TW// animal death/murder (including dogs, frogs, and more), drug addiction (including children being addicted), slavery, murder, incest, suicidal ideation, mention of cannibalism, sexism

I really enjoy post-apcolopytic stories, so I was looking forward to this one, but I ended up feeling extremely disappointed with the story. I’m surprised that Wizard of the Wasteland has such a high average star rating on Goodreads. It is quite simply a boring, pointless tale with lackluster characters.

This book should’ve been an epic adventure to rescue some drug addicted kids from slavery, but the execution was done poorly. Most of this book follows the main character as he loots for objects to trade. This looting was extremely repetitive and it went on for chapters at a time without even bringing up the main conflict in the story (the slavery).

The title of the book and the synopsis made it seem this book would center around a man called the wizard, but the wizard wasn’t the main focus of the story. It felt clickbait to pitch this story about being about a wizard then to not make him a vital part of the book. His parts in the story weren’t even super strong. The wizard was just this guy who happened to be near the main character at a couple points in the story, so they traveled together for a tiny bit. The wizard also had different desires and motivations than the main character, so it wasn’t even clear to me why they would travel with each other at all.

Speaking of the characters, all of them were extremely bland. There was nothing that held my attention about any of the characters. A lot of the characters were way too similair to each other as well. When the wizard and Abel were traveling with each other, I had to keep rereading pages because Abel and the wizard are so similair that it was impossible to tell who was saying what unless there was a clear dialogue tag “Abel said.”

The world wasn’t explained well in this story. There was supposedly chemical rain that would leave small craters in the earth and irritate skin. There was no rhyme or reason why this rain would happen. The craters were also extremely confusing because sometimes there would be large craters for some reason? But the rain was only described as making small craters when it was falling down. It seemed the whole crater idea wasn’t well thought out. Then there was the biggest plothole in the book: the drinkability of the water. All water in this book comes from the rain. However, the chemical elements to the rain makes the water undrinkable and unsafe to touch. However, Abel randomly finds a stream outside that isn’t poisonous. He immediately starts bathing himself in it and drinking out of it. This doesn’t make sense though as the stream would’ve been contaminated by the chemical rain. The only water in this book that should’ve been safe were water that was drawn from a well that had an air tight lid over the top to avoid the chemical rain splashing in and water that was boiled to get rid of the chemicals (if that could even work with the specific chemicals that were in the rainwater).

I despised every moment of the inbred town in the story. The inbred characters all had ridiculous names, they didn’t talk in ways that seemed realistic, and they were sexist. The sexism was a huge issue for me because the story didn’t handle the sexism well. It just casually mentioned that all the women were basically locked up and forced to do “womenly” duties. It was awful yet the story didn’t even do a deep dive into that disturbing sexism.

I could rant about this book a lot more, but I’ll try to hold myself back and end my review with one final criticism: how this book dealt with one of the dead dogs was really gross and disturbing. I won’t spoil exactly what happened, but I will say that the dog was not buried or cremated for a very long time. The poor dog needed to be put to rest, but its body couldn’t catch a break.

I obviously hated this book and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone because of how many issues it had.31 s Kathryn Barnett24 1 follower

6/15/2017
WIZARD OF THE WASTELAND
Jon Cronshaw

A generation past the end of the world as we know it finds Alan and his dog Pip ranging the country trading pre-apocalyptic trash and such for food and a means to survive. One day he meets the “Wizard of the Wasteland” and both their life changes. They decide to combine their talents and travel together.
This reminds me a little of a cross between THE ROAD and THE STAND. If you action, emotion and stories of survival you will love this book. It will hold your interest from the first word and I dare you to put it down before the last word. I loved it and would recommend this book to anyone.5 s Norma3,441 10

( Format : Audiobook )
"You got a plan?"
Set in a post apocalyptic time when society's remnants have settled into a new rhythm of life, the old magic of technology is mostly forgotten and the Wizard trades on this, making a living revealing to the new generations the magic of forgotten arts, electricity. A young man, Abel, and his faithful dog, Pip, leave the security of the Trinity community to join with the Wizard and, hopefully, travel in company with him.This is the story of their travels.

This is not the often frequently told post apocalyptic tale of vicious fighting for survival in a world disintegrating. Time has moved on. Not too many had survived. But it is not a tale of sweetness and light, either. There are small enclaves of habitation but also 'loners', too, and the rules are what anyone can make them. So this is not a journey of peaceful transition. But it is one of pain, tentative friendship, fear - and discovery.

Told in the present tense with short, snappy sentences, there is a feeling of meticulous concentration to all that is happening and, from very early in the text there is a growing sense of tension. And the steady narration of Ian Coleman matches the pace and the hard emotions felt by Abel perfectly. His voicings of the various other protagonists is similarly appropriate and distinct. The whole is both disturbing, bleak but also hopeful. People are different and this story reflects this.

I received a complementary copy of The Wizard of the Wasteland, at my request, from the rights holder, via Audiobook Boom. My thanks for that. I found this to be a story which really insinuated it's way under my skin, the main characters in particular becoming very real to me, and I both feared for them and rejoiced in their small achievements. Strangely, a sense of calm seemed to flow from the pages and there was, for me, a sadness when the book ended.
A different type of story and one I certainly recommend.2017 audio post-apocalyptic ...more3 s Sandy238 4

There's a sameness to almost all post-apocalyptic worlds that could definitely be seen in this book, but the characters and the plot were unique enough that it kept me interested. Abel's imperfect backstory made him a sympathetic character even though I wished more time has been spent on his personal development and struggles. His relationship with the Wizard was interesting and I d reading about how Abel interacted with all the different people he came in contact with.

