Review: The Foundlings, Peleg Chronicles, Book 1 by Matthew Christian Harding

The Foundlings, Peleg Chronicles, by Matthew Christian Harding

Genre: Pre-historical Fiction, Action/Adventure

My rating: 7 out of 10 stars

     I first ran across The Peleg Chronicles in the Vision Forum catalog, shortly before VF closed down. At the time I was extremely interested and coveted all three books. The descriptions were intriguing and I felt that they would satisfy my taste for rather fantastic fiction while still in a possible and realistic setting - i.e. they included elements like dragons, giants, dwarfs, and priests (who seemed an awful lot like magicians.) You may be wondering how dragons, giants, and dwarfs could possibly be combined in a realistic setting, but the answer is really quite simple: the time frame of the story is during the days of Peleg, who lived approximately 101 years after the flood. There are strong indications from the Bible, ancient traditions, archaeology, and paleontology that there were still dinosaurs and giants on the earth. Dwarfs? Well, I haven't researched that point, yet.

     I have read only the first book: The Foundlings, and the free Kindle sample of the second book, but I decided not to purchase the second and third books, though possibly I may do so in the future.

Summary:

    Lord McDougal and his faithful servant, Fergus, travel across ancient Scotland toward the fabulous city and fortress of Hradcanny. Along the way they fall in with various adventures (which include dragons/ dinosaurs and giants.) Thiery, a young boy with a natural talent for woodsmanship and working with animals, finds his life suddenly turned upside down when he is targeted by the evil Dragon Priests, and he is thrown upon his own resources - and the gracious protection of Noah's God. Suzie, whose childlike faith and overflowing love and joy in the worst of circumstances make her a light to everyone around her, is separated from her adopted older brother, Thiery, only to find new friends raised up for her just when she needs them most.

     A troubled count, a ruthless and wily priest, and a stubborn and confused, but grateful, pagan soldier play varied and important parts in the story. The Dragon Priests are determined to serve their false gods and stamp out the religion of Noah's God wherever they can, but help comes to Thiery and his friends in the most unexpected places and at the most necessary times.

Book/ Radio/ TV Series Review: The Lone Ranger

The Lone Ranger Rides

By Fran Striker

Rating:  4 out of 10

    Hold onto your hats as you read this rip-roaring tale!  Filled with intrigue, action, and gun-slinging cow punchers who use colorful language and bleed freely, this story will keep you on the edge of your seats!  Look out for the blazing six-guns as you--- but wait:  is this the kind of book Christians should be reading?

Book Review: The Deerslayer, by James Fenimore Cooper

The Deerslayer

By James Fenimore Cooper

Rating:  7 out of 10

    Set in the wilderness of upstate New York just at the beginning of the French and Indian War, this story is the first of James F. Cooper’s famous “Leatherstocking Tales”.  Natty Bumpo, or the Deerslayer is the main character.  His simple honesty and unusual skill with the long rifle, added to his quickness in wilderness warfare, bring him safely through a sudden Indian attack, and a short captivity.

Book Review: The Deerslayer, by James Fenimore Cooper

The Deerslayer

By James Fenimore Cooper

Rating:  7 out of 10

    Set in the wilderness of upstate New York just at the beginning of the French and Indian War, this story is the first of James F. Cooper’s famous “Leatherstocking Tales”.  Natty Bumpo, or the Deerslayer is the main character.  His simple honesty and unusual skill with the long rifle, added to his quickness in wilderness warfare, bring him safely through a sudden Indian attack, and a short captivity.

Book Review: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain

Rating:  3 out of 10 stars

    The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (and it’s even more popular sequel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) would certainly be high on a list of the most famous and popular American novels.  These books “capture the spirit of American boyhood in the pre-Civil war era” and are a “nostalgic and humorous look at the naivete and simple eagerness of childhood”.  They are filled with dry humor, and combine the unlikely and adventurous with an unusually keen portrayal of real character and everyday life.  The pranks and attitudes of the boys (and girls) in the story are described in vivid and lifelike language, and the idiosyncrasies of Aunt Polly and the other adult characters provide an excellent foil for the children.  Tom’s creativity and imagination are hilarious; especially his idea of what a pirate’s or robber’s life is like.

