Masters & Slayers by Bryan Davis

Expert swordsman Adrian Masters attempts a dangerous journey to another world to rescue human captives who have been enslaved there by dragons. He is accompanied by Marcelle, a sword maiden of amazing skill whose ideas about how the operation should be carried out conflict with his own. Since the slaves have been in bonds for generations, they have no memory of their origins, making them reluctant to believe the two would-be rescuers, and, of course, the dragons will crush any attempt to emancipate the slaves. Set on two worlds separated by a mystical portal, Masters and Slayers is packed with action, mystery, and emotional turmoil, a tale of heart and life that is sure to inspire.

Masters & Slayers (book one in the Tales of Starlight series) is sorta like a sequel series to Dragons of Starlight, which is a series for teens. This book however was written as a fantasy series for adults, but I would say high schoolers would enjoy it too.

Starlighter is my favorite book by Bryan Davis. I loved reading Masters & Slayers because it started off right where Starlighter did, but from Aiden's perspective. That was really cool. It revealed a whole new side to the story. I was really glad to see Marcelle as one of the main characters and loved her reading from her perspective too.

I was really into the book until *spoiler* Cassabrie started to muddle Aiden's thoughts and takes charge. The whole disembodied spirits thing is sorta weird to me. It makes sense for the plot, and Davis did a great job making it not too weird, but it kind of threw me off and I didn't like the last half of the book so much.

Overall, it was a good read and I'm looking forward to the sequel. I don't like this series as much as Dragons of Starlight, but the sequel might change my mind!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Sword in the Stars by Wayne Thomas Batson

Centuries have passed since the Silence, and the few remaining faithful cling to the ancient prophecies of the First One. They wait for the Caller and watch the skies for the Sword in the Stars, even as the world they've always known unravels around them.

Murderous Gorracks have secretly penetrated the kingdom's borders. Their attacks grow more brazen...more horrific, threatening to touch off a war on a scale that hasn't been seen in seven ages.

In the capital city of Anglinore, noble King Aravel ponders the advice of this twin brother Morlan: declare all out war on the Gorrack nation. While Anglinore's High Shepherd, the wise Sebastian Grenlaff urges caution and listens to troubling voices on the wind.

Queen Mariel, due to deliver a child any day, suspects the unthinkable about her husband's brother Morlan. She sets off alone to Morlan's castle in Dunharrow, hoping against hope that she can keep old wounds from erupting in war.

Alastair Coldharrow, tortured by an addiction to the outlawed Witchdrale and haunted by a violent past, wagers his life on the hope that the foretold Halfainin, the Pathwalker, would come. When at last, the Sword appears in the Stars, Alastair begins a fruitless search for the Halfainin that leaves him disillusioned, broken, and lost. Used to caring only for himself, Alastair will enter a maelstrom of conflict as loyalties are tested, dark schemes are hatched, and the many realms of Myriad brace themselves for war.

Will Alastair realize what he has before its too late...for everyone?

Some books aren’t good enough to just be read. They deserve a spot outside under a tree or in front of a fireplace with piping hot chocolate.

And then there are some books that don’t need to be read in a special place because they whisk you away from our world into theirs. Books that suck you into past, present, and future. Through a wardrobe or through swirling ink called letters upon paper. Sword in the Stars was this kind of book.

I loved every little detail. The characters, the plot, battles, prophecies, Shepherds, the list goes on and on.

I had heard rave reviews about this book, but I couldn’t get my hands on a copy until a couple days ago.

And as I read, it met every expectation. But I never expected a little romance thrown in there! For me, the best parts were Alastair and Abbagael falling in love. I loved their letters. I thought it was a very good way to cover those six/seven years of war without boring the reader. I’ve noticed Mr. Batson’s trend with girls with curly red hair, and I have to say those are some of my favorite characters of his!

Alastair was a puzzle. His story slowly came together piece by piece, page by page, and goodness, it was an amazing story. Mr. Batson wove together an interesting and exciting tale that had me gasping, sighing, and occasionally laughing.

The only thing I was left wanting was more detail. I have a beautiful story in my head, but not a lot of mental pictures. The Gorraks were described in detail over and over, but I would have liked more on the other inhabitants and lands. But maybe Mr. Batson will include more details in the sequel, The Errant King!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Upcoming Reviews for May/June 2011

I just got some amazing books in the mail! Reviews should be up by June 10th.

Roadside Assistance by Amy Clipston

Emily Curtis is used to dealing with her problems while under the hood of an old Chevy, but when her mom dies, Emily's world seems shaken beyond repair. Driven from home by hospital bills they can't pay, Emily and her dad move in with his wealthy sister, who intends to make her niece more feminine---in other words, just like Whitney, Emily's perfect cousin. But when Emily hears the engine of a 1970 Dodge Challenger, and sees the cute gearhead, Zander, next door, things seem to be looking up.

But even working alongside Zander can't completely fix the hole in Emily's life. Ever since her mom died, Emily hasn't been able to pray, and no one---not even Zander---seems to understand. But sometimes the help you need can come from the person you least expect.

Considering I know absolutely nothing about cars, I really enjoyed this book! The characters were believable and Zander was adorable. I just don't like his name.

I usually hate books about girls who are tomboys and everyone keeps telling them to be girlie, and when they finally do, they get the guy and realize make-up and clothes aren't that bad. Puh-leeze. Emily was just the opposite. *Spoiler* She stayed true to herself and still got the guy! I think this book really stands out among all the other girl-gets-makeover-and-turns-into-a-model-overnight books that you see a lot.

