More Than Conquerors: On the Run

By D’Janee (Dreams and Vision Publishing, 2025)

Genre: Fiction – YA, Dystopian, Christan Speculative Fiction

Pages (print): 253

Via: Author Request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book for honest review.

Three young adults have magical-ish gifts. There’s a mysterious Prophecy. Some really, really bad fiery dudes in serious need of chill pills. And some other equally nasty types with red skin, black clothes and murderous intent.

Blurb:

Sophie and her friends have been captured and held prisoner for the purpose of obtaining intelligence they do not have. They have been burned, tortured, and abused for days right after having everything that they have ever known destroyed and taken away from them. They discover from a prophecy that mysteriously appeared to them in the night that they are destined to escape. Motivated with determination and purpose, they must develop a plan for freedom. What they don’t know is that past all the dangerous guards and the unsurpassable escape route is a surprise that will change their lives forever.

The Basics

The young protagonists in this debut novel are Sophie, Jules, and Josh. The story is told in the first person by Sophie.

Each of the “Three Musketeers” has special abilities. Or “gifts.” (Always italicized.) Jules can create ice. Josh can conduct electricity. Sophie creates protective force fields. All of the above come in handy, bub, in this sci fi/speculative fiction novel.

We soon learn that the three friends have just escaped The Dreaded Fireburst Compound. They were tossed into said Compound by the same “beasts” who “ripped our home and everything else we loved away from us.” (Kimber: So. Not Nice!)

The trio soon runs into Walter and his merry band. Their HQ is in a mansion. Wherein they eat a lot. They also train a lot. And run a lot. So, you may want to bring an extra pair of Nikes, young padawan. And maybe some Gatorade. There’s also “Blue Light Energy.” And a Resistance. (Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.)

Issues

While this book has its moments, it also has its issues. For example, who are the Firebursts? Where did they come from? How? When? Why are they bent on destroying everyone and everything? (Kimber: Your guess is as good as mine.)

And what’s up with the Fireburst “spies”? They’re typically plants or animals that are more in less in the pay/possession of said Dreaded Firebursters. Like the fiery bird on the hedge. Or, we assume, the “scampering squirrel.” But they never go anywhere. We have no idea what they’ve observed, if anything, or how, when, where, or why they’re reporting back to their alleged spymasters. So why are they even in the story?

And that bit early on about all the books discovered by Jules, Sophie and Josh? At first, we were like, Eureka! Fellow bibliophiles. But the thread never really goes anywhere. Just kinda runs out of steam. No follow-up or tie-in. The same is true of the mysterious Prophecy.

Sags, Brittle

Additionally, the plots sags in places. Feels brittle and overwritten. For example, instead of just saying, “They went to the medical wing,” we’re treated to eight paragraphs describing the trip. Yawn. And while descriptions of various settings are sturdy and the writing is quite beautiful in places, it sometimes gets in the way of the story. Like, do we really need the nickel tour of every room, toothbrush, cubby, nightstand, mirror and towel rack in the kids’ room in the mansion? Ditto every “plush red armchair,” rug and coffee table in the “lounge area”? Yawn.

Also puzzling: Why is Walter & Co. going out on a “stakeout” (read: invasion) of The Dreaded Fireburst Compound after being clearly told by the trio (who really ought to know) that it’s a suicide mission? What is this guy, nuts? Overly confident? Or just plain dumb?

Even more problematic: Josh, Jules and Sophie decide to join this merry band of resistors on their suicide mission. Because apparently, it’s a chance to “have each other” and “look out for each other – just like always.” Like family. Or something…

It’s pretty thin.

So, while the story has potential, it was rather disappointing. It starts strong. But gets lost in the middle due to over-writing and problems with pacing. So, whether or not most Young Adult readers will hang around till the end is open to question. (It had us reaching for No Doze more than once. Not a good sign, Cupcake.)

A little The Hunger Games, a little Red Rising and a little Divergent, More Than Conquerors shows promise. It would benefit from another edit and some more spit and polish. So we won’t be rating this version.