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Spirit Warriors #1
Spirit Warriors: The Concealing
Sixteen-year-old Emme Belrose has it all: four best friends, a horse of her own, a hidden tepee hangout, and a blossoming romance with tall and handsome Charlie. These friends also have a secret. They can move their spirits into animal bodies: an osprey, a mustang, a grizzly, a mountain lion and a coyote. But when Charlie, who has a gift for seeing the future, has a vision of Emme drowning in the icy Yellowstone River, the Spirit Warriors must train their animal bodies to kill an enemy they know is coming… but know nothing about. Suspenseful, romantic, and awash in Native American magic, Spirit Warriors captures the tragic enchantment of the American West—and confirms the power of friendship.
186 pages, Paperback
First published November 24, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 27, 2018
DNF at 13%
Prose too awkwardly stilted, clunky, and overly juvenile, repeating words on the same page instead of choosing new, exciting, describing words, with way too much telling and not showing. Also, really weird use of beats in dialogue. Far too clumsy storytelling for me to read the complete book.
Prose too awkwardly stilted, clunky, and overly juvenile, repeating words on the same page instead of choosing new, exciting, describing words, with way too much telling and not showing. Also, really weird use of beats in dialogue. Far too clumsy storytelling for me to read the complete book.
December 2, 2013
4 Chicken Pecking Stars
This book has all the ingredients of a great YA read. It has teens in peril, girls riding horses, friends coming together, fated love, wild animals, and lots of emotion. Yes, its it cooking up to be a yummy YA read.
Emme lives on the ranch with her family. She rides horses, has great friends and dreams of her own death. A death she knows is coming. Emme is also disappointed in the chickens. She has watched them peck other chickens to death who had a weakness. She also sees this in life. I mean she does go to high school and what is high school if not a larger, more diverse chicken coop of hens and roosters looking to peck on others for being different.
Emme, Charlie and the rest of her friends have been together since elementary school. They camp together, support each other and train for a spiritual apocalypse they know is coming. Emme and Charlie know they have a special connection. A connection built on Native American legend and the teachings of Grandpa Archie. They have assembled a group of Jr Spirit Warrior Avengers to fight the coming evil. An enemy they are not even sure they will recognize.
This is a great YA read. The friends support each other through abuse and death. They know each other weaknesses but instead of pecking, lift each other up. There are great elements to the story. Ms Connor takes her time weaving the story and pulling you into the lives of these teens. There is a big emotional scene that I did NOT see coming. How can she do that to her? The build up happens so slowly and then....bam...you are right there where you don't want to be and certainly don't want Emme to be. And just when you think its all resolved and they can live happily ever after....you get a look at the title. Book 1. Keep training kids. I have a feeling your Evil Spirit Butt Kicking days are not over yet.
This book has all the ingredients of a great YA read. It has teens in peril, girls riding horses, friends coming together, fated love, wild animals, and lots of emotion. Yes, its it cooking up to be a yummy YA read.
Emme lives on the ranch with her family. She rides horses, has great friends and dreams of her own death. A death she knows is coming. Emme is also disappointed in the chickens. She has watched them peck other chickens to death who had a weakness. She also sees this in life. I mean she does go to high school and what is high school if not a larger, more diverse chicken coop of hens and roosters looking to peck on others for being different.
Emme, Charlie and the rest of her friends have been together since elementary school. They camp together, support each other and train for a spiritual apocalypse they know is coming. Emme and Charlie know they have a special connection. A connection built on Native American legend and the teachings of Grandpa Archie. They have assembled a group of Jr Spirit Warrior Avengers to fight the coming evil. An enemy they are not even sure they will recognize.
This is a great YA read. The friends support each other through abuse and death. They know each other weaknesses but instead of pecking, lift each other up. There are great elements to the story. Ms Connor takes her time weaving the story and pulling you into the lives of these teens. There is a big emotional scene that I did NOT see coming. How can she do that to her? The build up happens so slowly and then....bam...you are right there where you don't want to be and certainly don't want Emme to be. And just when you think its all resolved and they can live happily ever after....you get a look at the title. Book 1. Keep training kids. I have a feeling your Evil Spirit Butt Kicking days are not over yet.
June 29, 2014
Spirit Warriors: The Concealing has me itching to read the follow-up which I believe is due out at any moment. My slugs can't wait! This is a wonderfully written story which explores many themes including sexuality, love, death etc... and it also provides a fascinating insight into Native American culture as our main protagonists are able to leave their bodies and merge with other animals. Quite fascinating. Unfortunately, they don't merge with any slugs - their loss! D.E.L. Connor takes us on a wild ride with lots of twists and turns and this book is more than worthy of 5 stars. Great cover too!
March 8, 2015
I will post my review for this book at a later date. Reading the second book in the series now. Stay Tuned!
June 11, 2016
The Concealing is the first book of the Spirit Warriors Series. This is a great start to this new young adult series. The characters are well developed, with at least one character every reader can relate to. The characters consist of a group of 5 high school friends. The 5 students; Emme, Bets, Lilly, Charlie, and Ollie are going about their normal lives. Each student is from a different family dynamic and economical status; they’re all so different from one another, yet they love one another like family. They soon learn they all are destined for something greater than they’ve ever imagined; each friend has a gift to help them achieve their destiny, but they all have much more to learn before they’re ready.
The writing was extremely detailed with beautiful imagery that created a place everyone will want to live. I loved how the concept was introduced readers, the first time; however, throughout most of the book, I felt I was reading the same thing over and over, and over, and over, well, you get my point now. There were so many repetitive explanations, I had to make sure my kindle didn’t lose my page and send me back a few chapters while reading. I am hoping this is just in the first book to prepare readers for what’s to come in the following books.
Another BIG negative for me is that The Concealing was extremely “wordy” (I know, it sounds weird to call a book wordy, after all, books are full of words.) To be more specific, a lot of this story could have been summed up with a lot less detail; for example, an entire paragraph reading
When we were out working in the field in the afternoon, Dad let me off on the end of the windrow to get lemonade. I sprinted to the house, holding onto my hat. Mom had a glass jar full of ice and lemonade and two red plastic cups. I grabbed them and sprinted back to the field and waved it at Dad. He caught site of me and stood up from the tractor seat, took off his hat and waved it at me. The sun was behind him and caught his blond hair. His teeth were white against his tanned face. I waved back. He picked up speed, then slowed down when he got close to me. I grabbed hold of the bar and swung myself onto the tractor. I poured the lemonade into the cups, and we drank every bit of the lemonade as Dad drove from one end of the field to another. We talked about everything and nothing. Mostly we talked about livestock.
Can be summed up with “Dad and I worked in the fields, drank lemonade, and talked about livestock” This takes nothing from the story and makes for a much smoother read. This book could be half the length, and be just as good, if not better. Also, I need to point out that this book will not read well as a read alone; I highly recommend getting all three books before reading.
The amount of repetitiveness and overly wordy irrelevant information warrants a 3 Boundless Stars rating for The Concealing; it was good, but it could have been better....Beth
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The writing was extremely detailed with beautiful imagery that created a place everyone will want to live. I loved how the concept was introduced readers, the first time; however, throughout most of the book, I felt I was reading the same thing over and over, and over, and over, well, you get my point now. There were so many repetitive explanations, I had to make sure my kindle didn’t lose my page and send me back a few chapters while reading. I am hoping this is just in the first book to prepare readers for what’s to come in the following books.
Another BIG negative for me is that The Concealing was extremely “wordy” (I know, it sounds weird to call a book wordy, after all, books are full of words.) To be more specific, a lot of this story could have been summed up with a lot less detail; for example, an entire paragraph reading
When we were out working in the field in the afternoon, Dad let me off on the end of the windrow to get lemonade. I sprinted to the house, holding onto my hat. Mom had a glass jar full of ice and lemonade and two red plastic cups. I grabbed them and sprinted back to the field and waved it at Dad. He caught site of me and stood up from the tractor seat, took off his hat and waved it at me. The sun was behind him and caught his blond hair. His teeth were white against his tanned face. I waved back. He picked up speed, then slowed down when he got close to me. I grabbed hold of the bar and swung myself onto the tractor. I poured the lemonade into the cups, and we drank every bit of the lemonade as Dad drove from one end of the field to another. We talked about everything and nothing. Mostly we talked about livestock.
Can be summed up with “Dad and I worked in the fields, drank lemonade, and talked about livestock” This takes nothing from the story and makes for a much smoother read. This book could be half the length, and be just as good, if not better. Also, I need to point out that this book will not read well as a read alone; I highly recommend getting all three books before reading.
The amount of repetitiveness and overly wordy irrelevant information warrants a 3 Boundless Stars rating for The Concealing; it was good, but it could have been better....Beth
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
January 1, 2014
A great young adult fantasy with just the right amount of romance & adventure!
What I liked best about this book was the relationship between the lifelong friends. It was refreshing to experience interactions centered around teenagers that wasn't about shopping, the latest fashions, and pop music. The teens had a healthy appreciation for these things (one of the group in particular was a music aficionado), but it didn't dominate their discussions. What interested them most was the history of the region and spending time in their hidden clearing (complete with custom made tepees).
What I'm looking forward to is some additional insight into the Spirit Warriors as the series progresses. I had a few questions, for example I was unsure of why these four had the ability to be Spirit Warriors. There was an addition to their group who was not a Spirit Warrior. Is there a reason he is unable to join them? I was also curious about the animals they linked to (why these species). Were these animals predisposed to be chosen by their designated Spirit Warrior? Many of these species are considered totems in spiritual folklore.
Finally, I was most curious about the Osprey. I think that will probably be explained more as the series goes on. As a master falconer, I have a great interest in birds of prey and their ability to form bonds with people. Osprey are not used as falconry birds because falconry is a hunting sport and Osprey eat primarily fish. However, I did do some research on the Osprey in Native American legend. What I found is that the Osprey is held in the same esteem as an Eagle in American custom. The Osprey is also regarded as a medicine bird and warning of danger.
