Okay. I’m going to be looking at a sequel. But . . . it has a huge spoiler concerning the first book. So unless you either 1. have read it, 2. don’t care, or 3. want spoilers: Do not read further than this.
<Waiting. Waiting.>
Hey there, again. We’re below the spoiler alert. We are returning to the People of the Verses, or The Sword of Lyric series. We go from traveling with one person on their journey to two. Let’s meet them.
Kieran is the latest Restorer . . . and possibly the most reluctant. Ever since the One restored his life by choosing him as the next Restorer after Susan, Kieran has been trying to deny his calling. He just wants nothing to do with the One. He is an outcast among the People of the Verses because of his mother’s Hazorite roots. But as one thing leads to another, he starts on a downward spiral that leads to him being exiled to Hazor, a neighboring enemy country.
Meanwhile, Susan and her husband, Mark, return from their world find their eldest son, Jake, who somehow stumbled upon the portal and went through. Now they race to find Jake before something horrible befalls him. Not only do they need to deal with the crafty chief councilmember Cameron, but when they suspect that he may have been kidnaped by Kieran, they race headlong into Hazor, determined to find them. Will they find Jake before it’s too late? What about Kieran? Will he ever accept his calling as the One’s Restorer? Whether or not he does, what will happen when he enters Hazor’s capital city? Will he survive his encounters with the false priestesses and King Zarek?
Ah, here is the second Restorer book. Again, despite other members of my family having read it several times, I have only ever read it within the past several months. It was worth the read. Susan is again your ordinary Christian mom, who just so happens to be thrown into the dangerous world of swords, syncbeams, shifty councilmembers, and paper thin peace. Kieran is your typical guy who just wants to return to normal life and not have the One trying to talk to him. But . . . okay a bit of spoiler, he actually meets the One face to face during his journey. It is an amazing moment, one that many Christians can find echoes of in their own lives. This simple, profound scene is actually a favorite at least between my mom, sister, and myself. End of spoiler. :-)
Also again, if you pick up this book hoping to find magic and familiar fantasy, you will be disappointed. There are portals and supernatural powers, but nothing like magic. There is one scary/intense scene that the first book didn’t have: a ritual in the Hazorite temple to their false gods. There are intense moments, yet sprinkled throughout are also heartwarming moments and (I think) even a couple humourous ones.
All in all, Sharon Hinck has crafted a beautiful sequel spanning 301 pages. (At least in the special edition copy.) There is a Reader’s Guide, a glossary, and two songs with music in the back of the book. Also in the front is a map that can help the reader get a better picture of where characters are as they travel. Again, I love the fact that they have the songs and music so that the reader has an opportunity to actually hear the songs played (so long as they or someone they know can play an instrument).
I highly recommend this book to all. It is an amazing, thrilling adventure that even touches on one’s walk with God. So, I can freely offer up five singing dragons out of five. Even if there is a surprise twist at the very end. Shh. Spoilers. ;-)
Hope you enjoyed. Until next time. Bye.
Other titles in the series:
Comments