Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of The Strand Prophecy

The Strand Prophecy
GeniusJen avatar reviewed on + 5322 more book reviews


Reviewed by JodiG. for TeensReadToo.com

The world is changing. At a level that most humans don't even notice, there are rapid cellular and evolutionary mutations taking place. One man not only knows about the changes, he also knows what it means for the human race. His name is Strand and he is the reluctant harbinger, obligated by the past to protect mankind. His duty is to inform the world of the danger that is evolving and how they can protect themselves. His driving ambition: protect the innocent.

On a summer afternoon in front of the White House, surrounded by tourists, Strand makes his first appearance. He is an imposing sight, dressed in a black hooded cape covering a black chrome exoskeleton. It isn't long before the Secret Service takes notice and responds to the spot where Strand has been standing. Waiting. With weapons drawn, they surround him, ordering him to surrender. He waits. The Secret Service fires but their bullets aren't able to penetrate the exoskeleton that Strand wears.

Once the media coverage begins, Strand knows it is time. He announces to the world, and specifically to the President, who he knows is watching, that the world is about to undergo a rapid evolutionary phase. The consequences of these changes will be catastrophic to humans unless something is done. He leaves the evidence for the President to review and announces that more information will be available to the rest of the world via the Internet. And then, with superhero-like abilities, Strand escapes from the Secret Service, and the rest of the world.

The world doesn't know that Strand is really Steve Cutter, an anthropologist and technologist who has secretly been perfecting some of the most advanced work in the world. Steve lives with his sixteen-year-old niece, Anna, the daughter of his brother, Jack. Anna's father died in a terrible accident for which Steve feels responsible. Steve's main goal is to protect Anna. Protect the innocent. With a seemingly unlimited amount of money, research, and technology at his hands, Steve has been studying the changes taking place throughout the world and how to protect human beings from becoming a hunted food source of rapidly mutating creatures everywhere. In addition to his research, he has developed equipment that allows him to be Strand. A modern day superhero with the ability to go anywhere, do most anything, and know everything that is happening at any given instant.

But what can he do when the President not only refuses to believe his warnings, but also treats him as a threat to the human race? A danger? With a small team of colleagues, including Anna, Steve/Strand will be forced to protect the human race themselves.

Author J.B.B. Winner is actually the writing team of teenage twins Brittany and Brianna Winner, and their dad, Jeff. THE STRAND PROPHECY, which started out as a family writing exercise, is the first of a planned five-book series. In addition to the novel, the Strand Prophecy now also includes comic books, graphic novels, and even a play list on iTunes. With environmental issues being as widely recognized as they are, THE STRAND PROPHECY is a timely and realistic possibility and an enjoyable read.