A New Type of Super Hero - Most Excellent!!!

In the beginning, God created … then came the fall of Lucifer and other angels. A bargain was struck – ok more of a teaching moment for God to show Lucifer he was a pompous and ungracious angel. Unwilling to destroy Lucifer or allow him to destroy humans, God allowed for Sentinels to be selected. They were to bring light or darkness beyond God or Lucifer’s vision. They were to rescue or wreak havoc on humans but only through free will. The angels Raphael, Michael help Micah ben Judah who willingly shouldered the responsibility to bring lightness where darkness rules and angels fear to tread.

Now in the 21st century, it is time for Micah to pass his sentinel duty to another. Kellan Thorne is faced with skinwalkers wanting to rip him apart and a man with glowing emerald eyes and a glowing sword ordering him to stay put. Thorne discovers he is to be the recipient of otherworldly powers and that he has free will to use those powers as he sees fit.

At first, I thought this book would be a fire and brimstone type book but instead after Kellan appeared it took on more of a superhero with a mouth type audiobook. Thornes sarcastic wit and unique way of looking at things along with his female friends and the narrowmindedness of Raphael and Micah one cannot help but enjoy the story as it unfolds. One has to wonder if Thorne will keep things in check or if he will let chaos have a little bit of reign. Regardless, the showdown with the Prince of Darkness’s sentinel is intriguing and unexpected!

Robert Ross, the author, has written a wonderful book that leaves lots of room for more books just as interesting and engaging! Clearly written, characters are well-developed and the imagery is vivid. I enjoyed the pop culture references that kept popping up. Fun story that makes you laugh, and scary at times that will make you gasp.

The narrator, Nick Podehl performed the story perfectly! His ability to deliver a sarcastic witty comeback was spot on! He nailed the angels as well! I enjoyed his voice, it was smooth and clear. He truly became Kellan Thorne! And the female leads – he was perfect with the delivery of their smart remarks as well. I am looking forward to hearing the other two books but know that he has a wealth of storylines here if he chooses to use them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was not what I expected when I first started listening to it. It was fun and light. I highly recommend this audio to anyone who enjoys witty books with adventure and supernatural.

There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author/narrator/publisher.
Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog.
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71 people found this helpful

5 STARS WELL EARNED

What made the experience of listening to A Power Renewed the most enjoyable?

References, references, references, powers, Angels, and Demons were great as well but all the nerdy references made it a constant joy.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Power Renewed?

Like Harry's Cloak... Gryffindor

What does Nick Podehl bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Sorry, the best part about having Nick Podehl doing this book is hearing Kvothe's voice again. Come on Rothfuss hurry the hell up with book 3!!!!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Wibbly Wobbly.. heaven and hell... stuff.

Any additional comments?

Wow, just Wow. Robert Ross does an amazing job of creating a world of Angels, Demons, God, Man, and numerous supernatural creatures yet to be discovered. Aside from the astounding level of sarcasm and quick wit, which utilized every manner of pop culture reference, my favorite part of this world is the way in which the magic or power is used/explained. Reminiscent of Name of the Wind, the powers utilized within this tail always have some basis in reality (however stretched, twisted, or wibbly wobbly that reality is at times). This modern day setting provides a unique look into how this current generation might react when thrust into a world fantasy. The threads of pop culture references that have been interwoven throughout this tail are both astounding and varied, from Trekkies to Whovians, and from Wizards to Hobbits THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!!!

54 people found this helpful

New Urban Fantasy favorite

This book is a blast! If, like me, you are a fan of book series' like The Dresden Files, Sookie Stackhouse, Harry Potter, Ready Player One, Brandon Sanderson, and/or other urban fantasy/ sci-fi plus TV shows like Supernatural, Doctor Who, Star Trek etc..you will LOVE this book. This is the first in a proposed series. I can't wait to hear the next one. It's a cool concept, good story, well paced, funny, action packed and with really interesting characters. A total blast!! Nick Podehl did a great job narrating. I became a fan of Nick's narrative talents listening to him bring to life the novels of Patrick Rothfuss. All in all, this was really great fun. I loved it.

