John Darryl Winston

In this, the third installment in the series Naz and his closest friend decide to track down the person(s) responsible for Meri’s death and find out more about who he really is. With the help of his buddy Harvis, he has been exploring the edges of his talents and the time has come to put them to good use. Still, as single minded as Naz can be, D has come back into his life and with her, a degree of normalcy that he hadn’t ever had the chance to experience before. It would be easy for him to get sidetracked. When she disappears, it will take all of his skills, and the loyal support of his friends, to find her. All the while clues to his past are unwinding around him, clouding the issue. With new characters and new insights into those we already know, this book builds to an end that is as good as it is unexpected.


I am not even ashamed to admit that the opening chapter ripped me up. It gave me a deeper insight to the suffering of Naz and for one moment I dared to hope. It got my heart was pumping and made me NEED answers too. How could I not be involved after that? My middle-class sub-urban upbringing couldn’t be further from the experiences of Naz and his friends. Yet, I can slip into their world with an ease that is almost sublime. That is actually the beauty of this series. The characters are old friends and the world is as real as the one outside your window. Naz doesn’t have much in the way of family, not anymore, but one of the great strengths of this story from the beginning is how it shows that family becomes the people you choose to have around you and Naz has chosen well, or some cases, been chosen.

This book appeals to readers of all ages, but I do think teens will especially relate to the characters

… (más)

IA: Initiate is a spellbinding tale of inner city life mixed with extraordinary kids.

Can street smarts and intelligence be a laden paranormal ability? Author, John Darryl Winston takes the reader a step further, turning these skills into a life-saving survival power for our main character, Naz. Each character is rendered with accuracy and intelligence of inner city life. The book is descriptive with realistic conversations between the characters. I enjoyed the distinctive character personality. I knew who was speaking at all time and because of their unique personalities, it was easy to remember everyone and the setting. I was transported to the inner city streets with these characters.

Inside this story of hidden skill is a real-world use of creativity, morals, and excellent advice. I enjoyed the biblical parallels. I drew from it the essence of our capabilities and if we sell ourselves short every day; hindered by the idea that we can’t do something simply because another person hasn’t done it. The underlying story was deep; adults and youth would enjoy this novel.

What Didn’t Work: The only aspect of the story I didn’t like was the switching narrators of the audiobook. The book is read by John Darryl Winston and his son, Marquette Winston. Individually, I think both readers were phenomenal and anyone reader would have been great for the story, however when the readers switched it temporarily took me out of character. The different voices in the story call for a different tone of voice. The author reading for Naz’s therapist, wouldn’t have fit, just as Marquette Winston reading for Corey Anderson, Naz’s father, wouldn’t have worked. So it's understandable why more than one reader was necessary however having both voices read for Naz and Mari, interchangeably between chapters was distracting at times.


I am confident you will enjoy this book, however book one is only set up to introduce the characters and setting. There are a few action scenes but the author doesn't get into the abilities of Naz except through a retelling of past events. I was surprised when the audiobook ended; ready to dive into more conflict and learn more about Naz and is “firecracker sister,” Meri. The entire book is a cliffhanger. I suggest you have book 2 ready to pick up as soon as you turn the last page or listen to the last track of IA: Initiate.

I received IA: Initiate from the author in exchange for an honest book review. I honestly believe this is a fantastic first book and introduction to the series. I look forward to continuing the series with Book 2, IA: B.O.S.S and Book 3: IA: Union.


For its real-world parallel and deep meaning that is still suitable and designed for teenagers and young readers, I give IA: Initiate 4/5… (más)