My first intro into Otte's writing, and I was pleasantly surprised! I'm a sucker for good superhero books, and I now need to get my hands on Otte's otMy first intro into Otte's writing, and I was pleasantly surprised! I'm a sucker for good superhero books, and I now need to get my hands on Otte's other books in this series. Perfect for the YA audience, but also great for the young at heart (and those who love Marvel movies!) Great balance of action, angst, and Christian threads. ...more
Ever since Narnia I've loved the idea of someone from our world traveling into another, so it was really fun to dive into this novel about an average Ever since Narnia I've loved the idea of someone from our world traveling into another, so it was really fun to dive into this novel about an average woman sucked into an alternate world.
What I loved most about main character Susan Mitchell was her strength. She wasn't relegated to the side-kick role. She was the one taking charge, despite her fears. She was the one learning how to fight with a sword. She was the promised Restorer sent to deliver an oppressed people. Great stuff. Not to say the male characters sit around and drink tea. Susan's husband Mark plays a huge role, as do several important characters from the alternate world who I very much enjoyed getting to know as well....more
Robin Parrish has been compared to Ted Dekker, and I can see the similarities. They both know how to create vivid and imaginative plots. Both can hookRobin Parrish has been compared to Ted Dekker, and I can see the similarities. They both know how to create vivid and imaginative plots. Both can hook readers on page one and never release them until the last paragraph. But frankly, I enjoyed Parrish's writing style even better than Dekker. Where Dekker often seems to thrive on shock value and how far he can push the envelope of violence, Parrish shows a little more restraint, which I appreciated. There's just enough backstory woven in that we understand and care for the characters, but not so much that it bogs anything down. Grant Borrows is the type of guy you want to root for, and his villains you want to hate. But then again, looks can be deceiving as to who's a villain after all...
Bending genres, Relentless' speculative, almost sci-fi plotline is reminiscent of any Marvel movie, but it could also be classified a thriller. The story upon which this book is based originally appeared as a serialized novel called Prodigy. The finished product does sometimes have a serialized feel as practically every other chapter ends with a twist, which makes for fun reading indeed. And although it might seem slightly muddy in the middle when Grant tries to grasp the reality of what's happening to him, perhaps this was an intentional way to mirror Grant's uncertainty.
There's a reason why this novel is titled Relentless. With each page I found myself sucked deeper into the vortex of Relentless' F5 tornada pace, never knowing for sure what was around the bend. This is blockbuster movie material, folks. And lucky for us it's also Book I of a trilogy. Laden with adventure and intrigue, you're sure to be begging Robin Parrish for the second installment....more
3.5 stars. Bravo to Ms. Bergren for writing this speculative tale with lots of great spiritual overtones. I always appreciate that in a book. While th3.5 stars. Bravo to Ms. Bergren for writing this speculative tale with lots of great spiritual overtones. I always appreciate that in a book. While this one's labeled a dystopian, it's a mild dystopian with more of a fantasy feel in some ways. I enjoyed the concept of brave young warriors and chosen venturing out to fulfill their destinies. At times I did feel a little confused as I never fully understood exactly what or why these young adults were different. I would've liked to be told that a little more clearly. Perhaps that's coming in the next books. Also, at times, the main female character (who tells the story in first person) seemed weak, which is abnormal for this genre. She also did a lot of pining for the main hunk, I mean hero. :) I do wonder why they paired female knights to protect male chosen and male knights to female chosen, but if they hadn't then that would've taken away some of the angst in the story! That said, this book will appeal to teens (and adults) who enjoy tales of adventure with fantasy and dystopian elements. ...more
I loved this book. In the vein of Narnia, Mikalatos' fun tale of a girl who's more special than she realizes. Talking animals (my favorite part), adveI loved this book. In the vein of Narnia, Mikalatos' fun tale of a girl who's more special than she realizes. Talking animals (my favorite part), adventure, evil villains... all wrapped up in a redemptive story kids and adults alike will enjoy. ...more
Son of Truth picks up right where Daughter of Light left off (so much so that I highly recommend reading Book 1 first). I was enthralled through ever Son of Truth picks up right where Daughter of Light left off (so much so that I highly recommend reading Book 1 first). I was enthralled through ever chapter. A wonderful balance of fantasy, adventure, romance, and spirituality. I loved the new way it allows readers to see God and Jesus. I can't wait for Book 3, due in 2014. ...more
