Elyon

I’m trapped. Trapped in hell and turning Scab while these insane Forest Dwellers try to convince me the inevitable won’t happen.

Book: Elyon by Ted Dekker, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008

Genre: Fantasy

Target Audience: Boys 15+

Subjects: Destiny, Leadership, Faithfulness, Love, Betrayal, Sacrifice

Summary: The battle for control of Johnis’ mind continues with Silvie and Shadea both wanting it. Marak continues to battle between his conscience and his orders and his attraction to this feisty, troublesome female who has chosen to stand by him no matter what. Shadea continues to struggle to take out her enemy. And Darsal, foolish Darsal who has chosen to love the enemy, just wants them all to drown!

Notes: This is the sixth and last in the companion series to the Circle series. These books take place within a certain part of the Circle series with some of the same characters and settings but with different main characters and their story and adventures. The series has beautiful allegorical elements, but also a lot of violence. In some places it gets perhaps a bit too descriptive for younger readers. In this book Johnis continues to face the issue of seduction as Shadea uses seduction to convince Johnis to do her will. Darsal continues to face the challenge of being asked to love the enemy. More than any of the others in the series, this one feels like a continuance of the last adventure rather than a new one. Therefore the issues they struggle with are the same.

Recommendation Scale: 4.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Lunatic

I’m trapped. Trapped in hell and turning Scab while these insane Forest Dwellers try to convince me the inevitable won’t happen.

Book: Lunatic by Ted Dekker, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008

Genre: Fantasy

Target Audience: Boys 15+

Subjects: Destiny, Leadership, Faithfulness, Love, Betrayal, Sacrifice

Summary: They’ve returned home but home is not the same. It’s been five years and in those five years the Horde successfully gained control. The followers of Elyon are in hiding and Darsal, Johnis and Silvie have no idea how to find them. Darsal finds herself a prisoner with some other followers of Elyon who tell her of the changes since she left. Johnis and Silvie are found by someone as well, but not a follower of Elyon. Rather they are found by Shaeda – some kind of being that has seized control of Johnis’ mind and will. Darsal, knowing the truth, opens herself up to Elyon and receives what must surely be a mistake in instructions: love the Horde. Johnis and Silvie are in desperate need of salvation but have no where to turn for it.

Notes: This is the fifth in the companion series to the Circle series. These books take place within a certain part of the Circle series with some of the same characters and settings but with different main characters and their story and adventures. The series has beautiful allegorical elements, but also a lot of violence. In some places it gets perhaps a bit too descriptive for younger readers. In this book Johnis faces the issue of seduction as Shadea uses seduction to convince Johnis to do her will. Darsal faces the challenge of being asked to love the enemy.

Recommendation Scale: 4.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 5:44 – But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

First Date (Krista McGee)

“Hello, Jonathan. My name is Addy Davidson. I have no desire to be part of this ‘competition’, and I suggest my name be the very first you take off the list.”

Book: First Date by Krista McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2012

Genre: Adventure/Romance/Allegory

Target Audience: Girls 13-19

Subjects: Sharing your faith, missions, loss, dating relationships, friendship

Summary: Addy is the last person she thinks should be chosen for a reality tv show where girls are competing to be the president’s son’s date to prom. But she’s the one who was chosen and like it or not, she’s on the show. And despite her prayers for God to get her out of it, He has put her here for some reason. But as the show goes on, she realizes that she actually kind of likes Jonathan. She hates all the attention and wants to go home, but she wouldn’t mind getting to know him a bit better. The trouble is that most of the other girls hate her for her successes with a few of the contests and the director really hates her! There isn’t much he won’t stoop top in order to get rid of Addy or at the very least, make her life quite miserable.

