The Assault - A Review

Published - Bethany House, August 2017
Series - Harbingers Book 2
Authors - Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt, Alton Gansky
Title - The Assault
Format - ebook, paper
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About the book (Goodreads):
Cycle 2 of the Harbingers series continues the story of four gifted strangers brought together to fight a growing darkness. 

In Bill Myers's "The Revealing," the team finds themselves in Rome trying to retrieve the mystical spear Hitler once owned--the very spear that pierced Christ's side. This task will take them from hidden chambers inside the Vatican to a mysterious seaside cave with powers they could never expect.

Frank Peretti's "Infestation" unleashes a microscopic evil on the world that deceives, blinds, kills, then spreads. The Harbingers team must confront a monster bent on seducing and destroying mankind.

In "Infiltration" by Angela Hunt, the team is wounded and barely holding together. Forced to split up, they realize their investigations have led them into dangerous waters.

Alton Gansky's "The Fog" unleashes a supernatural mist unlike any other. There are vicious things in the fog that kill whatever they find. One team member realizes that the ultimate sacrifice may have to be made.

My Thoughts:
This is book 2 in the series. It needs to be read in order!

Picking up immediately after the events in the first book, I was glad to see that the fast-paced style that was the first book returned with this one. I'll admit though, that it took me longer to read it than the first one, mainly because I wasn't in a reading mood. That said, once I got into the book, I found it hard to put down.

I love the way that each novella builds on the previous one. They are not separate stories that could stand on their own like so many novellas I've read do. The characters and the stories are so intertwined, that when switching from one story to the next, I sometimes didn't even notice that I'd switched.

I am really enjoying getting to know Brenda, the professor, Andi, and Tank. I love how they continue to grow and change.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.

I received a copy for free from the publisher to review. I was not required to like the book, only give my honest opinion. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Frank Peretti, Bill Myers, suspense

Rating - 4 stars

Switched - A Review

Published - Tyndale House Publishers, April 2013
Series - TJ & the Time Stumblers Book 5
Author - Bill Myers
Title - Switched!
Format - ebook, paper
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Book 5 finds TJ and her 23rd century friends, Tuna and Herby, in the midst of another adventure. Tuna and Herby have identified what is needed to fix their time machine and return home. Only the way to fuel the machine is through a nuclear submarine's power pack. And those are hard to come by. Then there's the Swiss Army Knife that has gone berserk. It's caused TJ to switch bodies with her archenemy, Hesper Breakahart. Yet even here, there's something for her to learn.

Once again, I have found myself delighted with TJ's adventures. And Tuna and Herby's attempts at making things better really don't help. But what I really loved about this book was that the lesson TJ learns is to not judge others. I also loved Chad, TJ's dreamy neighbor. I found him to be a truly genuine character in the entire series and I thought he was a sweetheart.

I would recommend this series to all teachers who want to provide a few books that teach lessons in a humorous way to their students. I have really enjoyed reading this entire series.

I rented this book from the library to read as part of Tyndale's Summer Reading Program. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, teachers, librarians, kids ages 8-12.

Rating - 5 stars

New Kid Catastrophes - A Review

Published - Tyndale House Publishers, January 2013
Series - TJ & the Time Stumblers
Author - Bill Myers
Title - New Kid Catastrophes
Format - paper, ebook
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T.J. Finkelstein and her family have just moved to Malibu, California from Missouri. They are hoping to start over after the death of her mother. T.J. is also hoping to just fit in at school. What she doesn't realize, yet, is that there are two 23rd century time travelers who show up to study her because she grows up to become a great leader. There's only one problem. TJ is the only one who can see these guys! With the time travelers stuck, TJ realizes she's got to make the best of  the situation including learning the lessons that will help her become a great leader someday.

The first book in the TJ & the Time Stumblers Series sets the stage for all of the others. I've really enjoyed this entire series. I love how humor is used to teach basic lessons like seeing beyond a person's appearance to who is inside.

I laughed my way through this book. While it is the first in the series and VERY helpful to read it before the rest of the series, it can be read alone. I think I actually read this one AFTER reading books 2-6.

I'd recommend this to any child ages 8-12.

