Early Reader Review: The Shield of Nike by A.P. Mobley

Source: From the Author in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

The Shield of Nike by A.P. Mobley
Series: A War on the Gods Companion Story
Publisher: Sea of Ink Press
Publication Date:  January 12, 2019

  

Format: Ebook

Rating:






Goodreads Synopsis:

Valeria is in love with her best friend, Greg, and has been for years. But they can’t be together, because after they graduate high school they’ll be on opposite sides of the country. This seems to be Valeria’s greatest dilemma—until a freak storm ambushes the two on a hike a few miles outside their town.  

During the storm, Greg is injured, and a strange shield falls from the sky and knocks Valeria unconscious. When she wakes up, her whole world is turned upside down. Greg is missing, her town has been annihilated, deadly creatures roam, and the disembodied voice of a woman she knows nothing of talks to her from inside her own head.  

The woman says Greg has been taken, but that Valeria can save him and survive the perils awaiting her if she harnesses the “gifts” she was given at birth, and if she uses the shield that fell from the sky. But how can Valeria trust a woman she’s never met? 

She'll have to rely on herself and face horrors she could never have imagined to save her best friend. And, in the process, discover her true identity.

Review: 
Are you looking for a quick fantasy read and to start a new series, this book will be great! I read this short story in one sitting and it was wonderfully paced. The story takes place before the War on the Gods series begins and it is action packed.

Valeria must learn her true nature and take on monsters to save the boy she loves, while a premise we see often it was still fun to read this story. Valeria is stubborn but strong and she takes to the goal well (eventually). I don't want to go into too much detail about the plot because the synopsis already tells the readers so much and it is a short story. However, I will say that I really enjoyed Valeria and that is what made this story so enjoyable. She is sarcastic and hard-headed and encompasses that teenage angst and annoyance so well.

So, if you are interested in the War on the Gods series but want to see how the author handles the characters this is a great starting point. It is fine if you have not read the first book, because this falls as more of a prequel of sorts. The series so far is a wonderful re-imagining of the Gods and their jealousy and I love modern-mythology stories (hopefully you do too!)