The Warrior Heir (The Heir Chronicles, #1)

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The Warrior Heir (The Heir Chronicles #1)

by Cinda Williams Chima (Goodreads Author)

4.01 · rating details · 9,490 ratings · 1,136 reviews

Before he knew about the Roses, 16-year-old Jack lived an unremarkable life in the small Ohio town of Trinity. Only the medicine he has to take daily and the thick scar above his heart set him apart from the other high-schoolers. Then one day Jack skips his medicine. Suddenly, he is stronger, fiercer, and more confident than ever before. And it feels great until he loses c...more

Paperback, 426 pages

Published February 27th 2007 by Hyperion (first published January 1st 2006)

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Community Reviews

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May 08, 2010

Meredith rated it

Shelves: library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I gave it two stars based on the goodreads ranking of "it was ok." That sums Warrior Heir up well, not bad enough to recommend against it, but nothing special. This author strikes me as someone who grew up reading fantasy and became enamored with the idea of creating her own world like the great fantasy writers before her. However, this story has nothing approaching of the depth of Middle Earth, Narnia, Hogwarts, or even Sunnydale. A couple locations in Trinity, Ohio and Jack's hometow...moreI gave it two stars based on the goodreads ranking of "it was ok." That sums Warrior Heir up well, not bad enough to recommend against it, but nothing special. This author strikes me as someone who grew up reading fantasy and became enamored with the idea of creating her own world like the great fantasy writers before her. However, this story has nothing approaching of the depth of Middle Earth, Narnia, Hogwarts, or even Sunnydale. A couple locations in Trinity, Ohio and Jack's hometown have some detail and, therefore, substance, but places like the battleground and the country of England are indistinct and have no life to them.

The characters are a bit bland, too. I was warming up to Jack midway through the book, but there's still not a lot of dimension to any of the characters. The villains are evil enough to dislike, but not evil enough to inspire much concern for their activities. The heroes have some flaws, but are still really good people in their hearts. And no one is funny enough or independently interesting enough to make up for the lot of them. Probably the most interesting is a relatively minor character, Jack's mother, and soley for the scene when she stands up to her son's brutish kidnappers in a thoroughly lawyerly fashion. But that paragraph just isn't enough to elevate the book to "good" status.

These issues could be ignored, maybe, if something else made up for it like the plot or a fascinating insight into anything about our world or really cool superpowers. Again, all of these things are too underdeveloped to carry the novel. More then once while reading the book, I realized that nothing had happened for far too long other than a laundry list of how the characters were passing the time. The only insight the book seemed to offer is that slavery is wrong in a vague sense that doesn't have to be explained because it's already accepted throughout the western world (and the book's audience base). And the powers... might be cool? Maybe if I knew more about them other than some people secretly have them. *What do they do? Wizard things! Or warrior things! You read Harry Potter right? It's like that, but without wands!* Sorry, that's how I imagine the pitch will go when the movie rights are optioned.

Also, the War of the Roses has a romantic ring, but let it go. The English did, so can the 8-14 year old girl inside all of us whose ears perked up the first time she heard that name. I know it conjures up amazing imagery without a bit of work for you, but that's the problem, isn't it? Think up your own imagery. Don't pretend this war was secretly carried on for hundreds of years after it officially ended by a sect of people who are fighting for something that has nothing to do with the actual war. I don't care if it sounds pretty, it makes no sense.

All that being said, I think the other word to sum the book up is "underdeveloped." It's some fine preliminary work, now run with it. This author needs a good editor who can push her past filler and into specificity. And who can say things like, "The War of the Roses has been done. It ended. Try again." But maybe she found one, because I hear The Warrior Heir is only worth reading as a set up for the sequel The Wizard Heir. It's on my shelf, so we'll see.(less)

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Nov 24, 2011

Becky rated it

Shelves: read-for-review

The Warrior Heir is a fantasy story which is set in the contemporary world. It is a hero’s journey tale full of adventure and mystery.

Jack is sixteen and since he had heart surgery as a child, he has been dependent on medicine to keep him alive. Jack has never forgotten to take his medicine but on the day of the soccer team tryouts, he does just that and his ordinary small town life suddenly begins to change. Jack is one of the Weirlind. He was born a wizard but his wizard’s s...moreThe Warrior Heir is a fantasy story which is set in the contemporary world. It is a hero’s journey tale full of adventure and mystery.

