SHADOWS IN THE WIND: BOOK ONE

PRAESIDIUM

PRAESIDIUM (pronounced pray-sid-eee-um) it means PROTECTION in Latin

Appropriate for 6-12 Library / Appropriate for Creative Writing Curriculum
Available in Spanish
Action Adventure / Mystery / Urban Fantasy / Speculative / Adult and YA

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Kathryn Bek gets the chance of a lifetime: a job offer right out of college, and in New York City, where adventure abounds.

Working with a team tasked with watching out for the downtrodden is all she knows about the job, but that alone deeply intrigues her. With both parents dead and no real family to speak of, she has nothing to lose.  

As a young girl, she watched as her father disappeared into a black vortex, never to be seen again. As a young woman, she seeks to be the selfless leader she believes the world needs. She has the desire to make the world a better place, but how? To top things off, her new boss knows more about her and her fellow team members than any of them are aware. She is in over her head, yet she feels a strong sense that there is something her new boss hasn’t revealed. Lies? Not really. Lies of omission? Perhaps.

In the end, there is really only one question: Will Kathryn endure? Insurmountable odds make it seem like she can’t possibly survive. 

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AWARDS

ILLUMINATION AWARDS – 1st Place (GOLD MEDAL) FICTION 2022
(Special honor highlighted in the “enduring light” category as a book that is timeless.)

The BREW Award – 1st Place URBAN FICTION 2023
(Based in Australia, the BREW Book Excellence Award recognises exemplary literary pieces from all over the world.)

FIREBIRD AWARDS – 1st Place across multiple categories: ACTION ADVENTURE, MYSTERY, URBAN FANTASY, and BEST COVER DESIGN 2022

1st place in Mystery, 1st Place in Urban Fantasy & 1st Place in Best Cover Design

5 Star Readers Favorite Award

Finalist in the American Bookfest Best Book Awards 2022

Literary Titan Gold Award 2023

REVIEWS

The characters and story of this book waste no time whatsoever in sinking their hooks deep into readers and keeping them on the edge of their seats as Kathryn delves deeper and deeper into the dangerous and fantastical world that awaits her. Author McKinley Aspen is a deft and clever storyteller, constantly finding new twists and turns to keep the narrative fresh with page after page as the lore designed reveals itself to character and reader alike. I was impressed by how narratively complete the events of the book were, telling a full and satisfying story whilst effectively setting the stage for a larger series to follow. Overall, Praesidium is an excellent adventure that creates a colorful cast of characters and pits them against a deep conspiracy in a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat right from the word go. I’m excited for the future of the series and I cannot recommend this book enough.

K.C. Finn

☆☆☆☆☆
It’s easy to get wrapped up in McKinley Aspen’s Praesidium (Shadows in the Wind). The first chapter immediately creates a feeling of suspense with a hint that things may not be as they seem. The main protagonists are interesting and well developed as they embark on an adventure into the unknown and face danger and excitement. I liked the pacing of the storyline as it determines the mood and gives the reader time to connect to the characters and the events occurring around them. You can also expect surprises along the way just when you think you have already figured out the plot. This is a detective story with a healthy amount of magic and mystery, and it is an engaging read.

Maria Victoria Beltran

☆☆☆☆☆
If stories featuring superheroes, mystery, and magic are your forte, you will absolutely love Praesidium. Author McKinley Aspen wastes no time dropping the reader into the story and, with a fast-flowing narrative, keeps them hooked until the end. Unlike most secret organizations in novels, HGS is working toward helping people and bringing hope to the world, employing humans with supernatural abilities, each unique to them. The characters are well-developed, and a couple of them even have fleshed-out backstories that give agency to their actions and motives. Kathryn’s relationship with Scott is intense, making for some dramatic moments that are compelling to read. Overall, this is a book for readers who enjoy superhero stories or urban fantasy novels in general.

Pikasho Deka

☆☆☆☆☆

A brisk, entertaining, tale of down-to-earth superheroes.

KIRKUS REVIEW

☆☆☆☆☆

Praesidium offers a smorgasbord of genre tropes mixed into a supernatural adventure well suited to young adult and adult readers who enjoy escapist fiction.

Feathered Quill

☆☆☆☆☆

Praesidium is a wonderfully exhilarating ride!

Rue L’Hommedieu

Author of Because Of The Night
☆☆☆☆☆

Praesidium incorporates the best qualities of the thriller genre; mysteries unraveled, characters in disguise, heart-pounding action and young heroines who are fierce with reality.

Sara Connell

Bestselling Author & Founder of Thought Leader Academy
☆☆☆☆☆

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved this author’s writing style and how he goes back and forth between the events that happened in the past and those currently happening. This gives perspective on the events in the book and allows for proper character development. I also enjoyed the mystery that runs throughout the book. The book is well-paced, and the story builds momentum very reasonably. The book’s plot was well-thought-out, and its execution was stellar. I loved how events built upon each other seamlessly. The book also has many plot twists that kept me wondering what was next or whether a scene would turn out how I thought it would.

Moreover, the book is written in a conversational tone, making it easy to read and enjoy. The characters were well-developed, fascinating, and relatable. The author was also very descriptive, and the teamwork when dealing with an issue was palpable. I loved that in addition to the main theme of fighting crime, the author added Kathryn’s relationship with her boyfriend Scott, which was a welcome distraction from the central theme. The ending was a good cliffhanger, leaving you yearning for more.

I genuinely did not find anything to dislike about this book. It was a very well-written book and exceptionally well-edited, making it a great and fun read. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I rate the book an undeniable 5 out of 5 stars. The author did a great job with it. I think this is a very promising series.

I recommend the book to readers who love mystery/thriller books with a splash of magic. The book does not contain profanity and would be appropriate even for teenagers.

Maureen Wambui Njuki

Reader
☆☆☆☆☆

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