Summary:
Sir Dalton, a knight in training, seems to have everything going for him. Young, well-liked, and a natural leader, he has earned the respect and admiration of his fellow knights, and especially the beautiful Lady Brynn.
But something is amiss at the training camp. Their new trainer is popular but lacks the passion to inspire them to true service to the King and the Prince. Besides this, the knights are too busy enjoying a season of good times to be concerned with a disturbing report that many of their fellow Knights have mysteriously vanished.
When Sir Dalton is sent on a mission, he encounters strange attacks, especially when he is alone. As his commitment wanes, the attacks grow in intensity until he is captured by Lord Drox, a massive Shadow Warrior. Bruised and beaten, Dalton refuses to submit to evil and initiates a daring escape with only one of two outcomes—life or death. But what will become of the hundreds of knights he’ll leave behind? In a kingdom of peril, Dalton thinks he is on his own, but two faithful friends have not abandoned him, and neither has a strange old hermit who seems to know much about the Prince. But can Dalton face the evil Shadow Warrior again and survive?
My Thoughts:
Before this book, I had not read the first two books or even heard of the series. It is not exactly my typical reading simply because I tend to avoid the direct analogy style with a few notable exceptions. (Pilgrim’s Progress being my favorite.) While books like this can come across as “preachy” to adults, I think young adults will still enjoy them and benefit both from the story that pulls them in and the discussion questions that are included at the end of the book. I did enjoy this book, mostly because of the subject matter. Many of us can identify with Sir Dalton. As much as we would like to ignore them, doubts attack us all. Sometimes we handle them well, sometimes not.
True allegiance to the King and His Prince rank high in the moral of Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart, but that can only come through facing our doubts and trusting the One who holds it all in His hands. Living our lives with passion for and dedication to the One True King, now that is a way to live while we are here on this Earth (or Arrethtrae if you are Sir Dalton). I would suggest that you have your sons and daughters pick up some of the armor and try it on. You never know what the King might use to stir up that belief and confidence in Him.
We have chosen the next book discussion for Discerning Mind. I know that in the past I have not been the most faithful in following through with the plans I tell you. This time I have enlisted four other people who are going to help keep me in line and add to the discussion. Be assured, good discussion or not, we will complete this next book. (Unless, of course, Jesus returns first!)
We are going to read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. It has been well reviewed for some time and a bestseller to boot. What more could we ask from a book we read together? We will start the discussion on this book October 8th (two weeks from today) and we will be taking one chapter at a time until we finish. If you are so inclined, please pick up the book and read along with us. Each week one of us will post a discussion starter on the chapter we are working through and we would love to have many people contribute to the dialogue.
I am very excited about this book. I have enjoyed his other books in the past and this has been on my list since it first came out.
Join us in reading the book and I look forward to a lively discussion.
By the way, I still plan on discussing The Shack. I have not forgotten or abandoned this project. I have just chosen to do it in a different way. Be looking in the next couple weeks for some posts on The Shack that have been inspired by C.S. Lewis. That’s all for now. Talk to you soon.
Michael
I am so excited! I loved this show last season and have been looking forward to it ever since the last episode aired. Having now seen the first episode this year, I am not disappointed. The storylines are as twisted as ever and they continue to add intrigue. What about that new agent, Jessup? Peter thinks she is quoting Shakespeare. What do you think? What about her typing on the computer at the end? Biblical references yet again and all of them being tied to previous cases? Is this a clue or simply misdirection? Whatever the case, it makes me want to go back and watch the first season again.
Anyway, I would love to hear what you think about all this stuff. Do you enjoy the show? Does it intrigue you or bore you? Do you find yourself sucked into the story or is it just mindless entertainment? I love great stories and puzzles, so a show like this fits me perfectly.
What do you think? I will be interested to hear.
michael
I love a great story. The right story pulls us into a world where things are not quite how we know them, but are still recognizable. Thank God for authors who can tell such tales. Being immersed in a great story is a tremendous gift, but God also uses it in our lives, teaching us how to better engage our world. Let me tell you about one such story.
North! Or Be Eaten continues the story of the three Igiby children, Janner, Tink and Leeli, who found out their simple life in Glipwood was not quite as simple as they thought. They are the Lost Jewels of Anniera and the Fangs of Dang are after them. What follows is an engaging story of adventure as each of the children learns his or her place in the Maker’s plan. Will Janner learn how to care for his younger brother, the king, like a good throne warden should? Will Tink learn what it means to be king? What exactly does Leeli’s gift do to her brothers? Follow Janner and the others as they learn to trust and hope in more than just themselves.
Stories like this make me want to be a part of the story, to have my life so clear and simple, while terrifying at the same time. If I am running for my life, priorities are simple to figure out. Part of me longs for this, another part is terrified at the thought, reminding me that my life is not my own. I have responsibilities and a part to play in the Maker’s work here and now.
If you are looking for adventure and a wonderful story, you cannot go wrong with North! Or Be Eaten. Start with characters you love, add a dash of suspense, some truly terrible beasts, enough evil to remind you of reality, a king and a throne warden and top it of with just the right amount of humor and hope and you get the latest installment of the Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson.
My advice is this: enjoy being pulled up into a more wondrous story than you can even imagine. I thank the Maker for stories like this that remind us, even in a glimpse, that a Grand story exists.
I cannot wait for the third installment. The suspense is killing me, but at least I’m not being eaten by a Bomnubble!
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