I rented this book from the library to read as part of the  Tyndale Summer Reading Program. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, teachers, librarians, kids ages 8-12

Rating - 4 stars

Yikes! - A Review

Published - Tyndale House Publishers, April 2013
Series - TJ and the Time Stumblers Book 6
Author - Bill Myers
Title - Yikes!
Format - ebook, paper
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Tuna and Herby have almost fixed their time pod and will be able to return to the 23rd century. They just need an ostrich to digest the chili. But needless to say, they still manage to accidentally transport TJ's science class to the wilds of Africa, get turned into a baby ostrich, and send a Mama Gorilla to New York. Still it's business as usual for TJ as she once again has a lesson to learn.

This is the conclusion to this series. (Well not for me as I still need to read books 1 & 5). I have to say I've enjoyed this series far more than I thought I would. I love the way that Tuna and Herby teach TJ practical lessons and that she really does learn them.

In this one, TJ learns the importance of being a servant. She learns that there is more to leadership than just leading. Leaders must also serve.

I have loved each of these books. I highly recommend them to kids ages 8-12.

I rented this book from the library to read as part of the Tyndale Summer Reading Program. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, teachers, librarians, kids ages 8-12

Rating - 5 stars

Ho-Ho-Nooo! - A Review

Published - Tyndale House Publishers, April 2013
Series - TJ and the Time Stumblers Book 4
Author - Bill Myers
Title - Ho-Ho-Nooo!
Format - ebook, paper
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Christmas is only days away and TJ has no idea what  to get her father. She only knows it needs to be bigger and better than what her sister Violet is getting him. So she takes a job at the mall. Tuna and Herby are determined that TJ learn what Christmas is really about. And so in their usual "helpful" fashion, the guys set out to ensure that TJ learns a lesson.

Just like the others in this series, this one was hilarious. It seems that the more that Tuna and Herby try to help, the more things go wrong. Still, it's a great read. I found myself giggling the entire time. The one thing that I wish that this book talked about was Jesus being the reason for Christmas. Not the good deeds, etc.

Still kids ages 8-12 will enjoy this book.

I rented this book from the library to read for the Tyndale Summer Reading Program. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, teachers, librarians, kids ages 8-12

Rating - 4.5 stars

Oops! - A Review

Published - Tyndale House, April, 2013
Series - TJ and the Time Stumblers Book 3
Author - Bill Myers
Title - OOPS!
Format - ebook, paper
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TJ Finkelstein would love to have a normal life. You know one where all of the school's thoughts aren't broadcast via their cell phones for everyone to hear. One where she's not being chased by an African elephant in the school auditorium. One where TV star Hesper Breakahart  isn't turned into a giant baby. One where her 23rd century time traveling helpers, Tuna and Herby, aren't making matters worse. But still, there is a lesson to be learned here. One that includes being kind to others.Still it's just another day (or week) in the life of a semi normal Malibu 7th grader.

This is the second book about TJ I've read. I'm planning on reading all six books in this series, probably not in order, because I am really enjoying them.

Tuna and Herby once again create trouble for TJ and she refuses to listen to their advice. Yet they do manage to eventually get through to her and she learns lessons of kindness and not being mean to others.

With each book, I'm finding myself highly recommending this series. I think they are perfect for kids ages 8-12. I can see myself gifting them to my friends at some point.

Still, the book is a hilarious adventure that even adults will enjoy.

I rented this book from the library to read for Tyndale's Summer Reading Program. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, teachers, librarians, kids ages 8-12

Rating - 5 stars

Aaaargh!!! - A Review

Published - Tyndale, January 2013
Series - TJ and the Time Stumblers book 2
Author - Bill Myers
Title - AAAARGH!!!
Format - ebook, paper

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TJ Finklestein is trying hard to fit in at her new school, Malibu Junior High. That's a little hard to do when she's the subject of a history report by two teenage boys from the 23rd century. Plus there's the small matter of the pirates. And the cannonball hole in her room. And that book report...Join TJ and her time traveling buddies as she learns lessons in honesty and cheating.

I've read Bill Myers' adult books before, but never his kids' books. This was hilarious! I loved every second of TJ's adventure.

I did think that the best characters were Tuna and Herby, the time travelers. The way that they got TJ into trouble in the first place and then tried to help her get out of trouble. I can't remember the last time I laughed like this while reading a book! I also loved the way that TJ learns the lessons she needs to.

I rented this book from the library to read as part of Tyndale's Summer Reading Program. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, teachers, librarians, kids ages 8-12

Rating - 5 stars