The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was a lot of prolonged descriptions of searching abandoned areas and scavenging that really didn't add anything to the plot. I understand it was important to show how Abel (and the people of that world) live, but repeated descriptions of him searching desk drawers and collecting pencils weren't really needed. If come of that had been tightened up/cut out, this would have been a 5-star book.fiction-post-apocalypse-dystopian3 s Miriam Michalak781 27

Really enjoyed this post-apoc piece. It has the elements I love - the breakdown of society and humans creating, finding new ways to live. It also has none of the things I dis - no zombies and no aliens!

It's a fast and interesting enough read, I look forward to seeing the characters & world develop.

post-apocalyptic3 s Seth TuckerAuthor 21 books21

This book was a really good read. I enjoyed the main character, Abel, and the people that he interacts with. Set in a fully developed world where most people have forgotten how to read and there appears to only be one domesticated dog, Abel meets with the Wizard of the Wasteland, a showman who has harvested technology from the before time. Together the two embark on a journey that brings them into conflict with a child-enslaving drug-peddling gang known as the Family. If you post-apocalyptic fiction then I suggest that you give this book a read. Even if you aren't a fan, the characters in this book are so well-written that I think people who appreciate a good story will enjoy this as well.2 s Jeanne Pocius Dorismond81 7

A Hero for Beyond the Ages

Abel and his dog Pip travel through apocalyptic wastelands, scavenging whatever he thinks he might be able to trade for necessities. Along the way we learn more of his backstory, and it is a tough one: he is a recovering addict, has no family or close friends except for his loyal pup, Pip, and a couple of folks who run a Christ-centered camp. When he meets a traveling "wizard" who amazes folks with "magic" made from small pieces of the old world's technology. I won't spoil the rest of the story--it's too good. This book promises to become a real favorite, and to be read and recommended for years to come. I am looking forward to more volumes of Abel's saga. I am sure you will become a fan, too. A+ Bravo!2 s Brenda Mcallister242

This was a well written and edited book, but the story was a little too dark for my taste. I read for entertainment, to be moved to another time and place for a while. This felt depressingly similar to today's world. Not a wasteland but not without serious problems.
Anyway, Abel is an ex addict who makes his living wandering the post nuclear war world, scavenging for anything useful or unique he can trade for food, clothing or shelter. Small enclaves have developed who share beliefs and protection from the many outlaws. It seems to be strictly hunter / gathers, no farmers or herders. Very few people can read and no education or medicine is taught. Life is just survival. A few light touches along the way help lighten the story but still very dark.2 s David Taylor1,255 20

A boy and his dog in a post-apocalyptic world meet a wizard.

A very original post-apocalyptic tale about a boy recovering form his drug addiction, his dog and the Wizard. The adventures of these three in the wasteland are addictive to say the least.

If you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories then you should give this a shot because it is told from a different perspective. I will certainly be reading Jon Cronshaw's future stories.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author and voluntarily chose to write a review.2 s Christinaraven3,481 10

What a cool addicting story that hooked from after the first chapter. It is the story of Able and his dog Pip meeting the Wizard and traveling together in a post-apocalyptic world. It was interesting read about what they found in abandoned cars, towns, and random houses. It was full of good guys, bad guys, and Abel trying to survive. It made me think and really appreciate plumbing and grocery stores. My honest review is - A very addicting story of a young man who recovered from addiction and tries to be good in a crazy world and not give up in the face of trials.2 s Stephanie 337 6

I love a post-apocalyptic story, and I love it even more when I find a great book by an author who is new. This book was an excellent read. The main character grabbed me, and I love how realistically he was written. Bonus points for a story with a dog that isn't too super sappy. This was definitely an interesting, solid book, and I would recommend it.

I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left my honest review. The free copy did not influence my review in any way.free-books-for-review2 s Michelle VanDaley1,622 4

My review is based on the Audiobook. Wizard of the wasteland held me captivated. I became quickly invested in the characters. The Author did a wonderful job at world building and character development. The pace was pretty even and Ian Coleman did a good job as narrator bringing the story and characters to life. I am defintely interested in reading more of this series!2 s AJ48

Remarkable Book

I am so very glad to have discovered this author's work! Enjoyed the Wasteland series up to and including Wizard of the Wasteland, and just downloaded the next one. Very, very good reading! Thank you Jon Cronshaw! Hope you write many more stories for us in the years to come!!! 2 s Rebecca Larsen413 6


4 Stars

A great post-apocalyptic story that hooks you right from the beginning. A former addict, Abel is working on conquering his addiction and his demons. The Wizard is a unique and quirky character that you will grow to love.
2 s TheEndlessUnread3,411 61

A fabulous post apocalyptic book. I thoroughly enjoyed this one as the characters gave their back stories. Completely gripping
2 s Brooke A Harding381 6

Spoiler: Dog dies

I knew in my gut the dog was going to die. As soon as I knew there was a dog. You get a sense for these things. I was hoping I was wrong but...
The story itself was...it was hard to get a sense of what was going on at times. It also wasn't always clear why Abel was doing what he was doing. The motivation wasn't clear in other words.
The concept of the wizard made me smile. I haven't actually actively played Technomancer but I the term and I feel it kind of applies in a way to the wizard whose name I've already forgotten because that's what he gets referred go as but he does have a name.
I also the active scavving thing. And the beans. I feel it's an inside joke with the author but I was down with it. It's always my favorite part of video games this, sticking my nose into places where they probably don't belong and collecting stuff to get whatever form of currency the game uses, so I appreciated the scavving parts.
The world building was interesting. I'm deeply curious to know how the world got to this state. Is it the entire world? Is it just this area? Why the post-apocalyse? The cool thing is that I don't think Abel would ever get to know and since the story is focused on him, that means we don't get to know. But this is total collapse of society and I am here for it. So yeah, I am down with the world building. That was probably the most well-done part of the book. There were a couple of things that made my brain twitch a little bit environmentally but because I don't know what happened to the world, I can't say whether there actually is a problem going on.
I'm really worried about Abel in the future.

