1 to 16 of 16
Review Date: 9/11/2009
Helpful Score: 2
You could say that The Black Tattoo is another of the countless good vs. evil tales where a trio of characters battle to save planet Earth from the forces of darkness. You could say that. Until you read this book.
The author's cast of characters could be any of the teenagers attending your nearby school. Charlie, the misfit, is bored with school, doesn't do homework, can't get a girlfriend, hates his life and desperately wants to be like his ultra-cool, good-looking, smart and ever-popular friend. Jack, of course, is that friend. Then there's Esme. She's trained her whole life for this mission. It has been her total focus for as long as she can remember. Just think of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider and you've got the talents, skills and finesse of Esme.
The author draws the reader into this story through his integration of vividly described action scenes, fantastical settings, realistic characters, and quick pacing. As the main characters are deeply involved in surface issues, they are also dealing privately with individual issues of ethics, morality and loyalty. They must each deal with their own personal demons regarding these issues in order to be ready to accomplish the task at hand. Cleverly, the author provokes the reader's contemplation of these issues as well.
Join Charlie, Jack and Esme as they battle inner demons, interpersonal relationship issues, and the battle of their lives. Together they must go to the very depths of hell to save planet Earth from total destruction. You won't want to miss it!
Happy reading!
The author's cast of characters could be any of the teenagers attending your nearby school. Charlie, the misfit, is bored with school, doesn't do homework, can't get a girlfriend, hates his life and desperately wants to be like his ultra-cool, good-looking, smart and ever-popular friend. Jack, of course, is that friend. Then there's Esme. She's trained her whole life for this mission. It has been her total focus for as long as she can remember. Just think of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider and you've got the talents, skills and finesse of Esme.
The author draws the reader into this story through his integration of vividly described action scenes, fantastical settings, realistic characters, and quick pacing. As the main characters are deeply involved in surface issues, they are also dealing privately with individual issues of ethics, morality and loyalty. They must each deal with their own personal demons regarding these issues in order to be ready to accomplish the task at hand. Cleverly, the author provokes the reader's contemplation of these issues as well.
Join Charlie, Jack and Esme as they battle inner demons, interpersonal relationship issues, and the battle of their lives. Together they must go to the very depths of hell to save planet Earth from total destruction. You won't want to miss it!
Happy reading!
Review Date: 6/13/2011
You've heard the old adage "you can choose your friends but you can't choose your family," right? Well, that's the premise behind Michelle D. Kwasney's young adult novel, Blue Plate Special. The title comes from the name of a special low-cost meal that could be ordered from a small town diner as early as the 1920s. (LINK: [...]) This no-substitutions meat and veggie combo plate is sort of like your family - you get what you get.
Three teens, Madeline, Desiree and Ariel, are all good girls. Each lives in a different decade but they are all served an assortment of dysfunctional relationship issues.
When fifteen-year-old Madeline isn't in school, she plays the role of parent. She makes sure the food stamps buy food and only half the non-welfare money gets spent on beer. Her mother, Leona, is always drunk and is already three deep in DUIs. At 200+ pounds, Madeline's probable drug of choice is food but her physical scars may reveal a deeper root to the pain and resentment buried in her heart. Now... open Maddie's world and insert Tad. He's the first person to engage her in meaningful conversation - ever. A spark of life ignites and begins to wash away the pain of her early years. In spite of the angst of their days, Madeline and Tad hold onto the hope of a brighter future together.
Twenty years later, fifteen-year-old Desiree's dream is to leave home at eighteen, live with her boyfriend, Jeremy, and "be the best mom on the planet" (p. 16). Unfortunately, for now at least, she's stuck at home dealing with her mother and Larry, her mother's boyfriend. What a contrast between the two adults. Her mother, a pain medication addict, ignores Desiree most of the time. When she does notice Desiree it's only to tell her that she wears too much makeup and dresses like a slut. She disregards the fact that Desiree's relationship with Jeremy is platonic and she's still a virgin. Larry, on the other hand, sees Desiree as quite the irresistible and desirable woman. Consequently, early one evening he lies in wait, baits her and then rapes her. When she finds out she's pregnant her whole world turns upside down and so does her boyfriend, Jeremy's.
