The Memory Stone by Bryan Davis

 The Memory Stone by Bryan Davis 
Book 2 in the Dragons of Camelot Series
3.5 Stars 

This continues Bryan's dragon-filled Christian fantasy series world with high stakes, fast-paced action and faith elements. Set in a medieval, King Arthur-inspired world, the story follows Sabina, Hawk, Merlin and their allies as fear spreads through the kingdom via a mysterious toxin poisoning the water supply. The use of portals, memory stone and dragons add such an adventure for this book, continuing right where we left off in book 1.

There is a lot to enjoy here, epic battles, suspenseful rescues, emphasis on good versus evil. I think a lot of teen readers would enjoy this and really, any of Bryan's books.

That said, I personally struggled to connect with this installment. I think it was the shifting perspectives and multiple characters, as that is something I seem to always struggle with. I was not as engaged as I was in book 1 for some reason but I still enjoyed the story and would recommend.

As I mentioned in my review of book 1, please be aware this is a fantasy story with Christian allegory but that it is important to discuss the elements of the story with your child so they are aware of the biblical aspects and what is real versus fantasy. I love how this blends fantasy and the Christian faith together but I think since it had parts with Hades and certain things with the afterlife, magical moments, Merlin etc., discernment from the parent is always warranted in these type of books, regardless of Christian allegory, just to be aware of what your child reads so you can have those biblical conversations if needed.

Overall, solid continuations and looking forward to more by Bryan. Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary gifted copy of the e-book to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8206748676
Amazon:  https://amzn.to/4jyHts5
Baker Book House:  https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9798400504280_the-memory-stone

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The Prince Warriors by Pricilla Shirer

 The Prince Warriors by Pricilla Shirer
4 Stars
Book 1 in this Trilogy 

This is a very engaging, spiritually rich adventure that pulls young readers and even adults into a vivid unseen world with an epic action packed adventure. A great Christian fantasy.  

We follow Xavier and Evan with so many high stakes. The mysterious creature Ruwach introduces them to Ahoratos - the true realms where spiritual battles are fought.....the story goes on from here with these ordinary kids as Prince Warriors in battle. 

The message is clear. You have everything you need. God equips us with the armor and strength we need for the battles we face. The allegory in this had some great spiritual parallels. 

The worldbuilding was really good, enjoyed the pacing - very fast and included themes of courage, identity and faith woven into a very adventurous story. Definitely a page turner!  

I think if you like Narnia, Pilgrim's Progress...or stories like that, this would be for you!

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8070677847
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3X9n0zI

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Sacred Scales by Bryan Davis

The Sacred Scales by Bryan Davis
4 Stars
Book 1 in the Dragons Of Camelot Series

OK Y'ALL I need to read all of Bryan's books, this was so great! As a lover of middle grade books and stories such as Narnia, The Hobbit, LOTR....This reminded me of those type of epic stories! Perfect for middle school kiddos and really people of all ages because I had SO much fun reading this. The ending has me needing the next book ASAP too!

This is a Christian Fantasy with mentions of Jesus as their Lord and savior, praying to God and standing for truth but also has mixed in fantasy elements with Arthurian legends -- like Merlin, King Arthur, dragons...etc. It's a great opportunity to remind those reading it that while the faith in the story is real and powerful, the magical elements are just part of the make-believe world. I loved how Bryan tied all that together as he really invites you in to this fun fantasy world.

We follow Hawk and Sabina as they team up to protect dragons from a sinister plot that threatens their very existence. Lots of wild rides, escapes, riddles, twists - overall a good read with themes of faith, courage, the power of prayer and friendship.

I would recommend this for older middle school kids and up as there are themes of battles, some characters being burned, mentioned of death etc. 

🐉 Read If You Like:

• Dragons, danger, and daring rescues

• Faith-filled fantasy adventures

• Arthurian legends and dragon lore

• Stories about standing up for what’s right

• Action stories with strong Christian themes

Thank you to Tyndale Publishers for a copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7602185603
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4k61eGO
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/617741

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

Winter's Maiden by Morgan L. Busse

 

Winter's Maiden by Morgan L. Busse 
3.5 Stars 
Book 1 in The Nordic Wars Series

Winter's Maiden is book 1 in The Nordic Wars series and my first Morgan L. Busse book! I read this with some friends, which added to the experience. It's such an atmospheric read - feels like TRUE winter! If you like Viking style stories, Nordic wars, icy survival, warrior heroines and Christian fantasy books - check this series out.

This has 2 POVs - Brighid and Kaeden. It's not a romance really - its a story of growth for our characters. Brighid is a clanless one - who was raised by the woman who helped deliver her. Her father left the day of her birth, leaving her unwanted, and her mother died in childbirth. 

She earns her place among the legendary Nordic warriors. She’s gritty.... determined, and strong on the battlefield. Her journey from outcast to elite fighter is awesome. 

On the other side of the war, Kaeden is a healer. I loved his spiritual depth his character brought to the story. 

When Brighid and Kaeden's paths cross, things shift, to say the LEAST. Their interactions are laced with intensity. You really FEEL the weight of the choices they make.

