Ryann Watters And The Shield Of Faith

Ryann grinned at his friends, then turned back to face the icy-blue mist. He squinted and thrust one hand in and out of the mysterious aura, hoping it wasn’t burning hot or freezing cold. His hand registered neither so he pushed forward again and left it in place. Nothing. Emboldened by the immediate lack of danger, Ryann put one hand out in front of him and stepped up into the swirling blue mist.

Book: Ryann Watters And The Shield Of Faith Vol 2: Book Two in the Annals of Aeliana Series by Eric Reinhold, Creation House, 2009

Genre: Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 11-16

Subjects: Sacrifice, Trust in God, Pride, Faith

Summary: They’ve waited all summer for a chance to get back to Aeliana and at last their chance is here! But when they show up, they learn that it’s been a lot longer than a few months for the people of Aeliana – in fact, it’s been a few hundred years! The children waste no time jumping right into adventures as they seek the shield of faith they were commissioned to find last spring. The search gets set aside though, when after they hear a strange dwarf prophecy in the wilderness, a white unicorn appears and asks them and others to follow Him. The black unicorn setting himself up as king of the land is not pleased about this at all and soon plans are laid for destruction!

Notes: Ryann Watters And The Shield Of Faith is the second in the Annals of Aeliana series. The series is an allegory with the idea that there is another world out there and God loves the beings of that world and is launching a rescue plan for them too. He is using people from our world to help the other world. The books are packed full of Scripture. It’s through studying God’s Word that Ryann figures out answers to his questions, grows in knowledge and understanding and solves the mystery of where the armor is hidden. The Shield of Faith focuses on retelling the story of Jesus’ three years of ministry, death, resurrection and ascension. It highlights the idea of the 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testament with the idea that the Word has not spoken to them in a few hundred years. It tells the story of John the Baptist with the strange dwarf quoting the words from John 1. It tells of the calling of the disciples as the White Unicorn goes around asking various beings to follow Him. It sets up a religious system to represent the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Then it goes through the three years doing and saying some of the exact things Jesus did and said as recorded in the Gospels. It even shows the followers looking at the Scriptures and not understanding what they mean – how the prophecies represent Him. Interestingly, Ryann and his parents actually discuss the allegory – they talk about how God has obviously created another world and is launching a rescue plan for them as well. It’s basically a speculative story of “What if there were another world and Jesus came and did for them exactly what He did for us?”. It’s a fun, imaginative exploration of the fantasy idea. Of note, due to the Jesus’ figure’s death, this book gets a little bit intense at some moments.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

John 10:10-11 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Ryann Watters And The King's Sword

Ryann and Liddy beamed with delight. They were experiencing a fantasy, previously lived out only through adventure books.

Book: Ryann Watters And The King's Sword: Book One in the Annals of Aeliana Series by Eric Reinhold, Creation House, 2008

Genre: Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 11-16

Subjects: Trust in God, Pride, Faith,

Summary: It’s a fairy tale, but a real one! Ryann, Liddy and Terell get the experience most only read about. It begins when the angel Gabriel shows up in Ryann’s bedroom one night and commissions him with the task of finding the King’s sword. Soon the three children are taking trips to the world of Aeliana where they meet talking animals and dragons and hear the Word speak. The problem is that they are not the only ones given a commission. A fallen angel has appeared to an unhappy boy in their class and given him the task of stopping Ryann, Liddy and Terell. Drake has never hesitated to use his size to bully anyone before and he sees no reason to start now. Intimidation and threats are what he specializes in. And when granted special powers by the dark one, he’s even more dangerous than before. Ryann has been given gifts of power as well though. The question will be who is more powerful: those serving the Word or those serving the fallen rebels?