***I received a free copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***
What I liked best about this book was the relationship between the lifelong friends. It was refreshing to experience interactions centered around teenagers that wasn't about shopping, the latest fashions, and pop music. The teens had a healthy appreciation for these things (one of the group in particular was a music aficionado), but it didn't dominate their discussions. What interested them most was the history of the region and spending time in their hidden clearing (complete with custom made tepees).
What I'm looking forward to is some additional insight into the Spirit Warriors as the series progresses. I had a few questions, for example I was unsure of why these four had the ability to be Spirit Warriors. There was an addition to their group who was not a Spirit Warrior. Is there a reason he is unable to join them? I was also curious about the animals they linked to (why these species). Were these animals predisposed to be chosen by their designated Spirit Warrior? Many of these species are considered totems in spiritual folklore.
Finally, I was most curious about the Osprey. I think that will probably be explained more as the series goes on. As a master falconer, I have a great interest in birds of prey and their ability to form bonds with people. Osprey are not used as falconry birds because falconry is a hunting sport and Osprey eat primarily fish. However, I did do some research on the Osprey in Native American legend. What I found is that the Osprey is held in the same esteem as an Eagle in American custom. The Osprey is also regarded as a medicine bird and warning of danger.
***I received a free copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***
November 30, 2013
So many reason to love Spirit Warriors: The Concealing. This book takes the reader to a world that all pre-teen girls would love it live in. This is the story of teenage friends with the (supernatural) ability change into animals. They know it's their job, as animals, to fight some unidentified supernatural evils. It's also the story of these kids' relationships. And through the books the relationships do grow, conflict, and resolve.
This book falls squarely in the reading-level gap for girls ages 12-14 who are too old for the "Warrior" series (the one about the cats who live in the wild) and those who are a little too young for the romance intensity of the "Twilight" series.
Here are the elements of the story (in bullet form for brevity):
• Kids fighting an unknown, powerful supernatural enemy
• Budding romance between Emme and Charlie
• Supportive, yet dynamic friendship between six teens
• Shape shifting, teens turn into animals
• Native American themes (takes place in Montana near the site of Custer's Last Stand)
• One of the kids is a native American “seer” who knows the future
• The kids all hang out in a super cool clearing in the woods with teepees, horses, etc.
In addition there are lots of other interesting, quirky characters such as the main character's brother and a whole cast of interesting grown up. A must read for preteens. I predict this book will catch on like wildfire once middle school girls get their hands on it.
This book falls squarely in the reading-level gap for girls ages 12-14 who are too old for the "Warrior" series (the one about the cats who live in the wild) and those who are a little too young for the romance intensity of the "Twilight" series.
Here are the elements of the story (in bullet form for brevity):
• Kids fighting an unknown, powerful supernatural enemy
• Budding romance between Emme and Charlie
• Supportive, yet dynamic friendship between six teens
• Shape shifting, teens turn into animals
• Native American themes (takes place in Montana near the site of Custer's Last Stand)
• One of the kids is a native American “seer” who knows the future
• The kids all hang out in a super cool clearing in the woods with teepees, horses, etc.
In addition there are lots of other interesting, quirky characters such as the main character's brother and a whole cast of interesting grown up. A must read for preteens. I predict this book will catch on like wildfire once middle school girls get their hands on it.
December 25, 2013
If it is possible to see, feel and smell as you read this novel - this author has found a way! With talent and skill, The author has managed to literally place you in the book where you can clearly see each detail, smell and feel the wind, and be a part of this wonderful story. I laughed and cried throughout, as I quickly became enmeshed with the people and their lives. I literally could not stop reading - the kindle followed me all around the house, with text-to-speech reading to me as I did what must be done when I couldn't read to myself. I especially appreciated the skill of the author as they wove the past into the present without bogging down or slowing down the story. This book is promoted as a Young Adult, but this more mature adult enjoyed it thoroughly. Most books can be put down at the end and you move to the next. This book makes you put down the book and think about what you just read, let it settle a little. The mark of a great author in my opinion. This was not a fluff book, there are small lessons throughout, without any preachy stances, and I felt like I was watching friends grow in character and cheering all the way. Great story, real characters you cannot help but care about, and talented author.
June 3, 2015
An awesome read! It is a fascinating story about five friends. It was told through Emmeline point of view which was interesting and the perfect voice. It wasn't just her story though. It was the beginning of all 5 of the characters story. It was about friendship and loyalty, love and happiness. You felt these characters bonds are so deep throughout the book that I yearned to be apart of it. Their love and support for one another is such a gift. I found myself wondering at times what my spirit animal is and who in my life is by my side. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read the next book in the series.
July 5, 2016
I was given this ARC of book one in exchange for an honest review. I first thought it was a YA story, but it was so much more and I cried through parts as it was an AWESOME story and highly recommend it to all ages but not young children as there is violence and abuse. Sixteen year old Emmeline Belrose had dreamed about her death as long as she could remember and she'd awakened the household often with her screaming. The dreams had been of her in a car drowning with no one to save her. Then she met Charlie who said he was there to protect her as he had visions too. I can't wait to reead the next book!
July 17, 2016
This book was ok for me. I liked the second half of the book the best.
The book is about 5 best friends who are told that they will need to battle an evil spirit. The friends must learn how to move their spirits into their host animal and how to fight when they are with their animal in order to defeat the spirit.
I am not sure how I felt about the beginning of the book. For me, I wasn't really into the writing. At times I felt like things came out of left field and that there was no real reason for them to be put into the book (Bird sex?). I also felt like the teens acted way younger than they actually were. They were supposed to be 16-17 but they still used words like "play together" and they always wrestled, chased and tickled each other. I would never do that with my friends at that age but I guess everyone is different? That just didn't hold true with me. I just cant see teens that age touching each other like young kids do. Also I wasn't into how the teens talked. One minute they spoke in slang with swear words and they next they spoke in proper English. The proper English made the conversations feel awkward. I also felt like the teens accepted that they would have to be spirit warriors wayyy to easily. I mean Charlie just told them they would have to do something supernatural and they all just said OK. Not realistic for me.
What I did like about the book was the friendship between the 5/6 teens (Emme, Charlie, Bests, Lilly, Ollie and later on Jack) I liked how much they loved and trusted each other. They had good times together and were supportive of each other in everything they did. I also liked how close their families (except for Lilly's) were to each other. The adults trusted each other with their children and they protected all of the kids like they were their own. I especially love how the adults and the teens treated and cared for Lilly, whose father was a class A jacka** abuser. The parents took Lilly in, fed her, clothed her and provided for her. The teens loved Lilly and Emme and Lilly were especially close. I loved how the 5 teens accepted Jack when he arrived and included him into their group to the point where it was as if he had grown up with them. At times I thought the love between the teens was preachy but overall I loved their relationships with each other.
I also liked the supernatural aspect of the book. I find it interesting that they book was about spirits moving into the animals' body and the human spirit and animals spirit co-existed together for the short while they were joined. At first I had thought the kids shapeshifted but its so much more than that. Each teen bonded with their animal, learned their animals movements and behaviors and made loving friendships with their animal. When not inhibiting their animal's bodies the teens would play with their animal and visit their homes. And these are not pet animals, they are wild dangerous animals (horse, bear, mountain lion, osprey and coyote). The relationship between the host animal and their teen was another great aspect to the book.
I'm not sure how I feel about Emme, the main character. She, like all the rest of the teens, is caring, loving, loyal, giving, and appreciative of everything around her which I really liked. It was great for the author to take the time to allow Emme to appreciate nature, her friends and the adults in her life WITHOUT something bad happening to her; its just her nature. I don't see that much in books. At times I felt like Emme was very childish and I kept forgetting that she was in her later teen years. At times I liked her and other times she annoyed me. I feel the same about Charlie. He is native american and believes in his cultures religion, prophecy and spirits. Charlie is a "seer" and gets visions of the future. He talks like he is 40 years old and he has a lot more wisdom than a teen his age should have. He is very concerned with protecting Emme that I feel like he doesn't allow himself any fun or won;t be able to do the things he wants in life because he feels his first priority is Emme. There is a romance between these two and I guess they are a couple. I felt like the romance was forced. They went into it saying I love you right off the bat. Charlie asks Emme to marry him when the time comes. Its like jeez they're only 16, slow down dude. For me the romance was more show/tell than feel. I just didn't feel it like I do in other novels. It felt like it was there because having a romance is a trend in books.
The rest of the characters I can definitely say I liked. Lilly was sweet. She had a hard life but she stayed sweet, loving and caring. I felt like she was the one that the whole group took care of even if they didn't realize they were doing it. I felt that while Lilly was the oldest in the group, she was the most fragile and naive. Bets was the brainiac of the group who always asks questions and believes everything can be solved with science and logic. She can be very blunt and mean with what she says. She has a good heart though and is just as loving as the rest of the teens. Ollie is the funny one, who constantly farts (which is kinda gross) and lightens up the moods. Jack is the newcomer that the teens welcome into the fold. He is Australian and is funny with some of the things he says. I get the feeling that he likes Emme also but Emme's heart is with Charlie.
The second part of the book has much more action and suspense in it. I felt that things were dragging a bit until that part. Most of the book was about the kid's life during school and the summer. The spirit warriors and going into the animals bodies happened in one chapter and then didn't happen for a long time. The time past very quickly with one chapter being summer, then one being winter then the next one being summer again. I think at least a year passed in the book, maybe 2. The ending picked up and was great. There were surprised that I totally didn't see coming. I felt angry, sad and murderous during parts of the book. There was one character that I felt like I could really kill if they were real. I like when books give me emotions that I feel strongly. I have to say the ending was the best part. While it seems like the book is over, the author gives a bit of info that shows there will be a next book.
