IA: Initiate is a supernatural thriller set in the mean streets of America. A seemingly random act of gang violence sends “Naz” Andersen on a quest to find answers surrounding his dead parents that lead to a series of discoveries about his supernatural abilities. Naz tries to stay out of the way at his foster parent’s home, but he walks in his sleep, and he is unable to keep the fact that he … hears voices from his therapist. He attempts to go unnoticed at school and in the streets of the Exclave, but attracts the attention of friends and bullies alike, and his efforts to protect his little sister make him the target of malicious bullying by the notorious street gang, Incubus Apostles. Naz is an ordinary thirteen-year-old, or so he thinks. He harbors a secret that even he is oblivious to, and a series of ill-fated events reveal to him telekinetic and telepathic abilities. Now he must navigate newly found friendship and gang violence, and face the full force of the world around him. The only way he can survive is to discover the supernatural world within.
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This is the story of Naz, an 11 year old boy growing up in the Exclave a semi-fictional place in urban America. This book is so rich and full of complicated twists and turns, I found myself struggling to write this review. How not to do this book an injustice? Where to start?
Well, I can start with, “I loved it.”
Poverty, struggle, gangs, drugs, economic decay, family breakdown and domestic violence, this is what Naz and his sister witness all around them on a daily oppressive basis. Naz’s outward existence is one of constant struggle in a pretty heartless world, the Exclave. Yet, Naz himself manages to remain so full of heart, a true hero from the start.
The reader is drawn immediately to Naz’s character. I loved Naz’s goodness and his honest desire to stay out of trouble, keep to the straight and narrow, in his broadening search for the meaning of all the mysterious things that are happening to him.
In my mind, his ability to achieve a way out from the Exclave is never in doubt, but it is Naz who doesn’t quite recognize his own special ability and struggles for clarity in a sea of doubt. You find yourself totally empathizing with his crappy situation and his hidden talents. You are rooting for him from the first to succeed and get his stuff together for him and his sister to be able to create a better life.
The weird and the wonderful, the downright despicable and offensive, the soft and the sweet; every unwinding moment of Naz’s turbulent life is accepted by our hero with heartwarming honesty and humility. He knows he’s not crazy. He trusts he’ll figure himself out. And, when he does, it is a beautiful thing to behold.
Winston’s clever use of Sections to define this Exclave and the feeling of societal control and the importance of strong ties has an Orwellian touch, with a dash of the Hunger Games imagery. The Exclave is painted as a “Godforsaken place”. Winston’s writing is exceptional, as is his descriptive talents and attention to detail, his effective use of shifting timelines, draws the reader deeper into Naz’s painful history, his complicated strategies of urban survival with a suspense-filled supernatural twist. You can’t help but empathize with Naz as he undergoes this personal awakening, finding his own voice, along with an unknown courage and power, the likes of which make his sister, the feisty Meri , proud.
The IA: Initiate by John Darryl Winston is thought-provoking on so many levels. It is a challenging, enjoyable read which will have you reflecting for days! But, don’t take my word for it, I recommend you read it for yourself!
What can be said that has not already been covered? This book is one that I would have red over and over again as a teen. I rarely read a series of books and I have read the entirety. I love it that much! Naz made me recall someone from my own past. Life was rough, dangerous and grim…but he had hope and loved his family. Meri I have to admit is my fave. Why? Well I have a special fondness for intelligent, bossy and determined females in a storyline. “The Enclave” sounds like many inner cities I have walked through. Still somehow, these two kids are doing better than alright when faced with peer pressure, gang pressure and simply loneliness, because they do not have a doting adult. If you experienced life in the inner city and knew one kid, who you could really count on….Naz is that kid, we all wish was walking with us back in the day. This book touched a nerve and I enjoyed it immensely. Fantastic job! I highly recommend this to anyone who has had to watch their back just walking to the corner store to get milk….
I love the cover. The game of chess signifies a great deal about this book. Before I made it through the first page, I was hooked. The writing style is relaxed and edgy all at once, and the writing is skilled. Mystery builds slowly, maintaining curiosity throughout. I must admit that I don’t read a lot of YA or sci-fi, but with this read, I felt compelled to speak up for it. I was wowed from the start and when I finished, I wanted more!
If you like sci-fi, YA, paranormal with a dystopian feel, this is a definite read. I have passed this read onto my teenage son and he loves it!
I hate reviews that give way too much, but I will give away a little…
Naz is a quirky teenager, with a resilience that shines through as he struggles to cope with life in the Exclave (a dystopian-like ghetto), sleep-walking, strange voices, and gang activity. His attitude to certain events reminds me a lot of my teenage son…non-committal about some things, but crazy passionate about others. His relationship with his sister Meridian is well-conveyed and adorable. His character is strong as are all the other characters in this book, even Tone the African Grey. Life in the Exclave is described in such a way that each scene feels like your moving through a movie.
The story bounces between Naz and Dr. Cory Anderson, creating an interwoven plot line that spoke to the power or the mind and mind-control. I’m still hanging and need to read the next book in this series, soon!
