Gamadin: Book 1, Word of Honor

By Tom Kirkbride

Sixteen-year old Harlowe Pylott and Matt Riverstone are body surfing the gnarliest waves of the new century when their fun is interrupted by a yacht capsizing off the Newport coast. After rescuing the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1934572063
• ISBN13: 9781934572061
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: Emerald Book Co
• Length: 434 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.6" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 12 to 20 years
• Grade Range: Grade 7 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

You won't be disappointed!

Excellent story and character development. As an attorney, I seldom have the time to read for pleasure, and I don't ordinarily read science fiction, but once I picked p Book I of Gamadin and started reading, there was little I could do to stop turning the pages. Suitable for readers of nearly any age or anyone who has ever looked up at the stars and wondered what could be out there, Gamadin: Word of Honor will take you on an adventure from far away galaxies in deep space to more familiar settings such as Newport Beach, California...even if you've never been to California the author's impressive style of describing people and places will make you feel like you're a local. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this book! It will leave you anxious for Book II's release, which I have heard is due for release this October. You won't regret giving this great author and series a try!

A Nice Surprise

I was given a copy of Gamadin: Word of Honor by my sister, to read while on a business trip to Florida. I felt obliged to to take it along and knew she would ask for my opinion later, since the author is her boyfriend. Being a budget analyst and not really wanting to plod through something technical while on the plane (and expecting that), I was pleasantly surprised to find a well-written, entertaining story, with characters that very quickly grow on you. I particularly enjoyed the General, and hope he shows up again in future novels of this series. This was a fun read, and I could see the story taking off in all kinds of directions. I highly recommend that you check this novel out. It was hard to set down, and you'll become a fan too.

"Word of Honor"

Book 1, Gamadin: Word of Honor I seldom take the time to read fiction these days but needed something to fill the time while traveling to Hawaii on vacation. I am certainly glad that I selected "Word of Honor". What a fun read. By the time the plane touched down in Maui, I was half finished and could not wait to get into my lounge chair so I could continue the adventure. "Word of Honor" is the first of a series of books that in the "Harry Potter" tradition leave you clammering for more. The story contains a wonderful mixture of everyday real world happenings and imaginative science fiction fantasy. The "G" rated language makes it perfect for children of all ages, especially grown up ones like me. When I finished reading this book, (in record time for me), I immediately contacted the author and asked when I would be able to read the next installment. I suspect that most people who read "Word of Honor" will feel the same way. It would not surprise me at all if, once it gains a little exposure, the series generates a cult-like following not seen since the early days of Harry Potter. Read this book... you will not be dissapointed.

Wow, what a ride!

When our book club first received Book 1, Gamadin: Word of Honor to review, many of us thought this would be another UFO story or off-world space tale, especially after reading the first chapter, which put us on the distant planet of Amerloi. But we realized that this was no ordinary adventure when we were transported to a very earthly Newport Beach, California! There we meet a couple of surfers, Harlowe Pylott and Matt Riverstone, taking on the waves of a closed beach. They come across a boating accident. Saving its passengers leads Harlowe to his half-alien, soon-to-be significant other, Leucadia Mars. He finds out that having a girlfriend like "Lu" has its consequences, like a promise that could cost all of them their lives. In no time, a series of events leads the boys in search of the galaxy's most powerful weapon: Millawanda, an ancient Gamadin spaceship. Discovering new words like "robobs," "Dakadudes" and "undog" is only part of the charm of Word of Honor. The fast pace, strategy and battle sequences, and inter-relationships of the characters are well put together. "Flashback" passages are cleverly woven in throughout, providing clarity to the story and in many places, setting the stage for events to come. The two surfers are fresh, likable, irreverent, good-yet-"bad boys" that you would want to go out with on a date, or just hang out with. They are cool, funny and forthright - definitely hero material. Who would have guessed that two ordinary sixteen-year old boys would lead the resurrection of a once mighty, galactic police force? We especially enjoyed the portrayal of the two female lead characters, Leucadia and her mother, Sook, who are intelligent, independent and strong - very good role models for our younger female readers. You will find the common thread of love, loyalty and a sense of purpose over self woven throughout the story, as the young characters begin their epic inter-galactic adventure. Even the junior characters of the story have their own special appeal, and a few of them even have the potential to steal the show. As a club, we found Word of Honor a heartwarming surprise of Southern California lifestyle humor and plot twists, full of imagination. You will find yourself drawn into the Gamadin saga with Book One. It is, we have found, quite a ride!! You don't have to be a sci-fi aficionado to enjoy this adventure. The story and characters are engaging enough to capture both the young adult and the young-at-heart audience. All of us felt the same sense of regret once the story ended, and we look forward with enthusiasm to Book Two!!

Great book for new author!

I'm a fiction reader, but not usually sicence fiction. However, this book bridges todays "reality" fiction with sicense fiction. The best parts for me is the varied characters (beautiful women, surfer dudes, freaks) and the incredible non-stop suspence. Suspence like Dean Koontz's Intensity. This is a page turner, I'm ready for Book 2 ASAP!