⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – An immersive adventure on an epic scale
A few weeks ago, I finished reading the book ‘The One and Only Ivan’ to my 9 year old. It’s a warm kid-friendly take on a terrible story about a gorilla locked up in a mall for decades. But the story was approachable and my son seemed to enjoy it. Before we dived into the sequels (there are three more), I decided to start a different book entitled ‘Habilis: The Aura Seed’. Unlike Katherine Applegate, the author of ‘The One and Only Ivan’, I had never heard of the author of ‘Habilis: The Aura Seed’.
The only knowledge I had going into it was that it was in the young readers section of my local library and my son picked it our along with some other random Dog Man graphic novels.
Opening the book, it features some interesting looking creatures almost set in a reference format, so it seems like there is going to be some world-building as part of this book. This was a pretty big concern of mine, since my son is not the best at following new story inventions. I figured I would deal with the usual question asking as the book went along.
I can tell you that the beginning of the book is a bit slow, mainly because you can see the author is building the story and the reason for the ‘quest’ as it’s called. However, after about chapter four, my son did not want me to put it down. The story has so many dynamic qualities about relationships between characters, but more than anything this book is an epic adventure.
It’s the kind of adventure I yearn to share with my son. So many books catered to a 9-year-old boy are graphic novels filled with bathroom jokes and bright colors. This book feels special. It feels like a book designed to draw a young mind into a world filled with endless possibilities of danger and redemption.
Overall, the book has sort of a Tolkein feel, but different enough so that it isn’t annoying. The best thing about this book is that the author really captured his audience and the story ebbs and flows perfectly for younger readers. It’s a genuinely solid story filled with twists and turns and narrow misses. And whereas there is nothing particularly gruesome in the book, there are some heart-wrenching scenes where my son expressed some intense sadness. These are temporary luckily and (spoiler alert) everything works out just fine in the end.
My only criticism is the length of the book. It feels a bit light, considering the amount of world-building taking place. Things feel like they get resolved too quickly or the exchanges with certain characters feel too brief.
The books leaves room for a sequel at the end and indeed it looks like another book is coming in 2026. My son and I really bonded with this book, not unlike the first book in the Harry Potter series we had previously read together. Certainly Habilis is no Harry Potter, but it does have the ability to pull you into the story and keep you wanting more.
Overall, I certainly recommend this to all young readers, and my son and I are genuinely hoping for a long amazing series of these books in the future.
We join Welim, a mild-mannered Habilis, who has been tasked with the most important quest in generations. When the moon begins to change, he knows his quest has begun. But he can’t do it alone. Alongside his friend Remik, he must prevent the spread of an ancient parasite that feeds off all living things before it’s too late. Which is easier said than done when a pack of ferocious Kangals is hunting them down. Join them on a fraught adventure through lush forests, frozen tundras, and putrid caves. Along the way, they find out much more than just what they are capable of.
Welim, a mild-mannered Habilis, never imagined he would be chosen for the most important quest in generations. But when the moon begins to change, signaling the start of his quest, he must rise to the challenge. Alongside his brave friend Remik, Welim embarks on a perilous journey to stop the spread of an ancient parasite that feeds on all living things.
Their path is fraught with danger—ferocious Kangals relentlessly pursue them, while lush forests, frozen tundras, and putrid caves test their resolve. As the duo battles against time and nature’s fiercest obstacles, they uncover more than just their hidden strength—they unravel truths that could reshape their world.
A thrilling adventure of courage, friendship, and survival awaits in Habilis: The Aura Seed.
Habilis: The Aura Seed is the debut novel by author E.K. Mikulski, a proud father of two boys, living in Connecticut with his wife Monica. Inspired by a love of storytelling and a desire to create something special for his children, he wrote Habilis: The Aura Seed, an adventure novel for young readers. Originally written solely as a gift for his sons, the book quickly garnered widespread acclaim from early readers, encouraging Mikulski to publish it for a broader audience.
With its blend of excitement, imagination, and life lessons, Habilis: The Aura Seed marks the beginning of an upcoming series of books featuring these characters. When not writing, Mikulski enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.
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