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Heir to the Scion #1
Join or Die
A group of outcasts, struggling to survive in a school filled with monsters.
An average kid, growing up in Las Vegas, Alex Ayers life skids off the rails when a dragon shifter comes for him. Alex is a Creature, monsters from myths and legends. And he’s in line to lead all the Creatures in the world, if he doesn’t get killed first.
Now forced to attend a school filled with every horror he’s ever imagined, Alex draws together a group of friends to become his own mini-army.
A depressed vampire facing an identity crisis.
A class gossip with white hair and a frosty outlook.
A werewolf who plays with magic.
A Valkyrie straining against her berserker’s rage.
Can Alex keep his friends safe, fight for his own life, and catch a killer, all while keeping his grades up? And what will his future hold, as he begins his change into a Creature he knows nothing about?
An average kid, growing up in Las Vegas, Alex Ayers life skids off the rails when a dragon shifter comes for him. Alex is a Creature, monsters from myths and legends. And he’s in line to lead all the Creatures in the world, if he doesn’t get killed first.
Now forced to attend a school filled with every horror he’s ever imagined, Alex draws together a group of friends to become his own mini-army.
A depressed vampire facing an identity crisis.
A class gossip with white hair and a frosty outlook.
A werewolf who plays with magic.
A Valkyrie straining against her berserker’s rage.
Can Alex keep his friends safe, fight for his own life, and catch a killer, all while keeping his grades up? And what will his future hold, as he begins his change into a Creature he knows nothing about?
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2020
3 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
J. Adrian Ruth
1 book10 followersJ. Adrian Ruth has been writing since she was eight. She's been published in different genre, by different names, since 2003. When she's not writing, she's teaching the next generation of misfits.
J. Adrian has always loved myths and monsters, enjoying a little horror with her adventure and her romance. She's looking forward to seeing how the monsters in her head grow into the heroes she images they can be
J. Adrian has always loved myths and monsters, enjoying a little horror with her adventure and her romance. She's looking forward to seeing how the monsters in her head grow into the heroes she images they can be
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
February 5, 2020
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Join or Die was a pretty good book. I mean, it doesn't hurt that Alex was completely adorable throughout it. However, I will admit that the beginning was a lot to take it. Lots of information was being dumped onto my eyes.. but I completely get it as well. Alex was definitely thrown into a new world rather quickly. Kind of like Percy Jackson?
I will admit that the book definitely picked up after that though. It really was fun to dive into but it also kind of makes me hesitate for book two. Mostly because I don't want it to fall into second book syndrome.. and I also don't want so much info dumping either. Yet, I'm intrigued and want to dive in head first.
Join or Die was a pretty good book. I mean, it doesn't hurt that Alex was completely adorable throughout it. However, I will admit that the beginning was a lot to take it. Lots of information was being dumped onto my eyes.. but I completely get it as well. Alex was definitely thrown into a new world rather quickly. Kind of like Percy Jackson?
I will admit that the book definitely picked up after that though. It really was fun to dive into but it also kind of makes me hesitate for book two. Mostly because I don't want it to fall into second book syndrome.. and I also don't want so much info dumping either. Yet, I'm intrigued and want to dive in head first.
March 13, 2020
I know what you're thinking...
Ugh. Another fantasy series in a secluded private school?
This was freaking awesome!
Only issue I have is now I have to wait for the rest of the series to be written & published 😭
Much love to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my DRC.
Ugh. Another fantasy series in a secluded private school?
This was freaking awesome!
Only issue I have is now I have to wait for the rest of the series to be written & published 😭
Much love to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my DRC.
November 28, 2019
Well this was so much fun!
Alex is a 14 year old boy living with his mother, when one day a he comes home to find a strange man called Durant in his house who turns his world upside down. Alex discovers he isn’t human, his father was actually a dragon shifter which makes Alex a Creature.
Due to the fact Alex is going to Change soon he has to leave home and is sent to Fios Academy a school for the supernatural.
I liked Alex as a character and his snarky sarcastic dialogue, it added witty humour to the story. I laughed out loud at some parts, for example:
“What’s a paranormal monster school doing in Kentucky? I mean the chicken dude is kinda creepy-looking in a molester kinda way but hardly boogieman material.”
I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Harry Potter and is looking for a more urban, modern twist with plenty of humour and action. CW for bad language.
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Alex is a 14 year old boy living with his mother, when one day a he comes home to find a strange man called Durant in his house who turns his world upside down. Alex discovers he isn’t human, his father was actually a dragon shifter which makes Alex a Creature.
Due to the fact Alex is going to Change soon he has to leave home and is sent to Fios Academy a school for the supernatural.
I liked Alex as a character and his snarky sarcastic dialogue, it added witty humour to the story. I laughed out loud at some parts, for example:
“What’s a paranormal monster school doing in Kentucky? I mean the chicken dude is kinda creepy-looking in a molester kinda way but hardly boogieman material.”
I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Harry Potter and is looking for a more urban, modern twist with plenty of humour and action. CW for bad language.
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2020
This was a fun, fast paced read. Alex was a cute main character, he's been through a lot since his dad abandoned his mom and him. He's a bit jaded but he's a nice guy and stands up for others which was awesome. He also doesn't judge people right off the bat and the friends he made will be even more loyal because he gave them a chance and will do anything for them.
