Unknown Destiny


Young Adult - Fantasy - General
167 Pages
Reviewed on 01/06/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Unknown Destiny by Johnnie West is a fascinating novel written for young adults. The main protagonist is seventeen-year-old Jared who leads a normal life with his parents and twin sisters. His life will change completely when a strange thunderstorm brings a mysterious green stone into their backyard one night. It has strange markings on it and when Jared touches the stone, he is transported to another world known as the kingdom of Onteria. There are many magical creatures in this world and soon Jared meets the beautiful Emera, a princess. He tries to keep his discovery from his family a secret but finds it difficult to explain his disappearances and strange behavior to them. However, when his mother discovers his secret, she is forced to reveal her real identity and their lives will never be the same again. Confronted by dark forces in Onteria, can Jared fulfill his destiny?

Johnnie West’s Unknown Destiny will keep readers entertained and guessing till the end. The plot is complex and highly imaginative. As Jared and his family are unexpectedly thrust into the magical kingdom of Onteria, the surprising and mysterious twists and turns reveal a number of magical creatures and a fascinating hundred-year-old family secret. This makes the narrative compelling and unique. Surprisingly, it is easy to relate to Jared while we accompany him on his dangerous odyssey to claim his birthright. The setting is well-developed and the characters are sophisticated. Ultimately, Unknown Destiny is all about the heroic adventure of an unlikely hero and one can’t help but cheer him on as he confronts a dangerous opponent. Highly recommended!

Meenakshi Bhatt

Unknown Destiny by Johnnie West is a YA fantasy novel with protagonist Jared leading a normal teenage life. His parents love him and he has twin sisters, one of whom is his favorite. Life is okay. Then suddenly, a mysterious object enters his life. The object introduces him to the existence of a completely different world. A beautiful princess, Emera, enters the story. Jared steps into this new world, first tentatively, and then completely. Onteria, the new world, is full of surprises. Even the sky and the sun are distinctive. There are several magical creatures with their own unique powers. However, even before Jared can fully enjoy the beauty of Onteria, he is called upon to avert a crisis. He realizes that he has a lot to learn, and he needs to learn it fast. Luckily, he meets friends, protectors, and mentors on this journey.

In Unknown Destiny by Johnnie West, the description of the fantasy world is very colorful. The characters and magical creatures are described in detail. The story moves forward at a rapid pace and during the course of Jared’s eventful journey, long-hidden secrets are revealed to him and to the reader. There are several unexpected twists and turns and the reader is kept guessing. West has written a book that deals with many important concepts within the story. Some of these include complex family relationships, loyalty, bravery, and fortitude. Readers who love getting immersed in new worlds and who want a story packed with adventure will enjoy this book.