Book reviews from petriekidn

Venom and Song

by Christopher Hopper Wayne Thomas Batson

Plot:
As expected Hopper and Batson delivered another interesting plot filled with well paced scenes and purposeful action. I wasn’t as absorbed with Venom and Song as I was with the previous novel, but it was great nonetheless. VAS became quickly a questing novel. I like that sort of story but not everyone does.

Highlights of the plot include: the elves' training, very exciting, an interesting land of Gnomes, and the entire second half of the book. Once I crossed over into the second half, the authors had hooked me for the long haul. The book ended in one of the best ways I've seen done. A masterfully frustrating cliff hanger that literally had me holding my breath.

Characters:
As with the first book, there are several main characters. Seven main protagonists and a ridiculous amount of side characters. The authors developed each of the main seven well enough. Most of the character development, it seemed, was to be gleaned from the first book. Throughout the story however one of the seven becomes the main lead character.

As for emotional connections, there were a few scenes that I knew I should be feeling for the characters, but I really didn't. I understood the emotion, and recognized that it made sense, but overall...there were just too many characters. However, during the second half my heart and soul was connected to the movement of the story.

Writing Quality:
This is the biggest downfall for this book. Starting very early on and following throughout the course of this book you will find several cases of the following: Description in Dialogue, POV Infractions, and "ly" adverbs.

Apart from these points the writing was beautiful, detail was vivid, action clear, and very well done. The voices of the two authors merged quite well. I don't think anyone that's not a writer would notice any problems. The dialogue wasn't contrived, save maybe one point, and everything flowed quite well.

Theme:
This book has several themes: leadership, teamwork, deliverance, acceptance, sacrifice, etc. It also deals with issues of prejudice and more. Definitely a Christian book. Ellos, the God figure, is discussed far more than in Curse of the Spider King and plays a much greater roll. If you're looking for Christian Fantasy, this book is for you.

The story ended with a major cliff-hanger. Like I said, one of the best I've read. The final battle scene was loaded with twists and turns and thrills and chills. Tons of foreshadowing for book three flocked the pages.

Basic Positive Elements Include: sacrifice, camaraderie, honorable and loving adults, clearly defined good and evil, respect, honor, and more.

Basic Negative/Objectionable Element: young romance (though I thought it was handled well)

I enjoyed this book. If you read and liked Curse of the Spider King, definitely read Venom and Song. It is well done and you'll enjoy it. If you didn’t, well…it’s an excellent story in its own. Give it a try.

Well done Batson and Hopper.

The Rise of the Wyrm Lord

by Wayne Thomas Batson

The second book of Wayne Batson�s bestselling trilogy opens up with the meeting of Aidan Thomas and Antoinette Reed, a girl with fiery red hair and a sword to match it, and how Antoinette is sent into the Realm with the task of setting straight rumors and lies of imposters set on destroying Alleble and its alliances. Great writing, great characters, great story. Great job. It�ll leave you breathless and dying for the final book of the series. Yet another great work by Wayne Thomas Batson. If you don�t read the Door Within Trilogy you are missing out on some amazing fantasy and ever better lessons.

The Lion Vrie

by Christopher Hopper

Taking up where he left off, Christopher Hopper embarks on a tale beginning in destruction and ending in destruction. The world of Dionia is in ruins, their Kings have all fallen, and even the Most High has seemingly abandoned them. Morgui�s power is growing, his might spreading to the remotest parts of the land. The fallen one�s plan extends deep into Earth, as the Only Son prepares to lay His life down. It is at this point, the weakest in all of the world�s time, that the Order of the White Lion�The Lion Vrie�reveal themselves. Pick up this book, and enter another world. Christopher Hopper is by far the best world-builder since Tolkien. Matching, if not surpassing him, in languages, cultures, history, morality, characters, and more! The terror is real, the hope is powerful, and the love will bring you to tears. Laugh-out-loud-in-the-face-of-danger style humor and eloquence only the ancient world can bring. The villains are wretchedly evil, it made me sick. And the heroes are immensely loyal, men and women of God, courageous in the site of hell itself, and broken servants of the Most High God. Read this book, and come face to face with the true Maker of this world. Be prepared for your life to be changed. Join the Lion Vrie. Oh yeah, and be prepared to storm Mr. Hopper�s home. He wrote one heck of a cliff hanger!

