This is officially my new favorite book by Kellyn Roth! Victorian era romance novels, particularly family sagas, have never been a genre I seek out, bThis is officially my new favorite book by Kellyn Roth! Victorian era romance novels, particularly family sagas, have never been a genre I seek out, but I'm realizing that if they're written by Kellyn, I'm probably going to enjoy them. It's been a long time since a book has touched my heart so deeply.
I read and highly enjoyed the first book in this series, Like a Ship On the Sea, but this one was even more touching to me. I'm not sure if it's because the tropes involved are some of my favorite romance tropes, because the protagonist is someone I could really relate to and the other characters were very vividly written, or because of the themes that I've wrestled with for years (Matthew 11:28-30).
Regardless, this is a very good book. I found myself procrastinating other tasks just so I could read more, and it was very hard to put down. I was hooked from the first pages.
First of all, the characters. Lorelai was so fascinating to read about. She felt extremely real and nuanced. In many ways, we are different (she's far more matter-of-fact, blunt, and dangerously honest than I am), but particularly in her struggles with family, I could deeply relate. In fact, I've never read a book that summarizes my internal struggles with marriage, children, working/owning a business while balancing family life, and depression/needing to be needed in order to have value, etc. so succinctly. There was something so touching and deeply healing about watching Lorelai wrestle with God about these issues, and finally reach a place where she could start to rest in Him.
This is one of those books that I truly think God can use to minister to those in similar headspaces or situations. I know it ministered to me. The story was enjoyable, the themes unique and powerful, but above all, the message was deeply convicting without being preachy or cheesy.
Aubrey was less of a relatable character to me personally, but I love him so much. Very sweet, very conflicted but for good reason, very patient, and ultimately, a very good match for someone struggling with the family dilemmas Lorelai was. Her perspective was a treat to read, and I like his character just as much (if not more, honestly, as Lorelai wasn't always the most likable vs relatable) as Lorelai's.
The rest of the characters were fun to read about, and felt like a very realistic cast. I loved the sibling relationships shown (some good, some hard), and the exploration of what parents can influence in their children's lives (for better or for worse). Each character felt like they had a rich life of their own off-screen.
Once again, the setting was vivid and interesting to read about. Not too much focus was placed on the settings, but when they were described, I could picture them well, and they fit the story. I'm not very familiar with the Victorian era/Gilded age, but nothing felt out of place or pulled me from the story at any point.
As is typical with this genre, the plot is nothing action-packed or expansive, but introspective and very rich with internal conflict, wrestling with God, and family dynamics/healing. The pacing carried well, and I was never bored. Instead, getting to glimpse the intimate parts of family life that are often glossed over was interesting and often touching.
Ultimately, the themes and spiritual messaging was what makes this book a truly excellent one. Kellyn writes Christian fiction unashamedly, putting in Bible verses and featuring prayers and characters discussing God and his Will often. But it never felt pushy, especially as I knew going into it that it would wrestle with these kinds of topics. The journey that Lorelai was on didn't feel rushed or "too easy". I would love to see more, but not because what's there felt incomplete. The messages of resting in the Lord, of trusting His timing, and finding meaning and value only in Him were prominent and powerful.
I highly recommend this book to mature readers who enjoy Victorian era romances centered around Christ and family (mature not because of inappropriate content, but due to the depth and raw look at family struggles). Because of the focus on marriage and children, I would probably recommend it to readers 18+, but there's nothing to outright prevent younger teens from reading it if they're of a more mature outlook on life. I wish I had read more books with this kind of content and emphasis on Christ when I was a teen.
I'm looking forward to reading more from Kellyn!
CW: multiple non-described kisses, references to intimacy between a married couple but nothing is ever shown or described, references of trying for a child/heir but nothing described, childbirth (only vaguely described), miscarriage and monthly menses are mentioned, a character is hinted to be promiscuous but is not a large part of the story and is handled in a godly manner, discussions of parental abuse/neglect, depression, a character feels life is meaningless and borderline suicidal (not focused on or outright stated, but could be difficult to read if you have personal experience). ...more
This is a massive book, and probably the best overall guide that I've read for authors seeking to turn their writing into a career. I love that it wasThis is a massive book, and probably the best overall guide that I've read for authors seeking to turn their writing into a career. I love that it was written by successful traditional AND indie authors. There was very little information included that didn't apply to me in some way or another, and what I can't implement now, I anticipate revisiting in the next couple of years to put into practice. Overall, as an indie author, Crystal's methods and strategies resonated best with me.
