Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Book Review: The Forgotten Warrior by Kathi Oram Peterson

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Peterson had some great ideas in The Forgotten Warrior to bring the period of the two-thousand stripling warriors to life. I had a difficult time when the viewpoints switched from Sydney to Tarik because I felt Tarik kept repeating things that had already happened. I found much of the novel to be redundant as Peterson continually reminded the reader again and again of every emotion, event, etc. I would’ve like to see her give the reader more credit–in that they would remember these key points after the second or third time they were reiterated.

Instead of spending so much time repeating things already introduced I would suggest investing more into building up the characters to be more believable. The flow of the book felt interrupted to me as it jumped between reminding the reader of the important plot points and trying to introduce other secondary characters. Syd’s overall concern for her family while she was in Book of Mormon times felt more like an afterthought and did not seem authentic to me.

I would’ve liked to see Peterson create a stopping place for book one as this feels like I was left hanging in the middle of the sentence. There was a lot of up-movement and then no issues were resolved. Usually in a series of books I like to see some issues resolved in each book but the major conflict continues on throughout the series.

It was fun to “see” Helaman brought to life and I enjoyed reading the fight scenes and trying to picture Syd’s karate moves. I’m hopeful that the sequel to The Forgotten Warrior will be able overcome some of the struggles book one experienced.

Here’s more about the book:

Sydney Morgan is no wimp. A black belt in karate, her defensive moves help keep her tough, even when her mom is diagnosed with cancer and her long-lost dad shows up to play nice guy. But when an unexpected gift transports her through space and time to the land of Zarahemla, Syd just might be in over her head. Accused of being a spy, she has to prove she’s no threat to the locals—including Captain Helaman himself!

As war quickly approaches, Helaman calls on Syd to help his stripling warriors prepare to fight. Torn between concern for her family and for her new friends, Syd musters her wits, strength, and faith to face the coming battle—but her feelings for Chief Warrior Tarik put her heart on the line. Who will survive the Lamanites’ fierce onslaught? And will Syd ever make it home again?

Other books you may enjoy:

A Stranger Watches by [Kathi Oram Peterson]   

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Book Review: The Canticle Kingdom by Michael Young

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

The settings in The Canticle Kingdom intrigued me and I enjoyed going back in time to World War II in Germany and then back to the United States. I could tell that Young definitely knows the German language and is familiar with the country and culture. I like how he weaved his knowledge into the story.

If you like fantasy, this novel is suitable for both kids and adults.

Here’s more about the book:

It seemed like ages since Kate’s father went off to war, and she is eager to thank him for the beautiful German music box he sent for her birthday. But when it starts playing a strange, new melody and Kate vanishes into thin air, Captain Edison is willing to do anything to rescue his little girl.

When the Canticle Kingdom is attacked and the queen falls deathly ill, Joann, a young blacksmith’s apprentice, learns a terrible secret — the kingdom is contained entirely within a music box in another world. With the help pf his friends, Johann races to bring aid from that other world in an effort to stop the dark power that threatens to destroy them all.

Other books you may enjoy:

Crude Magic (The Hunger) by [Michael D. Young]   

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Book Review: The Fourth Nephite by Jeffrey S. Savage

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

When I read the back cover, I wondered how much the book might interest me but I can tell you that Savage did a wonderful job. I’d like to recommend this book to kids and adults who enjoy a bit of mystery and adventure sprinkled with humor and awesome Latter-Day church history facts.

The main character, Kaleo, is remarkably well-written with believable character attributes that keep the story spinning and those pages turning–I was excited to see what role Kaleo would play in helping to protect the gold plates.

I loved how Savage included so many answers to “popular” questions about the Church of Jesus Christ or Mormon faith–questions that many teenage members of the church might wonder about. Kaleo struggles with his beliefs and faces these questions head-on and the results are terrific.

The Fourth Nephite is an entertaining and engaging read. You’ll walk away from this book enlightened, but while reading the story you’ll be so engrossed that you won’t realize that you’re being taught.

Here’s more about the book:

Kaleo Steele is starting to cut seminary and hang out with some new friends ; in fact, he s not even sure what he believes anymore. When his seminary teacher finds him at the wrong place at the wrong time, Kaleo is in jeopardy of missing his high school team s regional football game a game where college scouts will be coming to see him play. But his seminary teacher realizes that much more than a game is at stake, and sends him on a soul-searching quest. Guided by Ladan, a mysterious old blind man, Kaleo pushes through a battered wooden door only to find himself in Palmyra, New York, in the fall of 1827. Soon he is caught up in a battle between treasure seekers led by Allaster Blackburn, a necromancer hired to steal the gold plates and the young prophet Joseph Smith, who is sworn to keep them safe. In his quest to find a key that will send him back to his own time, Kaleo will have to decide what to believe. Before it s too late. In the style of the Tennis Shoes among the Nephites series, The Fourth Nephite is an exciting new time-travel adventure series for LDS teens and their families.

