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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
Winters Read has commented on (76) products
Swipe 01
by
Evan Angler
Winters Read
, June 26, 2012
I've had quite a range of thoughts while reading this book. At first, the slow pace told me the book would be boring, but then it took off. Then....it lost me in slow movement again, and later recaptured me. While the storyline was fickle this way, the characters never made it far. Because of this, it was quite tempting to shut the book whenever the pages halted for the red light known as attempted pre-teen conversation. Swipe would have been better if it were filled with more constant action, while still making the point addressed next. What changed my mind about not recommending this book (because I do, for some) is the originality and surprise of the plot. While I expected Angler to use a Biblical standpoint of the Mark and Pledging, he never did. Instead, he showed logical, secular reasons that the G.U. (Global Union) was immoral in using it to "weed out" those who would not "unify" the world. I am impressed by the skill he weaves this reasoning into the reader, no matter their views.
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Paradise War
by
Stephen R Lawhead
Winters Read
, June 19, 2012
The Paradise War is a tough book to tackle, admittedly. Any book that comprises 464 pages is, but this one in particular was slow, despite being very interesting and intriguing. Though I haven't slogged through many of Lawhead's books, it seems that each of his series is quite unique from the rest. The first two novels in the Bright Empires series exhibited very good description (showing and not telling) but the characters were nowhere near as rich (and the writing style as a whole so captivating) as in this first volume of the Song of Albion. While many fantasy books go the way this seems to be going (telling the story of the fall and redemption), this is a fresh relief in the genre. Everything is steeped in Celtic myth and lore, becoming vivid reality in the reader's mind. While still telling the story, it is not predictable, and the reader doesn't worry that Lawhead will take them somewhere they've been before. No, this is new territory, and he lets us blaze the trail with him. The characters are wonderfully immature at first, showing us how much we are like them, and that we need to change. Then, Lawhead shows us the process of their maturing, either in good or in evil, as some characters choose. Some interesting persons show up near the beginning of the story, then disappear, when they could be great sub-characters during the war itself. However, they may appear in the next volumes, and that would be good to see. In conclusion, while the writing is superb, the Celtic research is apparent, and the characters are quite helpful, the story slows down often, and that tires the reader out. It took me over two months from start to finish.
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Beckon
by
Tom Pawlik
Winters Read
, June 10, 2012
All in all, Beckon wasn't as thrilling as Vanish and Valley of the Shadow were. The plot was good, and the Biblical message was wonderful. But it doesn't deliver to seekers of intensity. The characters are real, but one doesn't easily identify with them. I couldn't predict exactly what would happen. Many characters die, and they're not always who you expect them to be. I find that rarer in current thrillers and speculative fiction. In conclusion, I would say that if one is looking for something to read, this is an option, but I would not put it as one of drastic importance.
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Failstate
by
John W. Otte
Winters Read
, June 08, 2012
I can understand if someone is a bit wary of reading this book, at first. The cover art, though talented and meaningful, is a bit cheesy in concept and, let's face it, cartoon-ish. But once it's cracked open, it is not nearly as bad. With a wonderful writing style similar to Travis Thrasher's, Mr. Otte captures the reader's attention and holds it in place. The plot was mostly well-planned, and didn't appear too cliche at the end. In fact, it was a bit harder to predict than many sci-fi/mystery titles. However, near the middle, Otte begins to lose the reader's intrigue, by confusing them with so many details, and they don't know what to do with them all! Each person could be the true criminal, and the reader is left throwing his hands in the air, because they are all suspect. He must simply read on, not caring as much as before. To end on a positive note, Otte did a great job incorporating Scripture into key parts of the book. When Rob would attend a youth group lesson, or talk with fellow Christians, there was always something he needed, which is likewise important to us. *This book was provided free by the publisher, in conjunction with Team Novel Teen. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.*
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Lifting the Wheel of Karma
by
Paul H. Magid
Winters Read
, March 24, 2012
When I first agreed to read Lifting the Wheel of Karma, I must have thought it was from a Christian perspective. Now knowing that it was not, I honestly don't agree with what it's saying. But, I won't rant about that any longer. The writing is very unique, I think. On one hand, there were quite a few grammatical errors, misspellings, and so forth. I had an advanced review copy, so that is understandable. They won't be on the official copies. On the other hand, the writing drew me in instantly, and this perplexes me. Usually I don't like anything if the editing is bad. In conclusion, I don't agree with anything that he said concerning worldviews. However, the writing was very good. *This book was provided free by the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.*
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Ascent from Darkness: How Satan's Soldier Became God's Warrior
by
Michael Leehan
Winters Read
, March 17, 2012
The material that lies in this book will be shocking to some. I didn't know what went on "behind the curtain," as it were, and it's pretty frightening. Still, the point that's being made is that God can take anyone, no matter what they've done, and change them. Paul, for example, had persecuted Christians enormously, but God still extended grace. Leehan, by his own admission, is not a professional writer. He simply relayed the facts about his life, and did so in a good, straightforward manner. Knowing that he must have hated to revisit his past made me think about my own. Ascent From Darkness is very convicting.
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Illusion
by
Frank Peretti
Winters Read
, March 04, 2012
I'm quite amazed. Here, an author I grew up reading has released a new book! I started Illusion with high expectations, and I was not disappointed, even from the first sentence, "Mandy was gone." Frank Peretti has not diminished in writing, style, or imagination; Illusion proves it. My only qualm was that, while the magical descriptions at the beginning were wonderful, the story became somewhat boring from the middle to the reveal. It needed a bit more magic then... I've always been a fan of books that make you think. Illusion is certainly among the best I've read in that category. The big reveal comes two-thirds of the way in, but it's better that way. Wrapping things up took a while, but it was still intense. I appreciate Peretti's approach concerning the ending, that is, not giving the reader an emotional high to boost their view of the book. He ended it very well, in peace and quiet, leaving the reader longing for more. *This book was provided free by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.*
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Bound for Glory: Celebrating the Gift of African American Spirituals Through Expressive Calligraphy
by
Timothy R. Botts
Winters Read
, February 24, 2012
Not having explored calligraphy before, I found this book interesting. Botts' reflections more helpful than Raybon's, but the art was captivating and very relevant. I liked learning about African culture in the small ways that it shone through in this book. In closing, I'd say this is worth buying if you really enjoy calligraphic art, or have a fascination with African culture and Gospel songs.
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Errant King
by
Batson, Wayne Thomas
Winters Read
, February 18, 2012
I was quite impressed with The Errant King, Batson's newest work. Knowing that many reviewers said there were too many characters, I disagree. There were certainly many "extras," if you may, but the amount of important characters was not overwhelming. This was aided by the fact that most came from separate settings and situations, which each showed us new pieces of Myriad. For this reason, among others, this book has become very important to the series. We don't encounter the same old problems, character flaws, and reasoning as we would have, had the story dawdled in Anglinore (the capital). The land of Myriad has matured in the series, as have the characters themselves. I found Loch's excursions and remarks comical and enjoyable, Shepherd Sebastian's advice compelling, and Fred's jovial manner refreshing. When it comes to the story itself, The Errant King is a big set-up. Many pieces come in place, but the final result is still a mystery. The tragic ending served its purpose, and hinted at what a massive chess-game this series will become. Batson has become good at chess, it appears. I await his next move eagerly.
