Ahnd

by Sylas Seabrook

An eight-year-old boy's world is turned upside down. All he wants is a happy family, but the cards are not in his favor. A rough world drags him down and forges him into a formidable force. His only escape is through his camera, a lens to a different world.

Can Ahnd find happiness before the dark side of the streets bury him?

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 16, 2024

About the author

Sylas Seabrook holds a degree in Mathematics and minored in Computer Information Systems. In 2020, he left the technology industry to pursue his dream of writing, publishing his first book, Arter, in 2022.

The Rise of Tribinius Cantus is his current, most popular project. It tells the story of a bipolar 16yo boy born without his limbs who stands to inherit one of the largest corporations on Earth, but discovers an 1100 year old secret and pledges to expose it to the light of day. This epic 10 book series takes us on the wild journey of Tribinius Cantus as he uncovers the truth, risks it all, and is forced to discover himself. It has an ambitious release schedule of 1 book every 3 months for 3 years, culminating with the book Jarev Reyes. The final book in the series carries a lofty promise: "Spoilers. Jarev Reyes knew them all. Anyone who read his story would know where it all began and where it all ends."

The Rise of Tribinius Cantus holds a special place in Sylas' heart as it has a bipolar main character--Sylas is bipolar. One of its goals is to take the reader inside the mind of a bipolar person to help build empathy in a disorder which is difficult to understand.

Fantastical worlds, new species and civilizations, imaginative takes on familiar tropes, and much more await those who join Sylas' journey into fiction. Come join us!

Reviews

[E.A. Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would I be wrong to give a one-star review on the sole reason for this book not being long enough? 🤔 Because I'm mad and need more of Ahnd! I started this book at 2 a.m. because I couldn't sleep and finished 1 hour and 30 minutes later, AND I still can't sleep because I need to know more!!!!! 🙃

Great story, I absolutely loved it if you couldn't tell already! 😀

Off to find more of Ahnd!
I'll give it a five-star now, but if the author is reading this... I need you to add 100 more pages next time! 😉

[Dahlia MacEachern-Author · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful stand-alone. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
* I love the fancy camera and the passion Ahnd has for the camera among all other things.
* I loved the unique names in the story.
* I love the sci-fi future technology.
This book really shows the struggle of a kid living on the street and having a hard life but overcoming the struggles within this book while becoming a total bad ass. What a good ending, I loved it a lot. Sad the type of struggles Ahnd goes through causing damage in ways that would affect him for life. But that was a good moral to the overall plot with what it is like living on the streets.

[J.C. Brice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for books. This was my first time reading one of Sylas’ books. I was a beta for this and enjoyed the story.

Ahnd is unfortunately a child who has to deal with a shitty dad and an iffy step dad. If I could slap John through the pages, I would. He was NOT a favorite, clearly.

But Capo was! Oh how I loved this old man. I’m a sucker for any character who takes another under their wing. It reminds me that not all humans are shitty.


As far as the story itself, I felt the pace was great for a novella. The character growth was on point for me as well. We walk through Ahnd’s life from 9 to 15 and I think Sylas does a good job at showing not only his mental growth but he physical growth as well.


So if you’re looking for a good, short read, I’d recommend this novella!

[Sandra Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Street Rat Makes Good!

Ahnd is a tough street kid, an enforcer, but how did he get that way?

Behind the lens of a camera, Ahnd sees the world differently, though he was labeled just a street rat. He toughens up from a young boy into a streetwise teen after surviving an abusive childhood. This street rat takes care of himself no matter what situations he encounters.

With beloved characters from his series, Sylas Seabrook outdoes himself with a whirlwind of emotion and action.

If you’re looking for a sci-fi fix with action, feeling, and found family, try Ahnd.

[Rayona Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this had me scared cause I wasn’t sure if I’d understand. Guess what, I did and I freakin loved it. I loved Ahnd and what he had to go through and how hard he worked to be the kid he became. The story itself was entertaining. I loved the action scenes. I love that Ahnd was able to handle himself and each situation he got into.
I loved reading this. I loved watching Ahnd grow and be able to make his own decisions and secure his path.

[Denise Williams AKA Niecey Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science fiction is not my preferred genre. That being said, I enjoyed this so much! It doesn’t get into the weeds of science fiction per se. The book is character driven, and I fell in love with them right away. I just wanted to take little Ahnd home and be his mom. His surrogate family absolutely warmed my heart. This is an excellent book, especially if they are venturing into science fiction for the first time.

[AJ Jennison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luvd this book, this book made me realize just how tough that people who are kicked out and just homeless in general havit in this world. I am so glad that this was a fun yet serious book and I am positive that anyone who picks it up, even just based on the cover, will really like it. :) ;) <3 :> PS luv u Sy.

[Madison Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahnd is a powerful short story taking you on a journey through the growth and development of the most badass character on this side of the tracks. With powerful imagery and several twists and turns, Ahnd is sure to take you on a ride.

[Mel Friday · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing heart string pulling story, truly became close to this character and saw his development through his life. Loved the balance there was in world building, action, and development of the story in itself.

[Tonja Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the first stories that sucked me in from the first page and didn’t let me go until the very end. If you love face paced story with lovable but flawed characters then you’ll devour this.

[SabreenReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

My good friend Sylas Seabrook made an AMAZING book! I personally enjoyed the storyline and it’s emotions, but the character actions could’ve been more definitive within the dialogue! And that’s ok! It’s a very read and very user friendly to follow along!!

