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Extreme Blindside
Leslea Wahl
2020 Gold Medal
296 Pages
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Young Adult - Religious Theme
Reviewed By Heather Stockard for Readers' Favorite
Sixteen-year-old Olympic silver medalist snowboarder Jake Taylor and his girlfriend Sophie find themselves caught up in yet another mystery. Jake is competing in the Mountain Madness Games in Colorado to help special needs athletes, but accidents plague the event before it even begins. Sophie, an aspiring reporter, joins Jake in Aspen to cover the Games but it soon becomes clear that someone is targeting the top athletes, Jake included. Their investigation leads them in surprising directions. Meanwhile, Jake's fame and adoring fans are causing Sophie to reconsider dating a celebrity. They must rely on their faith in God to make the right decisions and expose the saboteurs before it's too late.
Extreme Blindside by Leslea Wahl is the sequel to her award-winning young adult mystery novel, The Perfect Blindside. Extreme Blindside is well written and cunningly plotted. Wahl does a lovely job combining faith and mystery in this book that is sure to appeal to many young adult readers. The teen romance is clean and sweet, but nuanced. The mystery has plenty of suspense and twists and turns to keep you guessing. Jake and Sophie's relationship is complex and realistic and both protagonists are relatable and likable. The beautiful Colorado setting and the focus on extreme winter sports are fun and original. Parents will appreciate the lessons and values Wahl infuses her book with and so will any discerning readers. Whether you are a teen or an adult, if you love good, clean mysteries with a focus on faith, Extreme Blindside by Leslea Wahl is a must-read.
Sixteen-year-old Olympic silver medalist snowboarder Jake Taylor and his girlfriend Sophie find themselves caught up in yet another mystery. Jake is competing in the Mountain Madness Games in Colorado to help special needs athletes, but accidents plague the event before it even begins. Sophie, an aspiring reporter, joins Jake in Aspen to cover the Games but it soon becomes clear that someone is targeting the top athletes, Jake included. Their investigation leads them in surprising directions. Meanwhile, Jake's fame and adoring fans are causing Sophie to reconsider dating a celebrity. They must rely on their faith in God to make the right decisions and expose the saboteurs before it's too late.
Extreme Blindside by Leslea Wahl is the sequel to her award-winning young adult mystery novel, The Perfect Blindside. Extreme Blindside is well written and cunningly plotted. Wahl does a lovely job combining faith and mystery in this book that is sure to appeal to many young adult readers. The teen romance is clean and sweet, but nuanced. The mystery has plenty of suspense and twists and turns to keep you guessing. Jake and Sophie's relationship is complex and realistic and both protagonists are relatable and likable. The beautiful Colorado setting and the focus on extreme winter sports are fun and original. Parents will appreciate the lessons and values Wahl infuses her book with and so will any discerning readers. Whether you are a teen or an adult, if you love good, clean mysteries with a focus on faith, Extreme Blindside by Leslea Wahl is a must-read.
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Judas Kiss
Murphy's Law, Book Two
K.A. Fox
2020 Silver Medal
244 Pages
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Young Adult - Religious Theme
Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Judas Kiss is the second book in the Murphy's Law series by K.A. Fox. The struggles of Delaney “Laney” Murphy continue as she must find the balance between both worlds. Being the daughter of the Devil is not an easy thing, but Laney has found that her father is willing to change. She has been trying to suppress her magic all her life, so learning to use her magic to its full potential is an exhilarating feeling. However, the more she delves into her magic, the more she finds herself slipping away. She needs to find that balance while making sure to stay on her toes. She does not know who she can trust; people betray her all the time and Laney has to be powerful enough to maintain her position. But when a tragedy strikes her where it hurts the most, she is left floundering. Now, she has no other choice but to face her past and risk it all or else she will lose everything she fought for.
Laney is a smart and clever woman, she understands the predicament she is in and is not scared of taking cautious risks. She is the perfect protagonist that draws your attention and holds it until the very end. Laney’s abilities are very interesting and learning of her origins drew me into the story. The plot is very well-managed; you will not find any loopholes or points where the story is lacking. It is a cohesive and well fleshed out story and K.A. Fox ensured every character and every turn of the story is planned ahead. I enjoyed the setting, I enjoyed the thrill I got while reading the action and I absolutely loved the ending. Judas Kiss is an incredible story and I would recommend the series to anyone who enjoys urban fantasies and thrillers.