The beginning of the book is a bit of an info dump, but Alex is being introduced to a whole new world so it fit in the context of the plot. The scavenger hunt was a fun storyline and helped bring the circle together. I enjoyed all the magical creatures we encountered in the story and it seems there are many more to come! I'm really looking forward to seeing what Alex and his friends will become after the Change.
The beginning of the book is a bit of an info dump, but Alex is being introduced to a whole new world so it fit in the context of the plot. The scavenger hunt was a fun storyline and helped bring the circle together. I enjoyed all the magical creatures we encountered in the story and it seems there are many more to come! I'm really looking forward to seeing what Alex and his friends will become after the Change.
November 13, 2019
Perfectly ordinary adolescent boy in Las Vegas--single parent family, one good friend, starting high school--suddenly discovers he isn't human. Well, only half--his mother is human, his father, absent for six years, is a Creature. Yes, Creature: those entities of fairy tales and mythology? 'Tis real, they are. And Young Alex will be their Scion.
Creatively imagined and fantasized, JOIN OR DIE is Book 1 of HEIRS TO THE SCION Series.
This is YA Fantasy, but I rate it 18+ for language.
Creatively imagined and fantasized, JOIN OR DIE is Book 1 of HEIRS TO THE SCION Series.
This is YA Fantasy, but I rate it 18+ for language.
March 14, 2020
I enjoyed the idea of this book but for me I was not capturing the whole thing maybe? I was hoping for more from this book. Alex Ayers is not an ordinary boy. I was thinking Percy Jackson or something when I first look at this book and read the brief tidbit about the book. I guess it was just not the right book for me in the end. "This book was given to me for free at my request from Netgalley and I provided this voluntary review."
May 31, 2020
I was really interested in the plot of this book. Unfortunately, the execution just wasn't for me. I thought it was boring and I didn't care about any of the characters.
July 19, 2020
*I received this book from Netgalley for my honest review*
This is a really cool mixture of Rosario+Vampire and Harry Potter. Alex’s life is thrown for a loop when he finds out he is halfbreed—half human, half creature. I won’t spoil what he is, as that is a big mystery he has to discover, but it is a really cool twist. He is mad his father left him and never told him the truth, and that resentment plays a big part on what he need to do to accept his fate.
I liked the other characters as well, especially Elvey, the half vampire-half elf roommate. That is, actually, one of my favorite mixtures and one that I think would be cool to read more about. Both a creature of life and death—a cool dynamic that hasn’t been touched on. I also like Yoshi and how he is a Japanese creature. The author did a great job of mixing a few different creature myths from different parts of the world.
All in all, if you like Percy Jackson or Harry Potter or Rosario+Vampire, I think you will like this series! The story is a little on the shorter side, but to me that is nice as it is a relaxing read.
This is a really cool mixture of Rosario+Vampire and Harry Potter. Alex’s life is thrown for a loop when he finds out he is halfbreed—half human, half creature. I won’t spoil what he is, as that is a big mystery he has to discover, but it is a really cool twist. He is mad his father left him and never told him the truth, and that resentment plays a big part on what he need to do to accept his fate.
I liked the other characters as well, especially Elvey, the half vampire-half elf roommate. That is, actually, one of my favorite mixtures and one that I think would be cool to read more about. Both a creature of life and death—a cool dynamic that hasn’t been touched on. I also like Yoshi and how he is a Japanese creature. The author did a great job of mixing a few different creature myths from different parts of the world.
All in all, if you like Percy Jackson or Harry Potter or Rosario+Vampire, I think you will like this series! The story is a little on the shorter side, but to me that is nice as it is a relaxing read.
March 6, 2020
Alex comes home one day to find a strange guy in his living room. He claims to be his uncle and that he has to take him to a faraway magical school.
Living with just his mother, ever since dad left, he is not all that eager to jump in. But he doesn't have that much choice.
It a huge shook that he has to leave all that he knows and go to a new, strange place. It doesn’t get that much easier when he arrives at the school, especially arriving blind, not knowing this strange new world, how it works and where exactly does he fit in.
He makes friends fast and with their help bravely takes on a new role. his friends are one of the best parts of the story, depressed vampire, who lost all his friends, biggest gossip in the school with strange icy abilities, a valkyrie and a werewolf/magician who is amazing at strategy. :)
I love the world and the mythology of it. It’s very well developed and very interesting. My favorite part was a scavenger hunt, magic puts a whole another spin on it. :)
It’s a very good story and can’t wait till the next one.
received from Netgalley
Living with just his mother, ever since dad left, he is not all that eager to jump in. But he doesn't have that much choice.
It a huge shook that he has to leave all that he knows and go to a new, strange place. It doesn’t get that much easier when he arrives at the school, especially arriving blind, not knowing this strange new world, how it works and where exactly does he fit in.
