* Curse of the Spider King *

The Curse of the Spider King: Book 1 in the Berinfell Prophecies

By: Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper


Ages: 12 - 17


Put out by: Thomas Nelson

Price: $14.99


Disclosure: Thomas Nelson provided complimentary copies to Mama Buzz reviewers for the purposes of this blog tour.

Mel's Thoughts:
Curse of the Spider King, written by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper, is Book 1 in The Berinfell Prophecies.  When I first started reading this book, I thought that this was just going to be another magical story, and I thought that parts of it were going to be boring.  I was so wrong.  As I continued reading, I realized that this was quite the adventure story, reminding me, only at times during the stories of Berinfell, of The Lord of the Rings.  The story weaved in and out of 7 different kids' lives, as well as having sections that told about the night that the city of Berinfell fell.  It was an action-packed story that truly kept my attention with its vivid detail and descriptions of what was going on.  One of my favorite parts of the book was the car chase between Kat and her housekeeper and the mysterious man, who kept showing up in a long trench coat.  Only this was no detective; this man had been watching all seven of the kids.....and he wasn't the only one.  He was a Drefid, and he was out to kill Kat, for the sake of the Spider King, who wanted them dead before they could help to restore the Elvin kingdom.  This scene in the book had such action in it that I felt like I was watching a movie. 

The story alternates between the seven kids' lives and how each one is given a book, The History of Berinfell.  The seven kids are Tommy Bowman, Autumn and Johnny Briarman, Jett Green, James "Jimmy" Lewis Gresham, Kat Simonson, and Kiri Lee Yuen.  These kids had no idea who they really were, royalty.  As each one was given the mysterious book, they would begin to read it, and the words on the pages would literally come to life before their very eyes, showing them the story of Berinfell.  The night that Berinfell was destroyed, seven royal children were taken and later exiled to live in the human world.  Now, eight hundred years later, they are discovering new things about themselves; but they don't have time to take it all in; they have to fight in a war they could have never imagined.

This book is definitely a book that Jacob would enjoy, but I may wait a while before I let him read it.  I might would read it to him at this age, although I don't think he'd have much of a problem reading it or understanding it himself.  Some of the fighting scenes were just a bit graphic, nothing too harsh, though.  It is the type of story that he would love, though.  At $10.19 on Amazon, it's definitely worth that, in my opinion.  I honestly think it would make a great Christmas present for a slightly older child, maybe middle grades.  It's a hardback book, 372 pages filled with action-packed stories that will surely keep his attention.  The beginning of a book has a Principal Cast list that lists each character from the book and describes who they were.  It's a little overwhelming at first, but as you read through the book, you can go back to it and truly understand who you are reading about.  There is also a Principal Locations list.  I give this book two thumbs up.


Melissa J's Thoughts

 The day this book becomes a movie and hits the movie theater, I am so there!  I know that sounds pretty adolescent, but that's what I was thinking about 1/4 of the way into the book. This is one awesome series, and even if I don't have to review the rest, I will be buying them for my own library!  

In some ways, it feels like the same type of story that so many other books are made out of. Children who transverse across worlds (think Chronicles of Narnia) and colorful scenes that involve elves and evil beings (think Lord of the Rings) are not a unique literary theme by any means. However, Wayne and Christopher have such an amazing talent with written words and intricate story lines, it seems new in Curse of the Spider King. 

At first, I couldn't quite track with the book. There are, at first read, several characters in both the here-and-now world, as well as the world of Allyra, but thanks to the character list, I was able to keep track of who was who. Truth be told, I like books that are a bit more advanced than just cursory reading.  Curse of the Spider King delivers that to me.  

Seven, thirteen year olds, all of which have nothing in common, are tied together by one single thread. That thread puts their lives in peril, as well as the ones they care for. Also at stake, is the entire existence of Allyra and the elves. In a destiny that not only affects them, but also many others and each teenager must make the choice as to what role they will play in a drama that involves two worlds and countless lives. 

