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Adventures In Odyssey: Passages #3
Annison's Risk
Maddy slips into an alternate world called Marus where she helps Queen Annison protect the believers in the Unseen One from persecution
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 1999
4 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Paul McCusker
181 books230 followersPaul McCusker is a writer of many different kinds of things. You may know him from Adventures In Odyssey and Focus On The Family Radio Theatre. Or the Father Gilbert Mysteries. Or the Augustine Institute audio dramas Brother Francis: The Barefoot Saint of Assisi and The Trials of Saint Patrick. Or plays like The First Church of Pete's Garage and Catacombs. Or C.S. Lewis projects like The Chronicles of Narnia audio dramas or The Annotated Screwtape Letters. Or the film Beyond The Mask. Or lots of other dramas, novels, scripts and lyrics. He simply can't make up his mind what he likes to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 4, 2014
My children and I are hooked on the Passages series! Each book is about different children throughout different time periods in Odyssey's history who end up finding themselves in another world (reminiscent of Narnia). The world, Marus, parallels the bible in which each book is a bible story come to life, though with a very different setting and intriguing twists. This book tells the story of Queen Esther (Annison) with a fairytale/fantasy twist. A little girl, Maddy, finds herself in the middle of the story helping Annison. These books also have a hint of mystery--each "manuscript" (a.k.a. book) was written by a mysterious author. Whit and his friend wonder who wrote them and how many children ended up having an adventure in Marus. Each book begins with their investigation and their discovery of a new manuscript. I haven't read the last 3 books but I must say that even I, as an adult, can't wait to see where the mystery leads! Plus, reading this book made my children want to read the book of Esther again and compare the two stories. A great motivation to dig deeper into God's word! My 3rd graders love these books, and so do I.
August 26, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! What a fascinating story! When Maddy crawls under the porch she finds herself in a different world – one that has 2 moons – in the land of Marus. Marus has just been taken over by Palatia and the King of Palatia is going to marry a most beautiful Maruian girl, Annison. Through a series of events Maddy finds herself helping Annison. I loved this retold story of Esther! And especially enjoyed the descriptions of the clothing worn, the strange hair styles and the king’s inability to play golf well!
January 10, 2015
This is my favorite of the Passages series so far. In this book, we find Maddy whose parents escaped the horrors of the communist revolution in Russia. Maddy herself is far from serious, finding her constant escape in fairy stories and princess dreams of true love. When she is transported to the world of Marus, she thinks she has somehow found her own dream come true and seeks to help a beautiful princess find her own true love. What she learns is that real love is deeper than the fluff of fairy tale and duty sometimes demands sacrifice. I look forward to book four.
April 4, 2025
I found this one to be more of a stretch in parts given what biblical story this book is paralleling, but the story is fun and McCusker always meshes entertaining and thoughtful things together really well.
July 2, 2019
It's a fun series, and my 8 year old enjoys figuring out which story from the bible each one is based on.
August 7, 2023
i listened to the first Passages book as an audio drama from Focus on the Family's Adventures in Odyssey. This instalment in the series is based on the Book of Esther, one of my favorite Biblical accounts. I had the book transcribed into Braille so that i could read it as the first volume intrigued me so very much.
Annison's Risk is the story of Madina Nicholaivitch, a young, bookish girl with a dreamy disposition. She has always longed to be part of a fairy tale, to go on a glorious adventure. One day, while playing hide-and-seek with one of the neighborhood boys, she hides beneath her porch and is drawn into the mysterious world of Marus. Maddy's life becomes entwined with that of a young Maruvian woman named Annison who is being forced to marry the conquering Palatian King Willem. Maddy assumes she has been sent into this strange world to stop the marriage and help Annison to find her "true love." However, life is not a fairy tale, and when Maddy meets the man who has raised Annison since she was orphaned as a young girl, Maddy begins to realize that Marus is a world far removed from the fantasy stories she has always loved. King Willem's chancellor, Lord Hector, has devious plans, plans to acquire more power and to eradicate believers in the Old Faith. Has Maddy been sent to Marus by the Unseen One for an even more profound purpose? Will Annisson find the courage to intercede for her people?