So, full disclosure, this book was an easy three stars and it would have stayed that way, despite my guilt for it because that's what it deserved. But the inclusion of the first chapter of the next book, which obviously I read because you don't just stop reading when the story is over. You read every page. There was a sentence fragment in there but I'm going to leave it there. I don't want to deal with repairing the sentences. Anyway, the inclusion of the first chapter of the next book and the added author's note made me feel better about the whole thing and I feel the first chapter of the next one works really well as the final chapter of this one. It makes this one not work so well as a standalone but after the dog dies, I need a real high note to end on and the book as is doesn't end that way. But if I consider that first chapter as the final one, it gives the book an extra half a star which, rounded up, bumps it to four stars. I'm opting to err on the side of generosity.
It wasn't a bad book for the original three stars. I just wish that the book had been slightly less...bleak. The Town helps. And I want Abel to be okay badly enough that I want to read the next one.dog-dies owned post-apocalyptic ...more1 Elena Alvarez Dosil738 12

Review originally published at: http://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookre...

In an post-apocalyptic world where technology is seen as magic, Alfonso, the great Wizard of the Wasteland travels from town to town to share a piece of his magic. At one of the towns he visits, he meets Abel, which decides to join the Wizard, and together they will try to save some enslaved children.

I usually enjoy post-apocalyptic stories, and this one had great premises, but I found the execution quite poor. It felt disjointed and confusing at times. The characters were one-dimensional, and it is still a mystery to me why Abel decided to join the Wizard.

I am usually very curious about what happened to trigger the change in the world, but in this case I just didn’t care. I also found strange that some people seemed to remember technology and others didn’t, and that very few people knew how to read. Reading and writing is something that has been among us from very distant times, and it is not something especially tied to civilization or electricity. It is just very difficult for me to believe that this situation could happen one day.

Even with these setbacks, my main problem with the book were the characters. They were mere drafts, with no depth. I also found the dialogs forced and awkward at times.

Ian Coleman’s narration did not help. He delivered a narration without technical issues, and distinctive voices for the characters, but the general tone of the narration was monotone, and I had to force myself to pay attention, which I found difficult. The dialogs were just okay, and I would recommend Coleman to work on his interpretation skills.

This was just an okay book, entertaining, but far from compelling.

I received a copy of this book in audio format from the author in exchange for an honest review. 1 Murphies_law543 3

DNF at 24%.

A rather bizarre, naive and flat story similar to the much better "Book of Eli" story. Best suited for teenagers..did-not-finish dystopian1 R.J. Southworth487 10

I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook via the author. There were positives to this story: it has good dystopian world-building, and its biggest strength is the character of Abel. Jon Cronshaw does a very good job of gradually revealing the kind of person he is over the course of the story, and doing so purely through what he says and does rather than going into his head and describing his thoughts or memories.

However, I found the story suffered from inconsistent pacing: outside from the main plot of Abel trying to save some children from slavers, we get a lot of scenes - or even entire chapters - of him going about day-to-day business finding supplies, cooking food, or playing with his dog. A lot of the time, these scenes don't add anything, and occasionally are repeats of things we've already seen. I often felt bored listening to these. I also felt the narration of the audiobook was quite poor. 1 Rosemary3,190 49

Wizard of the Wasteland - a review by Rosemary Kenny

Jon Cronshaw has created a wonderful new fantasy based in a dystopian future world, where technology has been destroyed.

The eponymous Wizard, the so-called Great Alfonso, comes into a desolate town and stages a 'magic' act on his wagon, (as in medieval times), using an old television with a small generator and an 'abracadabra' patter that he's developed, with 'props' collected/salvaged in various places.

On his travels across the Wasteland heading towards the next 'stop' in Trinity, Alfonso meets up with Abel, whose dog, Pip, catches rabbits etc.
The two continue a journey across the Wasteland, having run-ins with some people and keeping an eye out for each other.

An original, entertaining story, with great characters and world-building, Wizard of the Wasteland by Jon Cronshaw will whisk you away to a quasi mediaeval, survivalist world, of adventure and Post-Apocalyptic Survival thrills.
Get it today!action-adventure-suspense-thrller dystopian-sci-fi-epic epic-adventure-thriller1 Matt Grey17

I got this based on the positive and my opinion now I've read it are very mixed. I really struggled with the writing style at first. It reminded me of an old text based computer game ..."Able is in a barn, he turns right, he is in a room" ....there is very little depth to the writing. It is short, punchy, to the point, gives you the basic information. No more. No long descriptions. Characters appear and disappear with no time taken to describe them. I tend to read 1000 page space operas and to take my time...as soon as I realised I was reading this wrong, I enjoyed it a lot more. Don't look for the backstory, don't look for the character development, read it quick, blast through it and it's quite enjoyable...put your brain into rest mode and just go along for the ride.1 Jeffrey38

It's a well written book with flawed characters that takes place in an apocalyptic world. I enjoyed reading it though it might be a little bit too dark for some readers. The world is really sad and it's not discussed what caused the end of society as well know it or how long ago that it happened. The main character is Abel and his dog. Abel was a drug addict, but was taken in by a religious community and helped to become clean. His dog is his support. He meets a man called the Wizard who travels from community to community showing technology from before the apocalypse and passing it on as magic. Abel decides to travel with him for a while. It's from their travels that one sees more of the world, and it's not a pretty world and sometimes cruel. 1 Julie PowellAuthor 60 books320

I have the box set of this series and 'Wizard' was a great introduction to many of the characters and the formidable world in which they survive.

There was certainly a melancholy sense to the writing that reminded me a little of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. I loved Pip. Abel was an intriguing, if depressing character, however, his strengths, weakness and flaws are quickly highlighted - hope lingers. His actions, thoughts and feelings make for a compelling read. The wizard was a complex character and not totally able, yet the pair were a perfect foil for each other.

Some disturbing themes and thought-provoking at the very least.

It will be interesting to see where it all leads.