Will I read the next book? You bet!
This review is also posted on The Book Owl Extraordinaire
The book is about 5 best friends who are told that they will need to battle an evil spirit. The friends must learn how to move their spirits into their host animal and how to fight when they are with their animal in order to defeat the spirit.
I am not sure how I felt about the beginning of the book. For me, I wasn't really into the writing. At times I felt like things came out of left field and that there was no real reason for them to be put into the book (Bird sex?). I also felt like the teens acted way younger than they actually were. They were supposed to be 16-17 but they still used words like "play together" and they always wrestled, chased and tickled each other. I would never do that with my friends at that age but I guess everyone is different? That just didn't hold true with me. I just cant see teens that age touching each other like young kids do. Also I wasn't into how the teens talked. One minute they spoke in slang with swear words and they next they spoke in proper English. The proper English made the conversations feel awkward. I also felt like the teens accepted that they would have to be spirit warriors wayyy to easily. I mean Charlie just told them they would have to do something supernatural and they all just said OK. Not realistic for me.
What I did like about the book was the friendship between the 5/6 teens (Emme, Charlie, Bests, Lilly, Ollie and later on Jack) I liked how much they loved and trusted each other. They had good times together and were supportive of each other in everything they did. I also liked how close their families (except for Lilly's) were to each other. The adults trusted each other with their children and they protected all of the kids like they were their own. I especially love how the adults and the teens treated and cared for Lilly, whose father was a class A jacka** abuser. The parents took Lilly in, fed her, clothed her and provided for her. The teens loved Lilly and Emme and Lilly were especially close. I loved how the 5 teens accepted Jack when he arrived and included him into their group to the point where it was as if he had grown up with them. At times I thought the love between the teens was preachy but overall I loved their relationships with each other.
I also liked the supernatural aspect of the book. I find it interesting that they book was about spirits moving into the animals' body and the human spirit and animals spirit co-existed together for the short while they were joined. At first I had thought the kids shapeshifted but its so much more than that. Each teen bonded with their animal, learned their animals movements and behaviors and made loving friendships with their animal. When not inhibiting their animal's bodies the teens would play with their animal and visit their homes. And these are not pet animals, they are wild dangerous animals (horse, bear, mountain lion, osprey and coyote). The relationship between the host animal and their teen was another great aspect to the book.
I'm not sure how I feel about Emme, the main character. She, like all the rest of the teens, is caring, loving, loyal, giving, and appreciative of everything around her which I really liked. It was great for the author to take the time to allow Emme to appreciate nature, her friends and the adults in her life WITHOUT something bad happening to her; its just her nature. I don't see that much in books. At times I felt like Emme was very childish and I kept forgetting that she was in her later teen years. At times I liked her and other times she annoyed me. I feel the same about Charlie. He is native american and believes in his cultures religion, prophecy and spirits. Charlie is a "seer" and gets visions of the future. He talks like he is 40 years old and he has a lot more wisdom than a teen his age should have. He is very concerned with protecting Emme that I feel like he doesn't allow himself any fun or won;t be able to do the things he wants in life because he feels his first priority is Emme. There is a romance between these two and I guess they are a couple. I felt like the romance was forced. They went into it saying I love you right off the bat. Charlie asks Emme to marry him when the time comes. Its like jeez they're only 16, slow down dude. For me the romance was more show/tell than feel. I just didn't feel it like I do in other novels. It felt like it was there because having a romance is a trend in books.
The rest of the characters I can definitely say I liked. Lilly was sweet. She had a hard life but she stayed sweet, loving and caring. I felt like she was the one that the whole group took care of even if they didn't realize they were doing it. I felt that while Lilly was the oldest in the group, she was the most fragile and naive. Bets was the brainiac of the group who always asks questions and believes everything can be solved with science and logic. She can be very blunt and mean with what she says. She has a good heart though and is just as loving as the rest of the teens. Ollie is the funny one, who constantly farts (which is kinda gross) and lightens up the moods. Jack is the newcomer that the teens welcome into the fold. He is Australian and is funny with some of the things he says. I get the feeling that he likes Emme also but Emme's heart is with Charlie.
The second part of the book has much more action and suspense in it. I felt that things were dragging a bit until that part. Most of the book was about the kid's life during school and the summer. The spirit warriors and going into the animals bodies happened in one chapter and then didn't happen for a long time. The time past very quickly with one chapter being summer, then one being winter then the next one being summer again. I think at least a year passed in the book, maybe 2. The ending picked up and was great. There were surprised that I totally didn't see coming. I felt angry, sad and murderous during parts of the book. There was one character that I felt like I could really kill if they were real. I like when books give me emotions that I feel strongly. I have to say the ending was the best part. While it seems like the book is over, the author gives a bit of info that shows there will be a next book.
Will I read the next book? You bet!
This review is also posted on The Book Owl Extraordinaire
November 13, 2019
Five teenage friends, supporting each other through the trials of high school and life's ups and downs, learn of their role in stopping an evil spirit. Over the course of the book training begins and the five learn how to join their spirit with an animal's body/spirit, which gives them an edge over the evil spirit.
Interestingly, I didn't have an issue with the human spirit melding with an animal. My main issue was with the maturity, thoughtfulness, and wisdom of the five teenagers in this story. It was just a little over the top for me. The story was a very slow burn. I was ready for the final battle at the halfway mark. The Native American stories are always interesting to me and this kept me reading..
Interestingly, I didn't have an issue with the human spirit melding with an animal. My main issue was with the maturity, thoughtfulness, and wisdom of the five teenagers in this story. It was just a little over the top for me. The story was a very slow burn. I was ready for the final battle at the halfway mark. The Native American stories are always interesting to me and this kept me reading..
February 24, 2014
Four teens, the best of friends, find that they are not only friends, but they have a mission in life. They are Spirit Warriors, they can move their own spirit to share the body of an animal, then back to their own body. What a trick to learn when you are 15! Spirit Warriors follows these four friends as they are brought to a time when they are needed to use their powers to defeat an evil. They have trained and looked for the evil for awhile now, but when they are finally confronted with it, they are surprised. It came in a disguise that no one would have expected and almost lead them into trouble.
The Spirit Warriors is well written and entertaining, and with the main characters all being in the middle teens, they bring in a world of issues from that same teen life. This makes the story good for the teen and young adult market, while keeping the topics of abuse and homosexuality, which are mentioned in a brighter light. Nothing of the actually abuse is described but more alluded to, and so I find that they way the kids work through finding out these things to be beneficial to readers.
Some will say this is the perfect book for girls, and while there are three teens in the main cast, there are also three boys throughout the book. I find that it has a mix that although girls will get it and enjoy it, there is still enough action and adventure to interest the boys as well. It is a coming-of-age novel that has to deal with the harsh realities of life, and at the same time, it entertains you with the spirits.
The Spirit Warriors is well written and entertaining, and with the main characters all being in the middle teens, they bring in a world of issues from that same teen life. This makes the story good for the teen and young adult market, while keeping the topics of abuse and homosexuality, which are mentioned in a brighter light. Nothing of the actually abuse is described but more alluded to, and so I find that they way the kids work through finding out these things to be beneficial to readers.
Some will say this is the perfect book for girls, and while there are three teens in the main cast, there are also three boys throughout the book. I find that it has a mix that although girls will get it and enjoy it, there is still enough action and adventure to interest the boys as well. It is a coming-of-age novel that has to deal with the harsh realities of life, and at the same time, it entertains you with the spirits.
January 22, 2016
D..E.L. Connor has run the full gammit of emotions in this story. You will be able to identify with each character and feel you are there with them. I laughed, got mad, was anxious for them and cried with them.
The mixture of watching Emme, Lilly, Charlie, Bets, and Ollie, grow from childhood into young adults who will face life and death and will be fighting for themselves and all mankind. To fight evil they must become one with the animal whose spirit combines with theirs.
The struggles they face as trying to be normal teens while learning to be Spirit Warriors is so well handled you will think you are actually there as the flourish. This was written as a YA but it is actually a book that will be enjoyed by anyone of any age.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Spirit Warrior.
The mixture of watching Emme, Lilly, Charlie, Bets, and Ollie, grow from childhood into young adults who will face life and death and will be fighting for themselves and all mankind. To fight evil they must become one with the animal whose spirit combines with theirs.
The struggles they face as trying to be normal teens while learning to be Spirit Warriors is so well handled you will think you are actually there as the flourish. This was written as a YA but it is actually a book that will be enjoyed by anyone of any age.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Spirit Warrior.
January 18, 2016
Evil spirits, outer body experiences, and spirit animals.
Em has grown up always knowing she will die someday. Scary but true. She and her four friends plus their uncle would always band together to have fun throughout the summer and durning school as much as they can. Archie just keep them in line and told them tales of everything. When the time came they would find their spirit animals. And hopefully defeat the evil spirit that is somewhere hiding his evil self. What they didn't know it was in front of them the entire time, under their nose.
Will they be able to defeat the evil spirit? And hopefully at the same time save Em too.
Em has grown up always knowing she will die someday. Scary but true. She and her four friends plus their uncle would always band together to have fun throughout the summer and durning school as much as they can. Archie just keep them in line and told them tales of everything. When the time came they would find their spirit animals. And hopefully defeat the evil spirit that is somewhere hiding his evil self. What they didn't know it was in front of them the entire time, under their nose.
Will they be able to defeat the evil spirit? And hopefully at the same time save Em too.
August 9, 2016
This was an okay book. I felt like the beginning of the story was a little too contrived feeling. It was like the author needed X number of characters with these specific personalities to get the story to work, so the first part of the book was too focused on getting the proper players in their positions. I know basically any book has to do that, but some authors are better at making it feel natural.
The book did pick up a bit eventually and overall it wasn't bad.
The book did pick up a bit eventually and overall it wasn't bad.
