The Journeys of John and Julia

In Chapter One: Genesis

By: Aurelia

Narrated by: Janel Parrish

Though almost thirteen-year-old John and definitely thirteen-year-old Julia have known each other all their lives, their perspectives on what’s cool and exciting are poles apart. Narrated by Pretty Little Liars star and Teen Choice award-winner Janel Parrish, The Journeys of John and Julia: Genesis is the first in a series about magic, friendship, and adventure.

John and Julia find out that they have been chosen by a collective of wondrous beings called The Twenty-two to save the world from the manipulations of the beyond evil Niem Vidalgo Oten. Fortunately, those Twenty-two have skills that reach from conjuring images of Julia’s dead grandfather to shifting entire realities—unfortunately, however, their moral codes do not allow them to operate in what they call the outer world without the help of humans.

As the story unfolds, John and Julia will not only tackle their very personal challenges of being adolescents in a society that has become detrimental to support young adults in developing meaningful lives but they will unravel and re-direct Oten’s attempts to ensnare the minds of their peers.

We will see how Niem Vidalgo Oten and his legion of monsters in human guise try to steal emotional, mental, and physical energy from people to further his insatiable greed for power and control. He is doing that by way of using their own desires and needs to trap them in his nightmare vision of the future.

With the help of the powers of the Twenty-two, our young heroes will find out how Oten uses modern technologies like networking applications, movies, music, fashion, stories, therapy, media, and politics, in one word, everything that spans from cathedral to star gate, to accomplish his sinister mission.

©2011 Aurelia Haslboeck (P)2014 Aurelia Haslboeck

Critic reviews

"A great read. Imaginative. Insightful. Heroic. The type of summer vacation that every kid should have."-Duncan Rouleau - creator of Ben10

"Cool new series" -Tim Kring, creator of TV's Heroes and Touch

beautiful, profound

I wish this book was around when I was thirteen. I think it's very empowering for kids and teens. And also adults! I found it not only entertaining but also illuminating--a magical, heart-opening story that is very applicable to challenges we all face in our lives. Can't wait to hear more from this amazing author.

Sort of confusing

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I am not real sure because it just didn't really make a lot of sense to me.

Which character – as performed by Janel Parrish – was your favorite?

Victor

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Confusion and well it was a bit boring.

Any additional comments?

Overall, I sort of found this book to be a jumbled mess but maybe to a pre-teen it will make perfect sense.