Vanessa Hall's Blog, page 39
August 13, 2021
Review of Selah by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Selah by Lisa Tawn Bergren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Having read the first and second books of this series, I was interested to see how Selah’s story turned out. The second book, Verity, introduced Jedediah in the last book, I anticipated really liking Jed’s character and his plot.
However, this book fell a little flat for me. Part of this might be because it took me over a week to read, and I kept reading in very scattered intervals. So part of this might be my fault. But this book really felt like it didn’t have much of a plot. Yes, stuff happened, but it was more like Selah’s day-to-day life with assorted adventures. Verity and Keturah both had POVs (Keturah’s really wasn’t that important, I don’t think), but it was nice to see especially Verity again. Gray and Ian also had POVs, I believe, which made a lot of different POVs and may have contributed to this problem I’m about to address. Jedediah hardly had any scenes to himself. He really seemed like an extra character just to go along with Selah’s story. Yes, they had a romance, but it wasn’t that great of a relationship, and since he was hardly in there, I didn’t really care about him. In fact, another love interest (sorta) came onto the scene near the end of the book, and I was almost rooting for him. Not a good sign. I think it would’ve been much better if Jedediah had actually had his own plot – not just a tag-a-long with Selah. I did appreciate he was a musician, though, and a preacher. He seemed like he had genuine care for the people he cared for, and he would’ve been a great character … if he’d ever gotten the chance.
Also, I have to say something about the ending, because I went through three whole books with this Angus Shubert person basically stalking all three of these ladies and being a real jerk. (view spoiler)[ So why does he get off with almost no penalty for all he did? I mean, I can’t even remember every bad he did, but I think he tried to kill the foreman, tried to take advantage of Selah, and assaulted all of his poor slave girls. And all he gets is something like “stay away and be nice, or else?” Ugh. That was not a good resolution. After reading about him for so long, I need justice here! (hide spoiler)]
So, in the end … I wish this series had had a better finale. We never really heard about what happened with Ian and all of his privateering adventures, and things just didn’t really feel final when it seemed like there needed to be a big wrap-up since all three sisters were in the end. However, there was a nice moral concerning Jed and Selah when he finally chose to trust the Lord in regards to his and Selah’s relationship, and this book was probably the cleanest of the whole series (not that the others were explicit or anything.) I appreciated that Selah didn’t like Jed just because he was handsome or strong or whatnot, but because he was a good guy. Definitely a good change from some books.
For anyone who enjoys historical fiction, you might enjoy this. Personally, though, I needed to read this book to finish the series, but overall it wasn’t my favorite.
August 11, 2021
Discouragement and Its Benefits
As with any project in life, writing can be full of discouragements.
Well, I have a little story for you guys today, a story all about a writer who definitely experienced some of that discouragement in the long and tedious editing process.
As most of you all know, I’m in the final stages of editing Unknown, but a few weeks ago, my amazing sister kindly agreed to edit the book for me. (Thank you so much. I don’t think I can ever thank you enough!!) And in the course of the many edits she suggested, she came across some scenes she thought I should revise.
Now, these weren’t just any scenes. These were part of my most impactful scenes of the book (or what I hope will be impactful.) In short, my sister suggested that I change the wording in these scenes that presented the Gospel.
Just so you don’t think I’m a heretic or anything, I’ll add a short comment that I only had to change a few sentences. But there definitely could’ve been improvement, and the edits were definitely necessary. In such discussions, it’s best to be crystal-clear about what you’re saying, because readers can accidentally think you’re saying something you’re not saying at all, and you have no way to correct them. Obviously, because you’re not standing over them in most cases. 
And I’m also very thankful Kristina helped me out with this (no, she’s not the villain of this story, and she was in no way trying to discourage me.)
Anyhow … the fact that these scenes needed editing upset me deeply, because presenting the Gospel clearly is the most important part of this book. Period. And of course, there were situations in my life that added to my being distressed more easily (e.g., weariness, overall editing exhaustion.)
So I sat there, and poor Kristina had to deal with my sniveling for a bit. She was just trying to be a helpful editor, poor thing. And yes, I was sniveling.
Now, you’re probably thinking, “Why is this crazy author rambling on about her mental breakdowns? No one wants to hear about this.”
I do have a point in this rambling. If I can ever get to it, that is.
Something good came out of this discouragement, and that’s realizing how much I have to depend on the Lord. I wanted to think I was a good enough writer, a good enough Christian, that I could write one of these scenes well. On my own.
