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The Wayman's Code: Awakening
“Powers like Bleach. Worlds like Supernatural. Vibes like Legendborn."
Fifteen-year-old Maleek Warden's high school life was normal... at least before three strange things changed his world forever.
Strange thing #1: Finding a dying angelic being impaled to a tree.
Strange thing #2: Said angelic being delivering to him a message from another realm.
Strange thing #3: Discovering the reality of gifted human warriors, invisible divine beings, and a chaotic war hidden in plain sight.
But it gets worse.
Some of these spirits are unquestionably evil and prey on human beings.
Worse still.
The evil ones are coordinating for something big, and Maleek has a strange feeling it has everything to do with the message he has received.
If Maleek and friends have any hope of surviving what is to come, he needs to tap into his gifts. But his inability to access them just seems to be the latest of his growing list of problems.
Begin the journey on page 1...
Fifteen-year-old Maleek Warden's high school life was normal... at least before three strange things changed his world forever.
Strange thing #1: Finding a dying angelic being impaled to a tree.
Strange thing #2: Said angelic being delivering to him a message from another realm.
Strange thing #3: Discovering the reality of gifted human warriors, invisible divine beings, and a chaotic war hidden in plain sight.
But it gets worse.
Some of these spirits are unquestionably evil and prey on human beings.
Worse still.
The evil ones are coordinating for something big, and Maleek has a strange feeling it has everything to do with the message he has received.
If Maleek and friends have any hope of surviving what is to come, he needs to tap into his gifts. But his inability to access them just seems to be the latest of his growing list of problems.
Begin the journey on page 1...
- GenresChristian Fiction
457 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 19, 2022
9 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 12, 2022
I want to start by saying that I have had the pleasure of talking with R.J. Wilson to discuss his writing of this book and his journey through self-publishing. He was a joy to talk with and I learned a lot from him. We are very similar in many aspects and so I looked forward to reading his first novel.
It was a typical YA Fantasy novel with great premise. I could see the anime and YA pop culture influences, and though some of those influences were painfully obvious, I felt that they were a good fit for the book. I was really excited about the premise behind this book and I admittedly consumed this book much faster than I typically would a novel of this size. It was not without its flaws, but the story, the driving force behind all writings, was solid and that is what pushed me through some of the challenges.
So let's start with those challenges. First and foremost, I would be remiss if I didn't warn you that this book is riddled with grammar and editing errors. Not just missing periods or commas, but whole sentences that are incorrect. Redundant words in sentences and extra words as if R.J. was contemplating two ways of writing something and left both in. This is not just a handful of mistakes either. The kindle version that I picked up had dozens of these errors and it certainly detracted from my experience.
A few of my other grievances have to do with the pacing, dialogue, and the situational realism. I will start with the dialogue. As is common from a first time novelist, I think this would have to be the weakest area overall. The language is too simplistic and unsophisticated, though the sentences around the dialogue are well written. There are a lot of uses of words like "and stuff" or "whatever" that really just seem lazy. Also, the pacing is off in several key areas. I would like to see some particular situations better explored and stretched out with some more details included.
My last issue has a lot to do with the realistic expectations of a situation. I know it is a novel and I shouldn't take things too seriously, but it was a bit upsetting watching characters go through unbelievable situations and everything button up nice and neat. For instance, when Maleek learns of this hidden world of Aggelai and Shadiem, he instantly believes it and tells his friends. Of course, that makes perfect sense because you are likely to go to your best friends for support and to share secrets, but I felt the sloppy element was how quick they were to believe him and Lysa to reveal that she has been a part of this world for some time. It just felt too clean and neat and pulled me out of the investment I was building with the story. There were several situations where I felt it was just a little too perfect.
As for the characters I really loved the main 3 characters, Maleek, Dante, and Lysa. I felt that their dynamic and chemistry together was extremely believable and you can tell Mr. Wilson modeled these relationships on some close friendships of his own. There were a lot of characters, as is often the case with Fantasy novels, but I was able to follow along and keep connections going without issue. One thing I was a little disappointed in was that he glanced over the dynamic between Maleek and his always sleeping mother. There was a lot to be explored there, questions to be answered, that I am hoping will be cleared up in the second book.
Yes, I am looking forward to reading the second book. Though the book had its issues, the story itself was intriguing and I enjoyed reading it. I offer this review, not as a slap in the face, but as a request from a genuine fan that would like to see some improvements in the second book. Editing issues can kill a book and as a self-published author I don't want to see that be the nail in the coffin, so to speak. I can't wait to read the next installment and see what the 7 Lords of Death have in store for the world.
It was a typical YA Fantasy novel with great premise. I could see the anime and YA pop culture influences, and though some of those influences were painfully obvious, I felt that they were a good fit for the book. I was really excited about the premise behind this book and I admittedly consumed this book much faster than I typically would a novel of this size. It was not without its flaws, but the story, the driving force behind all writings, was solid and that is what pushed me through some of the challenges.
