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Emergence
Kaden has phenomenal powers, but his abusive past makes him a ticking time bomb. Will his love of one man be enough to keep him from destroying everything around him?
Had it not been for his latent powers, Kaden would have perished at the hands of the men who enslaved him.
Lysander comes from an idyllic childhood, but lacks belief in himself and his powers.
The two men’s encounter at a superhero college sparks intense and powerful animosity. As they confront a common enemy, the dynamic quickly evolves from enemies to lovers.
When a supervillain wrests control from Kaden, will his love for Lysander stop him before he destroys everything he holds dear, including the world itself?
Triggers: Sex trafficking, bullying, surviving child abuse, surviving child sexual abuse, kidnapping, violence, depression, overcoming pedophilia, PTSD
Had it not been for his latent powers, Kaden would have perished at the hands of the men who enslaved him.
Lysander comes from an idyllic childhood, but lacks belief in himself and his powers.
The two men’s encounter at a superhero college sparks intense and powerful animosity. As they confront a common enemy, the dynamic quickly evolves from enemies to lovers.
When a supervillain wrests control from Kaden, will his love for Lysander stop him before he destroys everything he holds dear, including the world itself?
Triggers: Sex trafficking, bullying, surviving child abuse, surviving child sexual abuse, kidnapping, violence, depression, overcoming pedophilia, PTSD
- GenresFantasyM M RomanceLGBT
Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2023
About the author
Adam J. Ridley
9 books65 followersAdam J. Ridley is the pen name used by Blake Allwood for his urban fantasy and fantasy novels.
I, Blake/Adam, travel full time with my husband and two dogs in a forty-foot motor home, constantly looking for inspiration in the towns we find ourselves in.
I’ve loved fantasy all my life, and after several years of writing romance, finally took the time to try my hand at a romantic urban fantasy.
The Witch Brothers Saga is my debut series. Next year, I’ll release a Selkie series and possible my first science fiction, superhero novel as well.
Thanks for joining me on this journey and I look forward to reading your reviews on the Witch Brothers Saga.
I, Blake/Adam, travel full time with my husband and two dogs in a forty-foot motor home, constantly looking for inspiration in the towns we find ourselves in.
I’ve loved fantasy all my life, and after several years of writing romance, finally took the time to try my hand at a romantic urban fantasy.
The Witch Brothers Saga is my debut series. Next year, I’ll release a Selkie series and possible my first science fiction, superhero novel as well.
Thanks for joining me on this journey and I look forward to reading your reviews on the Witch Brothers Saga.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 8, 2023
Kaden Pierce went from foster home to foster home until he was sold to sex traffickers. His life was a dark room, no food, beatings and rape. He never fought back and accepted what his life was until the day a young girl was put in the room with him and he was told to kill her. If he didn’t kill her his torturer would and for the first time in his life he fought back. Kaden had no idea of the power that lived inside him until it was released, and the result was at least thirty dead, the building burned to the ground and fortunately, all the children were saved.
Kaden’s power caused fear in everyone around him, and he was sent to Erudo College for the Science of Superpowers. Kaden had to learn how to control his power, a power that could destroy the world. When an attempt was made to remove his powers for everyone’s safety it proved to be a failure, Kaden’s powers were too strong to remove.
Lysander Phillips has discovered he has powers and has chosen to attend Erudo College to learn how to use his powers and control them. Unlike Kaden, Lysander grew up in a loving home, but he was anxious to learn about his powers and chose to attend the college. Lysander and Kaden would meet at the college and although it would start out poorly it would change both their lives forever.
When the two first saw each other they both experienced a strange sensation and that led them to believe the other was evil. When it became clear that Lysander was Kaden’s polarity and Kaden was Lysander’s the person who would make them more powerful their rocky start immediately changed.
For the first time in his life Kaden had a friend and Lysander’s friends Kyle and Kaylee embraced Kaden as well. Despite everyone’s fear of Kaden he now had three people who liked him and enjoyed being with him.
As their friendship grows so do their feelings for each other but there is evil hiding in the background waiting to get Kaden’s power and Lysander could be the one to make it happen. People with special powers and knowledge are sent to discover what Kaden’s powers are and to do that it would be necessary to have him release them. A safe place had to be found that would not endanger those around him to finally discover what would happen when Kaden released all his powers, and it was a doozy.
