 Author: Evan Angler Publisher: Thomas Nelson Published: May 1, 2012 | Swipe (Swipe, No. 1) by Evan Angler: Evan
Angler's first novel starts off what seems to be a crackling good
series. With plenty of intensity, a bit of romance, and a world that is
decidedly dark but eerily smacks of our own, this book had me hook,
line, and sinker. This one may be considered "young adult" fiction, but
I have a feeling that older readers will be just as enthralled. I hope
I can get my hands on the later books in the series very soon. Score: 4.75/5 |
 Author: Isaac Asimov Publisher: Fawcett Crest Published: November 1953 | Lucky Starr and the Pirates of the Asteroids (Lucky Starr, No. 2) by Isaac Asimov writing as Paul French: This second entry in the Lucky Starr series by "Paul French"
(actually, Isaac Asimov) feels like an abridged version of previously
published novel. Though the story is good, it's a bit rushed, and it
seemed like some of the plot threads could have been expanded upon a
bit. I have little doubt that Asimov fanatics will adore this; for
those of us who are casual fans of the Grandmaster, you might want to
wait until you've read all his other works before reading this one. Content Concerns: Some sci-fi action and peril. Score: 3/5 |
 Author: Margaret Wander Bonnano Publisher: Pocket Books Published: September 30, 1991 | Probe (Star Trek) by Margaret Wander Bonnano: This book reminds me of my first experience with Star Trek...but that isn't a good thing. When I was in high school, I attempted to watch Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, and couldn't finish it because it was quite boring. It wasn't until I saw Nemesis that I became a fan of the franchise. Probe was also rather unexciting, and is likely to turn off potential readers of other Trek novels if this is their first experience with such literature. Content Concerns: As usual, there is a bit of language. Score: 2/5 |
 Author: Ruth Bjorklund Publisher: Benchmark Books Published: April 28, 2000 | Kansas (Celebrate the States) by Ruth Bjorklund: Seriously, just go see my previous reviews of the books in this series. Score: 4/5 |
 Author: Robin Carroll Publisher: Multnomah Published: September 16, 2008 | In the Shadow of Evil by Robin Carroll: This Christian-themed mystery isn't anything special, but it made for an enjoyable read nonetheless. Any fan of Christian fiction who hasn't already read this should do so, but don't expect it to be groundbreaking. Content Concerns: As usual for mysteries, murder and mayhem occur throughout. Fires are set, and they endanger or kill multiple people, including a baby. Score: 3.5/5 |
 Author: Melody Carlson Publisher: Multnomah Published: September 16, 2008 | The Other Side of Darkness by Melody Carlson: A
literary critic once said that Melody Carlson writes the
hardest-hitting novels in all of Christian fiction, and this book proves
him/her right. Though very bleak in tone, the narrative is so
amazingly written and compelling that I must give The Other Side of Darkness
five stars. Ms. Carlson's story of a woman's spiritual struggle that
unwittingly wreaks havoc on her family and friends is flat-out amazing.