Judas Kiss is the second book in the Murphy's Law series by K.A. Fox. The struggles of Delaney “Laney” Murphy continue as she must find the balance between both worlds. Being the daughter of the Devil is not an easy thing, but Laney has found that her father is willing to change. She has been trying to suppress her magic all her life, so learning to use her magic to its full potential is an exhilarating feeling. However, the more she delves into her magic, the more she finds herself slipping away. She needs to find that balance while making sure to stay on her toes. She does not know who she can trust; people betray her all the time and Laney has to be powerful enough to maintain her position. But when a tragedy strikes her where it hurts the most, she is left floundering. Now, she has no other choice but to face her past and risk it all or else she will lose everything she fought for.
Laney is a smart and clever woman, she understands the predicament she is in and is not scared of taking cautious risks. She is the perfect protagonist that draws your attention and holds it until the very end. Laney’s abilities are very interesting and learning of her origins drew me into the story. The plot is very well-managed; you will not find any loopholes or points where the story is lacking. It is a cohesive and well fleshed out story and K.A. Fox ensured every character and every turn of the story is planned ahead. I enjoyed the setting, I enjoyed the thrill I got while reading the action and I absolutely loved the ending. Judas Kiss is an incredible story and I would recommend the series to anyone who enjoys urban fantasies and thrillers.
Recommend this book:
Shards of Light
Book 2 in the Healer series
Susan Miura
2020 Bronze Medal
262 Pages
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Young Adult - Religious Theme
Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Shards Of Light is a work of dramatic and speculative fiction written for young adult audiences by author Susan Miura. Forming the second novel of the Healer series, this tale continues the drama of central protagonist Shilo and her good friend Melody, now separated by Shilo’s mission and Melody’s ambitions to fulfill her dreams on the ballet stages of the world. Shilo’s extraordinary gift as a Healer is still being explored as she spends the summer in Sicily, where her great-grandmother received her own gift many years before. What results is a tale of two young women dealing with difficult trials in their lives, and learning that healing isn’t just about a paranormal gift.
Author Susan Miura has lifted this second book in her series to new heights, splitting the tale and mirroring two incredibly emotive storylines to bring the key themes of her work through. One of the things I liked the most about the book was the development of her characters and how relatable they are to the young adult audience, for despite Shilo’s powers, she is still vulnerable and learning about the world through the use of her gift. This makes for a fascinating adventure where we root for our heroes and watch them shift and change as life challenges them. There are many relatable themes like injury, adoption and human trafficking, which are also portrayed with emotional intelligence as well. Overall, Shards Of Light is a highly recommended read for teens looking for a lightly magical yet realistic drama.
Shards Of Light is a work of dramatic and speculative fiction written for young adult audiences by author Susan Miura. Forming the second novel of the Healer series, this tale continues the drama of central protagonist Shilo and her good friend Melody, now separated by Shilo’s mission and Melody’s ambitions to fulfill her dreams on the ballet stages of the world. Shilo’s extraordinary gift as a Healer is still being explored as she spends the summer in Sicily, where her great-grandmother received her own gift many years before. What results is a tale of two young women dealing with difficult trials in their lives, and learning that healing isn’t just about a paranormal gift.
Author Susan Miura has lifted this second book in her series to new heights, splitting the tale and mirroring two incredibly emotive storylines to bring the key themes of her work through. One of the things I liked the most about the book was the development of her characters and how relatable they are to the young adult audience, for despite Shilo’s powers, she is still vulnerable and learning about the world through the use of her gift. This makes for a fascinating adventure where we root for our heroes and watch them shift and change as life challenges them. There are many relatable themes like injury, adoption and human trafficking, which are also portrayed with emotional intelligence as well. Overall, Shards Of Light is a highly recommended read for teens looking for a lightly magical yet realistic drama.