I loved the authenticity of this book. When it comes to true faith, we must grow beyond spiritual milk to more mature faith, a faith that will enable us to make momentous sacrifices if the need arose to do so. I loved McCusker's exploration of the importance of fairy tales and the theme of how stories reveal spiritual truths. The book was very clever in how Annisson used a story she had written to move the heart of her husband. McCusker's treatment of Annisson as a character is very profound. I loved her quiet heroism. The author also shows her vulnerability and her willingness to perform her duty. Unlike so many books, Annisson is a character solidly of her time, (it would probably be the mid 1700's in our world). I also loved Maddy's growth as the book progressed. She learns that faith involves making decisions that are not always easy and that life is not always as easy as the fairy tales make it seem. I also liked that Maddy's family was from Russia originally and had fled the Russian Revolution, so she, like Annisson, had much in common.
My favorite aspect of the book was the depiction of King Willem. I thoroughly disliked him at first, seeing him as nothing but a buffoon. As the story progresses, it is revealed that he is wiser than he first appears and that Annisson has the ability to bring out his more admirable qualities. I enjoyed seeing Willem's growth, and the author did well at exploring a ruler's imperfections while showing the king's ultimate desire to be a just ruler.
Lord Hector is also portrayed well, although I would have like to have seen his motivations expounded upon a bit. Whereas the Biblical account of Esther gives plausible motivation for Haman's hatred of the Jews, Annisson's Risk is rather silent on this aspect of HHector's character. Thus he seems evil for Evil's sake and nothing else. He is very despicable, though, and a character you love to hate.
I thoroughly recommend this riveting book. The mystery that John Avery Whitaker and Jack Allen are trying to solve regarding the Marus Manuscripts reveal more tantalizing tidbits, and the story is suspenseful and raises some intriguing questions about the nature of faith.
I hope to read more Passages books in the future. Annisson's Risk is thoroughly recommended!
God bless you all.
Annison's Risk is the story of Madina Nicholaivitch, a young, bookish girl with a dreamy disposition. She has always longed to be part of a fairy tale, to go on a glorious adventure. One day, while playing hide-and-seek with one of the neighborhood boys, she hides beneath her porch and is drawn into the mysterious world of Marus. Maddy's life becomes entwined with that of a young Maruvian woman named Annison who is being forced to marry the conquering Palatian King Willem. Maddy assumes she has been sent into this strange world to stop the marriage and help Annison to find her "true love." However, life is not a fairy tale, and when Maddy meets the man who has raised Annison since she was orphaned as a young girl, Maddy begins to realize that Marus is a world far removed from the fantasy stories she has always loved. King Willem's chancellor, Lord Hector, has devious plans, plans to acquire more power and to eradicate believers in the Old Faith. Has Maddy been sent to Marus by the Unseen One for an even more profound purpose? Will Annisson find the courage to intercede for her people?
I loved the authenticity of this book. When it comes to true faith, we must grow beyond spiritual milk to more mature faith, a faith that will enable us to make momentous sacrifices if the need arose to do so. I loved McCusker's exploration of the importance of fairy tales and the theme of how stories reveal spiritual truths. The book was very clever in how Annisson used a story she had written to move the heart of her husband. McCusker's treatment of Annisson as a character is very profound. I loved her quiet heroism. The author also shows her vulnerability and her willingness to perform her duty. Unlike so many books, Annisson is a character solidly of her time, (it would probably be the mid 1700's in our world). I also loved Maddy's growth as the book progressed. She learns that faith involves making decisions that are not always easy and that life is not always as easy as the fairy tales make it seem. I also liked that Maddy's family was from Russia originally and had fled the Russian Revolution, so she, like Annisson, had much in common.
My favorite aspect of the book was the depiction of King Willem. I thoroughly disliked him at first, seeing him as nothing but a buffoon. As the story progresses, it is revealed that he is wiser than he first appears and that Annisson has the ability to bring out his more admirable qualities. I enjoyed seeing Willem's growth, and the author did well at exploring a ruler's imperfections while showing the king's ultimate desire to be a just ruler.
Lord Hector is also portrayed well, although I would have like to have seen his motivations expounded upon a bit. Whereas the Biblical account of Esther gives plausible motivation for Haman's hatred of the Jews, Annisson's Risk is rather silent on this aspect of HHector's character. Thus he seems evil for Evil's sake and nothing else. He is very despicable, though, and a character you love to hate.
