Book Review: Protector by Joanne Wadsworth

Life is changing fast for Faith Stryker. She's just turned 18 and has learned some news that she's not quite believing just yet - she's a Halfling. She's never known her father, since he left her and her mother just a day after Faith's birth. Now, her new friend Belle is telling Faith that her father is from the planet Magio, making her a Halfling - and her powers are beginning to take shape. Faith finds all of this just too far-fetched to believe, until she meets Davio, the prince of Peacio, one of Magio's two countries. Their connection turns out to be something neither of them expect - or, ultimately, know what to do about. When Faith is attacked by a warrior from Magio's other country, all bets are off -- especially when Faith, Belle, Davio and the others find out just who it was who attacked Faith.

I was feeling a little like Faith as I started reading "Protector." It seemed like I, as the reader, had been thrust right into the middle of something that needed a little more set-up. I was fairly skeptical at first, and found myself snorting at the names - Peacio, Magio, Davio - everything just seemed a little corny. But what I found really interesting was how, as the story unfolded, my own level of belief and connection intensified along with Faith's. By the end of the story, I was fully invested and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

The writing is, in places, a little choppy; a little awkward. I wanted more romance between Faith and Davio but, it's rare when I find a book that I don't say that about! (What can I say? I love romance!) My final criticism is that the science fiction aspects Wadsworth describes throughout the story seemed overwhelming sometimes. There was a lot to take in and I, like Faith in many scenes, felt lost and in over my head. However, in that regard, I think she does an excellent job of immersing the reader in the POV of the narrator.

Overall, 3.5/5 stars. I'm eager for the next book!