Even those who aren't usually fans of Christian fiction will probably
still enjoy this. Content Concerns: If this were a theatrically released movie, the MPAA would likely give it "PG-13 for thematic material". The narrator sees demons at every turn, and goes to great lengths to eradicate them from her home, even going as far as destroying her family's Christmas tree. There are also accusations of sexual abuse and implied swearing. This is definitely not kid stuff, and probably too much for even some teens and adults. Score: 5/5 |
 Author: Ted Dekker Publisher: Center Street/FaithWords Published: September 13, 2011 | Forbidden (Books of Mortals, No. 1) by Ted Dekker: Ted Dekker is a rarity: a Christian author who has consistently had
mainstream success. One look at his writings, and it's not hard to see
why: he tells a compelling story, and does it amazingly well. The Books of Mortals
series is off to a crackling good start with this premiere novel, which
I read for the second time so I could re-familiarize myself with the
story arc before I read the last entry in the series. Anyone who
enjoyed Mr. Dekker's Circle trilogy should definitely check this out. Content Concerns: The length alone makes it not for kids, but it's also a bit too edgy for the very young. Score: 4.75/5 |
 Author: Brandt Dodson Publisher: Harvest House Published: March 1, 2006 | Original Sin (Colton Parker, No. 1) by Brandt Dodson: Does
adding in a few positive references to God and Jesus automatically make
a book "Christian"? That's the question I asked myself after reading
this. What seemed like a mere murder mystery spent much of its time
talking about the porn industry. Granted, the author kept it tasteful,
but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was merely a censored version
of a trashy television show. Ephesians 5:12 says, "It is shameful even
to mention what the disobedient do in secret" (NIV), and this book comes
a little too close to that for my tastes. This is one case where I
wished I hadn't shelled out the cash--okay, store credit--for more than
one entry in the series at my local used bookstore. Content Concerns: See above. Score: 2.25/5 |
 Authors: Jason Elam and Steve Yohn Publisher: Tyndale Published: January 1, 2010 | Blackout (Riley Covington, No. 3) by Jason Elam and Steve Yohn: It's funny how the amazingly talented author Joel C. Rosenberg endorsed this series, because, while reading this third entry, it felt like a knock-off of his works. There's plenty of action and excitement, but it feels a bit lackluster, and the annoying space-wasting format made the thickness of the book deceptive. Fans of thrillers might enjoy this, but, everyone else should stick to Mr. Rosenberg's works. Content Concerns: The usual action, violence, and suspense that is always present in these books is just as prevalent here. Score: 2.75/5 |
 Author: James Kahn Publisher: Ballantine/Del Rey Published: October 12, 1980 | World Enough and Time (New World, No. 1) by James Kahn: This first book in a time-travel trilogy is enthralling despite its content problems. A page-turner without the annoyingly brief chapters, it proves that James Kahn can create his own stories instead of just adapting others'. I look forward to the next one in the series; I'm glad I already have it! Content Concerns: Some language and occasional sexual descriptions are present. Score: 3.5/5 |
 Authors: Beverly Lewis Publisher: Bethany House Published: May 1, 2009 | The Secret (Seasons of Grace, No. 1) by Beverly Lewis: It's
no question that Amish stories are the most popular genre of Christian
fiction. Beverly Lewis, who has written countless volumes about the
Plains people, does well once again with The Secret, which is the start of yet another series. Fans of Amish fiction will find plenty to like about this one. Score: 4/5 |
 Authors: James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet Publisher: Multnomah Published: December 14, 2009 | Witch and Wizard (Witch and Wizard, No. 1) by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet: Though tales of magic and sorcery have been around for ages, the insane popularity of J. K. Rowling's "Boy Who Lived" has spawned countless "spellbinding" movies and books. Veteran author James Patterson, who has authored everything from the Alex Cross legal dramas to the sci-fi/superhero series Maximum Ride, tries his hand at such a yarn with Witch and Wizard. How does it stack up? Well, it's definitely different than Harry Potter; about all the two have in common is that they're fantasy stories intended for young readers. Still, James Patterson's typical page-turning writing made for a captivating, edge-of-your-seat story. If you've already blown through Maximum Ride more than once, and are looking for another great read, check this out. Content Concerns: Along with the expected use of magic, this book contains some language, violence, and frightening scenes. You may want to "screen" this before handing it to a young child. Score: 4.5/5 |
 Author: Kim Stanley Robinson Publisher: Bantam Spectra Published: June 1, 2004 | Forty Signs of Rain (Science in the Capital, No. 1) by Kim Stanley Robinson: Ever since I watched The Day After Tomorrow several years ago, I have been interested in what some would call "disaster fiction". Unfortunately, this movie feels like the first part of a blockbuster flick; it spends its time merely foreshadowing what's to come. I'm hoping that the next two books actually have a bit more intensity. Not only that, but some of the punctuation errors were quite atrocious, especially from an experienced writer. It seems that Mr. Robinson and/or his editors were sleeping on the job. If you can overcome those issues, this is worth reading, though I would suggest getting the sequels and reading them soon after; otherwise, you may feel like someone unplugged your DVD player only thirty minutes into the movie. Content Concerns: Quite a bit of profanity, including right many f-words. A woman breastfeeding a baby is luridly depicted. A character feels that the world is doomed because of people who "believe in God" and "probably vote Republican". Score: 3/5 |
 Author: J. R. R. Tolkien Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Published: July 29, 1954 | The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, No. 1) by J. R. R. Tolkien: I
have to be honest: I tried reading this book when I was younger, and I
didn't like it. Why? At the time, I would have told you that I couldn't
follow it; now, I realize that I felt that way only because it was a
book instead of a Nintendo video game. Now that my priorities have
changed and my interests have broadened--only for the better--I am now
old enough to appreciate such a work. This first volume in J. R. R.
