Flight Of The Outcasts

“What’s going on?” whined Louisa. Julia turned and went over to her. “We’re in a place called Aedyn. It’s a different kind of world and I think we must have been called here. Peter and I have been here before, so you’re just going to have to trust us, all right?”

Book: Flight Of The Outcasts by Alister McGrath, Zondervan Publishing, 2011
 

Genre: Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 11-15

Summary: They’re back and the world is in even more of a mess than it was last time. The people are prisoners, working as slaves, digging for something – no one knows what. The deeper they dig, the more the earth trembles as if the earth itself will fall apart soon. Peter and Julia are of course thrilled to be back, but not so thrilled at what they brought with them: their stepsister Louisa – a whiner and troublemaker. It’s Louisa though, who may hold the key to what the slave masters want.

Notes: As mentioned in the review of the first in this series, it’s a fantasy/allegory for younger readers. It’s simpler than many. This one was fun in it’s similarity to The Chronicles of Narnia – from the return to the land with a whiny, disliked relative (Voyage Of The Dawn Treader), to their return to an abandoned castle (Prince Caspian) it is clearly getting ideas from C. S. Lewis – which makes sense as he is the expert. So if you enjoy Chronicles of Narnia, you’ll likely enjoy this one too. The spiritual element is still there, especially with Julia – she remembers The Lord of Hosts and continues to put her trust in Him.

Recommendation Scale: 4.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Job 12:13,22 –“To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.

Dragons Of The Valley

We’ve had disturbing reports of an unusual warrior in an enemy camp. The description of this man is more like a beat than one of the seven low races, but he speaks and wears clothes. He also growls and eats his food like a lion devours its pretty, tearing the raw meat from the bone, he wears pants and a shirt all right, but he also wars battle gear and carries a spear that he throws far distances with great accuracy. They call him the grawl. He should not exist.

Book: Dragons Of The Valley by Donita K. Paul, Waterbrook Press, 2010

 

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls, 13-113

Subjects: Faith in God, Good vs. Evil struggles, Family Relationships, Friendships

Summary: Tipper is thinking she likes this change in lifestyle. Questing really is quite enjoyable. And dragons, all these dragons, they are quite wonderful too. And then there’s Paladin. She definitely likes him. When the statues are stolen that keep her father together, the newest adventure begins. An evil creature bent on careful destruction is watching them and fully intends to release dragon eating creatures loose on all of them. A war has begun which could destroy the whole land. Tipper, Wizard Fentworth, his librarian, the kimens, the dragons, Paladin, the grand parrot: Beccaroon, and the artist turned swordsman: Bealomondore and Tipper’s parents have all joined in the battle to save Chiril but are they really any match for the evil sweeping the land?

Notes: Fun. That’s what this book is – as are all of this author’s books. It’s not super deep, with some heavy issue for characters to struggle over, it’s just a simple matter of faith in Wulder or lack of faith. This book has a scene in which Wulder is described in such a beautiful way to one of the characters that they can’t help but believe in Him. The character asks “What is He like?” and the answer comes “’Creator, Wise. Might. Strong. Preserver. Perfect. Sufficient. Holy.’ The words kept bombarding her and with each word came an advance of surety. Healer. Provider. Just. Redeemer. Shied. Judge. Father. Everlasting. Righteous. Deliverer. Patient. All seeing, all knowing, ever present. Counselor. Prince. King. One word rushed out of her mouth in an awed whisper. ‘Wonderful”.  The character gets lost in love of Wulder, who in this story, represents God. I highly recommend this book, and the first in the series – the Vanishing Sculptor to anyone wanting a fun, light, but encouraging reading.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Deuteronomy 7:9 – Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

(This book was given for free by Waterbrook Press in exchange for reviews)