He makes friends fast and with their help bravely takes on a new role. his friends are one of the best parts of the story, depressed vampire, who lost all his friends, biggest gossip in the school with strange icy abilities, a valkyrie and a werewolf/magician who is amazing at strategy. :)
I love the world and the mythology of it. It’s very well developed and very interesting. My favorite part was a scavenger hunt, magic puts a whole another spin on it. :)
It’s a very good story and can’t wait till the next one.
received from Netgalley
November 18, 2019
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
Join or Die is a very peculiar book. Alex's life, a 14 years old from Las Vegas, is turn upside down one day when a friend, Durant, of his absentee father came into his house and revealed to him the most weird truth: he's a Creature, a magical being, his father is a dragon and Durant is one too.
Since during puberty every Creature went through the Change, transforming them into what really are (vampire, dragon and so on),Alex is forced to give up his old life and to go to the Fios Academy, a sort of Hogwarts for magical creatures. There he will learn more about his powers and this new world and how to use the glamour to walk among mortals. He's forced to give up his life to protect his mother and friend, Carlos, pushed into a new world and school.
Not only that. Durant told Alex there were two different dimension, the mortal and the creatures' one and that the Creatures' world is protected and ruled by the Scion and his ciorcal (Gaelic word for circle, a group of trusted friends and allies). Years ago the Scion was attacked, some members killed and a sort of truce was set: The new Scion would step down in 5/10 years time and the Fios Academy will prepare Scion candidates. Without knowing anything about this world, Alex became a candidate, pushed into a new reality.
Helped by his roomate Elvy, a vampire, who shown him around, Alex is forced to adapt to all this and to the game of politics, creating his own ciorcal, surronding himself with peculiar friends.
Elvy, vampire/elf mix, shunned by other elves since he went through the Change and become a vampire, a sensible and smart character.
Yoshi, raised by his father and abandoned by his mother and twin, he's funny and boisterous and he didn't yet Change.
Win, a magic werewolf, the strategist and Kara, the half Valkyrie and half Berserker. His ciorcal collided, during the book, with Raina's one, a distant cousin of Alex, another Scion's candidate. While Alex learned to navigate school and politics, making friends and building his ciorcal, a killer is hunting Scion candidates and, between lessons, books, discoveries and hunts, Alex and his friends have to protect themselves and try to survive.
I really liked this book. It's a quick reading and sometimes a bit rushed, I'd loved to know more extensively about the other Creatures, Breed, more descriptions and stories. Like the main character, the reader is pushed into a new world, without knowing anything and it was exhilarating getting to know more about Fios Academy and Alex's friends. I could see how Alex is divided by his mortal world, his missing his mother and Carlo and normality and the new, dangerous and exciting one. I loved reading about his friends, I loved Elvy and his identity crisis and how Win and the others convinced him to do what he love. Yoshi was such a cute and gossipy one and I'd love to know more about Kara, a real hurricane. I enjoyed reading about the hunt, it was so funny and I loved the riddles and clues, so exciting!
The real identity of the killer didn't surprised me so much, but I wish it would have been better placed and explained, above all the reasons behind it,since it was left a big hanging. I loved reading about Durant and Alex's father, so mysterious and peculiar and to discover Raina's character.
I'd love to know more about this world and its characters. This book was a quick and funny reading,
I recommend it to anyone who wants to be shoved into a new world and reality, surrounded by furred characters, icy touchs, mysterious riddles and politics.
Above all, a book about friendships and to love and trust one other.
Join or Die is a very peculiar book. Alex's life, a 14 years old from Las Vegas, is turn upside down one day when a friend, Durant, of his absentee father came into his house and revealed to him the most weird truth: he's a Creature, a magical being, his father is a dragon and Durant is one too.
Since during puberty every Creature went through the Change, transforming them into what really are (vampire, dragon and so on),Alex is forced to give up his old life and to go to the Fios Academy, a sort of Hogwarts for magical creatures. There he will learn more about his powers and this new world and how to use the glamour to walk among mortals. He's forced to give up his life to protect his mother and friend, Carlos, pushed into a new world and school.
Not only that. Durant told Alex there were two different dimension, the mortal and the creatures' one and that the Creatures' world is protected and ruled by the Scion and his ciorcal (Gaelic word for circle, a group of trusted friends and allies). Years ago the Scion was attacked, some members killed and a sort of truce was set: The new Scion would step down in 5/10 years time and the Fios Academy will prepare Scion candidates. Without knowing anything about this world, Alex became a candidate, pushed into a new reality.
Helped by his roomate Elvy, a vampire, who shown him around, Alex is forced to adapt to all this and to the game of politics, creating his own ciorcal, surronding himself with peculiar friends.
Elvy, vampire/elf mix, shunned by other elves since he went through the Change and become a vampire, a sensible and smart character.
Yoshi, raised by his father and abandoned by his mother and twin, he's funny and boisterous and he didn't yet Change.
Win, a magic werewolf, the strategist and Kara, the half Valkyrie and half Berserker. His ciorcal collided, during the book, with Raina's one, a distant cousin of Alex, another Scion's candidate. While Alex learned to navigate school and politics, making friends and building his ciorcal, a killer is hunting Scion candidates and, between lessons, books, discoveries and hunts, Alex and his friends have to protect themselves and try to survive.
