Sir Rowan And The Camerian Conquest

I wasted my life on frivolous applause and pieces of metal, and now my life is over.” Rowan’s heart ached for the life he hadn’t lived. The prince lowered him back [and said] “Your life is not over, for you are a mighty knight of the King. Time is short, and I have a mission that awaits you in Arrethtrae.”

Book: Sir Rowan And The Camerian Conquest by Chuck Black, Multnomah Publishers, 2010

 

Genre: Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and girls 13 and up

Subjects: Pride, Popularity, Loss, Gifts/Talents, Struggle of good vs. evil

Summary: Rowan was nothing more than an orphan working to earn enough to stay alive. Then one day a knight came in and Rowan earned the opportunity to hold his sword, just for a moment. On that day his life changed as the knight realized this young one needed to be trained as a knight of the Prince. But as Rowan’s skills increased, so did his pride. Instead of fighting for the Prince, he fought for the applause of the tournament crowds, for fame and glory for himself. Then brought low and humbled, he begins a different kind of fight that will cost him everything he treasures.

Notes: As with all of the Chuck Black books, this book teaches amazing lessons about what it means to be a follower of Christ. However (spoiler alert!) it lost it’s appeal for me in the last few chapters of the book as a main character died. So if you’re as sensitive as me, you might not want to read this particular one. However, if you can see beyond that, it is a very good story. It takes nearly dying for Rowan to surrender his sword to the One who gave him his talent in the first place. Then it takes losing a loved one to be willing to fight the battle he is called to. It’s a powerful lesson in what it really means to give up everything and follow.

Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 16:24 – Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.