March 5, 2015
First I must comment about the cover it is very beautiful one and very suitable to the plot. It is projecting the quality of innocence and purity that of it.
The author has managed to literally place you in the book where you can clearly see each detail, smell and feel the wind, and be a part of this wonderful story.
What we have?
Five best friends (Emme, Charlie, Bests, Lilly, Ollie all being in the middle teens), growing up in the freedom of the wild landscape. They find that they have a mission in life.
What the Mission?
They are Spirit Warriors, they can move their own spirit to share the body of an animal, then back to their own body. Each one bond with an animal (horse, bear, mountain lion, osprey and coyote), learned its movements and behaviors. When not inhibiting the animal's body he/she can play with his/her animal and visit their homes.
The set: the countryside Montana, USA. Where the children grew up with horses, farms and native traditions. The historical lessons involving the spirits of the ancestors bring a great flavor to the story.I liked the the Tempo of the life where a year is taken to built one tepee... so five yeas to build a circle of 5 tepees.And Who trained their horses to kill Rattle snakes.
The plot tolled by 16 year old Emme, the daughter of a Montana Rancher. Her group of friends include . Emme think she is ugly as she said: ''Gus and I were soulmates. Two beautiful souls trapped in ugly bodies." Same as Emma I care nothing about chickens, they are messy and mean-spirited creatures. If they find a sore spot or something else wrong with another chicken, they will eventually peck it to death. Her Dad says it is survival of the fittest, but she can’t understand why other bird’s imperfections should mean that they have to die.
Her Dad used to be an English teacher. He quit teaching to take over my grandparents’ ranch after her grandmother died and my grandfather became the town drunk. They don’t talk about that. Emma will discover a few surprising things about him, that will change her mind. Both her parent take care for a musical education she practiced violin and her brother Ben practiced cello.
Charlie the only true Native American in the group and the love of Emme. Tall and muscular with dark tanned skin and straight blackish brown hair that hung over his forehead.Who He wore jeans and no shirt. When he started talking about the Spirit Warriors, there were many people who thought he is crazy. His father left his mother and she couldn’t stand the stress of both things.,and started to drink more and more until she couldn’t remember that she had a son. His grandfather came to pick him and he had transferred to thier school when they were nine years old from the reservation about twenty-five miles away. At the first day he had a seizure. Because of Thunder (one of the 2 horses of Emme family) and his seizures, Emme knew how to treat him.
Charlie believe in the prophecies and spirits of Native American culture. What made him explain his seizures- “The Indian Health doctor calls them seizures, but they are really visions from the Spirit Warriors.” Mean - Charlie is a "seer" that gets visions of the future.He is telling to Emma - “I know who you are. I have been looking for you.”.... “You will die and I must help you to find a way back.” ... “I know about your dreams. I know how you wake up screaming. I know what you dream about.”...“I was sent to protect you.” Charlie hadn’t had any more seizures or visions since that day.
He believes that they need to join together as spirit warriors to fight an evil spirit. Machayiwiw that will come soon and will threaten the lives of the group. In purpose to be at their strongest they must join with animal spirits and use their strengths for the coming battle. Emma claim that sometimes he talks like a 40 years old and he has a wisdom more than an average teen his age should have.
Archie, the foreman on the Flying A Ranch and Charlie's Grandpa. He is the only one who understands Charlie's gift. Archie ran the ranch and worked with the thoroughbreds that Zach Arrington, the owner of the ranch, raised and raced. The horses there were beautiful animals, sleek and pampered, and Archie rode and trained them and they devotedly ran to him when he whistled. The horses were registered with the Jockey Club, and Archie submitted six name options for each colt before the Club decided which one the colt got to have.
With Archie the teenagers camp out in Tepees and learn the stories of The Native American ancestors.
Lilly is Emme's best friend, but she spends her time with her friends, avoiding going home to a father who constantly abuses her. She is thrown a life line by Oscar Hines who leaves his ranch to her upon his death. She is wiser to her own destiny than Emme can believe, and her cheerful character humbles those who know her.
Bets is the brainiac of the group who always asks questions and believes everything can be solved with science and logic. She can be very blunt and mean with what she says. Bets’s dad had a big building close to his house that he made his sculptures in.
Ollie skinny, optimistic and the funny one. Ollie is the the one who say, “Being an only child has privileges.” Who pretant that farts are “barking spiders.” He always the one to lightens up the moods . He was the one to named almost every horse that Zach Arrington owned and yet Zach Arrington had never even met Ollie. He is tech man of the group, he had all the latest technology and video games. He loved music and spent his allowance on music from obscure alternative bands that he loved to share. His parents have a busy lives, and they weren’t around much. His dad was a surgeon and his mom was a nurse who worked in the office with his dad.
Jack Arrington the newcomer. He arrived from Australia to live with his uncle on the Flying A Ranch. He befriends the group instantly. They trusted him and let him in on their secret lives. The group have a very close and supportive friendship which would be the envy of many teenagers, their dress code for the school prom is a prime example. Meanwhile the evil is drawing closer.
Ben Emme's brother with a mop of whitish blond hair falling across his forehead.. He is the talented musician in the family - play cello and violin. Even at his young age, he was better than his mom. Ben said that he could “see” music in the colors of the rainbow, fluctuating with the beat of the music. He could see the music before the next beat played in the colors in his head. He said that music made him feel things.
I also liked how close were their families (except for Lilly's). The adults trusted each other with their children and they protected all of the kids like they were their own. I loved how all treated and cared for Lilly, whose father was an abuser. The other parents took Lilly in, fed her, clothed her and provided for her.
The plot bring in a world of issues from the teen life. It talk about first love, first attraction, which makes it worth for teen and YA market. But it also raise the topics of abuse and homosexuality. This topics only gently raising from between the lines .
''..... I ran to the fire to help Archie cook breakfast. Archie took out his huge, black cast iron skillet. He carefully laid the bacon strips in a row and put the skillet over the fire. I put water in the coffeepot and cracked an egg over the water. I put the grounds on top of the egg. Archie taught me how to make coffee like that. The egg would catch and hold the coffee grounds and you wouldn’t have to drink the grounds. I nestled the coffee pot in the fire.....''
Camp Coffee
Definition: camp coffee - Place enough coffee into a pot of cold water. Place the pot on the stove or campfire. When steam rises from the coffee pot, the coffee is hot and ready.
Methods to remove the coffee grounds include
wrapping the coffee in cheesecloth,
dropping a raw egg in the coffee pot just before it's ready to drink (the cooked egg collects all the grounds),
pouring a cup of cold water in the coffee pot (this causes the grounds to fall to the bottom of the pot so you can pour the hpt coffee off the top).
Egg Coffee
Long a tradition in Lutheran church gatherings of Scandinavian-Americans in the Midwest, egg coffee is a light, clear brew with absolutely no bitterness or acidity.
Egg drop coffee is an old fashioned way that coffee was made. It was a good way to make and get the coffee grounds to stay at the bottom of the pot. The egg would catch the coffee grounds and make them settle on the bottom of the coffee pot.
Prep Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
9 cups water (to boil) plus 1 1/4 cold water
3/4 cup freshly ground coffee (medium to coarse grind)
1 egg
Preparation:
Bring 9 cups of water to a rapid boil in a saucepan or enamel coffee pot.
Meanwhile, stir together ground coffee, 1/4 cup water, and 1 egg (Note: diehard egg coffee lovers use the crushed eggshell as well, but it works fine to leave this out). The mixture will look like wet potting soil.
When water is boiling, carefully pour in the egg-coffee mixture, turning down the heat if necessary to prevent it from boiling over. Boil the coffee for 3 minutes. (Note: You’ll see that the coffee grounds will gradually bind together into a single mass that floats at the top of the pot).
After 3 minutes of boiling, immediately remove pot from heat and pour in 1 cup cold water. Let the coffee settle for 10 minutes; the “lump” of grounds will settle to the bottom of the pot.
Pour through a fine-meshed sieve or strainer into cups and serve. The flavor of the coffee grows stronger, without becoming bitter, the longer that it simmers.
Yield: 10 cups coffee.
The author has managed to literally place you in the book where you can clearly see each detail, smell and feel the wind, and be a part of this wonderful story.
What we have?
Five best friends (Emme, Charlie, Bests, Lilly, Ollie all being in the middle teens), growing up in the freedom of the wild landscape. They find that they have a mission in life.
What the Mission?
They are Spirit Warriors, they can move their own spirit to share the body of an animal, then back to their own body. Each one bond with an animal (horse, bear, mountain lion, osprey and coyote), learned its movements and behaviors. When not inhibiting the animal's body he/she can play with his/her animal and visit their homes.
The set: the countryside Montana, USA. Where the children grew up with horses, farms and native traditions. The historical lessons involving the spirits of the ancestors bring a great flavor to the story.I liked the the Tempo of the life where a year is taken to built one tepee... so five yeas to build a circle of 5 tepees.And Who trained their horses to kill Rattle snakes.
The plot tolled by 16 year old Emme, the daughter of a Montana Rancher. Her group of friends include . Emme think she is ugly as she said: ''Gus and I were soulmates. Two beautiful souls trapped in ugly bodies." Same as Emma I care nothing about chickens, they are messy and mean-spirited creatures. If they find a sore spot or something else wrong with another chicken, they will eventually peck it to death. Her Dad says it is survival of the fittest, but she can’t understand why other bird’s imperfections should mean that they have to die.
Her Dad used to be an English teacher. He quit teaching to take over my grandparents’ ranch after her grandmother died and my grandfather became the town drunk. They don’t talk about that. Emma will discover a few surprising things about him, that will change her mind. Both her parent take care for a musical education she practiced violin and her brother Ben practiced cello.