Notes: Ryann Watters And The King’s Sword is the first in the Annals of Aeliana series. The series is an allegory with the idea that there is another world out there and God loves the beings of that world and is launching a rescue plan for them too. He is using people from our world to help the other world. The books are packed full of Scripture. It’s through studying God’s Word that Ryann figures out answers to his questions, grows in knowledge and understanding and solves the mystery of where the armor is hidden. In this first book it gives a picture of what the Garden of Eden could have been like before the fall of man and what consequences the fall could have had on the world.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

John 1:1-3 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

The Tablet

She rose unsteadily to her feet. Was this really happening> Could this thing… this ‘Tablet’ … really create anything she wanted? Balancing the stone on one hand, she started to scratch in another word until she noticed her fingernail was wearing thin. She changed her mind and wrote F-E-L-T P-E-N instead. Instantly, there was a black felt pen in her hand. Denny’s mind raced with possibilities. What were the limits? Were there any limits?

Book: The Tablet (Book Four) (The Imager Chronicles) by Bill Myers, Bethany House Publishers, 1992

Genre: Fantasy
Target Audience: Boys and Girls 12-15
Subject: Control, Suffering, Trust in God

Summary: No more pain! No more death! No more rules! With Denny in charge, all the mistakes the Imager made in His creation will be changed. The Merchant of Emotions, sister to The Illusionist is only to happy to learn that Denny is starting to think she could do better than the Imager. A carefully planted image in her dreams leads her to a tablet that makes her wishes reality. Whatever she writes on it happens. With her mom in the hospital suffering from a broken leg, the first thing to go is pain. But that doesn’t work. Pain protects people from doing things that lead to death. No problem. Denny just removes death too. Yet, somehow that doesn’t make people thrilled with her either. So she gets rid of rules. Isn’t this the makings of a perfect world?

Notes: The Tablet is the fourth in the series known under three names: Journeys to Fayrah, The Bloodstone Chronicles and The Imager Chronicles. This series focuses on three characters who enter a fantasy world to learn about the love God (known in this world as The Imager) has for them. Each book focuses on one aspect of belonging to Him and trusting Him. The Tablet speculates what would happen if a human tried to run the world instead of God. Denise wants control, doesn’t want to trust the Imager with her life or the life of those she cares about. Yet when she gets the chance to try ruling the world herself, her attempts only lead to the point where a bus is on fire with people trapped inside and a group of people only cares that the view of the event is blocked. No one will die or feel pain and there are no rules so no one sees any reason to care for anyone else. People are miserable and suffering but can’t die. Finally Denny learns that eternal life without The Imager is eternal misery. She learns that letting go of control and trusting the Imager is a much better way for the world to operate. This is a very powerful book that all Christians should read at least once. However, it does get violent and a little bit graphic when everything starts to fall apart due to Denny’s attempts to control it.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 5:2-5 - And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

The Whirlwind

“The evil Bobok and the Illusionist also know the special weave of these tapestries. And they’ll do anything in their power to destroy the children before they step into the Whirlwind, before they’re re-Breathed.”

“Then help them we must,” Listro Q said as he reached into a pocket for his trusty Cross-Dimensionalizer. “At once we’ll go there and –“

“No!” The Weaver cut him off. “To be re-Breathed is something the children must choose on their own, yes it is. It must be of their own free will.”

“But,” Aristophenix protested, “if Bobok and the Illusionist are gonna –”

“Their plan is most evil. If you interfere before the correct time, you will not only destroy the children, but you will destroy yourselves as well.”

Book:The Whirlwind (Book Three) (The Imager Chronicles) by Bill Myers, Bethany House Publishers, 1992

Genre: Fantasy
Target Audience: Boys and Girls 12-15
Subject: Salvation, Popularity, Appearances

Summary: Josh knows he is better than everyone else. Sure, he has some weaknesses, but he really is something impressive. And everyone else ought to recognize that! So when the Illusionist arrives and takes him to the Kingdom of Perfection to keep improving himself until he reaches perfection and can enter the Sea of Justice, Josh agrees, not realizing the Illusionist is hiding the truth – Josh’s attempts to change himself fail to make him perfect. And the Sea of Justice will issue true justice to all who enter. Meanwhile, Denise and Nathan are frantic to find someone perfect who can enter the Sea of Justice and rescue Josh. But when they start to see people as the Imager sees them, as they really are, they recognize that no one is perfect. How can they ever rescue Josh if they can not find someone perfect?