Tolkien's trilogy is epic in its scope, detailed in its writing, and has
an ending that leaves you wanting to read the next one. As I said in
my review of The Hobbit: If you're a fantasy fan, and haven't read this yet...what are you waiting for? Content Concerns: If you're old enough to read any other book of this length, then there's nothing in here that's inappropriate for you. Score: 4.25/5 |
30 September 2013
Quickie Book Reviews for September 2013
Quickie Movie Reviews for September 2013
 Rated: PG for mild action and some rude humor Starring: Taylor Lautner, Taylor Dooley, and Cayden Boyd Released: June 10, 2005 (theatrical release) / September 20, 2005 (DVD) |
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D: The first two Spy Kids movies were great; the third one, not so much. However, even that was better than this mess, which suffers from cheesy special effects and an inane plot. Though this movie has become popular recently thanks to Taylor Lautner appearing in Twilight, I can't imagine that even fans of that vampire romance would like this, unless they can't refrain from drooling over Jacob Black in any form. Content Concerns:
|
 Rated: PG-13 for thematic elements and brief disturbing images Starring: Eduardo Verástegui, Tammy Blanchard, and Manny Perez Released: October 26, 2007 (wide theatrical release) / May 6, 2008 (DVD) |
Bella: Though this film was heralded as the best of the year by critics and movie watchers nationwide, I only found it moderately enjoyable. Sure, the story was moving, and the makers showed admirable restraint for a "PG-13" film, but it still felt slightly lackluster, especially with the ambiguous ending. If you have yet to see Bella, it might be worth borrowing from your local library, but I definitely wouldn't recommend purchasing this unless you got it really cheap. Content Concerns:
|
Rated: Not Rated (Dove approved for ages twelve and up) Starring: Janine Turner, Mike Norris, and Amanda Alch Released: August 28, 1998 (Disney Channel premiere) / January 8, 2002 (VHS) |
Birdie and Bogey: Despite the critical drubbings they tend to get, I usually enjoy Christian-themed films, but I didn't care for this one. The title character of Birdie was rather bratty and annoying, so much so that I was waiting for her to die, as the back cover of the DVD said she would. With big names such as Janine Turner and Chuck Norris attached to this project, you'd expect it to be a hit; instead, it was a mere dud. It was so terrible that I couldn't finish it; I seriously wished I was playing Mario Golf on my Game Boy Color instead. Content Concerns: I didn't watch the entire thing, but the best thing I can say about it is that the content was very clean. Score: 1.5/5 |
 Rated: TV-G Starring: Erik Von Detten, Sam Horrigan, and Christina Vidal Released: August 28, 1998 (Disney Channel premiere) / January 8, 2002 (VHS) |
Brink!: I missed out on a lot of the Disney Channel Original Movies in the past, because I didn't like anything on there other than the sitcoms. Now that I'm a bit more mature and have broader tastes, I've found that I can appreciate DCOMs better than before. This particular movie has some crazy rollerblading action, and was gripping enough to make me want to see it through to the end, even though I couldn't care less about sports, even of the "extreme" variety. I knew that the Mouse network knows how to make a telefilm, and they did just that with this one. Content Concerns:
|
 Rated: TV-G Starring: Camille Guaty, America Ferrera, and Susan Egan Released: July 26, 2002 (Disney Channel premiere) |
Gotta Kick It Up!: Before Rocky and CeCe "shook it up," this was how the Mouse network did dance. The dance moves were impressive, the production values were great, and the entire Latina cast was quite good-looking. I've said before that Disney Channel knows how to make telefilms; this is further proof. Content Concerns:
|