Highly recommended.1 Ami1,845 10

This dystopian/post-apocalyptic novel portrays a world that has undergone a cataclysmic event and survival is a struggle. The protagonist, Abel, has suffered much and his struggle is a daily uphill battle. I became invested Abel’s life in the prequel to this series which caused me to want more regarding his life and the events surrounding him. I enjoyed reading book 1 very much and I already have the next one.

Read via Kindle Unlimited 1 cynthia r. brooker8 1 follower

Why did you kill the dog?

You killed the dog. This book was so good but you had to kill the dog.And it wasn't enough with this book but you had to start the grief with the next book. One star because I said this was a good book. One star because I am going to read the next book after I quit crying. Took away three stars because you killed the dog.1 Laurie Robertson552 10

Life is still a full time struggle but Abel has made progress to overcome his addiction.
He sets himself some goals whilst remaining dubious of his abilities, this makes him a sort of anti-hero.
Aided by the Wizard and his own companion dog events become intense but remain engaging.
Some nice twists to keep the reader engaged.1 Donna Heard100 2

Interesting

This is an interesting and different type of post apocalyptic story. Traveling around trying to make a difference in people's lives trading pre-apocalyptic things that are salvaged from a lost world. This story has great characters and I love the relationship between man and dog.1 Tim Shepard691 3

Not bad

This book left me wanting some thing more. Certainly I am no expert on this created world but at times I felt the other just threw ideas at the wall to see if they stick. It wasn't until the end that I could see both a deep development of the main character and storyline.1 rita zamarripa8

No good

This book has an ok storyline but it's a long and drawn out book!!! Very slow read. I forced myself to read through chapter 4 and it did not get any better. At all. I'm deleting from my library and I do not recommend this book to anyone.1 Becky Adams149 1 follower

Jon Messenger re-invents elemental power in modern day America to bring us Wind Warrior, the story of young man Xander Sirocco and his discovery that he is descended from the Wind Caste, a tribe of elemental warriors on the verge of extinction. In this relatively short novel Messenger delivers the first great struggle of Xander's journey with plenty of drama, action and heartache going on.

I usually prefer good villains to heroes in my adventure books and this one is no exception! I'm already a big fan of the complex issues surrounding Lord Balour and General Abraxas was vividly described, dangerous and harmful for the earth.! If you the superheroes and sidekicks, however, you'll find protagonists Xander and Sammy are suitably able with relatable issues for young people trying to find their place in the world. The cast of other Wind Warriors that Xander meets are also highly intriguing, I hope to see more of them as series continues further in future.

If you're trying to encourage a young teen to read some supernatural science fiction stuff here it is. Its simple but engaging storytelling certainly keeps you interested and there's plenty of action and high drama that make you turn the pages. I'm sincerely looking forward to continuing the series with Flame Caller, a longer and more involved novel, in the near future.
Very interesting read and this one is looking more awesome and real for sometime8 s Michael LoringAuthor 15 books40

To start off my review of this novel, why don’t we do a quick run down of its history, shall we?

Starting off as a much shorter novella, Wind Warrior was submitted into the Clean Teen Publishing anthology Wonderstruck. Shortly after, Jon Messenger decided to take the novella and lengthen it into a full-blown novel. Which, in my personal opinion was a splendid idea!

The story begins with twenty-year-old Xander Sirocco, a college student who still lives at home with his parents and grandfather. He’s plagued with normalcy and a lack of ambition, until one day he inadvertently saves a man from being hit by an oncoming bus. Soon after he discovers he can manipulate the wind around him; shape it, shoot it, collect it, and direct it. His powers are great, but having them comes at a cost: He’s the last of his kind. He’s a Wind Warrior, a race of people who can control wind but are slowly dying out as part of a grand scheme constructed by Mother Earth herself. With the fall of the Wind Caste, comes the rise of the Fire Caste. The Fire Warriors want their place at top of the world, and with Xander now in the way of their plans things get complicated.

Along comes a new girl, Sammy. She’s a Fire Warrior, but the two of them have an instant connection that transcends the supernatural. Their rapport only complicates things further, as now they are forced against one another as their respective clans go head-to-head for control of the entire world. With everything going on, Xander can’t believe he was once a college slacker without direction in his life.

Brilliantly written, expertly paced, and excellently constructed, Wind Warrior is one of the season’s best releases. Jon Messenger paints a world where right under your nose magic exists in the most awestricken way possible. Each character is crafted with care, all with their own places in the story. Some were left without resolution, leaving me aching to read the next novel in the series to know what happens next.

All in all, Wind Warrior by Jon Messenger is an absolutely amazing novel that will leave you yearning for more!6 s Rebecca GoberAuthor 13 books318

Wind Warrior by Jon Messenger broke through top 100 in Amazon on three categories! Download Wind Warrior in the next 24 hours and be a part of something huge! Help get Wind Warrior to the TOP TEN in all if Amazon! This is the amazing start of a new adult series of elemental users. Find out what happens when the wind feeds the flames and loving your enemy makes things complicated.
http://cleanteenpublishing.blogspot.c...5 s Marie504 392

Damn Messenger! What a read..

Ok when I got an inbox off Courtney asking if I wanted a copy of this book she just didn't just ask she basically demanded I read it, she raved this book and and built it up so much the word "no" never came to mind.

I was in a rut as far as reading and no matter how good a book was that feeling you get, the excitement and adrenaline of reading a new book, a book you know is going to be good- was lacking.

I said I was in a rut, no book was cutting it for me and as my list of books from various sources built up I couldn't bring myself to write their because to put it simply I didn't want to. I had no motivation and although I could distinguish a good book from a bad book my enthusiasm lacked and I wouldn't do any book justice through writing that had no emotion or enthusiasm behind them.

Now enough of my waffling. Jon, Jon, Jon, where have you been hiding!? I could have done with World Aflame #2, #3 and #4 right now!