Notes: It’s the story of Esther! This book is a modern adventure story that’s telling the story of Esther. It’s got the parents dying when she’s young, being raised by an uncle, the uncle working for the government, a bad guy who’s a right hand man, an innocent and oblivious royal guy and a girl who’s afraid to share her faith and make it known that she belongs to Jesus. Addy struggles to do what she knows God wants of her, to have a good attitude and to be kind towards those who are being mean to her. She wants to share her faith but is afraid to do so. She’s always turning to God though, always asking for His help and is reading her Bible to find answers as well. Another issue covered is that her parents died when she was six while they worked as missionaries and she still feels some of the hurt and pain from that. Overall, this book covers the spiritual issues quite thoroughly. It’s a focus of the books.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Esther 4:14 – For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

Disclaimer: This book was provided for free by Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

Chaos

“We made the right choice, Silvie.” But his voice was filled with doubt. “We’re here to find the seven books before the Dark One does. We’ll do that or die trying.”

Book: Chaos by Ted Dekker, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008

Genre: Fantasy

Target Audience: Boys 15+

Subjects: Destiny, Leadership, Faithfulness, Love, Betrayal, Sacrifice

Summary: There’s in the histories now. It’s not just a simulation. They’ve truly gone back a thousands of years ago. And they’re all separated. Johnis and Silvie are together, but they have no idea where Kara or Darsal is. Kara and Darsal have been in this world for years already and it, as well as the loss of Billos has changed them. Johnis and Silvie have to find a way to regain control of their renegade emotions and figure out how to survive in this strange new world, but not only survive. They’ve got to find the other two and the books of history and get back home before evil takes over their entire land.

Notes: This is the fourth in the companion series to the Circle series. These books take place within a certain part of the Circle series with some of the same characters and settings but with different main characters and their story and adventures. The series has beautiful allegorical elements, but also a lot of violence. In some places it gets perhaps a bit too descriptive for younger readers. In this book Johnis and Sylvie face the challenge of making good choices when their emotions are out of control. Darsal has to wrestle with a God who doesn’t give her everything she wants. Elyon allowed Billos to make his choice and allowed Darsal to make hers. Then He allowed them to face the natural consequences of those choices. But she is angry and is turning away from Elyon because she doesn’t like the consequence of their choices. It’s a story of how to respond to God when hard times come.

Recommendation Scale: 4.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 1:21 – For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

Renegade

Billos and the books were simply gone. Johnis, Silvie, and Darsal sat on their horses and stared, completely dumbstruck. Silvie was the first to find her voice. “He’s gone.” “They’re gone”, Johnis said.

Book: Renegade by Ted Dekker, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008

Genre: Fantasy

Target Audience: Boys 15+

Subjects: Destiny, Leadership, Faithfulness, Love, Betrayal, Sacrifice

Summary: He’s gone into the other world. Billos has touched his finger to the books and is now somewhere in the other world, doing, who knows what! And he, of course, has the books with him. So now, it’s up to the other three to find a way to get another book and get to Billos before the evil ones do. But Billos isn’t alone. Marsuvees Black has already gotten to him and introduced Billos to power, super power.

Notes: This is the second in the companion series to the Circle series. These books take place within a certain part of the Circle series with some of the same characters and settings but with different main characters and their story and adventures. The series has beautiful allegorical elements, but also a lot of violence. In some places it gets perhaps a bit too descriptive for younger readers. In this book Johnis has to figure out how to lead a broken hearted Darsal after her lover as well as Silvie who will now follow Johnis anywhere. They’ve been forbidden to tell anyone, even Thomas Hunter about these books, but when so much is at stake, it’s becoming increasingly hard to keep that vow. This book does a beautiful job portraying God’s unending and forgiving love for us as Billos gets more than he deserves. Then it also shows sacrificial love as Darsal is wiling to risk her life for Billos and in the end, Billos for her.

Recommendation Scale: 4.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

John 15:13 – Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Infidel

You’ve lost your mind, Johnis. He swallowed hard. He was mad. And your heart has been blackened by the Dark One. This time you’re playing with the lives of five hundred fathers and mothers.

Book: Infidel by Ted Dekker, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2007

Genre: Fantasy

Target Audience: Boys 15+

Subjects: Destiny, Leadership, Faithfulness, Love

Summary: His mother is alive! The horde know exactly what they’re doing. They set his mother’s ring out on a rock for the roush to find and deliver to Johnis hoping for exactly what he’s doing now: rushing off without telling anyone what’s going on and making foolish decisions that could destroy others in his attempt to rescue his mother. When the horde capture Silvie too and many die at the hands of the horde it’s time for better planning. Johnis is not only going to have to free his mother, but the other chosen ones as well.