I loved this book because of Kaden and Lysander, two characters that I immediately fell in love with. I am not a literary genius who writes reviews using big words and going into the guts of the book, I am a reviewer who likes or loves something and just uses simple words to reveal my feelings. So, I loved this book because it held my interest from the first page till the end and I loved all the characters. It was an interesting take on superpowers so anyone with an interest in that would love this book as much as me. It was a book that was emotional at times especially when reliving Kaden’s childhood.
Superpowers, romance, surprises, secrets and an amazing cast of characters.
Reviewed by Linda Tonis
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
Kaden’s power caused fear in everyone around him, and he was sent to Erudo College for the Science of Superpowers. Kaden had to learn how to control his power, a power that could destroy the world. When an attempt was made to remove his powers for everyone’s safety it proved to be a failure, Kaden’s powers were too strong to remove.
Lysander Phillips has discovered he has powers and has chosen to attend Erudo College to learn how to use his powers and control them. Unlike Kaden, Lysander grew up in a loving home, but he was anxious to learn about his powers and chose to attend the college. Lysander and Kaden would meet at the college and although it would start out poorly it would change both their lives forever.
When the two first saw each other they both experienced a strange sensation and that led them to believe the other was evil. When it became clear that Lysander was Kaden’s polarity and Kaden was Lysander’s the person who would make them more powerful their rocky start immediately changed.
For the first time in his life Kaden had a friend and Lysander’s friends Kyle and Kaylee embraced Kaden as well. Despite everyone’s fear of Kaden he now had three people who liked him and enjoyed being with him.
As their friendship grows so do their feelings for each other but there is evil hiding in the background waiting to get Kaden’s power and Lysander could be the one to make it happen. People with special powers and knowledge are sent to discover what Kaden’s powers are and to do that it would be necessary to have him release them. A safe place had to be found that would not endanger those around him to finally discover what would happen when Kaden released all his powers, and it was a doozy.
I loved this book because of Kaden and Lysander, two characters that I immediately fell in love with. I am not a literary genius who writes reviews using big words and going into the guts of the book, I am a reviewer who likes or loves something and just uses simple words to reveal my feelings. So, I loved this book because it held my interest from the first page till the end and I loved all the characters. It was an interesting take on superpowers so anyone with an interest in that would love this book as much as me. It was a book that was emotional at times especially when reliving Kaden’s childhood.
Superpowers, romance, surprises, secrets and an amazing cast of characters.
Reviewed by Linda Tonis
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
June 10, 2023
Ulysses Dietz Member of The Paranormal Guild Review Team
Rating: 4 stars
Title: Emergence
Author: Adam J. Ridley
Publisher: Blake Allwood
Genre: sci-fi, fantasy
M/M
Publication date: 2023
Page count:
This was a fun, high-energy adventure featuring two teenagers, Kaden and Lysander, who go from enemies to friends in a mountain-top private school for teens with emerging superpowers.
There is an unmistakable echo of X-Men mythology here, and I seem to remember a sort of campy teen movie about superhero kids and sidekicks called Sky High. Adam Ridley gives this contemporary trope his own twist by imagining the notion of polarities—pairs of super-powered individuals whose powers complement and augment each other. He also creates a second duality that separates/joins the two boys. While Lysander is from a loving family, and is sent to Erudo College to make the most of what appears to be fairly limited powers; Kaden is rescued from a life of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of sex traffickers. He is sent to Erudo so that they can figure out what to do with powers that are so massive they pose a threat to humanity.
This is a full-on romance, but the sex is kept off-page. It is the emotional connection that Kaden and Lysander find that ultimately drives the plot and the fairly explosive finale. These boys represent a sort of power and polarity duo that has never been seen before.
I confess that Kaden’s over-the-top powers never quite felt believable to me. Ridley slips into hyperbole, which distracts him from the very human aspect of these boys’ budding relationship. Also, the plot felt a little rushed to me. It’s not a long book, and Ridley would have done well to take a little leisure to build up Kaden and Lysander’s friendship in the context of college life. I wouldn’t have minded an extra fifty pages that delved into various relationships a bit more. If you’re going to create a Hogwarts-like school, there could have been a lot of fun with the world-building.
The book ends with the clear sense that it is in fact a beginning. I hope this means there will be a book two.