That's right, with every page I turned I felt my curiosity and my excitement return. I had a smile on my face the whole way through as I sat up and really took notice and care in every word that made up 'Wind Warrior'.

When I saw that cover slowly I felt my old geeky self. I felt my fingers twitch to begin this amazing story and my eyes never left my iPad from that moment on.
Courtney you saved me! And what a catch you caught here huh!? Messenger this book was not fab it was amazing!

Xander was such a character and do you know what? It was so bloody refreshing reading a book from a guys POV, no more needy and insecure heroins that just get under your skin. I was able to bond with him immediately and this read kept me glued from page 1 to page end.
Who doesn't love a good elemental story?
Xander is a 20 year old college slacker, he knows his family is not 'normal' but I bet he wishes they were when he finds out why. When a normal day turns into anything but and when he feels the wind fill every space his body retains and which ultimately saves a mans life its safe to say his own life is never the same again.
I loved how this fast paced novel still wangled in some romance, a book is never complete without it.

And that ending! What more could readers want. You, Messenger, have managed to write a remarkable YA Fantasy novel and I would not only to thank you for sharing it with us but also for getting me excited about reading once again.











I think my dear friend Courtney said it best when she described this novel as "AMAZEBALLS". awesome elementals worth-a-look ...more4 s Magen McMinimyAuthor 44 books184

This book was very different then what I have come to expect when reading one of Messengers’ novels; I knew this book would lack the violence of his other works as it is a NA story. So to be honest while I was sure he could pull it off I was blown away by how well he truly writes in this genre.

I am going to start my review off by saying I totally loved Sean, I realize he’s a supporting character in this book, but he might possibly be my favorite of the crew of characters. One of the most important things (in my opinion) in a book is the ability to connect to the characters whether you feel some sort of kinship, you fall in love with their journey and how they were written or to equally hate them… yeah I know it sounds weird, but I felt something for each character in this book.

Messenger has a way of writing characters with depth that feel living people you get to know. I felt invested in Xander and Sammy both. My curiosity is probably going to drive me crazy as I wait for the next book in what I believe will be a trilogy. I know a lot of people who read this book will most ly dis Jessica, but I feel and hope there is a story line for her in each book, hopefully one where she will grow into someone a little less shallow. And Sean… well I just hope we see a lot more of him.

The take on elemental magic was very unique and honestly I can’t think of a single thing I’ve read or seen that reminds me of the world Messenger created. It was truly a great read and I can’t wait to see where he takes this fantasy world and memorable crew of characters.

So pretty much another fantastic novel worth grabbing up and getting lost in.
3 s Ethan Gregory222 9

Full review can be found at: http://oneguysguidetogoodreads.blogsp...

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My Thoughts:

Wind Warrior was a book I picked up on a whim. It was suggested to me by a fellow blogger and, being on an elemental kick, I decided to take the bait. I picked up my copy (free) from B&N and was elated to discover that our author, Jon Messenger, is a male. Seriously this excites me more than it should. I love reading, but since starting this blog I have not had the opportunity to review the work of a male author that I enjoyed (I've only done one other one and I'd rather not rant about how bad it was again). Anyway. After reading Messenger's bio I was excited to see what he would bring to the table. This was a whole new adventure for me and also a new adventure into the world of Clean Teen Publishing (who I am still slightly confused about). An adventure that, in the end, proved worthwhile.

Let me start out with the my negative thoughts first. Primarily, I had no idea where to place this novel. Is it YA? Is it NA? Well... That's a great question. It's cast features main characters who claim to be 20 years of age and in college. So... NA. In my thoughts? No.

Xander is a 20 year old man who lives with his parents while going to the local college. He is nearing completion and has no idea what he wants to do with his life. Common 20 year old problem, right? I can definitely relate. I am 22 and just graduated and am in the same boat. Welcome to the party Xander. Well, unfortunately that's where Xander's comparison to any other 20 year old end. Xander does not have a job. In fact, Xander is a 20 year old and seems rather spoiled and lazy to me. He is super laid back and never even so much as utters a curse word in this 150 page novel. Seriously. This whole read was entirely too friendly for my liking. Xander lives at home, is a 20 year old man, and is completely coddled by his family. His mom knocks on his bedroom door and sits on his bed to comfort him ans he lies face down under the covers when Xander is having a rough day. Xander's home life is only part of the problem.

School is even more confusing. In the beginning of the story Xander asks his best friend Sean "what are you doing today after school?" I'm sorry... what? He is in college. Who says that? They consistently talk about "school". Not college, not class, "school". Maybe it is just me, but what 20 year old college kid talks about his lecture halls as though it's an 8-3 schedule? Even worse, Xander talks about how he has to "go home after school and finish his homework before dinner". Seriously guys. I had a really hard time with the beginning of this novel. Xander is a child. In my personal thoughts, this book DEFINITELY should be about a 16 year old boy. This "college" thing definitely did not do it for me. As a 22 year old, recently graduated college male, I was extremely offended by Xander. I had to work my ass off through school and definitely didn't make a joke about it. I just think college should be written about more seriously than this story took it. If Xander is going to be a 20 year old, then why is he acting a child. Get a job dude.

On that same note, Xander's "girlfriend", Jessica. Okay. I know it sounds I'm ripping this novel apart, but hear me out readers. Jessica is president of the most popular sorority on campus. Jessica is dating Xander. A 20 year old immature boy who has no sense of a college aged male and lives with his parents. Please someone show me where the president of a sorority would ever date this boy. EVER. They wouldn't. End of story. Jessica could be cool, except, this is a college age girl who spends the first 50 pages of the book begging Xander to accompany her to the Formal. Are you kidding me? What kind of college is this. I don't care WHO you are, if you are the president of the sorority and this is your boyfriend, you are not begging him to come to your Formal. Seriously. This is a high school drama all over again. Can I remind you guys again that we are talking about a college? Not a freshman in college either. This is a sorority president. Definitely a senior. Who acts the pompous head of the cheerleading squad who is gunning for homecoming queen. Sorry guys, this whole setting just REALLY rubbed me the wrong way.