[DAVID HOTALING · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very entertaining short read. Highly recommend to anyone that loves sci-fi

[Kierstyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww short and sweet!

I loved this. I read the Ementhian first, and then this as a wonderful backstory. Oh, I love the escape in the camera to create a reality he wants, and then the emphasis on choosing your future no matter what life is throwing your way. Awesome book!

[Kellye Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy and quick read! Gripping story about a boy growing up in a pretty tough hi tech world trying to find the family he's always wanted!

[Brittney Mieling · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING READ 📚

[T.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This kid Ahnd..this scrawny kid that slowly but surely made something of himself. It always seemed like it was one thing after another with Ahnd,and in each chapter, I was holding my breath to find out what happened next to him. I am giving this book 5 🌟 because I normally do not read books like this at all(as an Arc reader). But the author, Sylas Seabrook takes you on a journey with Ahnd,of his childhood,of his hurt,of him wanting to belong,and of his trials and tribulations. What I appreciate and enjoy about this book is that it didn't drone on and on with back stories. Sylas Seabrook got right to the point and had me wanting to learn all I could about Ahnd, I will say that my favorite characters in this book were Capo and Dawn. Touching on these two characters with a bit about their past was so heartwarming,while also heartbreaking.
You can grab Ahnd February 16,2024!

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a bedtime story. I zoomed through this novella as it is action packed and filled with heart wrenching moments. I thought "Hey I have a few hours before bed why not tuck into a little novella" yeah... nope. I have a vivid imagination and while Ahnd is in no way gory or grotesque in descriptions or depictions of violence if you are a fluffy teddy bear like me maybe read this during the day. This is a coming of age story of a little kid with a really tough hand dealt to him not your typical upper middle to middle class coming of age story. There is trama. I will tell you #spoiler He does rise above his humble beginnings although not at all in the way you hope or expect. I love The Ementhian and Ahnd as a character so I wanted to know more of his story which is why I had to read Ahnd. While normally I am a re-reader I don't think I'll ever have a need to re-read this novella because this thoughtful "street rat" will always have a spot in my heart and mind.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sylas Seabrook did a fantastic job bringing Ahnd to life. From a young child with a rough home life, to a badass teenager, Ahnd kept my attention from page 1. Sylas does a great job showing how the things that happen in life can mold you into the perfect weapon.

Ahnd eventually becomes a silent protector of the people, and when he accidentally kills someone, his soft heart in conflicted. I love a character who is a badass but retains their soft heartedness. He is a gang enforcer and yet LOVES to take videos and pictures. Through out everything that happens to him, he never loses sight of what he loves.

I will definitely be reading more stories from Sylas. The world building is amazing, and immersive, and there is nothing that tripped me up and pulled me out of the world.

[Temperance Quill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A read that will make you think.

Ahnd is a fantastical telling of a child being forced to grow up too fast too soon, but finding the luck that few ever do.

Pushed into gang life by the neglect of his own parents, it’s a display of how so often our choices aren’t our own, especially when we’re young. But how through the influences of others we can find opportunities to dictate our fates in small ways.

My only critique of the book is that it’s very basic when there was so much room to expand upon the events and structures that defined Ahnd’s story. His relationships were shallow at best, he rarely faced any real failure’s, and when he did they were to his benefit. Creating a lack of stakes that never gives the reader any real fear for his safety.

[Keith LaSpaluto · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the Ementhian, I had to find our Ahnd's backstory, though I believe you could start with this book and then go to the Rise of Tribinius Cantus series and it would work great as well. Sylas' efficiency in writing made this an action packed short read filling in the gaps of one of the three friends from the series, and I loved every page of it! Highly recommended! Now it's on to the rest of the series. I'm pretty sure anyone who reads this will be chomping at the bit to continue the story!

[Joe Hand · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story of a boy being kick out of home at a very young age and thrives on the streets. A great variety of characters and very well written story that leaves you wanting more. But guess what you get more in the form of a 10 book series keep your eyes out for The Rise of Tribinius Cantus.

[J.P. Solanki-Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first chapter got me hooked, it was a shock but one that set the story in motion. I was drawn into Ahnd immediately with him being such an intriguing character who has real struggles as a street rat. Many times my heart went out to him and by the end I wanted to read more. Now, I'm eager for the rest of The Rise of Tribinius Cantus Series.

[Keri Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely stand-alone book that follows Ahnd. It shows his struggling in the world. He is comnig of age, and he has to make some hard decisions. I was kind of sad when I realized I had finished the book, I wanted more! But it was a nice, easy read, and I highly recommend it!

[FairyErin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written with a good story that kept my interest throughout. Moved quickly as expected of a novella but didn’t feel rushed. As someone new to this world, there were a couple of story elements that I wish had been explained.

[Cheryl Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book I love the characters the storyline I have to rate this book higher than this stars that they give you I believe this book was 200 and I can't wait to read more from this amazing author

[Vanessa Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Coming of age from a young age. Tells the truth of growing up on the streets. The fight scenes are enjoyable. The story flows generously and spreads knowledge and wisdom.

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story immediately captured my attention. This is not a genre I normally jump to read, however the plot kept me engaged and wanting more.

[Daniel Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good easy read

Not much type of read but I decided to give it a go.
A nice steady flow from modern sort of twist of Oliver story line.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is slightly out of my normal preferred genres, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are relatable, the story was amazing, and I genuinely liked this book. I am impatiently waited for then next book in the series. Well done Mr Seabrook!