Until fifteen, Ariel's life had been relatively calm. Even now, her mom works hard, they share a loving relationship, and Ariel even has a great best friend, Olivia. Things begin to change, however, as Ariel's new boyfriend Shane becomes increasingly possessive and pushes harder each day for Ariel to submit to his desires. It seems that everyone can see Shane for the manipulative predator he is except for Ariel. All she sees is that Shane, the giver of her first kiss, loves her and will go to great lengths to protect her from harm.
Kwasney's writing engages the senses and invites the reader to slow down and savor every scene. Her well-rounded characters live in vivid settings. The high-school experiences, emotions and interactions mirror those of her intended audience of 14+ with one exception. When Jeremy rapes Desiree, the play-by-play details put the reader in the back seat of the car with Desiree. The vivid account may evoke within the reader shared feelings of powerlessness which may be too upsetting for some young teens.
William Styron said, "A good book should leave you... slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading it." For me, this quote held true with Blue Plate Special.
Three teens, Madeline, Desiree and Ariel, are all good girls. Each lives in a different decade but they are all served an assortment of dysfunctional relationship issues.
When fifteen-year-old Madeline isn't in school, she plays the role of parent. She makes sure the food stamps buy food and only half the non-welfare money gets spent on beer. Her mother, Leona, is always drunk and is already three deep in DUIs. At 200+ pounds, Madeline's probable drug of choice is food but her physical scars may reveal a deeper root to the pain and resentment buried in her heart. Now... open Maddie's world and insert Tad. He's the first person to engage her in meaningful conversation - ever. A spark of life ignites and begins to wash away the pain of her early years. In spite of the angst of their days, Madeline and Tad hold onto the hope of a brighter future together.
Twenty years later, fifteen-year-old Desiree's dream is to leave home at eighteen, live with her boyfriend, Jeremy, and "be the best mom on the planet" (p. 16). Unfortunately, for now at least, she's stuck at home dealing with her mother and Larry, her mother's boyfriend. What a contrast between the two adults. Her mother, a pain medication addict, ignores Desiree most of the time. When she does notice Desiree it's only to tell her that she wears too much makeup and dresses like a slut. She disregards the fact that Desiree's relationship with Jeremy is platonic and she's still a virgin. Larry, on the other hand, sees Desiree as quite the irresistible and desirable woman. Consequently, early one evening he lies in wait, baits her and then rapes her. When she finds out she's pregnant her whole world turns upside down and so does her boyfriend, Jeremy's.
Until fifteen, Ariel's life had been relatively calm. Even now, her mom works hard, they share a loving relationship, and Ariel even has a great best friend, Olivia. Things begin to change, however, as Ariel's new boyfriend Shane becomes increasingly possessive and pushes harder each day for Ariel to submit to his desires. It seems that everyone can see Shane for the manipulative predator he is except for Ariel. All she sees is that Shane, the giver of her first kiss, loves her and will go to great lengths to protect her from harm.
Kwasney's writing engages the senses and invites the reader to slow down and savor every scene. Her well-rounded characters live in vivid settings. The high-school experiences, emotions and interactions mirror those of her intended audience of 14+ with one exception. When Jeremy rapes Desiree, the play-by-play details put the reader in the back seat of the car with Desiree. The vivid account may evoke within the reader shared feelings of powerlessness which may be too upsetting for some young teens.
William Styron said, "A good book should leave you... slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading it." For me, this quote held true with Blue Plate Special.
Review Date: 9/20/2009
You've probably heard the sayings âall good things must come to an endâ and âlife is good,â right? Well, obviously life must come to an end. You don't need sayings to know that. But in this futuristic tale by Gemma Malley, the good life never has to end. Every legal 16-year-old gets to choose. So, what's the choice? Eternal life or a child. Just sign the Declaration and you're in â forever.
