Review of The First Principle by Marissa Shrock

Genre: YA Fiction/Futuristic

Recommended.

Vivica Wilkins is the sixteen-year-old daughter of a prominent governor, and presidential candidate, in the futuristic “United Regions of North America” where government control is out of hand (but not unrealistic). The population is controlled through pregnancy-preventing vaccinations, so that only women within a particular age range are propagating, with a high tax on families with more than two children.

Vivica is a hacker (mostly using her skills to change the grades of other students), but she otherwise is okay with the “system”–that is, until she discovers she is illegally pregnant, and is no longer sure she is comfortable with the mandatory abortion. The baby’s father is a repentant Christian, working with an underground group of “Emancipation Warriors”.

I love how this book deals directly with Christian issues and political scenarios within the futuristic, government controlled setting that is so popular amongst teen literature. The faith element is not subtle. The characters talk and question God and faith in a way that is great for young readers. And despite dealing with the difficult topics of abortion and teen sex, there is not a sexual or even emotionally-romantic vibe to the story, which I really appreciated as it kept the emphasis on the more important issues of politics and faith. There is a little bit of purposefully placed violence as the story moves rapidly in an exciting action-oriented mystery and chase.

This would be enjoyable for teens or adults because of the thought-provoking themes and action packed plot. Adult readers could finish this in a day or two. I also think it could be a great resource for parents and teens to discuss some of these issues together.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel Publications.

Review of Both of Me by Jonathan Friesen

Genre: YA Fiction

Not Recommended.

This story is intriguing: Clara is a teenage runaway who is traveling the world to get away from a tragedy in her past. On an airplane she meets Elias, who struggles with an unusual case of Dissociative Identity Disorder. The two accidentally switch backpacks, then become unlikely companions as they each search for healing, identity, and belonging.

I don’t expect Christian fiction to always be spiritually oriented (often the indirect message is more powerful), but I do expect it to be in some way edifying. As much as this story interested me–and would likely catch the attention of readers within the identity transition of young adulthood–the underlying spiritual message was not positive or beneficial. Elias has deep problems that are not appropriately addressed or resolved. Clara receives partial healing, but the Christian element is brought into her life awkwardly and without the necessary depth (actually, the “healing” spirit is more “New Age” than Christian).

The ending solidified my dislike for this book. Despite the difficult themes and attitudes of the characters, I think there was still room for a redemptive message. The circumstances of the ending did not bother me as they were true to the characters; but the overall spirit of the story was uncomfortable for me, as was the absence of God’s truth. The characters’ journeys were not completed in an inspiring or godly manner, rather in the poetic realism that often characterizes “good” secular writing. The writing itself is strong: metaphors and imagery are pulled together, the characters are vivid and likeable. But I would not recommend this to a Christian teen.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blink.

Review of Old Fashioned by Rene Gutteridge (based on the screenplay by Rik Swartzwelder)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Recommended.

978-1-4143-7933-3 Rene Gutteridge is among my favorite authors, so I could not pass up her novelization of Rik Swartzwelder’s screenplay. The movie version will be released February 13, 2015, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

The players are Clay: a former frat boy, now “old fashioned” Christian, who is uncomfortable even being in the same room alone with a woman; and Amber: a free-spirit who moves around a lot, and enjoys adventure. They enter into a humorous courtship, emphasized by the differences in their personalities. There is also a more serious side as they deal with their past pains.

The narrative is cute, romantic, and funny. There is not much more to it. I think some of the themes could have been better developed–especially in dealing with their past issues. And the content toward the end felt a bit rushed to me.

I am not actually an advocate of “courting” in general as I think it tends to rush relationships toward marriage prematurely, so this bias probably aids in my not loving the book or the ending. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it for what it was (a light, quick read), and think it has the potential to be a great conversation starter in a book club, or a feel-good romance for those who want something appropriate and fun.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers.

Review of The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery/Romance

Recommended!

Abigail Foster is practical, intelligent, and worried she may end up a spinster when the man she has admired since their childhood seems to have eyes for her younger, prettier sister instead.

When a bad investment forces her family to look for a more affordable living arrangement, an interesting opportunity arises for them to rent Pembrooke Park. The manor has been abandoned for many years, and is rumored to be haunted and to hold treasure in a secret room.

