This book was in the same vein as Redwall -- except it's far less violent. Squeaky clean, whimsical, and filled with eternal themes, this was a book I loved, even finding it as a teenager. The Minnipins have lost their past. Long ago, the hero Gammage led them in war against the horrible Hairless Ones.... Continue Reading →
Ya'll -- it's NOTHING like the Netflix show. I am so glad I picked this up. The thrilling story of one boy's battle against evil set in an enchanted world of chivalry, courage, and true friendship. Sixteen-year-old Tiuri must spend hours locked in a chapel in silent contemplation if he is to be knighted the... Continue Reading →
This first book of a dystopian, steampunk duology was a fun and creative read, with rich characters, but an unfortunate touch of wokeness. Once the Fog started rising, the earth was covered with a deadly white mist until nothing remained but the mountaintops. Now humanity clings to its highest peaks, called the Rooftop, where the... Continue Reading →
Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she's blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks--and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday. But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange... Continue Reading →
Good and evil war in this coming-of-age middle-grade tale rife with allusion to Welsh legend. Since The Book of Three was first published in 1964, young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper and his quest to become a hero. Taran is joined by an engaging cast of characters that includes Eilonwy,... Continue Reading →
Short of perhaps Beaumont and Beasley, this is probably one of the downright funniest fairytale retellings I have ever read. Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You’ve never heard of them, have you? These are the princes who saved Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel, respectively, and yet, thanks to those lousy... Continue Reading →
If you like history, mystery, and steampunk-type adventure novels, then this is the middle grade series for you. It was a childhood favorite of mine. Coming from Christian author James R. Hannibal, it's clean, funny, and uplifting. There are elements of Chinese mysticism and legend in the third book, but they are treated as fantasy... Continue Reading →
I'm breaking the trend of purely fiction reviews, but it's for a beautiful, affable, and motivational work by singer/songwriter/author Andrew Peterson. Whatever sort of artist you are, this book will drive you to think about your life, your art, and ultimately, your walk with Christ. Making something beautiful in a broken world can be harrowing... Continue Reading →
Cornelia Funke is a master of prose. Some of the most beautiful passages I have ever read were in the Inkworld trilogy, and a certain scene in Inkspell which I won't spoil for you brought me to tears -- something only Where the Red Fern Grows has also managed to. One cruel night, Meggie's father... Continue Reading →
This book was highly unique. As always, Sanderson's writing is skillful, but this was also a vastly creative concept, rife with intellectual and theological themes that really got the gears turning. If you want a story full of twists and turns, political intruige, and a heist crew, this one might be for you. For a... Continue Reading →
