumatwinks & lumabursts, making them all that more "epic". A fantastical realm of immortals, weapons that you will into existence, ancient mystical powers & prophecies, & great storytelling, what more do you need to get cracking and read this book?
April 5, 2011
Shrouded Secrets is firmly in the YA category, from home situations between siblings and figures of authority to the daily school routine. Throw in a strange vacation, and you have the interest of your reader...but when that strangeness spills over into ordinary life, you have a tale worth following. I have to insert here that ‘Shrouded Secrets’ is a great title- it certainly grabbed my attention.
The story is good. A world that exists in the dark matter surrounding us, much like Earth...with a few tweaks. A boy able to step through the thinning to help Earth, and a boy from our world able to wield the power of that other place. And a supporting cast both otherworldly and ordinary.
However, I feel Shrouded Secrets needs a little tweaking itself. It reads (to a fellow writer) like a first draft, when we make the mistake of inserting too many adjectives and extra words. There is as well a sense of formality many YA readers may not identify with. The pace is a little slow. From my perspective, I would like to see Shrouded Secrets undergo a thorough edit...and then the tale will shine bright.
The story is good. A world that exists in the dark matter surrounding us, much like Earth...with a few tweaks. A boy able to step through the thinning to help Earth, and a boy from our world able to wield the power of that other place. And a supporting cast both otherworldly and ordinary.
However, I feel Shrouded Secrets needs a little tweaking itself. It reads (to a fellow writer) like a first draft, when we make the mistake of inserting too many adjectives and extra words. There is as well a sense of formality many YA readers may not identify with. The pace is a little slow. From my perspective, I would like to see Shrouded Secrets undergo a thorough edit...and then the tale will shine bright.
August 2, 2011
This book was a diamond in the rough. I came across it by accident, and enjoyed it greatly. I could see this novel making a serious run at a top spot in the literary world, and here's why:
1. Great action out of the gate
2. No crazy love triangles, but a refreshing romance that blossoms more naturally over the course of the book.
3. Lots of betrayals, as in everyday life, unfortunately. But this is fiction, so it's fun.
4. Very good secondary friends and enemies.
5. Very unique concept, it's like getting four stories in one.
6. Something for everyone
7. Good and evil is back, and not predictably so at all. Oh, and great fighting scenes
With that being said, I read Shrouded Secrets a while back, so I'll have to read it again before the next in the series comes out.
1. Great action out of the gate
2. No crazy love triangles, but a refreshing romance that blossoms more naturally over the course of the book.
3. Lots of betrayals, as in everyday life, unfortunately. But this is fiction, so it's fun.
4. Very good secondary friends and enemies.
5. Very unique concept, it's like getting four stories in one.
6. Something for everyone
7. Good and evil is back, and not predictably so at all. Oh, and great fighting scenes
With that being said, I read Shrouded Secrets a while back, so I'll have to read it again before the next in the series comes out.
September 6, 2011
"When a teenage brother and sister inherit secret metaphysical powers, they are unknowingly hunted by a group of clandestine immortals. While one of the siblings will reluctantly choose the path of righteousness, the other will defiantly dabble with the promise of true power and the darkness that accompanies it."
Joel T. McGrath is quite simply a brilliant writer. That said, in Shrouded Secrets, he has created a whole new world,peopled by original and well drawn characters, a fast paced plot and a wonderful senseof location. David James, the main character is quite an accomplishment- a character made so real and human- in a world unlike any we have know- this takes true skills- and in the hands of a master storyteller like Joel T. McGrath- it works perfectly!!
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
Joel T. McGrath is quite simply a brilliant writer. That said, in Shrouded Secrets, he has created a whole new world,peopled by original and well drawn characters, a fast paced plot and a wonderful senseof location. David James, the main character is quite an accomplishment- a character made so real and human- in a world unlike any we have know- this takes true skills- and in the hands of a master storyteller like Joel T. McGrath- it works perfectly!!
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
March 24, 2012
I struggled to finish this book. Not because it was uninteresting or not well written but because I just knew that any story written about siblings with powers would naturally gravitate to one being "good" vs. one being "bad." That combined with starting it while I was on vacation made getting through it a bit difficult.
However, McGrath manages to create a teen boy hero with all the real foibles found in today's teens. In addition, David's character is not dependent on his sister and can easily become a stand alone character is future books. As a plus, this book is a stand alone. McGrath did not leave us with unanswered questions, but could easily develop new situations for future books. I really hate those books that leave me hanging.
If sequals are written, I will definitely read them.
However, McGrath manages to create a teen boy hero with all the real foibles found in today's teens. In addition, David's character is not dependent on his sister and can easily become a stand alone character is future books. As a plus, this book is a stand alone. McGrath did not leave us with unanswered questions, but could easily develop new situations for future books. I really hate those books that leave me hanging.
If sequals are written, I will definitely read them.
September 8, 2011
I received this book as no charge from Goodreads as a First Read in order to give a critique on this book. The characters, David, Danielle and their friends and family were extremely believable in their mannerisms and reactions to unusual circumstances. I enjoyed the interactions and family dynamics and could easily see the situations and some of the tough decisions.
However, I felt there were a few loose ends and am hoping that some of them result in additional books with these characters as they grow and mature.
As a summary: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be encouraging my friends and family (especially the younger ones to read this, with their parents approval).
I would love to be included in any new books that you publish.
Linda Burns
However, I felt there were a few loose ends and am hoping that some of them result in additional books with these characters as they grow and mature.
As a summary: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be encouraging my friends and family (especially the younger ones to read this, with their parents approval).
I would love to be included in any new books that you publish.
Linda Burns
April 5, 2011
Joel McGrath the author of Shrouded Secrets, has written a wonderful young adult novel. The book was an easy read and made you feel as if you were apart of David and Danielle's world. The struggle between right and wrong left you sitting on the edge of your seat. Shrouded Secrets for me was a real page turner. Joel's descriptive tone made you feel as if you were walking along side of the characters. Although it is a work of fiction it has deep undertones of what our society faces on a day to day basis. I recommend this book for all. Give it two thumbs up!!!!!!
January 13, 2012
From the first chapter I was already drawn into the book. I live in New Hampshire so it was cool reading about the Laconia area, and the Alton Bay area as I know these places very well! Most of the time I had to force myself to put the book down, I just couldn't stop reading! I would definitely recommend this book to read!!
August 6, 2011
I enjoyed the book. It had a great story and some interesting characters. I wish they had talked more about Appollos and the girl he loved. That part was very vague. I would recommend this for young adult readers and even older readers.
September 4, 2012
I highly recommend this book for anyone
FTC: I received a free copy of this book and was not reimbursed in any other way.
FTC: I received a free copy of this book and was not reimbursed in any other way.
March 6, 2013
Review to come.
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