 Rated: Not Rated (Dove approved for ages twelve and up) Starring: John Schneider, Bill Cobbs, and Nicole Gale Anderson Released: November 13, 2012 (DVD) |
Lukewarm: Inspired by Revelation 3:15-16, this movie is both a hard-hitting drama and a morality play. Though the acting was rough in a few spots, and the ending did feel slightly rushed, it's still a good movie with an excellent point. I would caution parents that, because of the themes, this is not for young children; teens and older could understand and enjoy it, though. Content Concerns:
|
 Rated: PG for action violence Starring: Karan Ashley, Johnny Young Bosch, and Steve Cardenas Released: June 30, 1995 (theaters) / November 21, 1995 (VHS) / September 2, 2003 (DVD) |
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie: Like most
people of my generation, the Power Rangers were right up there with
Wishbone, Bill Nye, and Mario among my favorite entertainment
characters. I even saw this movie in the theaters all the way back in
1995, and vaguely remembered some of the scenes, including the ending.
What I didn't remember was the content issues--see below--and that some
of the special effects were as cheesy as they were on the original Fox
Kids show, though they look even worse in a movie setting. Not only
that, but, these "heroes" seem a bit wimpy, as their first reaction is
to scream when encountering a monster instead of fight. If you have
recently discovered or re-discovered the Power Rangers thanks to Shout!
Factory's recent DVD releases, this might be worth borrowing from your
local library...but don't purchase this unless you see it at a yard sale
for no more than a dollar. Content Concerns:
Score: 2.75/5 |
 Rated: PG for some mild thematic elements Starring: Kirk Cameron Released: March 27, 2012 (theaters) / July 3, 2012 (DVD) |
Monumental: Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains, Left Behind)
sets out on a journey to figure out the truth behind the founding of
our nation. His discoveries, when contrasted with what is taught in
public school and college textbooks, are both enlightening and scary.
Anyone who believes that the Founding Fathers and our forefathers were
nothing but a bunch of atheists, agnostics, and deists should watch this
film. The only reason it's being criticized is because Mr. Cameron is
spreading a message that some people don't want to hear. Content Concerns:
|
 Rated: PG for reasons unspecified by the MPAA Starring: Leonard Nimoy, Orson Welles, and Casey Kasem Released: August 8, 1986 (theaters) / November 7, 2000 (DVD) |
The Transformers: The Movie: I know very little about the Transformers, but this movie was still enjoyable if only because it was a visual feast. Though this film may have been made a few decades ago, the animation and effects are better than much of the recent 'toons that Cartoon Network has put out recently. The hand-drawn animation is blended seamlessly with the CG, and, even though the story was the usual "good guys versus bad guys" thing we've all seen countless times, the technical mastery alone make it worth watching. If you're tired of Michael Bay's efforts to revamp this old-school franchise, take a look at this one to see the big-screen version of the Transformers as they were originally intended to be, without excessive profanity or sultry young actresses. Content Concerns:
|
09 September 2013
Movie Review: "Extreme Days"
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| Rated: PG for some thematic elements and crude humor Starring: Dante Basco, Ryan Browning, and Cassidy Rae Released: September 28, 2001 (theatrical) / January 29, 2002 (DVD) |
Artistic Merit
Plot: 3/5
The story starts out interestingly enough, but it isn't long until it veers into inanity. Granted, guys will be...well, guys, but some scenes are stupid enough that they're only enjoyable in the train-wreck kind of way. Even the ending leaves some plot threads unresolved.
