Many are Called

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms
 

Storyline - After seven long years, the prince his finally marrying his betrothed. All that is left is to go get her. Yet the skies are filled with enemies trying to capture the princess and the prince must out maneuver them. Meanwhile, the palace gets ready for the marriage feast which no one who is invited is coming to and the servants are slacking. The prince chases down his beloved yet things are more complicated than they think. And their enemy is not far away...

Author - Gabrielle Gniewek

Art - Sean Lam

Publisher - Manga Hero

Age Group - 14 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Some killing but not too gory and not really shown. One guy's chest is always seen. The prince is willing to risk his life for his bride, no matter what, even after she has hurt him. The bride is struggling with guilt from betraying the prince and doesn't feel adequate for his love. Other character struggle with their duties and feeling like they deserve better or just slack on their work.

Personal Opinion - This was a pretty fun, engaging, light read. It can be read in an evening. I think it helps put the parable of the wedding feast in a form that can give readers a face to the characters and situation to the story. The artwork was fun but I'm not sure what I think of the jumping between Jesus telling the parable and the story itself which plays out with sky ships, motor bikes, and swords. The bride was not very well developed. SPOILER The story hints at her running away and hiding with someone bad but doesn't tell why she decided this END SPOILER. At times, the characters would hint to something, a side bit, but it wouldn't be clear in the story so I'm left confused. For a Christian book, I was also surprised at seeing one guy's chest. The whole story went to fast and could have been elaborated on more, maybe even a series to create these various storyline. But the story did have a good message about unconditional love, faithfulness, and honor.

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Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial?

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

About - Ever tried to rectify science and religion? Wondered about genesis vs. the Big Bang? How about what was going to happen when the world ends? Or even the question Pope Francis asked, would you baptize an extraterrestrial? Fr. Guy Consolmagono and Fr. Paul Mueller, priests, work for the Vatican Observatory, and have degrees in science, are asked these questions and more which  they now present in this book. To help explain, they write as if they are having a conversation together in various locations (from art galleries to Antarctica). They talk science and religion and how they don't compete with each other even if they don't always seem to agree. Yet, God created both and they both share important truths of our world and Heavenly Father.

Author - Guy Consolmagno, SJ and Paul Mueller, SJ

Publisher - Image Publishing

Age Group - 15 and up

Personal Opinion - Like most Catholics (or Christians for that matter) I have heard the arguments on science vs. religion before, which is why I was interested in this book. I might have wanted a way to show how religion is true and science can prove it when I started this book (which the authors warn against) and learned some interesting things (such as the Vatican has an observatory and astronomers! ;) ). The idea of using conversation style writing and locations was intriguing in the beginning and seemed like it would help explain the science and religion in a common form so it might be more understandable. But, it got awkward pretty quick. It didn't seem to be used as effectively as it could and, on occasion, the authors got on tangents on the location or example they were sharing for a couple of sentences that felt like the discussion was going off topic for no good reason. I struggle with science so that didn't help me and the explanations seemed long winded and over done. To a scientist, everything was probably necessary and it was pretty much understandable but overwhelming. I could only read so much at a time and then needed a break, yet, at the same time, I felt like if I kept reading everything would come together clearer. I did appreciate what they were trying to do. This book I would recommend to someone who understands science more than me, even borrow them the book. But, someone who struggles with science, I would tell them about the book but hesitate in giving it to them.

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Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through Blogging for Books.

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Fairy Tale Novels: Books 4 & 5

"A Fairy Tale Retold"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4-5 Worms

Storyline -

The Midnight Dancers - Rachel's life is boring. Proper girl with no adventure and her parents strict on what she wears and behaves. Not only that, she has to share a house, and room, with eleven other sisters and live in a new house. But she is determined to have an adventure. So when she and her sisters are able to escape to the island across from their house and have parties with the owner's son, what else can they do but sneak out of the house, made increasingly difficult with their father's friend Paul hanging around. But the house that seemed like dream come true might just be a nightmare.

Alex O'Donnell and the 40 Cyber Thieves - Alex's family, who has struggled to make ends meet for years, finally came into some money, a million dollars worth. But something is up with it that only Kateri, Alex's girlfriend, seems to see. How on earth did a million dollars just show up in his mail? If that wasn't bad enough, his family decides to by hotel with the money, which Alex just has to give a job to Kateri as she struggles to find work. But when the owners of the money come looking, it will take all of Alex's and his families martial arts skills and intelligence as well as Kateri's sensibility and cunning to overcome the cyber thieves.

Author - Regina Doman

Publisher - Chesterton Press

Age Group - 16 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Girls disobey their parents and sneak out and lie. Fights against evil and those trying to hurt the ones they care about. Some computer hacking.

Personal Opinion - More great reads by Regina Doman. They retell classic fairy tales excellently and make the characters come alive and real. Each character struggles and each comes to see what is important and have a spiritual growth, changing them. The details in the novel are wonderful, seeing each location as clearly as on the TV (nothing graphic though). Something about Alex O'Donnell, though, felt like there could have been more. I can't place my finger on it but it needed... something. That one is still a fun story and the martial arts is just cool.

Reviews of Other Books by this Author - Fairy Tale Novels: Book 1-3

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Fairy Tale Novels: Books 1-3

"Once Upon a Time in New York City..."