The problem for 15-year-old Anna is that she's not legal. She doesn't get that choice or any other choices because she's Surplus. All the children who weren't supposed to be born are Surplus. For Anna that means Grange Hall, a training facility, where she's being programmed to serve the âimmortals' until her short miserable life is over. She's been beaten, starved and brainwashed to believe that her parents were selfish to have her and that it would take her whole life to atone for their sins.
Then 16-year-old Peter gets dropped off at Grange Hall by the Catchers. But Peter's no ordinary Surplus. He's got confidence and spirit and all his attention is focused on Anna. He tells her he knows her parents and that they love her. He says he got caught on purpose so he can help her escape. He's definitely getting into Anna's head. Anna's life depends on her ability to continue her training without distraction but it's getting harder and harder for her to maintain her focus. What if Peter's telling the truth? How long can she suppress her hidden hopes and dreams for a real life outside of Grange Hall? Is this a trick? Is it a test to see if she's ready to advance in her training? Or could everything she believes in be one huge pack of lies?
The Declaration is a thought-provoking read and the way things are going now it may not be too far off from tomorrow's truth.
The problem for 15-year-old Anna is that she's not legal. She doesn't get that choice or any other choices because she's Surplus. All the children who weren't supposed to be born are Surplus. For Anna that means Grange Hall, a training facility, where she's being programmed to serve the âimmortals' until her short miserable life is over. She's been beaten, starved and brainwashed to believe that her parents were selfish to have her and that it would take her whole life to atone for their sins.
Then 16-year-old Peter gets dropped off at Grange Hall by the Catchers. But Peter's no ordinary Surplus. He's got confidence and spirit and all his attention is focused on Anna. He tells her he knows her parents and that they love her. He says he got caught on purpose so he can help her escape. He's definitely getting into Anna's head. Anna's life depends on her ability to continue her training without distraction but it's getting harder and harder for her to maintain her focus. What if Peter's telling the truth? How long can she suppress her hidden hopes and dreams for a real life outside of Grange Hall? Is this a trick? Is it a test to see if she's ready to advance in her training? Or could everything she believes in be one huge pack of lies?
The Declaration is a thought-provoking read and the way things are going now it may not be too far off from tomorrow's truth.
Review Date: 6/13/2011
Helpful Score: 1
Reverend Adam Thomas was one of the first in the Millennial generation to be ordained to the Episcopal priesthood. He writes a daily online devotional, devotiONEighty, and publishes a blog entitled WhereTheWind. Through these and other outlets, he maintains a voice in the virtual world on the need for and challenges of being authentic disciples of Jesus Christ in both the real world and in the digital environment. Thomas identifies both connection and communion as foundational to the Christian experience. He cautions that the virtual environment can provide the unaware with a false sense of intimacy. He distinguishes this from the Biblical concept of relationship and communion taught by Jesus during His earthly ministry. Thomas teaches how to move from superficial connection to authentic communion. He provides practical guidance in the real-world spiritual disciplines of prayer, meditation, Bible study and sacrificial living.
In addition to promoting the opportunities the internet provides for spiritual connection, Thomas cautions his readers to stay vigilant against some of the dangers inherent in the virtual world. For example, the knowledge-base online is virtually unlimited. There is a danger in relying on the ease of using internet search engines for knowledge-seeking in lieu of relying on memory and of personally developing and using critical thinking skills. With lack of practice, an individual's mental capacity for learning, understanding and critical thinking can be diminished. In speaking to digital disciples, Thomas expresses concern that an increased reliance on the wealth of online spiritual resources can result in the decline of time spent practicing spiritual disciplines offline. Rather than hiding scripture in one's heart, individuals are choosing to outsource that function to keyword searching on the internet. Rather than actually praying, the internet offers literally millions of pages to read about prayer. These practices can result in the decline of an individual's personal communion with God.
