Review~ The First Escape

List Price:19.99

ISBN:978-1-4143-1947-6

Trim Size:6 x 9

Binding:Hardcover

Release:September 2008

From the best-selling author of Shadowmancer comes an enthralling new series of illustra-novellas. The First Escape is the first book in the Dopple Ganger Chronicles, a six-book series following three children—Sadie and Saskia Dopple and Erik Morrissey Ganger. Sadie and Saskia are mischievous identical twins living at an orphanage, where Erik is their only friend. They are separated when Saskia is adopted by Muzz Elliott, a wealthy woman searching for her long-lost family treasure. While Saskia stumbles into the center of a crime only she can stop, Sadie and Erik embark on a quest to find her. This book is in an exciting new format called an “illustra-novella,” in which the story is told alternately in graphic novel format and plain text with occasional illustrations.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review~ My oldest son likes to read graphic novels so I thought this book would begreat for him. This book is a "novella". Its a mix between a novel and a graphic novel. This fast-paced, high-energy, intense story will keep readers turning pages faster than they ever have before. Twin sisters Sadie and Saskia team up with fellow orphan Erik to escape the drudgery of the orphanage. Along the way they discover dark secrets and a conspiracy that could separate the twins forever. The target audience is grades 4 - 7 and I would not encourage it for younger readers without a parent reading it first. There is subject matter that is more manageable for older readers but may be a bit scary for younger ones. The intensity in the plot is relieved by humour that appeals directly to this age range (there is a stuffed donkey bottom involved - need I say more?) While at times I found the jump from novel to comic a bit hard to follow, my reluctant reader made the leap seamlessly and caught the visual story details that I often missed. The First Escape introduces spiritual themes and the author has left room to expand these themes in the coming books.

Thanks to Tyndale for a chance to get my child to review a book that he actually read!

Review~ Attack at the Arena

List Price:4.99
ISBN:978-1-58997-628-3
Trim Size:5 1/2 x 8
Binding:Softcover
Release:March 2011

Patrick and Beth learn that Mr. Whittaker’s fancy ring can be seen inside the Imagination Station but not outside of the machine. A mysterious letter leads the cousins to fifth-century Rome in search of a special cup that belongs to a monk. If found, the cup could keep the mysterious Albert out of prison.
At the Roman Colosseum, Emperor Honorius is hosting a gladiator battle in celebration of a war victory. Beth attends the event as the emperor’s slave; Patrick attends as a monk’s apprentice but is taken prisoner and sent to fight in the arena. During their adventure, the cousins meet Telemachus (a true historical figure), a monk who believes that fighting is wrong. Telemachus is willing to risk everything—even his life—to stop the killing. When the cousins return with the cup, they find that a third letter has been sent with more information about Albert’s fate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Review~ This book is recommended for ages 7 and up and a grade level of 2.3. I gave it to my youngest son to read and he read it with in a couple of days! Hi liked it so much he wants me to get more of the series! The vocabulary was simple for him to understand but the book contained a lot of historically accurate details about 5th century Rome. The book didn't overstate the historical details so it kept my son intrested. This book was a fun introduction to these historical concepts without having to pull out a history book. My son gave it a 5 out of 5 stars!

disclosure: This book was provided free by Tyndale Publishers in exchange for this review.

Review~ The Blessing of Adversity

Author Barry C. Black
List Price:14.99
ISBN:978-1-4143-2680-1
Trim Size:6 x 9
Binding:Softcover
Release:April 2011

Most people see trouble as something negative and seek to avoid it whenever possible. But what if it’s those troubles that actually lead to greater blessing and purpose? In The Blessing of Adversity, a retired U.S. Navy admiral and the 62nd chaplain of the U.S. Senate distills the wisdom gained from thirty years as a counselor, theologian, and psychologist. Barry Black offers a blueprint for removing the sting of life’s trials, showing us how to let God use our pain for his glory by blessing others—and how that can actually help heal our own pain. Drawing on Scripture and his own experiences as a counselor and chaplain to some of the most powerful people in the world, Black teaches us how to deal with seasons of God’s apparent silence, offers techniques for staying encouraged in the middle of life’s storms, and shows how to find advantages in adversity.

Review~ This is a wonderful book of overcoming anything and still drawing on God and scripture to make it thru anything! I found this a great read! Its a great message of how finding your God given purpose in life's troubles will keep you going. No matter what you are going thru you will make it out of the dark and into the light with God's help!

disclosure: Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my review.