Launch (Book 1 of Rise of the Anointed)
Title: Launch
Author: Jason Joyner
Publisher: Little Lamb Books
Genre(s): Contemporary Fantasy Fiction, Superhero Fantasy, Christian Fantasy
Print Length: 296 Pages
Release Date: April 21, 2020
When Launch won debut Novel of the Year at Realm Makers, I had to read it, and I’m so glad I did.
Launch profiles the spiritual growth of five high school students who meet at a conference, form friendships, and learn more about themselves and their individual gifts. The teens speak and behave with the authenticity of our current culture, and I love how the cast reflects the diverse population of its southern California setting.
Each character enters the story with a different understanding of Christianity, and each travels a unique faith journey scripted by Joyner to make their growth authentic and timely. Each teen possesses a special power based upon Biblical principles. Acts 8:26-40 provides the basis for two of the teens’ unusual abilities, and the well-known story of Samson shapes another.
I love how the main character underscores the importance of parents and grandparents instilling the core values of faith in their children and grandchildren.
Equally impressive is Joyner’s handling his antagonist, Simon. While we always want the heroes to succeed, the author builds a certain sympathy for Simon’s plight. I wouldn’t be surprised if a redemption arc is in his future and would welcome it.
Launch provides an important message, and while I’m well past the age of its YA cast, it is one that resonates deeply with my own journey. God has given all of us gifts. They may not be as flashy as the ones of the Launch team, but they are no less powerful and no less meant for His glory. What am I doing with the gifts and talents God has given me? Am I using them for Him, for myself, or even for forces far darker. Launch offers the reader the chance to reflect on these deeper questions.
Fractures (Book 2 of Rise of the Anointed)
Title: Fractures
Author: Jason Joyner
Publisher: Little Lamb Books
Genre(s): Contemporary Fantasy Fiction, Superhero Fantasy, Christian Fantasy
Print Length: 338 Pages
Release Date: November 10, 2020
If you read and enjoyed Mr. Joyner’s award-winning debut novel Launch, then you will enjoy this sequel. It’s more of all the things you loved from Launch: great characters with creative takes on super powers, wonderful action sequences and a powerful message about giving over control to God versus wanting to live life our own way.
I’m continually impressed with the level of authenticity in the characters. Lilly, Demarcus, SJ and Harry act and sound like real teenagers thrust into incredibly difficult situations. They make mistakes, but the also succeed in amazing ways. My favorite new character was Ratchet, the wheelchair-bound tech genius who assists the heroes.
I don’t want to get into spoilers, but I was impressed with some creative solutions for the problem of the water-based hero being useless when not at a body of water.
And that ending, woah. Don’t start the last quarter of the book unless you’ve got time to finish it!
Title: Anointed
Author: Jason Joyner
Publisher: Little Lamb Books
Genre(s): Contemporary Fantasy Fiction, Superhero Fantasy, Christian Fantasy
Print Length: 349 Pages
Release Date: October 2, 2021
Anointed (Book 3 of Rise of the Anointed)
I enjoyed this book as I have each entry in the Rise of the Anointed series. It’s been a fantastic ride watching these characters learn and grow. Anointed has some big payoffs for moments that have been building up for the entire series. Joyner expertly weaves in details from the earlier books, so if you start with Anointed you won’t be lost; but this series is so good, you really should go back to Launch and start there.
I love how real, human, and flawed Joyner makes his superpowered teens. Despite their divine gifting, they still mess up both in their actions and in their interpersonal relationships. Two characters finally confront a conflict that’s been simmering since the first book. It was completely needed and handled well.
I’m not sure if it was because I have an older Paperwhite or some other issue, but the formatting on the eBook seemed off. I could get through it with few problems, but I wanted to mention this as some readers are more sensitive to those sorts of issues. I hope the formatting issue gets resolved soon. This was also the first book in the series where some chapters felt a bit rushed, and didn’t have the same polish as the earlier books.
All that said, this is a brilliant book about anger’s ability to control our lives. It has a great message about the power of forgiveness. It challenged me, inspired me, and thoroughly entertained.
Authors often return to series after a time, and I hope there are more stories in the future for Anointed.
Update August 2023: The heroes of the Rise of the Anointed series will return
The heroes of the Rise of the Anointed series will be returning in an epic crossover event that will connect the worlds of Jason Joyner, J. J. Johnson, and Steve Rzasa.
Coming soon!