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The Song of Unmaking (Legends of Karac Tor)
by
D. Barkley Briggs
Winters Read
, December 04, 2011
Being the most recent of this series so far, I started to see some small writing/spelling errors in the book. Maybe these were simply overlooked, but I haven't seen these in the previous two volumes. That aside, the characters were just as good as before, the Christian story was filled in a bit more, and I'm still on edge to see what happens! This book was provided free by the publisher in conjunction with Glass Road Public Relations. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
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Corus the Champion Legends of Karac Tor
by
D Barkley Briggs
Winters Read
, December 04, 2011
Corus The Champion continues the well-written, character-steeped form of the previous book. The plot continues well also. All the Christian teaching in the book was accurate, yet behind-the-scenes. Lots of characters come forth and strut their stuff in this volume, and it worked well. Kudos to Mr. Briggs! This book was provided free by the publisher, in conjunction with CSFF Blog Tours. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are mine.
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Book of Names Legends of Karac Tor
by
D Barkley Briggs
Winters Read
, December 04, 2011
I hadn't heard a great deal about these books before a particular friend kept recommending them to me, but now I can see why he did. This first book, for instance, has wonderful writing, deep characters (I really got into them!), and an awesome plot and adventure. The Barlow family goes through severe grief, wonderful joy, and many other emotions throughout, looking to God for answers, and it made the book one of my top favorites. Any reader of fantasy (or even deep legend) should read this series!
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The Opposite of Art
by
Athol Dickson
Winters Read
, November 04, 2011
I am astounded by this book. First, it really surprised me and made me really apprehensive. *Warning to readers* It has some inappropriate material in the beginning, but never re-occurs. Also, the main character, Sheridan Ridler, travels around the world, exploring religions from Buddhism to Judaism. This is not unlike Solomon's Biblical journey searching for something meaningful. He did many sinful things, indulged in many wrong acts, and found they were empty. Ridler eventually works his way to Christianity as well, the rest being shown meaningless. Thus, take these events with a grain of salt. In the last few chapters, The Opposite of Art really goes deep. This is what made the book worthy reading to me. I wouldn't put it on a pedestal with Bunyan or C.S. Lewis, but it was good. I had to read it a few times before understanding even relatively well what it was saying. The characters were well-developed. They were their own style, not reminiscing another author. The villain, especially, was quite unique. You'll have to read the book to find out why. I consider this a book that may strengthen your faith, actually. Really. This book was provided free by Glass Road Public Relations and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
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Bone House Bright Empires 2
by
Stephen R Lawhead
Winters Read
, October 26, 2011
The Bone House answered a few questions I had from the first book, The Skin Map, but also raised more. I was left hoping that they will all be answered in a satisfying manner in the next volume. As for the writing, it was once again brilliant. Lawhead mastered the style and culture of each location and time, creating very believable scenarios. The characters were very real, including Burleigh, as I visited his past. Kit, Wilhelmina, and Giles all were simple everyday people that I could relate to. They were not high-calling special adventurers, but were learning just as we would if placed in their stead. The history, observed in real time by the ley-leapers, elevated the whole story to a possibility of being true. I love it when I can speculate like this book allows. Thomas Young, Roger Bacon, and other famous men added a brilliant flair to the mix. The Bone House, in my opinion, is slightly better than it's predecessor. It doesn't leave you with a big question mark, even though what happened has yet to be explained. This book was provided free by the CSFF Blog Tour. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
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From The Garden To The City The Redeeming & Corrupting Power Of Technology
by
John Dyer
Winters Read
, October 21, 2011
I haven't seen a book like this before, and I learned quite a bit from it. A Christian view of technology is important. It doesn't simply come down to "technology is neutral; it's what the user does with it that makes it good or bad." John Dyer examines the Biblical story for technology and when God introduces it, encourages it, and condemns it. I thought From the Garden to the City was a very well-thought-out discourse. It is organized chronologically with the Bible, always showing examples and parallels with history and present-day technology and inventors. This would be a helpful read for any up-and-coming Christian "techie." This book was provided free by Kregel Publications. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
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Sending
by
Matt Koceich
Winters Read
, October 19, 2011
The premise of this story is a strange one, but that’s what I get for reading speculative fiction. In this story, the speculation is: “What if the Garden of Eden still existed on Earth?” It’s a rather odd idea, and it seemed quite surreal throughout the book. Although, that could be my fault as the reader. Remote viewing is performed numerous times by the protagonist, Mark Grant. This may seem odd and maybe offensive to some; I find it a little strange personally. It was necessary, though, to lead up to him finding the Garden, but the parallels (or lack thereof) between the remote viewings of the Garden and the physical Garden confused me. Now, for the writing. The book ultimately had an epic feel to it, from the imperfect father/wife to the “Dekker-esque” villain, The Serpent. This epic-ness really became apparent in the last 60 pages or so, in the final battle for Eden. That being said, Mr. Koceich made many slip-ups in his writing. First, there were many clumsy similes. They were effective and original, but far too wordy. Second, a few times a phrase or paragraph simply didn’t make any sense. This could have been a grammar, typo, or plain word omission problem. Some paragraphs seemed to have been put in far ahead of when they come into the story, and boggled me. Third, the switching between remote viewing and reality was often sudden and it took me too long to realize which I was reading about. This may be the cause of the seemingly-switched paragraphs mentioned above. Characters took a large part in the story, and I respect that. Overall, one of the book’s main results is the redemption of a man, Mark Grant. It portrays him in various situations with his family, developing his and their characters really well. Like Ted Dekker, Matt Koceich develops his villains point-of-view very well. You get a feel for this person, seeing how similar you are; yet he still is distant, unfeeling, and unlike you in some way.
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Why God Won't Go Away: Is the New Atheism Running on Empty?
by
Alister E. McGrath
Winters Read
, October 08, 2011
I enjoyed this impressive work very much. This is the first time I've read one of McGrath's works, and I'm sure to be reading more. Why God Won't Go Away was very logical and convincing that New Atheism didn't work. I don't think it would be very useful as a flip-through handguide to refuting New Atheism, as it is very condensed and takes a while to read. It is more for understanding New Atheism as a whole, and I appreciate that approach. It doesn't necessarily try to prove Christianity, but shows that New Atheism fails to debunk it. To anyone interested in current apologetics, this is a really good resource that you should buy.
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Taken: The Quest for Truth, Book 1
by
Brock D. Eastman
Winters Read
, October 04, 2011
This book was certainly intended for a younger audience. Even though it was science fiction, it was written in such a way for youth to easily understand it. Eastman did very well to that end. I do think that the writing was disappointing, though. It was more telling and less showing for quite a ways into the book. It got better near the end, but it was honestly making me yawn. The story also wasn't very intriguing until shortly after half-way, when we meet Obbin. The ending of the book made me interested, but was rather abrupt and inconclusive. It resembled a lunch break rather than signing off, if you get my meaning. You expect more to happen, but without any suspense.
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Precisely Terminated
by
Amanda L. Davis
Winters Read
, September 25, 2011
Amanda Davis has delivered masterfully. Precisely Terminated’s authentic Dystopian imagery lends itself well to the reader’s imagination. Had I not known better, I would not have considered this her first book. With a great storyline and deep characters, Amanda has won my confidence in her writing.
