The Prophecy (Watchers Chronicles, The) [Paperback]

Dawn Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 20, 2010 | Series: Watchers Chronicles, The

Remember these words well. It's only a thin veil that separates them from our world. As time grows near, they will return to make their war upon mankind. They will torment, attack, and cause destruction on this planet. They will never hunger; they will never sleep. They will walk amongst us unseen. Invisible to all but those born to see. And each generation of five that sees shall endure more than the last. But the final generation of Watchers will not only endure, not only watch... ...THEY WILL FIGHT.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The first book in the Watchers Chronicles gets off to a confusing start and stays confusing for far too long. In part, that's because author Miller is trying to introduce five 19-year-olds with few memories (other than nightmares) of a horrific past as well as their younger selves who lived through the agony. Even though the time frame continues to move back and forth, once the characters are established, readers can sink into this classic good-versus-evil battle in which Sam, brother Jonah, Jenna, Carly, and J realize they are Watchers, integral role-players in the war between angels, both fallen and guardian. Miller gets points for vivid writing, and incidents like a hellish plane ride and stormy battles might well put readers on the edge of their seats. Characterizations are generally strong, but it is Jenna's 5-year-old son, Mikey, who tugs at the heartstrings. Those who persevere will be caught up and look forward to the next installment. Grades 9-12. --Ilene Cooper

Review

Dawn Miller has stepped up the game for teen dramas and carved a unique niche in the world of supernatural thrillers. Her clever and unique machination between good and evil leads the reader on an exciting journey through darkness, guided by the power of faith and hope. As a film critic who has watched thousands of movies made from books, I cannot wait to see this one!

Simply put...Dawn Miller is a brilliant writer for adults as well as teens. --Holly McClure, LA film critic, producer and media personality for FOX, CNN, MSNBC

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 15 and up
  
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (April 20, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310714338
• ISBN-13: 978-0310714330
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #664,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dawn Miller is the award-winning author of, "The Journal of Callie Wade"; Best Historical Fiction and "Letters to Callie"; Reader's Choice Perfect 10, published by Simon & Schuster and "Promiseland" and "The Other Side of Jordan"; both nominated for the Christy and Gold Medallion in fiction. She served as ghost writer on the popular Bethany Hamilton, Soul Surfer series, has published two short stories; "Summer Storms" and "Her Only Coat" featured in the Harper Collins book, "Family". She has wrote and produced a country music video with Randy Travis, attached talent and wrote a Movie-of-the-week optioned by Sony Pictures Television and secured a feature option with Moonwater Productions. She wrote and directed and edited, the urban film short, "Rewind", which placed as a top finalist for the Tribeca short competition, featuring music from "Decyfer Down".

In recent months, Dawn completed "The Prophecy", the first book in THE WATCHERS CHRONICLES series, published by Harper Collins/Zondervan and is currently at work on the second book of the series, "Delusion". The Watchers Chronicles has been optioned for feature film.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous, keep-the-lights-on reading!!, May 3, 2010

By 

Deena Peterson "The Deena" (Marysville, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prophecy (Watchers Chronicles, The) (Paperback)

Would you live your life differently if you knew there was an invisible world around you? If you knew there was more to life than you ever imagined?

These are the questions raised by Dawn Miller's debut novel in The Watchers Chronicles. Imagine if Stephen King sat down with Frank Peretti and the creator of Heroes and they collaborated on a novel.

Yeah, it's that good. And yeah, it will blow your mind. And maybe make you want to keep the lights on!

Five friends from middle school, bonded together through a common experience that none of them can remember. Now they've gone their separate ways, each making choices that affect a lifetime.

And that open doors to things they could never begin to imagine.

Strange happenings: dreams, nightmares, flashbacks....all serving one purpose. To reunite these young people in one location for one feat that only they can achieve.

Problem is, each holds a piece to the ultimate puzzle, with one holding the key.

Dawn Miller is a MASTER at building suspense, foreshadowing and giving you just enough breadcrumbs along the trail of pages to keep you guessing. She is a word crafter of the highest caliber, and I'm eager for more about Jonah, J, Jenna, Carly and Mikey.

I had a hard time remembering that these characters (with the exception of Mikey) were all supposed to be in their late teens. The novel is supposed to be geared toward a young audience, but I found it engaging and captivating.

Portions of the story reminded me of Stephen King's "It"; other parts reminded me of the first season of "Heroes"...and the spiritual overtones of one of Frank Peretti's earlier works left a fragrance that grew sweeter as the novel progressed.

Reading "The Prophecy" was a real treat. I haven't found any information about future volumes, but it would be a tragedy if Dawn didn't write more about these amazing and well-developed characters.