In Digital Disciple, Thomas brings that discourse to a book format. His writing is casual, his tone conversational, and his personality engaging. Yes, he expressly identifies himself as one of the youngest Episcopal priests but you will find no air of superiority or condescension. It is only given to validate his unique perspective on the subject matter. His intent in writing is to engage the local church body in an exchange of ideas on discipleship and what that might look like in today's world. Rev. Thomas broadens his audience via footnotes where he clarifies and defines colloquial terms that may not be familiar to older readers who are interested in reaching out to today's youth. His message is valid for the Church today. The topics discussed in Digital Disciple hold potential for small group discussions at the local level as well as for breakout sessions at youth pastor conferences.
In addition to promoting the opportunities the internet provides for spiritual connection, Thomas cautions his readers to stay vigilant against some of the dangers inherent in the virtual world. For example, the knowledge-base online is virtually unlimited. There is a danger in relying on the ease of using internet search engines for knowledge-seeking in lieu of relying on memory and of personally developing and using critical thinking skills. With lack of practice, an individual's mental capacity for learning, understanding and critical thinking can be diminished. In speaking to digital disciples, Thomas expresses concern that an increased reliance on the wealth of online spiritual resources can result in the decline of time spent practicing spiritual disciplines offline. Rather than hiding scripture in one's heart, individuals are choosing to outsource that function to keyword searching on the internet. Rather than actually praying, the internet offers literally millions of pages to read about prayer. These practices can result in the decline of an individual's personal communion with God.
In Digital Disciple, Thomas brings that discourse to a book format. His writing is casual, his tone conversational, and his personality engaging. Yes, he expressly identifies himself as one of the youngest Episcopal priests but you will find no air of superiority or condescension. It is only given to validate his unique perspective on the subject matter. His intent in writing is to engage the local church body in an exchange of ideas on discipleship and what that might look like in today's world. Rev. Thomas broadens his audience via footnotes where he clarifies and defines colloquial terms that may not be familiar to older readers who are interested in reaching out to today's youth. His message is valid for the Church today. The topics discussed in Digital Disciple hold potential for small group discussions at the local level as well as for breakout sessions at youth pastor conferences.
Review Date: 6/13/2011
Helpful Score: 1
In her three previous books James laid the Biblical foundation for a better understanding of God's vision for women. In Half the Church, she continues in that vein but also shifts her focus so that her mission has now become twofold.
First, she aims to widen the reader's scope of understanding from a primarily middle class Western worldview to a much broader international view. To do so she takes the reader through snapshots of the lives of individual girls and women identifying each by name and describing her circumstances in light of the societal context in which she lives. Although she spares the reader of some details too horrific to repeat, there remains enough information to cause the reader to be sickened by the knowledge that events so tragic happen in epidemic proportions in the 21st century.
Second, James draws from the Biblical foundations spelled out in her previous body of work to bring to the attention of the reader, whether male or female, God's explicit call on women to join alongside her brothers as ezer-warriors. To illustrate how both men and women benefit when the sexes join together to battle the enemy, James retells events that happened in the lives of great ezer-warriors both in scripture and in more recent history. Once the reader has gained that understanding and has heard the cries of the helpless, the author shifts her focus to call "half the church" to arise and go forth into their destinies.
The book is well structured. James's research and writing point readers to the bigger picture of the church's mission. She intentionally does not take sides on troublesome issues debated by Biblical scholars. Rather, she urges readers to dig deeper into God for answers on those passages of scripture. The topic is certainly thought-provoking and worthy of self-reflection. Through her writing, James seeks to awaken the sleeping giantess one reader at a time.
NOTE: I requested and received a copy of this title via NetGalley.com but made no commitment to review it.
First, she aims to widen the reader's scope of understanding from a primarily middle class Western worldview to a much broader international view. To do so she takes the reader through snapshots of the lives of individual girls and women identifying each by name and describing her circumstances in light of the societal context in which she lives. Although she spares the reader of some details too horrific to repeat, there remains enough information to cause the reader to be sickened by the knowledge that events so tragic happen in epidemic proportions in the 21st century.