I really liked this book. It's a quick reading and sometimes a bit rushed, I'd loved to know more extensively about the other Creatures, Breed, more descriptions and stories. Like the main character, the reader is pushed into a new world, without knowing anything and it was exhilarating getting to know more about Fios Academy and Alex's friends. I could see how Alex is divided by his mortal world, his missing his mother and Carlo and normality and the new, dangerous and exciting one. I loved reading about his friends, I loved Elvy and his identity crisis and how Win and the others convinced him to do what he love. Yoshi was such a cute and gossipy one and I'd love to know more about Kara, a real hurricane. I enjoyed reading about the hunt, it was so funny and I loved the riddles and clues, so exciting!
The real identity of the killer didn't surprised me so much, but I wish it would have been better placed and explained, above all the reasons behind it,since it was left a big hanging. I loved reading about Durant and Alex's father, so mysterious and peculiar and to discover Raina's character.
I'd love to know more about this world and its characters. This book was a quick and funny reading,
I recommend it to anyone who wants to be shoved into a new world and reality, surrounded by furred characters, icy touchs, mysterious riddles and politics.
Above all, a book about friendships and to love and trust one other.
April 11, 2021
This one was a pleasant surprise! It’s a Young Adult fantasy book, about supernatural beings named ‘Creatures’, who live alongside humans, both in the mortal realm and in an Otherworld realm. The story revolves around Alex Ayers, a 14 year old boy who discovers that his absent father is really a powerful Creature, a dragon shifter to be precise, and he will soon change to become a Creature - although nobody knows exactly which type of Creature he’ll be yet....
Alex is whisked away to a school in another realm, Fios Academy, as Creatures who go through their change are unsafe to be around humans. He needs to learn all about this new world, and his place within it, which is actually a pretty important one. He’s a candidate for the next Scion, who basically rules Creatures and stops the rampant interbreed wars that used to take place. He is one of two remaining candidates left at Fios, he discovers that the candidates are being hunted and killed by anarchists who wish to see the end of the Scion. The other candidate, Raina, is a distant cousin to Alex, and is already hostile towards him as she knows they need to battle each other eventually to become Scion.
Alex needs to find allies and form his ‘ciorcal’ (Celtic for ‘circle’) to ensure he survives long enough to compete for the post of Scion. He meets Elvy, a boy who thought he would be an elf but in fact became a vampire - and has been rejected by his former elven friends, Yoshi, a Japanese American boy who, like Alex, has no idea that there was another world - his mother is a ‘Yuki-onna’, and as they are always female, she took his twin sister Imma and left him with his human father, Win, a werewolf shifter and spell caster, Kara, a Valkyrie and beserker and Mano, a taciturn older boy who gradually becomes enmeshed in the group.
Alex deals with betrayal, politics, life threatening danger and the return of his estranged father, as he navigates his first year at Fios.
There is a lot of great stuff about this book, and I’m looking forward to reading more in the series as they’re released. The world building is pretty good, and the characters are likeable. There’s still some mystery about certain things, which means that the reader will be hanging on for the follow ups, a big battle is on the horizon for us to look forward to, and people to root for.
The only real issues I have are that some of the relationships seemed to happen too quickly, and a few things seem to have been skipped which may be important. For example, Alex’s dad was attacked and injured, but it wasn’t really explained how he was attacked. The intimation of his injuries seemed to become a fact that everyone seemed to know, without explicitly telling the audience. The relationships seemed too ‘insta-friendship’ - which is a nice change from ‘insta-love’, but still not the most believable - with Alex having best friends within hours of arrival at Fios. Now I’m going to guess that the author is going for the ‘he has something magnetic and very leader-y about him’ that inspires such quick relationships, but it’s not always the best writing.
An issue some people may have if their teens plan to read this book is the language. It doesn’t bother me, but I’m an adult and swearing doesn’t bother me anyway, but I’d imagine some parents don’t want their 14 year olds reading the ‘f bomb’ in a YA book. Seems a tad out of place.
All in all though it’s a great start - and hopefully by the time it’s released the grammatical errors and editing mistakes will be fixed from the ARC version - and definitely makes me interested to read more!
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the advance copy*
Alex is whisked away to a school in another realm, Fios Academy, as Creatures who go through their change are unsafe to be around humans. He needs to learn all about this new world, and his place within it, which is actually a pretty important one. He’s a candidate for the next Scion, who basically rules Creatures and stops the rampant interbreed wars that used to take place. He is one of two remaining candidates left at Fios, he discovers that the candidates are being hunted and killed by anarchists who wish to see the end of the Scion. The other candidate, Raina, is a distant cousin to Alex, and is already hostile towards him as she knows they need to battle each other eventually to become Scion.
Alex needs to find allies and form his ‘ciorcal’ (Celtic for ‘circle’) to ensure he survives long enough to compete for the post of Scion. He meets Elvy, a boy who thought he would be an elf but in fact became a vampire - and has been rejected by his former elven friends, Yoshi, a Japanese American boy who, like Alex, has no idea that there was another world - his mother is a ‘Yuki-onna’, and as they are always female, she took his twin sister Imma and left him with his human father, Win, a werewolf shifter and spell caster, Kara, a Valkyrie and beserker and Mano, a taciturn older boy who gradually becomes enmeshed in the group.
Alex deals with betrayal, politics, life threatening danger and the return of his estranged father, as he navigates his first year at Fios.