Charlie the only true Native American in the group and the love of Emme. Tall and muscular with dark tanned skin and straight blackish brown hair that hung over his forehead.Who He wore jeans and no shirt. When he started talking about the Spirit Warriors, there were many people who thought he is crazy. His father left his mother and she couldn’t stand the stress of both things.,and started to drink more and more until she couldn’t remember that she had a son. His grandfather came to pick him and he had transferred to thier school when they were nine years old from the reservation about twenty-five miles away. At the first day he had a seizure. Because of Thunder (one of the 2 horses of Emme family) and his seizures, Emme knew how to treat him.
Charlie believe in the prophecies and spirits of Native American culture. What made him explain his seizures- “The Indian Health doctor calls them seizures, but they are really visions from the Spirit Warriors.” Mean - Charlie is a "seer" that gets visions of the future.He is telling to Emma - “I know who you are. I have been looking for you.”.... “You will die and I must help you to find a way back.” ... “I know about your dreams. I know how you wake up screaming. I know what you dream about.”...“I was sent to protect you.” Charlie hadn’t had any more seizures or visions since that day.
He believes that they need to join together as spirit warriors to fight an evil spirit. Machayiwiw that will come soon and will threaten the lives of the group. In purpose to be at their strongest they must join with animal spirits and use their strengths for the coming battle. Emma claim that sometimes he talks like a 40 years old and he has a wisdom more than an average teen his age should have.
Archie, the foreman on the Flying A Ranch and Charlie's Grandpa. He is the only one who understands Charlie's gift. Archie ran the ranch and worked with the thoroughbreds that Zach Arrington, the owner of the ranch, raised and raced. The horses there were beautiful animals, sleek and pampered, and Archie rode and trained them and they devotedly ran to him when he whistled. The horses were registered with the Jockey Club, and Archie submitted six name options for each colt before the Club decided which one the colt got to have.
With Archie the teenagers camp out in Tepees and learn the stories of The Native American ancestors.
Lilly is Emme's best friend, but she spends her time with her friends, avoiding going home to a father who constantly abuses her. She is thrown a life line by Oscar Hines who leaves his ranch to her upon his death. She is wiser to her own destiny than Emme can believe, and her cheerful character humbles those who know her.
Bets is the brainiac of the group who always asks questions and believes everything can be solved with science and logic. She can be very blunt and mean with what she says. Bets’s dad had a big building close to his house that he made his sculptures in.
Ollie skinny, optimistic and the funny one. Ollie is the the one who say, “Being an only child has privileges.” Who pretant that farts are “barking spiders.” He always the one to lightens up the moods . He was the one to named almost every horse that Zach Arrington owned and yet Zach Arrington had never even met Ollie. He is tech man of the group, he had all the latest technology and video games. He loved music and spent his allowance on music from obscure alternative bands that he loved to share. His parents have a busy lives, and they weren’t around much. His dad was a surgeon and his mom was a nurse who worked in the office with his dad.
Jack Arrington the newcomer. He arrived from Australia to live with his uncle on the Flying A Ranch. He befriends the group instantly. They trusted him and let him in on their secret lives. The group have a very close and supportive friendship which would be the envy of many teenagers, their dress code for the school prom is a prime example. Meanwhile the evil is drawing closer.
Ben Emme's brother with a mop of whitish blond hair falling across his forehead.. He is the talented musician in the family - play cello and violin. Even at his young age, he was better than his mom. Ben said that he could “see” music in the colors of the rainbow, fluctuating with the beat of the music. He could see the music before the next beat played in the colors in his head. He said that music made him feel things.
I also liked how close were their families (except for Lilly's). The adults trusted each other with their children and they protected all of the kids like they were their own. I loved how all treated and cared for Lilly, whose father was an abuser. The other parents took Lilly in, fed her, clothed her and provided for her.
The plot bring in a world of issues from the teen life. It talk about first love, first attraction, which makes it worth for teen and YA market. But it also raise the topics of abuse and homosexuality. This topics only gently raising from between the lines .
''..... I ran to the fire to help Archie cook breakfast. Archie took out his huge, black cast iron skillet. He carefully laid the bacon strips in a row and put the skillet over the fire. I put water in the coffeepot and cracked an egg over the water. I put the grounds on top of the egg. Archie taught me how to make coffee like that. The egg would catch and hold the coffee grounds and you wouldn’t have to drink the grounds. I nestled the coffee pot in the fire.....''
Camp Coffee
Definition: camp coffee - Place enough coffee into a pot of cold water. Place the pot on the stove or campfire. When steam rises from the coffee pot, the coffee is hot and ready.
Methods to remove the coffee grounds include
wrapping the coffee in cheesecloth,
dropping a raw egg in the coffee pot just before it's ready to drink (the cooked egg collects all the grounds),
pouring a cup of cold water in the coffee pot (this causes the grounds to fall to the bottom of the pot so you can pour the hpt coffee off the top).
Egg Coffee
Long a tradition in Lutheran church gatherings of Scandinavian-Americans in the Midwest, egg coffee is a light, clear brew with absolutely no bitterness or acidity.
Egg drop coffee is an old fashioned way that coffee was made. It was a good way to make and get the coffee grounds to stay at the bottom of the pot. The egg would catch the coffee grounds and make them settle on the bottom of the coffee pot.
Prep Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
9 cups water (to boil) plus 1 1/4 cold water
3/4 cup freshly ground coffee (medium to coarse grind)
1 egg
Preparation:
Bring 9 cups of water to a rapid boil in a saucepan or enamel coffee pot.
Meanwhile, stir together ground coffee, 1/4 cup water, and 1 egg (Note: diehard egg coffee lovers use the crushed eggshell as well, but it works fine to leave this out). The mixture will look like wet potting soil.
When water is boiling, carefully pour in the egg-coffee mixture, turning down the heat if necessary to prevent it from boiling over. Boil the coffee for 3 minutes. (Note: You’ll see that the coffee grounds will gradually bind together into a single mass that floats at the top of the pot).
After 3 minutes of boiling, immediately remove pot from heat and pour in 1 cup cold water. Let the coffee settle for 10 minutes; the “lump” of grounds will settle to the bottom of the pot.
Pour through a fine-meshed sieve or strainer into cups and serve. The flavor of the coffee grows stronger, without becoming bitter, the longer that it simmers.
Yield: 10 cups coffee.
May 8, 2014
http://sarityahalomi.blogspot.com/201...
The author has managed to literally place you in the book where you can clearly see each detail, smell and feel the wind, and be a part of this wonderful story.
What we have?
Five best friends (Emme, Charlie, Bests, Lilly, Ollie all being in the middle teens), growing up in the freedom of the wild landscape. They find that they have a mission in life.
What the Mission?
They are Spirit Warriors, they can move their own spirit to share the body of an animal, then back to their own body. Each one bond with an animal (horse, bear, mountain lion, osprey and coyote), learned its movements and behaviors. When not inhibiting the animal's body he/she can play with his/her animal and visit their homes.
The set: the countryside Montana, USA. Where the children grew up with horses, farms and native traditions. The historical lessons involving the spirits of the ancestors bring a great flavor to the story.I liked the the Tempo of the life where a year is taken to built one tepee... so five yeas to build a circle of 5 tepees.And Who trained their horses to kill Rattle snakes.
The plot tolled by 16 year old Emme, the daughter of a Montana Rancher. Her group of friends include . Emme think she is ugly as she said: ''Gus and I were soulmates. Two beautiful souls trapped in ugly bodies." Same as Emma I care nothing about chickens, they are messy and mean-spirited creatures. If they find a sore spot or something else wrong with another chicken, they will eventually peck it to death. Her Dad says it is survival of the fittest, but she can’t understand why other bird’s imperfections should mean that they have to die.
Her Dad used to be an English teacher. He quit teaching to take over my grandparents’ ranch after her grandmother died and my grandfather became the town drunk. They don’t talk about that. Emma will discover a few surprising things about him, that will change her mind. Both her parent take care for a musical education she practiced violin and her brother Ben practiced cello.
Charlie the only true Native American in the group and the love of Emme. Tall and muscular with dark tanned skin and straight blackish brown hair that hung over his forehead.Who He wore jeans and no shirt. When he started talking about the Spirit Warriors, there were many people who thought he is crazy. His father left his mother and she couldn’t stand the stress of both things.,and started to drink more and more until she couldn’t remember that she had a son. His grandfather came to pick him and he had transferred to thier school when they were nine years old from the reservation about twenty-five miles away. At the first day he had a seizure. Because of Thunder (one of the 2 horses of Emme family) and his seizures, Emme knew how to treat him.
Charlie believe in the prophecies and spirits of Native American culture. What made him explain his seizures- “The Indian Health doctor calls them seizures, but they are really visions from the Spirit Warriors.” Mean - Charlie is a "seer" that gets visions of the future.He is telling to Emma - “I know who you are. I have been looking for you.”.... “You will die and I must help you to find a way back.” ... “I know about your dreams. I know how you wake up screaming. I know what you dream about.”...“I was sent to protect you.” Charlie hadn’t had any more seizures or visions since that day.
He believes that they need to join together as spirit warriors to fight an evil spirit. Machayiwiw that will come soon and will threaten the lives of the group. In purpose to be at their strongest they must join with animal spirits and use their strengths for the coming battle. Emma claim that sometimes he talks like a 40 years old and he has a wisdom more than an average teen his age should have.
Archie, the foreman on the Flying A Ranch and Charlie's Grandpa. He is the only one who understands Charlie's gift. Archie ran the ranch and worked with the thoroughbreds that Zach Arrington, the owner of the ranch, raised and raced. The horses there were beautiful animals, sleek and pampered, and Archie rode and trained them and they devotedly ran to him when he whistled. The horses were registered with the Jockey Club, and Archie submitted six name options for each colt before the Club decided which one the colt got to have.
With Archie the teenagers camp out in Tepees and learn the stories of The Native American ancestors.
