Reverence by Joshua Aaron Landeros is a battle of humans versus androids. The old ways are over, but not forgotten. The year is 2065. The Oval Office is a mere exhibit of history. Where the Pentagon once stood, a tower stands imperially watching over its citizens. The Expansion war is over; Chancellor Carl Venloran is the supreme leader of the United Nation Republic. The Chancellor keeps the peace through his elite android soldiers, men and women “reborn as perfect beings, unwavering in duty.” Venloran maintains his rule by “eradicating the enemy... No negotiation, only submission and compliance.” However, there is an insurgence; a group of rebels is preparing to take on UNR and their Cyborgs! These dissident soldiers are willing to give their lives to destroy the Chancellor and reclaim their nation. When the UNR gets cocky, believing they are invincible, the rebels prove to be a valiant, formidable force. The Chancellor’s worst fear is realized; UNR is on the verge of civil war. “History truly does repeat itself.”

Joshua Aaron Landeros pens his debut novel Reverence with zeal, demonstrating that he is a promising science fiction novelist. Ironically, this student of history writes the future with youthful exuberance and imagination. Being a person of faith, I found interesting the undertone of biblical references included within the storyline. The cast of characters is intriguing and ruthless in conviction; both sides of the conflict believe they are morally just in their fight against the other. The story proves to be a tug of war of wills. Good versus evil, but who is good and who is evil?

The setting takes place in a not so distant future. The portrayal of an elite army of androids promotes the science fiction genre. The narrative unfolds quickly; taking place over just a few days, but a lifetime is endured for its characters. The use of flashbacks helps to fill in the gaps in the development of the characters. The thematic truth woven throughout the text is that without our personal history, namely our memories, we become nothing more than robotic, soulless beings. Depicting the reality of war, the ending leaves a lasting impression, one not easily forgotten.

Reverence: Volume 1 by Joshua Aaron Landeros introduces us to William Marconi, a man who is the face of both anguish and righteousness. His hands are bloodstained and he is a man whom people look upon with equal measures of awe and fear. He is not the only one of his kind, but is one of 144,000 protectors who are tasked with upholding justice, no matter the cost. The peace they have held together, however, comes under fire. William sees that a war could be coming and it will destroy everything. Can one man who is both honorable and bloody save all that he holds dear?

This book might be set in the future, but the messages it has within its pages ring true today and show us that history can and usually does repeat itself. William is a man who could be inserted into a story about the Knights Templar and fit in. I found this story to be engaging and fast paced while making me feel connected with everything going on within it. Who has not at least once had a feeling of their world falling apart and trying to save it? The circumstances might not be the same as in the book, but the feelings are the same. We can learn from this book, just as we can learn from the past and, in the case of the writing of Joshua Aaron Landeros, we can truly enjoy it. I felt the full gamut of emotions as I read this book and I truly enjoyed it. I would recommend anyone who wants a fast paced book full of action and emotion to pick this one up. I am looking forward to reading Volume 2.

Reverence (Volume one) by Joshua Aaron Landeros is a science fiction story that will appeal most to a mixed audience made up of both adults and young adults who enjoy science fiction, where the hero is both a fighter and a guardian of the people, who faces both triumph and/or anguish depending on the path he chooses to walk. Reverence follows William Marconi as he inspires people with opposite concepts: anguish, righteousness, and fear. William Marconi is a part of the guardians of a new order who see justice upheld through the might of their swords and the power of their guns; however, a new threat leads to William Marconi questioning himself and all he holds dear as he attempts a mission that might be his last, and it could take everything he has and more in order to succeed.

Reverence was an intriguing book and it took me a few chapters to really get into the plot. However, once I did, I simply could not put it down and so I ended up finishing the entirety of Reverence in one sitting. My favorite character by far was William Marconi as he was the character I came to feel for and sympathize with the most throughout the course of the plot. I have to say that Joshua Aaron Landeros did a truly spectacular job with creating an entire world and my only disappointment was that I did not already possess book two in the series.

In a great story by debut author Joshua Aaron Landeros, Reverence: Volume One will grab readers from the very start and will keep them reading obsessively through until the very end. Following protagonist William Marconi, the story takes readers to a world very different from ours as it is. William is one of 144,000 guardians of a new order. A knight who has inspired fear and awe through his bloody exploits, William and his fellow guardians are prepared to do almost anything to uphold justice. But when a new threat comes upon him, they worry that even the strength of the 144,000 will not be enough. Will William be able to uphold all that is dear to him? You'll need to read the book to find out!

I very much enjoyed Reverence: Volume One. Author Joshua Aaron Landeros has done a great job in creating characters that his readers will be able to connect with, relate to and come to care about, still thinking of them long after the last page has been read. If that isn't a hallmark of a great author, I'm not sure what is. Readers who enjoy a story with action, adventure, excellent characterizations, and a great science fiction plot should absolutely give this book a chance. I recommend this book to any such reader, and I will be watching for more from the very promising author, Joshua Aaron Landeros, hopefully in the very near future!