42 people found this helpful

Even Nick Podehl Can't Save It

Literally half the book is exposition, you are water boarded to Hell (pun intended) with it. I hope the Author can realize not every single power, principle, lesson, person, pop-reference, character action, dimension, and ect. DOSENT HAVE TO BE EXPLAINED IN ONE GO.

SInce everything is explained the Author somehow treats it like we care about the characters, but he doesnt care to write a compelling demonstration of that: Author expains what character has done/is therefore we should care...that's not how it works.

At the very least I thought this book would use Heaven vs Hell dynamic creatively.... nope that doesn't exist either. This book is a waste of time, with nothing or little to offer. I don't know how this book got reviews with 3 stars and higher.

41 people found this helpful

Fast Paced but Thoughtful

This book was fantastic. I love the fast pace and the vivid world created. It’s great because time is not wasted on over explaining the features of a from scratch world. The author builds off many of the stories and mythology most readers are already familiar with. This makes for an easy to consume foundation. The characters are all interesting. Each has a unique quality that makes it easy to empathize with them. I laughed out loud frequently. The authors references to things like Doctor Who shows he is actually a fan, and not just trying to play to what he thinks the readers want to hear. I loved book 1 from the start which is rare for me. I listened to the audio book and Nick Podehl was a fantastic narrator. His voice changes are seamless and appreciated. Now stop reading this and go read or listen to this book!!!

41 people found this helpful

Don't judge a book by its cover.

Robert ross's sentinels are on par with scott meyer magic #.# series. audible should have this one on any sic & fantasy's listeners home screen.

38 people found this helpful

I have a new place to get a great story!

It’s about time that we found a new author who is willing to take up the torch that has diminished with the loss of so many spectacular authors like Robert Jordan, Robert Asprin, and many others. A semi mild-mannered bookstore owner in modern-day Atlanta is thrust into a role that he couldn’t comprehend only days before. It is very unusual that I will listen to a book more than once. In this case, I had to go back and hear it from the beginning. A Power Renewed is a tale with twists and turns as our young protagonist comes to grips with his new role. The people who put him where he also has to come to grips with the protagonist. This story is not your standard fantasy novel but a new branch of the genre. There is little to no paradox, it has individual people, and the protagonist isn’t what anyone expected. Robert Ross takes the slow cooking method of character introduction. Rather than have each burst onto the scene and in the span of two or three paragraphs, you know their life history, quirks, and what makes them fun. Ross has created some complex and unique characters. They are a good fit for the group, and he has set it in a familiar place for many of us.

I highly recommend you give this one a listen. I’m generally not a fan of this style of writing, but I got hooked in by meeting the author at Dragon Con, and he told me, “An atheist is chosen by god,” Okay, you have me hooked. I may as well see how this works. I will let you be the judge, but I feel that this is something I will see through to the finish. HBO had better let him at least finish writing book seven before they come to him for a series deal!

29 people found this helpful

Great Read!

Narrator was exceptional at creating depth and color into each character! I greatly enjoyed listening and have already downloaded the second book in the series.

26 people found this helpful

Fantastic book

I skipped over this a couple times (mostly because of the cover) but now I’m glad I gave it a chance. Also Nick podehl has spoiled me, if the narrator isn’t at least close to his level, I can’t finish the book.

26 people found this helpful

The Start of Something Fantastic

Sometimes you start a series and know instantly that the series is for you. That is the way I felt with this series. Robert W. Ross has a way of writing that is reminiscent of authors like Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson, or Robert Jordan, and has built a story very much his own with a love and attentiveness that comes through. I really enjoy his take on the age-old Angels vs. Demons kind of story which Ross has infused with so many of his own ideas to make this a real fun listen (and for anyone worried the book itself is neither religious nor anti-religious in nature). Teaming up with Nick Podehl for the audio version makes this an instant listen and very easy to recommend.

25 people found this helpful