Lilly is Emme's best friend, but she spends her time with her friends, avoiding going home to a father who constantly abuses her. She is thrown a life line by Oscar Hines who leaves his ranch to her upon his death. She is wiser to her own destiny than Emme can believe, and her cheerful character humbles those who know her.
Bets is the brainiac of the group who always asks questions and believes everything can be solved with science and logic. She can be very blunt and mean with what she says. Bets’s dad had a big building close to his house that he made his sculptures in.
Ollie skinny, optimistic and the funny one. Ollie is the the one who say, “Being an only child has privileges.” Who pretant that farts are “barking spiders.” He always the one to lightens up the moods . He was the one to named almost every horse that Zach Arrington owned and yet Zach Arrington had never even met Ollie. He is tech man of the group, he had all the latest technology and video games. He loved music and spent his allowance on music from obscure alternative bands that he loved to share. His parents have a busy lives, and they weren’t around much. His dad was a surgeon and his mom was a nurse who worked in the office with his dad.
Jack Arrington the newcomer. He arrived from Australia to live with his uncle on the Flying A Ranch. He befriends the group instantly. They trusted him and let him in on their secret lives. The group have a very close and supportive friendship which would be the envy of many teenagers, their dress code for the school prom is a prime example. Meanwhile the evil is drawing closer.
Ben Emme's brother with a mop of whitish blond hair falling across his forehead.. He is the talented musician in the family - play cello and violin. Even at his young age, he was better than his mom. Ben said that he could “see” music in the colors of the rainbow, fluctuating with the beat of the music. He could see the music before the next beat played in the colors in his head. He said that music made him feel things.
I also liked how close were their families (except for Lilly's). The adults trusted each other with their children and they protected all of the kids like they were their own. I loved how all treated and cared for Lilly, whose father was an abuser. The other parents took Lilly in, fed her, clothed her and provided for her.
The plot bring in a world of issues from the teen life. It talk about first love, first attraction, which makes it worth for teen and YA market. But it also raise the topics of abuse and homosexuality. This topics only gently raising from between the lines .
''..... I ran to the fire to help Archie cook breakfast. Archie took out his huge, black cast iron skillet. He carefully laid the bacon strips in a row and put the skillet over the fire. I put water in the coffeepot and cracked an egg over the water. I put the grounds on top of the egg. Archie taught me how to make coffee like that. The egg would catch and hold the coffee grounds and you wouldn’t have to drink the grounds. I nestled the coffee pot in the fire.....''
Camp Coffee
Definition: camp coffee - Place enough coffee into a pot of cold water. Place the pot on the stove or campfire. When steam rises from the coffee pot, the coffee is hot and ready.
The author has managed to literally place you in the book where you can clearly see each detail, smell and feel the wind, and be a part of this wonderful story.
What we have?
Five best friends (Emme, Charlie, Bests, Lilly, Ollie all being in the middle teens), growing up in the freedom of the wild landscape. They find that they have a mission in life.
What the Mission?
They are Spirit Warriors, they can move their own spirit to share the body of an animal, then back to their own body. Each one bond with an animal (horse, bear, mountain lion, osprey and coyote), learned its movements and behaviors. When not inhibiting the animal's body he/she can play with his/her animal and visit their homes.
The set: the countryside Montana, USA. Where the children grew up with horses, farms and native traditions. The historical lessons involving the spirits of the ancestors bring a great flavor to the story.I liked the the Tempo of the life where a year is taken to built one tepee... so five yeas to build a circle of 5 tepees.And Who trained their horses to kill Rattle snakes.
The plot tolled by 16 year old Emme, the daughter of a Montana Rancher. Her group of friends include . Emme think she is ugly as she said: ''Gus and I were soulmates. Two beautiful souls trapped in ugly bodies." Same as Emma I care nothing about chickens, they are messy and mean-spirited creatures. If they find a sore spot or something else wrong with another chicken, they will eventually peck it to death. Her Dad says it is survival of the fittest, but she can’t understand why other bird’s imperfections should mean that they have to die.
Her Dad used to be an English teacher. He quit teaching to take over my grandparents’ ranch after her grandmother died and my grandfather became the town drunk. They don’t talk about that. Emma will discover a few surprising things about him, that will change her mind. Both her parent take care for a musical education she practiced violin and her brother Ben practiced cello.
Charlie the only true Native American in the group and the love of Emme. Tall and muscular with dark tanned skin and straight blackish brown hair that hung over his forehead.Who He wore jeans and no shirt. When he started talking about the Spirit Warriors, there were many people who thought he is crazy. His father left his mother and she couldn’t stand the stress of both things.,and started to drink more and more until she couldn’t remember that she had a son. His grandfather came to pick him and he had transferred to thier school when they were nine years old from the reservation about twenty-five miles away. At the first day he had a seizure. Because of Thunder (one of the 2 horses of Emme family) and his seizures, Emme knew how to treat him.
Charlie believe in the prophecies and spirits of Native American culture. What made him explain his seizures- “The Indian Health doctor calls them seizures, but they are really visions from the Spirit Warriors.” Mean - Charlie is a "seer" that gets visions of the future.He is telling to Emma - “I know who you are. I have been looking for you.”.... “You will die and I must help you to find a way back.” ... “I know about your dreams. I know how you wake up screaming. I know what you dream about.”...“I was sent to protect you.” Charlie hadn’t had any more seizures or visions since that day.
He believes that they need to join together as spirit warriors to fight an evil spirit. Machayiwiw that will come soon and will threaten the lives of the group. In purpose to be at their strongest they must join with animal spirits and use their strengths for the coming battle. Emma claim that sometimes he talks like a 40 years old and he has a wisdom more than an average teen his age should have.
Archie, the foreman on the Flying A Ranch and Charlie's Grandpa. He is the only one who understands Charlie's gift. Archie ran the ranch and worked with the thoroughbreds that Zach Arrington, the owner of the ranch, raised and raced. The horses there were beautiful animals, sleek and pampered, and Archie rode and trained them and they devotedly ran to him when he whistled. The horses were registered with the Jockey Club, and Archie submitted six name options for each colt before the Club decided which one the colt got to have.
With Archie the teenagers camp out in Tepees and learn the stories of The Native American ancestors.
Lilly is Emme's best friend, but she spends her time with her friends, avoiding going home to a father who constantly abuses her. She is thrown a life line by Oscar Hines who leaves his ranch to her upon his death. She is wiser to her own destiny than Emme can believe, and her cheerful character humbles those who know her.
Bets is the brainiac of the group who always asks questions and believes everything can be solved with science and logic. She can be very blunt and mean with what she says. Bets’s dad had a big building close to his house that he made his sculptures in.
Ollie skinny, optimistic and the funny one. Ollie is the the one who say, “Being an only child has privileges.” Who pretant that farts are “barking spiders.” He always the one to lightens up the moods . He was the one to named almost every horse that Zach Arrington owned and yet Zach Arrington had never even met Ollie. He is tech man of the group, he had all the latest technology and video games. He loved music and spent his allowance on music from obscure alternative bands that he loved to share. His parents have a busy lives, and they weren’t around much. His dad was a surgeon and his mom was a nurse who worked in the office with his dad.
Jack Arrington the newcomer. He arrived from Australia to live with his uncle on the Flying A Ranch. He befriends the group instantly. They trusted him and let him in on their secret lives. The group have a very close and supportive friendship which would be the envy of many teenagers, their dress code for the school prom is a prime example. Meanwhile the evil is drawing closer.
Ben Emme's brother with a mop of whitish blond hair falling across his forehead.. He is the talented musician in the family - play cello and violin. Even at his young age, he was better than his mom. Ben said that he could “see” music in the colors of the rainbow, fluctuating with the beat of the music. He could see the music before the next beat played in the colors in his head. He said that music made him feel things.
I also liked how close were their families (except for Lilly's). The adults trusted each other with their children and they protected all of the kids like they were their own. I loved how all treated and cared for Lilly, whose father was an abuser. The other parents took Lilly in, fed her, clothed her and provided for her.
The plot bring in a world of issues from the teen life. It talk about first love, first attraction, which makes it worth for teen and YA market. But it also raise the topics of abuse and homosexuality. This topics only gently raising from between the lines .
''..... I ran to the fire to help Archie cook breakfast. Archie took out his huge, black cast iron skillet. He carefully laid the bacon strips in a row and put the skillet over the fire. I put water in the coffeepot and cracked an egg over the water. I put the grounds on top of the egg. Archie taught me how to make coffee like that. The egg would catch and hold the coffee grounds and you wouldn’t have to drink the grounds. I nestled the coffee pot in the fire.....''
Camp Coffee
Definition: camp coffee - Place enough coffee into a pot of cold water. Place the pot on the stove or campfire. When steam rises from the coffee pot, the coffee is hot and ready.
August 9, 2017
I picked up this book at the 2016 Texas Teen Book Festival in Austin, Texas. D.E.L. Connor was very sweet and I was very excited about reading the book. The story line was good with the story being told in first person from the view of Emme Belrose. She and her friends are very tight knit and protective of each other. They are coming into their own and learning they have more to do than just go to dances and playing make believe. But the evil they are expecting will come from an unexpected place.
Good storyline but the telling is awkward. The story felt forced and it was very anticlimactic. It is a good first book, but it did not keep me captivated enough to want to read the next one. I hope D.E.L. Connor does well because I think it can be worked to be a wonderful YA book.
Good storyline but the telling is awkward. The story felt forced and it was very anticlimactic. It is a good first book, but it did not keep me captivated enough to want to read the next one. I hope D.E.L. Connor does well because I think it can be worked to be a wonderful YA book.
May 9, 2014
I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.
Emme and her friends Lily, Bets, Ollie and Charlie all love going out on the Arrington ranch and doing reenactments of the Civil War. After they get through acting out the war they then go to their place in the clearing and camp out in their teepees. Charlie's grandfather Archie stays with them when they are camping. Everyone loves Charlie's grandfather Archie. He is real cool for an older guy. Emme actually met Archie before she met Charlie.
Emme met Archie one day when she was out riding her horse Gus and fell off. Archie stops and ask her if she is ok? Emme bounces back on her feet quickly to prove that she is ok. Archie offers to give Emme riding lessons at the Arrington ranch for free. Emme and her friends all love being with Archie.
Emme met Charlie right after he started going to her school when they were in elementary. Charlie had a seizure, the teacher was in the process of trying to put something in Charlie's mouth when Emme ran over and pushed her out of the way and laid on Charlie trying to hold him still so he wouldn't hurt himself while at the same time talking to him calming him down and just letting him know that someone was there with him. Later after Charlie stopped seizing Emme was asked how she knew what to do? Emme explained to them that she had a horse that had seizures and that is what they do for him. Everyone in the whole class including the teacher and the nurse laughed at Emme. Emme and Charlie were best friends from that day forward after looking into each other's eyes.
I love all the characters in Spirit Warriors: The Concealing. We have Emme, Charlie, Lilly, Bets, Ollie, Jack and Raymond who are all the greatest of people and friends. I don't think there is nothing that either one of them would do for the other including give up their own lives. Each and every one of them would die if that meant the other would live. The things that they do for each other are out of this world. It would be so nice to have friends like that. They spend the majority of their time with each other at one of their homes if they are not in the clearing their own private place that only they know about. The only time they are apart is if they are a sleep but even then they are all together most of the time.
The Concealing is one of the best books that I have read in a long time. The Concealing will touch your heart deeply. It will make you happy but it will make you so sad that you will need at least four or five boxes of Kleenex. Parts of The Concealing had me laughing right along with all the characters and then parts of it had me crying my eyes out. You will fall head over heels in love with all of the characters and the plot as well in The Concealing. Each and every one of the characters all reaches out and touch the hearts of just about everyone they come in contact with. The Concealing is definitely one book that I highly recommend to everyone. I don't know how I am going to stand waiting for the next book to come out..
Emme and her friends Lily, Bets, Ollie and Charlie all love going out on the Arrington ranch and doing reenactments of the Civil War. After they get through acting out the war they then go to their place in the clearing and camp out in their teepees. Charlie's grandfather Archie stays with them when they are camping. Everyone loves Charlie's grandfather Archie. He is real cool for an older guy. Emme actually met Archie before she met Charlie.
Emme met Archie one day when she was out riding her horse Gus and fell off. Archie stops and ask her if she is ok? Emme bounces back on her feet quickly to prove that she is ok. Archie offers to give Emme riding lessons at the Arrington ranch for free. Emme and her friends all love being with Archie.
Emme met Charlie right after he started going to her school when they were in elementary. Charlie had a seizure, the teacher was in the process of trying to put something in Charlie's mouth when Emme ran over and pushed her out of the way and laid on Charlie trying to hold him still so he wouldn't hurt himself while at the same time talking to him calming him down and just letting him know that someone was there with him. Later after Charlie stopped seizing Emme was asked how she knew what to do? Emme explained to them that she had a horse that had seizures and that is what they do for him. Everyone in the whole class including the teacher and the nurse laughed at Emme. Emme and Charlie were best friends from that day forward after looking into each other's eyes.
I love all the characters in Spirit Warriors: The Concealing. We have Emme, Charlie, Lilly, Bets, Ollie, Jack and Raymond who are all the greatest of people and friends. I don't think there is nothing that either one of them would do for the other including give up their own lives. Each and every one of them would die if that meant the other would live. The things that they do for each other are out of this world. It would be so nice to have friends like that. They spend the majority of their time with each other at one of their homes if they are not in the clearing their own private place that only they know about. The only time they are apart is if they are a sleep but even then they are all together most of the time.
The Concealing is one of the best books that I have read in a long time. The Concealing will touch your heart deeply. It will make you happy but it will make you so sad that you will need at least four or five boxes of Kleenex. Parts of The Concealing had me laughing right along with all the characters and then parts of it had me crying my eyes out. You will fall head over heels in love with all of the characters and the plot as well in The Concealing. Each and every one of the characters all reaches out and touch the hearts of just about everyone they come in contact with. The Concealing is definitely one book that I highly recommend to everyone. I don't know how I am going to stand waiting for the next book to come out..
January 13, 2014
Spirit Warriors is a Young Adult story set in Montana, USA. It is an extremely well written tale about a group of friends growing up in the freedom of the wild landscape. The group have grown up re-enacting battle scenes with General Custer and Chief Crazy Horse. The story is narrated by 16 year old Emme, the daughter of a Montana Rancher. Her group of friends include Charlie the love of her life and the descendant of local Native Americans. Under the watchful eye of Archie, the foreman on the Flying A Ranch and Charlie's Grandpa, the teenagers camp out in Tepees and learn the stories of The Native American ancestors.
Charlie believes his destiny is to protect Emme and that all the teenagers will need to join together as spirit warriors to fight an evil spirit. Machayiwiw will come soon and threaten the lives of the group, to be at their strongest for battle they must join with animal spirits and use their strengths for the coming battle.
Lilly is Emme's best friend, but she spends her time with her friends, avoiding going home to a father who constantly abuses her. She is thrown a life line by Oscar Hines who leaves his ranch to her upon his death. She is wiser to her own destiny than Emme can believe, and her cheerful character humbles those who know her.
When Jack Arrington arrives to live with his uncle on the Flying A Ranch he befriends the group instantly. They must trust him and let him in on their secret lives. The group have a very close and supportive friendship which would be the envy of many teenagers, their dress code for the school prom is a prime example. Meanwhile the evil is drawing closer.
The author captures some great emotional moments between the teenagers and the events which surround Lilly. It brought tears to my own eyes on more than one occasion. This book deals with social issues which face many teenagers in todays society. I liked the setting where the children grew up in the countryside with horses, farms and native traditions. The historical lessons involving the spirits of the ancestors brought great meaning to the story and the interactions with the adults in the story worked well. I know I've read a good book when it stays with me for several days and I keep thinking about it. This book is not just for the YA market, adults can enjoy it too.
This review is based on a free copy of the book sent to me by Booktrope.com
Charlie believes his destiny is to protect Emme and that all the teenagers will need to join together as spirit warriors to fight an evil spirit. Machayiwiw will come soon and threaten the lives of the group, to be at their strongest for battle they must join with animal spirits and use their strengths for the coming battle.
Lilly is Emme's best friend, but she spends her time with her friends, avoiding going home to a father who constantly abuses her. She is thrown a life line by Oscar Hines who leaves his ranch to her upon his death. She is wiser to her own destiny than Emme can believe, and her cheerful character humbles those who know her.
When Jack Arrington arrives to live with his uncle on the Flying A Ranch he befriends the group instantly. They must trust him and let him in on their secret lives. The group have a very close and supportive friendship which would be the envy of many teenagers, their dress code for the school prom is a prime example. Meanwhile the evil is drawing closer.
The author captures some great emotional moments between the teenagers and the events which surround Lilly. It brought tears to my own eyes on more than one occasion. This book deals with social issues which face many teenagers in todays society. I liked the setting where the children grew up in the countryside with horses, farms and native traditions. The historical lessons involving the spirits of the ancestors brought great meaning to the story and the interactions with the adults in the story worked well. I know I've read a good book when it stays with me for several days and I keep thinking about it. This book is not just for the YA market, adults can enjoy it too.
This review is based on a free copy of the book sent to me by Booktrope.com
June 27, 2015
The Concealing (Spirit Warriors Book 1) is emotional, spiritual and unpredictable. The story begins with five children playing in a clearing as they pretend to imitate the American Indian Wars. Emme Belrose and her four best friends have everything that they could possibly ever want. When they are in the clearing, they are free to be different and judgement-free. Things start to change when Charlie tells Emme about a vision of her that he saw in an attempt to help her understand the ongoing nightmare that constantly plagues her mind. All five friends don’t realize at first that they have formed an alliance that has already been predestined; however, will their friendship be powerful enough to face the one thing that binds them together? Emme and her friends are Spirit Warriors who have the ability to move their spirits into animals in order to stop an impenetrable evil that is coming for them.
My favorite characters in this story are Archie and Lilly. When reading about Archie, I always imagine him as a tall, strong Native American man with an abundance of knowledge and wisdom. He assists the five friends with their training as Spirit Warriors. He protects them in many ways and provides them with the strength they need to bond with their animal counterparts. Lilly is a kind and gentle soul who sees the best in everyone, including all of her friends. Her words and personality are so heartwarming and her spirit is the purest of them all…even when her home has been broken with the death of her mother.
I really enjoyed reading this book; however, it was very emotional for me. I love that this author was able to make me smile, cry, laugh and captivate my attention. In my opinion, this story targets a young adult audience or anyone over the age of eighteen since there is violence and a slight hint of sexual content. This author is creative, inspirational, motivational and her words are very powerful and touching. I rate The Concealing (Spirit Warriors Book 1) with five stars because I finished this story and really felt a desire to read the second book in the series.
My favorite characters in this story are Archie and Lilly. When reading about Archie, I always imagine him as a tall, strong Native American man with an abundance of knowledge and wisdom. He assists the five friends with their training as Spirit Warriors. He protects them in many ways and provides them with the strength they need to bond with their animal counterparts. Lilly is a kind and gentle soul who sees the best in everyone, including all of her friends. Her words and personality are so heartwarming and her spirit is the purest of them all…even when her home has been broken with the death of her mother.
I really enjoyed reading this book; however, it was very emotional for me. I love that this author was able to make me smile, cry, laugh and captivate my attention. In my opinion, this story targets a young adult audience or anyone over the age of eighteen since there is violence and a slight hint of sexual content. This author is creative, inspirational, motivational and her words are very powerful and touching. I rate The Concealing (Spirit Warriors Book 1) with five stars because I finished this story and really felt a desire to read the second book in the series.
