Redeemer: An Honest Review

 

Redeemer

Enslaved Book #3

~ 5 stars ~ 

Author: Katie Clark

Title: Redeemer

Series: Enslaved

Genre: Dystopian Fiction

Audience: Young Adult

 

Synopsis:

In this final chapter of the Enslaved series, Hana is faced not only with a new life, but an entirely new way of thinking. Unexpected friends give insight into who the Greaters truly are. Deciding what to do with this information sends Hana on what may be her very last journey. Ever. 

My Review:

Okay...here we are. The last book in this amazing series. Honestly, it was the most action-packed out of all of them. I mean, I was hyped reading this. It could legitimately classify for a thriller. 

 

To begin, the plot for this book was amazing. It begins right where Deliverance left off and once again Clark immediately emerges the reader head-first into the thick of the story. The plot is incredibly fast-paced, filled with so many subplots and surprises that at times I found it hard to keep up. However, the rapid pacing of this book did not interfere with clarity. No lines got crossed and as far as I could tell there were no plot holes, which is rare considering how many adventures and conflicts are crunched into this one book. And as if that isn't enough, Clark still manages to end with the goal in mind. Hana's ending line in book #2 was 'I will find deliverance. And then I will spread it.' and that's exactly what she does at the end of Redeemer. Amidst the very complex plotting Clark does not stray from the main point of the book, beginning with a mission and ending with that mission completed.

    

The characters that were introduced and re-introduced in this novel were beautiful. As in Clark's typical style, she managed to make me care genuinely for each character I read about through her touching backstories and intriguing personas. It wasn't just Hana who had struggles in this novel, and Clark made that apparent. I got to see every character face personal conflicts and times of doubt, which only drew me more into the story. Hana's character development itself was very well thought-out and relatable. Unlike a lot of dystopian tales with female leads, she actually faces doubt, fear, and the temptation to give in to the pressure. Hana is constantly at war with herself in this book, mainly because the stakes couldn't be higher and one wrong move can make everything go downhill. The world is literally on her shoulders and she oftentimes finds herself doubting her capabilities and self-worth as she sees for the first time just how big the task before her is - something I think everyone can relate to. 

In the other two books, there isn't that much of a focus on romance, but with Redeemer it takes a front seat to the point that Hana actually has to choose between two young men. One a childhood friend and the other a person she has known for very little time yet cares for deeply. Rarely do you see a worthy love triangle in Christian novels - most are cheesy, it's obvious who the protagonist will pick, and no one really feels bad for the guy who lost the girl. In this book, however, that is not the case. I was literally lost at who Hana was going to choose, one minute it seemed like it would be Keegan, the next, Fischer. And surprisingly, I felt genuine pity for the man - who shall remain nameless - that got denied a romantic relationship with Hana. Additionally, the relationships between these three were very...real. The romance wasn't sappy or unrealistic, but tastefully done in a way that I think I lot of people can find relatable. Hana, Fischer, and Keegan all struggle with the emotional conflicts that many young adults have when in romantic relationships. Doubt, pain, temptation, patience, emotion vs. true love, confusion - all these topics are realistically addressed in this love triangle. 

For faith, Redeemer was somewhere between Vanquished and Deliverance in potency. Hana seems to have figured out what God wants her to do, and now spends her time executing that plan. Her relationship with Christ, as far as I can see, doesn't face as much growth as in the previous books. There is some discussion about knowing that you are never alone no matter where you are, but the time spent on this topic is brief. However that is not to say that there are not some very good Christian topics covered in this book. One that stands out the most is the age old question: What will you do when the end comes? Hana struggles greatly with deciding what is the right way to deal with end time events, especially when those close to her all have different ideas about what actions they should take. Should they take up arms and kill the enemy? Or, should they focus on the spiritual battle that lies before them instead? Maybe both? I'll leave you to come to your own conclusion when you read the book. 