The last negative aspect I need to cover is Xander's reaction to the sudden acquisition of his powers. Instead of being quiet, scared, or reserved about them a normal person, what does Xander do? BROADCASTS THEM TO HIS FRIEND. Seriously. he drags his friend to an abandoned field "after school" and then shows him all these awesome things he can do with these powers that, wait for it, he just got YESTERDAY! *sigh* Where is that meme again:
*DESK FLIP MEME*
There we go. Seriously. I really hated the way that Xander's powers were introduced. I feel there were definitely better ways to go about this. The Spiderman approach would have worked amazingly here. Let the boy get familiar with his powers over the course of some time. Not one night. Give me a break. He is 20 and he has homework and stuff. How ever did he find the time to perfect his new-found powers?

You are probably thinking, "damn Ethan, did you this book at all?" To that I will go ahead and say that I actually really d this novel in the end. Once I got passed the beginning, I realized this was something I could definitely get on board with. In fact, I already have books 2 and 3 on my Nook and ready to go. I had to force myself to stop reading so I could write down my thoughts before books 2 and 3 changed my mind, because I can already tell they are about to blow book one OUT OF THE WATER.

The elemental "element" of this story was SPOT ON. I love the thought of only one elemental caste being allowed to live on Earth at one time, that makes for an amazing story. I won't give any spoilers away to interested readers, but the battle that book one sets up is going to be amazing. I can really get on board with that. The supporting characters that Xander meets once he begins to train with his powers are awesome and really give the story some much needed depth. Xander has an awesome "family" of Wind Warriors who are going to prove to be pretty awesome in the end, even for a bunch of "old people".

The redeeming quality of book one for me was the introduction of Sammy's character. Sammy is Xander's new Fire-elemental love interest. Sammy is seriously an awesome selling point for this book. Her story is much more complex than that of Xander's, in my opinion. Her backstory is gripping and she brings some mystery and emotions to the story that were desperately needed. Her (*MINOR SPOLIER*) "betrayal" was one of the most interesting parts of the book. The feelings and emotions she shares for Xander and her father in the various scenes prove to be the most exciting in the whole novel. Sammy is definitely a character I cannot wait to read more about.

The book is told in 3rd person which is really interesting. I haven't seen that in a very long time. Most of the books I read are in 1st person POV and often dual POV these days. With the way Messenger gave a voice to this series we are able to read the story of multiple characters in a simultaneous timeline without ruining another characters story. The shifts in story were done at perfect times and I seriously applaud Messenger for that. It is very hard to write in that style.

The action in Wind Warrior is also pretty awesome. I really the idea of reading elementals using their powers to fight, but with purpose. The Wind Warrior caste is definitely a group that is worth rooting for, especially once you hear their story. The fire elementals were written to be the perfect villains and General Abraxas was seriously an evil dude. I enjoyed that as well. From his sharpened teeth to all the sneering he did, he seems the perfect villain... for a YA novel. *sigh*

Big picture wrap up here folks. Wind Warrior is a great read. IF you are looking for something completely safe and easy enough for most anyone to understand. The story is great, if you can see yourself through the beginning of the book. I would seriously give this book probably a 5 star review if only the setting and tone were different. I am very excited to read the next two books in the series and only hope that my fears are abated as soon as I jump back into the World Aflame. Overall I am going to give Wind Warrior a 3 star rating. It was definitely satisfying enough for me to want to continue the series, but the overarching problems I had really made it hard for me to fall in love with this read. Here's to hoping books 2 and 3 blow my socks off!
***********************************************************************************3 s LisaAuthor 3 books18

3.5 stars

Wind Warrior is book 1 in the World Aflame series by Jon Messenger. Revolving around Xander, a 20 year old student whose life is spun upside down when he discovers he is a Wind Warrior, able to control the wind and told he has to help save his race against the Fire Warriors, who are trying to speed up the process of them taking over the world from the Wind Warriors by killing the last of them. The inclusion of the elements Earth, Water, Wind and Fire give Wind Warrior a new spin on a superhero/paranormal type book, giving the book a fresh feel and making it different to other books in the same genre. In this book we meet pretty much all of the last of the Wind Warriors, and some Fire Warriors, too. I hope that throughout the series there are some characters included from the other elements to really tie all of them together. The first half of the book focused slightly too much on Xander’s mundane college life for my liking. When he did discover his superpowers, it would have been nice to focus slightly more on that, instead we jumped into a slightly unrealistic relationship with Sammy, a new girl at College who turns out to be one of Xanders biggest rivals. Although both characters describe the quick ‘pull’ towards each other, it seemed rather rushed, and needed to slow down a little to make it seem more real. Although the first part of the book seemed slow and drawn out, the second half was much better, leading to some greatly descriptive fight scenes, which with the inclusion of the wind and fire elements were quite fascinating to read, It was interesting to read the different ways the Warriors could use their elements, and rather than just shooting gusts of wind or fireballs out of their hands, Messenger came up with some unique ways to use the elements to create a much more vivid scene. I find it difficult to read a book when I have trouble connecting to the main character, which is what happened in the first three quarters of this book. Although I did find myself warming to Xander towards the end, I preferred other characters, such as Xanders grandfather, his best friend, Sean, and his almost girlfriend, Jessica, and especially the human latter two, I couldn’t help but hope they would somehow get some superpowers of their own and join the battle! The last part of this book was when it all really started to pick up and get me hooked into it, and I was a little annoyed when it ended as I just wish it had been that gripping from earlier on, and I really hope the next book in this series jumps straight into it and carries on from this book with a great storyline that keeps me turning the pages. I am looking forward to seeing where the next part takes the story and the characters.3 s Cassandra1,192 108

My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 unicorns - I loved it!!!

