Title: Branded
Author: Joseph T. Humphrey
Publisher: Intrepid Pen Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 978-1-955729-02-4
Pages: 512
Genre: Thriller
Reviewed by: Aaron Washington

Read Book Review

Henry Murphy is being hunted by forces beyond his comprehension. His family’s past has come back to haunt him. His parents fled with nothing but hope for the safety of their child and the furnace. With their memories completely wiped, they did not see the enemy coming. Rachel tries to warn Henry but the Blue Vests thwarted her efforts leaving Henry with a hoard of questions. Now Thom, Dawn, and Henry have to fight an enemy they might not believe is prepared enough to take on. The Nekura cannot, under any circumstances, get their hands on the one thing they want. If they do there will be untold destruction.

They say that what you do not know cannot hurt you, but that is not true in Henry’s case. Yet with Charlotte by his side, he might just be able to defeat an enemy he only just found out about. Will he get to the furnace before the Nekura do?
Author Joseph T. Humphrey has woven a supernatural fantasy thriller with characters readers cannot help but root for and a plot which will keep you on the edge of your seat – lost in the literary world he has created. His writing is vivid and colored with such effective imagery which the reader is plunged into Henry’s world. Readers will share in his fear and confusion. Readers will revel in his bravery and determination to defeat the Nekura.

Despite Henry being from a different dimension, the author has given him some humanity. Like any young boy, he is worried about his place on the team and his scholarship. Little does he know there are bigger and heftier things to worry about.
The book is a rollercoaster with pits and peaks. One minute it seems as if there might finally be peace, the next all hell breaks loose. The author has executed an action-packed tale. There is so much activity and so much emotion to contend with. Despite all of this, the book does not overwhelm the reader. Readers will actually find themselves enjoying all the numerous elements in the book. They will find themselves mentally participating in the action. Rarely do you find a thriller which can be enjoyed by both adults and teens. This book has achieved that feat effortlessly. The action starts right from the beginning as Thom and Dawn run toward what they hope will be safety for their son right to the very end.

Branded will scare you and at the same time excite and inspire you. This book will have you feeling sorry for Henry for having to carry such a responsibility instead of rushing to be on time for practice. This book will be good company. The only downside is the massive book hangover you will experience after you finish; but then, it will be well worth it.

If it was possible to give more stars, this book would be deserving of all of them. Five stars out of five for Branded. Recommended to be read with the flavor of a hot beverage dancing next to you, a warm blanket by the window, and a lamp for when the gremlins threaten to jump out of the page into your living room.