The Conduit by Stacey Rourke

While normal kids are slamming energy drinks and cramming for exams, Celeste will get her adrenaline rush fighting a fire breathing dragon.

She wants to meet friends in the quad to exchange lecture notes, but first she must exchange blows with a shapeshifting demon on the rooftop.

Life isn’t always fair for a superhero, but at least she doesn’t have to do it alone. With her brother and sister as sidekicks, they alternate between saving lives and getting on each others’ nerves. Together the trio encounters unspeakable odds, mystical forces and comes face-to-face with an image that will haunt them forever—their grandmother in a leopard print bikini.

3.5 Stars, 0 Flames


After they experience multiple break ins in their home, Celeste, her older brother Gabe and younger sister Kendall move to Gainesville, TN to live with their grandmother. Before heading to college in the fall, Celeste plans to relax, sketch, and maybe go on a few dates with a certain cute reporter...
 
But that's before she finds a strange wooden figurine in the shape of a gryphon. Before she begins seeing a strange glowing bird that seems to want her to follow it into the mountains. Suddenly, she can feel the emotions of those around her. That's when she meets Alaina, an ancestor from 17th century Ireland. When Alaina's village came under attack by an evil army, a strange being came to their defense, the Gryphon. The Gryphon changed the people of the village, the women growing wings, the men becoming lions. In appreciation for his assistance, Alaina promises that she and all her descendants would come to his aid should he ever need them. An ancient enemy is returning, the Gryphon's need is great, so Celeste, Gabe and Kendall become his fighters here on Earth.

Gabe gains strength and the ability to shift into a lion.
Kendall receives impenetrable wings with feathers that heal.
Celeste is the Conduit of the Gryphon, and an empath.

With Alaina as their guide they must learn to harness their powers and prepare for war.

The Conduit is a great beginning to a series. Celeste is a strong character, and I liked how the character stays true to how a teenager would behave. When Celeste learns what her powers are in comparison to her siblings she feels cheated. Come on, she's this almighty being's conduit and all she gets is empathy?! Celeste doesn't suddenly become all knowing or able to handle everything as an adult. I liked that. I do wish there was more conflict with the villain before the big showdown. There's a background story that introduces him, you know he's the villain, and then he arrives in present time and they fight. Other than that, The Conduit is a unique story and I feel Ms. Rourke is a refreshing new voice in the young adult genre.

I received this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.


posted by Emily