Notes: The Experiment is the third in the series known under three names: Journeys to Fayrah, The Bloodstone Chronicles and The Imager Chronicles. This series focuses on three characters who enter a fantasy world to learn about the love God (known in this world as The Imager) has for them. Each book focuses on one aspect of belonging to Him and trusting Him. In The Whirlwind, the characters finally find salvation. The idea is that Josh tries to make himself perfect and fails because only The Imager is perfect and only by letting Him re-Breathe you, can you risk facing justice. Once He has re-Breathed you, He takes away your imperfection, filling you with His breath. The characters can still choose to dwell on their imperfections or they can see themselves the way the Imager does – spotlessly clean because of being filled by Him.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Romans 3:10-18 - As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know." "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

The Experiment

For the Imager to actually like her, to take personal interest in her, when he was so awesome and powerful and stuff; well, if you asked her, it sounded like a lot of wishful thinking – a nice idea, but definitely fantasyland. Still, according to Listro Q, this was the other reason they’d come – to prove to her that it wasn’t fantasy.
So pack up yer bags;
Let’s get ready to shove
For Josh it’s the proof,
For you it’s the love.

Book:The Experiment (Book Two) (The Imager Chronicles)by Bill Myers, Bethany House Publishers, 1991

Genre: Fantasy
Target Audience: Boys and Girls 12-15
Subject: Scientific Evidence of God, Love, Sacrifice, Faith
Summary: It’s time for Josh to experience Fayrah for himself! Not one of Denise and Nathan’s stories of their trip convinced him that another world could exist. Nope. Josh believes in proof – scientific evidence. That is just what the visitors from Fayrah have come to give him too! A special machine has been designed to show Josh just how real The Imager is. Denise is glad Josh will finally have his proof. That’s what she wanted to have happen in another visit. However, the visitors have something special planned for her too. The unloved little girl is about to experience for herself how great her Creator’s love for her truly is.

Notes: The Experiment is the second in the series known under three names: Journeys to Fayrah, The Bloodstone Chronicles and The Imager Chronicles. This series focuses on three characters who enter a fantasy world to learn about the love God (known in this world as The Imager) has for them. Each book focuses on one aspect of belonging to Him and trusting Him. This second book goes two different directions as The Imager presents lessons to each of the two characters. First of all it focuses on faith – believing in God’s existence. Josh has to be convinced through scientific and logical arguments that The Imager exists even though he can’t see Him. The second focus is how much love a creator has for its creation. Denise is allowed to create two life forms and interact with them and love them deeply. When they rebel she realizes that love will do anything – even lay down their own life – to save them. 
Recommendation Scale: 5/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 John 3:16 - This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Hopes Fulfilled For Peggy

Alice nodded, but she stared into space dreamily, a little half smile on her lips. Peggy, watching her, wondered how you could ever help someone if she didn’t know she needed help. Peggy hated to be snoopy, but she was sure Alice was getting in deeper and deeper with the wrong bunch of kids. And she wasn’t at all bothered about doing something a little bit wrong if it wasn’t convenient to do what was right. “How can I help?” she wondered achingly. Then she turned around impulsively to face Alice. “I – I wish – “ she began and stopped. She wanted to say, “I wish you would become a Christian.” but the words stuck in her throat.

Book: Hopes Fulfilled for Peggy by Dorothy Martin, Moody Publishers/Back To The Bible, 1963

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 12-16

Subjects: Sharing your faith, Obedience, Trust, Patience, Perseverance

Summary: What’s it going to take for Alice to see her need for salvation? With her spending the summer at Peggy’s house, Peggy is sure she will have lots of chances to witness to Alice, but somehow the words just won’t come out. She tries inviting Alice to their programs at church, but Alice just thinks those are boring. She even tries getting one of the boys Alice likes to invite her, but Alice still won’t open her heart. In fact, she seems to be getting deeper into her sinful lifestyle as the summer goes on. How can Peggy ever reach this girl that she cares so much about?

