Book Review: The Wide Road

The Wide Road by Kim Balogh
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I was disappointed in this book. I was excited to read a Pilgrim’s Progress type of story told from the sinner’s POV, but there are so many problems with the writing that the story doesn’t come through. It desperately needs an editor. I only read the first 20 pages, and I just couldn’t continue.

The writing is extremely verbose and redundant. There are multiple problems with sentence structure, punctuation, and even word usage. For example, the word “self-perseverance” is used, when I’m pretty sure the author meant “self-preservation”. The word “nowhere” is written as two separate words “no where”. There’s a sentence that talks about the “faucets” on jewels instead of the “facets”, and another says how beautiful the “pedals” on flowers are. I even saw the words “their selves” instead of “themselves.”

I like the idea of retelling Pilgrim’s Progress from another viewpoint, but this book needs some help before it is reader-ready.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review. The opinions here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.

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Book Review: The White Knight, the Lost Kingdom & the Sea Princess


The White Knight, the Lost Kingdom & the Sea Princess by Judy Carlson

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

“Prince Lael must prove his strength and loyalty when challenged by an insidious enemy.  Clara and Ian, two kids from Minnesota, will join the adventure to free a captive Sea Princess, battle evil, and overcome lurking temptations. They will meet the legendary White Knight and along the way gain wisdom, love, and friendships.” – GoodReads

I had high expectations from this book since I love fantasy, I was told that it is similar to Narnia, and I had met and liked the author. Plus the cover design is absolutely gorgeous! So when I very quickly began to be disappointed, I tried to lower my expectations and continue on. I tried to reason away the many flaws in the writing. I tried to overlook the lack of structure in the story. I tried and failed. I wanted so badly to like this book! (sigh.) Alas, it was not to be.

I read through page 57, because I always give every book at least 50 pages to prove their worth, but then I just had to stop. I can’t finish this. It grates on my nerves so badly! Continue reading

Graphic Novel Review: 2048 by Marvin Olasky

2048
2048 by Marvin Olasky
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this futuristic graphic novel about half-human genetically-engineered “bumans”. The story centers around one Christian senator who is struggling to find the truth about bumans, whether they have souls or are just animals, and whether they have the ability to function in society. Then he has to make decisions about how his stand for freedom and mercy will affect his political career. Continue reading

Book Review: Storm Siren & Siren’s Fury

Storm Siren
Storm Siren by Mary Weber

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

“In a world at war, a slave girl’s lethal curse could become one kingdom’s weapon of salvation. If the curse—and the girl—can be controlled. As a slave in the war-weary kingdom of Faelen, seventeen-year-old Nym isn’t merely devoid of rights, her Elemental kind are only born male and always killed at birth — meaning, she shouldn’t even exist.” -GoodReads

I couldn’t connect with the main character, Nymia, because she is so damaged and broken and full of guilt that she can’t connect with the people around her. She’s so closed off. I mean, she’s a good character and wonderfully written, but I didn’t “get” her. She does have some good character development though, and she learns to befriend and trust those around her. Plus she has awesome stormy powers, and I liked seeing her journey of discovery with her Elemental abilities! Continue reading

Book Review: Anne of Green Gables, My Daughter, and Me

Anne of Green Gables, My Daughter, and Me: What My Favorite Book Taught Me about Grace, Belonging, and the Orphan in Us All by Lorilee Craker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book weaves together the stories of several orphans, both fictional and real. Lucy Maud Montgomery was abandoned by her father, left with her grandparents, and grew up feeling orphaned, which inspired her to write her famous Anne stories, one of the most beloved orphan girls of all time. The author, Lorilee Craker, was also an orphan, given up for adoption and raised by her adopted Mennonite family. Lorilee went on to adopt a daughter of her own from Korea. Four orphan stories from widely different times and circumstances, but all with one central message- The Love of God heals us, chooses us, delights in us, and adopts us into a heavenly family. Continue reading

Book Review: An Uncertain Choice

An Uncertain Choice
An Uncertain Choice by Jody Hedlund
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fairy tale castles, court intrigue, jousting tournaments, Ancient Vows to be broken, mysterious plagues and murder, knights walking around looking hot, and of course, a princess who must fall in love before the proverbial stroke of midnight… What’s not to love?! I devoured this book, and adored every second!

I immediately connected Continue reading

Book Review: Alexander the Good Dragon

Alexander the Good Dragon Alexander the Good Dragon by Fred Wolf My rating: 1 of 5 stars

“ALEXANDER THE GOOD DRAGON … a stirring tale of long ago battles between good and evil, men and dragons… Sean is tormented by guilt when his father is kidnapped by a malevolent dragon. Unable to simply sit still and wait for the king and his men to come to the rescue, Sean sets out on a long and perilous journey through the Cumbrian Mountains to seek the help of Alexander, a great and benevolent dragon who has proven to be a defender of men. But lately, Alexander is nowhere to be found. Can Sean find the reclusive Alexander?” -GoodReads Description

This book was only okay. I do love stories about dragons though! This book has the basics for a good dragon story, but just needs some better structure. The characters are one-dimensional and the story needs some further development. There’s almost no sub-plot at all, and it ends pretty quickly instead of having a third act climax and then denouement. The main character has almost no Continue reading

Book Review: The Peter Potential

The Peter Potential: Discover the Life You Were Meant to Live
The Peter Potential: Discover the Life You Were Meant to Live by Emily Freeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this beautiful little devotion book! Focusing on the life of Peter and his most defining moments with Christ, this book paints an inspiring picture of what is possible in our Christian lives when we accept an invitation from the Lord.
Christ invited Peter to launch out into the deep and trust Him for the resulting fishing success. Christ invited Peter to walk on water, to feed 5,000 hungry people by giving the little he had, and to pray all night in the garden.
This book shows how God is always inviting us to a deeper relationship with Him, to realize our full potential in Him, and encourages and inspires the reader to accept those invitations from God.

The illustrations, photos, and layout of the book are delightful, and really make an impact as you read. This would make a perfect little gift book for anyone in any place in their Christian walk!

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Trilogy Review: So Close To You by Rachel Carter

This is my review of the entire “So Close To You” trilogy by Rachel Carter. These books are a YA time travel story with adventure, intrigue, secret government conspiracies, romance, and of course time travel!  I gave them all 4 out of 5 stars. So much love!

So Close To You by Rachel Carter

Lydia Bentley has heard stories about the Montauk Project all her life: stories about the strange things that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and people who’ve disappeared over the years.
Alongside a darkly mysterious boy she is wary to trust, she discovers that all the stories she’s heard about the Montauk Project are true, and that she’s in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history.
-Goodreads Description

 

So Close to You
So Close to You by Rachel Carter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really loved this book! I was hooked from the first page, and the suspense pulled me in. I love time-travel stories, and this one is fantastic.
Lydia is a great character, full of curiosity and spunk, but also Continue reading