The Berinfell Prophecies may just become the next Lord of the Rings series and I am thrilled to begin adding it to my library. 

PS--check out The Underground at the Berinfall website and join the adventure! 


 

Redefining Beautiful by Jenna Lucado

Mel's take:
It was honestly such a blessing to be able to review the book, Redefining Beautiful, by Jenna Lucado.  This book is written mainly for teen girls, but I found my mama's heart encouraged by the words that I read in this book.  As we get older, we sometimes forget what it was like to be a teenager, and although I wouldn't want to go back and do it all over again, I do wish this book had been out when I was younger.  I found that it was such a refreshing read.  

Jenna writes this book, along with excerpts from her dad, Max Lucado.  She makes the book so relateable and real for teens today.  Every topic covered has to do with not just outer beauty, but more importantly, inner beauty, because most of the time, what is happening on the inside, is reflected on the outside.  Jenna illustrates that concept really well by not only giving examples of different types of teen scenarios/characters, but also by explaining how that relationship with God can be found and can flourish.  It's not all serious, though.  Jenna has a way of throwing in funny little tidbits, and I found myself giggling as I read, especially stories she shared about growing up with her dad.  There are also several places in the book, where  you can journal or answer certain questions, to help you better understand and be able to grasp what is behind a lot of thought processes that go on when you're a young girl, struggling to understand. 

Along with the inner beauty, there are little boxes she has added with real beauty tips that can be tried, and I found myself wanting to try just a few, especially the Vaseline on the feet....I don't think I knew there were so many uses for Vaseline.:)    

I was so impressed with Jenna's candid voice throughout the book and how she just seemed so real.  It was easy to see that she has a heart for the Lord and a heart for reaching out to our young girls today.  I've been trying to think of a young girl I could pass this book on to, but I'm not sure I want to give it up just yet.:)  I highly recommend this book, especially if you have a teen girl in your midst that could use a helping hand, a fresh new outlook on God and what it means to be His forever. 

To read more reviews on this book, visit Thomas Nelson.

Melissa J's Thoughts 

Redefining Beautiful is a breath of fresh air in a world that thrives on (indecent, shallow, and shocking) shows like The New 90210 and Melrose Place, all geared towards a adolescent audience. 

Instead of pre-marital sex being a given, Jenna calls out for a sexual purity that allows dignity and grace to remain intact. Instead of girls who chase after boys, Jenna encourages girls that they are worth being pursued. Instead of tight-fitting clothes that leave little to the imagination, Jenna challenges girls that modesty can be beautiful. 

In Redefining Beautiful, teens girls are presented with an alternative definition to the word beautiful.. 

Beautiful: What God sees when God sees you. 

While this may seem like a Christian cliche to throw out to struggling adolecents, who live in a world where beauty is based on looks, it isn't. Not when it is encased in Jenna's writing. She presents this definition with a realism of how hard it is to believe, in light of the lies the world feeds girls. She writes of "ugly days" and zits and isn't so far removed from her own teen years that she has lost touch of how devatasting those things can be for a girl. 

While empathizing with teen girls, Jenna holds true to her message in each chapter--true beauty is what God says is beautiful. It proceeds out of an intimacy with Daddy God and manifests in a spirit that no amount of money can buy and the world's most beautiful person can't duplicate with their own power. 

Redefining Beautiful is more than just a book to read. Jenna has given her readers places to write notes and answer questions, so the truths she writes, hit home just a little bit more.  It's a book very needed in today's culture and I'm proud to have it on my book shelf of books for teen girls!






Mama Buzz Reviewers

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Featured Blogger/Publisher: Jacklyn Johnston & Abby Barnhart with Tommy Nelson

Today's featured blogger is actually one of the publishers MamaBuzz will be working with.  We are so excited to get to know Jacklyn and Abby on a more personal level.  Thanks, you guys, for filling this out, and being such great sports.:)

Hello from Tommy Nelson, publisher of kids' books, entertainment, and all things fun! We love kids and work everyday to produce products that bring them closer to God and their family!