Jack is sixteen and since he had heart surgery as a child, he has been dependent on medicine to keep him alive. Jack has never forgotten to take his medicine but on the day of the soccer team tryouts, he does just that and his ordinary small town life suddenly begins to change. Jack is one of the Weirlind. He was born a wizard but his wizard’s stone was missing – this is what enables the gifted to manifest their powers. The fierce Dr Longbranch replaced his stone but she had her own ambitions in mind. Jack is hidden in the town of Trinity until he inadvertently unleashes his magic. The power surge is detected by those who would harm him and thus he is in mortal danger. But who is after him and why is a mystery he has to discover.

This book was very much a traditional fantasy – the world of the Weirlind was reminiscent of medieval England with the addition of magic and enchantments. There were so many charming details – the clothing for example – which made the story come to life. I particularly liked the mythology and history that the author weaved into the story giving the fantasy an original twist.

However, the plot was very slow to get moving. I don’t think it was helped by an overly long prologue and the style in which the story is told. The use of description sometimes interfered with the rhythm of the dialogue. In the end I found myself skipping sentences; this was not problematic as I could still follow the story perfectly.

Jack is an everyman sort of character. There isn’t necessarily anything distinctive about him – except perhaps his kindness and self-control. I found it difficult to really care about what happened to him in the beginning. But as the story went on, I began to like him through his relationship with his two best friends. I kept reading because I wanted to know what was special about him.

I think this book will have a real appeal for boys – there are sword-fights aplenty, soccer games and loyal friendships. Come to think of it The Warrior Heir will be popular with girls too. Chima adds a feisty heroine into the mix and the sparks really fly! I think it will appeal to fans of Eragon and the myths of King Arthur. An enjoyable fantasy.(less)

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Jan 11, 2009

LastMonk rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Fantasy junkies, teens looking for an enjoyable book NOT loaded with sex and gore.

Recommended to LastMonk by: Actually, I think my mom just picked it up for me because it had

Shelves: new-favorites

The Heir Trilogy, which received great reviews, but somehow never entered the national consciousness, is Chima's first published work. Another story that really gets me excited with inventive concepts and clear imagery, these are really a great read.

The Warrior Heir is the first novel of the trio. We open on a very dramatic prologue, but let's skip that. Now, we meet Jack. (Hi, Jack!)Jack is a pretty nice guy. Good for Jack. But you know there's more than that. Turns out, our hero ha...more

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Sep 02, 2007

Meika rated it

The story itself is riveting. The pace is brisk. I read most of it in one night...and finished the rest of it in the wee hours of the morning. The characters are well developed, human complete with motivations and failings and reserves of personal strength. The world in which the story was set has a pretty sound set of rules, and the magic is very exciting.
That said, I felt like I was reading a draft version at times. The writing itself was opaque. Meaning, author-style-signature aside...more

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Feb 13, 2009

Luann rated it

· review of another edition

Recommended to Luann by: QueenAmidala

Shelves: 2009, fantasy, young-adult, shelf-a-thon1, gr-authors, ms-rec

This is Highlander meets Buffy, and a lot of fun! A centuries old Game is played out involving warriors, wizards, sorcerers, enchanters and soothsayers. I enjoyed this very much and look forward to reading the next two: The Wizard Heir and The Dragon Heir. I guessed several of the surprise twists long before they happened, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story.

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May 21, 2010

Josh rated it

This wasn't the best book I've read in awhile - I didn't find myself trying to make time to finish it. However it had a good, fast paced story with enough intrigue and action to keep it interesting.

The only part that really disappointed me was the ending. You spend 400 pages slowing bringing the book to a climax, then in only a few pages you get this overly dramatic, almost unbelievable, way too happy ending. Sort of felt like a bad Disney movie at the end...