Well I bought it, started reading it, got to chapter 8, reluctantly put it down to go to the Facebook release party that started at 7 pm Central and went until 10 pm, then I finished reading it…..and it was AWESOME!! I’m not sure what it is about stories with elementals, but they draw me in. I think it has something to do with my childhood because I used to stand outside (near Chicago) and pretend I could make the wind gust….sigh sadly though no wind super powers for me. Sorry easily sidetracked :)

The story was wonderful written and sucked you straight into the fabulous world Jon created. I loved both Xander and Sammy equally :) and have secret hopes that in the future they will team up and kick the bad guys’ butts….sorry another tangent! The story has elementals, college, drama, battles, family secrets, heroism and so much more.

Do you X-men, Firestarter, Air Benders, well how about superheroes? Then you want to read this book, I mean it :) I think I’m going to have to buy this one for my classroom library too!!
5-stars clean-teen-publishing elementals ...more3 s Jola161 62

Wind Warrior starts when college student Xander discovers very mysterious powers which he didn't know he possesses. He must learn how to use them in order to save himself from other supernatural powers that he didn't know existed.
I really loved this book from the start, Xander is such a likable character, and the more we know about his powers and other supernatural beings the more hooked I was. I don't think I've read the story that uses four elements in that way so it definitely was a big plus. The story is also full of action and the fighting scenes are very well written, I could picture everything in my head. I want Sean to appear more in the next installments, I d him from the beginning (Captain America t-shirt!), and besides what's a superhero without his side-kick?
I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Well done.

Thanks for sending me a free copy from the Making Connections group.fantasy -february-2014 wishlist3 s Lauren125 3

This is one of my favorite books that are in a male's perspective. I usually have a hard time connecting with the main character if they are a male because, well, I'm not one; but I really could not help but Xander. Something else I really loved in this book was the relationship between Xander and his grandfather. At first I saw him as this cranky old man that walked with a cane, the old man in the movie UP. I could not help myself. But, he's more a mix of him and Clint Eastwood in Million Dollar Baby. I know, my brain is weird. Everyone should have a grandfather that!

There is also some very amazing supporting characters in this story - Sammy, Jessica, and Sean. Sean is by far one of my favorite supporting characters in a book. His scenes in the story made me laugh out loud - especially one involving a fire extinguisher (if you've read the book, I know you will understand this!). He is the typical college boy that has great ideas but forgets to think things through to the end. He's also the big tail puller, you know the type - the one who picks on the girl he s to try to hide his attraction to her. That brings us to Jessica, the girl you love to hate but cannot help but root for her. I really hope there is more of her in the series because I can see quite a bit of character growth to the point that she could be an integral part of the elemental world that Messenger has created.

Sammy is an enigma I think. It was pretty obvious "what" she was when her character was introduced, but I could not help but her. She was so refreshing compared to Jessica, a breath of fresh air (I know, I know, insert cheesy eye roll here). She is fun, light-hearted (for the most part), and spontaneous. It nearly broke my heart when all was revealed about her.

Then there are the pretty bad-ass Fire Caste. I had a hard time imagining the fire caste as blondes, I really wanted them to be red-heads to match their personality, but it works well for them because of where they come from - living in the depths of the Earth and all that. I can't even imagine how horrible the heat would treat my hair. I know that is a silly thing to mention in a review, but it is one of the things that ran through my head as I was reading.

I am so excited to get the next installment of the World Aflame series, that I am hoping will be at least a trilogy. I am desperate to learn more about Sammy and her part of this puzzle that Messenger has wonderfully built up in this book. I see many amazing things happening with Xander that will probably be something completely new to any wind warriors - his abilities, I think, are something that no other wind warrior has done in the past.2 s Penelope BartottoAuthor 3 books110

THE EARTH GIVES WAY TO THE SEA,
THE SEA BOWS BEFORE THE WIND,
THE WIND FEEDS THE FLAME,
THE FLAME BURNS THE WORLD OF MAN DOWN TO THE EARTH.

Welcome to the World Aflame series by Jon Messenger. We're diving in today with a review of book one in the series Wind Warrior.
Messenger has crafted a mythology with this series of elemental beings that wield the forces of nature to preserve the earth and keep the balance. He first introduces us to the main character of the series, Xander Sirocco, a young man traveling a dull path to nowhere. Xander and the reader soon discover that he is meant for much more than aimlessly attending college, he is the newest member of a dying cast of elementals, the Wind Warriors. Wind Warriors come from a family line of warriors, yet even though Xander still lives at home he has no knowledge of his heritage, until a strange girl comes to town. Suddenly all hell comes to town and Xander is trapped in the middle of a feud he is ready to battle in his mind, but not quite with his heart, soul and most importantly, his new found powers.


The world crafted here, added with the mythology and the truly well thought out cast of characters is what makes this novel so attractive. In developing his world, characters, mythology, story direction, and plot; Messenger went into a new realm and came out swinging. There is a lot of action, clear intrigue and mystery, a nice romance angle that has potential disaster written all over it, and a lot of emotion.
Action is what propels the story, but there are moments when the story moves a little slower than the plot demands, that minor flaw in an otherwise great book. I am definitely aiming to read the next two books in the series and interested in reading the other books in Jon's collection of works.2 s K.C. FinnAuthor 37 books379

An excellent opening to an exciting series!

Jon Messenger re-invents elemental power in modern day America to bring us Wind Warrior, the story of young man Xander Sirocco and his discovery that he is descended from the Wind Caste, a tribe of elemental warriors on the verge of extinction. In this relatively short novel Messenger delivers the first great struggle of Xander's journey with plenty of drama, action and heartache going on.

I usually prefer villains to heroes in my adventure books and this one is no exception! I'm already a big fan of the complex issues surrounding Lord Balour and General Abraxas was vividly described, dangerous, conniving and a little bit doo-lally-tap. Loved his appearances a great deal! If you do happen to be a fan of heroes and sidekicks, however, you'll find protagonists Xander and Sammy are suitably able with relatable issues for young people trying to find their place in the world. The cast of other Wind Warriors that Xander meets are also highly intriguing, I hope to see more of them as the series continues.