Second, James draws from the Biblical foundations spelled out in her previous body of work to bring to the attention of the reader, whether male or female, God's explicit call on women to join alongside her brothers as ezer-warriors. To illustrate how both men and women benefit when the sexes join together to battle the enemy, James retells events that happened in the lives of great ezer-warriors both in scripture and in more recent history. Once the reader has gained that understanding and has heard the cries of the helpless, the author shifts her focus to call "half the church" to arise and go forth into their destinies.
The book is well structured. James's research and writing point readers to the bigger picture of the church's mission. She intentionally does not take sides on troublesome issues debated by Biblical scholars. Rather, she urges readers to dig deeper into God for answers on those passages of scripture. The topic is certainly thought-provoking and worthy of self-reflection. Through her writing, James seeks to awaken the sleeping giantess one reader at a time.
NOTE: I requested and received a copy of this title via NetGalley.com but made no commitment to review it.
Review Date: 6/13/2011
Helpful Score: 1
Ten-year-old Ludelphia Bennett had never set her bare feet on any dirt outside the small sharecropping community of Gee's Bend, Alabama. There was never a need for it. While her daddy and brother were in the fields pulling cotton, Ludelphia helped her mama around the house. When there wasn't work to be done she pulled the small scraps of cloth and needle from her pocket to work on her story quilt. Stitching the tiny pieces together settled her thoughts and comforted her.
As time passed, Mama needed her help more often. It seemed that the bigger the baby grew inside Mama, the weaker she became. One morning, a series of coughing fits seized Mama and caused her to collapse on the floor. She couldn't get back up. It was all Ludelphia could do to get Mama across the room and onto the cornshuck pallet she used for a bed. It was too soon for the baby to be born but it couldn't be helped. Without a doctor or time to spare, Ludelphia and her neighbor, Etta Mae, did everything they knew how to do.
When her mama's health takes a turn for the worse and her family says there's nothing else they can do, Ludelphia takes matters into her own hands. She decides that her mama's only hope is for her to leave Gee's Bend in search of a real doctor with real medicine. The perilous journey to Camden is over 40 miles long and danger lurks at every turn. Ludelphia's greatest strength is her ability to draw on the words of wisdom her mother instilled in her over the years. Will this inner strength be enough to carry Ludelphia to Camden and back in time to save her mother's life?
Leaving Gee's Bend is set in 1932 in the dirt-poor sharecropping community of Gee's Bend, Alabama. The language used is authentic to the period and people. The characters and landscape are vivid. The author moves smoothly between Ludelphia's inner thoughts and the world around her. Although the protagonist is only ten, Leaving Gee's Bend will appeal to more than a middle-grade audience and is reminiscent of Wilder's Little House series.
Latham has successfully woven together a novel that reflects the deep faith and inner strength of the people of Gee's Bend and offers a glimpse into the area's rich quilting history.
As time passed, Mama needed her help more often. It seemed that the bigger the baby grew inside Mama, the weaker she became. One morning, a series of coughing fits seized Mama and caused her to collapse on the floor. She couldn't get back up. It was all Ludelphia could do to get Mama across the room and onto the cornshuck pallet she used for a bed. It was too soon for the baby to be born but it couldn't be helped. Without a doctor or time to spare, Ludelphia and her neighbor, Etta Mae, did everything they knew how to do.
When her mama's health takes a turn for the worse and her family says there's nothing else they can do, Ludelphia takes matters into her own hands. She decides that her mama's only hope is for her to leave Gee's Bend in search of a real doctor with real medicine. The perilous journey to Camden is over 40 miles long and danger lurks at every turn. Ludelphia's greatest strength is her ability to draw on the words of wisdom her mother instilled in her over the years. Will this inner strength be enough to carry Ludelphia to Camden and back in time to save her mother's life?
Leaving Gee's Bend is set in 1932 in the dirt-poor sharecropping community of Gee's Bend, Alabama. The language used is authentic to the period and people. The characters and landscape are vivid. The author moves smoothly between Ludelphia's inner thoughts and the world around her. Although the protagonist is only ten, Leaving Gee's Bend will appeal to more than a middle-grade audience and is reminiscent of Wilder's Little House series.
