Category: Book Reviews

Cloak of the Light

Chuck Black

Book Review by Jubilee Anderson

Drew Carter’s life is full of heartbreak and tragedy. With the loss of his dad and the death of his friend, it seems like there’s no purpose in life. Going to college might be the best way for a new start. 

But while experimenting in the college lab, a piece of equipment explodes, leaving Drew blind. Months later, when Drew regains his sight, he realizes his senses are heightened and he can see into another realm—a realm of strange warriors who fight to influence the human world for good or for evil.

Cloak of the Light weaves in themes of good vs evil, spiritual warfare, and finding one’s purpose.

I’ve heard a lot about Chuck Black over the past few years, so when I finally saw his book at the library a few months ago, I instantly picked it up. While I was hooked pretty quickly, I kept waiting for something to happen to get the action going, which took a little bit. Finally, I got to the part where Drew’s friend messed up on the experiment, and after that there was no way I was putting the book down. 

The plot was so unique and so suspenseful! It was like a mystery to find out who the strange warriors were. I also loved the realism of the beginning. I felt like, while I haven’t gone through what Drew did, he lived a normal life in a normal world. He could have been one of my friends.

My only suggestion is, get the second and third books before you finish the first one—you’ll need them!

I’m going to give this one 4 stars.

CONTENT:

There’s spiritual warfare and some violence, but Chuck Black is a Christian author, and he does an amazing job of writing wholesome stories!

TAKEAWAYS:

Cloak of the Light brings to light that spiritual warfare is real. This series is a great book for boys. I highly recommend these books! Chuck Black is awesome!

Have you read Cloak of the Light? What are your thoughts on this book? Let me know HERE!

The False Prince

Jennifer Nielsen

Book Review by Jubilee Anderson

War brews in Carthya. Connor, a Carthyan noble, must install a puppet ruler for the people before battle breaks out. He chooses four boys to compete for the role, including the cunning orphan, Sage.

Sage has two weeks to prove Connor that he’s worthy to be the false prince. He is wary of Connor’s suspicious plans, but his life hangs in a balance. Not following along may mean the end of him.

A friend recommended me this book. I read the first book, and it blew my mind. Nielsen is the master of plot twists. Sage is such a unique character. As I worked my way through the series, it amazed me how many times Sage shocked me by his abilities. At the same time I wondered why I was still surprised. After all, that’s who Sage is!

As a Christian, I believe that lying is wrong. While Sage is still an amazing character, deception seems to be upheld in his personality. Sage never feels guilty for lying, and while the villain gets recompensed for his deceit, Sage often gets away with it.

Despite this, The False Prince is still a 4 star on my list, and it’s is a middle grade thriller that you’ll find hard to put down!

Content

Violence // Murder // Very mild romance (later books have more)

Takeaways

Watching Sage navigate his relationships with the other boys, with Connor, and with his love interest connected with me as I navigate my own friendships.

In the end, the bad guy lost, the good guy won. We are smiling because we’ve gone on a journey. We’ve stood at the point of the sword and not fallen off. It’s a beautifully woven tale, and highly recommended.

Have you read The False Prince? What did you think? What is your favorite book? Tell me about it HERE!

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

Andrew Peterson

Book Review by Jubilee Anderson

Janner Igiby and his siblings have lived in Glipwood as long as he can remember. They’ve lived basically normal lives, except for the lizard-like fangs that patrol their city, or the looming threat of imprisonment. Or worse, the threat of being taken by the Black Carriage. So yes, pretty normal. But when the fangs single out the Igiby family amidst all the other families in Glipwood, Janner suspects there’s something his mother and grandfather are hiding about the past, his dead father, and their own lives.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, the first book of four in the Wingfeather Saga, weaves themes of courage, responsibility and siblinghood in a battle of good vs. evil.

I first began this book a few years ago, and I couldn’t put it down until I’d read the entire series. As the oldest of a sister and several brothers, I really connected with Janner Igiby. Andrew Peterson does a great job of hooking the reader with his characters and humor. I love his style so much! My family is currently reading the last book in the series, and I would definitely recommend this as a family read-aloud.

CONTENT:

Mild Violence // Slightly scary for young children

TAKEAWAYS:

As I mentioned before, I really connected to Janner’s weight of responsibility for his siblings as he learns to care for them and ultimately love them. I came away from this book satisfied, and although I didn’t feel like I had to read the other books, a while later, I did. And boy, I sure am glad I did, too! The fourth book is the best, and the Wingfeather Saga became one of my favorite series.

I hope you enjoyed this book review. Have you read On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness? What do you think? What’s your favorite book? Tell me HERE!