Notes: This is the second in the companion series to the Circle series. These books take place within a certain part of the Circle series with some of the same characters and settings but with different main characters and their story and adventures. The series has beautiful allegorical elements, but also a lot of violence. In some places it gets perhaps a bit too descriptive for younger readers. In this book Johnis has to make some very difficult choices and learn what it really does mean to follow his heart. He thinks that rushing off and leading others to their death in an attempt to rescue his mother is following his heart, but realizes that’s not what Elyon wants of him. He has to learn to trust his mother’s care to Elyon and proceed with wisdom and caution.

Recommendation Scale: 4.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Proverbs 4:23 –Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Making Waves

“I feel so much pressure. My mom is pressuring me not to let anything slip. Coach is pressuring me to be the best. I’m pressuring myself to earn a scholarship.” She took a tissue from Pam and blew her nose. “All of those are good things, but sometimes it’s just too much when you put them all together – especially when I’m so tired.”

Book: Making Waves by Nicole O'Dell, Barbour Publishing, 2010

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 13-18

Subjects: Stress, Friendship, Evangelism, Relationship with parents, drugs, dating relationships

Summary: The pressure is everywhere! If she really wants to succeed at swimming and earn a scholarship then Kate needs to be at practice twice a day and on Saturday. And she needs to be at her best during each of these practices, but especially during competitions. But she can’t let anything else slip – her friendships, her relationship with her mom, her commitment to the Church musical, her grades, her new dating relationship – anything. Finally the pressure gets too much and some of the other team members notice and give her a suggestion: get addicted to caffeine. So she starts using coffee, energy drinks and caffeine pills to get through the day. It works great until her mom finds out and demands she stop completely. Then comes the big state competition and with no supplements Kate feels worn down and desperately in need of something. When she asks the other team members for help, their offer comes in the form of a new substance she hasn’t done yet: drugs.

Notes: This is one of the Scenarios books – a series where the books start out as a standard realistic fiction book with girls in their mid-teens dealing with normal teen issues. Then at the climax of the book it becomes a choose your own adventure style with two endings the reader can pick from. Both endings are fairly realistic, not a happily-ever-after fairy tale with one choice and misery with the other, but rather both open and real about possible consequences of choices. In this book, the character gets overwhelmed with all the pressure of a normal high school girl and turns to supplements to get by until she if offered illegal drugs and has to choose whether or not to accept it. One ending shows the possible consequences of accepting, the other shows the possible consequences of not accepting and going so far as to turn in to the teacher those who offered it. Another issue brought up is that of dating relationships as she considers whether or not to pursue turning a friendship into a dating relationship. With both endings she considers the possibility of waiting before stepping into that kind of relationship. As for spiritual elements, the character is a Christian but has hidden that fact from the others on her swim team. They know she goes to Church, but she says her mom makes her. In the endings we see how her decision to not act like a Christian or be bold about her faith causes her team members to doubt her when she claims she is. She also learns to turn to Christ as a source of strength and begins praying and putting her trust in Him rather than supplements to find the strength to do her best.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Isaiah 40:29 – He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Alienation

She slipped a USB drive into Colt’s hand. “There’s a file called Operation Nemsis – as in the Greek god of revenge.” “Okay,” Colt said, confused. “One of the documents is a list of people who have been targeted for termination,” she said. “Senator Bishop’s name is on there… and so is yours.”

Book: Alienation by Jon S. Lewis, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2011

Genre: Science Fiction

Target Audience: Boys 13-20

Subjects: Aliens, Loss of parents, friendship, dating relationships, courage, greed, power

Summary: Now it’s not only the aliens who are out to get Colt, it’s the good guys too! The director of  C.H.A.O.S. wants him dead. It seems that when Colt was young, people were injected with alien DNA in hopes that one of them would become the legendary Thule Betrayer who would turn against the aliens and save the humans from them. And Colt is the only one who’s body did not reject the DNA. So he’s supposed to be the savior of the world. That would mean taking over the job of director of C.H.A.O.S. and that’s exactly what the current director can’t allow. So Colt gets added to his list of people to get rid of and the alien who works for him begins the attempts to kill Colt.