Notes: The fifth in The Peggy Books series, this book has Peggy learning more about what it means to share her faith. She has to learn perseverance and patience as she witnesses to both her dad and one of her friends. It’s hard to not be annoyed by the decisions they make, but by the end of the book, Peggy has been able to get her own heart in the right place and share the Gospel, leading Alice to actually put her trust in Christ for her salvation, and leading her dad to intentionally start seeking and find the truth. The author does a good job showing how our whole focus needs to be on the right things. I can definitely recommend this book!

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 10:13-17 – for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

The Future Door

He felt a surge of empathy as he spotted one child, a little girl of about five or six, clutching her mother’s skirts. he couldn’t imagine what she must be feeling, seeing her parents in such distress. She happened to glance at Griffin at the same time he was looking at her.
Who will protect you now? he wondered.
But even as the thought popped into his head, he already knew the answer: it was his job now.

Book: The Future Door (No Place Like Holmes Book 2) by Jason Letcoe, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2011

Genre: Mystery

Target Audience: Boys 10-14

Subjects: Family Relationships, Love for others

Summary: It’s not possible? Is it? Can his uncle really have invented a machine that allows for time travel? Their enemy has no doubt of the invention though! He’s stolen it and is already using it to destroy the world. As much as it pains his uncle to admit it, Snodgrass desperately needs Griffin’s help to solve this particular mystery, especially since the only other source they could rely on has already had a visit from the Moriartys. Griffin knows that it’s up to him to protect the innocent now.

Notes: The second in the series, The Future Door, continues the story right where it left off from the first book. Griffin and his uncle are traveling to find Griffin’s kidnapped parents and the Moriartys are determined to destroy them. In this book, Griffin again faces some life-threatening challenges and some great tragedies. In the midst of these difficulties he naturally turns to God in prayer, seeking help. He also takes great comfort in knowing that while time is being changed and things are messing up, Jesus never changes and will be with him, no matter what time he is in.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Jack Stapes And The Ring Of Time

The fire was so hot Jack was sure his skin would soon burst into flames. However, t he voice was far more terrifying than mere fire ever could be. Once again it called to him. “YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE ME,” it rasped. “TOGETHER WE WILL DESTROY THE AWAKENED AND RULE THIS WORLD. THE PROPHECY DEMANDS IT. YOU ARE MINE!” As Jack lifted his arms to shield himself from the voice, he thought he saw a bright and horrible…something, standing in the midst of the inferno.

Book: Jack Staples and the Ring of Time by Mark Batterson and Joel N. Clark, David C. Cook Publishers, 2014

Genre: Allegory

Target Audience:  Boys and Girls 12+

Subjects: Good Vs. Evil, Truth vs. Lies, Loss, Love

Summary: Just an ordinary adventure – fun, yes, but not strange. That’s how Jack views his trip to the circus, or at least that’s how he did view it, until that bird set off a chain of events that lead to Jack nearly dying in a fire! From that day on, strange things start to happen. Jack has dreams that seem so real but make no sense. Then a horrid beast chances him through the woods where he meets Alexia. She too thinks her world is normal until strange people and creatures start to enter it. After many questions and calamities they learn they are children of a prophecy the world both craves and fears. The time has come to step into their roles – but at what cost?

Notes: The first in the Jack Staples series, Ring of Time sets up both an alleogy of the Biblical account of Lucifer’s rebellion against God and a fantasy story of time travel and fanciful creatures. There an Author – representing God and an assassin – representing Satan. The assassin has targeted the children of the prophecy. He desires that Jack worship and service him and turn away from the Author. There is also a strong thread of sacrifical love – being willing to lay down your life for another. In the first book, the main characters are just learning of the Author and the battle. They haven’t embraced it for themselves yet so the spiritual aspect isn’t overtly strong. It’s mostly just a book of adventure – danger and trials, for Jack and Alexia.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 3.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Isaiah 14:12-15 - How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.