As the final novel in the Enslaved trilogy, it was definitely a worthy book. It gave you an action-packed read, an emotional roller coaster, and soul-searching, relatable topics, all the while managing to provide the perfect conclusion to the series.   

     

 

 

 

Deliverance: An Honest Review

 

Deliverance

Enslaved Book #2

~ 5 stars ~ 

Author: Katie Clark

Title: Deliverance

Series: Enslaved

Genre: Dystopian Fiction

Audience: Young Adult

 

Synopsis:

Hana is Greater. It’s a future she never envisioned for herself, but she’s not about to ignore the opportunity she’s been given--the opportunity to find answers about her Mom, Jamie, and Fischer. This could be an opportunity to tell others the truth about God and uncover the secrets the Great Supreme has been keeping from their small, struggling nation. When Hana’s search brings her to the mysterious prison she’s only heard of in rumors, the desire to get inside drives her to dig deeper for answers, but what she uncovers may be bigger than them all. Can she save herself and the others before the Great Supreme realizes what she's doing, or will she give up everyone she loves in her quest for the truth? 

 My Review:

*breathes deep* Okay, we're doing this again. Another review in the Enslaved series. Needless to say, I ate this book up in no time - and with good reason. It was epic. If you think the first book was good, this one blew it out of the ball part. 

In what I'm going to call her "typical style" Clark immediately immerses you into the thick of her story from the very first paragraph. Hana is entering Greater City and must learn to adjust to her new station in life - and how to best use it to her advantage. Within the matter of a few chapters, Clark manages to introduce us to a totally new world, exciting new plots, and some clever new characters. Her concise style remains the same as in the first book, but I did notice she was a little more descriptive in this one. Though not as extensive as some authors I've read, Clark does spend more time describing Hana's surroundings, but with good reason. Hana is entering into a different world, a complete flip from her old life, and is keenly observing every new thing that comes across her path. Also, I find the author used a more diverse vocabulary in this book, which was nice. I enjoy seeing the use of million-dollar words and I find it can affect the overall atmosphere of the novel as well. 

The plot in and of itself is a work of art. There are a million different things going in this novel, so many that I would probably have to use both my hands to count them all. Yet, even with so many plots and subplots being exploring simultaneously throughout the novel, Clark manages to tie them all together and stick to the core plot of the novel. The book begins with Hana searching for the prison she has heard rumor of, and throughout the novel she goes through a cyclone of events that allow her to access bits and pieces of information pertaining to that goal, resulting in *spoiler alert* her actually locating the prison at the end of novel. Once again, Clark manages to take you through a maze of events while managing to have an ending that wraps up the original conflict.

Let's talk about the characters. There were so many new characters in this novel and it was a wonderful experience to read something that had such a rich cast. As in book #1, I was able to feel a genuine interest in all the characters no matter their significance in the story and it was nice to see so many characters aside from the antagonist develop as the book progressed. Also, some familiar faces are reintroduced, which I was not expecting. Something that I have come to realize in Clark's writing is that no character she creates is without purpose. Each one has some important role to play or some vital emotion or dynamic to contribute to the book. No character is just there at random. They are in the novel for a reason, and it's intriguing to try and find out what that reason is. 

Hana's character development throughout this book was amazing. I was honestly expecting her to more aggressive, as female protagonists often are in dystopian novels, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that Clark didn't make Hana as strong as she could have made her. For example, Hana has trouble hurting people to defend herself, and she has emotional outbursts that display "weakness" which is something that you don't see too often in these kinds of books. Most female leads are tough, and don't even flinch at having to kill or injure the enemy and they tend to be stoic and not show their emotions, whereas Hana is just the opposite. Clark hasn't made her into a weakling either though. I suppose you could say she is one of the more balance female protagonists that I've read about. She has her human weaknesses and struggles, but she is able to focus on the task at hand when she needs to. Also, Hana's spiritual development was beautiful to experience. Reading about her becoming more immersed in God's word and sharing the Good News was touching, and also seeing her struggle with how and when to share her faith is something that I think a lot of people will be able to relate to. 

