Julian Rosado-Machain

"The Guardians were founded 7,134 years ago by a Sumerian scholar who moved from Uruk to Hierakoponlis in Egypt to ensure the rise of human civilization." They are searching for the Book of Concord, which allows them to make decisions that keep magic in check and tilt the balance in technology's favor. Thomas Byrne is only 16 years old, but it is up to him, as the cypher, to help decipher the clues that will hopefully lead them to the book in time to keep catastrophe at bay.

I found this to be a very enjoyable book with likeable characters (other than the ones we're not supposed to like, course), and an interesting plot. The pacing was a bit off and on, but this was still a very quick read. I look forward to reading the next book in the series,

4/5 stars.… (mer)

Guardians Incorporated is a mysterious multinational company that has a substantial stake in almost every area of society. To the general public, the company's mission statement is relatively innocuous. However, in reality, Guardians Inc. is the oldest of secret societies, one that spans close to seven thousand years of existence, weaving in and out of history, guiding and protecting humanity from creatures and forces that most of us believe exist only in mythology and fairy tales.

Thomas Byrne is just your average fifteen-almost-sixteen-year-old teenager. Newly arrived to Carlsbad, California eight months after his parents disappeared while on a cruise, he is now living with his grandfather while going to high school. For the most part, Thomas does well in school - for the new kid, the routine is pretty simple: do your work, stay out of trouble, and whatever you do, don't cross the radar of Vice Principal Khanna - code name: Killjoy.

Thomas Byrne is a young man suddenly thrust into a secret world he shouldn't be aware of, facing dangers of which he should not have any knowledge. But, he ultimately will face such dangers, for he is a Cypher. The only one who can steer humanity's future into the light.

The ultimate conspiracy theory is that Magic is real. Oh, it's kept in check by technology, that's true, but every five hundred years the balance can shift and, if it does, technology will ultimately fail and all those creatures we've driven into the realms of myth will come back with a vengeance. In order to protect the present, Guardians Incorporated must know what lies in the future.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was quickly caught up in the story, and found the characters extremely likeable and sympathetic. I would give this first book of the Guardians Inc. Series a definite A+! It was certainly an excellent start to this series, and I can't wait to find out where the story goes next.… (mer)

*Book source ~ NetGalley

While job hunting, Thomas Byrne and his grandfather Morgan stumble upon a multinational company called Guardians Inc. It turns out that Thomas is a Cypher and much wanted by both Guardians Inc and the Warmaster. Every 500 years the Oracle comes back to Earth and the balance between magic and technology gets all wonky. Depending on who finds all the Oracle’s clues, the balance could tip either way, to magic or technology. If magic wins, humans lose though so it’s a race against time.

This story grabbed my attention from the beginning. There are parts where I rolled my eyes a bit too much, but for the most part I enjoyed it. Thomas is almost 16 so this is a YA, but there’s magic and creatures and a fight between two factions. In fact, just about everything except the kitchen sink is included, so it does get a tiny bit confusing at times. It’s obvious at the end that the battle is only just beginning. There is a stopping point, but no real resolution. An enjoyable read nonetheless.… (mer)