I'm giving this one five out of five bookmarks, with a paintbrush as a charm. Don't miss "The Prophecy", published by Zondervan. It may say teen fiction on the back, but adults will dig into the story and get lost in the mystery.

Thanks to my friends at Zondervan for surprising me with this terrific story!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very, very good!, May 26, 2010

By 

ChibiNeko "Sooo many books, so little time!" (Whereever I go, here I am.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Prophecy (Watchers Chronicles, The) (Paperback)

(What's this?)

I always say that there's basically three types of books that mix religion & fiction. One type is where the book is religious to the point that the story is overwhelmed & overshadowed. Another type where the religion content is so awkwardly placed into the book to the point where the plot development doesn't feel natural. Then there's the type of book where the religious content mixes perfectly with the rest of the story, making for one fine book. Relax readers, this book is solidly in the third category.

Sam doesn't talk to his childhood friends much anymore, but lately he's been experiencing things that remind him of certain mysterious events that happened in his youth- things he can't exactly remember. Somehow knowing that their lives- and souls- depend on it, Sam attempts to gather all of his friends together, including his wayward brother Jonah. With all of them having similar episodes of memory loss & nightmares, they have no way of knowing that they are the legendary Watchers- people who will be instrumental in deciding the outcome of an epic battle between the forces of Heaven & Hell!

The plot for this book sounded great, but I'll admit that I was a little skeptical for multiple reasons. First off, angels have started becoming the new "sparkly Twilight vampires" in YA fiction, so I didn't know if I'd be jumping into a series that would be similar to this. Don't worry- it isn't that type of book. Secondly, I'm used to my religious reads falling into the categories listed above, but I shouldn't have worried- this book was excellently written.

I really enjoyed the slow buildup to the finale of this book, although once or twice I did feel as if the plot could have moved a little bit faster. (Ok, so I was impatient.) I loved that the characters are all flawed, but aren't over the top flawed. I can honestly believe that with everything the kids had gone through, that they might have ended up like the ways they did. (Can't elaborate without doing spoilers.)

My only real gripe is with all of the angel name dropping. It was a bit difficult to keep up with the multitude of names & the different types of angels, so I really wish that there was a glossary or an index in the back of the book. It would have made keeping up with the 5-6 different angel names a bit easier- especially since the angels weren't entirely in play that much until the end of the book. There's a lot of characters in this book & with the main action taking place with the human side, it was a bit distracting to have to keep up with the many exotic angel names, their sides & what they were doing in battle.

Overall though, this is an excellent book & one that I will be recommending to people at work. I may have gotten this book for free, but I can guarantee that I'll be buying the next volume. I want to know where it goes from here. This book had a conclusion (much like others have said), but it does leave it open for the next book in the series.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kind of Stephen Kingish with a twist!, November 11, 2010

By 

Michelle L. Beck "Always the Devourer of Good... (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Prophecy (Watchers Chronicles, The) (Paperback)

(What's this?)

Five friends who have the same dream and forgotten memories have been called to battle the forces of evil. Sam, reeling from a recent family tragedy, has been having the same reoccurring nightmare, and awakens to find strange drawings, that he doesn't remember doing. Calling on his childhood friends, he realizes that they too are having the same nightmares. They are all intrinsically linked and prophesized to be guardians (Watchers). And it would seem that only they can save humanity and stop the fallen angels from reeking havoc on the world. As the group struggles to understand their role in this mission, they have to learn to trust each other. After all, they are in the middle of a war, between good and evil, and they must protect humanity at all cost. And as the truth is revealed, they must have faith, in each other and those forces around them that they can't see.

This book reminded me of a couple of things.....vintage Stephen King, with a little Constantine and another recent movie (I can't remember the name) that I saw about the end of times or near the end of times, with fallen angels and an eventual showdown or struggle between the forces of good and evil. I definitely can see why some argue that it could be marketed like the Left Behind series, but I think it could be more. There was the Stephen Kingish type beginning (friends intrinsically linked through events from their childhood...like "It"), but there is also the religious aspect (like Kings "The Stand). When I selected this book, I knew that there would be heavy overtones of religion and wanted to see how it would play out in a young adult story. It was definitely heavy, and offers a lot of food for thought and discussion, but I think once you sink your teeth in it, it is a decent read. There are issues relating to drug use, teen pregnancy, suicide and criminal behavior, but there is also that overreaching sentiment of hope and faith. And even if the cliff hanger suggests future battles, we all know that good always beats bad. So, I enjoyed "The Prophecy" and would recommend it to those who want a challenging read.