With 450+ pages, this guide visited everything from setting goals and priorities, choosing business models and planning for taxes, which publication path best suits you, identifying the best strategies for your books, marketing plans and methods, product price points and distribution channels, author branding and pen names, budgeting, re-branding and re-releasing old books, applying for an agent and publisher as a traditionally publishing author, indie publishing processes, other ways to bring in writing-related income, what to do when things go poorly, and appendixes full of other resources.
The authors have a fairly chatty writing style, but not unbearable to read through - mostly just friendly and welcoming. The presentation of information in each section was clear and easy to understand, at least as someone semi-familiar with many of the topics they discussed. Some of the sections were very short (even just one or two pages), and I would have loved even more details in many of them (ex. newsletters, business models, etc.), but they did always provide other suggestions for where to go for more information and deeper dives, which I appreciate.
I wish that I had read this book when I first started out on my indie author journey! As is, this was an incredibly helpful read as I rebrand and really buckle down on turning it into a career. Even though not all of the information will apply to every author (at least not all at once), I would recommend this book to ANY author looking to write for a living. I'm an indie author and found a LOT of information I could implement, but there were a good number of sections for traditionally publishing authors too (I read those too, since I'm also open to that path, and appreciated the how-to's).
NOTE: in addition to their lists of resources and "Next Steps" in the back of the book, they also provide a free bundle of spreadsheets, templates, and a document compiling all of their action steps and questions into one place, so you can implement the suggestions in each section. These are EXTREMELY helpful, and I highly recommend downloading them. Reading the book is just half the process...answering the questions, reflecting, and actually doing the work is a whole other process....more
I'm so glad I finally read this precious little gem of a story - it's now easily one of my favorite classics. While I was familiar with the4.75 stars!
I'm so glad I finally read this precious little gem of a story - it's now easily one of my favorite classics. While I was familiar with the general tale (Veggietales version, anyone?), I wasn't prepared for how deep and introspective the book is. And yet, at the same time, it's written in a simple and charming style that helps make such difficult life lessons easier to swallow. I would be a much better person if I approached life with the same faithful outlook as young Sara Crewe.
Will definitely be re-reading this one, and purchasing a hard copy to keep around!
(NOTE: the only reason I can't rate this a full five stars is for some wording that I would omit if I were reading this book to my children (ex. "fat", "stupid", etc. used liberally as adjectives for other children). I know language has changed since the writing of this book, but there were a few phrases every now and again that made me uncomfortable....more
I read this while under the weather and with a far fuzzier brain than normal, so I'm already planning to reread it very soon and make sure I catch eveI read this while under the weather and with a far fuzzier brain than normal, so I'm already planning to reread it very soon and make sure I catch everything. That said, this is one of the best books about story I've ever read, and the only one I've found to cover story from a deep and engaging biblical perspective. Easily 5 stars.
In particular, the chapter/s on Job, were revolutionary to me. Schwabauer's points and illustrative scenes were so helpful, and I lost track of how many times I had to stop reading to think through and pray about what he'd just written. I'd never thought about Job and his trials in that way, and the truths Schwabauer pulled from the biblical story hit me hard.
This book gave me a burning desire to go read my Bible again, and that's perhaps the highest praise I can give it. Sometimes, having grown up Christian and knowing the biblical stories, just being able to see the familiar with fresh eyes and an eager mind can make all the difference.
I'll come back with more specific thoughts, but overall, this is book is enlightening, healing, vividly written, and full of valuable insight, the right smattering of humor, and plenty of heart. I would recommend it to any Christian creative seeking a deeper understanding of story and how the Bible can give us a clearer picture of what story really is. So glad I picked this one up!...more
I've heard about this book a lot lately (haven't seen the movie yet) but had no idea what to expect. I finished this in one sittinWhat a sweet story!