Latham has successfully woven together a novel that reflects the deep faith and inner strength of the people of Gee's Bend and offers a glimpse into the area's rich quilting history.
Review Date: 12/11/2007
Helpful Score: 7
PostSecret is a compilation of postcards sent to Frank Warren anonymously. Sometimes frightening, sometimes sentimental, sometimes sad, always moving. Secrets brought into the light, albeit anonymously, may give the author hope of sharing again - out loud - to someone close. Secrets brought to light open windows to our souls and allow freedom to enter in. I know I could have submitted a number of these secrets myself. Maybe you will find this true as well. Thought provoking reading.
Review Date: 9/11/2009
It seems that Beddor has uncovered the truth. Children all over the world have been told only the "nice historical version" of Alice's adventures as written by Lewis Carroll in Alice in Wonderland - and what a fantastical tale it was! But as we all know, there comes a time when adults must push the happy children's tales aside and reveal to their maturing children the truth of the matter. Unless, of course, they'd prefer that their children learn the truth on the streets! Children will not be duped forever. Now, for the first time, the whole truth of Alice's adventures comes to light.
First of all, Alice's name is really Alyss Heart. It seems that someone went to great lengths to conceal Alyss's identity - for her own good, I'm sure. Now, you finally get to read the full scope of Alyss's adventures from her forbidden childhood romance, her willful nature, her struggle and loss of control of Wonderland, her escape to our world, her troubled childhood as an orphan in both worlds, her struggle with her destiny as Wonderland's rightful queen and her eventual return and fight to reclaim her rightful place as the new Queen of Hearts.
So, you think I told you too much? You think I spoiled the ending? Ah, but that's the beauty of this book. You can't know the outcome of this tale until you get there. This story is even more fantastical in its telling than the well-known children's version we all grew up with.
First of all, Alice's name is really Alyss Heart. It seems that someone went to great lengths to conceal Alyss's identity - for her own good, I'm sure. Now, you finally get to read the full scope of Alyss's adventures from her forbidden childhood romance, her willful nature, her struggle and loss of control of Wonderland, her escape to our world, her troubled childhood as an orphan in both worlds, her struggle with her destiny as Wonderland's rightful queen and her eventual return and fight to reclaim her rightful place as the new Queen of Hearts.
So, you think I told you too much? You think I spoiled the ending? Ah, but that's the beauty of this book. You can't know the outcome of this tale until you get there. This story is even more fantastical in its telling than the well-known children's version we all grew up with.
Review Date: 12/11/2007
Helpful Score: 3
PostSecret is a compilation of postcards sent to Frank Warren anonymously. Sometimes frightening, sometimes sentimental, sometimes sad, always moving. Secrets brought into the light, albeit anonymously, may give the author hope of sharing again - out loud - to someone close. Secrets brought to light open windows to our souls and allow freedom to enter in. I know I could have submitted a number of these secrets myself. Maybe you will find this true as well. Thought provoking reading.
Review Date: 12/11/2007
Helpful Score: 10
PostSecret is a compilation of postcards sent to Frank Warren anonymously. Sometimes frightening, sometimes sentimental, sometimes sad, always moving. Secrets brought into the light, albeit anonymously, may give the author hope of sharing again - out loud - to someone close. Secrets brought to light open windows to our souls and allow freedom to enter in. I know I could have submitted a number of these secrets myself. Maybe you will find this true as well. Thought provoking reading.
Review Date: 12/11/2007
PostSecret is a compilation of postcards sent to Frank Warren anonymously. Sometimes frightening, sometimes sentimental, sometimes sad, always moving. Secrets brought into the light, albeit anonymously, may give the author hope of sharing again - out loud - to someone close. Secrets brought to light open windows to our souls and allow freedom to enter in. I know I could have submitted a number of these secrets myself. Maybe you will find this true as well. Thought provoking reading.