But asid...more

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Feb 28, 2009

Joey rated it

Jack is a normal kid, in a normal neighborhood, with normal friends. Nobody knows he's different from the others... until one day at soccer tryouts, he nearly kills another kid. Jack has an uncommon illness that only warriors of the weir have. He was implanted a warrior stone purposely. He takes his medications every morning to prevent any release of power or magic. One morning, he forgets to take it because he is in a rush to get to school. After school at soccer tryouts, he almost killed a ...more

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Jan 25, 2009

Barky rated it

Shelves: books-for-boys, fantasy, suspense-thriller, young-adult-fiction, magic, mages-wizards, 2009-abe-lincoln-nominee, borrowed-from-the-library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This the first book in a series by Cinda Williams Chima (the others, so far, are The Wizard Heir and The Dragon Heir). Jack is sixteen and he’s been on medication to control a “heart-problem” for all of his life. What he doesn’t know is that his heart surgery – back when he was an infant - involved the placement of a certain stone that gives him powers and a heritage, a warrior stone. Jack was supposed to be a wizard, but he was born without a stone of any kind, and since the surgery, he’s be...moreThis the first book in a series by Cinda Williams Chima (the others, so far, are The Wizard Heir and The Dragon Heir). Jack is sixteen and he’s been on medication to control a “heart-problem” for all of his life. What he doesn’t know is that his heart surgery – back when he was an infant - involved the placement of a certain stone that gives him powers and a heritage, a warrior stone. Jack was supposed to be a wizard, but he was born without a stone of any kind, and since the surgery, he’s been under surveillance by a wizard who plans to use him to advance her own agenda. The medication Jack’s been taking blunts his powers and renders him essentially invisible to other Weirlind (people with powers), but one day he forgets to take it. That’s the day his heritage begins to haunt him and his future rises up to meet him.

Spoilers: Jack’s part of a race of people known as the Weirlind. There are wizards, warriors, enchanters, etc. Each of them has special powers, but the wizards have the most and are in charge of everything. In order to keep them from wielding their terrible power, they invented rules for engagement, and the wizards now have to work through proxies – the warriors – in order to come to power. This has been devastating for the warriors, who are forced to be gladiators for every disagreement between wizards. There are so few warriors now, in fact, that wizards will go to extraordinary ends to capture and train the ones they find and thus maintain their eminence. Once Jack is revealed to them, the race is on – two parties of wizards want to control him and use him in their game, but Jack wants to remain a free-agent. Through the assistance of his aunt and a wizard she brings in to help train him, Jack manages to keep out of the wizard’s clutches. And then he is betrayed by his trainer, who also has an agenda (doesn’t everyone?).

Jack must be his trainer’s champion and his surprise opponent is none other than Ellen, a new girl from his school. She’s been in training all her life, and she has far more experience than Jack. Jack, however, is faster and more powerful, so in some ways they are evenly matched. Jack has no desire to kill Ellen (all fights are to the death), and when he breaks his leg in the midst of their struggle, Ellen finds she has no desire to kill Jack either. This break with tradition gives Jack’s trainer and the legions of slain warriors (who return en masse to protest the rules) the opportunity they need to alter tradition and bring some peace and justice (and a rebalance of power) to the other Weirlind. Obviously, the wizards are not going to allow this to happen without some resistance, so readers can look forward to the continuing story in the sequels.

I really liked the way Cinda Williams Chima wedded fantasy and reality together in this book. It takes place in modern times, but there are all of these secretly ancient and powerful people (similar to Harry Potter, in that there are other places/people unimagined by normal folks). Even after reading this, we really know very little about the history of the Weirlind, and I hope we learn more in the subsequent books. The characters were quite likeable, and there’s obviously a lot of plotting going on that hasn’t been fully revealed. I’m eager to see what comes next. This was a well-written and intriguing beginning.(less)

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Jan 04, 2009

Alain rated it

Recommends it for: Fantasy/story lovers

Recommended to Alain by: sister

The Warrior Heir has a world that you would expect from a fantasy based book and the story is very intriguing and in a way original. The environment and characters are just standard not bad but not anything surprisingly mind blowing. Where the book takes goes down is on the story telling. It just doesn't make you want to read it all the way through. It also doesn't have much action but that just me. The story pretty much is: walk, talk, going to fight but not, more walking and talk. So if any of...more

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Nov 26, 2008

Chelsea rated it

Recommends it for: teens, someone not looking for a masterpiece

I just could NOT get into it. I ended up dropping it after only a few chapters because it seemed like your usual run-of-the-mill, fantasy-for-the-sake-of-it, cliche riddled, ultimately just bad novel. I wasn't intrigued by any of the characters, and even the events of the first few CHAPTERS were predictable. And worst of all, there was nothing to keep me hooked, nothing to hint that it might get better.