Notes: This is the second in the C.H.A.O.S. novels, a series that explores the question of “What if aliens were real and were determined to take over our world?”. In this book Colt is about to start his training at the C.H.A.O.S. academy with his friends Oz and Danielle. But before he can get there, he learns about his being injected with the alien DNA as a child and the legend. And he learns about the director’s plans to kill him. There is not as much focus on the loss of his parents, but still some as he continues to mourn them. He notes that he is into the anger stage of the processes of grieving. Then action takes back over and we don’t hear much more about it. He continues to do the right thing no matter what trials come his way. As for outright spiritual elements – this book, unlike the first one, actually includes a spiritually focused scene. Colt’s grandfather gives him a medallion with a Bible verse on it about God being our refuge and strength and says that while he was fighting, this verse would encourage him to not give up. And towards the end, there is a scene where Colt finds his grandfather reading a Bible.

Recommendation Scale: 3/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Peter 2:11 – Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.


Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through Booksneeze.com. 

The Island Mystery

“How about it, kids? Which one of you will go?”

Book: The Island Mystery by Janet Bly, Chariot Books, 1985

Genre: Adventure (Choose Your Own Adventure Book)

Target Audience: Boys 11-13

Subjects: Trust in God

Summary: It’s an exciting opportunity –a  trip to Hawaii to present a computer game so good it got the attention of an international cooperation. But before they arrive, the characters face some pretty extreme choices. Bad guys chasing after them lead to decisions such as running for your life and fighting off strange creatures in a cave.

Notes: This is a “Choose your own adventure book” with a new option nearly every page. There is very little spiritual elements in the book although in one of the endings the main character does share his faith with someone.

Recommendation Scale2/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Proverbs 16:16 –How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

The Temptations of Pleasure Island

          “This is a great place,, but these people think about nothing but having fun. Everybody goes somewhere every night. A party, or a race, or a concert, or a ball. There’s got to be more to life than just having fun!”

Book: The Temptations of Pleasure Island by Gilbert Morris, Moody Publishers, 2000

Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Adventure/Futuristic

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 13-17

Subject: Pleasure and entertainment, gambling, good vs. evil, relationships with family, temptation

Summary: A vacation at last! The sleepers are sent to Pleasure Island for some relaxation and there’s no place better for it. These people are absolute experts at having fun. The sleepers are honored guests of the royal family and given all the privileges of such. Reb gets to join the horse racing, Abby gets to go shopping and the others are offered plenty of fun activities as well. But all is not as it seems on the surface. The king has been getting more and more depressed and the Dark Lord is planning on taking full advantage of the focus on fun to achieve his own goals. And if the sleepers get in the way, they’ll just be destroyed.

Notes: This story looks at how temptation can come disguised as something fun and pleasurable. The people of this kingdom are offered any form of pleasure they desire but the most they focus on the it, the less fulfilled they become.  The Seven Sleepers series is Science Fiction in that it is futuristic. It is not meant to be fantasy. It is meant to be realistic fiction set in the future, but it seems like fantasy most of the time! The story takes place after the earth has been almost destroyed by nuclear warfare. What's left has been genetically changed and messed up. All sorts of strange creatures and people exist now that didn't before. Whether it be giants, dinosaurs or something else, most of "Nuworld" is strange and seems like something that could only exist in fantasy. The sleepers are 7 children who were placed in sleep capsules right before the war began, then the capsules opened 50 years later to this genetically altered world.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’  “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’  “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

Replication

Martyr swallowed and closed his eyes. “My purpose is to expire. To be a sacrifice for those who live outside. I expire in twenty-five days, when I turn eighteen. Then my purpose will be fulfilled.”