The worldbuilding is rich and wintry, perfect for fans of Norse-inspired fantasy. I also liked the allegory to God as the "Word" in this story. Really added to the book. 

The book ends where you NEED book 2, and I will definitley pick it up. The only downsides I have to this book is I struggle with fantasy personally (sooo grain of salt here, please), but I had a very hard time with the names, clans etc., and keeping up with the plot and what was going on. That is a personal thing for me.

Regardless, looking forward to book 2 later this year!

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6816930015
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42Hgzaq

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The King's Scrolls by Jaye L. Knight

 Book Review: The King's Scrolls by Jaye L. Knight
(Book 2 in the Ilyon Chronicles)
5 Stars 

Wow, this series is becoming a favorite of all time at this point, and we are only on book 2! If you haven't picked up Resistance, you MUST read it asap because I cannot recommend this series enough. Knight's skillful storytelling and deep character development shine brightly in this sequel, making this series a must-read for any fan of fantasy and adventure.

This is a Christian, non-magical fantasy series that has such beautiful biblical allegory, in-depth characters and found family. In this book, we also have DRAGONS! Let's goooo! 

I tabbed this book up so much notating the faith elements, prayers, "wow" moments, etc. This is filled with a lot of action and emotions so get ready! 

Set in the richly detailed world of Ilyon, this book dived deeper into the lives of its beloved characters. We see several new characters and creatures, in addition to those returning. They face new challenges that test their limits and strengthen their bond together. I loved the different races of characters and learning about them. 

The plot revolves around the ancient King's Scrolls, the Word of Elom, which hold information that could change the course of the kingdom's history and the fate of its people. The story picks up where Resistance left off. We see Kyrin, Jace, Kaden and many others hiding from the emperor as the events from book 1 lead them to Landale Forest. They are trying to settle into their new lives when the emperor's threats continue upon them. Dragon-riding Cretes seek aid in a mission of importance to all followers of Elom. 

There is a central theme in this of the power of faith. We see the strength in those who have faith in Elom as He provides it during times of adversity. Many of the biblical allegory moments in this book will be relatable to others in their own faith walk. 

To summarize:
Read this if you like:

- Dragons
- Epic fantasy adventures
- Strong character development and growth
- Christian non-magical fantasy
- Found family
- Action packed sequences balanced with emotional depth 
- Vivid world building
- Faith, friendship and courage displayed
- Engaging and well crafted plot 
- Emotional rollercoaster (I cried in chapters 17-18 and 24 and several other points!)

Highly recommend this series! Start with Book 1! Excited to read book 3!!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6464904881
Amazon Series Link: https://amzn.to/452cZrb

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Lost in the Caverns by Kathryn Butler

 

Lost in the Caverns by Kathryn Butler - Book 3 in The Dreamkeeper Saga - 4 Stars

In this book we continue our adventure with 12 year old dream keeper Lily McKinley as she embarks on a dangerous journey through the Desert of the Forgotten to regain her ability to dream and spread Pax's message. This book continues the themes of fantasy, Christian themes and allegory with mystery throughout the series. The allegory shown relate to the Gospel of Jesus and other theological conversations surrounding sacrifice, salvation and evangelism. This was quite the adventure once again! I had so much fun being back in this world with our characters, as I have had quite the break since book 2. 

I love the allegory message of the Gospel of Jesus in this story. We see characters who represent satan as well and the message of what the Lord has done for us is beautifully depicted in this series. If you like stories like Narnia, good versus evil and great Christian allegorical themes - pick this series up. So many great biblical messages where our characters learn from their mistakes, display courage and find the truth.

I will link the series down below! Excited to get into the next book sometime.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6294768744
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4a4tTHf

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

 

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis - Narnia Series - 4 Stars 

I just love this world. Reading this series as an adult for the first time is quite the experience. Every time I dive into a book I am whisked away to such an amazing world. Our characters Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy are back in the world of Narnia! Lots of action going on in this one and while some parts I loved more than others, this is such a fun read! Love the talking animals and seeing Aslan again in this book. As always, the allegory is great. You can see a parallel to the Christian Life throughout this series. A good example "But who believes in Aslan nowadays" - direct correlation to the criticism we receive at times for believing in Jesus and the struggles in the Christian life. Lucy's journey is important as she has to go against her friends and family to follow Aslan (Jesus allegory). Not everyone can see the path but she can. She makes some mistakes but Aslan makes it clear he is still compassionate and loving to her. 

Just such a good series and I can't wait to read more to finish the series this year.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6252658640
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UwdVRn

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Heart of Red, Blood of Blue by: Rebecca Belliston

 

Heart of Red, Blood of Blue by Rebecca Belliston - 5 Stars - An amazing standalone Christian fantasy story!

This is all about Princess Gisela of Steinland who was born with albinism. Her betrothal to Prince Jerrik of Kronga ended in his death and a 10 year war started with her father. Her father keeps her hidden for many years until he wants to use her to agree to another alliance and betroth her to an awful leader. A Krongon war commander, Bloodless Kristoff, is also after Gisela after killing her siblings as well so that puts a lot of stress on the situation. Gisela runs away and starts finding the truth as she flees.....her ultimate goal is to end this crazy war. Can she do it?