    But are these books good reading material for Christians?  

The Man-Eaters of Tsavo, and Other East African Adventures

By Col. John Henry Patterson

Rating:  7 out of 10 stars

The Man-Eaters of Tsavo may seem like a rather strange name, but it is speaking of two famous man-eating lions which terrorized the camp of East African railroad builders, and actually brought the Government managed project to a complete halt for three weeks.  These two male maneless lions were relentless in their hunt for human prey, and killed “twenty-eight Indian coolies, besides scores of unfortunate natives of whom no official record was kept”.

Book Review: Prisoners of the Sea, by Florence Morse Kingsley

Prisoners of the Sea

By Florence Kingsley

Rating:  6 out of 10 stars

   Prisoners of the Sea is set during the reign of Louis XIV, when the Catholic persecution of Huguenots (French protestants) was at its height.  To be a Huguenot meant to be convicted of treason, lose your property, and be sent to the galleys, a virtual death sentence.  In the midst of this turmoil, a mother and daughter flee the country, endeavoring to make their way to America.  But their ship sinks, and when the story opens, they are adrift in a small boat with three companions, two sailors and the black cook.  Their boat is leaking fast, and they are far out of the track of ships.  The prospect looks bleak, but just in the nick of time, they find a deserted yacht and soon after, reach harbor on a small island.  Mystery gathers thicker as they discover a deserted chateau, furnished, full of provisions, and apparently left hastily by the owners.  Henri Baillot, the French sailor who is leading the little party, and his companions are puzzled by the peaceful, but depopulated island.  However, they decide to make the best of their situation, and settle down to a peaceful life to wait for a ship.

Book Review: To Have and To Hold, by Mary Johnston

To Have and To Hold, by Mary Johnston

Rating:  4 out of 10 stars

    To Have and To Hold is Mary Johnston’s best known novel, and is set in the early days of America, in the settlement of Jamestown.  It is a romance novel, telling the story, in the first person, of Captain Percy’s hasty marriage, and the wild, unpredictable adventures to which it led.

Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe~ A Christian Adventure Tale

Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe

Rating:  8 out of 10 stars

     Published on April 25th, 1719, Robinson Crusoe is one of the most popular and famous adventure stories of all time.  What young boy doesn't like to camp out?  And how much better it would be to live on a desert island for a while!  Most people are pretty well acquainted with the general story:  Robinson runs away from home to go to sea, sails on several voyages, is taken prisoner and enslaved by the Moors for a couple of years, escapes to  Brazil, farms for a while, then goes on another voyage that ends in his being wrecked on a desert island off the coast of South America.  But what is not always known is that this story is distinctly Christian.

The Armourer's 'Prentices, by Charlotte M. Yonge

The Armourer's 'Prentices 

Rating:  9 out of 10 Stars

     I came across this book on Librivox, when I became proof-listener for the recording.  I really enjoyed reading it, and C. M. Yonge has now become one of my favorite authors.

The Coral Island & The Gorilla Hunters, by R. M. Ballantyne

R. M. Ballantyne

     Robert Michael Ballantyne was one of the most popular boys' authors of the Victorian era, and deservedly so.  He was a Christian writer of adventure stories, and thoroughly researched his subject before writing; often visiting the location he would be describing, in order to understand and portray it better.  It has been said that "what G. A. Henty did for a boy's understanding of history, Ballantyne did for his understanding of geography."  His books however are not mere traveling guides, but tell an interesting story, full of action and humor; always from a Christian perspective.  Occasionally there will be an issue, especially when the books involve romance, such as the main character speaking to a girl of love before talking to her father, but this is not very common.

     In most of Ballantyne's books, especially those dealing with unreached, savage tribes, he strongly addresses the need for missionaries to preach the Gospel, and presents a clear Gospel message in the story.