Review: The Scroll

Publication Date: September 2011
by Waterbrook Press
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: review copy from publisher

Dr. David Chambers, leading archaeologist, has spent his professional career uncovering the facts in the artifacts. His work sets the standard for biblical research in the Holy Land. But surrounded by the evidence, David has sunk into an abyss of doubt. A painful experience with a seemingly unresponsive God has left him without hope.  The Old Testament scriptures that used to fi ll his mind with wonder now drive him to frustration. His unanswered questions have ripped him from both his academic pursuits and the love of his life, his fiancée, Amber.
   An old friend and mentor reaches out to David, enticing him with the riches described in the enigmatic Copper Scroll. Losing ground with his peers, his love, and his faith, David Chambers has a choice to make. Will he undertake one final dig to unlock a secret that could alter the course of history? Do the mysteries of the Old Testament hold the key to the political turmoil of the Middle East?
  In a world where faith has been eclipsed by the allure of doubt, The Scroll offers a different journey: a gripping adventure to fi nd truth worth dying for.

This one just wasn't for me. I couldn't get into the story and never warmed up to the characters. There was also clunky info-dumping that I have a hard time getting past in any story. I really thought I'd like this book because I've always been really fascinated with archaeology. I've taken college courses in archaeology and anthropology, so it's definitely not that the subject matter didn't interest me, the story just wasn't told in a way as to keep my interest. I don't think I'd recommend this one.

Review: The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall

Publication Date: August 9, 2011
by Waterbrook
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: Review copy from publisher 

Although Sylvia Fisher recognizes that most Old Order Amish women her age spend their hours managing a household and raising babies, she has just one focus—tending and nurturing the herd on her family’s dairy farm. But when a dangerous connection with an old beau forces her to move far from home, she decides to concentrate on a new start and pour her energy into reviving another family’s debt-ridden farm.

After months in rehab, Aaron Blank returns home to sell his Daed’s failing farm and move his parents into an easier lifestyle. Two things stand in his way: the father who stubbornly refuses to recognize that Aaron has changed and the determined new farmhand his parents love like a daughter. Her influence on Aaron’s parents could ruin his plans to escape the burdens of farming and build a new life.

This is book 3 in the Ada's House series, and I hadn't previously read the first two.  Although I didn't feel lost or confusing having not read the first two, I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had.  There were a lot of characters from the previous books, and I wasn't invested in them as much as I would have been had I read about them before.

The Harvest of Grace is not just about Sylvia and Aaron's story, although I do think theirs is the central story.  Told in third person, each chapter rotates to a different characters point of view.  I definitely like this style, as we get to see what both Sylvia and Aaron are thinking, as well as other characters in their community.  I really enjoyed reading about the Amish lifestyle, and these kind of books always feel cozy to me.  They're just nice, light, and sweet.

I would definitely recommend this to fans of Amish fiction, and pretty much any Christian fiction reader.  I haven't read a book by Cindy Woodsmall that I haven't really liked, and will definitely be going back and reading the first two in the series.
Grade: B+

Review: Dragons of the Valley

With an invasion of her country imminent, Tipper Schope is drawn into a mission to keep three important statues from falling into the enemy’s clutches. Her friend, the artist Bealomondore, helps her execute the plan, and along the way he learns to brandish a sword rather than a paintbrush. 
As odd disappearances and a rash of volatile behavior sweep Chiril, no one is safe. A terrible danger has made his vicious presence known: The Grawl, a hunter unlike any creature encountered before. 
To restore their country, Tipper, Bealomondore, and their party must hide the statues in the Valley of the Dragons and find a way to defeat the invading army. When it falls to the artistic Bealomondore to wield his sword as powerfully and naturally as a paintbrush, will he answer Wulder’s call for a champion?

If I were giving away an award to an author with the most imagination, I would probably give it to Donita K. Paul. I've read all of her books so far, and have never failed to be amazed at how imaginative and just plain amazing her world-building is.

Dragons of the Valley is no exception, and I enjoyed myself the whole way through. These are characters you come to love and a story with enough action that you'll want to keep reading. There's not very much Christian fantasy out there, and I really appreciate Christian authors who put out good books like these.