I've heard about this book a lot lately (haven't seen the movie yet) but had no idea what to expect. I finished this in one sitting. Now I have so many feelings. <3
I doubted whether I'd really care very much about a robot, but Brown did a fantastic job "humanizing" Roz and making her someone I admired. All of the animals were so unique and fun, and the setting very vivid. I liked the hints of worldbuilding with the different types of robots, particularly near the end.
My favorite part of this book is the emotion behind it. I was sad when Roz was sad, scared when she was, smiley when she was finding meaning in her life. In a non-human character learning about what life is, Brown masterfully explored many elements of humanity and life that touched me. He writes in a simple, "child-friendly" style while his prose is still flowing and lovely.
It does end on a cliffhanger, which surprised me as I didn't realize it was the first book in a series. I'm looking forward to reading the next one and finding out whether it has the same appeal. I highly recommend this book to middle-grade readers and up, and will be snagging a copy to loan to my little sibling!
CW: the "circle of life" is shown (animals eating each other (non-described), dead animals giving back to the soil, etc.), robots are destroyed and referred to as dead, a family of geese is crushed....more
It took me a little while to get invested (and an embarrassingly long time to realize Scout was a girl for some reason...), but once I got into it, I It took me a little while to get invested (and an embarrassingly long time to realize Scout was a girl for some reason...), but once I got into it, I couldn't put this down. The characters are so real and interesting, with Atticus being my favorite, and I loved the POV voice. Very innocent and convincingly child-like, but with a lot of perception. The settings were vivid and I really felt like I was in the setting. And that ending! I loved how the timeless themes were woven through the book, and I didn't even realize how powerful they were until they all seamlessly wove together at the end. I'll definitely be rereading this sometime, and would recommend it to fans of historical classics. ...more
My fiancé and I each purchased a copy of this book to use in our pre-marital counseling classes, and found great benefit from it! While we didn't answMy fiancé and I each purchased a copy of this book to use in our pre-marital counseling classes, and found great benefit from it! While we didn't answer every question (there are LOTS, some more applicable than others, depending on the couple), and skipped around depending on our officiant's topic for the week, everything we did was helpful. There were many good insights, conversation starters, opportunities to learn about the other person - and ourselves! - in a deeper way, and truly prepare more in-depth for a strong, healthy, God-honoring marriage. It covered many topics, from communication, fighting, intimacy, finances, family/in-laws, work, household duties, hobbies, children, and more, and often asked us to search and study a variety of Scripture verses that dealt with each topic. We both appreciated the practical, God-centered advice, and would highly recommend it to new couples!
(There are also sections in the back that we haven't done yet, such as a 1st year check-up, etc.)...more
The depth of this book amazes me. Though the cover may not portray how expansive the fantasy realm and story is, I compare it to the Lord of the RingsThe depth of this book amazes me. Though the cover may not portray how expansive the fantasy realm and story is, I compare it to the Lord of the Rings. The cast of characters is vast, relatable, and fascinating, the world is well-explored and conveyed through creative descriptions, and the writing style is flowing and beautiful, with subtle wit throughout. Most of all, the themes explored are powerful, and I was very touched by it. I was blessed to know the author before she passed, and am so thankful for this beautiful piece that she left behind. It really shouldn't surprise me that this book has so much beauty and depth, because she had beauty, wisdom and faith behind her years. <3 I definitely recommend this book for anyone searching for a deep and interesting fantasy read....more
A gift from my cousin - one I'm very grateful for. This was a short, but powerful book on the Christian life from someone whose faith I respect. ThereA gift from my cousin - one I'm very grateful for. This was a short, but powerful book on the Christian life from someone whose faith I respect. There were many truths and impactful statements that I will be referring back to. A meaningful, quick-but-deep dive into what being a Christian really means in our everyday lives, and I definitely recommend it!...more
This was an in-depth, beautifully-written, and profound book about the Christian faith. In older, Puritan language, it dives deep into the topic of diThis was an in-depth, beautifully-written, and profound book about the Christian faith. In older, Puritan language, it dives deep into the topic of discouragement and doubting for Christians, and it was exactly what I needed to read in this time of my life. Every section was full of things I mentally 'highlighted', and probably would have actually highlighted if I hadn't been borrowing the book. It's one I think I'll need to read a few more times to really digest all the truths inside. Highly recommend for any believer - we all go through rough times, and this book helped me. ...more
This little but powerful book was recommended to me by a friend, and now it's a favorite. The content was just what I needed at this point in my life.This little but powerful book was recommended to me by a friend, and now it's a favorite. The content was just what I needed at this point in my life. I highly recommend it to anyone going through difficult times and searching for hope and conviction....more
I haven't been engrossed in a book so quickly in a long time!