Rating: 4 stars
Title: Emergence
Author: Adam J. Ridley
Publisher: Blake Allwood
Genre: sci-fi, fantasy
M/M
Publication date: 2023
Page count:
This was a fun, high-energy adventure featuring two teenagers, Kaden and Lysander, who go from enemies to friends in a mountain-top private school for teens with emerging superpowers.
There is an unmistakable echo of X-Men mythology here, and I seem to remember a sort of campy teen movie about superhero kids and sidekicks called Sky High. Adam Ridley gives this contemporary trope his own twist by imagining the notion of polarities—pairs of super-powered individuals whose powers complement and augment each other. He also creates a second duality that separates/joins the two boys. While Lysander is from a loving family, and is sent to Erudo College to make the most of what appears to be fairly limited powers; Kaden is rescued from a life of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of sex traffickers. He is sent to Erudo so that they can figure out what to do with powers that are so massive they pose a threat to humanity.
This is a full-on romance, but the sex is kept off-page. It is the emotional connection that Kaden and Lysander find that ultimately drives the plot and the fairly explosive finale. These boys represent a sort of power and polarity duo that has never been seen before.
I confess that Kaden’s over-the-top powers never quite felt believable to me. Ridley slips into hyperbole, which distracts him from the very human aspect of these boys’ budding relationship. Also, the plot felt a little rushed to me. It’s not a long book, and Ridley would have done well to take a little leisure to build up Kaden and Lysander’s friendship in the context of college life. I wouldn’t have minded an extra fifty pages that delved into various relationships a bit more. If you’re going to create a Hogwarts-like school, there could have been a lot of fun with the world-building.
The book ends with the clear sense that it is in fact a beginning. I hope this means there will be a book two.
June 5, 2023
This is a really interesting world that Adam J Ridley has created and I really hope we get to see more of it in the future.
I enjoyed Emergence and really enjoyed getting to know Lysander and Kayden who are both at the superhero college to learn about their respective powers.
My heart broke for Kayden and what he'd been through, and then the way he was treated after because the powers that be were afraid of him, that made me so mad. Lysander doesn't think his powers are anything special, but when he's paired with Kayden he finds out he's more powerful and important than he could have imagined.
I really enjoyed seeing these two learn about their powers and also seeing their relationship turn from antagonistic to friendship and then love.
I loved the twins and I loved how they embraced Lysander and then Kayden into their friendship group. Having friends who have your back is always important, but even more so for superheroes.
People wanting power for the wrong reasons is something that will probably never change and in this world where some of the population have superpowers and some don't, Kayden and Lysander find themselves thrown into a battle of life and death to stop the wrong people getting their hands on their powers.
There was plenty of action and a few twists making this a fun read.
I enjoyed Emergence and really enjoyed getting to know Lysander and Kayden who are both at the superhero college to learn about their respective powers.
My heart broke for Kayden and what he'd been through, and then the way he was treated after because the powers that be were afraid of him, that made me so mad. Lysander doesn't think his powers are anything special, but when he's paired with Kayden he finds out he's more powerful and important than he could have imagined.
I really enjoyed seeing these two learn about their powers and also seeing their relationship turn from antagonistic to friendship and then love.
I loved the twins and I loved how they embraced Lysander and then Kayden into their friendship group. Having friends who have your back is always important, but even more so for superheroes.
People wanting power for the wrong reasons is something that will probably never change and in this world where some of the population have superpowers and some don't, Kayden and Lysander find themselves thrown into a battle of life and death to stop the wrong people getting their hands on their powers.
There was plenty of action and a few twists making this a fun read.
August 16, 2023
I’m a huge fan of superhero stories. I enjoyed the worldbuilding in this story, and its different take on superheroes, especially with each person having a polarity, and their powers being connected to the elements.
I liked how Lysander and Kaden, although drawn to each other, don’t automatically trust each other and how that grows with the plot. I also liked that it wasn’t always easy to work out who the ‘bad guy’ was, and that they have to learn how to control their powers. Both Lysander and Kaden’s powers are interesting and different to anything I’ve read before.
As well as the growing romance between Lysander and Kaden, friendships and family play a good-sized role. I loved Lysander’s relationship with his mother and Pete, and how they take Kaden under their wing. They’re a great contrast to the school and Kaden’s horrible past.
The ending is a great twist, and I hope the author is planning more in this series.