There is a lot of great stuff about this book, and I’m looking forward to reading more in the series as they’re released. The world building is pretty good, and the characters are likeable. There’s still some mystery about certain things, which means that the reader will be hanging on for the follow ups, a big battle is on the horizon for us to look forward to, and people to root for.
The only real issues I have are that some of the relationships seemed to happen too quickly, and a few things seem to have been skipped which may be important. For example, Alex’s dad was attacked and injured, but it wasn’t really explained how he was attacked. The intimation of his injuries seemed to become a fact that everyone seemed to know, without explicitly telling the audience. The relationships seemed too ‘insta-friendship’ - which is a nice change from ‘insta-love’, but still not the most believable - with Alex having best friends within hours of arrival at Fios. Now I’m going to guess that the author is going for the ‘he has something magnetic and very leader-y about him’ that inspires such quick relationships, but it’s not always the best writing.
An issue some people may have if their teens plan to read this book is the language. It doesn’t bother me, but I’m an adult and swearing doesn’t bother me anyway, but I’d imagine some parents don’t want their 14 year olds reading the ‘f bomb’ in a YA book. Seems a tad out of place.
All in all though it’s a great start - and hopefully by the time it’s released the grammatical errors and editing mistakes will be fixed from the ARC version - and definitely makes me interested to read more!
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the advance copy*
April 19, 2020
This book is amazing 🤗📖 I read it in one day, it’s an paranormal shifter ya book.
It’s written in an intriguing style, you don’t want to put the book down.
What’s it about?
Well Alex comes home with his best friend Carlos and finds an strange expensive car in front of his house.
He sends Carlos home and from the moment he comes in, he knows something is up...
Alex gets the news he is ‘different’ and needs to go to an special school...
The book gives you an mixed vibe in the style of; Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and it’s an good mix.
I really loved reading it, can’t wait till the next one comes out 🥳
It’s written in an intriguing style, you don’t want to put the book down.
What’s it about?
Well Alex comes home with his best friend Carlos and finds an strange expensive car in front of his house.
He sends Carlos home and from the moment he comes in, he knows something is up...
Alex gets the news he is ‘different’ and needs to go to an special school...
The book gives you an mixed vibe in the style of; Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and it’s an good mix.
I really loved reading it, can’t wait till the next one comes out 🥳
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2019
This book was received as an ARC from BooksGoSocial in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
What if you woke up one day to a dragon shifter that tells you that you will eventually morph into a creature and they need you to save their kingdom before you get killed That is the case for Alex as he is visited by a dragon shifter and is told exactly that. While now surviving his new school, Alex forms a mini-army of misfits including a vampire, class gossip, werewolf, and Valkyrie and they must band together to save themselves before they get killed and Alex transforms into a creature that is unknown to him. This book would be perfect for everyone to read during Halloween season to get in the mood or for someone you likes a scary thriller year round.
We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
What if you woke up one day to a dragon shifter that tells you that you will eventually morph into a creature and they need you to save their kingdom before you get killed That is the case for Alex as he is visited by a dragon shifter and is told exactly that. While now surviving his new school, Alex forms a mini-army of misfits including a vampire, class gossip, werewolf, and Valkyrie and they must band together to save themselves before they get killed and Alex transforms into a creature that is unknown to him. This book would be perfect for everyone to read during Halloween season to get in the mood or for someone you likes a scary thriller year round.
We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
Read
November 21, 2019Alex is just a 14 year old kid living an ordinary life with his single mum...until one day, a stranger shows up. The stranger tells Alex that like his father before him, he isn’t human. Alex is soon whisked away to a school for Creatures and has to start rethinking everything he thought he knew about the world.
As a story about a variety of creatures, including both the familiar such as vampires and the less well known, this is the kind of story I may have eaten up as a kid/young teen. There’s a variety of characters, powers and conflicts to explore within what is quite a short book.
Is this a new favourite as now an adult? No.
Would I recommend it to that younger age group? Yes.
It’s not necessarily the freshest story concept out there, and the story is very quickly paced, but it’s an easy read and a good time nonetheless.
As a story about a variety of creatures, including both the familiar such as vampires and the less well known, this is the kind of story I may have eaten up as a kid/young teen. There’s a variety of characters, powers and conflicts to explore within what is quite a short book.
Is this a new favourite as now an adult? No.
Would I recommend it to that younger age group? Yes.
It’s not necessarily the freshest story concept out there, and the story is very quickly paced, but it’s an easy read and a good time nonetheless.
November 16, 2019
What a fun read this book was, I can not wait for the next installment on the series! When I picked up a copy of the book, I was undecided on what I wanted to read next, so I decided merely on the cover art to pick Join or Die. And what a pleasant surprise it was.
Alex Ayers life is turned upside down when he finds out that Creatures that Myths and Legends talk about are real and he is one of them. When he joins Fios Academy he quickly learns that he could be the next leader of them all. Joined by a band of misfits, Alex needs to learn fast about what it means being a creature and how to survive before he ends up being killed.
Alex Ayers life is turned upside down when he finds out that Creatures that Myths and Legends talk about are real and he is one of them. When he joins Fios Academy he quickly learns that he could be the next leader of them all. Joined by a band of misfits, Alex needs to learn fast about what it means being a creature and how to survive before he ends up being killed.