I thoroughly recommend this riveting book. The mystery that John Avery Whitaker and Jack Allen are trying to solve regarding the Marus Manuscripts reveal more tantalizing tidbits, and the story is suspenseful and raises some intriguing questions about the nature of faith.
I hope to read more Passages books in the future. Annisson's Risk is thoroughly recommended!
God bless you all.
September 30, 2022
I LOVE this book. I went around the house talking about it to my family, I gave out spoilers to my parents (oops). I love how this is is based on Esther, my favorite story of the bible. I love that Annison was willing to marry someone she didn't love, out of duty and love for her people, and for God. And she grew to love the prince, even it she didn't love him at first. That's something I haven't seen in most children's books. It's now on my brother's reading list. I recommend it to all, young and old.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2025
3.5⭐️ This was based on the story of Esther which is my favorite book of the Bible. A very fast page turner in some parts but it just felt like it was missing something to make it really good. I still enjoyed it and it was a quick and fun read.
November 17, 2021
See review of Arin'sjudgement
May 1, 2023
Good for maybe a bit younger than 10
Esther
Esther
August 2, 2014
Each of the Passages books starts out with Jack Allen and Mr. Whittaker (characters from the Adventures in Odyssey radio show) finding a manuscript written in a school notebook written about a child (or children) from Odyssey ending up traveling to an alternate world called Marus (in a style similar to The Chronicles of Narnia books). The Passages stories are retellings of real Biblical stories, but this time in the fantasy world of Marus where the stories are written with a new perspective and with new twists.
Book #3 in the Passages series, “Annison’s Risk“, is based on the story of Esther. It illustrates the power of our participation in God’s plan. In the book, Maddy Nicholaivitch is hiding under the porch of her house while playing a game of hide and seek with her friend when she all of a sudden finds herself in the fantasy world of Marus. As she’s trying to figure out where she is, she sees the soon to be queen of Marus, Annison, who Maddy is surprised to see is the same woman who was asking her for help in her dreams. By why does Annison need help and can Maddy help her?
Out of the first three Passages books, “Annison’s Risk” is probably my favorite. I remember loving these books when I read them as a preteen 9+ years ago and I still love them now! Paul McCusker has done a wonderful job of creating the world of Marus and retelling Biblical stories in a new way in a new world. While it does help to know something about Adventures in Odyssey (I’m a fan of the show myself), it is not necessary to have listened to the show before. The books can still be understood without any previous knowledge of Odyssey. The books do have some violence and deaths in them, though, so I would recommend them with the books’ first editions age recommendation of 10 & up. I have enjoyed reading this series and I would definitely recommend it.
Book #3 in the Passages series, “Annison’s Risk“, is based on the story of Esther. It illustrates the power of our participation in God’s plan. In the book, Maddy Nicholaivitch is hiding under the porch of her house while playing a game of hide and seek with her friend when she all of a sudden finds herself in the fantasy world of Marus. As she’s trying to figure out where she is, she sees the soon to be queen of Marus, Annison, who Maddy is surprised to see is the same woman who was asking her for help in her dreams. By why does Annison need help and can Maddy help her?
Out of the first three Passages books, “Annison’s Risk” is probably my favorite. I remember loving these books when I read them as a preteen 9+ years ago and I still love them now! Paul McCusker has done a wonderful job of creating the world of Marus and retelling Biblical stories in a new way in a new world. While it does help to know something about Adventures in Odyssey (I’m a fan of the show myself), it is not necessary to have listened to the show before. The books can still be understood without any previous knowledge of Odyssey. The books do have some violence and deaths in them, though, so I would recommend them with the books’ first editions age recommendation of 10 & up. I have enjoyed reading this series and I would definitely recommend it.
February 6, 2017
Annison’s Risk, by Paul McCusker, is the story of 12 year old Maddy who travels to another world as she has always dreamed. But all is not well in the country of Marus. The new king’s right hand man I hatching several evil plots and it’s up to Maddy, Queen Annison, and Simet to stop him. How will they succeed when it’s becoming apparent that this is not a fairytale as Maddy had hoped?
Annison’s Risk is a cute children’s story that brings the story of Esther to life. It is not exactly the same as the book of Esther in the Bible, but it shows much of what she experienced the way a child might see it.