Jaime

“'I’m Jaime,’ he said quickly and quietly, ‘and I read the Book of Light this summer.’ He quickly sat back down. He hoped that he had spoken quietly enough that no one even heard him and Mrs. Hanson would just move on to the next person. But from the looks on all the faces, everyone had. Some people looked confused. Others seems to be stifling a laugh. Still others were looking at him like he had flowers growing out of the top of his head. Jamie slumped down in his seat. So this is what it means to be a warrior, he thought to himself.

Book: Jaime by B. K. Miller, Xulon Press, 2007

Genre: Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 11-14

Subjects: Salvation, Spiritual Warfare

Summary: Being a warrior of Espiritu means putting up with a lot right? You have to be kind to people, especially those that are your friends. So when Christopher asks Jaime to lie and take the blame for him, Jaime does so. But the more time goes on, the less it seems like Christopher is really his friend anymore. Jaime just keeps keeping into trouble for decisions Christopher made. Is this really how Espiritu wants him to live? Meanwhile, Sara is having a similar problem. It seems being a warrior of Espiritu means compromise or a lot of time spent alone. Her problems begin with a teacher who wants her to accept that Espiritu did not create the world and that humans are no different than animals. But when she’s invited to a special club that practices some things that make her uncomfortable she learns that witchcraft is not just make-believe but is actually a religion called Wicca that encourages the seeking of spirits – demons – to indwell you. This is going to be a long and miserable year for Sara and Jaime if they can’t figure out how to fit in without compromising their beliefs!

Notes: Jaime is the second in a two book series about a young girl who gets to visit an allegorical Heaven, become saved, and start receiving parts of the armor of God to fight against the demons around her. The book is a mix between using allegory to represent a concept and simply keeping it the same but giving it a Spanish name. It is speculative – the Bible does not allow room for people to visit Heaven and come back, but nearly everything in the book could be found in Scripture. There are figures representing all three parts of the Trinity, there is a book representing the Bible that uses light to show how powerful it is and to represent the concepts of the armor of God it has physical armor appear on Sara. The book does a good job presenting a picture of someone’s faith journey – of hearing the Gospel, choosing to respond to it by putting trust in God for salvation, growing spiritually through learning more of the Bible and sharing faith with others.

In this book, Sara’s story continues but there is also a focus on her younger cousin, Jaime and his experience with faith. The story begins with Jaime getting to go to Paraiso and learning what it means to be saved and making that choice for himself. Then Sara makes a huge trial – her dad is in the same place she lost her mom – the hospital. And he’s not coming out right away. He’s facing heart problems and will be there for a time. So Sara will be going to Jaime’s school this year. During the year both face the temptation of peer pressure – Jaime’s friend wants him to break school rules and lie for him. Sara’s new friends want her to become Wiccan and her teachers want her to accept the lie of evolution as truth.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

James 1:2-5 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I appreciate it!

Glass Girl

Every moment of our lives we make choices. Most we don’t even know we’re making, they’re so dull or routine or automatic. Some are beyond explanation – like my mom choosing Wyatt’s memory over Dad and me. This moment called me to choose between moving back to Pittsburg with her to make sure she survived or riding horses with Henry in Wyoming. Seemed straightforward on the surface. But what lurked under the surface could trip me up. Dad had made his choice. Mom had made hers. It was past time that I made one too.

Book: Glass Girl by Laura Anderson Kurk, Birch House Press, 2013

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 16-20

Subjects: Loss, Grief, Parent Relationships, Friendship,

Summary: Life will never be the same. Wyatt is gone. And the Glass Girl is about to shatter at the loss. Meg watched her brother step in the path of an angry teenager and die for it. Now her family is moving from Pittsburg to Wyoming in hopes of finding a way to move on with their life, to somehow recover from their tragic lost. Meg tries to keep her brother’s life and death a secret in hopes of moving on. Her dad doesn’t talk about Wyatt either. Her mom has a different perspective though. She cherishes the memories of the one who is dead more than the relationships with those who are still alive. She doesn’t want to move on. So she leaves Meg and her father and moves back to Pittsburg, sinking further and further into depression until she is finally admitted to the hospital and starts receiving the treatment and help she needs. Meg is torn between trying to embrace the possibilities for living again and following her mom into the despair that holds her captive. She longs for hope, for courage, for mercy, for love. But she’s not sure where to find any of this, or if it is even possible to find it now that her brother is gone.