Book: Replication by Jill Willamson, Zondervan Publishers, 2011

Genre: Science Fiction

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 16-20

Subjects: Cloning, Genetics, Chronic disease, Dating relationships, friendship, evangelism, love

Summary:  J:3:3 has one purpose in existence – to expire. He’s a real human, but he’s been cloned in secret cloning farm and taught all his life that he will only live for a certain time and only to make it so that others can live full lives in the outside world. Abby doesn’t know what her purpose in existence is. Her parents fought a lot while her mom was alive, then her mom died of cancer. Now her dad is hauling her off to Alaska where he’s found a new job and Abby is even more unsure what her purpose is. When their two worlds collide everything they thought they knew about themselves could change.

Notes: This book explores a concept that some believe will be reality one day: cloning human beings. Abby knows what her mom believed about it and knows what her dad believes about it and has to decide for herself what she believes. She is a Christian and bases her decisions on her Christian worldview. Martyr quickly becomes a Christian, eagerly studying the Bible and learning more about God. When romance comes into the picture, it comes from studying the Bible. Martyr, the new Christian, then at the end, shows Abby, the one who has been a Christian for years, what it means to follow Christ. And once again, the Bible is quoted. The Bible and what it means to truly follow Christ is a big focus of this book. It is implied as the ultimate source of authority.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 16:11 – You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Lassie: Under The Big Top

Jimmy was mad at his parents. At God, too. Why wouldn’t his parents help look more for Lassie? And why wouldn’t God answer his prayer and send Lassie home?

Book: Under the Big Top (Lassie) by Marian Bray, Chariot Books, 1995

Genre: Adventure/Animal Story

Target Audience: Boys 10-14

Subjects: Friendship, Trust in God, Loss, Anger, Prayer

Summary: As Jimmy plays with his friend for a little bit, Lassie plays with her friend. But then Lassie gets caught in something and winds up in a truck, not getting free until she’s hours from home. Jimmy has no idea where she is and is devastated at the loss! A few clues come up and they follow them, but Lassie is no where to be found. As time goes by, everyone except Jimmy stops searching and moves on with life. But Jimmy has no idea how to recover from this loss! Will he ever see Lassie again?
Notes: This is one of the books in the Lassie series, based off of the TV shows. In this book Jimmy struggles with his attitude toward God and toward his parents after Lassie disappears. He does not trust God anymore. He even stops hanging out with any of his friends because of his anger. Then he runs into some kids he does not know all that well that tell him that never stopped praying for him and for Lassie’s return. He realizes that God had never left him, nor Lassie for that matter and recognizes that the kids who never stopped praying were the faithful ones, not himself who just got angry and stopped trusting.

Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Dragons Of The Watch

Rumbard City is under some kind of wizardry. Those rapscallions have been six for several centuries. But they don’t remember that they were six last year and will be six again on the next birthday. Therefore they never mature, never learn from their experiences, never grow up physically. They are little hooligans suspended in a perpetual state of selfish rebellion.

Book: Dragons Of The Watch by Donita K. Paul, Waterbrook Press, 2011

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls, 13-113

Subjects: Faith in God, Good vs. Evil struggles, Friendships, Maturity, Love

Summary: All she did was chase after her runaway goat. And the next thing she knew she was in a bottle. Ellie stumbled into a city that has been put under a spell – it’s been contained in a bottle for centuries as punishment for not following Wulder. All that’s left of the city’s residents are a bunch of unruly, out of control, six year olds and the “Old One”, the man who is presumably the guardian of these children. Thankfully though, there’s one more person in Rumbard City. Another Tumanhofer stumbled into the bottle too. Bealomondore, friend of Princess Tipper is unsure about his future. He once thought he was going to be an artist. Now however, he could be a politician, he could take over his family’s business, he could be a warrior. There’s plenty of time to figure it out now. Getting out of the bottle is not as easy as getting in. So Ellie and Bealomondore spend weeks pouring over the books in the library of the Old One, seeking answers on how to escape the bottle. And Ellie begins attempts to tame the children. Will this be their future or is there truly a way out of Rumbard City?