Of course, it's possible that I was just too judgmental, seeing as I was ill at th...more

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Jan 12, 2012

Talus rated it

Typical teenage life. Living in a small town, going to school, just living with mom. This is the normal scenario for young Jack Swift, He is a normal teenager who is unaware of his past until a akward confrontation between him and his childhood enemy on the soccer field during tryouts. He somehow throws him in the air and into the goal without touching him. He is baffled at first and then realizes a possible reason. His mom has been giving him heart medication for his entire life and he seemed t...more

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Jan 02, 2012

Ashley Lopez rated it

Not a bad starting novel to what seems to be a promising series. Honestly, I'm a nineteen year old who has a read my fair share of teen fiction and I thought the idea of the book and the characters and the world they are part of is pretty original. Obviously, with all these paranormal teen books out there is going to be some overlap of ideas/concepts but I truly enjoyed reading this book. As for the three stars, I didn't think this book was amazing, I didn't really like it, I just liked it. It w...more

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Nov 27, 2011

Gail rated it

I am a big fan of fantasy. I love it when someone has powers they didn't know they had and find that goodness overcomes bad. In this book Jack is given a warrior stone to save his life as a baby. It is implanted by a doctor who thinks she can train Jack to be the warrior to fight to the death in an orchestrated fight between the red and white roses. Jack is protected by people who care about him and he is raised in a loving environment. The other contender has not been so lucky. She was ra...more

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Nov 26, 2011

Molly (Surrounded By Words) rated it

Shelves: 2009-books

This book sets up an awesome world with warriors, sorcerers, seers, wizards and enchanters. Jack grows up knowing nothing of this world, only that when he was younger, he had heart surgery that saved his life. He definitely gets into more than a bit of trouble when he forgets to take his medicine and faces unexpected consequences. He pretty much blasts another guy during soccer practice! I have this things about watching characters adjust to strengths and abilities they didn't have before, even ...more

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Nov 05, 2011

Tari_roo rated it

Harry Potter, I am no. Four, Percy Jackson (and so many more) – the genre/trope of a young man (on rare occasions woman) finding out they have a) powers and b) belong to a secret society is well established, perhaps overdone and definitely popular. Its also not a new idea, even if turn of the century, early century stories focused more on ordinary children discovery new worlds rather than new things about themselves, this genre of fiction has been around for a long time, both in books, tv serie...moreHarry Potter, I am no. Four, Percy Jackson (and so many more) – the genre/trope of a young man (on rare occasions woman) finding out they have a) powers and b) belong to a secret society is well established, perhaps overdone and definitely popular. Its also not a new idea, even if turn of the century, early century stories focused more on ordinary children discovery new worlds rather than new things about themselves, this genre of fiction has been around for a long time, both in books, tv series and movies. So, how does the Warrior Heir stack up against its competitors, especially the giants like Harry Potter.
The first positive is that the book is not written in first person. This might be a personal peeve, but I am not a fan of first person POV. I find that first person POV limits the depth and detail in some stories as we only get one characters perceptions. Unless the author hops around in the POVs, we are stuck with the main protagonists view point. So, I was pleased that the Warrior Heir was in third person and hopped around in POVs.
Next positive, is the hero himself, Jack. The tendency towards more ‘emo’ and ‘woe is me’ type reactions is a major pitfall for this genre. And while Jack has these moments, the author does not dwell on them, nor belabour the issue. The narrative moves along and live continues. Another positive is the use of flawed characters. I like characters who have blindsides and moments of doubt. And not just the hero, but the supporting characters and ‘mentors’.
The world Chima has created is interesting and links enough into actual history and our current world so as to be believable. An underground society that is not as ‘secret’ as the magical world in Harry Potter, nor as unbelievable as Percy Jackson’s. However, the magical world is the first downside to the book. Its steeped in hierarchy, institutionalised racism, borderline slavery and antiquated laws. I have read enough fanfiction about ‘AU’ worlds where there are second class citizens to feel that this ‘society’ is borderline fanfic. Heck, I’ve written a world like this. It could be great, I do actually like those worlds BUT its also a tough world to write (I know). Blatant racism and superiority complexes are tough pills to swallow these days and while its makes for good villains, you don’t want to nauseate your reader. The downside for the book on this matter was mostly around the lack exploration around what the general populace felt. Its a small thing, and I am keen to see how the following books develop this. On a side note, it is interesting that this genre of books seems to attract the same ideas – of a society with superiority complexes. Mudbloods vs Pure Bloods.
On the whole I really enjoyed the book. It had great pace, excellent writing with good characters. However the villains were... villains. No real depth other than being villains. The heroes were well developed, with good and bad sides. The villains though? No redeeming features. I liked Jack. Its too early to tell if he’s on par with Harry, but I think I like him more than Percy Jackson. Oh, oh, last note. Having typed up the ‘summary’ on the back, I realised its a little misleading. The whole aspect of the ‘choice’ is not really true. It implies Jack can choose which house to serve, that they are going to try win him over. And that’s not the case – Jack has very little choice, its death or death, in the end. Which is why his fight to live is so interesting.
A recommended read, indeed(less)