So let's start with those challenges. First and foremost, I would be remiss if I didn't warn you that this book is riddled with grammar and editing errors. Not just missing periods or commas, but whole sentences that are incorrect. Redundant words in sentences and extra words as if R.J. was contemplating two ways of writing something and left both in. This is not just a handful of mistakes either. The kindle version that I picked up had dozens of these errors and it certainly detracted from my experience.
A few of my other grievances have to do with the pacing, dialogue, and the situational realism. I will start with the dialogue. As is common from a first time novelist, I think this would have to be the weakest area overall. The language is too simplistic and unsophisticated, though the sentences around the dialogue are well written. There are a lot of uses of words like "and stuff" or "whatever" that really just seem lazy. Also, the pacing is off in several key areas. I would like to see some particular situations better explored and stretched out with some more details included.
My last issue has a lot to do with the realistic expectations of a situation. I know it is a novel and I shouldn't take things too seriously, but it was a bit upsetting watching characters go through unbelievable situations and everything button up nice and neat. For instance, when Maleek learns of this hidden world of Aggelai and Shadiem, he instantly believes it and tells his friends. Of course, that makes perfect sense because you are likely to go to your best friends for support and to share secrets, but I felt the sloppy element was how quick they were to believe him and Lysa to reveal that she has been a part of this world for some time. It just felt too clean and neat and pulled me out of the investment I was building with the story. There were several situations where I felt it was just a little too perfect.
As for the characters I really loved the main 3 characters, Maleek, Dante, and Lysa. I felt that their dynamic and chemistry together was extremely believable and you can tell Mr. Wilson modeled these relationships on some close friendships of his own. There were a lot of characters, as is often the case with Fantasy novels, but I was able to follow along and keep connections going without issue. One thing I was a little disappointed in was that he glanced over the dynamic between Maleek and his always sleeping mother. There was a lot to be explored there, questions to be answered, that I am hoping will be cleared up in the second book.
Yes, I am looking forward to reading the second book. Though the book had its issues, the story itself was intriguing and I enjoyed reading it. I offer this review, not as a slap in the face, but as a request from a genuine fan that would like to see some improvements in the second book. Editing issues can kill a book and as a self-published author I don't want to see that be the nail in the coffin, so to speak. I can't wait to read the next installment and see what the 7 Lords of Death have in store for the world.
March 11, 2022
♥️♥️💜 A tremendous crush, totally unexpected !
They were defying the taboo : whispering during Mrs Pickering ’s class.
She hadn’t spotted them yet...
Dante absolutely wanted to invite Estrella...
-------------
I loved this novel from the very first page !
The main character of Maleek is so endearing, sympathetic and full of goodwill.
The plot of the novel is very mysterious, full of action and surprises.
The author’s writing is fascinating and so enjoyable to read !
A great crush, totally unexpected, for this moving, incredible and original youth/Fantasy novel, overflowing with action, to discover absolutely !
Well done !
♥️♥️💜
They were defying the taboo : whispering during Mrs Pickering ’s class.
She hadn’t spotted them yet...
Dante absolutely wanted to invite Estrella...
-------------
I loved this novel from the very first page !
The main character of Maleek is so endearing, sympathetic and full of goodwill.
The plot of the novel is very mysterious, full of action and surprises.
The author’s writing is fascinating and so enjoyable to read !
A great crush, totally unexpected, for this moving, incredible and original youth/Fantasy novel, overflowing with action, to discover absolutely !
Well done !
♥️♥️💜
November 3, 2022
WOW! Any time a father dies, his children lose, especially Maleek who was on the cusp of manhood. Convinced that he was seeing things out of his school window, he tried to play it cool as the thing floated upside down, but no one appeared to see it. I liked this warrior child but he could be too quick to jump to conclusions and not think things out. Wayman's Code is a fast paced, paged turning action YA that I couldn't put down!
March 7, 2022
a fun read a great coming in to there own story i got this book for free and honest review
February 28, 2022
So glad a book like this exist. First time i ever see a christian YA fantasy with a POC as the main character! POC christian are rarely represented in book, especially in the YA industry
March 27, 2022
Very interesting
Catches your attention and leads on chase you know but is some how different and intriguing.
An good read for all ages.
Catches your attention and leads on chase you know but is some how different and intriguing.
An good read for all ages.
March 16, 2023
An exciting first book in a series, suitable for young people as well as adults. I love the cover - the boy (young man, really, at 15) is thinking, "What?? Who, me??" as he discovers a world within his world and that he is expected to have a major part in it fighting evil. Well done, I recommend this one! - I received a review copy and freely leave this honest review.
February 25, 2023
DNF.... An interesting premise but when I was still not "into" the book while one third finished, I gave up...Not my cup of tea.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews