Sentinel By Seb Woodland - A Sc-Fi Action/Adventure Story With A Heart

Sentinel by Seb Woodland

The first thing that attracted me to reading Sentinel was the book's description. It promised to be a sci-fi adventure and space opera that would be new and refreshing. The second thing that caught me was the cartoonish cover promising a diverse cast of characters. I was not disappointed on either score.

Sentinel is a well-told tale within a tale. The characters are dynamic and fun while the plot and how it unfolds in the pages is engaging and will keep a reader turning pages. I was hooked from the beginning and could not help but read on to see just what would happen next.

I relished this story and hope there will be more to come from this author.

Skyther Prince Osax is being interviewed for information surrounding a plot to reduce planet Earth to cinders. A mysterious investigator wants the facts of the diabolical act and the perpetrator, Duhrnan, all of which Osax is only too happy to share, however, he will only divulge what he knows by telling the entire tale from his own point of view. The impatient investigator has no choice but to listen while Osax spins his epic, and detailed, account.

Osax meets others along his way, gaining support from a genetically enhanced being bred for war. He also meets a commander from Earth Forces, and a scientist with unclear motives. Together, this quartet more or less bonds as they face adventures that include extreme danger and threats of destruction.

Duhrnan declares through the galaxy's communication network his intention to destroy the Earth. He has the means to do it and is known to have destroyed other planets for his own nefarious reasons.

First, Osax and his friends must learn to get along with each other before they can unite to stop Duhrnan.

It is a struggle on numerous levels as they face their own interpersonal difficulties and obstacles thrown in their way.

The story is told from the point of view of Osax, a Prince of the skythers. He is next in line to become the ruler of his people after the Queen, his mother, is gone. Osax is traveling to get away from pressure placed upon him, and to learn more about the universe. He is a curious person who loves to learn and meet new people. He is patient and tries to never rush into situations. When he meets Kay, a genetically enhanced human warrior, he learns about her and finds her to have low self-esteem. He likes her and offers encouragement and helps Kay grow to me more than just a weapon.

This is my favorite plot point in the book. There is plenty to give enjoyment in this tale, but I enjoyed the Osax/Kay relationship above all. Kay does not feel she is worthy of anyone's friendship. She makes mistakes and is very hard on herself, however she experiences a lot of growth as the relationship between her and Osax unfolds. 

My takeaway from Sentinel is it is hard to make good friends, and even harder to keep them. Kay has issues with self-confidence and esteem. What Osax does to help her is not to point out her mistakes - she already knows when she messes up. She picks herself apart and tears herself down throughout the story. Osax, instead, doesn't focus on her mistakes, he teaches her to learn from them and move forward. The interactions between Osax and Kay were some of the best in the book and added a sense of authenticity to the entire work.

Along with Osax's patient treatment of his teammate, Sentinel is a great Sci-Fi, space opera, and adventure tale that is full of epic battles, well-paced action, humor, and compassion. I hope that Seb Woodland continues to write. He has a fine sense of humanity and can spin an amazing story. 

Seb Woodland is a writer, musician, artist, video game developer, and the author of Sentinel. Born in Victoria BC, on the west coast of Turtle Island, he grew up inventing stories and roleplaying games with his siblings. Inspired by authors such as Kenneth Oppel and Michelle Paver, Seb dreamed of becoming an author since childhood. He achieved that dream in 2021 when he published his first book, Sentinel. His creativity goes far beyond just writing, and he always has at least a couple of art projects on the go.