The narrative twists and turns through mysterious happenings and suspense, love triangles, strange neighbors, long lost family members, formal parties, hidden secrets, and a very real treasure. The story and characters are so engaging, I hardly noticed the 450 page length as I read through it quickly.

There is a direct faith based message, which I felt was slightly awkward toward the end as Abigail seemed to jump from non-practicing Christian to preaching Christian without enough spiritual build-up. Even so, the message is a good one. It’s not overdone, but could just use a better transition, and the strength of the overall narrative makes up for it. The complex mystery is fun to read, especially as it becomes a meaningful illustration of faith and God’s love.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House.

Review of The Heretic by Henry Vyner-Brooks

Genre: Historical Fiction

Not Recommended.

The Heretic takes place in Reformation England from 1536 to 1539. There are many layers to the story. The two main groups of characters are a monk, Pacificus (who is actually a disguised knight, Sir Hugh Erpingham, and has interactions within both his personas), and a family of “heretics” who are persecuted for believing and practicing outside the official church (becoming an “extended family” as the children are sent to live with a family of Anabaptists while the parents are charged). There are also some recognizable historical figures.

I have only basic knowledge of this time period, so I was hoping this novel would help me to learn a bit of history in an enjoyable way. I did feel as if I could envision the scenery and setting, but otherwise I had trouble following the overarching historical-political events. I would summarize that the writing is historically very strong, but only to those who are already familiar with the period.

The story is good, but also very slow (603 pages, covering a span of years). It is overly thorough in some areas, while neglecting to fully connect the dots of the historical picture in other places. I was interested just enough to keep reading, but not enough to truly engage in the story. I would have liked either much more action and suspense (there is some suspense in the plot, but not in the style of writing), or a stronger emotional pull to the characters–or both!

There were also a couple very gruesome scenes that were much too graphic for me, though aptly reflecting the spirit of the times.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Lion Fiction.

Review of Hit by Lorie Ann Grover

Genre: YA Fiction/Contemporary

Not Recommended.

Sarah is a senior in high school, preparing to make the decision about where to go to college, and day-dreaming about a graduate-student poetry teacher (Mr. Haddings), when she is hit by a car while crossing the street. The driver of the car happens to be Haddings.

The story is written in “live-diary” form from the back-and-forth perspectives of both Sarah and Haddings beginning the morning of the accident, and extending two full days and briefly into the third morning.

I have a personal pet peeve that I abhor the use of first person present tense in fiction–it always takes me a few chapters to get over the awkwardness of the tense and into the story–as was the case with Hit.

I’m also not sure what the purpose of the narrative should have been. I liked that this was based on a true story, and thought the perspectives, grievances, and emotions of the characters were dealt with well. But the outcome and message of the story were lacking considering the content (i.e. the near-death experience, aftermath, and inappropriate near-relationship between teacher and student). Also, the writing was simple (maybe 4th grade level); while the content was more mature (high school).

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blink.

Review of The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Recommended.

The Story Keeper New York editor, Jen Gibbs, is a new hire at the prominent, Vida House Publishing, when a captivating manuscript appears on her desk–seemingly from the slush pile that is strictly off-limits. She is quickly drawn into the story, which takes place in the Appalachian Mountains–very near to the childhood home and family that she has intentionally moved away from. As she risks her career to chase the story, she is forced to also confront and reconcile with her own.

Initially I wasn’t sure about The Story Keeper. The first few chapters were a bit slow, and I was not instantly engaged in the story-within-the-story, which appeared as full chapters of the manuscript. Around a third of the way through, though, I was hooked. The detail of the Appalachian terrain and people (especially the Melungeons) became fascinating to me; and the parallel stories touched my heart and drew me in.

There are so many likable elements: mystery, personal connections between relatable characters, the weaving of the past into the present and back to the past, and the indirect examination of what makes a great story. As the narrative concluded, I didn’t want it to end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers.

Review of With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden

Genre: Historical Romance

Recommended.

Set in the late 1800s in Washington, D.C., Kate Livingston and Trevor McDonough had always been school-mate adversaries. Now as adults, Trevor has become a distinguished physician, while Kate (having lost the scholarship that was her only chance at college to Trevor) is struggling in a career that neither challenges or interests her.