Name of Publicity Team: Jacklyn Johnston (@JayeMarie) and Abby Barnhart (@abbylbarnhart)

Blog URL: You can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tommynelsonkids or twitter at http://twitter.com/Tommy_Nelson

What's your favorite junk food? In the office we are gumball-fanatics: we have a great gumball machine, and love to try to guess what color will roll down the pipe! Poor Abby always gets blue, and then looks like Violet Beauregarde the rest of the day.

What is your passion in life? Kids! More specifically, introducing your kids to a genuine understanding of God, the Bible, and faith that is age-appropriate, fun, but most of all – true!

What are you known for? Great kids’ brands like Gigi, God’s Little Princess from Sheila Walsh, Hermie the Common Caterpillar and his garden friends from Max Lucado, Bibleman and his Bible team, and The Read and Share Bible line of Bibles, storybooks, and DVDs for preschoolers from Gwen Ellis (among other things:) ).

What do you blog about? Personally, we aren’t mothers yet, but we are fascinated and in awe of all that moms do to create a safe and engaging environment for their kids. On Twitter and Facebook, we seek to start conversations with moms, dads, and parenting pros (if there is such a thing) about kids, books, and everything in between.

List any giveaways you're doing: We are giving away (through MamaBuzz) great teen books (Redefining Beautiful, Guys are Waffles, Girls are Spaghetti, Take Your Best Shot), beautiful picture books (The Tallest of Smalls, The Story of Christmas), and some great adventure fiction (The Curse of the Spider King). And that’s just our first round :).

Stay tuned for more Featured Bloggers every Tuesday & Thursday!

* The Jesus Book *

* Review done by Melissa J

The Jesus Book by Stephen Elkins
Illustrated by Claudine Gevry
Price $16.99

The Jesus Book by Stephen Elkins, put out by Thomas Nelson Publishers is a delightful and colorful way to introduce children to Jesus. The pages are shiny and colorful. The stories short and to the point, keeping a child's interest, while at the same time, filling them with information about the subject matter. As my husband commented when he overheard me reading the first story, "Wow, short story that packs a punch and doesn't leave anything out!"

The book cover is padded a bit and is every bit as colorful and attractive as each illustrated page. To catch a glimpse of these pages, check out the flip book that Thomas Nelson has made available.

Sections of the book include:

~ Who Jesus Is. Some of the stories in this section include, but are not limited too:

• "The prophets said Jesus was the Promised One", "Peter said Jesus was the Christ", John the disciple said Jesus is the Word", and "Jesus said He is . . . "
  

~ What Jesus Did. Some of the stories include:

• "He Healed Many", He raised the Dead", "He forgave sin", and "He went to the Cross".
  

~ What Jesus Taught. Some of the stories include:

• "He taught using Parables", He Taught the Golden Rule", "He taught us He Loves Us."
  

~ When it Happened. In this section, a timeline is provided, giving children a visual tool for understanding in what order Biblical events took place.

~ Where it Happened. This section includes simple but accurate maps for children to look at and reference the Biblical stories.

~ Why it Happened. I really appreciated it when I got to this section. It begins with, "Why did Mary Name her Baby Jesus?" and ends with, "Why did Jesus Die on the Cross?"

~ How it Happened. This too is a section, that without, the book would have been incomplete, How grateful I am, as a mom, that the author put this section into the book, trying the previous sections together into life application with stories such as, "How do we Receive Eternal Life" and "How Does Jesus want us to Live?"


The book itself, is high enough quality for me to have spent the money on, to add to my daughter's library. However it has an added feature that is the icing on the cake - - a CD with 30 children's songs. Each song is set in a musical arrangement that a child will enjoy and my daughter has loved listening to it, even at 21 months of age.


The Jesus Book is available at Amazon.com. You can also check out other reviews at the Thomas Nelson Review page.