Beyond Corista

“You’ll know what to say.”

Oriannon nodded slowly, trying her best to understand. Tell them they’re being invaded by someone I’ve never heard about, she though, and the news comes from a man who was dead and now isn’t. I can’t do this.

Book: Beyond Corista by Robert Elmer, Zondervan Publishers, 2009

Genre: Science Fiction/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 13+

Subjects: Faith, Truth, Salvation, Jesus’ death and resurrection. Missions, Persecution

Summary: Guided by a supernatural powered stone, Oriannon, her friends, her dying father and unfortunately, the hateful Sola, are in a space ship traveling from way station to way station warning them of a coming attack from an enemy Oriannon knows nothing about. Sola is still breathing out threats and insults against Oriannon, her owling friend, her father, and pretty much anyone who disagrees with her in any area whatsoever. Her father is barely clinging to life. And the people Jesmet wants them to warn? They don’t want to believe the truth. Most outright reject it. Some turn violent at the news. None welcome it. Spreading the news of Jesmet is not going to be easy!

Notes: Beyond Corista is the third in the Shadowside Trilogy. The series is an allegorical tale of Jesus ministry on earth, death and resurrection and some of the events of Acts – the persecution of Christians and the spread of the Gospel. The story is set in a science-fiction world with spaceships traveling to various planets and scientific development being a main focus of the world.

In Beyond Corista, Oriannon has to learn how to rely on Jesmet and her friends rather than herself. She is forced into situations where she has no choice but to trust and follow. It seems to be representing the apostles attempts to spread the Gospel throughout the world in Acts. There is usually one person who accepts the truth, while most respond to it with violence. The series doesn’t quite seem to finish. It seems to leave it unsettled. It doesn’t wrap up details nice and neatly. However, the book of Acts doesn’t either! It just ends with the idea that the good news needs to continue to be told.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”