One thing I didn’t like about the retelling is that the author downplayed the risk the queen took. In this story, the Annison found a way around the rule that no one may enter the king’s presence unless invited. Instead of going straight into the king’s presence, Annison arranged to “accidentally” come across his path. Otherwise the story is essentially the same but with Maddy playing the key role of messenger and spy.
In this story, God, or the “Unseen One”, used a child with little faith to boost the faith of others and herself. It is a manmade part of the story yet something God might do considering His character.
Annison’s Risk is told in a way children can understand and brings the story of Esther to life.
Annison’s Risk is a cute children’s story that brings the story of Esther to life. It is not exactly the same as the book of Esther in the Bible, but it shows much of what she experienced the way a child might see it.
One thing I didn’t like about the retelling is that the author downplayed the risk the queen took. In this story, the Annison found a way around the rule that no one may enter the king’s presence unless invited. Instead of going straight into the king’s presence, Annison arranged to “accidentally” come across his path. Otherwise the story is essentially the same but with Maddy playing the key role of messenger and spy.
In this story, God, or the “Unseen One”, used a child with little faith to boost the faith of others and herself. It is a manmade part of the story yet something God might do considering His character.
Annison’s Risk is told in a way children can understand and brings the story of Esther to life.
August 3, 2014
Back Cover: A game of hide-and-seek takes Maddy Nicholaivitch to Marus, where she is taken in by a beautiful princess who has just married the conquering king. After overhearing the secret plans of the king's most trusted advisor, Maddy must decide if her loyalty to the princess is worth the price of her life. Based on the biblical story of Esther, "Annison's Risk" takes readers on a journey with a queen who is willing to risk her life in order to save her people. Any fan of Tolkien will appreciate this fantasy story, and with a new cover and interior graphics, it's better than ever!
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One of my favorite series, Passages, brings the Bible to life in a new perspective. In a world called Marus, kids from Odyssey are doing daily activities when they are suddenly transported into another land, with a story similar to our own. Maddy is one of these kids. As Maddy is helping Annison, Marus' new queen, she thinks she is in a fairy tale. But as things become dangerously complicated, she is soon involved in bringing information to the queen that could change the world. Maddy must decide if she will continue to have a child's mind and play games, or a mature perspective to save Marus.
I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
~~~~
One of my favorite series, Passages, brings the Bible to life in a new perspective. In a world called Marus, kids from Odyssey are doing daily activities when they are suddenly transported into another land, with a story similar to our own. Maddy is one of these kids. As Maddy is helping Annison, Marus' new queen, she thinks she is in a fairy tale. But as things become dangerously complicated, she is soon involved in bringing information to the queen that could change the world. Maddy must decide if she will continue to have a child's mind and play games, or a mature perspective to save Marus.
I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
July 7, 2014
Maddy Nicholaivitch was playing a game of hide and seek when she suddenly finds herself no longer in Odyssey. She soon finds herself in the court of a beautiful princess and learning about this Unseen One. When she uncovers a plot to have the king killed and informs the princess, she wonders if her fledgling faith in the Unseen One will be enough to save her.
I first read this book years ago. I grew up on the Adventures in Odyssey radio series and still enjoy listening to them as an adult. I've a few books in the various Adventures in Odyssey series over the years, but the Passages stories have been my favorite.
One of the things I love about this book, and the others in the Passages series, is that Biblical stories come to life in a fun way. This particular book is based on the book of Esther. I loved seeing Maddy figure out that she needs to put her faith and trust into the Unseen One. I also loved seeing how Annison decided to take a chance and step out on faith.
There are so many truths in these books. I highly recommend them.
I read this book for pure pleasure as part of Tyndale's Summer Reading Program. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Narnia, Tolkien, Adventures in Odyssey, ages 8 and up, fantasy, parents
Rating - 5 stars
I first read this book years ago. I grew up on the Adventures in Odyssey radio series and still enjoy listening to them as an adult. I've a few books in the various Adventures in Odyssey series over the years, but the Passages stories have been my favorite.
One of the things I love about this book, and the others in the Passages series, is that Biblical stories come to life in a fun way. This particular book is based on the book of Esther. I loved seeing Maddy figure out that she needs to put her faith and trust into the Unseen One. I also loved seeing how Annison decided to take a chance and step out on faith.
There are so many truths in these books. I highly recommend them.
