Cottonmouth And The End

"Yellowthroat, did you hear that? Isn't that amazing?" Fredrick asked, picking up his pace. 

"You must take it easy, young Fredrick. This darkness may not be trustworthy," Yellowthroat responded.

"Come quickly, child," the darkness whispered again.

Book: Cottonmouth and the End by C. S. Fritz, David C. Cook, 2014

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys 9-14

Subjects: The Holy Spirit, Missions, Temptation, Truth

Summary: Sometimes, temptation is just too hard to resist. When the darkness makes promises and claims to be good, Fredrick gives in. He shuts out the helper, and enters the darkness. But the darkness is a liar, a deceiver. Fredrick’s helper frantically tries to find another way in, a way to rescue Fredrick, but it’s hard to rescue someone who has decided to not listen to you, even as you remind him of the words of the One who sacrificed for you.

Notes: This three book series is promoted as “Polar Express” style books. There is text but there are also whole pages with nothing but photos. The pictures very much help tell the story. It’s almost like a picture book for older kids. The story is very allegorical. Someone familiar with the Bible can see the story of Adam and Eve facing temptation, the story of Jesus sacrificing His life for us, the story of the Holy Spirit being sent to help and guide, the story of Jesus going to Heaven to prepare a place for us, the story of satan tempting believers, and the story of the great commission. It's a great allegory for explaining the gospel message to young people. The downfall is that you have to know the Bible stories to know that’s what they’re referring to. The author does not mention anywhere in the book what the allegory is about. So readers are left thinking it’s just a nice fictional story, not that it’s based off of a real story that can change lives as much as the character’s was changed.
In this third and final book, Fredrick comes face to face with temptation. When the darkness whispers in his ear, offering good things and the character representing the Holy Spirit speaks truth, reminding him of the words of the character representing Jesus, he has to make a choice of who to listen to. Then at the end, it gives a picture of the great commission with Fredrick being sent off to tell the rest of the world about Tug.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5 for the average audience, 5/5 for readers very familiar with the Bible

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 28:19-20 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.