Soundtrack: 2/5
Do I like Christian music? Yes. Did I like this movie's soundtrack? No. Why, you ask? Most of the songs featured are noisy and/or annoyingly repetitive, with lyrics apparently taken out of context to make them sound like what you'd hear on your local hard rock station instead of what you can find at your local Christian bookstore. The song mentioned in the title, "Extreme Days" by TobyMac, doesn't appear until the final credits, and gets cut off before the best part so that a dumb song can be played instead.
Production Values: 2.5/5
I didn't notice any problems with the acting, but the filmography leaves something to be desired. The extreme sports sequences look like they were taped from ESPN and stuck into the movie. Also, the video quality varies, with some scenes looking okay, others looking a bit grainy.
Moral Content
Positive Elements: 3/5
Jessie's Christian faith is portrayed in a positive light. She also refuses to engage in sex outside of marriage, even though she admits past sins in that area. One of the guys shows some generosity to a few homeless people.
Sexual Content: 3.5/5
See the second sentence under "Positive Elements".
Nudity: 4/5
One of the guys is shown shirtless, and part of Jessie's midriff and back are shown once each.
Language: 5/5
No profanity.
Violence: 3.25/5
The violence in this film ranges from rough-and-tumble extreme sports action to comedic pratfalls. It's all done without blood and gore, though.
Drugs: 5/5
None.
Frightening/Intense Scenes: 5/5
None that I remember.
Other: 2/5
The "crude humor" that the MPAA warned about is quite present here. One of the guys gets into the bed, unclothes, and "dirties it up" so that no one else can use the bed. All four of them try to light their flatulence on fire, which is both dangerous and dumb. A poem alludes to "crushed privates." Not only that, but two of the guys have a bet going on, and it is only canceled due to lack of funds and emotional stress.
Conclusion: When this movie came out, I was a die-hard fan of Christian music, especially TobyMac, whose song "Extreme Days" was likely the genesis of this film. Somehow, though, I missed it, and even checked it out from the library at least once, but never got around to watching it before the due date. Thanks to the clearance rack of my local MovieStop, I was able to find this for a mere three bucks, and thought I was getting a great deal. Now that I've watched it, I feel that I wasted my money; despite its Christian moments, CCM soundtrack, and PG rating, it still didn't amount to a very good movie. Fans of extreme sports may disagree; however, I've found that a movie can be enjoyable, even when the subject matter is of no interest to me. The Climb (a mountain-trekking film) and Believe in Me (which was about girls' high-school basketball) are perfect examples of that. Still, Extreme Days failed in that regard; even if you like extreme sports movies, I would suggest the Disney Channel Original Movies Brink! or Motocrossed instead of this mess. It had such potential; what a shame it didn't live up to it.
Score: 2.25/5
05 September 2013
Movie Review: "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow"
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| Rated: PG for sequences of stylized sci-fi violence and brief mild language (US) / PG: "Frightening Scenes, Violence" (Canada) Starring: Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Angelina Jolie Released: September 17, 2004 (theaters) / January 25, 2005 (DVD) |
Warning! The review below may contain spoilers!
Artistic Merit
Plot: 4/5
It's a little slow-going at the start, but the plot of this movie actually works well. It definitely kept me interested enough to see it through, even though this was my third attempt at watching it. The last part is particularly intense.
Special Effects: 4.5/5
The whole feel of this movie is different than usual Hollywood fare; its whole point is to evoke a setting of days gone by, and it does that well. Though almost all of the special effects are done amazingly well, some of computer animation would look better in a Pixar film than alongside real actors. Still, this is definitely one of those movies that is made for the big screen.