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On Being a Rat and Other Observations
by
Chila Woychik
Winters Read
, September 13, 2011
The synopsis of this book is very accurate. It most definitely is "an odd range of hybrids." The beginning really felt dark and cheerless to me, but this feeling only lasted through the first part. The second and third, with themes on writing and nature, gave me a better understanding of the point of the book. It's almost like a memoir, in that it shows how Mrs. Woychik viewed things in her life (thus the Observations theme in the first part). "...leaping around is common if not encouraged between paragraphs, and no underlying structure is necessary." I found this to be the case in On Being A Rat, and honestly it left me a bit confused sometimes. I do have to say, though, that her imagery and metaphor usage was effective (whether repugnant or mystical) never got old. The poetry scattered throughout was close to free verse, which I don't appreciate as much as structured poetry, but the ideas came across well. So, what is the purpose of this book, you may ask? In her words, it is advice for writing. I can believe that. It is encouragement as well, telling you that you're not alone in your struggle to publish, and showing life through her experienced eyes.
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Mugabe and the White African
by
Ben Freeth
Winters Read
, August 24, 2011
This book caught me by surprise. Even though I've read about China and it's problems with law, the law (or lack thereof) in Africa left me dumbfounded. This book is a must-read to understand Africa's recent history and how to battle such anarchy.
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Safely Home
by
Randy C Alcorn
Winters Read
, August 23, 2011
To me, this book wasn't as eye-opening, since I've read memoirs about persecuted Chinese Christians, but because I did so, I can confirm this book is very accurate. To others, however, it may be very eye-opening, and I hope you read it, if you have not already. This is a book any and every Christian ought to read. Even non-believers may find it breaking down their arguments and feeling pity. It is a story of two worlds. America and China, and also Heaven and Earth. (I am not indicating similarities between them) Because of this book, my heart goes out to China.
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Odd Little Miracles
by
Fred Warren
Winters Read
, August 04, 2011
Mr. Warren does well with short stories. Each time, it started a different way. In no way did it feel like any one story was like another, besides the "miracles" theme. Some ended well, some bad, but all left you wanting more. They explored the remotely possible, and perfectly impossible as well. I really enjoyed it!
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Ryann Watters & The Kings Sword
by
Eric Reinhold
Winters Read
, July 06, 2011
I could tell this was a first novel. The characters acted a little younger than their ages seemed to convey, and there were more than a few grammatical errors (I know, I know). That being said, it is still a great Christian allegory. I loved all the ingenuity put into the creatures and magical surprises that awaited Ryann. A seldom-seen theme I saw was family. Ryann interacted with his family each time he returns from Aeliana, and this interaction shows what a good bond they have. Some great advice is given through this book. Mr. Reinhold seems to model the book for a younger audience, maybe for 10-13 years, with the style of dialogue, but with the plot and understanding it, I would recommend a slightly older audience of 12+.
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Gravestone
by
Travis Thrasher
Winters Read
, July 04, 2011
After reading the first book, my expectation for this one was really high. In some ways I was disappointed, but I'll get to those in a minute. What impressed me was that Thrasher really got into the mind of the character, Chris. Partially by using first person, and partially by using what seemed to be at least 50% of the book for conversations in his head. This is one of the unique aspects of this series. And it didn't get old, even after being accomplished in the first book. My hope is that Thrasher can continue this throughout the other half of the series. Now, for what disappointed me. In the first book, a lot happens. (I won't reveal anything) In this one, however, not enough happens to think of the book as a significant event. It's more like a bridge to the third then anything else. Some things do happen, but it seems too much like a set-up volume. Chris tiptoes in a few inches, then retreats, and only goes a few maddening inches in every new venture. Not enough!! That said, I can't wait for TEMPTATION.
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Perished: The World That Was
by
Riddle, R. Frederick
Winters Read
, July 03, 2011
I didn't know what to expect from this book, and I wasn't altogether satisfied. The timeline often skipped through long periods of years, and I realize that is necessary to cover the entire span of time. It just didn't leave much room for character development. One year, this character acts a certain way. The next time you see him, he's different. You don't get into their mindset. This would have been much better off as a series, exploring each of the main characters' stories. However, if that were done in the fashion that this story was narrated, then it wouldn't work. It was actually pretty boring to read. A lot more speculative events have to be brought into this story to make it interesting enough. It was just too long and too similar. I kept trying to push myself, just to get to the end where the flood occurs. That disappointed me. This book, if you want to read it, requires a warning. Near the beginning, there are some descriptions that I would deem inappropriate. You know, the shamelessness factor and all that. Watch out for that.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
by
Rick Marschall
Winters Read
, July 03, 2011
This is an eye-opening book, for someone who isn't familiar with JS Bach. It doesn't go into much detail about his life, and keeps the reading time short. However, the book makes lots of references to previous biographies, and also delves into musical terminology a lot. This is a wonderful book for those who don't know much about the great composer.
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God and Stephen Hawking
by
John C. Lennox
Winters Read
, July 03, 2011
I really enjoyed this book! Kept short and to the point, God and Stephen Hawking systematically and logically tears down the argument put forth in Stephen Hawking's book The Grand Design. Lennox did a wonderful job. I love a great logical debate, and this delivered, even to the point of being a one-day read
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Darkness Follows
by
Mike Dellosso
Winters Read
, June 20, 2011
Apart from the first chapter, I wasn’t too frightened or chilled by this book. That is, until at least half-way through. At that point, it certainly got scary. The characters weren’t developed enough, though, and that made me a bit bored. I often had to push myself to finish it. The ending wasn’t very satisfying, either, in that you don’t learn who the main enemy organization is, and where the murderer came from, and why. The whole ordeal with Tommy appearing to Sam was confusing, and would require another novel to straighten out. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem as there will be a sequel. There just wasn’t enough roundabout plot material to make it a pleasing read.
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Forsaken Kingdom: City of Prophecy
by
Peter James Dudek
Winters Read
, June 20, 2011
After reading the title of this book, I thought it would be more like a generic, mediocre Christian fantasy. I was wrong. This book had an epic feel to it, which I loved. The characters were also a strong point, especially Gildareth, Ristun, Dralo, and Thief. They had very interesting turn-of-phrases, which I greatly enjoyed. I liked the abrupt ending, which was similar to the end of the Two Towers movie, and I look forward to the next volume.
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The Pursuit of a King
by
Candace Christine Little
Winters Read
, June 16, 2011
I love stories that change the character(s) dramatically, especially if it’s for the better. Mrs. Little did very well in making the character traits stand out, and showing the progression and sudden turn in behavior. I enjoyed all the likenesses to Pilgrim’s Progress: the physicality of spiritual things (hope, joy, etc.) and the names (Wit, Lady Mercy). The fruit of the spirit was a great tool in the plotline, and made the story that much more unique and special. I was perplexed by the image on the back cover for a while, but near the end realized it’s significance. If you like fantasy books with a focus on characters, then this is a great choice. Though short, I highly recommend it!
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Alpha Redemption
by
P a Baines
Winters Read
, June 14, 2011
Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. But, if you judge this one by it’s brilliant art, than your judgment would be correct. This was a fantastic book! Both of the characters, Brett and Jay, were developed well through the progression of the book, especially Jay, the AI (artificial intelligence). Something I really liked about the storyline was that Baines didn’t leave us alone with Brett and Jay for the whole book, but also journeyed into Brett’s memories. This contributed to Brett’s character, our understanding of the mission, and the length of the story. The use of first person speech doesn’t have an excuse, but I’m not opposed to it. I rather enjoy it! The conclusion left me a little confused for a few minutes, but the biblical analogy dawned on me soon after. Great ending, and I look forward to the next volume!