Recommend this book:
The Chest of Visions
New Pathways 'Cross Broken Highways
Tim Ferguson
2020 Honorable Mention
182 Pages
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Young Adult - Religious Theme
Reviewed By Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite
The Chest of Visions: New Pathways 'Cross Broken Highways by Tim Ferguson is a young adult Christian science fiction novel that is set in two parallel worlds or universes. The story is told partly through an exchange of letters between personalities from our universe and the universe called Caperston where Mattpaul comes from. He is dead and his death has ignited a fire that keeps on fuelling the developing turmoil in Caperston. As conflicts over its archaic rule lead to Chihaysu speaking out against the ruler Pontos’s decree that Mattpaul's sister should marry against her will, the mountain people rebel against the valley people of Caperston, and things are out of control.
The Chest of Visions: New Pathways 'Cross Broken Highways by Tim Ferguson is an intriguing read as it is set largely in a different universe. Tim Ferguson's imagination unravels in every chapter of the novel and it is indeed very fertile. Based on the premise that 14 billion years ago, a gravity-defying force resulted in the creation of two identical universes, the novel entertains as well as informs. The sequel to The Chest of Visions: Secrets of Caperston, it surprisingly has many twists and turns considering the number of pages. The heady turn of events and the numerous characters are easy to follow though because Ferguson is consistent and does not veer away from the message for young readers. Without sounding preachy, and without too many words, the story's theme comes out loud and clear and this is what makes the novel unforgettable.
The Chest of Visions: New Pathways 'Cross Broken Highways by Tim Ferguson is a young adult Christian science fiction novel that is set in two parallel worlds or universes. The story is told partly through an exchange of letters between personalities from our universe and the universe called Caperston where Mattpaul comes from. He is dead and his death has ignited a fire that keeps on fuelling the developing turmoil in Caperston. As conflicts over its archaic rule lead to Chihaysu speaking out against the ruler Pontos’s decree that Mattpaul's sister should marry against her will, the mountain people rebel against the valley people of Caperston, and things are out of control.
The Chest of Visions: New Pathways 'Cross Broken Highways by Tim Ferguson is an intriguing read as it is set largely in a different universe. Tim Ferguson's imagination unravels in every chapter of the novel and it is indeed very fertile. Based on the premise that 14 billion years ago, a gravity-defying force resulted in the creation of two identical universes, the novel entertains as well as informs. The sequel to The Chest of Visions: Secrets of Caperston, it surprisingly has many twists and turns considering the number of pages. The heady turn of events and the numerous characters are easy to follow though because Ferguson is consistent and does not veer away from the message for young readers. Without sounding preachy, and without too many words, the story's theme comes out loud and clear and this is what makes the novel unforgettable.
Recommend this book:
The Adventures of Jules Khan
A Teenage Muslim Superhero
Karim K Devji
2020 Finalist
167 Pages
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Young Adult - Religious Theme
Reviewed By Kimberlee J Benart for Readers' Favorite
The Adventures of Jules Khan: A Teenage Muslim Superhero by Karim K Devji is an action-filled young adult fantasy with a strong spiritual thread which crosses all faiths. Set in the World War II era, it describes the coming-of-age of a superhero with fantastical powers while the theme of respecting people, regardless of religion, nationality, or culture, is emphasized throughout. Born in Europe of mixed religious and ethnic heritage, Jules is sent to a secret boarding school in Africa at the age of thirteen to learn martial arts along with spiritual and intellectual studies to prepare him to become the protector of a book that holds the secret to world peace. At eighteen, Jules heads to Harvard and is immediately pursued from one country to another by the warmongering National Weapons Association that wants the book.
In The Adventures of Jules Khan, Devji gives us a teenage superhero for our times; a spunky and faith-filled young man who is a proponent of world peace through understanding what unites us. Although Jules is a Muslim superhero, the story is engaging for teens of any faith and Devji is respectful of all traditions. Prayer and meditation are as much Jules’ weapons against evil as the impressive superpowers he possesses. There are a series of violent encounters in the story, but Jules is always a defendant, not an initiator of it. The narrative is descriptive and moves along at a good pace. The story is told in Jules’ own words and laced with his charming sense of humor. My favorite scene is when he initially gains his powers. It’s pure fantasy and utterly beautiful in construction. An entertaining and thought-provoking read. I hope we see more of Jules and more from Devji.
