By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson

It's hard for me to believe that this is Jill Williamson's first novel! Any child needing a great book to read this summer should pick up this tale about Achan, Vrell, and others! I found myself lost in this world of knights, squires, and peasants immediately. Ms. Williamson weaves a tale of these young people in a way that would attract any lover of sci-fi, magic, or royalty! When asked by my students what this book compares to, I had to answer a mixture between Harry Potter (Vrell is very Hermione-like in my opinion) and The Chronicles of Narnia series. This book is classified as christian science fiction and one would not find any inappropriate words or scenes included. Readers may be discouraged by the length of this book (490 pages) but rest assured, it is jam packed with action! I became frustrated when I couldn't read for long periods of time due to school and family issues these past couple of weeks. Had I been free to read, I would have finished this one in 2 days or less.

I just received the next book, By Darkness Fled, in the mail yesterday and I'm trying to get it worked into my reading schedule asap!! It's not one that I can wait til the end of summer to read!

Start Here by Alex and Brett Harris

Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are by Alex Harris


My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the follow-up book to Alex and Brett Harris's Do Hard Things. In this book they offer practical tips to young people about sticking their necks out there to do the hard things. For instance, starting with a dream, finding someone to support you, and waiting out to see if this is what is in God's plan for your life. There are several different stories of teenagers who did the hard things and what it took for them to get there. I read this book in a span of about 3 hours time. It reads very quickly!

Overall, I found this book to be informative but not something that overly grasped me. It could be that this book is targeted for teens, and I have lived that time and beyond a few years. I do see how a young person would find this book helpful, especially if they are afraid to ask for help in the beginning (which the book addresses too!). I did find references to "God speaking to you" to be disturbing as this just simply does not happen today. That would make God a respecter of persons and that He is not. He will not say something to you that He would not say to me and vice versa.

I can see where many youth group leaders could use this book as a positive means of studying with their young people.

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Now for the giveaway that ends on April 10 at 11:59 PM EST.