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And the Beat Goes on
by
Krauss, Tracy
Winters Read
, June 14, 2011
I haven’t read many fiction books that deal with archaeology, so when I say I thought this was a good book, I don’t have much to compare it to. It deals with Biblical science, and gives arguments both for and against it. The adventure was sufficient for the plot it accompanied, even though I am used to more of it. I didn’t understand the significance of the title of the book, apart from it being a sequel to Play It Again. The characters were good and believable, but not excellent. Mark’s exploration of God’s world brought him into knowledge of God’s existence. He considered the possibility, and found it logical. Still, he resisted, as all of us tend to do at times. Eventually, he surrenders himself and experiences joy. It was a good object lesson, in essence. We ought to put aside our human nature’s revulsion of God, and surrender ourselves to His Will.
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After the Cross
by
Barr, Brandon and Lynch, Mike
Winters Read
, June 14, 2011
This book was full of mystery and intrigue. The plot was often predictable, but still fun to read. The characters seemed to be the strong point of the book, and are what ultimately held it together. It could have used a bit more fast-paced danger, and what was there wasn’t very vivid for the reader. If you like archaeology, then this book would be your style. It did very well on that subject. I enjoyed the point the book made about worshipping idols, and what those idols could be, such as the cross of Christ. His cross would take His place for many people, and that is sad. It challenges us to look at what might be taking Christ’s place in our lives.
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Swords of the Six The Sword of the Dragon 01
by
Scott Appleton
Winters Read
, May 01, 2011
Considering this is Mr. Appleton's first novel (though republished), it is very well written, but on one account. I will get to that in a minute. The fantastical setting was enchanting, yet full of danger. I loved his description of the creatures, and the mannerisms and attitudes of the dragon, Albino. The themes of love, betrayal, sorrow, sacrifice and regret could be found anywhere in the story, and tied you to the characters' emotions and reasoning. The one flaw I found with this book (with the help of a friend) was that Dantress was too perfect. She never seemed to do wrong, while her sisters often argued and erred. Enough said, I think.
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The Strange Man: Volume 1
by
Greg Mitchell
Winters Read
, April 21, 2011
For the second time reading this book, I noticed many great scenes that were added, and a lot of description. Mr. Mitchell is wondrous when it comes to showing rather than telling! The characters were well portrayed, despite needing a little more of Josalyn. *SPOILER ALERT* The character shift in Dras was realistic, in the way that Christ can change a person so suddenly, like Paul, for instance. *SPOILER ALERT* Now for the horror part. I was reading it until I finished at 12:45 a.m. The suspense is nail biting, and you can’t help but read further. Very frequently I imagined it so vividly that I thought I was hearing scratching at my window. Though there is quite a bit of gore, there are no inappropriate scenes or references. The book is very good in that regard. Realms chose well in publishing this book.
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Blood of Kings 01 By Darkness Hid
by
Jill Williamson
Winters Read
, April 16, 2011
Wow! I am very impressed with this book. Marcher Lord Press made another great choice of book to publish. Mrs. Williamson is a fantastic writer, very descriptive, and she executes the “blood-voicing” gift (telepathy) very well. I enjoy tales of poor, poverty-stricken people being given a great gift, and this is no exception. I was distracted with the current adventures, while the destination of the plot was hidden around a clever corner. I never saw it coming! Yet, it was a great twist of providence. The ending left me satisfied with the book, yet thirsting heavily for the next. Awesome job, Mrs. Williamson!
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Warrior
by
Beverly Davis
Winters Read
, March 20, 2011
This book was a good one. It had Davis’s iconic element of a complex plot, but was very understandable. I did feel, though, that not much was accomplished by the protagonists in regard to the series. Granted, they went many places and did many things, but there were few shocking, secret-revealing moments. Perhaps Davis is merely setting up plot for his next book, Diviner? In any case, the writing was excellent, and the characters were very human, in the case of the humans, that is. The dragons kept perplexing me, but then again, they are not meant to reason as humans do. Davis has done a wonderful job in creating a species not limited to human personality. I recommend this book, and I look forward to the next!
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Sword in the Stars
by
Wayne Thomas Batson
Winters Read
, January 19, 2011
I read the synopsis for this book and I was thoroughly overwhelmed with information. I could not get a grasp on where the plot would be going, there were just too many unfamiliar names. However, when I started reading, it didn’t overwhelm me at all. It introduced everything unfamiliar quite steadily and easily. Alastair was quite a complex character. First, there was his assassin side during his service under Morlan, then there were his Caller days searching for the Halfainin, but fighting an addiction to Witchdrale, an evil drink. He has his victories, and he has his failures, and by means is no perfect man. Abbagael, however, did not seem to have many faults. There is one scene where she is skilled at sneaking like a thief, but that is no indication. She was a good mother, a forgiving and understanding wife, and she seems too perfect. The story is like Batson’s others in quality, and did have a similarity with another book of his, The Curse of the Spider King, in which the protagonists find a secret race and rescue one of them, and thus are honored with friendship. The same happens in this book, when Alastair and Abbagael rescue a creature, which then leads them to a hidden society, where they are honored. There does not seem to be much else that is similar. There are lots of unique terms to the book, like “month” names, but they can easily be ignored if confusing. In one part of the book, Batson used letters to explain the events over 9 years, and I found that to be a cool effect! However, in one of the letters, it is said that two (semi-unimportant) characters died, but they show up once after the letter alive. The biggest thing I felt that lacked in the book is intensity. Risk and suspense were there, but they didn’t seem to affect me that much. I was able to put the book down quite a few times without extreme regret. Maybe that was just my mood at the time.
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Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back
by
Burpo, Todd
Winters Read
, January 17, 2011
I try to be wary among this type of story. If it is false, it could give us a false impression and assumption if we believe it. However, I do not yet see any reason to interpret this as false, as the evidence (if recounted correctly) supports the experience. If true, this story is great motivation for any believer in any number of situations!
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Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor
by
Chuck Black
Winters Read
, December 27, 2010
This is the first book by Chuck Black I have read. Considering that, I found the introduction of the "Life Spice" a little corny. ("...the King used the power of of the Life Spice to raise His Son from the dead.") To a non-believer, this may merely seem like a child's immediate solution to an invincible monster's killing of his favorite hero toy. But, if the Life Spice is explained sufficiently in previous books, the reader should not encounter this feeling. Coming back to my first encounter with Mr. Black's books, I liked it very much! I didn't need to foreknow anything to understand it; I felt as if I were reading the first volume. A medieval society is oft-used in fantasy fiction, but often works well for Christian allegory. Such is the case in this fifth volume. I also found it easy to lose myself in it; I read it in one day! The idea of an elite fighting force such as the Silent Warriors always excites and entices me. However, near the end of the book, about 9 months of training pased without enough detail. It seemed as if the story was under a deadline, and could have been developed more at that point. I was disappointed that Mr. Black hardly described the training procedures, as they are my favorite parts of medieval tales. The kingdoms of light and darkness, the paythas that brought on apathy, and fighting for the King and His Prince were all great themes! The characters were quite realistic, but after Quinlan's 9 months of training, he was greatly matured, but it felt too sudden for me. The conclusion to this story was very powerful! It portrays the 2nd coming of Christ, and leaves both Christians and unbelievers with a question: "Have you given your life to the King?" This question and the knightly lessons learned in Arrethtrae appy to the reverse of that land's name, our temporary home.