The Adventures of Jules Khan: A Teenage Muslim Superhero by Karim K Devji is an action-filled young adult fantasy with a strong spiritual thread which crosses all faiths. Set in the World War II era, it describes the coming-of-age of a superhero with fantastical powers while the theme of respecting people, regardless of religion, nationality, or culture, is emphasized throughout. Born in Europe of mixed religious and ethnic heritage, Jules is sent to a secret boarding school in Africa at the age of thirteen to learn martial arts along with spiritual and intellectual studies to prepare him to become the protector of a book that holds the secret to world peace. At eighteen, Jules heads to Harvard and is immediately pursued from one country to another by the warmongering National Weapons Association that wants the book.
In The Adventures of Jules Khan, Devji gives us a teenage superhero for our times; a spunky and faith-filled young man who is a proponent of world peace through understanding what unites us. Although Jules is a Muslim superhero, the story is engaging for teens of any faith and Devji is respectful of all traditions. Prayer and meditation are as much Jules’ weapons against evil as the impressive superpowers he possesses. There are a series of violent encounters in the story, but Jules is always a defendant, not an initiator of it. The narrative is descriptive and moves along at a good pace. The story is told in Jules’ own words and laced with his charming sense of humor. My favorite scene is when he initially gains his powers. It’s pure fantasy and utterly beautiful in construction. An entertaining and thought-provoking read. I hope we see more of Jules and more from Devji.
Recommend this book:
Twins Found in a Box
Adapting to Adoption
Janine Vance
2019 Gold Medal
290 Pages
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Young Adult - Religious Theme
Reviewed By Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite
Twins Found in a Box: Adapting to Adoption by Janine Vance is a spellbinding memoir that chronicles the experience of adopted twins. Jenette and Janine are adopted from Seoul, South Korea by American parents. In this book, the author explores the atmosphere in their new world, the family dynamics and the legal implications of international adoption. When the adoptive father suffers a brain injury and struggles with recovery, and when the parents have issues with their relationship, with the prospect of divorce looming ahead, the children find themselves hanging. Their legal status does not become a priority. Follow the twins as they question their origins and ask questions about their status.
Janine Vance takes readers on a ride back to the years between the ‘70s right through the ‘90s. Readers get powerful insights into the upbringing of kids during that time. The writing is filled with relevant social and cultural commentaries and the author uses a descriptive style of writing that allows readers clear images of the setting. The conflict is well developed right from the start of the narrative when the reader is introduced to the key conflict in the story: what it takes to be adopted by parents from another country and culture. The theme of the legal rights of the adoptees and their sense of belonging are among some that are deftly treated. Twins Found in a Box: Adapting to Adoption is beautifully written, featuring a gripping narrative voice and prose that is exciting. It is bold and engaging, hugely informative, a memoir that dares ask questions that adoptive agencies shy away from answering.
Twins Found in a Box: Adapting to Adoption by Janine Vance is a spellbinding memoir that chronicles the experience of adopted twins. Jenette and Janine are adopted from Seoul, South Korea by American parents. In this book, the author explores the atmosphere in their new world, the family dynamics and the legal implications of international adoption. When the adoptive father suffers a brain injury and struggles with recovery, and when the parents have issues with their relationship, with the prospect of divorce looming ahead, the children find themselves hanging. Their legal status does not become a priority. Follow the twins as they question their origins and ask questions about their status.
Janine Vance takes readers on a ride back to the years between the ‘70s right through the ‘90s. Readers get powerful insights into the upbringing of kids during that time. The writing is filled with relevant social and cultural commentaries and the author uses a descriptive style of writing that allows readers clear images of the setting. The conflict is well developed right from the start of the narrative when the reader is introduced to the key conflict in the story: what it takes to be adopted by parents from another country and culture. The theme of the legal rights of the adoptees and their sense of belonging are among some that are deftly treated. Twins Found in a Box: Adapting to Adoption is beautifully written, featuring a gripping narrative voice and prose that is exciting. It is bold and engaging, hugely informative, a memoir that dares ask questions that adoptive agencies shy away from answering.