This series has intrigued me for years, as I really respect and admire Bethany Atazadeh, I haven't been engrossed in a book so quickly in a long time!
This series has intrigued me for years, as I really respect and admire Bethany Atazadeh, and a series of fairytale retellings that are all so closely connected? Such a fun concept! Most of the fairytale series I've read are loosely connected standalones, so I enjoyed the intricate threads woven through even the first book of this series, introducing characters to come in later books, and lands that are only hinted at here, but are clearly going to come into play soon.
The world-building is excellent! I could absolutely tell this was an Aladdin retelling, but not in a forced or obnoxious way. Instead, I had great fun stumbling across a slightly familiar story aspect and realizing that it was a cleverly twisted element of the Aladdin fairytale. None of them ever felt cheesy. The world was described vividly, and I could easily "see" everything in my mind's eye. I absolutely LOVE how the Jinn are portrayed, even though I haven't learned too much yet. The magic system/s are complex, but not confusing, and I'm really looking forward to learning more.
Character-wise, Gideon is my favorite HANDS DOWN. I love him so much and am very excited to read the next book (where it's hinted he plays an even larger role than in book #1). He has depth, humor, kindness, morality, and although he's extremely powerful, I appreciated that he has rules and codes of conduct that he must/should follow no matter what. He never felt like the deus ex machina I was afraid he would be.
Arie was a feisty sweetheart - a perfect Jasmine tribute - and Kadin was a wonderfully nuanced and lovable scoundrel - Aladdin, anyone? The romance element did feel a little quickly developed to me, and I would have loved to see more between them as they got to know one another, but what was there was always very sweet, and I could root for them far easier than I typically root for book couples. In general, I would love to know more about each of them, particularly Kadin, and hope they make further appearances in the series.
The secondary cast of characters didn't disappoint either -- between the chilling villain/s, the misguided allies, and the bumbling and loyal band of outcasts. I also enjoyed the "heist" elements, and the fact that each and every character felt like they were there for a reason, not just to advance the plot, but because they had goals, dreams, aspirations, and motives of their own.
And of course, I greatly appreciate that the book is clean! The romance is sweet, language is appropriate, and tact and heavier subjects are handled with tact, without shying away from the hardship. Overall, the story has a lighter feel, while still keeping me on my toes.
I'm so looking forward to book #2!
CW: a couple of subtle, never detailed references to men's inappropriate intentions, several men often notice/remark on the protagonist's beauty, the protagonist kisses (non-detailed) a man she doesn't love, the protagonist shares a non-detailed kiss with someone she DOES love, there is a magic system centered around the Jinn (genies, essentially) and magical objects, and a villain loses his tongue. Slightly-detailed recounts of another character losing his tongue, and one quickly-described memory of a child's death (which was by far the hardest part for me to read)....more
Before reading this book, my familiarity with the Romanov history only went as far as the (very loosely-based) animated movie, Anastasia. So when I stBefore reading this book, my familiarity with the Romanov history only went as far as the (very loosely-based) animated movie, Anastasia. So when I started reading Romanov, I didn't know what to expect or even if I'd enjoy it very much. Well, I can safely say this is one of the best books I've read in a very long time! This was the first novel of Nadine Brandes' that I've read and it's more than enough to make me a fan of hers.
The characters and their relationships were amazing and well-developed, and while I didn't 'like' all of them, they all felt like real people - which is always a must for me. The romance was done well and both sweet and angsty. As someone who enjoys historical fiction, even though it started off a bit slower, I was never bored. Nastya's narrative voice was compelling and sucked me into even the more mundane aspects of their life in exile, and then when the major plot twists started happening, I couldn't put the book down (I stayed up far later than I want to admit finishing it!). Usually I can see plot twists coming, but there were several gut-wrenching ones that I never expected - and therefore admire, even if they are painful. Though I'm not always a fan of adding magic into historical settings, Brandes did it very uniquely, and I was kept very interested in how everything would work out. So in all, there's not an element of this story that I can't praise. Even the elegant prose was smooth; the perfect balance between flowery description and choppy action.