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Sword in the Stars
by
Wayne Thomas Batson
Winters Read
, November 27, 2010
I read the synopsis shown above, and I was thoroughly overwhelmed with information. I could not get a grasp on where the plot would be going, there were just too many unfamiliar names. However, when I started reading, it didn’t overwhelm me at all. It introduced everything unfamiliar quite steadily and easily. Alastair was quite a complex character. First, there was his assassin side during his service under Morlan, then there were his Caller days searching for the Halfainin, but fighting an addiction to Witchdrale, an evil drink. He has his victories, and he has his failures, and by means is no perfect man. Abbagael, however, did not seem to have many faults. There is one scene where she is skilled at sneaking like a thief, but that is no indication. She was a good mother, a forgiving and understanding wife, and she seems too perfect. The story is like Batson’s others in quality, and did have a similarity with another book of his, The Curse of the Spider King, in which the protagonists find a secret race and rescue one of them, and thus are honored with friendship. The same happens in this book, when Alastair and Abbagael rescue a creature, which then leads them to a hidden society, where they are honored. There does not seem to be much else that is similar. There are lots of unique terms to the book, like “month” names, but they can easily be ignored if confusing. In one part of the book, Batson used letters to explain the events over 9 years, and I found that to be a cool effect! However, in one of the letters, it is said that two (semi-unimportant) characters died, but they show up once after the letter alive. The biggest thing I felt that lacked in the book is intensity. Risk and suspense were there, but they didn’t seem to affect me that much. I was able to put the book down quite a few times without extreme regret. Maybe that was just my mood at the time.
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Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back
by
Todd Burpo
Winters Read
, November 20, 2010
I try to be wary among this type of story. If it is false, it could give us a false impression and assumption if we believe it. However, I do not yet see any reason to interpret this as false, as the evidence (if recounted correctly) supports the experience. If true, this story is great motivation for any believer in any number of situations!
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Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask With Answers
by
Mark Mittelberg, Lee Strobel
Winters Read
, November 20, 2010
This book provides thorough, general (and specific) answers to these top ten questions we fear to be asked. Each answer is backed up by Scripture, has a shortened version, tips for talking about each issue with unbelievers, and discussion questions. I will definitely use this as a reference if ever put in such a situation!
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Skin Map
by
Stephen Lawhead
Winters Read
, November 06, 2010
This was a somewhat enjoyable story. The plot was quite unique, but I was expecting a smorgasbord of different worlds, while the worlds were just like ours. The characters were developed moderately well (Wilhelmina the most), but Lady Fayth just confused me, showing one temperament in one moment and another in the next. The only thing I thought made the book quite enjoyable was Lawhead’s use of description. He uses fine, unexpected adjectives that appeal to all your senses. The best instance of this was the scene introducing Wu Chen Hu, the tattoo artist. The enemy’s being in one world and another at the same time became a bit confusing, along with his differing attitudes. And finally, the grand purpose of this Skin Map was only revealed at the end, and I believe that leaves the reader anticipating nothing but drama until then. The only mention of Christianity I found were a few references in random conversations.
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Almost Heaven
by
Chris Fabry
Winters Read
, November 05, 2010
I’ll say right off that I don’t read many books in this genre. What drew me in was the idea of an angel being part of the story. This angel, Malachi, often didn’t do quite what I expected (fight many supernatural battles with demons, like in Frank Peretti‘s fiction This Present Darkness), but rather opted to reflect upon the human life and sinful nature. This was actually quite similar to C.S. Lewis’ book, The Screwtape Letters, only told from the viewpoint of an angel rather than a demon. By the time I realized this wasn’t going to packed full of battles involving higher beings, I was quite entranced by Chris Fabry’s cohesive writing and portrait of Billy Allman. Billy is a musical, kind-hearted person who frequently seeks to benefit someone else. However, he is definitely human, and thus not perfect. Sometimes he becomes selfish, and other times ignorant, but he later returns to the fact that Christ alone can and will forgive. Fabry’s characters live and breathe so well that each time they do so, a page turns. I was fantastically drawn into their lives.
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Taking Back Astronomy The Heavens Declare Creation
by
Jason Lisle
Winters Read
, October 17, 2010
This was an incredible book! When it first said it would be merely an introduction, I got the idea that it would be mostly pictures with a few captions explaining them. It was exactly the opposite! There were SO MANY facts in there, refuting evolutionary and naturalist arguments in many areas of astronomy. Big bang, millions of years, Oort Cloud, baryon number, you name it! It gives all of this from a Christian standpoint, and shows how the Bible confirms this science, and how this science confirms the Bible. All the pictures of galaxies, planets, and nebulae were astounding! Then, to top it off, he gives the Bible’s good news itself into the last chapter! I was very pleased!
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The Appearing: In the End Is Our Beginning
by
Kristen Wisen
Winters Read
, October 09, 2010
Wow! This is quite a change from the Left Behind series. It is shorter, and it has a different point of view, that being a mid-tribulation rapture. There were some very interesting points made for that view that made me consider that possibility. The first section of the book placed the setting nicely, and it wasn’t too boring. The intrigue pumped up about 100 pages in when the antichrist revealed himself, and the ball rolled faster from then on. Most of the characters were solid, but some at a few times wore thin with their lines. There were also a few editorial/spelling mistakes here and there. The climax was short and sweet (in a way), and had me gnawing my nails up until then!
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The Keepers of Elenath, Book One
by
Bradburn, Amanda
Winters Read
, October 04, 2010
Soon after I started this book, I could easily tell it was Bradburn’s first novel. The beginning of the plot was confusing: it revealed something awfully quickly, and I couldn’t discern the direction of the storyline at all. These starting events were necessary, but could have been written better. About 100 pages in, the story took a solid form and I began to enjoy it. I was a little disappointed when there wasn’t too much of the training-in-secret-practices scene that I always enjoy, but it looks as if that will come in the second book. I noticed that many terms were used a few times too many (“former princess,” for example) in a short space of time. Overall, the plot and characters steadily improved as the book progressed. What this means to a Christian: There are many people in the world who call themselves Christians. Many actually are, but some may not have a true understanding. It is the job of those who do to give them, and everyone else, the truth, and an opportunity to know Christ.
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Restorers Son
by
Sharon Hinck
Winters Read
, October 01, 2010
This is a very good fantasy, albeit a little strange and unique. I enjoyed the ease in which Sharon moves real life characters from one dangerous situation to another tender and heart-warming one within a few pages. The balance of characters was ok, even though there were quite a few. There were two points of view in the book: Susan’s and Kieran’s. Each had lengthy sections at a time, but the transitions were slightly abrupt. The message of the Gospel to any non-believing reader was unmistakable. What this book means to a Christian: God is everywhere, and he has a plan for everything and everyone. Sometimes there are things we think HAVE to happen, but he says “Yield,” and we don’t want to, and maybe it takes multiple times to submit, or maybe we abandon His reasoning altogether, but the point is that He has a purpose for everything we and others go through. As Steven Curtis Chapman said in his song “See,” “But right now, all I can say is ‘Lord, how long before you come and take away this aching?’ This night of weeping seems to have no end. But when the morning light breaks through, we'll open up our eyes and we will see it's everything that He said that it would be and even better than we would believe”
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Bride Collector
by
Ted Dekker
Winters Read
, September 28, 2010
I have been reading Ted Dekker for a while, and I am usually impressed with his work. Thr3e, Blink of an Eye, and Skin, which are among his best. However, I started the book, and just three pages in there were two inappropriate descriptions that should not be in any Christian book. After that, I had no desire to read further.