OK YA'LL READ THIS BOOK. It's an ALL time favorite. I loved the unexpected plot twists that I didn't see coming, it has amazing characters and kept me on the edge of my seat! I was SHOCKED at the ending when things were revealed. Highly recommend for those who want a good, clean Christian non-magical fantasy story.

I loved the faith elements we had in the story, her cross necklace, prayers and almost like angels for her who would show up to help her (other Christians who showed up in answered prayer).

Content warning: There are some violence and blood in this during the war battle scenes but otherwise language free and clean.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4738736827
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3sIiBI8
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP6NLPxY6po

Reading Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoex2T-Wc6Y

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis - 4 Stars - "No one is told any story but their own." (Book 3 in the Chronicles of Narnia)

I enjoyed this children's classic in the Narnia series :) I think there is a lot I still didnt fully understand and need to re-read some of it a second time but this first time around I enjoyed the story. 2 young children find themselves in a world of talking animals and a journey to Narnia. Loved the talking horse, Bree and the times we saw Aslan. This is separate journey/story but I still liked being in this world. Really fun adventure and I am excited to continue in the series. :) Also need to look into more of the Christian allegory here as I always love tying that together. I could see some things but want to dive more into it.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5607378071
Amazon: https://amzn.to/43Ujueb

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F0tuWJiWKg 

Resistance by Jaye L. Knight

 

Resistance - Jaye L. Knight - 5 Stars - A wonderful surprising read! Great start to a Christian non-magical fantasy series! (Book 1 in The Ilyon Chronicles)

WOW, what a wonderful surprise! I read my friend Celestria's favorite books and this was a 5 star read for me! :) A great start to a Christian Fantasy series! Even if you are not someone who loves fantasy, ya'll would LOVE this because it's more of a fantastical "world", set in medieval times then fantasy elements in the story so it's easy to understand with great characters! The reason I loved this so much is the Christian allegory was TOP TIER! I felt Daniel/Shadrach/Meshach/Abednego vibes - these people are NOT going to bow down to false gods - we are here for this story ya'll!

In this story, we follow Kyrin and her twin brother, Kaden, as they are training in Tarvyn Hall. They are believers in Elom (allegory to God) but they have to keep their belief hidden. Things get crazy when Kyrin is forced to go work for the Emperor Daican to read people. The Emperor wants everyone to worship these false gods and anyone who doesn't will be sentenced to death.

Then we have Jace - half human, half animal - does he have a soul? People doubt it and have always looked upon him with fear and contempt because the half animal in him has always been very dangerous and a vicious kind. But Jace is a believer in Elom and is trying to hold on to what little faith he is starting to have left as he feels it crumbling from all the hardship he has been through. He works under Rayad - a father / mentor figure for him - a wanted man but a main of faith who helps him and they grow close during the next few years together. Things get crazy for Jace and our character perspectives start to mesh together as they begin to form their resistance together.......

As I said, the best part of this was the Christian Allegory and the characters ya'll. SO GOOD.

Overall, book 1 in the Ilyon Chronicles is one of my favorite books of 2023 and can't wait to get into the rest of the series!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5420714269
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pOYgzM
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mHWHokCowI&t=103s

The Wonderland Trials by Sara Ella

 

The Wonderland Trials - Sara Ella - 4 Stars - Lovers of all things Alice in Wonderland will LOVE this! (Book 1 in The Curious Realities Series)

If you are a lover of all things Alice in Wonderland, you will enjoy this new, fun Alice inspired Young Adult Christian Fantasy story! While the first part was a bit slow for me to get into, by the 50% mark I was invested in the story. Fans of dystopian favorites like The Hunger Games will also probably enjoy this because it has a "trial" game that gave me Hunger Games vibes. The whole time you never know who to trust, what's real vs fictional, what "reality" you are in and it's just a very unique story I think many will enjoy. I also kind of had "Caraval" vibes too from the writing style - really enjoyed that aspect.

This story is all about Alice who just wants to escape her normal life in Oxford and find her parents who abandoned her 10 years ago. She gets more than she bargained for though when her older sister, Charlotte, is arrested for having the "Wonder" Gene - the key to unlocking the curious "Wonderland Reality". Alice must play for "Team Heart" in this year's annual - and deadly - Wonderland Trials. She must find her way to Wonderland through the trials but nothing is what it seems.... People go missing. Her and her team try to solve the clues and find the missing players but who can she trust along the way?

I'm not always the biggest fantasy reader but I am starting to find ones I do enjoy and this one ended up being a great foundational book for the "Curious Realities" series. We had good world building, easy to understand details and characters and everything was explained very well. We had some Christian allegory I could see, especially toward the end. That was nice to see.

We also had a bit of a budding romance toward the end - very light - but hope to see that expanded in future books. I don't know that I ever fell in love with our characters per say, but mostly enjoyed the fantasy element and storyline here.

The ending leaves on a bit of cliffhanger so I am so glad there will be a book 2 so we can continue on in this world! If you would like an engaging fantasy read with a Wonderland twist, pick this up!

Goodreads Review:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4803124508
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JVoR4V
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuFKv2eeju0