July 25, 2014
This is a great sequel book to the Spirit Warriors: The Concealing. In this book Emma must fight or be killed to save the ones she loves from the Machayawiw and this includes her friends and fellow spirit warriors. She must deal with boyfriend and fellow warrior, Charlie's choice to move back to the reservation where he was once not welcome because of his Spirit Warrior ways. The warriors have just lost a friend and fellow warrior, Lily, to the Machayawiw and must also protect there animal sides from the hunters that wish to see them dead. All of this pain and stress on top of the normal problems these teens face as just being teens is found in this wonderfully written and inspiring book. This is another wonderful book that adds diversity among our young adult books in many more ways than I have listed here, but the biggest is that this one is full of rich Northern Indian Lore (Montana Region), but don't get me wrong this book also deals with more issues relevant to teen life than most I have read in a long time, and it deals with them in a positive, encouraging way. Even though the story revolves around 5 main teens, Emma takes the lead, she is very strong when she needs to be and a true country girl through and through (thank goodness). But I fell in love with each of the five in their own special way. I really loved the Native American ( O.K. Charlie, Indian) lore that was weaved throughout the book, but I have always been a sucker for a great earth story and that is what drew me to read this particular book in the first place. I read this book without reading the first book, and that is fine, this book gives you enough back story that you understand what is going on with no problem. But after finishing the book and loving it so much I just had to go back and read the first one, heck it will be a while before part three comes out so I might as well catch up, because I am just going to go crazy waiting anyways. Awesome book!
April 24, 2014
Five stars for the Spirit Warriors, one each for Emme, Lilly, Charlie, Ollie and Bets, matching their sky stars, the mark of eternal friendship. Emme makes a brave and bold narrator, taking the reader on a wild ride, a fight against cruelty and despair. D.E.L. Connor's writing is so vivid and passionate that when Emme left her body and merged with Eros the osprey I felt that I too was flying. Each of the animals assigned to the young warriors has a special character. Lilly and her mustang, Arion, are a particularly beautifully described team. Tiny fairy like Lilly is a character to hug and cherish.
There are several plot twists which I must not mention, but I do have to give an extra five stars to the scene where one of the characters comes out as gay, followed by the tuxedo episode. You'll know when you reach it! The scene in the river.......well, just you wait. Another five stars.
'Spirit Warriors' is an exciting adventure that is joyful and life affirming, even in the midst of tragedy. I cannot name names but the message of the book is that love goes on. Love in life, love that lasts beyond death. There were tears but I was still left with a positive feeling.
D.E.L. Connor tackles the big questions, love, sexuality, family abuse and death, so although officially a YA book 'Spirit Warriors' is also a great read for adults.
There are several plot twists which I must not mention, but I do have to give an extra five stars to the scene where one of the characters comes out as gay, followed by the tuxedo episode. You'll know when you reach it! The scene in the river.......well, just you wait. Another five stars.
'Spirit Warriors' is an exciting adventure that is joyful and life affirming, even in the midst of tragedy. I cannot name names but the message of the book is that love goes on. Love in life, love that lasts beyond death. There were tears but I was still left with a positive feeling.
D.E.L. Connor tackles the big questions, love, sexuality, family abuse and death, so although officially a YA book 'Spirit Warriors' is also a great read for adults.
September 24, 2014
I did love the idea of this book. It has a real YA feel to it too, but unfortunately it didn’t translate very well to me, an adult reader.
I felt that the characters acted more like kids than teenagers, and mostly in YA, readers want to read above their age group. The way they spoke was kind of random and although they had some teeny talk in there, sometimes they didn’t use it all. For me, I’d have preferred more consistent adult-like speech.
From a writer’s perspective, the start of the book was a little hard for me, it had a long laundry list of characters and descriptions, and if I’m being honest, I wouldn’t have gotten past the first chapter if this wasn’t a book tour – which would have been a shame, as when it got going it was very interesting. The paranormal aspect of the book was very well thought out and original – which in YA fiction is quite rare and hard to find.
The front cover is utterly beautiful and really captures the essence of the book – so definitely 5 stars to the cover designer.
Overall I’d give this book 2 ratings (to make it fair) for an adult reader, 3 out of 5, but for a YA reader 5 out 5 stars.
I felt that the characters acted more like kids than teenagers, and mostly in YA, readers want to read above their age group. The way they spoke was kind of random and although they had some teeny talk in there, sometimes they didn’t use it all. For me, I’d have preferred more consistent adult-like speech.
From a writer’s perspective, the start of the book was a little hard for me, it had a long laundry list of characters and descriptions, and if I’m being honest, I wouldn’t have gotten past the first chapter if this wasn’t a book tour – which would have been a shame, as when it got going it was very interesting. The paranormal aspect of the book was very well thought out and original – which in YA fiction is quite rare and hard to find.
The front cover is utterly beautiful and really captures the essence of the book – so definitely 5 stars to the cover designer.
Overall I’d give this book 2 ratings (to make it fair) for an adult reader, 3 out of 5, but for a YA reader 5 out 5 stars.
January 24, 2016
This was an awesome read, it was well written and flowed smoothly.
I read it over the course of a couple of days, but it stayed with me big time, when I was not reading it I was wondering what was going to happen and who was it?
Such a cool story line, 5 teens and their struggle with life, love, sexuality, family abuse and death.
Then add the fact that they have spiritual powers (but not your normal powers, cool animal ones), they each have an animal companion who they can merge their spirit with, to become one to fight the coming evil spirit..
I fell for these characters - Emme, Lilly, Charlie, Ollie and Bets..they share such an incredibly strong friendship.
Oh Lilly and Arion, you made me cry so hard!
This is aimed at the YA audience and I am far removed from that age group, as a mature aged reader, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A pleasure to read with some rough, emotional parts!
Highly recommend to all!
I received a free copy of this from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review!
I read it over the course of a couple of days, but it stayed with me big time, when I was not reading it I was wondering what was going to happen and who was it?
Such a cool story line, 5 teens and their struggle with life, love, sexuality, family abuse and death.
Then add the fact that they have spiritual powers (but not your normal powers, cool animal ones), they each have an animal companion who they can merge their spirit with, to become one to fight the coming evil spirit..
I fell for these characters - Emme, Lilly, Charlie, Ollie and Bets..they share such an incredibly strong friendship.
Oh Lilly and Arion, you made me cry so hard!
This is aimed at the YA audience and I am far removed from that age group, as a mature aged reader, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A pleasure to read with some rough, emotional parts!
Highly recommend to all!
I received a free copy of this from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review!
February 11, 2016
Honestly...
This book was slow and bogged down in my estimation.
Don't get me wrong, the story was nice, enjoyable even. However, it needs to be reedited... desperately.
There is a lot of information given that didn't do anything for the storyline but make me actually stop reading and wonder (sometimes aloud) whether the author thought I was a complete idiot.
She defined and explained EVERYTHING
While this is great for a book about a specific niche using their jargon (i.e. a book about surgeons or chemical engineers) it didn't really appeal in this forum.
So I am somewhat disappointed, BECAUSE it is a great story, to know that people who ran into the same problem, with less fortitude than I, most likely put it down and never picked it up again.
This book was slow and bogged down in my estimation.
Don't get me wrong, the story was nice, enjoyable even. However, it needs to be reedited... desperately.
There is a lot of information given that didn't do anything for the storyline but make me actually stop reading and wonder (sometimes aloud) whether the author thought I was a complete idiot.
She defined and explained EVERYTHING
While this is great for a book about a specific niche using their jargon (i.e. a book about surgeons or chemical engineers) it didn't really appeal in this forum.
So I am somewhat disappointed, BECAUSE it is a great story, to know that people who ran into the same problem, with less fortitude than I, most likely put it down and never picked it up again.
October 23, 2014
I cannot believe this book. It was an amazing story line with lots of plot twists, also very unique story line. I've never really been into many YA books because many of them just don't seem to catch my interest, and for the first 500 "Parts" (How my kindle tells me how far I've read) I thought this was going to be just like that.
It wasn't it was absolutely enchanting after everything got going. Like I said the first part took me a moment to read but after that I just could NOT put this down. I soared through the entire book in less than 5 hours, and I'm already reading the second. I can't wait to see what other trouble these characters get into all five of them!
It wasn't it was absolutely enchanting after everything got going. Like I said the first part took me a moment to read but after that I just could NOT put this down. I soared through the entire book in less than 5 hours, and I'm already reading the second. I can't wait to see what other trouble these characters get into all five of them!
July 12, 2017
At first, this story was difficult for me to get into. At times there is too much telling and back story, especially in some of the early dialog. It had hints of something beyond the ordinary that was going to happen, but then the story drifted back into talking about the relationships among a group of teenage friends, the supernatural seemingly forgotten. After the first third, however, the story picks up the pace and the plot gets more and more interesting. It is rich with Native American tales and transference of spirits into animals. Once I got caught up in the story, it was difficult to put down. It is hauntingly sad and chilling.
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 3, 2016I received this book in return for an honest review.
DNF at 49%
So after a year of it just sitting here, I officially DNF at 49%.
I honestly can't bring myself to pick it up again.
It just didn't interest me and seemed to go on and on and on. Even the "action" parts were boring. How? I ... am not sure. I didn't even think that was possible.
Sorry if that seems harsh.
There really isn't much I can say even though I read 49% and got way farther than I thought I would. :/
DNF at 49%
So after a year of it just sitting here, I officially DNF at 49%.
I honestly can't bring myself to pick it up again.
It just didn't interest me and seemed to go on and on and on. Even the "action" parts were boring. How? I ... am not sure. I didn't even think that was possible.
Sorry if that seems harsh.
There really isn't much I can say even though I read 49% and got way farther than I thought I would. :/
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