Review Date: 9/20/2009
Hopefully, you won't consider this statement to be a spoiler. Neither Rob nor Sara is an online predator. This story falls outside the media frenzy which warns of the dangers of talking to strangers on the internet. Wouldn't it be nice to be valued by someone without concern for looks, fashion or finances? Rob has dealt with the circumstances of his life by running away â often resulting in harm to others â and now finds himself in a boot camp for troubled teens. If he doesn't stay put at âCamp Feelgoodâ his next stop will be prison. Sara, an army brat, has lived all over the world but has no place to call home. Just when she gets comfortable, her father is transferred and she has to move again. Worst of all, high school friends don't travel well. Rob, Sara and others meet in an online poetry chat room to critique each other's poems. Rob and Sara connect when they find things in common other than writing poetry. Their friendship flourishes through online letters. With Sara as his confidant Rob resists the urge to flee and in so doing discovers âthe real Rob'. Sara finds in Rob an anchor and confidant. Together they take on the challenges and angst of teen life.
Rob&sara.com kept me up until the wee hours. I just couldn't put it down! With plenty of surprises along the way, this book is a satisfying and enjoyable read.
Rob&sara.com kept me up until the wee hours. I just couldn't put it down! With plenty of surprises along the way, this book is a satisfying and enjoyable read.
Review Date: 12/11/2007
Helpful Score: 2
PostSecret is a compilation of postcards sent to Frank Warren anonymously. Sometimes frightening, sometimes sentimental, sometimes sad, always moving. Secrets brought into the light, albeit anonymously, may give the author hope of sharing again - out loud - to someone close. Secrets brought to light open windows to our souls and allow freedom to enter in. I know I could have submitted a number of these secrets myself. Maybe you will find this true as well. Thought provoking reading.
Sorcerers of the Nightwing : Book 1: The Ravenscliff Series (Ravenscliff Series)
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
7
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
7
Review Date: 9/11/2009
Helpful Score: 1
If you've ever thought `my life's a living hell' then you've got to read Geoffrey Huntington's Sorcerers of the Nightwing. Hell literally knocks on Devon March's door - his closet door to be exact. All the hordes of hell seek to drag him into their fiery depths. He knows he has the power to defeat a demon or two and to cast them back into their hellholes but he doesn't understand why. The key to Devon's future lies in his past but the time to learn of his heritage is quickly running out. The Madman, an evil sorcerer bent on ruling the world, knows Devon's powers better than he does. Will he uncover the truth of his heritage in time to save the world from the Madman? Does he even possess the power needed to defeat him? He'll have to go into the very depths of hell to find out. Of course, getting into hell won't be a problem for Devon. The question is ... will he be strong enough to fight his way back out?
Review Date: 6/13/2011
The first day of summer holds such promise. For 12-year-old Raine O'Rourke that includes stacking shelves at Grandpa Mac's store, playing chess with Grandpa's best friend and eating all the popsicles and candy she wants. That's how Raine expects to spend this summer too. Instead, she finds herself far from Milwaukee. All of a sudden, her mom decides to take a summer job as a cook at an old mansion in the country. There goes Raine's hope for a fun summer.
Sparrow Road seems to be a summer camp, of sorts, for adults who want to get away from their regular jobs to concentrate on creative projects. Lillian writes poetry. Josie makes assorted things out of fabric scraps. Diego likes to use odds and ends in his artwork and Eleanor is a writer. As soon as they arrive at Sparrow Road, the owner sternly warns Raine not to disturb anyone. Viktor definitely did not make her feel welcome.
Raine knows her mom's hiding something. Why are they really at Sparrow Road? Raine is determined to find the truth. As the days pass, she finds more questions than answers. There are so many mysteries at Sparrow Road. When the biggest secret comes out it will change Raine's life forever.
O'Connor's use of descriptive language brings Raine's world alive. The reader can smell the fish in the lake, the rotten apples in the breeze and the musty blankets in the attic. There is adventure in the air. Her characters are authentic. Each one brings an essential ingredient to aid Raine on her journey. Her story reminds me of a fragrance - Sweet Honesty. It was my favorite at Raine's age. Sparrow Road is sweet, honest and full of hope. It's a perfect read for the first day of summer.