The religion is not too heavy handed, which I always watch for and try to warn other readers of in my reviews. This can be read and enjoyed by anyone who's looking for a fun fantasy. It's part of a series, but I think it can be read on it's own just fine. I would recommend all of Donita K. Paul's books, though, starting with the Dragonkeeper Chronicles and then continuing on from there

Review: Flight of Shadows

Book Details

Title: Flight of Shadows: A Novel
Author: Sigmund Brouwer
Genre: Science Fiction
Page Count: 305
Publishing Info: Waterbrook Press, May 18, 2010

My Review
Why I read it: received review copy from Waterbrook Multnomah publisher
The Plot: In a futuristic dystopian society, Caitlyn wants to remain unnoticed.  Because of genetic experimentation, she has a deformity on her back.  But she's being hunted.  Not only by a sadistic bounty hunter, but by a government agency.  With the help of a mysterious guy named Razor, she escapes capture, but not for long.  This book is a sequel to Broken Angel, but I didn't read that, and although at times I wondered if there was a previous book (I looked it up later), I didn't feel lost or like I was missing anything. 
The Characters: Caitlyn is a very strong character, but because she is so withdrawn and slow to trust anyone, it's hard to really get to know and love her.  I was very curious about the secondary characters, especially Razor.  I wanted to know exactly what had happened to him in the past, and what he was going to do next.
The Setting: A horrible dystopic United States that I hope never comes to pass.  I don't think anything like that will, especially in my lifetime, but it didn't sound like a good place to live.
Who Should Read This? Anyone looking for a fast-paced, interesting science fiction novel set in the future.  It was published by a Christian publisher, but the religion is very minimal.
Final Thoughts: I really liked this book.  The chapters were really short, and moved from character to character, which really helped to move the story along and make sure it never got stagnant.  I was worried when I first started reading that it was going to be a little heavy on the science, especially when there was one sentence with three words I didn't know, but it wasn't bad at all (I am so not a science person).  I'll definitely read more by this author.
Grade: B
Cover Thoughts: I like the cover, but I wish the writing was a little less prominent.  It's hard to notice anything else.

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball

Book Details:
Genre: Christian Romance
Page Count: 226
Publication Date: Oct. 5, 2010
Why I read it: received for review
Grade: B+

The plot:
In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.

Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together.

This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?

My review:
I've only ever read fantasy books by Donita K. Paul, and she's one of my favorite authors. This book was another hit for me. It was a sweet romance that was perfect for this time of year. The thing I love most about this author's books are that they are just so cozy. They're just right for reading while cuddling under a blanket with a cup of tea or cocoa.

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball wasn't very fast paced. It seemed to cover a very short amount of time, and honestly not a lot happened. I really would have liked to see the story a bit more fleshed out and more things explained. It was pretty short, and had a bit of an abrupt ending. We never really got to know exactly what was going on or why or how. That being said, I think that it was meant to be a quick holiday read, not a long detailed story.

I quite liked the characters here, and would love to read more about them. I didn't want to the story to end. There is definitely a Christian message in the book, and religion is sprinkled throughout. Pretty much what you'd expect from a Christian publisher and author. All in all, I would definitely recommend this if you're looking for a sweet holiday read that you can squeeze in between all your busy times. This is an author that I'll continue to read.

The Last Christian

Title: The Last Christian
Author: David Gregory
Genre: Christian Science Fiction
Page Count: 416
Why I read it: received review copy from the publisher
Grade: B

Synopsis:
Missionary daughter Abigail Caldwell emerges from the jungle for the first time in her thirty-four years, the sole survivor of a mysterious disease that killed her village. Abby goes to America, only to discover a nation where Christianity has completely died out. A curious message from her grandfather assigns her a surprising mission: re-introduce the Christian faith in America, no matter how insurmountable the odds.

But a larger threat looms. The world's leading artificial intelligence industrialist has perfected a technique for downloading the human brain into a silicon form. Brain transplants have begun, and with them comes the potential of eliminating physical death altogether—but at what expense?

As Abby navigates a society grown more addicted to stimulating the body than nurturing the soul, she and Creighton Daniels, a historian troubled by his father's unexpected death, become unwitting targets of powerful men who will stop at nothing to further their nefarious goals. Hanging in the balance—the spiritual future of all humanity.

My review:
I got behind on my review reading, and to be honest, I put off reading this book because I wasn't sure I'd like it or be in the mood for it. The story was so different from what I was expecting, and moved at a fast pace that made it very hard for me to put down. I don't find that too often with Christian fiction. I found the plot to be very believable, and can actually see a future like the one in this book, especially where Christianity is virtually gone in America.

Abby was an interesting character, especially being from a remote tribe and never having lived in the modern world. I would have actually liked to read more about her and her experience living with an indigenous people, but I guess that would be a different story than what the author wanted to tell. Although I liked Abby well enough, sometimes it was hard to figure out exactly why other characters were so drawn to her, because it wasn't coming across in the story very well, to me.

This is truly one of those books that will bring up questions and would be great for book group discussion. What is the nature of a soul? Would it be a good thing to live forever? What would be the consequences? Could Christianity die out, and why? I enjoy books like this that cause me to think beyond when I close the last page.

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