That being said, the faith element in this book was a lot stronger than in the former. It definitely hit home for me in a lot of ways. Hana is constantly meditating on God's word and keeps finding peace even when things are chaotic and uncertain. The moments of struggling and surrendering, anxiety and deliverance, deeply impacted me. And that brings me to another point. Deliverance, hence the name of the book, is a very potent concept in the novel. Clark takes a unique spin on this notion, demonstrating that people who are in bondage need spiritual deliverance more than physical. Because once you know that there is a God who loves you and that he is with you in all things, you can find freedom even in your darkest hour. Because you have been delivered. Hana faces many dark times in the novel, but throughout them she can find freedom in the faith she has in her Creator. 

 

   

 

Vanquished: An Honest Review

 

Vanquished

Enslaved Book #1

~ 5 stars ~ 

Author: Katie Clark

Title: Vanquished

Series: Enslaved

Genre: Dystopian Fiction

Audience: Young Adult

 

Synopsis:

When Hana’s mom is diagnosed with the mutation, she confesses to Hana she doesn’t know what will happen if she dies. Fischer, a medic at the hospital, implies there is Someone who can help–but religion’s been outlawed. Hana embarks on a dangerous journey, seeking the answers Fischer insists are available. But when the truth is uncovered, will Hana stick to what she's been taught? Or will she join the rebellion and take a stand against an oppressive society? 

My Review:

Okay, *inhales deeply* I  did it. I took the plunge and finally bought a book from an entirely new author. It's been far too long and it had to be done. Now, where do I start? First of all, I've never read a dystopian novel before, so entering a new genre was exciting. At first, it was strange to hear of the world we live in now being referred to in the past tense as "the Early Days" but I adapted to it after a few chapters. 

Now let's dig deep into the actual review. Katie Clark is not the kind of writer I'm used to reading. Not only does she use the first person writing POV, but she isn't very descriptive. Unlike my favorite author Melanie Dickerson, she uses simple, plain words and as few as are necessary to get the scene or point across. Clark is very concise and doesn't use a lot of million-dollar words. However, since her writing style allows us to hear how the main protagonist, Hana, thinks, this approach I believe, is the most efficient. Hana's thoughts wouldn't be elaborate or articulately-versed and her observation skills may be dulled since she's lived in the same place for so long. Therefore, Clark's lack of description actually adds a source of realism that I enjoy and I find draws me closer to the character and makes me feel like I'm actually inside their head. 

 The way the plot was written was also amazing. To start, Clark plunges you right into the thick of her dystopian world in the very first chapter of the book. This is a tactic that I wish was used more by today's writers, as it immerses you into the fantasy world in such a way that you have to keep reading in order to find out what is going on. For example, just in the first chapter we learn that Hana's mom has the "mutation" but we need to keep reading in order to find out what this mutation is and why Hana is so concerned for her mother's life. Clark's writing grabs you within the first few paragraphs, a feat that most author's fail to accomplish. Furthermore, her consistency is on point. While still managing to incorporate numerous subplots within the novel, Clark begins her book with Hana preparing to take her Test and ends with Hana receiving her test scores. Even while exploring other plots, Clark still manages to end where the story, in essence, began. 

Now, onto the characters. Hana is my new hero. And though having a strong, kick-butt female as the lead in a dystopian novel is a little too typical, I believe it appeals to every woman's independent side. (Hey, we all have our thing.) I enjoyed seeing how Hana transformed from a broken, confused girl into a fighter who is not willing to take things at face value. The flaws Clark wove into this character were also intriguing, and it was nice to find myself sometimes berating Hana for making certain decisions, frequently the protagonist of a novel can be made into a perfectionist. Hana's struggle with herself over what rules she was willing to break to do what was right really hit home for me, and I think that a lot of young adults with find the hard decisions that she had to make thought-provoking. 

