THE RANGER'S APPRENTICE SERIES by John Flanagan

John Flanagan, The Ranger’s Apprentice Series, by John Flanagan (Puffin, 2006-2011).

Available in hardback, Kindle, Nook, and audiobook, and in Penguin paperback editions.

(ADVENTURE)

Recommended Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Reviewed by Jacob Proehl, age 9

I read the whole series of The Ranger’s Apprentice, which has 10 books, plus one more of short stories. The books are set in the middle ages, and they are about a teenage boy who gets chosen as a ranger’s apprentice and he ends up fighting the evil army of Morgrath. There are many magical creatures, such as the Kalkara, but you will have to read the books to find out about all of them. There are many suspenseful adventures throughout the books. 

I would recommend this series because it is filled with medieval adventure and fantasy. If you like that, too, you should definitely read this series.  

 

Book 1: THE RUINS OF GORLAN

Book 2: THE BURNING BRIDGE

Book 3: THE ICEBOUND LAND

BOOK 4: OAKLEAF BEARERS

BOOK 5: THE SORCERER IN THE NORTH

BOOK 6: THE SIEGE OF MACINDAW

BOOK 7: ERAK'S RANSOM

BOOK 8: THE KINGS OF CLONMEL

BOOK 9: HALT'S PERIL

BOOK 10: THE EMPORER OF NIHON-JA

THE EYE OF GOD: A FISHERMAN’S TALE by Marilyn Huntman Giese

Marilyn Huntman Giese, The Eye of God: A Fisherman’s Tale (Xlibris, 2010).

Also available on Kindle and Nook.

(CHRISTIAN FICTION)

Reviewed by Dorinda Kauzlarich-Rupe

Written as an autobiography of Simon Peter, this book begins when Simon, a young man, is living with his pregnant wife, her mother, and his brother and fishing partner, Andrew, in Capernaum. The death of his wife during the birth of their son, Mark, leaves Simon restless and searching for who he is and how he fits into life. The book continues through Simon's life, including his call by Jesus to become a fisher of men, through the period of Jesus’ life, Peter’s role as the rock of the early church, and finally to his arrests and expected execution by hanging in Rome, including his request that he be hanged upside down, rather than be given the same death that Jesus had suffered. He feels unworthy.

Giese skillfully interweaves the lives of most, if not all, the persons recorded in the Bible interacting in some way in the life of Jesus, some before they followed Jesus or even knew him. I was impressed that Simon knew that he was a man with faults/sins all of his life.  It is obvious, as you read the book, that the author knows the scriptures and had done much research into the history of Israel, the politics and religious climate of the time, the culture of the period, etc. At the end of the book she gives a list of “Selected References.” There were times when I wished that she had footnoted some of the book, giving me some idea of where some particular information was gleaned and where she was using her own imagination within the framework of the culture, politics, Jewish faith, etc. That very likely would have added many pages to the book.  She did no quoting of any of her references, except in the epilogue, which is drawn from the First Letter by Peter. This is a very easy-to-read book, and is quite interesting; it pulls you into the story. I think that some of her insights can be helpful in reading the actual scriptures. I would love to read it again. There is a lot of information told as a story.

REDEEMING LOVE by Francine Rivers

Francine Rivers, Redeeming Love (Multnomah Publishers, Inc. 1997).

Also available on Kindle, Nook and CD.

(CHRISTIAN FICTION)

Reviewed by Barbara Penrod Andrey

Redeeming Love is a retelling of the book of Hosea in the Bible. It takes place in California during the Gold Rush. Angel is a prostitute in the brothel Pair a Dice. She is the one men fight over. Three days a week she goes for a walk with a bodyguard and all the men pause just the get a glimpse of her.

One day a farmer, Michael Hosea, takes notice. Then something totally unexpected happens. He hears the voice of God telling him that this woman will be his wife. He spends the next week trying to convince Angel that he can give her a better life. After she gets a terrible beating by that same bodyguard who took her on walks, Hosea is able to take her away, but not before she agrees to marry him and they are wed.

As Angel begins to experience what real love is her heart begins to soften. Every time this begins to happen she runs. At first Michael goes after her until God tells him he needs to let her go. Angel finally learns to trust the soft voice that Michael always talked about.

This book is a true love story. I have read it numerous times and every time I learn something new about myself. I recommend this book to everyone who wants a life-changing story of God's unconditional, redemptive, and all-consuming love.