Riders Series, Book 1

November 16, 2015
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse ride forth to save the world from demons in this paranormal adventure, first in a series from Rossi (the Under the Never Sky series). After would-be Army Ranger Gideon Blake dies in a freak parachuting accident, he returns to life wearing a strange bracelet and rapidly heals from his grievous injuries. Gideon is promptly recruited by the mysterious Daryn Carter, who informs him that he is now the incarnation of War. Together, they set out to gather the manifestations of Famine, Death, and Conquest in order to thwart the malevolent plans of the demonic Kindred. Rossi has a solid handle on Gideon’s voice, who recounts the story as a flashback while being interrogated by members of the intelligence community, though this framing device tends to impede momentum and undermine the more exciting moments. A fairly standard romance between Gideon and Daryn plays to the human element of the premise, but lacks power. While a strong initial installment, it falls short of its potential. Ages 13–up. Agent: Josh Adams, Adams Literary.

November 15, 2015
Bickering boys slouch toward something in this semi-apocalyptic action tale. Feeling helpless after watching his father die, and longing for brotherhood and belonging, Gideon Blake joined the Army Rangers. When he falls from grace--and a plane--and temporarily dies, he returns as red-cuffed and rage-filled War, though he's afraid of his fiery horse. Inexplicably abandoning his family and Ranger unit, he partners with hot but helpless Seeker Daryn on a road trip to collect the other horsemen: Sebastian/Famine, Marcus/Death, and Jode/Conquest. The seemingly interminable trip and Gideon's painful flirtation with Daryn are punctuated by bloody encounters with the Kindred, seven former allies of Satan who now seek a realm and slaves of their own. Typical demonic villains, the Kindred are grotesque, ridiculously named, and prone to terrible dialogue. While God and spirituality are repeatedly mentioned, actual religion and Revelation are of little relevance here. Rossi relies on an interrogation as an intrusive framing device to explore all aspects of Gideon but leaves the fellow horsemen underdeveloped, though each boy gets to show off his weapon and steed. Gideon may not be great at flirting, leading the horsemen, controlling his temper, or horseback riding, but he will try to save the world with hooah and some hubris. Not a lot of plot or subtlety, but plenty of explosions in this macho, military story. (Fantasy. 14-20)

COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-Gideon Blake worked all of his life to become a U.S. Army Ranger. However, when he regains consciousness after what seemed to be a fatal accident, he finds himself healing instantaneously and branded with a strange cuff on his wrist. Along with his superpowers, Gideon seems to be feared by many-even after his attempts to be friendly. After a mysterious girl named Daryn finds him, he discovers that he has become War-one of the legendary Horsemen of the Apocalypse. He and three others-Conquest, Famine, and Death-must save the human race from an emerging evil from the past. Unfortunately, they fail, and Gideon is left to convince the U.S. government that the human race is still at risk. Rossi has laid the groundwork for an intense new series sure to be loved by the author's fans. Told from Gideon's point of view with a tone that makes him seem like a real character and not the superhuman that he is, this novel will engage teens. VERDICT Intense enough for reluctant readers yet sophisticated enough to entice those who enjoy books with a military background and lots of action.-Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2015
Grades 9-12 Gideon Blake died, but it didn't stick. Sure, training for the army is a tough gig, and sure, he may have shattered every bone in his body in an exercise gone wrong, but he is definitely alive. Still, though, it's a little weird that he is healing so fast, and a little weirder that his presence alone seems to be making the people around him volatile. That all makes more sensesort ofwhen tough, beautiful Daryn shows up to tell him that he is the manifestation of one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse (War, of course) and that he has been charged with protecting a mysterious object from the evil Kindred, who want to jump-start the apocalypse. So Gideon's off on the adventure of his life (or afterlife) to find the other horsemen, all while trying to understand his new powersnot to mention his horse. Tough guy Gideon is a solid, likable narrator, though his budding, star-crossed romance with Daryn pales in comparison to his growing relationships with his fellow horsemen. Still, the straight-shooting narration and the highly intriguing concept will draw plenty of readers. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: If the gritty, high-stakes story isn't enough, Rossi's best-selling Under the Never Sky books earned her a bevy of fans chomping at the bit for this new series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)