I definitely recommend this book and will be rereading it myself!...more
I've wanted to read this book for years, and am so glad to have finally done it. Thanks to Kate for buddy-reading this with me! <33
I'm new to Andrew PI've wanted to read this book for years, and am so glad to have finally done it. Thanks to Kate for buddy-reading this with me! <33
I'm new to Andrew Peterson, never having listened to his music and having only a passing knowledge of his books. After this, however, I'll be searching out more of his creative works. This book touched me deeply.
Over the last few years, I've read good books on faith. I've read good books on creativity, writing, and publishing. This is one of the only good books I've read to combine all of those elements, and do it so effectively that I'm going to be thinking about it for the foreseeable future.
Peterson writes in such a relatable, honest, and humble fashion, and the style the book is laid out in (part autobiography, part writing advice, part Christian encouragement) means you get a bit of everything. I enjoyed reading about his life and how God's used various hardships and events to fashion him into the person he is today, and I especially enjoyed his examples of how Christians can create with the Lord on a personal, daily basis. Him sharing how the Lord has worked in his life, even through hard situations, is inspiring to me.
This book is an encouragement, a calling, and a reminder of why I write -- and Who I write for! I think my favorite parts were his analogies, and I'm going to be thinking of my books as berry bushes for a long time. It can be so easy to get caught up in the creative process and forget who or why we're writing for; this book is a moving reminder to continue growing and glorifying God.
Several other elements that really stood out to me were his emphasis on community, something I struggle to cultivate and appreciated the motivation to improve at, and his continuous reminders that God can and will use every creation of our hearts for good. There's no telling exactly how that will look, but we can rest assured that if we're creating with Him, no effort is wasted. Even the act of creating is worship in His eyes. What a beautiful and encouraging reminder. <3
Without being a songwriter, there were some elements he talked about that didn't really apply to me, but I always at least found them interesting. Overall, I never felt bored or frustrated with any of the chapters, even though some were far more impactful to my life.
If you've been considering reading this, here's your push! I highly recommend this book for any Christian seeking encouragement, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of what it means to create art with the Lord. ...more
2025: Currently re-reading this series before diving into the new release, Sunrise on the Reaping (eek) and forgot how good these books are.
The writi2025: Currently re-reading this series before diving into the new release, Sunrise on the Reaping (eek) and forgot how good these books are.
The writing style isn't my typical cup of tea - juvenile, jarring, and moving very quickly - and yet, I think that's exactly what the story requires. I couldn't put this book down - despite knowing the story in and out at this point. I have SO many thoughts, most of which I don't know how to express, but the one that sticks out the most to me is how real these books are.
Not real in setting, of course, and I have no idea how accurately it portrays how people would act in these scenarios. But the book is written so well, so evocatively, showing flaws clearly, that I have no trouble believing it could be an extremely accurate depiction of what society would be like in a Hunger Games world.
Most of all, Katniss isn't the typical heroine I expect from dystopians. She's angry, irrational, illogical, emotional, brash, and bad with people. She's far too blunt, doesn't think carefully enough about many situations, and struggles to figure out who to care about and even love. But unlike a lot of dystopians nowadays, I don't get "pick-me" vibes from Katniss, or feel that she's a Mary Sue, or too cringe-y to read about. She's relatable. Her flaws don't always make her the most likable, but her unapologetic humanity makes me care. I see why she's the heroine, why she's the girl on fire.
In fact, the characters in general all feel real. From Snow to Peeta to Haymitch to Katniss' mom, each character feels deep, conflicted, and human. They all have backstories and worthwhile reasons to get involved (or not get involved) in the story events. I want to know more about each of them.
Of course, the action and intriguing settings are huge appeals of the book, but more than that, I'm always impressed by the depth and political nuance Collins has woven into the story. No matter where you fall in today's political landscape, the Hunger Games is a thought-provoking exploration of human nature, morality, and what we'll do to survive. The added dive into what we'll consider entertainment is another very interesting aspect.