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Kestrels Midnight Song
by
Jacob Parker, Scott Appleton, Halil Ural
Winters Read
, September 26, 2010
Explore the land of Gable! Take a ride on the elusive Aegre bird! Join the search for the legendary Caelum flute! The adventure is thick with many fantastical scapes and creatures! The plot is developed with mastery. Everything falls into place neatly, without me suspecting it’s conclusion. The inn-servant girl and the giant could have more involvement and purpose in the story. There isn’t enough thrilling material to make you read all night, but it isn’t boring either. My rating: 4.5 stars
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Eternity Falls
by
Kirk Outerbridge
Winters Read
, September 20, 2010
This book is just amazing! I was transported to a new world with seemingly infinite possibilities, and Outerbridge fascinated me with his style and ease of storytelling! The book moved very, very fast, which was very nice! What I was hesitant to come to a conclusion about at first, however, was how Christians were portrayed. All I saw was Virgil representing Christians, hoping there was an alternative, and then there was! About two-thirds of the way through, it became crystal clear, despite being slightly surreal for a few pages. Of course, I can’t reveal too much, so go ahead and read it yourself! You will be very glad you did!
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Solitary
by
Travis Thrasher
Winters Read
, September 17, 2010
This book started out as what I would at first term boring, but in hindsight there were some interesting details I deemed unimportant. I felt the intrigue really crank up at about 100 pages in, and I couldn’t seem to stop reading after that. The romance was turned up a little much for me, personally, but at least there was more to the story. I never expected the ending to happen that certain way. I was pretty baffled, but I still cannot wait for the next installment in the series!
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Falling Away
by
T L Hines
Winters Read
, September 13, 2010
This book has one of the most unique plots of all the Christian books I have read. It was quite confusing at first though, as the storyline had two main characters’ viewpoints, and it would often skip back and forth in the lives of each without warning. Although, about half-way through the book, everything was, for the most part, understandable. One thing I had trouble with was how Hines represented Christians. He actually used “exorcist” as defining them in a way. I can imagine he intended that to mean we draw out sin’s influence, but it isn’t us. It is God and God only that can forgive sins. Maybe I just didn’t read it correctly, but that is what hit me. Also, the character representing Christians actively practiced embedding. Ugh. On the other hand, the kill box analogy was pretty cool! But, I can’t reveal any spoilers about it. :) Despite my ramblings, I recommend this book!
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Outlive Your Life
by
Max Lucado
Winters Read
, September 11, 2010
I had figured this book would take a lot of time to get through, since most books like it are packed tight with theology. I guess it shows then that I have never read anything by Max Lucado. I understood everything I read, and enjoyed reading it. Lucado systematically shows many ways we can make a difference in the world, by using the examples of others in the present day, and in the Bible. With each chapter, he tucks it in tight with relevant scripture passages on either end, and concludes that each time with a prayer. I found this very similar to the book Do Hard Things, written by Alex and Brett Harris, for teens, challenging them also to make a difference. Outlive Your Life is mainly for adults however, but is simple for teens like me to read as well. With all we can do, we can do it for the glory of God, because if not for Him, we could not do anything. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
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Hunter Brown and the Secret of the Shadow
by
Christopher Miller and Allan Miller
Winters Read
, September 04, 2010
It was a pleasure reading this book. I enjoyed and appreciated the fact that the readers could identify with the characters’ struggles and choices. Something else I liked was how there were no instances in which people from Solandria were confused by a reference to an earthly item. (maybe that statement alone was confusing) That seems too common in parallel-world fantasy. The book was somewhat engaging, and the ending was almost unpredictable. (stumped me, though)
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Valley Of The Shadow
by
Tom Pawlik
Winters Read
, September 03, 2010
In my review (which you can read here) of the previous book in this series, Vanish, I mentioned that the book didn’t go to very many possible angles of the story. In this book, however, much more possibility is explored. Many, many things were unexpected. Also unlike the last book, the story ended in a very satisfying way. It also presents more opportunity to delve into the idea. The Christian themes of the book were pretty apparent, some being Heaven, faith, and prayer.
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Vanish
by
Tom Pawlik
Winters Read
, September 03, 2010
I have to say that this book was a little bit stranger than most. It’s creatures resemble those in Eoin Colfer’s The Supernaturalist, but with the ferocity and vulnerabilities of those in the movie I am Legend. The Christian perspective is not completely shown until the end. For this reason, do not assume this book is Christian in name only. Pawlik does not take the element of suspenseful imagery to very many angles, resulting in repeated incidents.
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The Malacca Conspiracy
by
Don Brown
Winters Read
, August 25, 2010
This is first military-related fiction I have read in quite a while. From what I could tell, though, Brown really seemed to know his stuff! The plot is well though-out and intriguing. It made you think what you would do if faced with certain decision leaders often have to make. It even included some romance, which was not inappropriate. I did expect a gripping, suspenseful story, which it was right at the end, but wasn’t until then. It could have used more.
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The Superlative Stream
by
Kerry Nietz
Winters Read
, July 31, 2010
I have a hard time calling this just a book. It is a masterful tale, woven with a different thread, and in colors mixed in a very unique way. It brings you in with its use of the present tense and futuristic dialogue. It is not just a book, but an enthralling, up-against-your-nose story. Despite the characters’ absence from Earth, Nietz still shows the wrongs of Islamic society through their memories. It also shows the delusion of those living with no purpose but pleasure. Nietz continues to astound me. “Five stars,” I say without hesitation.
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What in the World Is Going On?: 10 Prophetic Clues You Cannot Afford to Ignore
by
David Jeremiah
Winters Read
, July 29, 2010
This book really helps you prepare for the coming fulfillment of Biblical prophecies. Granted, it is written with a pre-tribulation Rapture viewpoint. It is written clearly; any Christian who reads it will understand what is being said. He includes some visual aids in the book, but not too many to distract. He also is very prolific with scripture references and quotes, ranging from Tim LaHaye and Ernest Shackleton. It not only gives clear facts and leaves some mysteries, but also gives reassurance that God is in control. My rating: 4 stars.
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The Word Reclaimed
by
Steve Rzasa
Winters Read
, July 25, 2010
This is a good speculative fiction, considering there are not too many written from a Christian perspective. Steve Rzasa knows his stuff when it comes to describing his complicated space world. However, about 130 pages into the book, he brings in a whole new set and group of characters to consider. This gets a little boring, as you are so used to the previous setting that you want to skip through it. Also, some of the key characters simply drop out of the story right before the new set in shown, and they never reappear. My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Consider buying at a bookstore.