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Oct 26, 2011

Abby rated it

I thought that the book was amazing myself. I was a whirlwind of dramatic events, including love, friendship, horror, and some pretty gory scenes. The transitions of the chapters were fantastic, and there is a deep meaning evolved with the prolog. The prolog thought, at the beginning, was extremely confusing, and I had no idea why it was placed in the story. I found out close to the end of the story, it all made since. The details and the figurative language made it seem as if I was in Trinity, ...more

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Oct 18, 2011

Jackie rated it

I borrowed this book from a teenage friend of mine; started it, and let it languish while I tried to keep up with my ever-growing pile of books (that I checked out from the library and couldn't renew so I had to read them quickly.) I finally determined I would get it done this week.

As always, I've read several reviews of other readers here on GoodReads. They usually help me refine my own thoughts. And since Fantasy is totally not my chosen genre I welcomed reading some other per...more

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Oct 08, 2011

Mlle. X rated it

Shelves: ya-or-teen-protagonist

THE WARRIOR HEIR is like a cross between HARRY POTTER and THE HUNGER GAMES. And if that makes you wonder if this book was manufactured specifically to give book publicists wet dreams, consider this: HARRY POTTER #1 was first published in 1999, THE HUNGER GAMES was first published in 2008, and THE WARRIOR HEIR was published in 2006. It's not derivative at all, but, rather, a perfect bridge between the two books.

Like in HARRY POTTER, our hero Jack is a teenaged boy who finds out all of...moreTHE WARRIOR HEIR is like a cross between HARRY POTTER and THE HUNGER GAMES. And if that makes you wonder if this book was manufactured specifically to give book publicists wet dreams, consider this: HARRY POTTER #1 was first published in 1999, THE HUNGER GAMES was first published in 2008, and THE WARRIOR HEIR was published in 2006. It's not derivative at all, but, rather, a perfect bridge between the two books.

Like in HARRY POTTER, our hero Jack is a teenaged boy who finds out all of a sudden that he's a member of a secret, magical world. It's like THE HUNGER GAMES because that magical world is a grim and frightful place, and Jack's magic dooms him to a short, violent life of gladitorial combat.

I have to admit that I didn't like THE WARRIOR HEIR as much as I loved HARRY POTTER or THE HUNGER GAMES, but I did think it was pretty great. Jack is weak and ignorant at first, his powers suppressed. There's no Diagon Alley, no delicious reveal for Jack - instead, he finds himself flailing about in the dark, attacked by foes who far outmatch him. He's often angry, demanding, and resentful - but always likable. That's a feat all on its own.

Most of the novel takes place in a small town in Ohio, at Jack's high school. Everyday events like soccer practice and dating mix with the encroaching threat of the Roses, and the slow reveal of what, exactly, the Roses are and why they're so very mean.

The wizard world turns out to be horrifically dystopian. I found myself thinking there's no way that a system like the one Chima sets up could possibly survive for so long, that there must be enough decent people in the world - even wizards - to curb the violent excesses. My righteous fury kept me turning the pages, but kept me from being completely immersed in the alternate reality.