But I couldn’t. Even with my best efforts, I would fail without His sustaining grace and wisdom and guidance. As humans, we are weak and frail and helpless. That’s what Jesus told His disciples in John 15:5: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
Nothing. Wow. That puts things into perspective, doesn’t it, when we’re trying to do things on our own. No matter what we do—whether it’s write a book, witness to an unbeliever, love our neighbor, live a godly life, write a blog post—we can’t do it without Him. And it’s just the same in our salvation. We have to look away from ourselves to Christ. We must look away from our sinfulness and emptiness to survey the Lord Jesus’ fullness and righteousness, so that “…we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
So, in all things, we must abide in Him (John 15:4) and “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Without Him, we can do nothing. But with Him, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)
August 9, 2021
Mini-review of The Everlasting Righteousness by Horatius Bonar + Select Quotes
The Everlasting Righteousness by Horatius Bonar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This little book was jam-packed with glorious truth. Bonar’s writing is beautiful but clear at the same time. I loved the focus on Christ and Him alone. In fact, one of the chapters is entitled, “Not Faith, But Christ,” in which Bonar explores the truth that our faith, though the link to Christ, is not in the end what saves us. Christ saves us, no matter how weak or trembling our faith is, as long as it is placed in Him. He is our salvation, the strength of our faith is not.
Another topic Bonar wrote upon was assurance of salvation. I’ve attended church my whole life, but I don’t remember hearing one sermon about actually knowing you’re saved. Yes, we are to examine ourselves, to make sure we’re in the faith, but we are also called to rest in the finished Work of Christ and cling to His Word that says we are not condemned if we believe on Him. Bonar pointed out that lack of assurance and the teachings of constantly questioning your salvation follows after Roman Catholic teaching of the Reformation era. The Catholics wanted their followers in fear and doubt as to their soul’s state so the church could demand whatever they wished of their followers. Bonar ends the chapter: “It was intended not merely that he [the believer] should be saved, but that he should know that he is saved, and so delivered from all fear and bondage and heaviness of heart.”
I can’t say I fully agree with Bonar on every point, but overall, I recommend this book to every Christian. We always need to setting before our eyes the all-sufficiency of Christ and His righteousness!
Now, some of the quotes from this book were just stunning, so I have to share just a few with you. 
Our faith is but our touching Jesus; and what is even this, in reality, but His touching us? (p. 87)
All faith here is imperfect; and our security is this, that it matters not how poor or weak our faith may be: if it touches the perfect One, all is well. The touch draws out the virtue in Him, and we are saved. (p. 87)
[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp..." data-large-file="https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp..." src="https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp..." alt="" class="wp-image-504" width="416" height="276" srcset="https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 414w, https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 828w, https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 150w, https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 300w, https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 768w" sizes="(max-width: 416px) 100vw, 416px" />Photo by David Dibert on Pexels.comFaith is rest, not toil. It is the giving up all the former weary efforts to do or feel something good, in order to induce God to love and pardon; and the calm reception of the truth so long rejected, that God is not waiting for any such inducements, but loves and pardons of His own goodwill, and is showing that goodwill to any sinner who will come to Him on such a footing, casting away his own poor performances or goodnesses, and relying implicitly upon the free love of Him who so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son. (p. 91-92)
In the passover-blood, the idea was chiefly that of protection from peril. The lamb stood sentinel at the door of each family; the blood was their ‘shield and buckler.’ There might be trembling hearts within, wondering perhaps how a little blood could be so efficacious, and make their dwelling so impregnable; disquieted, too, because they could not see the blood, but were obliged to be content with knowing that God saw it (Exod. 12:13); yet no amount of fearfulness could alter the potency of that sprinkled blood, and no weakness of faith could make that God-given shield less efficacious against ‘the enemy and the avenger.’ The blood – the symbol of substitution – was on the lintel; and that was enough. They did not see it, or feel it; but they knew that it was there, and that sufficed. God saw it, and that was better than their seeing it. They were safe; and they knew that they were so. (p. 14)
August 6, 2021
All About You Around the Blogosphere Tag!
I have a confession to make. I was supposed to write a post for today. But it didn’t happen on Wednesday, nor on Thursday, and by today, I was not feeling up to writing any of my potential posts. (And yes, I am a terrible blogger in all regards, because I didn’t even have a backup post written.)