After glancing through the book, I figured I would enjoy it. The cover art is engaging and the synopsis is curiosity inducing. Thumbing through the pages I saw in the index, vocabulary words and a couple of crossword puzzles. It made me ache for days gone by and curious about who Meri and Dr. Gwen might be. This book should be a winner at school book fairs. I am certain educators will steer readers in its direction.
It is a story of Naz, a 13 year old foster child who has been in several placements with his younger sister Meri. He is struggling with being a teen and apparent mental health issues and most of all with an overwhelming need to provide for and keep his brilliant sister safe. It is obvious from the start that there is more to him than would seem, but as Naz hasn’t yet figured that out, the reader gets pulled along with him on a journey towards discovery, feeling with him the confusion and wonder of his life.
This journey is dotted with many fabulous characters. The relationship between Naz and his sister is the perfect capture of sibling rivalry in its best levels. Coach Fears reminds me of all my favorite middle school teachers rolled into one. Dr. Gwen is the quintessential therapist walking the line between being a clinician and caring friend. The Chess Master is gloriously mysterious. Naz’s schoolmates offer so much potential, I will enjoy seeing how they flesh out in subsequent installments of the series.
At the surface many kids will find something to identify with. The hard part of just being a kid coming of age in a tough neighborhood is beautifully conveyed and would have been a story worth following all its own. However, there is more to Naz than it would seem. His dreams and the voices he hears mean something, strangers seem to be following him and there is a gang of bully boys that really have it in for him. I can’t wait to see what happens next for Naz and Meri. It will be something to see as this young man learns more about his mysterious past and gains confidence in his own abilities. Also, I am almost sure Dr. Gwen knows more than she is letting on and who is the stranger? I would also love to learn about The Exclave and its colorful cast of characters. It is a place that can be dangerous, but also seems to be a refuge of sorts. I will be waiting impatiently for IA: B.O.S.S. the rumored next book in the series.
I would recommend this book to readers 7th grade and above. Some younger advanced readers might also enjoy it, most adults will as well.
This is an excellent read. It shows a somewhat dystopian society in the near future, but maintains a modern, urban edginess and grittiness. The description of the Exclave and Naz himself evokes a realness that many urban youth can relate to. But while that grittiness is felt you can also feel some awakenings of hope in both Naz and the Exclave. The reader is drawn into Naz’s story and the author makes you feel vested in Naz and his future. This is a story that weaves in the past and the present nicely and makes you curiously and anxiously anticipate the future. The groundwork has been laid for what looks to be some exciting things for Naz down the road. There are also some surprises and twists along the way. Each of the characters are unique and well-developed. Looking forward to reading more about Naz and engaging in future adventures.
What can be said that has not already been covered?
This book is one that I would have red over and over again as a teen. I rarely read a series of books and I have read the entirety. I love it that much!
Naz made me recall someone from my own past. Life was rough, dangerous and grim…but he had hope and loved his family. Meri I have to admit is my fave. Why? Well I have a special fondness for intelligent, bossy and determined females in a storyline.
“The Enclave” sounds like many inner cities I have walked through. Still somehow, these two kids are doing better than alright when faced with peer pressure, gang pressure and simply loneliness, because they do not have a doting adult. If you experienced life in the inner city and knew one kid, who you could really count on….Naz is that kid, we all wish was walking with us back in the day. This book touched a nerve and I enjoyed it immensely. Fantastic job! I highly recommend this to anyone who has had to watch their back just walking to the corner store to get milk….
I enjoyed this bppk. The man character was fascinating and very believable. The story was well thought out and the book was complete without having to wait until you got to the second book. You will enjoy it.
Loved this book. It was exciting, inspirational and kept me gripped from beginning to end. It tackles the serious subject of bullying as well as the underlying theme that we can do and be anything we want to. John’s prose is descriptive, intelligent, yet easy to read. The story is about the main protagonist ‘Naz’ who sees himself as ordinary, but he is actually extra-ordinary with the powers to overcome all obstacles. Can’t wait to now pass this onto my fifteen year old daughter.
This book was really good. I enjoyed how he kept remembering his father, little by little. It kept me wondering if he would ever find out what his life was from and about. I need to read the next book in the series though.
Ended too soon to know if I wanted any more in the series.
The book was entertaining and original. The plot was complicated and took unusual turns. I would recommend this book.
I can’t wait for the next book.
Looking for the next book!
I enjoyed this book and certainly recommend it. I am looking forward to further character development as the story wends it’s way forward.
Great youth book
An interesting tale with good character development. Clever flashback technique to start the story; cliff-hanger ending makes me want more.
While the story jumped around a bit, the characters were well developed and the story moved along well. A pleasurable read
The first book of the IA trilogy. See my review of the 2nd book, IA: B.O.S.S. for more details about this fabulous three-book novel.
Overall, a good start for a series. Good characters, reasonable use of powers, good interaction between characters. Worth reading the next book…
A good story. The paranormal element binds the characters, but it is characters that define the story.