When Trevor unexpectedly pursues Elizabeth to work alongside him in his research to cure tuberculosis, she jumps at the challenge, and their wit and competitiveness merge in an amusing chemistry. As their research is threatened by a reckless and anonymous “insider,” Kate is certain that Trevor’s mysterious past has something to do with their endangerment.

I loved reading this. Kate is a fiery, intellectual, strong-willed woman (not represented well by the cover picture); and Trevor is a private, equally strong-willed, introvert, gifted in his brilliance to perfect the world. The story’s depth and dynamic comes through as they each come to terms with their emotions and past wounds (especially with experiencing the death and illness of loved ones in their individual lives).

While faith is a more subtle piece of the story, the theme that love is tested in fire, and is not to be reserved just when circumstances are easy really stood out to me. I also appreciated the historical detail, fascinating period-appropriate medical information, and the compelling mystery.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House.

Review of MindWar by Andrew Klavan

Genre: YA Fiction/Action & Adventure/Sci-Fi

Series: MindWar Trilogy, Book #1

Recommended.

Rick Dial had been the quarterback of his high school football game; but after injuring his legs in a car accident he has been avoiding real life by loosing himself in a video-game obsession. When a secret government group recruits him to enter “the Realm” (a digital world created by a Russian villian) because of his unusually high gaming skill, he begins to rethink his life–and realizes that his father, who recently deserted the family, is not whom he imagined.

I have read Andrew Klavan’s Homelanders Series, and think he is one of the best choices for YA Christian fiction. His writing is swift and action-oriented. MindWar has a very different feel than his other works–it’s lighter, with a little less suspense, more room to provoke thought, but still with as much action and character risk-taking as ever.

There are a couple themes in the narrative that give me pause:

I am not clear based on the first book alone what the “the Realm” represents. It appears to be a replica of the spiritual world and spiritual battle (in a good way!), but depending on how the story moves, the underlying message could go in any direction.
I’m unsure how I feel about the “spirit guides”–maybe a different word choice would be more appropriate (I gather they represent angels).
Rick learns to control his physical reality through his spiritual reality, which I find to be an excellent parallel for putting faith into action, but which could also be mistaken for the manipulation of the spiritual/physical realms as in the occult–or, on the “Christian” side of things, within the “word of faith” movement. The lines between what is and isn’t biblical are based so strongly on the posture of the heart that it is unclear which stance the story is working from since the details are not clearly defined. I judge it to be okay–even a helpful example; but having come out of an occult/New Age background, I am sensitive and hesitant over some of the scenes and word choices.

Overall, I do recommend this book, despite my small hesitations. I think it will catch the attention of pre-teen to teenage boys (or action loving girls). And I like that it opens up the conversation of faith, spirituality, and the supernatural realm without being overtly religious.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson.

Review of A Match of Wits by Jen Turano

Genre: Romantic Historical Comedy

Series: Ladies of Distinction, Book #4

Not Recommended.

Set in 1883, Agatha is a quick-witted news reporter who naturally attracts dangerous and troublesome situations. (She reminds me just a bit of Amelia Bedelia from the popular children’s book series.) When Agatha unexpectedly reconnects with Zayne–a single and handsome man from her past–sparks fly in a match of their equally stubborn natures and evident chemistry.

This novel is simply not my taste. I was intrigued by the book description, unsure about the cover, and plunged into it anyway, only to decide I had made a poor choice for myself.

I still cannot decide exactly why the narrative rubbed me the wrong way because the writing is solid. I think the comedic aspect was just too much for me: over the top, with larger than life characters that were unsettling and even annoying to me. I personally found it difficult to connect with the characters, story, and not-my-style humor; and I had trouble feeling the essence of the historical period.

That said, the story does begin to improve toward the middle as the character and plot focus becomes more settled and concentrated. I imagine readers who are looking for an exaggerated, light-hearted, and cheesy sort of romance and humor would likely enjoy this, even though it was not suitable for my taste.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House.

Awaiting the King

The Personal Blog of Theresa C. Shell

Fiction

Review of The First Principle by Marissa Shrock

Review of Both of Me by Jonathan Friesen

Review of Old Fashioned by Rene Gutteridge (based on the screenplay by Rik Swartzwelder)

Review of The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

Review of The Heretic by Henry Vyner-Brooks

Review of Hit by Lorie Ann Grover

Review of The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate

Review of With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden

Review of MindWar by Andrew Klavan

Review of A Match of Wits by Jen Turano