This book isn't perfect, but it's definitely a worthwhile read, and one I'm sure I'll be coming back to over the years. Due to the violent and distressing nature of the story, I'd recommend to readers 16+.
2025: I'm re-reading the series in release order before reading Sunrise on the Reaping, and oh my goodness, I forgot how devastating and well-written 2025: I'm re-reading the series in release order before reading Sunrise on the Reaping, and oh my goodness, I forgot how devastating and well-written this book is.
I've seen some criticisms that this story really doesn't show us how Snow got to be President, and exactly what led him to be where he's at in the Hunger Games trilogy. While I understand those qualms, I actually prefer what we get instead. This story gives us the start of Coriolanus Snow and in watching his descent, we can infer what kinds of actions led him to the presidency just fine.
In one word, I'd describe this book as tragic. Although I knew from the start that there couldn't be a redemption for Snow, I was still intrigued, interested, and invested in him so much that his fall was painful. The start of the story builds sympathy as we see Snow's living situation, what's left of his family, and what he's been through in the recent years, during and since the war. At this point, although his background is clear and he's a calculated, highly intelligent young man, he's not sinister. He's questioning, unsure, struggling, and still so young. I rooted for him, even genuinely liked him for a time, appreciating and understanding his motives and what he did. There were a number of times I believe I'd have acted the same way.
But of course, as the story progresses, Collins masterfully shows Snow changing. While some events can only be blamed on his choices, it's heartbreaking to see the cruelty that forced his hand in many ways (similarly, Dr. Gaul must be one of the best villains I've read in a long time). Ultimately, Snow made his choices and is responsible for his actions, but the countless pressures and influences certainly give a compelling explanation for much of his personality. By the end, I no longer "like" Snow at all, but his path is still sad.
Both times I've read this book, it's taken me a minute to get into, I think because the pacing and writing style is much slower than the other Hunger Games books (also, in 3rd person rather than 1st, which naturally makes the story feel less intimate and intense). That said, after the first few chapters, I can't put it down. The plot twists and twists come with such large consequences that I have to know what's going to happen next. It feels like I'm on a speeding train about to crash.
Having just reread the other books, I caught a lot of tie-ins to the rest of the series (and I'm sure I missed some too!), and that was very neat. The settings were clear, and it was fascinating to get to see a much earlier version of the Hunger Games as it developed. Especially seeing certain characters influence the games, intentionally and not. I liked the focus on the mockingjays and their history in particular. There were a number of tie-ins that helped me realize just how deeply Katniss later bothered Snow.
If there was any element that fell flat for me, it was the romance. The desire was clearly there (not inappropriate), and maybe in another world the characters could have been good for one another. As it was, I didn't feel any chemistry between them. It felt instead like they were using one another, for survival, for comfort, for opportunities...but who could blame them for it? Instead of true love, it felt like they latched onto each other when everything else fell apart, and only after their true motivations and alliances start coming out did they realize it was never a true connection. Even if I never really felt the romantic connection though, the ending scene with Lucy Gray was still very intense.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book -- if enjoyed is the right word. It's a deep and tragic exploration of human nature, cruelty, war, and what humans can all too easily allow themselves to resort to unless they're careful to remember compassion and empathy. It's a warning and a story that has stuck with me. It leaves me feeling a bit broken, but makes me think too, and I'm glad for that.