Acting: 5/5
I generally don't watch movies with modern-day screen legends such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, or Angelina Jolie, only because the content keeps me away. To actually see these people onscreen is a big treat, and their acting ability shines, even alongside tons of special effects. Ms. Paltrow gets special kudos, as she did some hilariously amazing facial expressions.
Moral Content
Positive Elements: 4/5
Themes of self-sacrifice for the greater good abound. Playing God is vilified. All of the heroes constantly look out for each other.
Sexual Content: 4/5
It is mentioned that the Sky Captain was "running around" on Polly. The two appear in bed together with another guy, but it is revealed that they were rescued, and didn't do anything inappropriate.
Nudity: 4.5/5
The bed scene mentioned above shows Polly's bare shoulders and part of the two guys' bare chests. Polly does pull up her blanket to see if she is clothed, and she mentions that she is not, though nothing explicit is shown.
Violence: 3.5/5
Though not bloody or gory at all, the violence and intensity might be a bit much for little kids. Weapons are fired; robots are killed; people punch and kick each other. Probably the most serious bit of violence is when a guy gets electrocuted and reduced to a skeleton.
Language: 3.75/5
The d-word and the h-word are heard about two or three times each, and God's name is misused about as many times. "Shut up" is heard. Private anatomy gets mentioned once, albeit in a subtitle.
Drugs: 5/5
None.
Frightening/Intense Scenes: 2/5
The whole movie has a dark tone. Also, a dead body is seen, and we are shown a guy who was turned into a monster because of failed experiments.
Other: 4/5
Polly admits to lying at times.
Conclusion: Every so often, one of the major studios will release a movie that is aimed at adults, but doesn't contain the kind of explicit content that is usually seen in such films. The Lake House, which starred Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves, is such a flick; Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is another. Unfortunately, given the poor performance this movie had in theaters, it's not likely that we will see a flick of this nature for quite a while. It's a shame; if "mature" viewers hadn't let the "PG" rating keep them away, they might have found an enjoyable, original flick.
Score: 3.75/5
01 September 2013
Quickie Movie Reviews for August 2013
 Rated: Not Rated Starring: Ken Davis Released: February 21, 2006 (DVD) |
Ken Davis: Second Chances: More of a live sermon than a movie, Ken Davis' message about God giving us second chances is as needed today as it was in 2005. Though the first VeggieTales movie presented exactly the same point, Mr. Davis does it with more sophisticated humor and in a harder-hitting style. It's lighter on laughs than I was expecting, but what it lacks in chuckles, it makes up for in impact. One thing's for sure: After watching this story, you'll know that the story of Jonah and the big fish isn't just kiddie stuff! Score: 4/5 |
 Rated: TV-G (US) (Dove approved for all ages)Starring: Robyn Lively, Loren Dean, and Skyler Day Released: August 6, 2011 (NBC premiere) / December 6, 2011 (DVD) | Who Is Simon Miller?: Action/espionage stories can be fun, but this one is ruined by the fact that the two kids and their mother are Mary Sues. An eighteen-year-old girl who can speak both Spanish, French, and even a little of other languages? A teenage boy who never met a password or encryption code he couldn't crack, and knows how to manipulate any device ever made? Seriously, that's just ridiculous. Though it's family-friendly, the telefilm ventures into such silliness that I'm not even sure kids would like it. (This kid at heart certainly didn't.) Content Concerns: The MPAA would likely have given this movie "PG for action violence". People fight; two people get captured; guns are pointed at others. I think this falls into the "TV-Y7-FV" category. Product placement is a bit too prevalent. Score: 2/5 |
Quickie Book Reviews for August 2013
 | Arkansas (Celebrate the States) by Linda Jacobs Altman: Yet
another of my literary travels, this one is just as well-written and
informative as the others. It covers all the same areas, and makes for
fun edutainment. Pretty much anything that could be said about the
previous two Celebrate the States books could be said about this one. Content Concerns: One of the photos shows some boys only wearing swim shorts, and another shows a girl in short shorts. Score: 4/5 |
 | Hostage Lands by Douglas Bond: A Christian-themed book that brings history alive, Hostage Lands
was so good that I devoured it in one sitting. If you like historical
fiction, you should definitely check this one out as soon as possible.