Since I don't want to give away spoilers, I will refrain from going into too much detail about Fischer and just say that I find him to be a very likeable character. He is ambitious, thoughtful, and has a patience about him that I wish I could possess. What I found that Clark did differently in the way of characters was that there was no middle man. She was able to write the story in a way that made you relate to every character you came across, no matter their significance in the story. I was able to feel emotions towards Ava, Keegan, Jamie, etc. as if they were really a part of my life. That is something I want to have whenever I read a book. 

Well, we've covered the plot, the writing, the characters... so, I think that's it. Oh, wait. No. There's still the faith element. But again, I can't say much about it in regards to spoilers. So, I'll play it safe and say that the amount of faith in this book was moderate. It was by no means heavy or convicting, but rather it was faith as seen through the eyes of someone who was discovering it for the first time. And for me, that was a real treat. I may not have grown personally in my faith as a result of this book, but I got to see someone else grow instead.

I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reviewing book #2 in the Enslaved series very soon. :)

 

 

 

Court of Swans: An Honest Review

                                                                            

COURT OF SWANS 

the dericott tales Book #1

 ~5 stars~

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Title: Court of Swans

Series: The Dericott Tales

Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction

Audience: Young Adult

 

Synopsis:

Where there is wealth and power, there’s always someone willing to do anything to take it.

England, 1381: Delia’s idyllic life as daughter of an earl is shattered when her father dies and his wife accuses Delia’s seven brothers of treason and murder. The youngest is only ten years old, but this doesn’t stop the guards from hauling them off to the Tower of London. There they await a grim fate, as child-king Richard II is executing anyone who poses a threat to his throne. Delia is their only hope for pardon and freedom.

Sir Geoffrey did not expect his first assignment as captain of the guard to be the arrest of boys so young. He dutifully imprisons the brothers, but he can’t ignore the sense, rooted in personal experience, that injustice and treachery are at work.

Determined to rescue her brothers, Delia secures a position as a seamstress for the queen. Her quest is all but impossible as the executions continue. Sir Geoffrey offers to be her ally, but should she trust him in a court where everyone has an agenda?

 

My Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a beautiful retelling of "Wild Swans" and once again Dickerson managed to capture faith, romance, and adventure in another one of her fabulous fairy-tale retellings. 

First of all, the character of Lady Delia was very well constructed. Delia's personality was very sweet and very loving but it also molded with a determined and adventurous side of her as well. Dickerson also incorporated a conflicting element in Delia's character development which I found to be one of the main aspects of the novel that made me enjoy it so much. Delia is constantly struggling with her idea of a loving God but also finds herself battling the possibility that the Lord might also allow something bad to happen to those that she cares about. And that is a constant struggle for her throughout out the book; learning to trust in God when she isn't sure what to expect from His hand. Seeing Delia's courage rise and her relationship with God grow was really amazing and drove me to keep reading.

Sir Geoffrey's character is also amazingly plotted out. There is a lot of conflicting ideals that he has to face, but they are on a more personal and materialistic level, which I think is nice, because the two protagonists are both going through separate struggles. He often has to weigh the cost of doing what he thinks is right morally, but also what is right by his King and by his position as a knight. There are huge steps which are taken in his character development and he has to process that sometimes those in authority aren't just or are being manipulated to do something unjust and then what course of action has to be taken in that scenario. He is also a very considerate and very fair individual and his kindness along with his conflict really drew me to him.

The romance between the two main protagonists was beautiful. I liked how it wasn't really love at first sight, but it went from infatuation to admiration and then onto a love that was build on a strong foundation of genuine care and devotion for each other. It was also really nice because their relationship kept you hooked until literally the last couple chapters when things finally came together officially. 

