Book Review: From Achilles to Christ

From Achilles to Christ by Louis A. Markos

From Achilles to Christ: Why Christians Should Read the Pagan Classics
by Louis A. Markos

5 out of 5 stars

Christians can look back on the pagan classics from Homer and Virgil and see the universal human longing for a Savior. As Achilles and Odysseus struggle through their heroic adventures, the Christian can draw parallels to Christ’s own heroic deeds, finding the completion of every myth in the person of Christ. In the Bible, God often uses pagan kings to reveal His truth and further His kingdom. The truth of Christ can be found reflected in all of creation and especially in the greatest creative literature of the ancient world.
The author says that “…the great, overarching symbols of literature can function as they do only because history and the universe are inherently meaningful and moving toward a purposeful end.”pg. 133
The pre-Christian myths of the Greeks and Romans include the same symbols and themes that are present in the Bible, and which find their final fruition in Christ.

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Book Review: Pennyroyal Academy

Pennyroyal Academy by M.A. Larson

Pennyroyal Academy (Pennyroyal Academy, #1)
by M.A. Larson 

2.5 out of 5 stars
A girl with no name arrives at the Pennyroyal Academy and signs up to be trained as a princess. She is given the name Cadet Eleven, which her new friends shorten to “Evie”. Gradually, Evie begins to realize that being a princess is not at all what she imagined, because the princesses are at war against the witches, just as the knights are at war against the dragons. They train to fight against the dark magic of the witches, using compassion and courage as their weapons.

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Book Review: Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask

Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask by Shiko Nguru

Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask (The Intasimi Warriors Book 1)
by Shiko Nguru

3.5 out of 5 stars
On her first day at a new school, Mwikali discovers that she is descended from a long line of Kenyans with mystical powers. She and her friends must find and destroy the dreaded Forbidden Mask before the powers of darkness can gather and unleash its evil power.

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Graphic Novel Review: Gustav and Henri: Tiny Aunt Island

Gustav & Henri Tiny Aunt Island (Vol. 2) by Andy   Matthews

Gustav & Henri Tiny Aunt Island (Vol. 2) (Gustav & Henri, 2)
by Andy Matthews, Peader Thomas (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

Gustav wants to go water rafting and drags his friend Henri along for the ride. After getting caught in a storm, they are left stranded on a des_ert island, but something strange is going on with this mysterious island.

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Book Review: Starlet Rivals

Starlet Rivals by Puneet Bhandal

Starlet Rivals (The Bollywood Academy)
by  Puneet Bhandal (Goodreads Author)

4 out of 5 stars

Bela dreams of becoming a movie star in Bollywood, and hopes that her dance skills will win her a scholarship to the famous Bollywood Academy, where young students are trained as actors, dancers, and film crew. Her mother, a dance instructor, convinces her that she is good enough to enter the Dance Starz TV competition, and Bela submits an entry. When Bela dances, she feels supremely happy as if the entire world just falls away. But will her love for dance be enough to win the competition and the scholarship?

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Book Review: Round the Fire Stories

Round the Fire Stories by Arthur Conan Doyle

Round the Fire Stories
by Arthur Conan Doyle

4 out of 5 stars

These short stories all feature some horrific circumstance or frightening apparition. There are terrifying nightmares, murder, ghosts, seances, dangerous exotic animals, and stolen jewels. Each story gradually leads into more and more suspicious circumstances until the hero of the tale is finally confronted with the full effect of their horrific situation.

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Book Review: Pax

Pax
Pax by Sara Pennypacker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pax was only a kit when his family was killed, and “his boy” Peter rescued him from abandonment and certain death. When Peter’s father enlists, Peter has to move in with his grandpa, but Pax can’t go. Peter throws Pax’s favorite toy soldier into the woods. When the fox runs to retrieve it, Peter and his dad get back in the car and leave him there—alone. But before Peter makes it through even one night under his grandfather’s roof, regret and duty spur him to action; he packs for a trek to get his best friend back and sneaks into the night. This is the story of Peter, Pax, and their independent struggles to return to one another against all odds. -GoodReads Description

 

I’m not a huge fan of animal stories (unless they are anthropomorphic), but the writing in this book was so excellently crafted that I loved it!
I especially loved the boy’s story, how he travels across country and the people he meets and connects with. There’s a lot of depth to the story, and the spiritual journey that the boy goes through is just beautiful.
The fox’s story was less compelling. Basic animal survival and a lot of dead things, but it was certainly interesting. Continue reading

Book Review: Tess of the D’Urbervilles

Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Tess Durbeyfield is driven by family poverty to claim kinship with the wealthy D’Urbervilles and seek a portion of their family fortune, meeting her ‘cousin’ Alec proves to be her downfall. A very different man, Angel Clare, seems to offer her love and salvation, but Tess must choose whether to reveal her past or remain silent in the hope of a peaceful future. – GoodReads Description

I love Hardy’s writing style, but what brand of stupidity is this story?!? I got so frustrated with the characters, and the plot is just so depressing and horrible at every turn. Nothing nice happens. Ever! Continue reading

Alphabetical Bookshelves

 

First, I arranged all my books alphabetically on the floor around the bed in piles for each letter. Then, I started placing them on the shelves around the room. It took a long time…. about 6 hours in total. But now they are beautifully organized by author’s last name!
How do you organize your books?

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October REading

Minion Book Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2vjeGKMv-U
Frankenstein Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JUxl5411AM
Curious Incident of Dog in Nighttime REview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV0qM8z2aHw
Novels and Nonsense: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUfP0El1vakyfkkXbyJwy0Q
Brunette Bibliophile: https://www.youtube.com/user/Just4Teens2012/featured

Books for MKs is a charity organization that donates books to missionary kids on the foreign mission field all over the world. Donate now at http://www.gofundme.com/booksformks to help these children get reading material!

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, and COMMENT!

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/thekai05
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/booksformks
Instagram: http://instagram.com/thekai05/