The place where THE WARRIOR HEIR really fell short, for me, was in its conclusion. I won't say any more, just that the final events felt contrived in a way that didn't work for me at all. The book is set up in a way that you're really expecting Jack to pull a rabbit out of his hat at the end, and, personally, all I saw was sleight of hand. (less)

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Aug 26, 2011

Emma rated it

I love Cinda Williams Chima's books. I love the Grey Wolf series and this one is shaping up to be just as awesome. I wonder sometimes how these books never made it into the public consciousness. They are great examples of a young adult high fantasy and a story about learning who you are, and what you are are.

Jack is a perfect main character. He is an upright kid. He's getting ready to experience one of the biggest changes in his life. What he doesn't know is that he is unique. He...more

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Aug 04, 2011

Amanda rated it

Jack seems to be a normal boy in a small town in Ohio. Little does he know that he is from a long long of wizards and warriors, called the Weir, who have been feuding since the days of pre-Tudor England. After unearthing a legendary sword from an ancestor's grave, Jack is apprenticed to Hastings, so he can learn how to defend himself from Weir who will, no doubt, try to kill him. When these plans don't turn out as expected, Jack must participate in an ancient battle to save the day.

On ...moreJack seems to be a normal boy in a small town in Ohio. Little does he know that he is from a long long of wizards and warriors, called the Weir, who have been feuding since the days of pre-Tudor England. After unearthing a legendary sword from an ancestor's grave, Jack is apprenticed to Hastings, so he can learn how to defend himself from Weir who will, no doubt, try to kill him. When these plans don't turn out as expected, Jack must participate in an ancient battle to save the day.

On the surface, The Warrior Heir seems like just another young adult fantasy novel that was published to capitalize on the genre's recent popularity. The novel has many elements of other, popular young adult novels: apprenticeships, young heroes, and fantastic elements intertwined with the real world. Despite that, Warrior Heir is an exciting, well-written adventure that will keep you filling pages.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. When started reading it, I was a little confused, and I noticed that it has a great deal in common with the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, yet it didn't take long for these worries to subside and for me to get hooked. The Warrior Heir is a solid debut novel with amazing craftsmanship. It may seem a little intimidating, but it's very easy to read and moves quickly. The details and character may be somewhat lacking, especially compared to Percy Jackson, but the premise was intriguing and will definitely delight any fantasy lover.

I most enjoyed the fact that the novel based its mythology around an event that actually took place in history: the British War of the Roses, where the Lancasters (red roses) fought the Yorks (white roses) for control of the English throne. I'm a complete Tudor/British history nerd, so I was drooling over the historic discussion of the war and how it was still being fought between the "Red Roses" and the "White Roses."

Even though Chima's Warrior Heir isn't perfect, it's great for a light read between other young adult fantasy novels. Heck, I enjoyed the premise so much that I ran out and bought the other two novels in the trilogy as soon as I finished it. Chima seems like the kind of author who has great potential for progression with every novel that she writes(less)

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Jun 25, 2011

Shannon rated it

Shelves: youngadult

I'm reading two excellent non-fiction books right now (The Art of Family: Rituals, Imagination, and Everyday Spirituality and I Thought It Was Just Me: Women Reclaiming Power and Courage in a Culture of Shame) and while I've been alternating between the two, I needed a respite from non-fiction. The Warrior Heir was the perfect choice. This book was a quick but compelling read. After one treadmill session, I was 80 pages into the book. In less than 24 hours, the book was finished.

Th...moreI'm reading two excellent non-fiction books right now (The Art of Family: Rituals, Imagination, and Everyday Spirituality and I Thought It Was Just Me: Women Reclaiming Power and Courage in a Culture of Shame) and while I've been alternating between the two, I needed a respite from non-fiction. The Warrior Heir was the perfect choice. This book was a quick but compelling read. After one treadmill session, I was 80 pages into the book. In less than 24 hours, the book was finished.

The Warrior Heir follows Jackson (Jack) Downey Swift, a small town Ohio high school student, as he discovers his own secret identity. Jack is a likable and believable character. He is alternately confused, intrigued, appalled and excited by the changes he undergoes and the secrets that are revealed.

