The Watchers

I won a copy of The Watchers by Ashley Jensen, in a Goodreads Giveaway. Score!

I am continuously amazed at the level of talent the authors I find through Goodreads and Indie View demonstrate. The quality of the books I have read from indie authors is just incredible. How the big publishing houses ignore all this talent is beyond me. Ashley Jensen is one of those authors to whom I refer.

The Watchers is a very entertaining work. I believe it is the first in The Dead Sea Trilogy. The author has her work cut out for herself to equal or top this story. The main character, Aella, is an impressive heroine, though not necessarily in the classic tradition. Think Sheena meets Temperence Brennan, great fighting skills, brilliant mind, not so much on the people skills. A truly "flawed" leading lady, who many would label as a "bad guy", but is the only one who can solve the problem at hand. A great conflict.

There are great action sequences, Bible references, mythological parallels and cultural stereotypes. No sex, but you'll have to read the book to find out why. The way The Watchers developed, I expect there will more of Aella's backstory shared in following installments. I look forward to this as she is quite the interesting character.

Ashley Jensen does a great job of blending characters who inhabit a spiritual realm with people in the mundane world. It is at times hilarious, witnessing the "culture-clash". There is a lot going on in this first book to hold a readers interest. It took me less than 24 hours to finish.

If you are in the mood for a different kind of action/adventure story. One with a female heroine. The Watchers by Ashley Jensen should fill the bill admirably. Enjoy!

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Mike