Book Review: Revenge of the Red Knight by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker

Excerpt: Patrick reached out and took a step. His fingers touched a rock wall. It was bumpy and slimy.

"We're in a cave," Patrick said.

"A cave!" Beth said. "What cave? Where is it?"

"You mean 'When is it?'" Patrick said. "I think we jumped to another time." Revenge of the Red Knight, pg 9.

Back Cover: In this adventure, cousins Patrick and Beth finally meet Albert. But they also meet with more trouble at Lord Darkthorn's castle. The cousins are accused of stealing the very treasures they've been trying to return! To save Albert and themselves, Patrick and Beth need to sort friend from foe, traitor from teammate. And they must do it before the new moon. That's when Lord Darkthorn will return and lock Albert in his terrible tower.

My Review: Beth and Patrick are really in a fix this time. They have no idea how they got to  where they are, and the dangers awaiting them are perilous. Can they solve the mystery of the missing artifacts before the new moon, or will they be sent to the terrible tower just like Albert? This adventure will keep young readers on the edge of their seats, turning the pages to find out what is going to happen.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to young readers and their parents.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Peril in the Palace by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker

Excerpt: "Stop!" Patrick said. He was busy watching Beth, and he didn't see the other rider. The man rode close to him. He wrapped an arm around his waist and drew him up.

"Put me down!" he shouted at the horseman.

The man paid no attention. He dropped Patrick onto the front of the saddle. He kicked the horse to speed up.

The man looked grim. He carried arrows and a bow on his back.

This can't be happening, Patrick thought. We're being kidnapped by Mongol warriors! Peril in the Palace, pg 21-22.

Back Cover: The place? - China 1271. The task? - find the golden tablet of Kublai Khan. The problem? - just about everything!

On this adventure cousins Patrick and Beth are kidnapped by Mongol warriors. Only the friendship of fellow traveler Marco Polo saves them from harm. At the Shangdu palace, Kublai Khan dislikes their gifts and their message about Christianity. Next, the Mongol magicians challenge the cousins to a spiritual power showdown, war breaks out, and Beth and Patrick are locked up to prevent their escape.

How do the cousins get the golden tablet they need to save Mr. Whittaker's friend Albert? How do they escape the city and find the Imagination station? Enter the perilous palace and find out!

My Review: I've been a fan of Adventures in Odyssey since my own childhood, so when I was given the chance to review this book I jumped on it. Peril in the Palace is the third book in the new Imaginations Station series. After Patrick and Beth have faced the Vikings and the Romans, they make their way to ancient China. Things are not going well for the cousins on this adventure. I do have to admit, of the four books in the series that I have read thus far, I liked this book the least, but it was still an exciting read. Of course, the way the book ends, you just have to read the next one to know what is going to happen.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to parents of young readers.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: Attack at the Arena by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker

Excerpt: Patrick and Beth blinked. A bright light replaced the darkness of the Imagination Station. It was the sun. They felt a breeze move against their faces. Their feet settled on warm sand.

The Imagination Station slowly faded out of sight.

The cousins looked around. They were in a huge empty arena.

"It's as big as a pro baseball stadium," Patrick said.

"It's amazing," said Beth. "The walls are beautiful."

Rrrowl.


The sound came from behind them.

The cousins spun around.

They were suddenly looking at a black-and-orange tiger. The two froze with fear. The tiger was only twenty yards away. It gazed at them and growled again. Attack at the Arena, pg 15-16.

Back Cover: Cousins Patrick and Beth are off on their second Imagination Station adventure. Mr. Whittaker's mysterious invention takes them to ancient Rome where they must find a special silver cup. Near the city gate, the cousins are separated when Beth is enslaved to the emperor and Patrick meets a wise monk named Telemachus. All three end up in the famous Roman arena. Telemachus wants to share and important message with the emperor. Beth wants to know who to get the cup. And Patrick just wants to escape with his life!

My Review: Having just returned from their adventure with the vikings, Patrick and Beth are on their way to ancient Rome. I love the way that this story shares the history of the era, as well as the sights and sounds of the arena. Children will enjoy this adventure, I know I did, and be left wanting to read what else happens to these daring cousins in their future adventures with the Imagination Station.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to parents of young readers.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)


I'm giving away a copy of this book over on my writing blog (click here). Stop by and leave a comment to enter.

Book Review: Voyage with the Vikings by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker

Excerpt: Beth froze with fear. All she could do was stare at the sharp antlers.

Patrick's heart all but stopped. The animals were coming too fast. There were so many of them. It would be useless to run.

Whoosh! A spear came flying through the air.

Thud! It landed right in front of Patrick.

"Where did that come from?" Patrick shouted.

"Who cares?" Beth shouted back at him. "Use it!"

Patrick pulled the spear out of the ground. He moved in front of Beth. He turned the spear sideways and faced the animals.

"Out of the way!" he shouted to the coming reindeer.

He waved the spear to his left. Then to his right.

The animals did not change their path. They charged straight at the cousins. Voyage with the Vikings, pg 28-29.

Back Cover: Mr. Whittaker, a kind but mysterious inventor, has sent cousins Patrick and Beth to Greenland through the Imagination Station. It's the year 1000, and they meet Viking Erik the Red, who is angry about the new God. Mr. Whittaker wants the cousins to find a Sunstone, but what does one look like? And what does it have to do with the mysterious letter found in the inventor's workshop? Most important, can Patrick and Beth find a Sunstone before Erik's son Leif sails away with the Imagination Station on board his ship?

My Review: I grew up in the early days of Adventures in Odyssey, and the Imagination Station. I remember clearly trying to remember to turn on the radio at the exact time that the program was going on. I didn't always make it, and more often then not missed the program completely, but I have fond memories of the times that we did listen. My enjoyment of Odyssey has continued with me into adulthood. That is one of the reasons that I jumped at the chance to review this book. Voyage with the Vikings is a completely delightful, easy reader. The book is recommended for children ages 7 and up, and I can't wait to be able to share this story with my son when he reaches that age. The book is not overly Christian in it's message, but it is an enjoyable and clean adventure for young readers to immerse themselves in. I wish that I had books like this when I was younger. I might have taken an interest in reading sooner.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to parents of young readers who are looking for a clean adventure for their children to enjoy.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)


I'm giving away a copy of this book over on my writing blog (click here). Stop by and leave a comment to enter.