This book forcefully reminded me of The Hunger Games, but in some ways I liked it better. The Hunger Games isn't a book I can share with my 9 and 11 year old daughters, but The Warrior Heir is. There is less violence and very little romance in this book, yet the book's entertainment value is high and there are good lessons in the book. Jack's two best friends are loyal to him throughout this tumultuous time and are even willing to confront Jack when he is letting his circumstances get to him. I like this example of friendship and think it would be a good one to expose my daughters to.

Here's what this book didn't have: explorations of deep themes. Frankly, that was fine with me since I'm reading a book about shame resilience and another about how to see the beauty in everyday family life. But if you're in the mood for a YA read that will point you to deep thoughts, higher truths or heartfelt wisdom, this book might not be the best choice.

On the other hand, if you enjoyed The Hunger Games, want a quick, clean and fun read or simply want a book to keep you company one afternoon at the pool, this book is a great choice. It's easy to read while still being well-written, is populated with likable characters and will keep you entertained for the length of the novel. Sometimes that's all I want in a book.(less)

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Mar 03, 2011

Kendrick Stevenson rated it

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Jackson Swift, a 16 year old boy in a small town in Ohio, who’s largest problems in life are girls, pimples and homework, is one day confronted with the truth that will shake his perfect little life. He finds out that his aunt is an enchanter, with magical powers, and the old man named nick, that lives in an apartment above his garage is a very powerful wizard in an underground society of people with magical powers called the weirland. Jack soon also learns that he himself has magic...more

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Jan 11, 2011

Ithlilian rated it

Shelves: young-adult

Don't get me wrong, this was certainly an enjoyable read, but it was also an easy read. There isn't much thinking to be done while reading this book. Events unfold one after the other in a predictable manner. Even the big surprise toward the end was obvious. With all that said, I do love reading about the main character's training and the dangers he faces every day. His trainer and aunt were likable characters, and the quest to find the sword at the beginning of the book was entertaining. The fi...more

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Oct 17, 2010

Mike rated it

I mostly enjoyed this book and would probably have understood it better (see below) if I had known it was the first of several. Since I tend to "just read" when I pick up a book I am often not aware if it is part of a series until the end (unless there is a big blurb on the cover saying so :-)) This book is a case in point.

Since the cover did not allude to a series with this book, I found some of the details of the "world" and its interplay of "forces"...more

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Jun 11, 2010

Timmy/CNHS rated it

Have you ever stoped and look who you really are inside? because in this story a 16 year old named Jack realizes that he is not just a normal boy who lives in Ohio. He takes pills for the thick Scar in his heart. One day he forgets to take his medicine and he becomes strong and confident. he feels great until he can't control himself and almost kill a player in a soccer tryouts.
He soon figures out he was part of an underground society of people like him Feirce and s...more

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Dec 10, 2009

Brandon rated it

Shelves: fantasy

A good story is typically not an issue with published books. Getting printed means an editor liked it enough to back it with his/her publishing company's name and reputation. Captivating plotlines abound in our bookstores and libraries (both public and personal).

To some discerning readers, however, there is an added enthusiasm and respect for command over the written word. Writing is a craft, an art, something that we all learn, but so few of us master. Cinda Williams Chima, however...moreA good story is typically not an issue with published books. Getting printed means an editor liked it enough to back it with his/her publishing company's name and reputation. Captivating plotlines abound in our bookstores and libraries (both public and personal).

To some discerning readers, however, there is an added enthusiasm and respect for command over the written word. Writing is a craft, an art, something that we all learn, but so few of us master. Cinda Williams Chima, however, is a veritable savant.

In The Warrior Heir, Chima introduces us to Jack, a boy on the cusp of manhood, who is content with just making the soccer team. When on the day of tryouts Jack forgets to take the medicine he had ingested daily all his life, he finds himself more aware, more alive, more likely to get an opposing player killed (twice!). Soon after, his small-town existence collides into an age-old realm of Wizards, Enchanters, and others who control magic, thrusting Jack and those he holds most dear into a deadly game of intrigue and incantations, traditions and talismans. Jack is just a pawn to some of the characters we meet, but by the end of the book, everyone recognizes him for the star player that he is.

The story presents a compelling, balanced juxtaposition of personal discovery and epic events, mixing modern and medieval, mundane and mystic in a way that makes us wonder if perhaps Chima's world of Wizardry just might be true. And like visual art that provokes thought and evokes emotion through judicious employment of color and lines, Chima achieves those same goals through thoughtful word choice and eloquent phrasing. She spins a magical tale from her writing just as Lee spins fire out of the air in the first few compelling pages of the prologue.