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Zero G
by
Alton Gansky
Winters Read
, July 23, 2010
This book is a pretty good read. It has all the elements of a good suspense, with a little bit of science fiction, but it doesn’t quite have that read-till-you-drop intensity. The main character is a true-to-life figure with haunting memories of an accident a year before. Often, pleading prayer is shown more than gratitude. My rating: 3 stars. Good enough to get at a library; save your money for something else.
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The Betrayal: A Novel on John Calvin
by
Douglas Bond
Winters Read
, July 23, 2010
Douglas Bond is the master of everything historical in the era of John Calvin. Almost every paragraph has some historical context to it. When reading it, I felt as if I came to know everything even remotely important about John Calvin’s life and ministry. I also enjoyed his attention to detail of cities and architecture. Bond’s approach to this novel is appealing. He doesn’t attempt to get into Calvin’s head and explain his everyday thought process, but rather shows Calvin’s actions through the eyes of an ever-near character. However, he does leave the reader to consider the words of Calvin as recorded by the bystander. This book easily earns five stars!
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Jesus You Cant Ignore What You Must Learn from the Bold Confrontations of Christ
by
John MacArthur
Winters Read
, July 11, 2010
The accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry are packed with truth, and MacArthur uncovers much of its hidden aspects. More importantly, he emphasizes the obvious truth that Jesus opposed the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They were Israel’s religious leaders, but they only practiced the letter, and not the spirit, of the law. This book goes through a detailed account of Jesus’ ministry and of how he publicly opposed the Sanhedrin’s false teaching. This book is very relevant to Christianity all around the world. It exposes the Emergent church and opposes it and those who support it with the truth that Christ condemned its kind of teaching. The book took accounts from all four gospels and was as thorough as a book its size could be. It portrays Christ not to be a merciful, loving God in every situation, but also truthful, just, and full of wrath toward unrepentant sinners. This book opens your eyes to Christ, and how He forces you not to ignore Him, but either repent or oppose.
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Berinfell Prophecies 02 Venom & Song
by
Wayne Thomas Batson
Winters Read
, July 09, 2010
Now having returned to the unusual world of Allyra, the renowned Seven Elven Lords struggle to meet up with the expectations of their fellow Elves. They must train to fight in the elite Vexbane form while they can. Meanwhile, the Spider King’s forces rally to locate and exterminate the elves. When bad turns to worse, the Lords must be ready to thwart the Spider King’s plans and end his reign of terror. But who knows what horrors the Spider King has kept locked away. This fantasy fiction novel definitely has a feel of its own. It has a unique combination of story styles: medieval, other-worldly, and contemporary. It even throws in a little harmless romance. It’s plot was well thought-out, despite a few minute details missed. Different from the previous novel, Curse of the Spider King, there were less main characters. What Mr. Batson and Mr. Hopper pulled off is that each of the 9 main characters’ individual characters were shown and developed well throughout. Most important were the story’s themes, such as trusting God at all times and fellowshipping with believers. I recommend this book to anyone who sees it on a shelf.
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Oath
by
Frank Peretti
Winters Read
, July 09, 2010
Here is the summary of The Oath found on Amazon: Under cover of darkness, something evil is at work in Hyde River, an old mining town deep in the mountains. Its latest victim, nature photographer Cliff Benson, was brutally killed while camping -- and his wife Evelyn has been driven nearly mad by what she saw, but she can't remember what it was. The sheriff thinks a rogue bear killed Cliff. But townspeople whisper -- and Cliff's death is just the latest in a long string of bizarre "accidents." Cliff's brother Steve is determined to find out the truth about what's concealed in the old caverns near Hyde River, a mystery that the local folk legends only hint at. This review contains some spoilers. The Oath was a masterpiece in the sense of the sin metaphor and spiritual things taking physical form. When I first saw the 550-page book, my heart cowered at the thought of reading through the boring introductions to the characters. These thoughts were unnecessary, as Peretti dragged me in from the first page to the last with turns, twists and plunges. The only thing I found that bothered me was that one or two of the book’s scenes was somewhat inappropriate, even though they didn’t describe anything in detail. 4 out of 5 stars.
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Starlighter
by
Beverly Davis
Winters Read
, July 09, 2010
Starlighter, a fantasy title written by Bryan Davis and published by Zondervan, is an exceptional read. Jason Masters, a boy on the planet Major Four, has two missing brothers. These brothers had left to investigate the disappearance of people on Major Four, and disappeared themselves. The likely suspects: dragons. Old stories told of dragons who came and enslaved people and took them back to their planet, Starlight. Jason himself decides to hunt for the passage to this planet. Meanwhile, Koren, a slave on Starlight, wills herself to believe these stories of a human planet. Koren, also a Starlighter, becomes involved with a dangerously important black egg. During this involvement, she discovers a peculiar ability of hers to mesmerize dragons with her stories, by bringing them to life. Both Koren and Jason must utilize their plans to evacuate the slaves of Starlight back to Major Four. The characters in Starlighter seem wrought out of true emotion, and contain great depth. Jason mourns for his brothers and other unfortunates. Koren feels great responsibility for Natalla when she attempts to escape her slave life. Arxad sees the slaves as the humans view themselves. Bryan Davis employs a greatly tempered use of writing in this fantasy. He takes a unique plot and convinces us that this fiction story could really happen, because of our familiarity given by the writing language used. He takes many plot details that could become extensively confusing, as sometimes was the case in his Echoes From The Edge trilogy, and uses them not to confound, but to intrigue and entice the reader. Themes present in this fantasy title offer us some insight into our Christian lives. Sacrifice is very frequent in our world, and we must face it with faith that God is in control. We must have faith that what is best for us is what he is giving us. Overall, Starlighter is a one-of-a-kind fantasy book with a decent and enticing plot. I give this book 5 stars for Bryan’s successful mixing of fiction and Biblical truth.
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Galactic Lore Starfire The Mending
by
Stuart Vaughn Stockton
Winters Read
, July 09, 2010
Starfire, the first installment in The Mending, is written by Stuart Vaughn Stockton and is published by Marcher Lord Press. In a far-off world, Rathe, a Yanguch Saurian, was born of a low status. Due to a lucky encounter, he has been given the chance to rise up and take his place among the finest fighters. However, on his first assignment, he becomes the subject of a grand plot to destroy either his nation or the opposing empire, the Herians. As time grows short, he must protect the weapon from the Herians as they tirelessly attempt to retrieve it. Starfire is a unique sci-fi treat. It combines the ferocity and reality of Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park with the knowledge and complexity of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord Of The Rings. What I enjoyed throughout this book was that you can soon relate to everything that is going on, despite the scale barrier. The best sci-fi that I have read has always found a way to bring the reader between the pages into the reality of the tale. This is most certainly how I felt when I read Starfire. This is a great book to lose yourself in during any season, if you enjoy futuristic fiction.