I liked how Lysander and Kaden, although drawn to each other, don’t automatically trust each other and how that grows with the plot. I also liked that it wasn’t always easy to work out who the ‘bad guy’ was, and that they have to learn how to control their powers. Both Lysander and Kaden’s powers are interesting and different to anything I’ve read before.
As well as the growing romance between Lysander and Kaden, friendships and family play a good-sized role. I loved Lysander’s relationship with his mother and Pete, and how they take Kaden under their wing. They’re a great contrast to the school and Kaden’s horrible past.
The ending is a great twist, and I hope the author is planning more in this series.
May 28, 2023
This book is a 5/5! I was hooked by page 8 because book is so good! The main characters are Kayden and Lysander. This story takes place on an Earth where a small percentage of humans have developed super powers. Kaden is the most powerful paranormal alive. He kills a group of men abusing children and is sent to a school to learn how to control his powers. Lysander’s ability is not as flashy but is just as powerful. The two men meet and the attraction is immediate. But there are factions that want to use them to control the world. The two men will have master their abilities stop the destruction. I am glad I read this book.
January 17, 2024
I heard this author speak at a science fiction convention, and I was impressed enough to buy his book. I'm very glad I did. This is a superhero story, a romance, and an interesting look at how a culture could change and adapt when superheroes are part of lived reality. It's also a moving story about coming of age in a challenging environment, overcoming a history of abuse and dysfunction, and finding a nurturing relationship in a place one never expects to find it. The characters are well-rounded, and this reader came to care greatly about them. Highly recommended! This is a superhero story that rises above expectations with genuine heart.
June 6, 2023
This was a new author, and I enjoyed immersing myself in this world. Getting to know the two MCs, Lysander and Kayden, and how they navigate the world with some powers they are still trying to learn.
I liked how the two MCs came to care for one another, and Adam took time developing the world and explaining how everything worked, which helped. Kayden and Lysander find themselves fighting for themselves and each other. This was a great first book with a lot of action that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I liked how the two MCs came to care for one another, and Adam took time developing the world and explaining how everything worked, which helped. Kayden and Lysander find themselves fighting for themselves and each other. This was a great first book with a lot of action that I thoroughly enjoyed.
April 26, 2024
"Emergence" was an interesting read with a cool superhero/magic system. I'd gladly read more books in a series about the school. The thing that took this book from good to okay for me was the romance. Textbook insta-love here. Some people enjoy that, and I think they'd like this story. The author told us the timeline was moving forward, but there was too little development of the romance. It goes from enemies to madly in love too fast. Still, the school, powers, and characters as individuals were a lot of fun, and I'm not turned off the author.
June 8, 2023
This was a new to me author and I enjoyed immersing myself in the world that is created in Emergence.
I liked how the two MCs came to care for one another, moving from enemies to lovers who cared deeply for each other.
Kayden and Lysander find themselves thrown into a battle of life and death to stop the wrong people getting their hands on their powers.
There was action galore and all the feels you could ask for.
I enjoyed reading this story.
I liked how the two MCs came to care for one another, moving from enemies to lovers who cared deeply for each other.
Kayden and Lysander find themselves thrown into a battle of life and death to stop the wrong people getting their hands on their powers.
There was action galore and all the feels you could ask for.
I enjoyed reading this story.
June 4, 2023
Emergence is my first book of this type, and I am hooked. I cannot believe how invested I got in the story, but I loved Kaden. My heart felt like it was going to break in half, learning his story. Lysander and the twin's antics made me laugh out loud. I hope to read more from this author.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book.
December 31, 2023
Different but good
Still not 100% sure I quite understood the whole book and u sure if a book 2 is planned
But loved the sci fi YA MM read
Kaden and Lysander are hmm polar opposites in their powers and ended up from enemies to friends to lovers with sidekicks and bigger enemy's
Still not 100% sure I quite understood the whole book and u sure if a book 2 is planned
But loved the sci fi YA MM read
Kaden and Lysander are hmm polar opposites in their powers and ended up from enemies to friends to lovers with sidekicks and bigger enemy's
June 3, 2023
Interesting Story
This one caught my interest from the start and just kept holding on the whole way through. Kaden & Lysander's is one I recommend reading.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
This one caught my interest from the start and just kept holding on the whole way through. Kaden & Lysander's is one I recommend reading.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
May 22, 2023
Adam J Ridley created a new version of the X-Men and it was fantastic! Emergence has wonderful characters and strong characters that give you inspiration.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews