Glory: The Legend Begins

The Legend of Glory, Book 1

By: Devin O'Branagan

Narrated by: Becca Ballenger

Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Seventeen-year-old Glory Templeton's blood holds the cure for a deadly pandemic-plague and she embarks on a quest to save humanity. When evil forces conspire to stop her, three supernatural beings are assigned to be her guardians. Forbidden love, ancient secret societies, mysterious astronomical monuments, vampires, witches, angels, and demons all contribute to the high adventure that tests the character of this remarkable young woman. The legend of Glory begins!

©2010 Devin O'Branagan (P)2014 Devin O'Branagan

A pleasant surprise.

Any additional comments?

When a deadly pandemic sweeps the world, Glory succumbs to it. Her mother though is a scientist and injects the last of the cure into her. She gets better but her mother tells her she has to run, she has to find the other scientists her mother worked with. They have gone into hiding because someone is after them. Someone doesn't want the sure for the plague to become common knowledge and will do anything they can to stop it. Glory sees her mother being kidnapped and ends up running so that she doesn't get caught or killed. Her mother told her that a priest will help her so now Glory has to get there without been seen.

Glory meets the priest and is assigned 3 supernatural guardians. Can a vampire, angel and witch help save Glory and the world?

This was such a surprise. The cover and blurb doesn't really give much away so I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading it. Well I'm so glad to say that I really enjoyed it.

Glory is an average teenager until her world is turned upside down. The plague is sweeping the world and everyone who contracts it dies. People are dying left and right and when her dad comes down with it she is devastated. Next thing Glory knows is that she is sick, she knows that her chance of survival is nill so when she eventually wakes up she is confused. Her mother tells her that she had to give her the last of the cure. From that second on, Glorys life is not her own. She ends up on the run with beings she didn't know existed and her dog, whom she never really took much notice of. Glory was an awesome heroine. She questions everything and has her, whoa is me, moments but still does whats needed of her. She is only 17 and is thrust into things she hasn't a clue how to handle, but handle them she does. She is strong, determined and an overall average girl!

The author brings 3 different supernatural beings to be Glorys Guardians and I really loved that element. Where else would you read about an Angel, a Witch and a Vampire working together to save humanity!! I loved the lore she through in as well. Never have I read a book with so much in it that works so well together. Apart from the supernatural element, we also have the religious element and demonic elements as well. It was fascinating.

Overall Glory was a pleasant surprise. It's a thrilling, fascinating and fantastical read. The book is centered on Glorys journey but each of the other characters have a bit of their story told. Glorys dog also stole some of the story, Hallelujah was awesome!! This book has a bot of everything in it to satisfy everyone. The author weaved such an amazing and somewhat realistic story that I flew through the pages. The pandemic is scary and made doubly so when we learn the truth behind it! I cant wait to dive into book 2 and see where Glorys journey takes us.

Exciting start to a literate fantasy series!

Any additional comments?

Why choose this as your next vampire/witch/angel novel? It's extremely well-written, with just the right mix of action, heart, thrills and concept. The main character has such a burden, carries such a world-shaking responsibility in her veins, but she is strong in the places that matter. She's a young woman thrown into dangers and heartache, loss and fear, but with a little help from her extraordinary friends, she just might save us all! The beings around her are strongly individual, fiercely what they are, but they're also young and questioning themselves. The audio edition is excellent! A terrific voice that is perfect for the main character and for the narrative. Very well done!

You are about life.

First of all, I must say this: I bought and read the Kindle version of this book two years ago. I loved it and when I learned that the Audible version was available, I was delighted. Problem was, not only I had used my two credits, I'd spent more than was reasonable with the Summer promotions. It meant I had to wait more than three weeks. That's when Devin O'Branagan asked me if I wanted to write a review: she could send me a coupon to have the audiobook for free. Of course, I wanted it! So, here we go.

Glory — a seventeen year old girl who thinks she's quite ordinary — is sent on a quest to save humanity from an awful, bio-engineered plague. To help her, she's given three strange, unconventional companions with powerful gifts: a vampire, an angel and a witch. And, believe me, not your usual vampire, angel or witch! Then, there's Hallie, Glory's faithful Australian Shepherd.

During her journey, Glory will discover a whole world she didn't know existed, where things are not what they look like, where the supernatural is the rule, but also where the "good guys" are in fact the villains and the "bad guys" are fighting for the good of humanity. She'll make all sorts of friends, some really, really, weird but all interesting.

As usual with Devin O'Branagan, the characters are full of life, so real than they could be your neighbors, your co-workers or the people you meet when shopping. You'll learn of their dreams, their fears, their dilemmas, their hopes.

As for the narrator: the story is told from Glory's point of view and Becca Ballenger IS Glory. When listening to her voice, you can easily imagine Glory near you, telling you her story; at times the everyday story of a young woman with her conflicts and doubts and, at other times, the fabulous tale of the fight of good versus evil, but also of love, hate, passion, and above all, free will.

So, Science-fiction, Paranormal, Young Adults? Yes, all of that and far more than that: this book can be read by everyone who loves a good story.

Storytelling at its best!

I absolutely loved this storyline! Glory and her guardians took me on a grand adventure and I can't wait to read more! This book is YA and great for young adults and even the older ones too! Do yourself a favor and joi. Glory on her quests!!

Unless you loved Twilight, don't waste your money

What disappointed you about Glory: The Legend Begins?

All the characters, even the immortal ones, acted like teenagers.

What was most disappointing about Devin O'Branagan’s story?

It had a promising beginning but quickly bogged down with random trivia that only a teenager could love.