Other books you may enjoy:

A Time to Die: A Shandra Covington Mystery (Shandra Covington Mysteries Book 3) by [Jeffrey S. Savage]   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

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Book Review: Cayman Summer by Angela Morrison

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Angela Morrison delivered another breathtaking story. Her books are unique because they are written from the perspective of Leesie and Michael through Leesie’s incredible free-verse poetry and Michael, the scuba diver’s, dive log/journal. I love the way she lets the reader inside these character’s heads in a way that, for me made me feel like they were living, breathing people that I might run into on the street.

Cayman Summer is a romance, but it is so much more than a romance. It is about life-defining choices and what happens when you stick to your personal code of honor. Leesie is a strait-laced Mormon girl who never thought she could fall in love with a guy who didn’t believe in God, let alone want to make-out with him. Through this saga, we see Leesie struggling with her feelings for Michael and learning how life doesn’t fit in a cookie cutter mold.

I love the twist Angela Morrison creates in Cayman Summer–Leesie was always the strong, perfect one and she shows us what happens when things go wrong. I’m not going to spoil it, so you’ll just have to read the books yourself. I recommend starting with Taken by Storm because I’m pretty sure you’ll be hooked just like I was.

You can see my review of the first two books in the series, Taken By Storm and Unbroken Connection by clicking on the titles.

Here’s more about the book:

In Morrison’s debut young adult novel, TAKEN BY STORM, Michael faces incredible loss, but he finds Leesie. UNBROKEN CONNECTION is Leesie’s story. By the final page, she is broken and battered–physically and spiritually. Morrison vowed to her readers not to leave her that way. CAYMAN SUMMER recounts Michael and Leesie’s final journey. Michael takes Leesie to the Cayman Islands to heal. Time, sunshine, and Michael’s devotion free her of physical pain, but grief and guilt haunt her. Michael will do anything to find the old Leesie who prayed, spoke of visions, and kept the rules. For Leesie, that girl is lost forever. Rules? What’s the point now? She’s ready to break every one.

Other books you may enjoy:

   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

Grab these free tips from a bestselling and award-winning author HERE

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Book Review: The Third by Abel Keogh

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Abel Keogh had me hooked by the first few pages when he describes in harrowing detail how the main character, Ransom Lawe, rescues a baby from an evil Census Bureau Sentinel. Keogh’s description and vivid emotional detail kept me turning pages to find out what would happen next.

I love books with a theme that at first glance seems like something that couldn’t happen, but upon closer examination show that some parts of our world are mere steps away from scary fiction.

Keogh is a talented writer and you won’t want to miss reading The Third!

Here’s more about the book:

In this stark and haunting look at the not-so-distant future, an environmentally minded society elects to limit the number of children couples can have, enforcing dire consequences for lawbreakers. But when his wife gets pregnant with their third, and therefore illegal, child, Ransom Lawe is forced to choose between the government who’s trying to save the world from ecological disaster and the family he loves dearly.

Other books you may enjoy:

   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

Grab these free tips from a bestselling and award-winning author HERE

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Book Review: Wolves, Boys, and Other Things that Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Wolves, Boys, and Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler was excellent!

I will admit that the cover did little to impress me and the title even less. I was confused, wondering if it was some kind of werewolf book–it was not.

The voice of KJ, the main character in this book, was intriguing, realistic, awe-inspiring, and even a little sarcastic. Chandler did an incredible job of weaving in the real life story of the re-introduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park and the dangers they pose to local ranchers. But it was also a realistic look at life as a teenage girl trying to discover herself and a new boyfriend in the process.

There were so many great moments in the book from funny to a shiver-cringe. If you’re looking for a great general fiction book for young adults, I suggest you check out Wolves, Boys, and Other Things That Might Kill Me. Chandler definitely surprised me with her tight storyline and excellent narrative skills.

Here’s more about the book:

KJ Carson lives an outdoor lover’s dream. The only daughter of a fishing and wildlife guide, KJ can hold her own on the water or in the mountains near her hometown outside Yellowstone National Park.

But when she meets the shaggy-haired, intensely appealing Virgil, KJ loses all self-possession. And she’s not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing that they’re assigned to work together on a school newspaper article about the famous wolves of Yellowstone.

As KJ spends time with Virgil, she also spends more time getting to know a part of her world that she always took for granted… and she begins to see herself and her town in a whole new light.

Other books you may enjoy:

Thief of Happy Endings by [Kristen Chandler]   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

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