The action, the intensity, the reality of it all...amazing, seriously. Content Concerns: As the book deals with a historical war, there is some violence. Score: 4.5/5 |
 | Indiana (Celebrate the States) by Marlene Targ Brill: By now, all of these reviews are starting to sound alike. So, I'll just say this: If you're looking for a book about Indiana, with facts, history, trivia, and such all in a convenient package...look no further. Content Concerns: Nothing of note. Score: 4/5 |
 | Michigan (Celebrate the States) by Marlene Targ Brill: The same as the other books...which is not a bad thing. That's about all I can say. Content Concerns: Nothing of note. Score: 4/5 |
 | Fool's Gold: Color Me Consumed (True Colors, No. 6) by Melody Carlson: A fish-out-of-water tale that also is a criticism of American consumerism, Fool's Gold
is just the kind of story I like: engaging, easy to follow, and with a
blatant moral lesson. As a bit of a shopaholic myself, I think this is
definitely something I needed to read. Content Concerns: Drunkenness, plastic surgery, vanity, and selfish attitudes are vilified. Young ladies dress immodestly...and it's not (always) vilified. Score: 4.25/5 |
 | Blade Silver: Color Me Scarred (True Colors, No. 7) by Melody Carlson: As you might have guessed, this episode in the True Colors
series deals with self-flagellation, aka cutting. Though the story and
characterization were good, the ending was too quick. It's good for
what it is, but it's definitely not the best of the series. Content Concerns: Along with cutting, drug use and familial emotional abuse are mentioned throughout. Yes, they're vilified for the sins they are, but it still may be too much for some readers. Score: 3.5/5 |
 | Bitter Rose: Color Me Crushed (True Colors, No. 8) by Melody Carlson: Magdela,
aka Maggie, goes through quite the emotional struggle in this novel.
As a child of divorce myself, I understood her struggles, although my
situation was a bit different, as my biological father was gone when I
was a mere infant. Still, Melody Carlson does very well narrating
Maggie's story, though I could have done with a bit more actual Spanish.
This is, in a way, better than the previous True Colors books. Content Concerns: Divorce, implied affairs, discussions of sex, etc., all of which are just as vilified as they should be. Score: 4.5/5 |
 | Faded Denim: Color Me Trapped (True Colors, No. 9) by Melody Carlson: Yet another book in the True Colors series, Faded Denim
deals with eating disorders and body consciousness. Emily Foster
starts to feel that she is "too fat," and starts binge dieting, while
hiding it from everybody else. The lessons she--and others!--learn are
valuable ones that everyone needs to hear. Fans of the series up to
this point should definitely read this one. Content Concerns: Binge dieting, needless plastic surgery, and bullying are all mentioned, but are also all vilified. Score: 3.75/5 |
 | Tartarus (Kingdom Wars II) by Jack Cavanaugh: This
spiritual-warfare-themed sequel features an engaging story, a
wonderfully imperfect hero, and some shocking plot twists. Where it
falters is the ending, which seems a bit too pat. Still, I enjoyed it
for the most part. Content Concerns: I'll have to spoil the plot a bit, so be warned: The entire book revolves around a demon who takes on human form to impersonate Jesus. Also mentioned are a human entering Sheol and the son of a Nephilim, as mentioned in Genesis. If taken literally, much of the book could be disturbing to some. Score: 2.75 |
 | Timepiece by Richard Paul Evans: I'm largely unfamiliar with the writings of Richard Paul Evans, so, Timepiece
was an introduction of sorts. Since it's apparently a prequel to an
already-written book, it ends a bit abruptly, presumably leaving it open
for the sequel. As such, I wasn't exactly satisfied with it, though it
did prove to be somewhat enjoyable. Content Concerns: Some usage of profanity. Score: 2.75/5 |
 | Breath of Angel (Angelaeon Circle, No. 1) by Karyn Henley: Though
I appreciate Christian fiction, this whole angels/Nephilim trend needs
to stop. Not only is a a mere knock-off of the vampire and zombie