Something that I felt was very new and refreshing about the other aspects of this book was that Dickerson gave very unique and endearing characters to Delia's seven brothers. It gave me a very deep feeling of concern for them and respect for them, which was quite a new experience for me. I grew more and more involved in the characters of her brothers as the book carried on and I really am looking forward to hearing more about their own individual stories in the books to come. 

The plot in general was very lovely, it kept me on the edge of my seat - literally! It also stole away many hours of sleep, I must confess. It was intricately woven and the way that Delia and Geoffrey's stories and pasts interlocked was captivating and it was amazing to see the mystery unfold. The antagonists were well done and I felt that the book brought you to encounter many many people along the way that I actually grew quite fond of. I was also holding breath as I read the story of the brothers escaping and trying to stay hidden and then being caught again - it really captured my adventurous side. 

 I highly recommend this book for young adults, or adults who are young at heart!

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

 

 

First Impressions: An Honest Review

                                                                              

                                                       First Impressions   

                      A Contemporary Retelling of Pride & Prejudice 

                                                                           ~ 5 stars ~ 

 

Author: Debra White Smith

 

Title: First Impressions: A Contemporary Retelling of Pride & Prejudice 

 

Series: The Jane Austen Series

 

Genre: Contemporary/Romance

 

Audience: Young adult/Adult 

Synopsis: 

In an attempt to get to know the people of London, Texas - the small town that lawyer Eddi Boswick now calls home - she tries out for a local theater group's production of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. She's thrilled to get the role of lively Elizabeth Bennet...until she meets the arrogant - and eligible - rancher player her leading man. 

 

Dave Davidsom chose London, Texas, as the perfect place to live under the radar. Here, no one knows his past, and he can live a quiet, peaceful life with his elderly aunt, who also happens to own the local theater. Dave doesn't even try out for the play, but suddenly he is thrust into the role of Mr. Darcy and forced to spend the entire summer with Eddi, who clearly despises him. 

 

Sparks fly when every time Eddi and Dave meet, whether on the stage or of. But when Eddi discovers Dave's secret, she has to admit there might be more to him than she thought. Maybe even enough to change her mind...and win her heart. 

 

Review: 

Wow, where do I begin to describe this incredible work of literature? I would like to point out that this my first time reading a contemporary novel and this was the first of Debra White Smith's book that I have had the pleasure of reading. But I was not in the least disappointed. It is a very talented and confident writer who would take it upon themselves to retell one of Jane Austen's novels - let alone this particular classic that seems to shine a little more brightly than the others.  

 

To start, I loved Eddi Boswick's character, and I marvel at how a writer can so accurately retell Elizabeth Bennet's iconic traits of laughter, boldness, and a loving elder sister. Eddi is independent, extroverted, and tends to rely on her first impressions 😉 I like how Smith balanced out her flaws and worthy attributes, which not only made her a modern replica of Elizabeth Bennet but also her own person - a very difficult task indeed. 

Dave Davidson's personality is exactly like that of a modern Mr. Darcy. It was very interesting to see his character development and how his real personality inched bit by bit to the surface as the book progressed. His longing to find true love and not be chased after just for his wealth really makes you bond with the character. I loved how Dave gradually fell for Eddie - despite his best efforts.

Also, I feel I should mention that hearing things from Linda's standpoint - the modern Lydia - was something sweet and unexpected. And also sobering. This book does deal with the subjects of sex before marriage, abortion, and some other adult themes. It added the proper balance of reality and humor to the book to hear Linda's point of view and showed the struggles that a rebellious young woman might face when she decides to take the broad road in today's culture.

 

One thing that I loved particularly was that the book began with someone reading the words that started the real novel by Jane Austen. Genius! The Bennet family was superb. I don't think anyone could have done better copying Mr. and Mrs. Bennet as well as their other daughters, into a contemporary setting. From Connor Boswick (representing the notorious Mr. Collins) to Mr. Darcy's first and failed proposal, this novel was on point. I laughed, cried, and jumped up and down when the book reached a very satisfying ending. 

