Storyline -
As the disease released from Exodus ravages the humans, Koren, Jason, Elyssa, Randall, Tibalt, Arxad, Alpha, and Magnar not only have to find a cure before it kills every human then spreads to the coming army, but must also find a way to over come Tashin and the released Benefile. It is time for the prophesy to come true. A Starlighter must make the ultimate sacrifice. But who will surrender themselves for freedom of the slaves?
Content -*May Contain Spoilers* The characters were ready to die to save one another, human and dragon alike, to free the slaves. Lots of killing and deaths.
Personal Opinion -
Selfless love and sacrifice, adventure and action, dragons. What more could a girl ask for? Jason, Elyssa, and Koren are fighting to free the slaves from bondage still, with the climax coming up, as they also learn to set themselves free from bandages that don't have physical chains. They also learned to turn to the Creator in their time of trials and to trust in him. There were only a couple of things in this series that I felt was strange and thought it could have been a little more climatic but this was a good ending to a series that I followed from the beginning. Love this cover too. I don't know why, but it keeps catching my eye, causing me to stair at it. I think it is my favorite cover at of the series.
Storyline -
Vitas is able to leave is slave disguise behind and continue his quest in conquer Nero, the man who threatened his wife and lead him to his current predicament. Unrest and rebellion is happening in Jerusalem, causing Roma to take up arms against the city. Can Vitas understand the Revelation the disciple John left him and come to the Christos who his wife serves so faithfully? Can he save the Temple from destruction by Roman hands? Author -
Hank Hanegraaff and Sigmund Brouwer Publisher - Tyndale House Publishers Age Group - 17 and up
Content -*May Contain Spoilers*
Nero is a creep and gave me the shivers just mentioning some of the stuff he did. Something gross was mentioned almost every time he was (that is all I can say if I want to keep this blog post PG-13). Vitas had much hate for Nero because of what he tried to do to his wife so Vitas carries desires for revenge with him. Many spoke of God and the new Christians, giving advice when needed. Vitas yearns to have the faith of those people. Many are invited to comit suicide instead of being executed. Vitas tries to do the honorable thing in all situations and is faithful and loyal to those he loves. Personal Opinion - Before reading this book, I had heard only two interpretations of the Book of Revelation. The dominate one I heard was the end of the world for us and it hadn't happened and the Left Behind movie (I also heard Catholics don't believe in the Rapture theory so I never thought about that one much). I had also heard that there was a theory that Revelation was about the 2nd fall of the Temple. I didn't know much about that event so I just listened and had no idea what I thought, founding Revelation confusing but willing to hear the theories. After this book, I might be more inclined to the Revelation prophesying the fall of Jerusalem but will still study the different ideas.
Now about the book. The story really pulled me in. Vitas was a sympathetic, honorable hero that I just connected to. He, as well as all the other characters, was well developed and realistic. The building of the story as also good, slowly working up to the exciting, action parts and mystery unfolding just enough to keep the reader wondering what was going to happen. There were times I got confused and didn't understand all the connections but the intricacy kept me involved. I was almost not happy with the ending. The action went really close to the final page and I thought there wouldn't be enough time for a wrap-up. But, it was done beautiful and left with some hope for the characters in the future.
Special Notes -
This is Book 3 in a series. Book 1, The Last Disciple, Review - Coming Soon Book 2, The Last Sacrifice, Review - Coming Soon
Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the Tyndale Blogger Network.
GIVEAWAY - Courtesy of the publisher, I receive a certificate to give to one blessed winner to receive a copy of The Last Temple by either go to their local Christian retailer with the certificate to redeem or sending to Tyndale where they will mail the book. This giveaway is only open for a week because the certificate expires on October 1, 2012 so I want to get this to the winner as soon as possible. The winner has 24 hours to respond to the email I send out announcing that they won before choosing a new winner if I don't hear back from them. Enter using the Raflecopter below and please read the Terms and Use before entering. Good luck to all who enter and make sure you chew on a good book today. :)
"A Son's Addiction. A Mother's Heartbreak. A Family's Crisis."
Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms
Storyline -
Glennis had the perfect life. An attorney husband, a daughter with a full ride through college, a loving son, a house in a nice neighbourhood, and an expensive car. Then her son, Jacob, starts using drugs. As she tries to help him, her marriage falls apart and she is blamed not only for her divorce but accused of enabling her son. As Glennis seeks help and adjusts to her new life in a crummy appartment, she wonders where God is in this, why it is happening, and how she can truly help her son.
Content -
*May Contain Spoilers*Glennis's son uses drugs. She fights to help Jacob but has a hard time doing what needs to be done. Jacob's dad yells at him and shakes him once, later threatens to have him arrested. Glennis sticks up for herself and finds a way to heal and continue on.
Personal Opinion -
The storyline was good and interesting and the characters seemed true in my opinion but it was they way the story was told that made me not like it very much. The author gave the information straight forward which kept me from fully feeling the events and emotions in the story. It also dwelt a long time on the woman's divorce in the beginning and, when we got to see her interacting with her son, I wish there had been more to it in the end. It did pull at my heart strings during the marital stuff because I know people who have been through those tough divorces or those kind of people around them. I also have an appreciation for the ending. Despite the fact I pray, I still worry and try to control things on my own, like Glennis did, so that really taught me something in the end.
Storyline -
Mulan has only ever wanted to please the father she never knew, the mother so doesn't even know the name of, and to be free to fallow her heart. When one of her wishes come true and finally meets her father, her world forever changes. But just when she is finally getting the chance to know him, the Huns have returned to China and her crippled father is called by the Emperor to fight. Mulan cannot risk loosing him, her only family, again, so she does the only thing she can do to save him. She goes in his place.
Age Group - 14 and up Content - *May Contain Spoilers*Mulan and her friends want to be themselves and do what they wish, but are willing to lay that aside to honor their families. Lies to get into the army. Loves her family and friends and wants to help them and take care of them. Prays once or twice to the gods of China. Personal Opinion - Wild Orchid, a retelling of the Ballad of Mulan, had me hooked every page and couldn't wait to see what happened next. There was a poetic feel to the writing of the story, especially when Mulan was giving some wisdom she learned. It was a light read but the traditions of China were brought in nicely where I got to see the what was appropriate for girls and boys of the time and Mulan's struggle with what she wanted and honoring her family with doing what was expected of her. It did take a while for the story to get to Mulan pretending to be a boy in the emperor's army but the events leading up to it brought me into her struggles of her life. The bad thing about how long it took her going into the army was that the battle and romance happened a little fast. Some author's spend a long time in battle scenes which I don't always like, but this one felt too short because the emphasis of the story of Mulan is that she pretended to be a boy and saved China. Also, she fell in love quickly with her guy but I only got a short time to get to know him. Never read the Ballad of Mulan so I don't know if this is accurate to the original poem or not. The only other thing I had wanted was a pronunciation guide for the Chinese names because I'm sure I slaughtered many of them. But the romance, intrigue, characters, and emotions of the story were wonderful and I will be reading more books by this author.