But, as always, the Lord provided. Only this morning, I discovered I was tagged by the amazing Joelle over at The Pen Inspired to take part in the “All About You Around the Blogosphere” tag. I don’t think I’ve ever been tagged before, so this is very exciting! And talk about perfect timing. 
So let’s get down to the rules, then the questions!
Rules:
1. Answer the questions below on your blog.
2. Tag at least a couple other bloggers.
3. Have them answer these questions!
Questions:
What’s your favorite book/book series and why?
My favorite book would have to be the Bible – it’s God’s Word, and without it, I’d be so lost and right on the path to hell. As someone who’s grown up in a Christian home, I’ve never really thought about what it’d be like to literally not have access to a Bible. Yet some people in the world have never heard of Jesus or the Bible. Just another reason to get down on our knees and pray.
For fiction books … that’s so hard! I just did a post on the Cheney Duvall, MD series and how much I love those. They’re definitely in the running for my favorite series, but I’m also very partial to Sarah Sundin’s Wings of Glory series. And some of the books in Roseanna White’s series. Okay, I think I just need to stop. There are so many good books out there.
Who is your favorite author?
Aaahh. These questions are way too hard. My favorite author … Sarah Sundin? My amazing sister, Kristina Hall? Roseanna White in some contexts?
This is too hard.
What is your favorite food?
Mmm, food! Fruit. All kinds of fruits. Especially peaches and grapes and strawberries. And I’m also on a huge sweet potato kick. And avocados. And chocolate. Definitely chocolate.
What gives you inspiration for your books?
A lot of inspiration comes from varying places. Sometimes, especially in regard to themes, it’s something I’ve struggled with or find myself struggling with. Funny how those things come out in our writing, isn’t it? Or sometimes it’s a verse I’ve read.
For overall plots, a lot of times one idea will be jogged just from something I see or read. For example, one of the later books in the Grace Sufficient series was inspired by a documentary that talked about orphans in Russia. Another plot was inspired by a law that was recently passed in Russia. So I guess inspiration comes from a lot of places …
[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp..." data-large-file="https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp..." src="https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp..." alt="" class="wp-image-489" width="396" height="264" srcset="https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 396w, https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 792w, https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 150w, https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 300w, https://vanessahallauthor.files.wordp... 768w" sizes="(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px" />Maybe somewhere that looks like this. Photo by Mateusz Sau0142aciak on Pexels.comIf you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Another hard one! I guess if I could live anywhere, I’d live somewhere in Eastern Europe. Like maybe Czechoslovakia or Romania or Bulgaria or Ukraine or something like that. I just want to wander through the countryside and get inspiration like the famous composer Antonín Dvořák did. Or maybe Switzerland. Or somewhere warm and tropical, like Hawaii. I’m just down for all the exotic places, it sounds like!
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
This is the only easy question. Definitely an introvert.
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Crazy person coming your way!
Or something that would relate to my lack of sanity—especially right now while I’m editing.
Thanks again to Joelle! This was so much fun!
Now I get to tag some people.
Stephanie over @ Stephanie’s Ninth Suitcase
SawyerMarie @ Sundrop Girls
August 4, 2021
Review of Fortune’s Fall by Katherine Barger
Fortune’s Fall by Katherine Barger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
To start off, I’m not a huge dystopian reader. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but by the time I finished, if all dystopian books are like this, I’m a fan. And now I really, really, really need the next book!
First off, let’s talk about the characters. It was written in 1st person, and Nyssa alone had a POV. I don’t usually read books like that, but it worked really well for this one. Because she was the only one with a POV, all of the other characters were in danger of death. I won’t give any spoilers, but there were several deaths throughout. No side character was safe, which completely upped the suspense. But the relationships between the characters were great. This is marketed as a YA book, and there was hardly any romance, which was great. The tiny bits of romance were completely appropriate and just sweet. And the side characters. So good. Let me just say one name: Duncan. Yep, I love you, bud, even though you acted like a jerk sometimes. You’re still epic.
Because this was a dystopian book, I found it very interesting to see how the author dealt with the differences the future brought. Seeing all of the different technologies and a fictional world seventy years from now was really interesting. However, I wasn’t overcome with a bunch of extra descriptions or confusing technological stuff. The whole government situation was a little eerie – it was basically like Communism on steroids, and no one had any freedoms. Definitely can make you think about how the world could be in seventy years!