Rise of the Dibor

by Christopher Hopper

5.0 out of 5 stars Expertly Original, December 7, 2009 By Petriekidn - See all my reviews A world of innoceance: a perfect world, perfect leaders, perfect love, and a perfect relationship with the Great God. A world still within the bounds of Athera [Heaven] without any knowledge of the sin that has corrupted Earth and the other worlds. This world is called Dionia, and is crafted by the expert pen of Christopher Hopper. Luik is the son of a king, just hitting his teenage years, and is thrown into a world of chaos, tempting fears, and evil. He willingly enters all of this, stepping out into a select group of warriors, defenders, brothers, known as the Dibor [DIE-bor]. After making this decision to serve the Most High God as one of the Dibor, Luik is sent hurtling through battles (physical and spiritual), training, and the destruction of all he holds dear. There is so much in this story to sum up in only one review. Dionia is truely a complete world. This is not some trivial fantasy, not even close, Dionia is the most real fantasy world I've ever seen written second only to Middle-Earth. Though Dionia may always win my heart. The language of the people is beautiful, their innoceance and faith riveting...how does one describe a reality? Dionia is not fiction. Mr. Hopper has convinced me of its reality. Rise of the Dibor is an excellently penned story of love, loyalty, courage, good versus evil, and mankind's ability (or lack thereof) to resist temptation. ROTD teaches that with faith all things are possible, even should the hordes of Hell assail you. Wretchedly twisted villians, truthfully honorable and fearless heroes--this is the story of a lifetime. Step into Dionia and be forever changed, I have changed after reading this--and for the better.

Isle of Swords

by Wayne Thomas Batson

Wayne Thomas Batson is the bestselling author of a trilogy of fantasy books in a mythical land of knights, dragons, and war. But with the writing of Isle of Swords Mr. Batson proves he has not only a knack for traditional fantasy--but a modern, historical, kind as well. Enter the boy simply known as Cat. A teenager in the time of pirates and cruel nations who awakens on an island with no memory of who he is or why he is stranded. He clutches with him only a small bag, a sack that carries a stunning emerald, a lock of hair, and a tarnished silver cross. What mean this three things? Cat believes that they may hold the key to his identity and when he is discovered by a certain Anne Ross, daughter of the notorious and reluctant pirate Delcan Ross, captain of the William Wallace, he clings to this bag with a passion. And so the story begins. As the small band of pirates hunts for the treasure that just might rescue them from piracy forever. Mr. Batson does a marvelous job with this story. Not only does he prove he can write a convincing story in a real world, but he proves that he is twice as creative as anyone could have first thought. IOS is a cool twist on a "pirate treasure hunting tail" simply because the treasure is not gold or the like and that the main characters are noble pirates....a seemingly paradox but such a great truth for this tale. Laugh-out-loud funny, emotional, action-packed, and clever...you will absolutely love this book.

Curse of the Spider King

by Christopher Hopper, Wayne Thomas Batson

Heed the prophecies all you readers out there. I'm sure by now you've scanned reviews and heard the echoes of the impact this book is making. I am 15 years old and devour all kinds of fantasy, secular and Christian, adult and teen works. To start, this book proved itself worthy to sit on the number one spot of my "Best Modern Fantasy" list. At least until its sequel is released. COTSK is about 7 teenagers, each from varying backgrounds (a variety enough for any reader to resonate with at least one), who are thrust into strange and confusing circumstances wrought with danger and mystery. COTSK is the story of another world, Allyra, and how the noblest of all races in that world was nearly destroyed. COTSK is the story of how 7 teens are revealed as Elven lords prophesied to save a dying land. Now don't leave me yet. Curse of the Spider King is NOT your average "two worlds" novel. This isn't the type of story where children wander into another world and are instantly filled with unlikely courage and save the day. Quite the contrary. This is the story where realistic teens with hurting and burdensome hearts are faced with an impossible task (yes, quite impossible) and learn two words--Endurance and Victory. Be prepared when you read this book for a large cast of characters, characters with distinct personalities and histories, deep characters, and be prepared to fall in love with them. Be prepared to read this book and forget about everything else save it. I have never felt the sensation of "not being able to put a book down" until I read this book. And I have read everything from Eragon to Shannara to Dragons In Our Midst. This book easily tops them all. And better yet, it lays the groundwork for an exciting series to come. The world of Allyra is a world you do not want to forget, and you do not want to miss out on. Wayne Batson and Christopher Hopper have successfully combined their voices into one and written a beautiful book. Honorable adults, courageous characters, a loving almighty God. Hair raising battle scenes and repulsing spiders. Evil villians and mystery wrought within. And one insanely intriguing story-line, I'm still putting pieces together. And I'm loving it! You will love this book.

Raising Dragons

by Bryan Davis

Raising Dragons is a book for all to read. Davis's average teenage boy is very easy to relate to, and the story is probably the most entertaining book I've read in a long time. It is awesome, kept me on the edge of my seat, and made me think...and laugh! Read it!!!

The Candlestone

by Bryan Davis

The Candelstone, the amazing sequel to Raising Dragons. This is definately a good read. Through this book I learned more about God. He never lies and will emerge victorious. This story proiveds many mysteries and the final discovery of them is pretty cool. Filled with spiritual truth, epic battles, and humor the Candelstone is a must read!

Beyond the Reflection's Edge

by Bryan Davis

Enter the Mirror Join Nathan and Kelly as they embark on a mission they know little about themselves. This is and amazing book that includes diminsion traveling, violin music, and murders. Beyond thee Reflection's Edge is a cross between a fantasy and thriller/suspense novel. With many a twist and turn I couldn't put it down. A must read!