A pleasant surprise of a book. Bergren's characters were thoughtful and three-dimensional. Love the idea of time travel, and the romance wasn't hokey A pleasant surprise of a book. Bergren's characters were thoughtful and three-dimensional. Love the idea of time travel, and the romance wasn't hokey (and I don't normally read romance novels). A great alternative to Twilight for young and old alike. Wish I had book two in my hands!...more
I enjoyed both of the previous books in this series, but The Spirit Well is so far my favorite. I love how Lawhead weaves in spiritual elements into tI enjoyed both of the previous books in this series, but The Spirit Well is so far my favorite. I love how Lawhead weaves in spiritual elements into this installment while slowly pulling back the curtain on the complicated plotline. Enough questions are answered to make way for new ones. I have no idea where Lawhead is going with this series, but I'm looking forward to following the journey!...more
Kept me turning pages with its imaginative plotline. I really love how Lawhead explores physics, philosophy, and time. Made me think! The last few chaKept me turning pages with its imaginative plotline. I really love how Lawhead explores physics, philosophy, and time. Made me think! The last few chapters seemed a bit out of place and anticlimactic (and there are times the switching back and forth through time is hard to keep track of), but the rest of the book was great. ...more
Fantastic premise and delivery! I loved how this book was full of suspense and character development, yet also didn't neglect a Christian message. It'Fantastic premise and delivery! I loved how this book was full of suspense and character development, yet also didn't neglect a Christian message. It's never heavy handed, but it's there, and I so appreciate that. I'm a new fan!...more
Fantastic read for those who enjoyed Narnia, The Inkheart Trilogy, and the Bright Empires series by Ross's father, Stephen Lawhead. Clearly Ross is a Fantastic read for those who enjoyed Narnia, The Inkheart Trilogy, and the Bright Empires series by Ross's father, Stephen Lawhead. Clearly Ross is a skilled wordsmith, and this was a really interesting fantasy book. His Christian worldview comes through but isn't blatant. Recommended!...more
Wow. This was my first Lawhead to read, and it caught my interest right away. I'm already salivating for the next in the series. Mixes adventure, sci-Wow. This was my first Lawhead to read, and it caught my interest right away. I'm already salivating for the next in the series. Mixes adventure, sci-fi and time travel into a wonderful concoction of fiction.
My review from 2010:
Sci-fi or fantasy? Adventure or suspense? The Skin Map is one of those special books that crosses genres. In a way, it's all of the above, which makes for a delightful reading stew. A novel that's been cooking in Stephen Lawhead's mind for over fifteen years, it was well worth the wait. Chapter One wastes no time in introducing us to main character Kit Livingstone, a man living a mundane existence who in the span of a few minutes finds himself embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. Make that multiple lifetimes. And dimensions. And countries.
From the moment he meets his long dead great-grandfather Cosimo (clearly alive and well) in a strange London alley, Kit is thrust into a web of intrigue that sets his mind spinning. Apparently Cosimo has discovered a way to travel through space, time, and alternate universes using ley lines, forces of energy that are intersections between worlds. But there are enemies of Cosimo and his cause that are bent on bringing him and his fellow Questors to ruin. All because one brave traveler tattooed on his body a map of these ley lines for future adventurers. It's this skin map everyone's after (yes, it was made from his skin after he died), and it's what Kit and Cosimo must find at all costs.
Mix in a detailed sub plot featuring Kit's girlfriend Wilhelmina who accidentally lands in 17th Century Austria, and there's something in The Skin Map for just about everyone. The adventure elements draw comparisons to Matt Bronleewe's August Adams series, minus the rare books. Aside from a few British swear words, Lawhead keeps things clean and in the vein of the great books and movies of yesteryear. Think National Treasure with a lot more depth and even some philosophical references to ponder.
Some Lawhead fans could find themselves missing his straight fantasy since the fantastical elements are limited to time travel, but I recommend having a little faith in Mr. Lawhead to spin a yarn worth reading no matter the genre. For those who enjoy tales of intrigue and who wonder how much changing the past can affect the future (a literal grandfather paradox in this book!), there's much to enjoy. Holding just enough clues close to his vest without frustrating the reader, Lawhead has penned an exhilarating start to an exciting new series....more
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