Recommend this book:
Eloah
No Heaven
Lex Allen
2019 Silver Medal
218 Pages
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Young Adult - Religious Theme
Reviewed By Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite
Lex Allen's thriller Eloah: No Heaven is Book 1 of a trilogy. Eloah is a well-crafted thriller that brings together religion, biblical history, and science in the form of quantum and multiverse theories. Eloah is a mysterious man who appears in Germany and two hours later in Washington, D.C. He looks like and claims to be Jesus. He has returned to prevent a nuclear war between the three major religions. The FBI, the CIA, and Pope John Paul begin an intense search and investigation. Eloah contacts three Americans. Jack Schmidt is retired from the US Army Special Forces, now lives in Cologne and writes a popular blog about religion. Dr. Elizabeth Washburn is a professor of theology in Heidelberg. Kate Barrow is a film studies major in Washington, D.C. The search for Eloah inevitably involves all four lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Lex Allen's thriller Eloah: No Heaven for its plot and characters. I was hooked into the story early on with Eloah's dramatic appearances in Germany and Washington, D.C. which provoke unsettling questions about mind-matter-energy relationships. I loved the imagination and inventiveness with which Allen weaves the concepts of quantum and multiverse theories into the thriller. Allen reveals more about Eloah through the characters of Jack, Elizabeth, and Kate, three different people with different reactions and perspectives on religion. The suspense and action in the story intensify as their lives become entangled with Eloah. Allen has created a strong character in Jack, the skeptic who is not afraid to confront Eloah with questions. The heated dialogues between different characters about religious beliefs and scientific research of the paranormal add depth and tension to the story. Eloah: No Heaven ends on a cliffhanger. I will absolutely be reading Eloah: No Hell and Eloah: No Religion.
Lex Allen's thriller Eloah: No Heaven is Book 1 of a trilogy. Eloah is a well-crafted thriller that brings together religion, biblical history, and science in the form of quantum and multiverse theories. Eloah is a mysterious man who appears in Germany and two hours later in Washington, D.C. He looks like and claims to be Jesus. He has returned to prevent a nuclear war between the three major religions. The FBI, the CIA, and Pope John Paul begin an intense search and investigation. Eloah contacts three Americans. Jack Schmidt is retired from the US Army Special Forces, now lives in Cologne and writes a popular blog about religion. Dr. Elizabeth Washburn is a professor of theology in Heidelberg. Kate Barrow is a film studies major in Washington, D.C. The search for Eloah inevitably involves all four lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Lex Allen's thriller Eloah: No Heaven for its plot and characters. I was hooked into the story early on with Eloah's dramatic appearances in Germany and Washington, D.C. which provoke unsettling questions about mind-matter-energy relationships. I loved the imagination and inventiveness with which Allen weaves the concepts of quantum and multiverse theories into the thriller. Allen reveals more about Eloah through the characters of Jack, Elizabeth, and Kate, three different people with different reactions and perspectives on religion. The suspense and action in the story intensify as their lives become entangled with Eloah. Allen has created a strong character in Jack, the skeptic who is not afraid to confront Eloah with questions. The heated dialogues between different characters about religious beliefs and scientific research of the paranormal add depth and tension to the story. Eloah: No Heaven ends on a cliffhanger. I will absolutely be reading Eloah: No Hell and Eloah: No Religion.
Recommend this book:
Seventh Dimension - The Howling
A Young Adult Christian Fantasy (Seventh Dimension Series Book 6)
Lorilyn Roberts
2019 Bronze Medal
334 Pages
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Young Adult - Religious Theme
Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
The Howling: A Young Adult Christian Fantasy is the sixth book in the Seventh Dimension series by Lorilyn Roberts, a story told in atmospheric prose that follows the spiritual journey of a compelling character — Daniel Sperling. The Kingdom of God draws near and the spiritual landscape changes, with untold challenges and a prevalent culture of deception and evil. It is shortly before the arrival of the Messiah when Daniel receives a great mission. But he is shaken by a powerful revelation concerning the fate of his father. Follow him as he navigates great challenges, faces the horrors of the Day of the Lord and remains steadfast in his love for Shale and Shira.
