The Strand Prophecy [Hardcover]

J. B. B. Winner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 23, 2007

The Strand Prophecy is a science fiction epic set in the present day. The action begins on the steps of the White House, with stops in the jungles of Brazil and the deepest regions of Africa. Strand, a troubled and reluctant superhero discovers the beginning of a rapid evolutionary cycle. One in which new life and new predators will quickly emerge to threaten all of human existence. He races against time and the U.S. military to protect the innocent, safeguard his niece and along the way, perhaps find redemption for his brothers death. Strand's action-packed adventure delivers non-stop intensity, mystery and surprise from its first page to it's last. The Strand Prophecy has won three of the prestigious Silver Benjamin Franklin Awards for 2007 including for Outstanding Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A well-written and imaginative adventure novel about a dark superhero, whose past has obligated him to become the protector of the innocent. Fun and entertaining." --Paul Jenkins (Eisner Award Winning writer of Inhumans, Spider-Man, and The Incredible Hulk)

"A Superhero with no super powers, just technology and smarts. This could be real. I'm looking out my window for any T-Rex Crocs or Mariners. You are gonna love it!" --Scott Satin (Executive TV Producer of Who Wants to be a Superhero?)

"A fascinating and fun blend of energetic fiction and a study in change, stability and rebirth. Superb!" --Ray Wells (Former Director of Nasa Commercialization)

About the Author

J.B.B. Winner uses the experience from a thirty year career writing books, manuals, and award-winning software, to create the first of the five books in the Strand Prophecy Series. A collaborative effort with his eleven-year-old identical twin daughters, J.B.B. actually stands for Jeff, Brittany and Brianna. This unique writing team's foray into the story of a reluctant superhero started as a way of working together in the evenings to gain an appreciation for books and reading. They soon discovered their passion for action heroes and danger. A father's love for his daughters translated into an exciting and original adventure.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Missile Rider Publishing; 1st edition (January 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979054885
• ISBN-13: 978-0979054884
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,962,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An action-packed, immensely enjoyable sci-fi adventure for young and old alike, May 15, 2007

By 

Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Strand Prophecy (Hardcover)

First, let me just come right out and say I freakin' loved The Strand Prophecy. Any fan of science fiction and/or superheroes in general cannot help but stand up and applaud the debut of Strand, who is "just a man - and something more." Possessing no supernatural abilities of his own as the human Steve Cutter, Strand is the self-made product of cutting-edge technology. His fervent desire to protect the innocent can be traced back to the guilt he feels for a terrible personal tragedy and his determination to protect his niece Anna, the only family he has left in the world. Now she - and every other person on the planet - is in danger, and only he knows it. That makes him the perfect - albeit reluctant - man for the job of getting the word out and helping mankind prepare for a future no one else sees coming. Evolution, Strand has discovered, comes in sudden jolts rather than proceeding gradually over millions of years, and a new age is about to smack Earth right across the chops, causing amazing and unpredictable physical changes in human beings and potentially creating animal monsters that could threaten man's dominance if not his very existence on the planet. If no one in a position of power will take his warnings seriously, Strand is more than prepared - thanks to his life-long commitment to research and technological development - to defend the innocent all by himself.

So how cool is Strand? With the strand technology he has developed, he is able to essentially rewire his own brain, raising cognitive functions to unheard of levels and unleashing the unprecedented power of the human mind. This has allowed him to develop technologies only dreamed of in the past, such as the exoskeletons that give him the ability to perform feats of superhuman strength and endurance, the laser technology that allows him to read and analyze just about anything in a matter of seconds, and the hordes of advanced, futuristic robots now at his disposal. Strand cuts quite a figure with his exoskeleton, cape, faceplate and visor, revealing nothing of his features (in an attempt to keep his real identity a secret) apart from the blue laser lights of his eyes. He also has a special lair in the form of a gigantic, ocean bound research vessel, develops the ability to talk to a howler monkey, and - perhaps most impressive of all - his super vehicle of choice is a customized Tomahawk missile (which is why they call him "the missile rider").

How cool is the novel? Well, it starts out with a shootout at the White House and ends with a thrilling, heart-pumping engagement on the Florida shoreline. In between, you have all sorts of incredible animal - and human - mutations manifesting themselves, increasingly elaborate and public appearances by Strand to get the word out to everyone - with or without the help of the American President, strand-enabled medical miracles, interspecies communication, covert military operations, deceit and cover-up at the highest level of government, the horrifying threat of such giant sea creatures as beasts with crocodile bodies and T-Rex heads, and so much more. The last couple of chapters represent a true crescendo of the action, which had me feverishly flipping pages like crazy to find out what would happen in the end.

Adult science fiction fans should certainly enjoy the non-stop action, but The Strand Prophecy should also appeal strongly to young adult readers. You really get the best of both worlds here. This is due in part to the novel's distinctive blending of elements of the graphic novel alongside the story itself - at the beginning and end of the book you will find a series of full-page panels bringing the book's characters to vivid life, while each chapter also features its own little introductory illustration. Rob Pryor is an incredible artist, and his contributions really add something grand and important to the story he is illustrating. Just take a look at the book's cover - that is a work of art in and of itself. The strongest bridge between young adult and adult audiences, though, has to be represented by the author. J.B.B. Winner is not a person, you see. It's more of a pen name, with the three initials referring to the book's three authors: a father (Jeff) and his eleven-year-old identical twin daughters (Brittany and Brianna). This unusual collaboration of two generations really helps make The Strand Prophecy a remarkably appealing and exciting read for superhero/science fiction fans of basically all ages.

So basically, as you can probably tell, The Strand Prophecy made for one of the most exciting books I've come across in some time. And it's only just the beginning, as this is projected to be a five-book series. I, for one, can't wait for book two.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good story, April 23, 2007

By 

Joan the Science Bug (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Strand Prophecy (Hardcover)

This is a good, tight story that made even this 40-something want to stay up and read it under the covers with a flashlight. The pacing and character development are excellent and you'll be wanting more at the end! The only disappointments were various places where the science could have been a tad more realistic. All in all, as they would say in the book's parlance, this is a fun read and something more...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and Creative, April 20, 2007

By 

Arthur (East Coast USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Strand Prophecy (Hardcover)

Although I am not a fan of this genre, for some reason I found the blurb interesting - and am I glad I did! The creativity combined with the suspense makes you want to read the whole book in one sitting. The characters are so real and so is the emotion. I think the character development is one of the high points of the story as you really feel for these people as they go from one trying circumstance to another. I highly recommend this for a fun read!!!