The plot moved along very well in this book – I just wanted to keep reading! There were many twists and turns, and you never knew what was coming next. I rooted for all of the characters, and there were some stunning betrayals and revelations that blindsided me a little bit. The writing was also well-done, presenting the story in a clear, concise way, but also relaxed enough that it matched Nyssa’s personality and age.
Finally, the themes/morals. The first half or so of the book didn’t mention the Lord, but by the end of the book, there were a lot more Christian elements. Also – though I didn’t know this during my reading – this book is based on Daniel or Nehemiah (or both.) Hence, the series title, so there’s also symbolic meanings throughout. Here’s a review by a friend that explains a lot more of the symbolic aspects of the book. I’m looking forward to seeing how the next book develops Nyssa’s relationship with the Lord.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was one of those books that I kept thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it, and like I mentioned, it was such a page-turner. Those of you who are looking for a good, clean YA book, look no further! But I don’t think this book should be limited only to YA – I’m a little older than that genre caters to, and I enjoyed it greatly. I can’t wait for the next book!
Thanks so much to the author for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
August 2, 2021
A (Short) Ode to Cheney Duvall, M.D.
The first book in the series. And yes, the old covers are the best!There are just some of those books that are like home – a part of your childhood, something that’s always familiar when you come back to them, the characters like your friends.
That’s what the Cheney Duvall, M.D. series is to me.
This series was authored by Lynn Morris and her father, the prolific Christian fiction author Gilbert Morris. These books were published in the 90s and the early 2000s, and there was even a spinoff series, Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (and yeah, the title is a complete spoiler), after the original series ended after eight books.
So why is this series so lovable? To be honest, the books aren’t the best-written I’ve ever read. I think Lynn Morris plotted a lot like I have—without regard for the following books in the series! Therefore, the plots are a little random, and it reads like a TV show or something. The characters travel around the US and have all kinds of adventures that are not really connected nor always logical. There’s instances of inconsistencies (like the one time Shiloh grew an inch, then was back to his normal height in the next book.) There’s parts in the first books where it just sounds like Gilbert Morris—which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but Lynn Morris wrote more of these if I had to guess, so they usually sound like her. Except for a few sentences, especially the first one in the series, that are blatantly Gilbert Morris. And then there’s thousands of adverbs. The books are littered with those things—and they even crept into my own writing when I was on a Dr. Cheney marathon. Those little words can just get addictive, can’t they?
My favorite cover with Shiloh. Isn’t he handsome? (Try to ignore he’s only supposed to be like twenty-four here, even though he looks thirty-four.)So, what is it about this series that makes it so good?
The characters, hands down. There are eleven books dealing with Cheney and Shiloh, and by the time you’ve read all of them, you know these characters so well. You’ve been with them through thick and thin, seen them in their worst moments and their best. How many series these days have eleven books about the same characters?
Cheney isn’t your average heroine—she’s a doctor; tough, but sweet and vulnerable; thoughtless but kind. She makes mistakes (and drives me crazy!) and can be quite selfish. She goes through her early years as a doctor all the way to when she’s a mature lady.
And then there’s Shiloh. That man, with all of his inconsistencies and confusing comments, is the original book hero for me. Tall, strong, handsome, easygoing, Confederate, and orphan with a mind of his own. He’s a perfect foil for Cheney, and as they work together as doctor and nurse, they form an unbreakable bond. Granted, on my recent marathon, I noticed Shiloh was basically a superhero except for a few key occasions. I don’t really remember that from when I was a kid. But Shiloh can do anything, guys. Anything. Even be perfect and overly-capable and make me still love him.
Then there’s a whole plethora of side characters in each book – Cheney’s parents, her adopted brother, her maids, her patients, a Confederate general and his half-brother, Shiloh’s long-lost family, her stuffy New York high-society friend. All kinds of characters that add color and excitement to the series. It’s like one big happy family. (Except it’s not always happy. It can be very dark, but there are also legitimately humorous parts in these books, too.)
Probably my favorite in the whole series. Besides the character, the plots – random as they seem sometimes – are usually very interesting. Ocean voyages, Reconstruction-era Charleston, volcano explosions (yes, that’s right)—you’ve got it in this series. Not to mention the romance that’s strung out for eight books, but it’s worth it.