January 9, 2020
Until he comes home one day to find a Bugatti Veyron in his drive, Alex has absolutely no idea what he really is. Suddenly his absent father's best friend is whisking him away to a boarding school for creatures, where he will have to learn how to blend into human life once he changes into whatever creature he will become. But the change isn't all he has to worry about. He's descended from the Scion, a supernatural peace keeper and now has to compete to become the next in line.
I really enjoyed this first book of the trilogy. I love that Alex isn't afraid to show his feelings, and the friends he makes at his new school are almost like a second family to him. Bring on book 2!
I really enjoyed this first book of the trilogy. I love that Alex isn't afraid to show his feelings, and the friends he makes at his new school are almost like a second family to him. Bring on book 2!
April 11, 2021
*I received a free digital ARC via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
The race to save Otherworld
This book is initially set in the human realm, before Alex suddenly receives a visitor who tells him that his absentee father is a “Creature”, the various monsters out of myths and legends, and that he most likely will transform into one, too.
So there Alex is, a half breed with a human mother, suddenly taken away to a private boarding school for Creatures in another realm, Otherworld, leaving behind his best friend, Carlos, his mother, and everything he’s ever known. Worse than that, he’s told that he’s the Scion Heir (leader of all the Creatures), being a descendant of the original Scion, and that he’ll eventually have to battle the other Heir to become the leader of all.
Luckily, he somehow manages to find his place in this new world, making new friends who gradually form a part of his Ciorcal (Celtic for “circle”), the group that will support, protect, and guide him, if and when he does fulfil his destiny.
In the meantime, however, he has no idea what Creature he himself is going to be, and has to face off a Creature who has been killing off all of the Heirs. Along with some other hijinks with his Ciorcal, it’s a fight for survival he hadn’t been warned of or planned for.
I must say that the beginning didn’t thrill me quite so much, but the last part of the book made up for that and was pretty good. I can only assume that this is because this is quite obviously the author’s first book, with it having at times too much information, then at others not enough. There are still quite a few typos in this book, but I’m guessing that that is because it is, at the time of ARC release, still not fully edited.
However, despite its similarities to other Paranormal schools, it has enough differences in it to make it a new take on the idea, somewhat familiar yet with unique elements.
Hopefully the sequel, once it’s finally released, will further develop the ideas here and, after reading the preview, it looks like we will find out more about the current Scion and the ongoing war against him.
Final rating: ★★★★☆ – Really liked
March 7, 2020
I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this fun journey into a world of monsters! Alex is a good lead - thrown in the deep end, he does sometime acclimatise quickly, but overall I found his arc believable. And I loved his friends, the overlap of his old life and his new one was quite well done, and felt realistic. Plus I loved that he and his mum had friends who appeared to treat them as family.
My favourite part was the scavenger hunt, that sounded like fun! And the lessons we get to see glimpses of were pretty interesting. In fact that probably my only real complaint - the book sort of whizzes through bits, so we get a lot up front that worked well, and then suddenly time is flying by and then the end of the year / book has arrived. That part was a little dissatisfying if I’m honest, as I wanted a little more world building around the types of creatures, their hierarchies, the scion, the ciorcals etc. In places Alex seemed to suddenly understand more without us going through that process with him.
But overall, the sense of fun and the concept sold the book for me, and I will definitely be looking out for book two.
I really enjoyed this fun journey into a world of monsters! Alex is a good lead - thrown in the deep end, he does sometime acclimatise quickly, but overall I found his arc believable. And I loved his friends, the overlap of his old life and his new one was quite well done, and felt realistic. Plus I loved that he and his mum had friends who appeared to treat them as family.
My favourite part was the scavenger hunt, that sounded like fun! And the lessons we get to see glimpses of were pretty interesting. In fact that probably my only real complaint - the book sort of whizzes through bits, so we get a lot up front that worked well, and then suddenly time is flying by and then the end of the year / book has arrived. That part was a little dissatisfying if I’m honest, as I wanted a little more world building around the types of creatures, their hierarchies, the scion, the ciorcals etc. In places Alex seemed to suddenly understand more without us going through that process with him.
But overall, the sense of fun and the concept sold the book for me, and I will definitely be looking out for book two.
May 17, 2020
I enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and the loyalty shown. Of course, I liked the idea of a book about creatures. The story was also entertaining and made for a quick read.
All that being said I do have few criticisms. The creatures could have been explained better. Especially given that Alex had no idea, that would have been a very easy way to explain things. I didn't really understand the Sion things and Why Alex, other than the fact he was the main character, was in the running. Finally, I would have liked more female representation on Alex's team. Especially when his competition is "shamed" for having only one male, Alex is basically doing the same thing.
I certainly would read the next book in the series but I am going to need some better explanations in the future.
All that being said I do have few criticisms. The creatures could have been explained better. Especially given that Alex had no idea, that would have been a very easy way to explain things. I didn't really understand the Sion things and Why Alex, other than the fact he was the main character, was in the running. Finally, I would have liked more female representation on Alex's team. Especially when his competition is "shamed" for having only one male, Alex is basically doing the same thing.
I certainly would read the next book in the series but I am going to need some better explanations in the future.
March 10, 2020
Alex Ayers life changes in an instant. One minute hes a an average kid, hanging out with his best mate, the next he is taken off by a stranger to Fios Academy to find out who or what he is.