Due to its length I would highly recommend picking up this perma-free read for an afternoon in, but most especially if you're trying to encourage a young teen to read. Its simple but engaging storytelling certainly keeps you interested and there's plenty of action and high drama to make you keep turning the pages. I'm sincerely looking forward to continuing the series with Flame Caller, a longer and more involved novel, in the near future. Overall it was an enjoyable and very interesting read!2 s Laurie617 129

For me, this was a quick read that was enjoyable. I particularly d Sean, Zander’s best friend. Sean is supportive and fiercely loyal to his buddy. He also loves to joke around and can be somewhat of a trickster. This book is all about the final days before Armageddon and the prophecy of fire devastating everything, everywhere is fearsome. Only a few Wind Warriors remain, but the Fire Warriors are on the rise, and most of them want to exterminate their foes the Wind Warriors so they can destroy the wicked world and give the planet a fresh, clean start.

Zander comes into his power unexpectedly and most dramatically. What happen amazes him as much as it does the small audience that observes the event. Unfortunately, by calling on his new power, he also unwittingly leads the Fire Warriors to his doorstep. Sammy’s mission is to kill Zander; however, plans change because she and Zander feel a compulsive attraction that defies logic.

This novella is packed with lots of action, bizarre twists, and plenty of humor. It’s a good introduction to an imminent confrontation in which the plight of the whole world will hang in the balance. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next in this planned series.

This book was provided to me by Clean Teen Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Reviewed by Laurie-J
action contemporary fantasy ...more2 s Morgan MitchellAuthor 64 books677

I loved the plot of this story surrounding the elemental powers and that it was not clearly a good verses evil tale. I usually do not enjoy YA as much as I enjoyed Wind Warrior! This was a great read for so many reasons, one being that the male characters were written so well. The characters truly come alive, and Sean was by far my favorite. I loved Xander and Sammy too and can see theirs being an epic love story but hope the next book includes Sean and Jessica because they added so much down to earth humor. Although young readers can read this story, the characters and story were by no means immature. The narrative just flowed and was never dull. The fact that the author went where he went in the end impressed me, I won't spoil it, I was a bit shocked at first then thought it added a depth overall that was necessary. Also, I feel comfortable letting my thirteen year old read this novel that he is sure to love! I have read in that Jon Messenger writes books other than YA, so I will be eagerly searching them out as well. Wind Warrior was a very well written fantasy adventure that had me totally immersed in the story from beginning to end and rooting for the characters. It has left me longing to know what happens next! This is going to be a great series!2 s Angela325 25

I have had this book since 2013 and have wanted to read it. I signed up for this tour so that I would force myself to finally read it. I have been wanting to start this series for forever, but I always had other books I needed to read first.

I did enjoy the story of the elementals and the fight for control over the Earth. I had a hard time with this book because it felt rushed at times and things weren't fleshed out enough. There didn't seem to be a lot of explanation or development of the characters. I never really got a good connection to any of them. There were times where a character would act a certain way with absolutely no explanation as to why they did it. I think this could be a much better story if some information was given along with the event that is happening or at the very least some more character development. I also noticed quite a few grammatical errors but not enough to detract from the story. I think this could be a 4-4.5 story if more of the story was fleshed out. Right now I have to give it 3 books. I have the 2nd book in the series Flame Caller, but have not started it yet. I'm a little hesitant as I don't have any real connection to the story or the characters. 2 s Sara122 7

The Wind Warrior was a great start to a YA series that's a little hard to categorize completely, but I'd say it could fall into science fiction/apocalyptic. What I really thought was really original was the system of elemental powers that people possess, including earth, wind, water and fire. There is a cycle, with each caste being in control before giving way to the next. The abilities they have aren't magical in nature, but rather supernatural powers. It was a fast read that flowed well and I really enjoyed the book. When I came to the end, it was sort of a cliff-hanger, but I really wanted to start the next book right away to find out how the story continues.

As far as the main characters, I d Xander and Sammy both, and over the course of the book, their relationship grows into something more, with Sammy recognizes that she cares about Xander and what happens to him. Out of the characters introduced in The Wind Warrior, I think my favorites would have to be Xander's grandfather and Giovanni, and it was easy to root for them because of what they were facing.

My rating for The Wind Warrior, book 1 in the World Aflame series is 4/5 platypires.read-for-review read-in-2014 supernatural ...more2 s Jenny Zimmerman1,573 72

I won a paperback copy of this book from a giveaway from Clean Teen Publishing, in return for an honest review. This book totally blew me away. I loved the story line and how the author was able to bring these characters to life in my mind. I felt as if I was watching a movie while reading this book. I was full of excitement, surprises, and lots of action from beginning to end and it was very hard to put this remarkable book down. When I did put it down, I was daydreaming about what might be happening next. It’s a RECOMMENDED MUST READ that will entertain and entice you to want to read more of this phenomenal story that has made it to my top 5 Teen Paranormal Sci-Fi of 2013. I am very excited and anxious to read more from this author and the wild ride that is sure to come in the next book. This author’s writing has a way to reel you in and keep you entertained for a few hours of awesomeness. The ending alone has me very curious about how everything will turn out. Thank you, Clean Teen Publishing and Jon Messenger, for this unforgettable and fun read!!!2 s Katie Harder-schauer900 50

In a world heading towards the apocalypse, one completely unmotivated college student could be all that can save the world from complete destruction. Will he succeed?

I don't know. Looks I'm going to have to continue reading this series to find out just how concerned I should be about the impending apocalypse.

I found the basic idea behind this story to be very intriguing, that there are select supernatural castes of people sent to the Earth to see it through specific phases of development. While it doe
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