Book Review: The Mirror of N'de by L. K. Malone

I'm a newby to reading fantasy fiction. Having stated that, I was somewhat lost in the beginning of the story because I was in uncharted reading territory. It did not take long though to be swept up in this amazing story!

Link @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Nde-Novel-L-K-Malone/dp/0825426677
Paperback $10.79

Link @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/the-mirror-of-nde-a-novel/l-k-malone/9780825426674/pd/426674?product_redirect=1&Ntt=426674&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP
Paperback $11.99


Published by Kregel November 1, 2011
328 pages
Young Adult for ages 13-17/Fantasy Fiction/Allegory

The story begins with a dream that Hadlay has had, when she awakens she is left not understanding it's strange message. She is troubled by this dream and eventually tells her parents and friends. She is told not to tell anyone else for fear of retribution and punishment. Thirteen year old Hadlay Mivana is a Ramash and they are ruled by the Oresed. The Ramash live as mistreated abused servants to the Oresed. Hadlay as well as several other Ramash children are chosen to be initiates in an apprenticeship program in the Oresed Tower. Hadlay had not wanted to be chosen, but she and her friends are. She excels in her studies. There is jealously and trouble-makers amongst some of the students. Hadlay perseveres because she wants to help her people, yet at what cost?

I have to admit when this story first began I was a little lost. I've only read a couple of fantasy fiction books. I think fantasy fiction requires a certain area of the brain in which to read and understand. That little area of my brain has not been used enough. 
Although, I was quickly intrigued and anxious for each page to turn; I wanted to know what would happen to Hadlay and her family and friends.
Hadlay is a bright, independent minded, insightful, brave, and loyal character. But, because she is young she trusts too easily.
This is a deep multi-layered story of peoples and cultures on top of other peoples and cultures. Those that are the over-seers are the conquerors, and those enslaved are the workers.
The author used an Akkadian language for names of characters and a few other chosen words in the story. The Akkadian language is the earliest attested Semitic language in Babylon, Ur and Chaldea. 
I felt the messages given to Hadlay from her dreams could not be a work of anyone else but God. God's name is never used in the story, instead the story is given as an allegory. 
The story is written with great creativity and I was amazed at the plot, scenes, climax, and ending. At no point did I feel the The Mirror of N'de was awash with predictability.
I'm hoping for a book 2, surely there will be?
This is a phenomenal story and one that has not been told from this angle. I loved it!

Thank you to LitFuse Publicity Group and Kregel Publications for my free review copy!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Triple Dog Dare, One Year of Dynamic Devotions For Boys by Jeremy V. Jones

"The Bible is full of action. Remember how David slew Goliath, Daniel faced those lions, Paul survived a shipwreck and Jesus stood up for a woman about to be killed? God made boys to take His truth and do something with it, to man up and change the world. These action-packed devotions for boys ages 9 to 12 are filled with godly truth and bold spiritual challenges that transform time with God into the adventure of the day."

Published October 2011 by David C. Cook
384 pages
Non-Fiction/Christian Devotional for Boys
For ages 9 and up

Link for the book @Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/triple-dare-year-dynamic-devotions-boys/jeremy-jones/9780781404570/pd/404570?product_redirect=1&Ntt=404570&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP#curr
Paperback $9.99

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Triple-Dog-Dare-Dynamic-Devotions/dp/0781404576/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322792993&sr=1-1
Paperback $10.19

Thank you to David C Cook and B and B Media Group for my free review copy!

Yesterday I reviewed a devotional book for girls entitled Truth and Dare, One Year of Dynamic Devotions For Girls by Ann-Margret Hovsepian. This book in every way focuses on young girls from the front cover to its content, through to the dare project and journaling.
Triple Dog Dare, One Year of Dynamic Devotions For Boys by Jeremy V. Jones. This devotional book also in every way focuses on young boys from the bold edgy primary colored front cover, through to the devotional content of truth and dare, to the mission accomplished section.
I noticed that the devotional sections are briefer than in the girls devotional. The writing is more to the point, less descriptive chat.
Each day marked by the day of the week, has a Bible verse to read, devotional part is entitled "Truth" section and a living it out by "Triple Dare" section , then a "Mission Accomplished--- What did you do? What did you learn?" section. 
The author impresses upon the reader to stand up for what they believe, to not back down but to live out what they know in their heart is right.
The devotional book to me is perfectly geared for young boys in that it reaches them the right way in getting their attention. It lifts them up, gives them a goal, encourages them and strengthens them.
Weekend sections are 2 pages in length. For example "How to Build Up Your Body"---this weekend section focused on physically building up strength by exercise. Another weekend section focuses on how to handle a bully.
There are pages marked "Your Page" a short sentence is started and the reader is to continue free writing, for example: "I feel closest to God when....."
I have 2 sons both now grown. I would have loved to have given them this devotional book when they were young boys.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Truth and Dare, One Year of Dynamic Devotions For Girls by Ann-Margret Hovsepian

"Dear Jesus, thank you for being the truth. Help me to dare to live for you. Amen."

Published October 1, 2011 by David C. Cook 
Non-Fiction/Christian/Devotional for Girls
384 Pages
For ages 9-12

This book has a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/truth.dare.devotions?sk=wall



Link for book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Dare-Dynamic-Devotions-Girls/dp/1434702081/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322787805&sr=1-2
Paperback $10.79

Link for book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/truth-dare-year-dynamic-devotions-girls/ann-margret-hovsepian/9781434702081/pd/702081?product_redirect=1&Ntt=702081&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP
Paperback $9.99

The first thing I noticed about Truth and Dare, One Year of Dynamic Devotions For Girls is the eye-catching front cover. The cover is in pastel hues, predominantly pink. Pictures of girly stuff are decorated on the front cover: a diary, mirror, dress, fashion ad. Also in the menagerie there is a feminine hand reaching for a large ornate gold key.Could this possibly be a metaphor in that the key stands for God's Word.
"He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure." Isaiah 33:6
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:7
I know many Christians who never open their Bible. It sits on a shelf, somewhere, although it might even be misplaced, a little dusty perhaps, maybe still in a plastic wrapping case, it was probably a gift from a friend who thought they needed comfort from the words within---yet was never opened to reveal its treasures.
But, if when a person is young and they begin to read and hide God's Word in their heart, seeds will be planted that will certainly bear fruit.
The devotionals are brief: a Bible verse to read followed by Truth which is a small devotional paragraph, then Dare which is to help the reader apply what has been read, then a journaling area. The author states in the introduction that 15 minutes for each day in the morning reading the 1 page, then another 15 minutes later in the day before bedtime to review. 
The devotional can be started at any point and repeated in the next year because the days of the week are the only dates given.
For the weekend 2 pages are given for devotional reading. Also included in weekend readings are testimonies and applications from girls that love God.
The devotional impresses upon the reader God's love for them no matter what others tell them, no matter if they feel "different" or not fitting in, "inner beauty is worth more-lasts longer-than outward beauty." Most importantly, "God's love for you and the love you have for others-is free."
This devotional for girls would be a wonderful Christmas present! Is there any better gift than God's Word?

Thank you to David C. Cook and B and B Media for my free review copy!

Blissful Reading!
Annette