Last of all, these books are decidedly Christian. You get to watch Cheney turn from a young, immature believer to a solid Christian. Along the way, she meets all kinds of faithful Christians and goes through all kinds of struggles. The Gospel is presented several times throughout the series, and Scripture is woven throughout. I also really like that each title is pulled from a verse. Very cool. Books like these are not as common anymore in Christian fiction, and I wish they’d return!
In short, I love these books! And it certainly gives an author hope that books that aren’t perfect can be loved as much as I love these!
What is your favorite series? Have you ever read the Cheney Duvall, M.D. series?
July 30, 2021
Review of 24 Hour Lockdown by Virginia Henderson
24 Hour Lockdown by Virginia Henderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, this was so cool! I didn’t really know what to expect when I first started reading this book, but I was pleasantly surprised! For some reason, I felt like I was reading a book version of the game Clue. Don’t ask me why … I think it was because there were several characters, and I felt like I was meeting all of them and feeling suspicious or something. I don’t know.
But that was probably the best part of this book – the characters! I really liked the author’s approach to the way the story flowed. There were multiple POVs, and she switched between each of them very often. Now, that could be confusing, but it was done so well that I didn’t get confused and the story worked really well. The quick changes of POVs made the plot move along and allowed me to get to know the characters well. And I loved Melody! She was such a sweetheart. I was still never a fan of Marc, just saying … I mean, he was coming around, but he was still not the nicest. I guess change takes time. But I loved that each character had a story, and they were each well-developed and resolved in the end.
The themes of this book were also well done. Depression, abuse, revenge, forgiveness, and loss of a loved one were all explored. Now, those are weighty topics, and some books that deal with those themes can get pretty dark. (Not saying I don’t enjoy those – I love a good heart-wrenching book.) But I liked how the author integrated each of those situations into a book that was more lighthearted. Not that there weren’t emotional moments, but the pace was so fast and humor was scattered about that it stayed light overall. The Christian element of this book wasn’t super strong, but it was definitely there.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and I hope to read more of Virginia Henderson’s writing!
Thanks so much to the author for a free copy of this book!
Virginia Henderson
Check out her blog and her Goodreads!
Originally from Ohio, I now reside in Texas with my folks and little sister. I’m a born again Christian and I want to give all the glory to God.
I love writing (obviously). I tend to lean toward suspense, thrillers, the occasional wholesome Christmas story and “what if” scenarios. Such as what if you were to check out a library book and someone unknowingly left a document in the pages that contained life-altering secrets concerning the government. That sort of thing.
Aside from writing, I’m always reading. I love the classics, historical fiction, fantasy, adventures, fairy-tale retellings, suspense, and any and all things Newsie related.
I very much enjoy plays and musicals, embroidery, road trip adventures with the fam, retro arcade games, and board games. I’m also very interested in weaponry (archery, swordsmanship, etc).
July 27, 2021
Cover Reveal: Beyond Her Calling by Kellyn Roth
Today’s another exciting day, because I’ve got another cover reveal for you guys! Today, I’m revealing the fourth book in Kellyn Roth’s series The Chronicles of Alice & Ivy. Just a few weeks ago, I was a part of the blog tour for the third book in the series, At Her Fingertips, and had the honor of interviewing Kellyn. You can check out that post here!
Beyond Her Calling is set to be released on January 22, 2022! Check it out on Goodreads, and you can preorder it on Amazon.
Ivy Knight feels that her life may never start. Though her loving family assures her that her place in the world is close to home, she still feels a push to move out of her comfort zone. Hoping against hope, she travels to her old friends at McCale House, seeking a purpose.
Jordy McAllen has just returned to Scotland after his education in London. He fears that what everyone has always said about him may be true: he can’t be a good doctor, let alone a good man. Determined to prove himself, Jordy snatches up the opportunity to become the doctor in the village of Keefmore near his parents’ farm.
When an old friend decides to travel to Keefmore and visit a relative, Ivy follows. She soon finds herself drawn to Jordy, but as their attraction grows, they both face doubts. A relationship between the two of them feels improbable—and might just require a step of impossible faith.
And now, here’s the cover!!
Is that cover not just absolutely beautiful? I’m looking forward to this new book! Congrats, Kellyn!
July 26, 2021
Review of Promises Unbroken by Kristina Hall
Promises Unbroken by Kristina Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was so good.
For some reason, everyone seems to have a fascination with the 1920s and mobsters. And now I understand, because this was such a cool setting for a book. The whole 1920s prohibition scene was such an excellent backdrop for this story.