 

I highly recommend this novel. It has a nice amount of faith in it, thought it is by no means "deep" in the spiritual sense, nor is it secular. Debra White Smith certainly outdid herself with this, and I look forward to reading more of her work!

 

 

 

 

  

The Lightkeeper's Ball: An Honest Review

 

  The LightKeeper's Ball  

                                                                    ~ 4.5 stars ~

 

 

 

Author: Colleen Coble

 

Title: The Lightkeeper's Ball

 

Series: Mercy Falls (Book #3)

 

Genre: FICTION/ Christian/ Romance

 

Audience: Young Adult/Adult

 

 

Synopsis:

Olivia seems to have it all, but her heart yearns for more.

Olivia Stewart's family is one of the Four Hundred-the highest echelon of society in 1910. When her sister dies under mysterious circumstances, Olivia leaves their New York City home for Mercy Falls, California, to determine what befell Eleanor. She suspects Harrison Bennett, the man Eleanor planned to marry. But the more Olivia gets to know him, the more she doubts his guilt-and the more she is drawn to him herself.

When several attempts are made on her life, Olivia turns to Harrison for help. He takes her on a ride in his aeroplane, but then crashes, and they're forced to spend two days alone together. With her reputation hanging by a thread, Harrison offers to marry her to make the situation right. As a charity ball to rebuild the Mercy Falls lighthouse draws near, she realizes she wants more than a sham engagement-she wants Harrison in her life forever. But her enemy plans to shatter the happiness she is ready to grasp. If Olivia dares to drop her masquerade, she just might see the path to true happiness.  

 

 

 Review:

    Oh my, where to start? Well, I really loved how both Addie and Katie from books #1 & #2 played significant roles in the final book of the trilogy. This book could be read as a stand-alone but it's an extra bonus if you have read the other two books prior. 

 

    I loved Olivia's character. She was very stubborn, and also confused about life itself and who to trust. She had been brought up in such a rigid society where people only cared about the outer appearance and was surprised when she was told that God wanted to have a personal relationship with her. Back home, church was just a social gathering. I liked the chance I had to see her draw nearer to the Lord and see her character develop in general. Olivia was also a skeptic, which I relate to. As she investigates her sister's death she makes up her mind right away that Harrison is the murderer or at least had some hand in her sister's death. *spoiler alert* It took her a while to realize that he was genuine and didn't have any hand in her Elanor's death and after that she started to slowly fall for him. It didn't  take long before she realized her heart had been taken captive. 

 

    Harrison is very likeable right from the start. I surmised him to be a city slicker but I was proven wrong. He wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty and I loved how he wanted to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot and making aeroplanes the new main source of transportation. As I mentioned in the previous book review, seeing the characters engrossed in turn-of-the-century ideas or inventions always excites me. Even though his father was against it, Harrison didn't let his family's love for money consume him. Harrison is a total gentleman, and I feel like if you could earn his trust, he would do any- thing to protect you. By the way, he fell for Olivia very quickly, and it was nice to see a male character who was sincere and honest in his feelings with being overly charming or flattering. 

 

    And the thriller in this! There was so much mystery, and of course yet again *spoilers* people that I thought were in on the scheme weren't the main villains and the seemingly "good" characters were the ones plotting evil. Coble gave away little tidbits of mystery one at a time, which made you want to keep reading to find out what the next clue was. 

 

    I felt like while there was still a moderate amount of faith in it, there was less faith than in the other novels, just because of Olivia's personal relationship with God I think. The most faith-filled out of the three is undoubtedly The Lightkeeper's Daughter. But all that aside this book was yet another keeper. Once again it's ties with Addie and Katie from the other two novels is a bonus, as we get to see just what the lady's and their families are up to by the third book. 