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 focuses on what Wulder (God) ‘s will for a person’s life is. Bealomondore has fully placed his trust in Wulder and is seeking direction for his career. Ellie thinks her life is set for her. She assumes she will remain in her small community and always be lower class than Bealomondore.  Ellie has to come to place her faith in Wulder as Bealomondore teaches her of him. And Bealomondore, as far as he has come in his understanding of Wulder, still is thinking only of himself as he considers his life, not others. Ellie’s simple compassion for the children challenges him. Each carefully evaluates their hearts, opening themselves up to what needs changing. I highly recommend this book, and the series – Dragons of Chiril to anyone wanting a fun, light, but encouraging reading.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart;  test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Springtime Of Khan

The horses were passing through the house when a voice, all too familiar, sliced through the evening stillness: “That’s my horse! She stole my horse!”

Book: Springtime Of Khan by Marian Flandrick Bray, Chariot Books, 1988

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Horse Story

Target Audience: Girls 12-16

Subjects: Friendship, Integrity, Relationship with family, Animal abuse, Showing love to enemies

Summary:  When Emily finds a horse that has been abused the last thing she wants to do is give it back to it’s owner.  When she finds out that the owner is the girl who has made herself Emily’s enemy, she’s even more reluctant. Since she can’t just steal another person’s property, she tries to convince her dad to help her buy the horse. But owning Khan won’t stop her troubles with Sarah. Sarah is still willing to go to great lengths to torment Emily. And that means that the danger is not yet over for Khan.

Notes: This is one of the two books by this author about these characters - a young girl, her brothers, father and friends. I have not been able to tell which one came first as they were both released at the same time and I currently only have access to this one. There are spiritual elements all through this book. Emily is a fairly new Christian but it seeking to do what God wants of her. She is reminded that she is to love her enemies but has a very difficult time doing this. When she needs wisdom or is in trouble she turns to God in prayer. There’s even a discussion about whether or not someone is saved and going to Heaven after death.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 5:44 – But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

The Song Of Unmaking

As fast as he could, he sprinted up the riverbed, toward the horses, into the dark night. He ran, never looking back, with Cruedwyn close at his heels. He leapt onto his horse and rode hard towards Brimshane. Behind him, nightmares were coming to life.

Book: The Song Of Unmaking by D. Barkley Briggs, Living Ink Books, 2011

Genre: Fantasy

Target Audience: Boys 14+

Subjects: Identity, Loss, Sacrifice, Courage

Summary: Things just keep getting worse for the Barlow brothers. Ewan is feeling more and more empty and useless all the time. An army of strange creatures called Goths – giant creatures that have only one purpose – to destroy, are unleashed and are attacking the castle harboring the brothers and many others. There seems to be no way to get word out that help is needed. And how is anyone supposed to stop these monsters anyway? If that’s not bad enough, it seems that Nemesia is not dead, but has returned and plans are being made for complete destruction of the land – a machine that will play a song of unmaking, a song to destroy the creation.

Notes: This is the 3^rd in the Legends of Karac Tor series about four brothers who travel to another world and have a role to play in saving the world. This author ties in connections to the King Arthur legends and the concept of naming – the power found in knowing your identity in Christ. In this book, the boys’ dad arrives as well and joins the adventures. The loss of his wife/their mother comes into play again in this book as one of the issues dealt with. The main issue continues to be seeking identity, especially for Ewan, but in at least a small way, for all of the brothers. As with the second book, there isn’t quite as powerful of imagery as the first, but it still focuses a bit on identity in Christ. This one also focuses a lot on loss and pain.

Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Lamentations 3:19-23 –I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Corus The Champion

“Fine, mortal,” Marielle said slyly, smiling. “I will make you a bargain. A good bargain if you are not a fool. I will tell you where Corus is if you give me your music. The magic of the song will have passed from you to me.”

Book: Corus The Champion by D. Barkley Briggs, Living Ink Books, 2011

Genre: Fantasy

Target Audience: Boys 14+

Subjects: Identity, Loss, Sacrifice, Courage

Summary: All four brothers are now in Karac Tor and each has his own role to play in stopping the evil that is spreading over the land. Nemisa was stopped but not before she had spread the discontent to all of the unnamed and not before she encouraged evil to come. The land needs a king and it needs a king’s champion. Both need to be set free though and their freedom will come at perhaps too high of a price to the Barlow brothers.