If would have never thought in a million years that I'd like a book about a girl who works on cars, but I was hooked! I really wanted to go tinker under the hood of a car after I finished reading. Haha, that would have ended in disaster! Clipston did a great job and I really liked the whole book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from Zondervan. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Small is Big by Dale and Barna

Church planters Tony and Felicity Dale and acclaimed researcher George Barna bring a big message to God’s church. How might we change the world if our Christian faith began multiplying at a rapid pace—through a way of life that is explosive and transformational? It happened once before, in the early days of the church; what will it take to bring us to that point of urgency and determination again? Small Is Big (originally published as The Rabbit and the Elephant) offers keys to 21st-century evangelism: leveraging the power of the small—and taking the gospel to where the people are and the pain is. And as God uses us to channel Jesus’ love into a hurting, desperate world, we’ll see his church grow beyond anything we could have imagined.

What would it be like have church like the apostles used to? Small groups of people meeting in their homes to pray and have fellowship. Those people going out and making more "church" groups in other homes in other cities around the world. Well, it's like the illistration they used. Rabbits. Put a girl rabbit and boy rabbit in a room for three years and when you open the door, you'll have a million rabbits hop out. But take something big, like two elephants, and in three years you'll only have one baby elephant. Small things tend to multiply faster, including churches.

This is a very thought provoking book. It actually answered some questions I'd been having like, "Why don't we take church to the world?"

"Why do I just sit on a pew Sunday after Sunday?"

"Should church be boring and non-interactive?"

"Why are so many people leaving tradional, legacy churches?"

I believe God can use anything. Legacy churches aren't bad, and simple churches aren't better. The real definition of a church is "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." (Matthew 18:20).

I sometimes volunteer at this ministry called Young America that turned a trailer in the middle of a trailer park a place for kids to come, eat, and have a Bible lesson. And the kids call it church. At first I thought, "Aw, that's cute." But it's so true. A church doesn't have to have a steeple or pews. It can be in a trailer, at a coffee shop, someone's house, on the street, wherever.

The authors were very clear at explaing that simple church is not for everyone. It's growing everyday, but just because simple church is gaining popularity doesn't mean you should go join one right now. You go where God leads you. I think they did a great job explaining simple church. I had never heard of it before. I knew people had Bible studies at coffee shops or at houses (my friend's family just started a church in their house), but I never knew it had a name.

If you're curious about simple church, definently check this book out. It will answer a lot of your questions. Great job, Tony and Felicity Dale, and George Barna!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Unleashed by Erwin Raphael McManus

Unleashed is a short, quick read about releasing the untamed faith within and choosing the barbarian way. You might be thinking, "Barbarian way? What is that?"

Simply put, it is to give your heart to the Only one who can make you fully alive.

It was an interesting concept that I enjoyed reading about. I agree, it's very common now a days for Christians to fall into a lull and forget their first love, their passion, their fire. In fact, it's even dangerous.

I loved all the stories about his daughter Mariah, his big mouth at church meetings, him letting his son jump off the roof (all I can say on that one is...read the book!), the miracle about God sending snow to just let someone know that He loves them, and much, much more.

Plus, I really liked the cover of this book and the title. I don't know why, but as soon as I saw that cover, I knew it was the author's daughter, Mariah, on the front. He described her so well, with her passion to help people, that her picture on the front really sums up the whole book. Free and unleashed.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Galileo by Mitch Stokes

From physics to religion, Galileo's life changed the world and how we perceive it.

Despite a debilitating life-long illness, Galileo changed physics from a purely philosophical subject into one involving mathematics and careful observation. But his innovations didn’t stop there. He also challenged beliefs about the very structure of the universe, arguing that the earth moves around the sun at dizzying speeds.

But suggesting such dramatic changes made philosophers uncomfortable. And because they were unable to refute Galileo on their own playing field, they sought help from theologians, sending Galileo headlong into a conflict with church officials. In this biography readers will be privy to the intrigues, personality clashes, and misunderstandings that led to Galileo’s famous trial and condemnation.

This book, Galileo, is part of the Christian Encounters series by Mitch Stokes. It follows Galileo all through his life, from his childhood to his death. It's a journey through time as we watch events unfold as Galileo kept going, made brilliant discoveries, and mentored young proteges.

I love Galileo's story so I was very excited to read this book. It was full of interesting facts like that Galileo's full name was Galileo Galileo (how crazy is that?!), he loved poetry, and that he disagreed with many of his professors. It sorta had too many facts for me, I like more a story when it comes to history. It's great for educating yourself, but I wouldn't pick up this book to read an adventure, romance, suspense, etc. It's more of a history lesson of the life of Galileo. Very interesting book though.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Reason Why by Mark Mittelberg

The Reason Why covered six basic questions people have about Christianity. Is there a God? Can the Bible be trusted? Are we accountable to God? Who was Jesus and what was His purpose? Is divine forgiveness available? And last, but not least, what do I need to do?

If you have any of these questions churning in your head, this is the book for you!

It's a short and easy read, only 126 pages. It's a small book. It's full of facts and things that make you think. Mittelberg used a lot of example to get across his point, which I loved. I love little stories thrown in to make things easier to understand. I also liked the fact that this boom can be read by Christians or non-Christians. I would actually highly recommend it to people who aren't Christians. The book lets you make up your own mind about God and includes a (optional) prayer in the beginning of the book that just asks "God, if you're really there and if these things I'm reading are really true, please show me" (page 4). They also encourage you to be open minded.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.