 

    I couldn't stop reading it until I found out the truth and was on pins and needles to see how Olivia and Harrison's romance would blossom. If you love romance and mystery - with faith mingled in - then this is the book for you! 

 

    Happy reading and don't forget to hit that "Follow" button for more!  

The Lightkeeper's Wife: An Honest Review

 The Light Keeper's Bride

                                                                        ~ 5 stars ~

 

 

 Author: Colleen Coble

 

Title: The Lightkeeper's Bride

 

Series: Mercy Falls (Book #2)

 

Genre: FICTION/Christian/ Romance 

 

Audience: Young Adult/ Adult  

 

 

Synopsis:

When Katie answers the call of duty, she awakens the call of her heart.

Katie Russell loves working as a telephone operator in Mercy Falls, California. But since childhood she has been expected to marry well. Her family presses for an engagement to wealthy bachelor Bartholomew Foster and though he doesn't stir her heart, their engagement promises a secure financial future.

Working the phone lines one evening, Katie overhears a chilling exchange between her friend Eliza and a familiar male voice. Katie soon learns that Eliza has disappeared, and the crime may be linked to another investigation by handsome new lighthouse keeper, Will Jesperson. Katie and Will soon form an alliance. An alliance that slowly blossoms into something more.

Despite the danger surrounding her, Katie is powerfully drawn to Will. But she is not at liberty to marry for love. And though society forbids their growing affection, Katie can't help but notice Will's sense of peace. It's a peace that rests on his trust in God—a trust that Katie has never had to depend on, with her future so clearly mapped out before her.

But the more Katie uncovers of the mystery, the more she discovers about herself, her past, and the brilliant future that could be hers if only she has the courage to trust in God and follow where her heart so fearlessly leads.

 

Review: 

    Oh goodness, where do I start? Well, to begin, I loved how we got to learn a little bit about Katie in the first book The Lightkeeper's Daughter and I was very eager to see how she would play the heroine in The Lightkeeper's Bride. 

     

    I not the least bit disappointed. Katie seemed a little more on the modern side and I liked her personality: stubborn yet a little shy, realistic, and fiercely dedicated to those she loves and to the truth. Compared to the former novel it was refreshing to find that her relationship with God was on the edge as I love reading about people who are drawn back to the Lord. Katie was having trouble surrendering to God's will as she chose to like the predictable and control over things. Not in a possessive way, but in a way that tells us she wasn't eager to show her weakness and having control seemed to help her overcome the inadequacies she was feeling.  

 

    Now for Will. I fell in love with his character from the start. He was very similar to Katie, more on the fun-loving side but showed a determination that I had to admire. It was cool how he was seeking to become one of America's first "weather men", I always find it wonderful when I can read of a character who is involved in some turn-of-the-century occupations or inventions. Will is also very blunt...a little forward but no in an indecent way...and this gives him a very relaxed air. This part of his personality is what I think made a real allowance for a relationship between him and Katie. 

   

 

    The way Katie and Will started out was uhh...rocky. But *spoiler alert* they warmed up to each other once Katie moved into the lighthouse. I liked the way Katie, Will, Jennie, and Lady Carrington acted like one big happy family, forgetting formalities. I believe it gave them both the time to get to know each other in a more personal way, in a way that perhaps a normal courtship would have even offered. 

 

    Oh, and the mystery in this was wonderful! Once again Coble pulled a fast one on me and the bad guys were the good guys and the good guys were...well...if you have read the book you know what I'm talking about and if you haven't well...I hope I've just enticed you to read it😊 I liked how neither Will nor Katie gave up searching for the truth and learned so much along the way. 

 

    Again, a highly-recommended book by Coleen Coble. There was the right balance of faith, romance, and adventure in this novel, and it's even better if you read The Lightkeeper's Daughter beforehand but it can be easily read as a stand-alone, as there is a bit of re-cap in it of the previous book.

 

    Happy reading everyone! Don't forget to hit the "Follow" button for more book reviews and posts! 😄