Customer Reviews

The Strand Prophecy

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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...

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!!!

Although I am not a science fiction fan, I LOVED this book. From beginning to end, I could hardly put it down. It reads like a movie script, with an instant connection to the main characters. After I read The Strand Prophecy I immediately ordered Book II (from[...])... it was just as addicting as the first book. I can hardly wait for Book III!

I could not put down this book. It was as if I was reading a harliquin romance and finished the book within days. I know it wasn't suppose to be written as a romance, but I picked out the romance right away, and that kept my interest. I loved Howler and the Robot with the lab coat. Those are my two favorite characters. The characters all came to life. The book was easy to read and I couldn't wait until the next book came out.

I'm 12 and I read the book in one day. I'm ordering the next book right now. Fantastic read!!!

Masquerading as the Strand, scientist Steve Cutter seeks to send mankind a warning of horrific evolutionary change. Strange creatures of all descriptions are taking over various parts of the planet, and Steve Cutter, aka the Strand, is trying to save everyone from destruction. But being a hero is never easy as no one wants to hear the truth.

Steve Cutter is the legal guardian of his niece, Anna, the daughter of his brother Jack. Steve's brother and his wife, Sharon, were killed in an automobile accident. Anna was severely injured as well, but she survived. Steve blames himself for Anna's injuries and vows to protect her life from now on. His struggle to balance the lives of a protective uncle and a superhero makes for a good storyline.

As with any good sci-fi story, there are plenty of weird creatures, futuristic technology and rapid-fire action. What makes this science-fiction novel unique, though, is two-part: First, comic book-like illustrations, done by Daniel Gerardo Apangp Gotz, are sprinkled throughout the book, providing a degree of illustration not usually seen in novels. Second, the book is written by three people, Jeff Winner and his daughters Brittany and Brianna Winner.

I would give the book a rating of 4 1/2 stars, but I can't do that, so I have to settle for a rating of 4 stars. It's an entertaining story with an ending that leads readers to the sequel, "Extinctions Embrace," the second book in the series. If it's as good as the first book, then readers are in for another great adventure.

Opening this book I was immediately captured by the graphic novelization of the beginning of The Strand Prophecy. Illustrator Daniel Gerardo Apangp Gotz brilliantly captures the fantastic world of the Strand. Carrying a message warning of an impending evolutionary change the Strand has the charge to warn mankind they may no longer be on the top of the food chain. Scientist, Steve Cutter has spent years focused only on his studies of extending the brain's abilities, not letting anything distract him. The arrival of Anna, His deceased brother's daughter awakens an awareness of his greater responsibilities to Anna, and to mankind. Working as the Strand, Steve struggles to warn and protect others from the pending evolutionary disaster. However, his work may threaten the very person he loves the most. This was an easy read and supported by wonderful illustrations.

Steve Cutter's scientific research enables him to become "Strand" - only a man yet something more - and realizes that the world is in serious danger because of accelerated evolution that is creating predatory creatures. He needs to convince the President of the United States and the rest of the world of the danger but he is fighting an uphill battle. He tries hard but can't do it alone and soon the people closest to him are in real danger.

"The Strand Prophecy" is a page turning superhero science fiction graphic novel (the first of five in the series). I initially had some doubts about the book because it seemed a bit gimmicky to me - author JBB Winner is actually a father and his two young daughters - but they quickly overcame my doubts. The novel is full of action and great characters. Strand is a great hero, very powerful but still a man underneath his costume and full of doubts even as he is trying to save the world. The supporting characters are all good, although I wish some them, like E, had been better developed (I know it's a well-worn plot device but a hint of romance between Strand and E would have been welcome). I loved the character of Anna, Strand's teenage niece - she is a strong role model for teenage girls and I wish she hadn't been absent for large chunks of the book.

"The Strand Prophecy" is full of action and written in a way so that I could picture what was happening as I read it. It would, I think, make a very good movie. (There is a wonderful catchphrase throughout the book). The illustrations are wonderfully done and I kept flipping to the back of the book to check out various characters as I was reading the book to see if the illustrations matched how I pictured them (they usually did). While the book is fine for older children to read (and they'll love it) be aware that the last part of the book is very gory - the book is dedicated to Stephen King and the last part reads like something out of a King novel.

"The Strand Prophecy" is rip roaring fun and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

This book is exactly what I've been looking for, for ages now! A comic book fantasy, with the depth of character that only a novel can provide! I've found my genre, and at the top of favorites in that genre, is this book!