Tricky Content: Brutal violence, bombings, war, scenes referring to cannibalism, death (beatings, poisoning, snake bites, hanging, weapons), character succumbs to rabies, brief kisses, mild language, betrayals, manipulation
I’d Recommend It To: Young adults and older that have read and enjoyed the previous Hunger Games books, can handle the violence and darkness of those books, and enjoy prequel stories with twisting and complicated character relationships, mystery, and plenty of political intrigue and depth....more
THIS WAS AMAZING. Yet another addition to my favorites book list, and I swear, that list is half made-up of Nadine Brandes books at this point. ActuallTHIS WAS AMAZING. Yet another addition to my favorites book list, and I swear, that list is half made-up of Nadine Brandes books at this point. Actually, I'm pretty sure this is my favorite of her books that I've read so far. As always, her prose was beautiful, and I was hooked from the very beginning. If it wasn't such a long read (not complaining!), I think I'd have finished it in one day. I loved all of the characters, except for the ones I was supposed to hate, haha. Myrthe, Bastiaan, Runt, Anouk...the cast was so rich and realistic, and I really liked all the interweaving that Nadine did among relationships, pasts, and just...how everything ultimately connected by the end was amazing. There were many times when I actually stopped and gaped at the book because I couldn't believe a connection, and that's something I don't often do while reading. Even the romance was overall a thumbs up from me, even though that's not usually my thing in fiction. But I thought this was very sweet, and I enjoyed watching the two get to know one another and accept each other better. The ENDING. It actually wrapped up far better than I thought it would, considering. And I like the bittersweet hopefulness of it. The worldbuilding and magic system was so intricate and in-depth (and the whole concept of the Wishtress is one of my favorite things ever), and I enjoyed finding out how everything worked. There were many times when I could practically feel the frostbite and howling winds, the descriptions were so vivid. And as always, the themes were powerful. I kept getting more and more excited as I realized that Nadine was exploring some of my favorite tropes and lessons, and yes, I felt she handled them really well. Subtly but strongly. I thought there was more I wanted to say, but overall, I just really enjoyed this book. I'll definitely be recommending this to my friends and family. :)
I'm so glad I finally got around to reading this one. I've heard nothing but good things about it for years now, and I was not disappointed! 'God's SmuI'm so glad I finally got around to reading this one. I've heard nothing but good things about it for years now, and I was not disappointed! 'God's Smuggler' tells the story of Brother Andrew and his life and work bringing Bibles behind the Iron Curtain - and is a strong testimony to the provision and faithfulness of God. Countless times I had to stop and contemplate my own faith in comparison to his. How many times do I go through life, anxious and stressed about things that are perfectly within God's power to control (AKA everything)? Why do I occupy myself with thinking it's up to me to make good things happen? What would happen if I made a choice to trust God with everything, no matter the situation? Well, I got to see a glimpse of the answers through this book. When Brother Andrew made the decision to trust God, even in the doubts and hardships, God moved in incredible ways. As someone with a heart for missions, this book fascinated me, and I loved seeing all the behind-the-scenes work Brother Andrew was able to do. In addition, his example of faith, trust, and dedication to God was very inspiring. I long to be used by God in such great ways as Brother Andrew was, and this book was a much-needed reminder to stay the course and to live a radical, bold, unashamed Christian life. We serve a God greater than any difficulty, setback, or opposition. And just as with Brother Andrew, when we choose to believe that and lay our futures in His hands, the unimaginable happens. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in seeing God provide in awesome ways!...more
Okay, I've heard stellar reviews of this book for YEARS. And while I do think highly of Francine Rivers, and have enjoyed some of her previous works (Okay, I've heard stellar reviews of this book for YEARS. And while I do think highly of Francine Rivers, and have enjoyed some of her previous works (like the Lineage of Grace series), I was always just a bit wary of the fact that Redeeming Love is so popular. Add the more adult subject matter and the fact that it's a romance (a genre I rarely read), and it just didn't seem like it'd be the book for me.
However, after hearing more and more good things about it recently, I decided to just give it a try so I'd know what everyone was talking about. And I am so glad I did! This is definitely not a book for young readers (while Rivers never goes into descriptive detail with intimate or violent scenes, there are still plenty of scenes and enough context to be disturbing) and if you're uncomfortable with even reading about things like prostitution and abuse, this is probably not a good book for you. However, what changed it all for me was that none of those things were glorified AT ALL. Rivers gave a gritty, realistic, and heartbreaking portrayal of how sin affects lives, and I think because she didn't shy away from showing the darkness, the light of Christ shines all the brighter.
I know Rivers' writing style isn't for everyone, but I personally found myself so engrossed in the story itself that the few oddly-worded sentences I caught didn't bug me. The characters were realistic and nuanced and sympathetic, the truths woven into the story touched me deeply, and I put down the (substantial!) book finally understanding why so many of my friends and family call it one of their favorites.
So again, while it's not an easy read, it was a very worthwhile one for me, and left me newly inspired to write the kind of fiction that can touch others as much as this touched me. ...more