Here (below) are a few genuine reviews from test readers on Goodreads, just after completion a few years ago .  Hope to find a traditional publisher. Contact author if necessary: Paul Rogers at paulr99@gmail.com.

REVIEWS OF ANIMAIA

1. “It was a really good story especially if you are an animal lover. I really loved the story line and the 4 main characters are also amusing and lovable. The pacing and the writing itself was also very good. However, it seems to be a similar to Harry Potter, only animal style. DIPI sounds like Hogwarts. Arno is like Harry, Leroy is Ron.  A lot of potential for this series. I’m excited to read the next one. (4 stars)”

 2. “Nice young adult story about a 13 year old boy named Arno Steele who has to face a family past that he was not aware off. Going to the prestigious DIPD academy where he is to learn how to hone his skills at “speaking” psychically with animals. Most people can speak to one or two species but Arno seems top be able to speak to all. Decent story seemed long on explanation but little action until you get towards the end. But as a first in the series it is a good start. Nice way to spend an afternoon in the sun. (3.5 stars)”

  3. “A very entertaining read! I could compare this book to having a similar feel to either the Harry Potter or Percy Jackson books, but I believe this book is more enjoyable for me as it has an inspiring message with it in regards to ecology and animal rights. By the end of the book, I found myself wanting to re-read the story and also anticipating the follow-up book. (4 stars)”

 4. “Although aimed towards younger teens, this novel can be quite entertaining for an older audience. Arno and his friends’ escapades as well as Charlotte’s sharp tongue will be sure to put a smile on the reader’s face. In a world with refreshing concepts and practices, the heroes have depths that are only partly explored, while the villains are most definitely evil and quite gruesome. I am looking forward to the sequel and hope to learn more about Arno’s mysterious teachers and the legend of the Truemore. A fun read! (4 stars)”

 5. “This book contains a very new concept for a story: certain people talk with animals by means of special telekinesis powers. This power sets them apart from the majority of the citizens who don’t have this power. As always, the different guy becomes the heart or the hero of the story and in this case so it is with Arno. Not everyone in his birthplace can talk to animals and of those who do, most can only talk to one type of animal, maybe two, but in this story Arno, talks to many animals.

That is unheard of, and Arno doesn’t want anyone to know that he can. Yet the cat comes out of the bag when he saves his best friend from being eaten by a giant boa. Some bystanders use their phones to pass videos of the miraculous event along. Now things are changing in his life, even the head of the elite training school takes a personal interest in him. What is going to happen with his friends and football when he enters the prestigious academy? This doesn’t matter to his parents who both want him in that school. He, however, isn’t quite sure he wants to pursue this gift.
Arnos soon finds out that school isn’t as bad as he thought; he even gets to have his friends there. All is peachy until he discovers that there is a mysterious plot brewing on his world, and this can mean only one thing—problems between human and animals.
Animaia is a great read, although it feels a bit slow at times. More dialogue would resolve that problem. It is interesting. I found no editing problems in it. It could be very well received by teen of all ages and adults alike. (4 stars)”

 6. “A very entertaining book for the animal lover in us all. The concept of being able to “sync” with the animals is one I would have always wanted to be able to do. Great story. (3.5 stars )”

 “My first thought about this book and how to describe it is “Harry Potter meets Dr. Doolittle”. I absolutely loved this book. There are plenty of good guys and baddies. I can’t wait for more from this author.”

7. “Animaia is about a world where through evolution, people who were once thought to be witches were actually “gifted” individuals who could psychically link their thoughts with animals, reptiles and birds. Because of this ability, through revolution, a country became Animaia where all people are vegans… no fleshers, skinners or others, even if you are not an anima and “gifted” to be able to sync with the animal kingdom.

 8. Animaia is about Arno Steele, a truly gifted anima who can converse/link with multiple animal groups (a rarity)and his friends as they go off for their first year of school to learn how to control and use their gifts. There are lurking threats from a neighboring country of fleshers (meat eaters) & skinners as well as the question of the crater and the grommets. Shades of Harry Potter, but with a completely different appeal.

Very enjoyable!”