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Green The Circle 04
by
Ted Dekker
Winters Read
, July 09, 2010
Here is the summary of Green found on Amazon: As foretold by ancient prophets, an apocalypse destroyed Earth during the twenty-first century. But two thousand years later Elyon set upon the earth a new Adam. This time, however, he gave humanity an advantage. What was once unseen became seen. It was good and it was called...Green. But the evil Teeleh bided his time in a Black Forest. Then, when least expected, a twenty-four year old named Thomas Hunter fell asleep in our world and woke up in that future Black Forest. A gateway was opened for Teeleh to ravage the land. Devastated by the ruin, Thomas Hunter and his Circle swore to fight the dark scourge until their dying death. That was then. Now the Circle has lost all hope. And Samuel, Thomas Hunter's cherished son, has turned his back on his father and is aligning dark forces to wage the final war. Thomas is crushed--but determined to rescue the Circle and his son even if he has to cross two worlds to do so. First of all, this review has some minor spoilers. Green is good when it comes to a thrilling allegory/fiction. What I didn’t like about it is that it doesn’t do well in a series. At the beginning, Dekker stated that the book could be read before or after the trilogy. I thought that the book was still confusing, possibly because I had not read the Lost Books. The Lost Books would have been hard to understand if read before the Circle Trilogy. This just puts another confusing circle into the overall tale. Another problem I had with it is that it mix-and-matched Bible stories, such as Abraham’s sacrifice of his son and David’s son Absalom’s rebellion. This book gets three stars from me.
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Oracles of Fire 04 Bones Of Makaidos
by
Bryan Davis
Winters Read
, July 09, 2010
The Bones of Makaidos is the fourth and last book in the Oracles of Fire series, written by Bryan Davis and published by Living Ink Books. In Second Eden, the wall of fire is all that separates Billy, Walter, Ashley, Elam, the Dragons, and the villagers from the coming invasion, and that itself will not hold long. Sapphira, Shiloh, and Bonnie reside in the Underworld, waiting to be given a chance to fight. Arramos, the evil one, plans to add Second Eden to the merging of Earth and Hades, in order to gain access to Heaven. One of Arramos’ weapons is Devin, the greatest dragon slayer to have lived. His other subtle trick is Mardon, who has found a way to steal the Oracle Acacia’s indestructibility for himself. Semiramis, Mardon’s mother, comes to Billy and gives away Arramos’ plans, but Elam has many doubts that she has their best interests in mind. With all these conflicts pressing into the dwellers of Second Eden, a sacrificial lamb must come forth to conquer the evil. I consider Bryan Davis’ books to be very complex and sometimes altogether confusing. This does not always work out for the better, but in the case of Bones of Makaidos, it worked out fantastically! Everything comes through in the end; every pressing conflict is resolved and temporary peace seems to have been attained. Something that set this book apart from the most of the series is the passage of time. At one point in the book, about four years are skipped. Looking back, I could not really say at which point it was; it was quite abrupt and surprising. This book shows the characters’ trust in God, or lack thereof, very well. When, in Eye of the Oracle, Davis shows the passage of time, Sapphira doesn’t age physically or even mentally quite so much. What sets this book apart from every other book in this series is the mental and physical improvement of the characters. This is very real and challenges us to be like them: having faith in God and following Him through whatever He sets out for us. This 674-page book earns five stars!
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Blink Of An Eye
by
Ted Dekker
Winters Read
, July 09, 2010
Blink, by Ted Dekker, is quite an enthralling tale. It begins with Seth Borders, a seemingly normal college student. One thing different about him is, he has one of the world’s highest IQs. He is suddenly stricken with an unusual ability, an eye into potential futures. One day, he runs into Miriam, a Saudi Arabian princess, fleeing to avoid a forced marriage. Together, they attempt to keep a step ahead of people bent on kidnapping and killing Miriam. Dekker’s characters are very realistic, especially in today’s society. In Blink, he merges the Arabian culture with the American, creating a unique situation. Miriam is an Arabian princess who doesn’t want to be, if it means being forced into marriage. Seth is a bored genius who is looking for something new in the world, and finds it in Miriam and his new talent. The writing in Blink is very engaging. It draws the reader into the story so well that they don’t remember turning its pages! With each of the characters, you seem to feel what they feel, see what they see how they see it, and respond the same way. Dekker provides the reader with a view of the strange culture of Saudi Arabia, and helps us discover the moral issues in some of their traditions, such as drowning a matrimonially uncooperative wife. Blink also explores the possibility of the existence of God. The reader is given no solid conclusion, but left with evidences given by the book, some of which are present in real life, to formulate his/her own conclusion. Overall, Blink gives the reader a sense of purpose in the world and a moral guide. The writing draws the reader into the characters’ shoes, and gives them reasons for their moral decisions. This thriller is a must for avid readers!
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Star Curiously Singing
by
Kerry Nietz
Winters Read
, July 09, 2010
A Star Curiously Singing is the first title in the Dark Trench Saga, written by Kerry Nietz and published by Marcher Lord Press. Sandfly is a debugger, a man who has been modified to connect to a vast information source, the stream, to fix whatever problems arise in the masters’ technology. His modification lies in the form of an implant, which allows him access to the stream, and also restricts anything but a humble attitude. He is given an unusual task one day: to fix a robot. The only confusing variables in this task are that this robot tore itself apart, and that it had just returned from a maiden voyage on an upgraded ship. Investigating further, he finds that this robot heard singing, and this singing has a peculiar effect on robots, debuggers, and humans. What he will find will change his viewpoint over everything. A Star Curiously Singing is a jewel among speculative fiction. It takes a marvelous idea (the stream) and makes it modern technology: understandable and useful. The characters have great freedom in the sense that their emotions do not have to be shown to the reader very much, as they are themselves encouraged to forget emotion completely. However, at the end, emotion requires a strong foundation, which had been growing throughout the book. Above all, it shows God (A~A³) very clearly through natural revelation (revelation through God’s creation). It portrays the concept of “new birth” (in the guise of “reprogramming”) very accurately. Overall, this book is a five-star wonder!
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Isle Of Fire
by
Wayne Thomas Batson
Winters Read
, February 06, 2010
Isle of Fire is an adventurous pirate fiction, the sequel to Isle of Swords. It displays many moral themes, with great plot precision. Declan Ross and his daughter, Anne have teamed up with Commodore Blake to hire his pirate friends to help hunt down the enemy pirates, including Bartholomew Thorne, who has escaped his prison. Cat is asked to join the Brethren’s quest against the dreaded Merchant, and accepts, and gives Anne the opportunity to join him on the sea. She is given permission by Declan, and they track the Merchant to the Isla Secreta, his hideout. Meanwhile, Thorne has sailed to the Raukar tribe, an ancient surviving Viking clan. He enlists their aid and their fiery cannons, which no one could have been prepared for. He sets their fleet out for an attack on England, which Declan has picked up a rumor about. Declan warns his friends and they set out to disrupt Thorne’s plans.
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Door Within 03 Final Storm
by
Wayne Thomas Batson
Winters Read
, January 07, 2010
The Final Storm, written by Wayne Thomas Batson, is an allegorical Christian fantasy fiction with many moral themes and lessons. Aidan Thomas, a mid-teen boy, is in Maryland, planning to visit his friend, Robby, to convince him to ally himself with the one true King. Meanwhile, his other friend, Antoinette, has been captured by Kearn, Robby’s twin in Alleble, but he has been impressed by her skill at the sword. She has been trying to turn him to the True King, but hopes look dim. Aidan gets through to Robby, and soon Robby is also called to come to Alleble. Meanwhile, the dark prince Paragor, has unleashed the full forces of his army to conquer Alleble, King Eliam, the fabled Three Witnesses, and the people’s hope. The story of the three Witnesses is doubted by many, and as Paragor unleashes the also fabled Wyrm Lord and Seven Sleepers, almost all doubts are replaced by hopes.
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