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms

Storyline -

Shadow of the Bear - Blanche and Rose are trying to fit into their new world of New York City after their father died a year ago. School, the city, and their mother at work are all new. Rose finds it magical while Blanche is frightened of it. So when a ragged, dread lock boy who calls himself Bear shows up on their doorstep, they both take different approaches to him. Slowly, they become friends. But as a deep secret of Bear's starts come into their lives, the girls investigate, mixing themselves up in the mess. But this mystery could cost them their lives.

Black as Night - Blanche is on the run and hiding with seven frier's to escape someone who wants her dead while Bear is overseas. Upon his return, Bear searches for Blanche and looks into what lead to her disappearance. As Blanche gets comfortable with the frier's, she looks into the mystery as attacks on her life continue. As Bear, Blanche, and the killer move in together, it will take all their courage to over face the evil plaguing them.

Waking Rose - Rose is starting college and trying to forget Fish, Bear's brother, who she desperately in love with. Fish, on the other hand, doesn't return the feeling, and is dealing with his own problems. As Rose settles in to her dorm, she makes new friends and gets to know these crazy boys who seem to have a lot in common with her. But then tragedy strikes and Rose ends up in a coma. As the months ware on, Fish starts investigating the accident... and starts to think that what happened was more than just an accident.

Author - Regina Doman

Publisher - Chesterton Press

Age Group - 16 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* The characters are unwilling to let the evil win and do fight for their friends and what is right. Their belief in God helps them to keep going. Adult issues come up in the books. Lots of fighting but not graphic.

Personal Opinion - Some of the best books I have ever read and some of the most believable characters and storylines. They are excellent retellings, showing how real life can reflect fairy tales. The girls, and guys, are great role models. The characters aren't perfect people but they do their best. They do their best to live Christian lives but make mistakes on occasion and have real struggles. I love how a bit of the fairy tale is at the beginning of each chapter so you can see how it is adapted. Regina Doman is the best and her books are worth the money.

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Special Notes - If you are thinking about reading this series, read Shadow of the Bear first. The books can be read individually but thing in previous books will be spoiled if read out of order.

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Prove It! God

"Got God?"

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms

About - Ever be in a conversation about God and your friend asks you if you believe in God and/or why? Had trouble answering that? Ever been asked that if there is such a loving God, why do innocent people suffer? Or be told that they don't need to be told how to live their life? This book covers those questions and more, each chapter containing a question and an answer using reason, quotes by those who have gone before us, and examples of good ways to approach the topic. Don't be afraid, share with your friend why you believe in God in a honest, kind, and loving way using reason and His word.

Author - Amy Welborn

Publisher - Our Sunday Visitor

Age Group - 15 and up

Personal Opinion - Excellent. Fantastic. Engaging. Well Reasoned. Brought me closer to God and understanding why I believe what I believe. Sometimes I fall into the trap that started this book, "Why do you believe in God." "I always have." Not a very good answer to someone who doesn't believe or has doubts about Him. But now, I understand more and have some useful advice on what to say and how to reason it. I have also fallen into the trap of having to prove it and becoming defensive and heated when discussing these kind of things. The book reminded me to stay calm and how to go about discussing things things farther without attacking anyone. The book did use the words 'absurd,' 'silly,' and other such phrases when stating unbelievers and doubters claim why they doubt God which might turn someone coming to faith off from reading this book. But I loved it and will be recommending it in the future and work on remembering its advice and arguments when discussing these things in the future.

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Links - Learn more about the books and author here.

Special Notes - There are 4 more books to the Prove It! Apologetics.
                          Prove It! Church, Review - Coming Soon
                          Prove It! Jesus, Review - Coming Soon
                          Prove It! Prayer, Review - Coming Soon
                          Prove It! You, Review - Coming Soon

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Hiding the Stranger Trilogy

Bookworm's Ranking - 4.5 Worms

Storyline - Books 1-3 - When a young farm girl and her older siblings discover a boy who can't remember anything, not even his own name, they take him on to care for him and discover who he is. But things get strange when strange men come around looking for him. Fortunately, the boy has a few tricks up his sleeve too. To keep him safe, he goes to their cousin's home, where he starts to remember things, including his name Ben, but also is discovered again, making him flee. When he finally remembers, it will take all his ingenuity to get away from the kidnappers. But he can't do it alone.

Author - Joan L. Kelly

Publisher - Bezalel Books

Age Group - 13 or 14 and up

Content - The characters believe and talk about God on occasion. They make it clear that they trust and rely on Him. The boy, Ben, gives of himself without asking anything back and is willing to put himself in danger for others. Ben and a girl share a quick kiss.

Personal Opinion - I found myself pulled into this story right away and thought the descriptions and character development wonderful. A couple of technical things I would have liked to change but they weren't that bad. Also, I thought the characters and situations could have been built upon to lengthen and deepen the story and adventure. But you could make the argument that it is a good quality quick read, which would be good for some people. This is a great book and I don't know many Catholic books that are around so highly recommended.

Awards - Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval (not sure this would technically fall under award but oh well)

Links - Learn more about the story and author at: http://jlkellyshamrockstories.com/Home_Page.html

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