stories that are popular worldwide, but these books about said
otherworldly creatures are terrible. This one in particular is such a
mess, I don't even know what to make of it. Shape the culture, people;
don't imitate it! Score: 1/5 |
 | Crater (Helium-3, No. 1) by Homer Hickam: The author of the beloved book Rocket Boys, which later became the movie October Sky, now is trying his hand at fiction, and the end result is actually very good. A fun, kid-friendly interstellar adventure, Crater is well-written and enjoyable. Content Concerns: Mild violence, a scant few instances of implied profanity, some intensity...about as innocent as what you are likely to see on the Disney Channel. Score: 4.5/5 |
 | The Blue Door (Threshold, No. 1) by Christa Kinde: Ever since I read Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness a few years ago, spiritual warfare novels have enthralled me. However, this one fails because there isn't enough intensity. Though battling for the souls of mankind is mentioned, the angels act more like imaginary friends than warriors, and much of the book focuses on Priscilla "Prissie" Pomeroy attempting to make friends. Even the scenes that should be intense don't feel that way. As much as the topic of spiritual warfare has been written about, there are likely tons of better books on the topic. Content Concerns: Anyone who can't/doesn't understand spiritual warfare should avoid this. Of course, even if you do comprehend such matters, you'll probably want to avoid it, too; see above for why. Score: 1.5/5 |
 | Arizona (Celebrate the States) by Melissa McDaniel: This literary trip uses both well-written descriptions and wonderful photos to show what Arizona is all about. Though it may be intended for younger audiences, even some adults who are unfamiliar about the youngest state within the lower forty-eight will learn plenty here. Content Concerns: A section mentions that several cities/towns have the word "hell" in their name. People are seen in swimsuits in two or three photos, but they're far off in the distance, and the pictures are really meant to show the scenery. Score: 4/5 |
 | The Dragon's Touchstone (Dragon Nimbus History, No. 1) by Irene Radford: This
is the only book I have read to date that I can say gave me rather
weird, disturbing dreams; regardless of that, the book never reaches
above mere mediocrity. Fans of dragon stories would be better off
reading something by Anne McCaffrey, Bryan Davis, or Donita Paul. Even
the grammar--at least, in the edition I had--was pretty bad. Content Concerns: Descriptions of lust and orgy-like festivals are quite prevalent. There are quite a few profanities. Some may quibble with the usage of magic, and that the heroine is a "witchwoman". Score: 2/5 |
 | A Matter of Trust (Mia Quinn, No. 1) by Lis Wiehl with April Henry: After
trudging through several mediocre or terrible books in the past few weeks--see my
previous reviews--this was exactly what I needed. Fast-paced,
wonderfully written, easily readable, suspenseful...what more could you
want? Lis Wiehl has joined the likes of Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, and
Jack McDevitt by becoming one of my favorite authors! Content Concerns: As usual for Ms. Wiehl's works, this one is quite edgy. Violence is depicted and referenced throughout, and homosexuality, suicide, sex crimes, and such are all discussed. If that's too much for you...stay away. Score: 4.75/5 |
 | Star Wars: Scoundrels by Timothy Zahn: Have I fallen out of love with Star Wars?
I'm not sure, but, most of the Expanded Universe novels I've read
lately have been mediocre at best, even ones published before the
prequel trilogy came out. Scoundrels is a decent novel, but
definitely nothing special. Though most fans of Lucas' space opera have
already read this at least once, those who are new to the EU should
check out the Thrawn trilogy first. Content Concerns: A few profanities and a bit of violence. The story is pretty much criminal vs. criminal, though anyone familiar with the original movie trilogy knows that Han ends up being a hero. Score: 2.75/5 |
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