When the story begins, readers are treated to a wonderful racing experience, with Daniel competing against the ruthless Tariq in a chariot race that ends in a way no one expected. The religious symbolism of the race is beautifully captured and the reader immediately understands that time doesn’t exist in the spiritual realm — it is an illusion. I enjoyed the powerful use of religious symbolism and allusion, and the relationship between Daniel Sperling and Shale Snyder, a love so strong it continues to inspire the hero of the story and acts as an anchor for him. The author uses visions and supernatural experiences to lift the minds of readers and transport them from their immediate surroundings, just as the case of the protagonist.
The writing is gorgeous and crisp and filled with wonderful descriptions, from action-packed scenes to emotionally rich encounters, to awe-inspiring moments of spiritual ecstasy. The Howling is a book that will inspire readers and make them look beyond their physical experience of pain to find delight in the hope of a spiritual world that could be theirs. Highly imaginative and skillfully written, the message can’t be mistaken and the reader feels compelled to be one of the Followers of the Way.
The Howling: A Young Adult Christian Fantasy is the sixth book in the Seventh Dimension series by Lorilyn Roberts, a story told in atmospheric prose that follows the spiritual journey of a compelling character — Daniel Sperling. The Kingdom of God draws near and the spiritual landscape changes, with untold challenges and a prevalent culture of deception and evil. It is shortly before the arrival of the Messiah when Daniel receives a great mission. But he is shaken by a powerful revelation concerning the fate of his father. Follow him as he navigates great challenges, faces the horrors of the Day of the Lord and remains steadfast in his love for Shale and Shira.
When the story begins, readers are treated to a wonderful racing experience, with Daniel competing against the ruthless Tariq in a chariot race that ends in a way no one expected. The religious symbolism of the race is beautifully captured and the reader immediately understands that time doesn’t exist in the spiritual realm — it is an illusion. I enjoyed the powerful use of religious symbolism and allusion, and the relationship between Daniel Sperling and Shale Snyder, a love so strong it continues to inspire the hero of the story and acts as an anchor for him. The author uses visions and supernatural experiences to lift the minds of readers and transport them from their immediate surroundings, just as the case of the protagonist.
The writing is gorgeous and crisp and filled with wonderful descriptions, from action-packed scenes to emotionally rich encounters, to awe-inspiring moments of spiritual ecstasy. The Howling is a book that will inspire readers and make them look beyond their physical experience of pain to find delight in the hope of a spiritual world that could be theirs. Highly imaginative and skillfully written, the message can’t be mistaken and the reader feels compelled to be one of the Followers of the Way.
Recommend this book:
Forsaken
Book II of Forlorn Series
Gina Detwiler
2019 Honorable Mention
344 Pages
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Young Adult - Religious Theme
Reviewed By Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite
Grace Fortune knows that her boyfriend is dead and she watched him die, but then she continues to hear his voice. Is she going nuts or did he really die? How about the boy who walks and acts like him, the boy who seems connected with the homeless man that Grace suspects to be her father? Grace has many questions about Jared Lorn’s death and as she and her friends begin to investigate, they are plunged into a world filled with mystery and darkness — Silo City. Grace is caught up in a web of conspiracy involving her mother, the boyfriend who died, and a rock star called Lester Crow. It’s a world where nothing is as it seems and where darkness lurks at every turn. When her life is in the gravest danger, Grace finds revelations that are mind-blowing.
Forsaken is the second book in the Forlorn Series by Gina Detwiler, an interesting paranormal tale with dark themes and romance. Gina Detwiler is a great writer with a gift for plot and character. Her characters are real and she does an impeccable job in exploring their hearts. The author allows readers to feel the conflict in the characters. The prose is highly descriptive, and while it offers vivid images of the setting to readers, it gives a clear view of characterization and the action taking place. For instance, when Grace talks about Ollie, she describes him as “a tuba player for the school orchestra. He’s kind of shaped like a tuba, rounded and flaring in all the wrong places, with a mop of shaggy hair that sticks up every which way, like he’s been recently electrocuted.” The prose itself is enjoyable, the writing deft and balanced. Forsaken is a great story for readers who love emotionally rich stories with quick action and a powerful conflict. A gripping tale that features supernatural powers colliding with each other.