Sparrow Road seems to be a summer camp, of sorts, for adults who want to get away from their regular jobs to concentrate on creative projects. Lillian writes poetry. Josie makes assorted things out of fabric scraps. Diego likes to use odds and ends in his artwork and Eleanor is a writer. As soon as they arrive at Sparrow Road, the owner sternly warns Raine not to disturb anyone. Viktor definitely did not make her feel welcome.
Raine knows her mom's hiding something. Why are they really at Sparrow Road? Raine is determined to find the truth. As the days pass, she finds more questions than answers. There are so many mysteries at Sparrow Road. When the biggest secret comes out it will change Raine's life forever.
O'Connor's use of descriptive language brings Raine's world alive. The reader can smell the fish in the lake, the rotten apples in the breeze and the musty blankets in the attic. There is adventure in the air. Her characters are authentic. Each one brings an essential ingredient to aid Raine on her journey. Her story reminds me of a fragrance - Sweet Honesty. It was my favorite at Raine's age. Sparrow Road is sweet, honest and full of hope. It's a perfect read for the first day of summer.
Review Date: 6/13/2011
In "Uncompromising: A Heart Claimed By a Radical Love," Hannah Farver offers a fresh voice on what it means to be a young women of modesty, purity, and femininity. Her style is conversational and unassuming. The reader gets no sense of a finger-pointing admonishment to live a pure and holy life from a perfect person. Rather, Farver opens herself to her readers with all her faults, fears, concerns, doubts and questions as a fellow traveler on the road to a life well-lived. Her focus is not on `thou shalt nots' but rather on guiding her readers to find the Cause who is able to fulfil their inner desire to be wholly and unconditionally loved.
Farver opens with an acknowledgement that passion is good and hard-wired into our DNA. We are designed to be passionate about a cause. The world dangles all sorts of causes in front of our eyes to lure us away from the one Cause that can deeply satisfy the desires of our hearts. These worldly causes include the desire to be considered beautiful, popular, famous, and loved. The problem, Farver contends, is that all of these causes are fleeting and leave the seeker wholly unsatisfied. Rather, she challenges, we can live for the one Cause that claims our hearts with a radical love and provides a fully satisfying life. This doesn't mean she wants to remain single all of her life but that she is willing to seek a relationship with God and allow Him to prepare her heart for relationship with the man He has chosen for her.
The book closes with a modesty checklist and an unofficial checklist to help young women determine if they are ready for marriage. The author begs, however, that readers don't take either of these resources as the final word on either topic. A study guide is also included.
I enjoyed this book. It was thought-provoking and encouraged self-reflection. Even as Farver advises young teens to seek out older, more mature "Titus 2 women" I sensed a subtle shift, seemingly unknown to the author, of her becoming just such a woman for the younger teens in her audience. I would recommend this book for 12+ teens.
Farver opens with an acknowledgement that passion is good and hard-wired into our DNA. We are designed to be passionate about a cause. The world dangles all sorts of causes in front of our eyes to lure us away from the one Cause that can deeply satisfy the desires of our hearts. These worldly causes include the desire to be considered beautiful, popular, famous, and loved. The problem, Farver contends, is that all of these causes are fleeting and leave the seeker wholly unsatisfied. Rather, she challenges, we can live for the one Cause that claims our hearts with a radical love and provides a fully satisfying life. This doesn't mean she wants to remain single all of her life but that she is willing to seek a relationship with God and allow Him to prepare her heart for relationship with the man He has chosen for her.
The book closes with a modesty checklist and an unofficial checklist to help young women determine if they are ready for marriage. The author begs, however, that readers don't take either of these resources as the final word on either topic. A study guide is also included.
I enjoyed this book. It was thought-provoking and encouraged self-reflection. Even as Farver advises young teens to seek out older, more mature "Titus 2 women" I sensed a subtle shift, seemingly unknown to the author, of her becoming just such a woman for the younger teens in her audience. I would recommend this book for 12+ teens.
1 to 16 of 16
