Book Review: The Windgate (The School of Ministry #1) by Braxton A. Cosby

Title: The School of Ministry: The Windgate (Book One)
Author: Braxton Cosby
Genre: YA/NA Paranormal Fantasy
Age Group: New Adult, Young Adult
Rating: 4 stars
Purchase: Amazon, B&N
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

TO CHOOSE, IS FATE!
A young man named Ziv struggles to find his place in life after both of his parents are murdered. Orphaned and alone by the age of six, he bounces in and out of foster homes hopeless and afraid, wondering if he will ever find a path to happiness. He resolves to accept a life of depravity, until one day he discovers he possesses the gift of sight: to see creatures from the afterlife, but not angels…demons! Ziv is recruited by The School of Ministry, a secret society that promises to help him find his best friend Stephanie, who has gone missing. But there is one catch: he must agree to join them in their quest to eradicate evil and protect the weak. Ziv learns that he is a “Conduit,” which allows him to cross over into the spirit world and transcend time itself. When he is partnered with two other young men who have similar gifts, the unlikely trio is trained in the mastery of weapons and the art of Shouting, during treacherous challenges of the tortuous Quad in preparation for their mission: to secure the Windgate. An untimely love triangle clouds Ziv’s judgment,  forcing him to choose between the love of his life and the new female interest Evan. Ziv becomes entrenched in a quest of identity, love, and will, until he comes face to face with pure evil itself–Akabod, the spiritual prodigal son to the School of Ministry and a master of talents.

The Windgate is the first book in the School of Ministry series. It’s kind of like Harry Potter but with demons instead of wizards. It’s also intended for a slightly older audience. The book is definitely intriguing, and I got hooked on the story early on, and I was sad to see it end.

Ziv struggles to find his place in life. His parents were murdered, so he’s an orphan, bouncing from one foster hme into another. He has gifts he doesn’t understand – like the ability to see demons. Along with two others who have the same ability, he gets recruited for The School of Ministry, a secret society that promises him to help him find Stephanie, his best friend who has gone missing. If he wants their help, he has to join the School of Ministry though – and that means going through a series of treacherous challenges and leave on a mission to securet the Windgate. In the meantime, he has to face some serious challenges in the love department, and has to fight evil itself.

I wasn’t too fond of the whole evil itself conflict – I’m convinced no one is truly evil, and everyone is a mix of things – but that aside, the book was great. Ziv – awesome name, by the way – is an enthralling, endaring character. His life story may be dipped in sadness, but he always manages to see the bright side of things, no matter how much he’s struggling.

There’s definitely more story to tell her, and I can’t wait for the sequel. Four well-deserved stars.