And can we talk about the characters? Mae was so stubborn (probably to a fault, but her loyalty to her sister was amazing.) And Davis … my man! That guy was just the best. Yeah, he had his failings, but the way he stood by Mae and encouraged her and preached truth to her … he was epic. And he was an accountant that could shoot and fight and be heroic, which is rare in books, I think. Not all accountants are skinny and helpless – rather, Davis investigated all of Rossi’s financial crimes quite well. (That was such a cool part.) And how can I not mention my favorite, Alberto Moretti. Ahh, this guy. He was awful. But I loved him anyway. He was such a well-developed character, and even though he was such a sad guy, he cracked me up. (Especially when he antagonized Vin.) And poor Alberto, always getting stuck with all kinds of promises … (and it even ties in to the title, in a way.) He needs to stop promising people things, poor guy. And how could I forget, my favorite fictional preacher, John Scranton! Wow. I loved his steadiness, his courage, his protection of Mae. That guy right there was an epic side character.
Now, the plot. So cool. The whole thing with Hazel/Lillian was really interesting because she didn’t want to come home. She wasn’t innocent in the whole deal like Mae would’ve liked. That just creates all kinds of intrigue. And add all of that to Rossi’s criminal dealings that Davis deals with, and this plot moves along very quickly. There was all kinds of action and suspense. Yeah, people got shot and beat up, but it wasn’t anything graphic at all.
And now we come to the best part. The morals/themes of this book. Obviously, from the title, you can see what a lot of it’s about. Mae struggled to trust the Lord, yet His promises remained sure and certain in the face of her fear and doubt. Davis had his own story of coming to a point of desperation and realizing all that he had was the Lord. And Alberto … well, his story is a little bit of a spoiler, but I’ll just say that he finds God’s promises to be unbroken to him as well. Scripture layered this book, and though the characters weren’t perfect, they’re a good example of living in a world that’s not our home. Davis’s struggle over his involvement with the Rossis makes you think about living in the world and how our inaction over evils can be considered a sin. All kinds of things to make you think in this book.
I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction or suspense. I can’t wait to read the next one on the series! (And there’s more Alberto!!)
Thanks to the author for a free copy of this book!
Kristina Hall is a sinner saved by grace who seeks to glorify God with her words. She is a homeschool graduate and holds a degree in accounting. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, arm wrestling, lifting weights, and playing the violin. Check out her blog at https://kristinahallauthor.wordpress.com/
July 23, 2021
Review of A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron
A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
2.5 stars
After reading The Butterfly and the Violin, I was quite excited to the next book in the series. I happily discovered that Sera’s story continued from the first book, which definitely made me want to read this one! However, I found this book not quite as entertaining as the first in the series.
The historical story was interesting, but I think I liked the first part of it better than the second half. Cambron skips a lot of time – which she does quite well, overall – but I feel like a lot of time was lost, and it was more episodic nearing the end. Like she had to keep to a certain word count or something. I found this especially true with the whole story with Dane. I never really knew what to make of him, and I think he could’ve had a lot of potential, but he fell a little flat because he wasn’t in there much. Also, it didn’t help that I was just hoping Liam would show up, and the whole kinda-romance with her and Dane (basically one-sided; she didn’t really care for him), didn’t float my boat. It just felt very glossed over and could’ve been quite moving with the ending.
The modern story (with Sera and William) wasn’t nearly as good as I’d hoped. The first half of it was the best; I felt like there was a good amount of suspense over what was going on that made the story move, but it kind of dragged near the end. Like, William, bud, I like you, but the whole deal with you keeping everything a secret? Not much of a fan. It was good to see them get their “happily-ever-after,” but it got a little bit dull.
As usual, Cambron’s writing was quite nice. I also appreciate her use of the split story line – it seems incredibly difficult, but she made it work. The stories didn’t connect super well, but enough that it made sense. One major qualm I did have were several instances of what appeared to be using the Lord’s Name in vain (which is why I took at least a star off of the rating.) I was very disappointed to see something like this come from a Christian author. Also, the morals were not super strong – something about hope, or something? It wasn’t very impactful, and there wasn’t enough Jesus. Which is a problem in a lot of Christian fiction, for some reason. I mean, without Him, you’re in big trouble, and you have no peace with God (1 John 2:23).
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, but sadly, the instances of taking the Lord’s Name in vain prevent me from doing so.
