In the magical world of the Order, Warriors fight for justice, freedom, and peace. Becoming a Warrior is an honor given to few, and twelve-year-olds Zackery Solts and Kate Black will do anything to have a place among the elite.
Zack and Kate must compete against eighteen others and pass three deadly tests of courage and skill. Above all, they must be strong because while the dangers of the tests are unknown, one thing is clear: not everyone will survive.
The Warrior’s Code is an e-format prequel short story in the Legend of the Dreamer series.
David James writes books about stars and kisses and curses. He is the author of the YA novel, LIGHT OF THE MOON, the first book in the Legend of the Dreamer duet, as well as the companion novellas, THE WITCH'S CURSE and THE WARRIOR’S CODE. A Legend of the Dreamer anthology, SHADES OF THE STARS, was released July 2013, and includes the exclusive novella, THE ENCHANTER'S FIRE. BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY is his first contemporary novel for young adults. Living in Michigan, he is addicted to coffee, gummy things, and sarcastic comments. David enjoys bad movies, goofy moments, and shivery nights. Be sure to visit David’s blog at djamesauthor.blogspot.com and facebook at facebook.com/djamesauthor to learn more about his various addictions and novels.
Goodreads Note: The books starred on my Goodreads profile are books I've loved enough to give 5 stars.
We only met Zack briefly in The Light of the Moon but there was something about him that stuck with me. I was thrilled when David James said he would be writing a short novella about him and his journey. I won’t dive into it because it is a novella and I tend to get carried away, but I will say I cannot wait for Shadow of the Sun. For more than one reason.
One of the things that I love about David is the way he writes. Its beauty at its finest. It’s the reason we love to read, to get lost in the world of fantasy. It’s the way he describes things for example,
“Her smile lit up her face and I found myself reminded that she was pretty in the same way a hurricane was; dangerous and deadly beautiful.”
It’s the imagery that keeps you rooted to your spot. He has a way to captivate you with his words and leave you playing out the story in your mind. It’s truly amazing. I was captivated from the first page and didn’t stop until it was finished. Now I’m left wanting more. I want to know more about Zak and Kate. The undefined relationship but you know there’s more to it than what is said, not romantically, but definitely more than either of them will admit. The need to be accepted into a home, into a family, to be part of something greater.
There’s also a moment when Zack is looking at Marcus, if you’ve read Light of the Moon, you know who Marcus is, makes me wonder if he should have trusted what he was seeing. So what happens when a Warrior is tested? What are these tests? So what happens when you become a Warrior?
“Death was mine to take—life was finally mine to live.”
I fell in love with David’s writing after reading Light of the Moon. It was absolutely brilliantly written. Not only did the story captivate me but his actual writing style did as well. It was beautiful and absolutely lyrical. In Light of the Moon we briefly meet Zack but I had a feeling he might perhaps play a bigger role in the sequel. I was BEYOND excited when David announced that he wrote a novella about Zack’s story.
I read this book in one sitting because I was absolutely entranced by snippets of Zack’s backstory, as well as Zack and Kate’s journey through the three challenges lying between them and becoming Warriors of the Order. It was dark, powerful, and terrifying. I admire how much strength Zack possesses. His strength transcends the challenge of becoming a Warrior but also encompasses his journey into self-discovery.
This leads me to speak of another thing I love about David’s writing. He’s not afraid to speak to people of all different walks of life. He doesn’t shy away from diversity but rather embraces it. I think this is very important and rather valiant. I find that many authors either shy away or fail to even attempt to write about people of different backgrounds; whether it is race, gender, sexual identity, etc. David not only embraces but exceeds in his writing about diversity. For that, I applaud him.
I would not only highly recommend The Warrior’s Code but also Light of the Moon which picks up after the events in The Warrior’s Code.
David James has done it again. First in Light of the Moon, then with Magda in The Witches Curse. Now.... Meet Zack in The Warriors Code. In this short story we meet Zack, Hear where he came from and learn all it took to become one of the warriors of the order. He and Kate must go through three tests to see if they have what it takes. Can Zack trust his heart, and can he become strong and what is required to be a warrior? You must read to find out. David James makes you feel all the emotions Zack does in this short story. To me, that's powerful writing! So go Check out The Warriors Code ! You'll love it!
David James' writing is nothing short of beautiful. I love the way James makes poetry out of every little detail in the story. Having read Light of the Moon and The Witch's Curse, it is exciting to see all the little pieces of the story beginning to fall together. I enjoyed seeing Kate interact with Zack, and loved seeing the insight into how she got her beginning and how they proved themselves as warriors. This is a MUST-READ! Simply stunning. Can't wait for what James has in store for us all next.
Favorite Quote: "There were some ghosts that would never be free, some dark memories that would never find light."
The Warrior's Code is my first book by David James and my introduction to the Legend of the Dreamer series. The writing is beautiful, lyrical and the characters well-drawn. I'm really looking forward to reading the other books in the series!
Short and sweet. Zack's backstory on how he got to the coven and into the warrior's training program. And of course, his friendship with Kate. As always, incredibly well written.
My little novella about diversity and love. About finding a home in a world where you might not fit in. And most importantly, about believing in yourself.