Its a great, fast paced story which never lets up, but keeps you wanting more. Alex has a bit of an attitude, but then that is typical of most adolescent boys
This should appeal to both young adults and adults alike. Im looking forward to the rest of the series
Its a great, fast paced story which never lets up, but keeps you wanting more. Alex has a bit of an attitude, but then that is typical of most adolescent boys
This should appeal to both young adults and adults alike. Im looking forward to the rest of the series
December 9, 2019
Thank you so much to BooksGoSocial for giving me an ARC of Join or Die by J. Adrian Ruth via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
There’s a rich person in their house, uncanny on their middle class suburb. And then normal human Alex (or what he thought) is brought to Kentucky all the way from Vegas to attend a magical academy. Turns out, he’s some kind of candidate to become this Otherworld leader to continue the peace between different breeds of Creatures. Clueless and ignorant, he gathers people to become his support, to learn from, and to be his protectors.
If you’re a fan of something like Harry Potter x Percy Jackson x Magnus Chase x Vampire Academy with lots of daddy issues, magic-academy tropes, and lots of cursing, you’ll love this book. If you’re looking for fresh air, then you might want to drop the book. There’s a concept that’s different but if you dislike the tropes I mentioned (which is appears majority of the book), I think it wouldn’t work for you. However, since it’s just the first book of a series, you can also stick around and see what becomes of Alex and the One True Ayer(s).
There’s a rich person in their house, uncanny on their middle class suburb. And then normal human Alex (or what he thought) is brought to Kentucky all the way from Vegas to attend a magical academy. Turns out, he’s some kind of candidate to become this Otherworld leader to continue the peace between different breeds of Creatures. Clueless and ignorant, he gathers people to become his support, to learn from, and to be his protectors.
If you’re a fan of something like Harry Potter x Percy Jackson x Magnus Chase x Vampire Academy with lots of daddy issues, magic-academy tropes, and lots of cursing, you’ll love this book. If you’re looking for fresh air, then you might want to drop the book. There’s a concept that’s different but if you dislike the tropes I mentioned (which is appears majority of the book), I think it wouldn’t work for you. However, since it’s just the first book of a series, you can also stick around and see what becomes of Alex and the One True Ayer(s).
February 23, 2020
I absolutely love fantasy stories and especially the ones like this book, where people find out, they are not only human as expected. This book is a fun read, when we discover together with Alex, how different he really is. And then the school – we all love school setting, not only because of Harry Potter.
Alex is a great character and fun to read, bit sarcastic as I like. The plot offers action and fun the same time and surprises are guaranteed. The friends he find in school are as unique as he is and they are so much fun as well. Diverse and still so matching. That I especially liked about this group.
The book is full of magic and dragons, great characters and lots of surprises – a big recommendation for all lovers of fun fantasy books.
Alex is a great character and fun to read, bit sarcastic as I like. The plot offers action and fun the same time and surprises are guaranteed. The friends he find in school are as unique as he is and they are so much fun as well. Diverse and still so matching. That I especially liked about this group.
The book is full of magic and dragons, great characters and lots of surprises – a big recommendation for all lovers of fun fantasy books.
April 20, 2020
Starting with a thrilling prologue of a chase in the woods and a murder, this story was gripping from the start. Then we meet Alex, a regular 14yr old from Las Vegas, who finds out he's not as regular as he thought. He is a Creature, but will not know what kind till he goes through the Change. Circumstances lead him to attend a secret school with werewolves, Valkyries and so many other creatures of legend.
The story presents a very interesting mythology, that enriches the world building. The explanations are done quite well, mostly as conversations. Also, the author obviously has a great sense of humor, which translates not only to the premise, but to the quips from Alex and the other characters.
Danger is implied tot he protagonist from the beginning, and we can feel it permeating in the air. Also Ruth has done a fine job in showing us how Alex is getting used to his new situation, new allies and future worries. I really like Alex's group, but I think Yoshi is my favorite.
The 3rd person POV has a 1st person feel to it. I genuinely enjoyed Alex's inner thoughts, the sarcasm. He is an honest, noble and kind boy.
Prejudice is a main theme here, as is the trappings of arrogance and the strength we achieve from friendship and teamwork. Also raises the question of destiny.
Adventurous, magical (pun intended), and loads of fun. With so many surprises and questions, that have us squirming in anticipation for the sequel. A more than satisfying start to what promises to be an incredible series.
The story presents a very interesting mythology, that enriches the world building. The explanations are done quite well, mostly as conversations. Also, the author obviously has a great sense of humor, which translates not only to the premise, but to the quips from Alex and the other characters.
Danger is implied tot he protagonist from the beginning, and we can feel it permeating in the air. Also Ruth has done a fine job in showing us how Alex is getting used to his new situation, new allies and future worries. I really like Alex's group, but I think Yoshi is my favorite.
The 3rd person POV has a 1st person feel to it. I genuinely enjoyed Alex's inner thoughts, the sarcasm. He is an honest, noble and kind boy.
Prejudice is a main theme here, as is the trappings of arrogance and the strength we achieve from friendship and teamwork. Also raises the question of destiny.