Notes:  This is a very intense story, showing a teenage girl wrestling with issues of murder, depression and the breaking apart of her family. She has always thought of herself as the fragile one, nicknamed Glass Girl by her brother. A new friend helps her see that rather than fragile, she’s strong. She sees the hurt and pain of others and responds to it, attempting to make a difference in the hurting world around her, even if just in small kindnesses shown. He also points her towards the one source she can truly find the hope, courage, mercy and love she needs – God. The spiritual elements tend to be kind of small, not necessarily a constant presence. And sometimes it seems as though the character has to find the answers she needs within herself rather than from God. But the one character definitely points her towards God multiple times and is portrayed as having a very strong faith himself.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Lamentations 3:32 - Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I enjoyed the book and am eager to read the sequel!

Pursuing Prissie

"She shook her head. ‘I don’t like misunderstandings.’

‘You’re right, and I’m sorry. This is my fault.’ Ransom rolled the little flashlight between his fingers. ‘The reason you don’t understand is because I didn’t explain. Looks like I should do that.’

Prissie hadn’t expected an apology, let alone an explanation. ‘Yes, I think you should.’

‘Do you want the short version or the long version?’

‘Better keep it short.’

‘Sure.’ Stepping closer, he dipped down and brushed her cheek with his lips. ‘Love you.’

‘No, you don’t.’

Ransom smiled crookedly. ‘Figures you’d argue the point.’

‘Maybe you’d better give me the long version.’

‘I love you and I want to marry you.’

‘Is this what you meant when you said I don’t see you?’ She floundered in the face of his calm. ‘Because I see you every day.’

Ransom squared his shoulders. ‘Sure. But now you’ll see my differently.’”

Book: Pursuing Prissie by Christa Kinde, Zondervan Publishers, 2013

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Target Audience: Girls and Boys 15+, especially ideal for ages 19-30

Subjects: Angels, Family Relationships, Friendship, Love (Romance), Spiritual Warfare, Trust in God, Evangelism

Summary: What on earth? Where did this rumor even come from? Just jealousy making it up or is there some basis of truth to it? When an old friend claims Ransom is trying to romance his way into the family business through Prissie, it leaves Prissie confused and unsure how to respond. Ransom just wishes Prissie would finally notice what everyone else has seen – that he wants to be more than just a friend to her, he wants to be her husband! After the unsettled childhood he had and the love and stability offered him from the Pomeray family, Ransom is ready to lay down roots and he wants to do it with the woman he has loved for years. There’s more going on than Prissie and Ransom can see though. Angels have been sent. Demons are pursuing. A battle is raging and Prissie is right in the middle of it. As their story plays out, those around them watch and wonder if God could ever love them as much as Ransom and Prissie claim He does. The souls of a child and a young man are at stake and faithfulness and genuine love is called for.

Notes: Pursuing Prissie is the conclusion to the kid-friendly series dealing with serious issues such as spiritual warfare. Like other speculative fiction, the series speculates “what if”, in this case, “what if someone could see all the angels around them and could interact with them”. But it does a good job carefully not doing anything to contradict Scripture in its speculations, but rather teaches and enforces Biblical concepts. In this book, Prissie is now a grown woman in her mid-twenties. She hasn’t seen the unseen for years but the angels who are sent to her are making themselves visible in their angelic form again. One particular demon is also pursuing her. The book continues not getting too deep or scary into the topics, but definitely is geared towards a bit older of audience since the characters are now older and are dealing with topics such as marriage or career decisions. I highly recommend this series.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 12:9-12 - Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I greatly enjoyed it!