Notes: This is the 2^nd in the Legends of Karac Tor series about four brothers who travel to another world and have a role to play in saving the world. This author ties in connections to the King Arthur legends and the concept of naming – the power found in knowing your identity in Christ. In this book, each boy faces some challenge and adventure, but Ewan faces an especially difficult challenge as the price the fairy queen demands for freedom is Ewan’s gift of music. His music, playing the Creator’s song holds power and this is where he finds his identity. The spiritual elements are allegorical. This one isn’t as powerful of imagery as the first one but it still focuses a little bit on identity.

Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Ephesians 5:19 – Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord

Torrent

I’d been given my dearest desire – my family, here with me, making it possible. How could I be giving in? Now? After all we’d been through? The way had been made! I only had to escape this trap…

Book: Torrent: A Novel (River of Time Series) by Lisa Tawn Bregren, David C. Cook Publishers, 2011

 

Genre: Fantasy/Historical/Modern Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 14-19

Subjects: War, Love, Family relationships, destiny/purpose

Summary: They’re back again. This time they’ve got their dad with them as well. So the whole family is complete now. But even with the last enemy killed, there’s still more out there who want to see Marcello and his family destroyed. They’ve captured his brother and are using it as a trap to get to Marcello. Then they get Gabi again – this time with plans to force her into marriage to Marcello’s friend Rodolfo – a friend who is on the other side but truly admires Gabi. Surrender would be so easy. All they ask is a marriage to a kind man who would love her, but who is not Marcello. Is there any way out of this latest trap or is it time to stop fighting?

Notes: This is the third in the Rivers of Time series about two sisters who manage to accidentally travel through time to the 14^th century and play a large role in the events taking place in that time and place. As with the first two books, there is not a large amount of Christian references in it. There is no focus on the Bible. This book however has Gabi turning a little bit more to God. She feels God has given her a purpose in being in this time period – to belong to Marcello and be his wife. So when the enemy forces her to marry another at knife-point she has to keep seeking wisdom and answers from Him.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 3.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Genesis 2:24 – For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Cascade

I don’t know what freaked me out more. The idea of being at the mercy of Lord Paratore – or that they planned to attack Siena tomorrow. “You’ll go with him now, She-Wolf,” he said, his breath washing down the side of my cheek. “But after we deal this deathblow to Siena and those who serve her, I shall come and claim you as my rightful bounty. I shall teach you what it means to be woman in my keep.”

Book: Cascade: A Novel (River of Time Series)by Lisa Tawn Bergren, David C. Cook Publishers, 2011

Genre: Fantasy/Historical/Modern Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 14-19

Subjects: War, Love, Family relationships

Summary: They’re back! Gabi’s heart has led her back to 14^th century Italy with not only her sister, but her mom as well. Time to rejoice and celebrate the love between her and Marcello is short though. The enemy is pressing in with plans to utterly destroy Marcello, his home and all who live there. And they find their biggest advantage to winning is Gabi herself. Capturing her – the great She-Wolf of Siena, and the one who holds Marcello’s heart gives them the power they need to defeat Marcello. Gabi has to find a way to escape and help Marcello defeat the invaders before it’s too late. And in the midst of war, there still looms the question of “what if”. The girls wonder, if it’s possible to travel through time the way they have, could they go back to the time before their dad died and bring him here, to the 14^th century. Do they risk leaving the men who love them for a chance of saving their father?

Notes: This is the second in the Rivers of Time series about two sisters who manage to accidentally travel through time to the 14^th century and play a large role in the events taking place in that time and place. As with the first book, there is not a large amount of
Christian references in it. There is no focus on the Bible. As for prayer, at one point Gabi says she is not much of a praying person, but she is now desperate and her understanding is that desperate people pray. She herself is not actually portrayed as a Christian. The characters put more trust in themselves and each other than in God.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 2/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.