Adventurous, magical (pun intended), and loads of fun. With so many surprises and questions, that have us squirming in anticipation for the sequel. A more than satisfying start to what promises to be an incredible series.
February 20, 2020
Thank you for my copy netgalley
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to book two
Alex has found out he is not quite human and is off to live at Fois academy where he embarks on a whole new life of discovery
The book is easy to read I did it in 2 days the characters are likable and the story morish
I did get a bit frustrated at parts where back story I felt was half explained at took a while to enlighten us on what was going on but I guess that is as much my impatiance
All in all a really good read
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to book two
Alex has found out he is not quite human and is off to live at Fois academy where he embarks on a whole new life of discovery
The book is easy to read I did it in 2 days the characters are likable and the story morish
I did get a bit frustrated at parts where back story I felt was half explained at took a while to enlighten us on what was going on but I guess that is as much my impatiance
All in all a really good read
February 20, 2020
This book reminded me of a knock off of Bella Forrest's Spell Shadow Manor series mixed with a little of Harry Potter. The main characters even have the same name, which is Alex.
It has some competitive characters with a variety of personalities, but it was hard to connect with any of them. I do believe it has a decent plot and I liked that Alex had to get others to join his cioral, which was not easy.
Even though this book one didn't wow me I will give the next book in the series a try.
3 Stars=Okay Page Turner
It has some competitive characters with a variety of personalities, but it was hard to connect with any of them. I do believe it has a decent plot and I liked that Alex had to get others to join his cioral, which was not easy.
Even though this book one didn't wow me I will give the next book in the series a try.
3 Stars=Okay Page Turner
February 17, 2020
Listed as YA, this book is really for everyone who enjoys an entertaining story of how quickly lives can change when truths come out. A young man learns that his life is not what he thought it was and his future plans have now entered the fantastical. Coming of age is difficult enough without learning that your destiny is not within your control. How this young man faces these changes and grows into that destiny is a wonderful story that will make you laugh and cry and keep you reading "just one more chapter".
February 9, 2020
Join or Die was a very entertaining YA fantasy novel with elements of horror, which although it does not do anything new, was an engaging read full of believable and quirky characters. Alex is a young teen from Las Vegas who early in the novel realises he is not normal and is whisked off to a boarding school for creatures who are crossbreeds of human and other powerful creatures including vampires. Alex’s new roommate is a vampire, who becomes a friend, and shows him the ropes at school. Although he does not know it, Alex is also very powerful but does not yet know how to harness his power, which is a big part of the novel with a coming of age twang thrown into the mix with the teenager doing his best to adapt in his weird new surroundings.
The story cleverly balances the fantasy aspect with the fact that Alex is still a teenager and that is convincingly portrayed in the plot and the misfits he bands himself with. Join or Die sets itself up nicely for a sequel and if you can stand spending more time in yet another magic school is well worth checking out. AGE 12+
The story cleverly balances the fantasy aspect with the fact that Alex is still a teenager and that is convincingly portrayed in the plot and the misfits he bands himself with. Join or Die sets itself up nicely for a sequel and if you can stand spending more time in yet another magic school is well worth checking out. AGE 12+
April 24, 2020
I loved the idea of this book. But I struggled to get into it Having a teen of my own, is probably a contribution to the trouble getting through it. It is by no means bad. The struggles of finding the place to fit in and trust others in a magical school, are so similar to real life; it resonated a bit too much.
For those ready to dig into the story, you are in for an enjoyable tale. Mythos was not stretched to an unbelievable place. Solid characters. Good plotline.
For those ready to dig into the story, you are in for an enjoyable tale. Mythos was not stretched to an unbelievable place. Solid characters. Good plotline.
February 9, 2020
This was a super fun YA read with the lovable and cute Alex as the main character. Persevere through the start of the book despite being barraged by information. This will all help to make sense of the rest of the book. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc.
April 8, 2020
I recieved a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It took me a little while to get into this book, but I am finding that with all books just now so mostly likely just me. I liked learning along with Alex, it as fun book with some serious aspects. A group of kids put into a dangerous school or situation is nothing new but the scion idea was a new one on me. I still don't fully understand it but I am hoping that in the next book all that will be explained.
Alex was a great main character, he took to the odd situation really well. I liked how he handled himself, he did feel a little older than the 14 he was meant to be. The other characters were a bit meh for me, felt like they were there just to make up numbers.
The great hunt was very good. I really enjoyed that part. It was probably the most exciting part for me. I raced through the whole hunt in one sitting and was almost late to work.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, I have pre-ordered book two and cannot wait to read it.
4 out 5 stars
It took me a little while to get into this book, but I am finding that with all books just now so mostly likely just me. I liked learning along with Alex, it as fun book with some serious aspects. A group of kids put into a dangerous school or situation is nothing new but the scion idea was a new one on me. I still don't fully understand it but I am hoping that in the next book all that will be explained.
Alex was a great main character, he took to the odd situation really well. I liked how he handled himself, he did feel a little older than the 14 he was meant to be. The other characters were a bit meh for me, felt like they were there just to make up numbers.
The great hunt was very good. I really enjoyed that part. It was probably the most exciting part for me. I raced through the whole hunt in one sitting and was almost late to work.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, I have pre-ordered book two and cannot wait to read it.
4 out 5 stars
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