Grace Fortune knows that her boyfriend is dead and she watched him die, but then she continues to hear his voice. Is she going nuts or did he really die? How about the boy who walks and acts like him, the boy who seems connected with the homeless man that Grace suspects to be her father? Grace has many questions about Jared Lorn’s death and as she and her friends begin to investigate, they are plunged into a world filled with mystery and darkness — Silo City. Grace is caught up in a web of conspiracy involving her mother, the boyfriend who died, and a rock star called Lester Crow. It’s a world where nothing is as it seems and where darkness lurks at every turn. When her life is in the gravest danger, Grace finds revelations that are mind-blowing.
Forsaken is the second book in the Forlorn Series by Gina Detwiler, an interesting paranormal tale with dark themes and romance. Gina Detwiler is a great writer with a gift for plot and character. Her characters are real and she does an impeccable job in exploring their hearts. The author allows readers to feel the conflict in the characters. The prose is highly descriptive, and while it offers vivid images of the setting to readers, it gives a clear view of characterization and the action taking place. For instance, when Grace talks about Ollie, she describes him as “a tuba player for the school orchestra. He’s kind of shaped like a tuba, rounded and flaring in all the wrong places, with a mop of shaggy hair that sticks up every which way, like he’s been recently electrocuted.” The prose itself is enjoyable, the writing deft and balanced. Forsaken is a great story for readers who love emotionally rich stories with quick action and a powerful conflict. A gripping tale that features supernatural powers colliding with each other.
Recommend this book:
Kate in the Land of Myths and Wonders
J.P.H. Tan
2019 Finalist
221 Pages
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Young Adult - Religious Theme
Reviewed By A. L. Peevey for Readers' Favorite
In J.P.H. Tan’s Kate in the Land of Myths and Wonders, we discover that Kate is an only child, and a rich one at that, due to her father's and her grandmother’s wealth. Raised as a church-going girl, she is having a crisis of her faith in God. With a warning from her grandmother, Kate sets out for Chicago with her best friend, Gus, to celebrate her fifteenth birthday. While they are enjoying a stroll through one of Chicago’s iconic parks, and snapping some photos, the city is engulfed by a flood that drowns the city and sweeps everyone and everything apart and away. Kate is washed beyond the confines of this world and into a series of places where creatures of myth roam and natural weather phenomena have magical properties. She not only finds herself on an adventure she never dreamed of, but begins a journey of self-discovery as well.
J.P.H. Tan’s Kate in the Land of Myths and Wonders presents us readers with a very human protagonist in the form of Kate, a teenager who has never had to without anything except for the attention of her father. Her grandmother instills in Kate what might be considered an old-fashioned faith in God and an intimate knowledge of the Bible. Yet, there is nothing preachy about Tan’s story. Kate’s faith and her subsequent dissatisfaction with it are presented as part of her process of growth and growing up. There is some teen angst, but it does not get in the way of the narrative, which is always spot on, providing a diverting, thoughtful read. I don't remember the last time I read such a well-edited book! The writer's voice is sure and unwavering. Well done!
In J.P.H. Tan’s Kate in the Land of Myths and Wonders, we discover that Kate is an only child, and a rich one at that, due to her father's and her grandmother’s wealth. Raised as a church-going girl, she is having a crisis of her faith in God. With a warning from her grandmother, Kate sets out for Chicago with her best friend, Gus, to celebrate her fifteenth birthday. While they are enjoying a stroll through one of Chicago’s iconic parks, and snapping some photos, the city is engulfed by a flood that drowns the city and sweeps everyone and everything apart and away. Kate is washed beyond the confines of this world and into a series of places where creatures of myth roam and natural weather phenomena have magical properties. She not only finds herself on an adventure she never dreamed of, but begins a journey of self-discovery as well.
J.P.H. Tan’s Kate in the Land of Myths and Wonders presents us readers with a very human protagonist in the form of Kate, a teenager who has never had to without anything except for the attention of her father. Her grandmother instills in Kate what might be considered an old-fashioned faith in God and an intimate knowledge of the Bible. Yet, there is nothing preachy about Tan’s story. Kate’s faith and her subsequent dissatisfaction with it are presented as part of her process of growth and growing up. There is some teen angst, but it does not get in the way of the narrative, which is always spot on, providing a diverting, thoughtful read. I don't remember the last time I read such a well-edited book! The writer's voice is sure and unwavering. Well done!
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