I had considered moving to a book from another author/series, but I can't wait to finish this trilogy. So more than likely, my next review will be for The Wizard Heir, Chima's follow-up to this story.

Oh, and a bit of a non-spoiler (i.e., this will help you avoid spoilers): don't read anything about the other books in the series if you want to be truly in suspense when you finish the first book. You'll understand once you've read this one and moved onto the next.(less)

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Dec 03, 2009

Jennifer Wardrip rated it

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com

Jack enjoys his normal life in Trinity, Ohio. He spends time with his best friends, goes to school, and is extremely excited about soccer tryouts. Jack is very healthy, despite the thick scar that resides above his heart and the medicine he has to take every day. Life is ordinary - until he forgets to take his medicine.

Soccer tryouts are a breeze. Jack has never felt so alive, and when his nemesis, Lobeck, gets in his way, J...more

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Oct 28, 2009

Karen rated it

This was a fun book. If you liked Harry Potter and Twilight, you will probably like this book.
It is about a line of wizards who left Europe in the 1800s to get away from the rulers of their kind. They hoped to be able to hide in America and start new lives. This didn't work as well as they had hoped. When wizares from Europe had need of one of these people for thier specific abilities, they would search American and kidnap anyone they found. In this book there are different classe...more

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Sep 12, 2009

Kelsey Jacobs rated it

Recommends it for: Anyone

Recommended to Kelsey by: No one

To be fair, I would actually give this 4.5 stars, but since I can't, I rounded up.

Summary: Sixteen-year old Jack is a fairly normal guy - goes to soccer practice, gets good grades, even plays the saxophone - except for a scar over his heart, because he had heart surgery when he was a child, and the medicine he takes for it. When he forgets to take it one day though, he nearly kills another play on the soccer field with an amazing show of power.

Jack soon learns the truth a...moreTo be fair, I would actually give this 4.5 stars, but since I can't, I rounded up.

Summary: Sixteen-year old Jack is a fairly normal guy - goes to soccer practice, gets good grades, even plays the saxophone - except for a scar over his heart, because he had heart surgery when he was a child, and the medicine he takes for it. When he forgets to take it one day though, he nearly kills another play on the soccer field with an amazing show of power.

Jack soon learns the truth about himself, that he is Weir, an underground society of magical people who live among the non-magical. At the helm sit the feuding houses of the Red and White Roses, and power is determined by playing the Game, a magical tournament in which each house sponsors a warrior to fight to the death, and the winning house rules the Weir until the next tournament.

As if that weren't enough to swallow, Jack learns that he is a member of the Weirlind, a warrior, though he was supposed to be a wizard. And he's one of the last of his kind during a time when both houses are scouting for a player...

The Good: Mrs. Chima has come up with a new idea about wizards and magic in contemporary times. The ancient magic and adolescence mix together in a coming-of-age story that really works on several levels. Plus, not only is there the main character Jack who you want to see win, but many other assorted minor characters you'll wish there were stories about. Oh, and there's a magic sword.

The Bad: The story lags a bit just after the beginning, when four of the main characters go off to find said magical sword in a graveyard. And after Jack starts his training, I felt like the book was being summed up as we were moving along, so the writing was a little weak there. Also, I did not like Jack's mom, nor did my mother. There were so many supposedly great characteristics about her, and I could tell that we were supposed to think that she was great and a strong woman. Maybe it was just because she wasn't used enough. I don't hold this against Mrs. Chima too strongly though, because many mothers in fantasy series (Buffy the Vampire Series and Twilight spring to mind) just don't seem to add much.

The Iffy: There's a plot twist at the end where a character we haven't seen for a while turns out to be more connected than we though. My friend said she saw it coming, but I didn't. I could tell that the character was someting, just not that. So it's debatable.

All in all, a more-than-solid book and a great start to a series!(less)

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May 04, 2009

Abigail rated it

Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Abigail by: library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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New York Times bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima comes from a long line of fortune-tellers, musicians and spinners of tales. She began writing romance novels in middle school, which were often confiscated by her teachers.

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