Emissary - A Review

Published - January 2015, Revell Books, a Division of Baker Publishing Group
Series - Legends of the Realm Book 1
Author - Thomas Locke
Title - Emissary
Format - ebook, paper
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Hyam is an ordinary farmer. Or so he thinks. Until his mother dies right before his 21st birthday. Her final request sends him on a journey where he finds out that he isn't who he always believed he was. His search for answers brings him to a telepathic people who commission him to be their representative to the other nations. Yet while he is the emissary, his own powers are growing. Hyam seeks assistance from one of the wizards of Long Hall. There he discovers that long held secrets and myths are actually real. But an evil power is growing across the Realm and only Hyam ,with the assistance of the friends he meets along the way, may be able to stop it.

I enjoyed this fantasy novel far more than I thought I would. There were times that the writing was reminiscent of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings or Jordan's Wheel of Time. But despite being very descriptive, I did find myself engrossed in Hyam's story. His past is a mystery that I'd hoped would be uncovered in the book. Parts of it were while others weren't. And so I was intrigued. I kept reading, even through multiple descriptions.

I've learned over the years that Christian Fantasy is really more of a hit and miss genre. Perhaps it's because this author, Thomas Locke, is a pseudonym for established author Davis Bunn that helped make this one more of a hit for me than others. Still, it ended up being a pretty fast read for me. I wasn't overly bogged down in pointless descriptions and there was enough action to keep me entertained.

I enjoyed the magic in this book. And the factors that made this a true fantasy book. While I didn't see obvious Christian factors like there are in the Chronicles of Narnia, I did see the good vs evil. I think my favorite part was when Hyam met the Elves. To me, that reminded me a lot of Frodo and Rivendell.

I think that fans of fantasy would really enjoy this book. I received the book for free from Revell Books for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of fantasy, Tolkien, Robert Jordan, Davis Bunn

Rating - 4 stars

The Turning - A Review & Giveaway

Publisher - River North

Author - Davis Bunn

Title - The Turning

Format - ebook, paper

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When five strangers find themselves drawn together without really knowing why, they watch out a window as a message of "Hope is dead" is broadcast across New York's Times Square. These five soon realize why they were brought together. Together, this group of believers formulate a strategy that takes them up against one of the corporate giants in America. Will they be successful in presenting a message of hope?

This book reminded me a lot of a series I read years ago. I can't even remember the name of the series or the author, but the way that this was written reminded me of it.

To be honest, I wasn't too interested in the book as it started. I didn't know how the threads were going to be connected or fleshed out. Yet I hung in there. I enjoyed watching the way each of the five started to use gifts they had been given and to trust God to do the rest. Short chapters made this book a true page turner.

I loved how they fought to present a message of hope being alive and well. I found that to be one of the best themes of the book.

I received this book for free from River North publishers for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Frank Peretti's Prophet, The Shack, contemporary fiction

Rating - 3.5 stars. I enjoyed it, I just wasn't too interested in it til late in the story.

Giveaway!!!!

The publisher has graciously provided me a copy of the book to give away.

Please follow the instructions in the form below. I can only ship US.

All comments must be on the actual blog post and not on the form.

Answer this question: What message of hope would you give?

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