I read this book for pure pleasure as part of Tyndale's Summer Reading Program. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Narnia, Tolkien, Adventures in Odyssey, ages 8 and up, fantasy, parents
Rating - 5 stars
July 17, 2014
wonderful story about the marriage of Annison to King Willem in Palatia that will unite the people of Palatia with those of Marus. The story seems like the Biblical story of Esther, for there is a good man Simet, a castle guard, who tries to protect Annison and Maddy and an evil man, Lord Hector, who is plotting to kill the King and his wife Annison. Simet is actually accused of planning to kill the king, but Maddy overhears Lord Hector plotting to poison the king. To get rid of Simet, Lord Hector persuades to king to outlaw the Old Faith. Not knowing Annison and Simet are member of the Old Faith, the king says Lord Hector can have his wish. Hector arranges to arrest the members when they meet, but they manage to escape through a secret hatchway. Who is Maddy, what is her role, and how does she get involved in helping Annison? How does Lord Hector resemble Haman in the Biblical story of Esther? In what ways is Annison like Queen Esther? Who plays the role of Mordecai? Why is Simet so protective of Annison? How are the endings of both stories similar?
October 13, 2015
Funnily enough, I had just finished reading the book of Esther before picking this up, earlier this afternoon.
A favorite Bible story of mine, it soon became apparent that Annison's Risk was its parallel.
Even though it's written for children, I found it interesting and absolutely charming. I had read it before, when I was younger, but couldn't remember anything about it, so it was like reading it for the first time all over again.
Maddy is the main character; a young girl who is an avid reader (and believer) of fairytales, she's constantly looking for adventure. When she finds herself in a different world, she's more than ready for her fairytale to begin. Her dreams of a princess requesting her help send her straight to Annison (Esther). It's up to them to save the believers of the Unseen One (God), from the evil trying to destroy them.
I found it adorable. Clearly written for a younger audience, it's still enjoyable for older readers.
A favorite Bible story of mine, it soon became apparent that Annison's Risk was its parallel.
Even though it's written for children, I found it interesting and absolutely charming. I had read it before, when I was younger, but couldn't remember anything about it, so it was like reading it for the first time all over again.
Maddy is the main character; a young girl who is an avid reader (and believer) of fairytales, she's constantly looking for adventure. When she finds herself in a different world, she's more than ready for her fairytale to begin. Her dreams of a princess requesting her help send her straight to Annison (Esther). It's up to them to save the believers of the Unseen One (God), from the evil trying to destroy them.
I found it adorable. Clearly written for a younger audience, it's still enjoyable for older readers.
July 31, 2012
I think this series gets better and better. Annison's Risk retells the story of Esther as a young girl from Odyssey winds up in Marus during a regime change. Maddy believes she's there to help the queen have a fairy tale ending to her love story. What she discovers about her role there is far more important in her life and the lives of key members of the king's court.
Each of the Passages stories is introduced and concluded with scenes of two men trying to find the source of these stories, written in plain school notebooks. The pieces are starting to come together in this story. I'm sufficiently hooked to want to keep reading and find out the source.
The books are recommended for 10 and up and are creatively told so that the Bible story is recognizable but new truths can be learned from them.
Each of the Passages stories is introduced and concluded with scenes of two men trying to find the source of these stories, written in plain school notebooks. The pieces are starting to come together in this story. I'm sufficiently hooked to want to keep reading and find out the source.
The books are recommended for 10 and up and are creatively told so that the Bible story is recognizable but new truths can be learned from them.
July 7, 2014
Passages: Annison’s Risk is a good retelling of the book of Esther for young readers. In the book, Maddy is playing hide and seek when she finds herself in another world: Marus. She befriends Annison, who has just married the king of Marus and while living with the princess, she overhears a sinister plan by Lord Hector, who is one of the king’s advisors. After Annison finds out about the plot, Maddy is used as a message-bearer between Annison and her adopted father, Simet. In order to save an entire race of people, Annison, Maddy, and Simet must risk their lives and work together to save their people from Lord Hector. But, will they succeed? This is a great book for kids because not only does it tell a popular story from the Bible in a manner that a child will understand, but it will also captivate their attention will doing it.
February 15, 2015
Annison's Risk could almost fit under the category of a "supposal", the word coined by C.S. Lewis when discussing his Chronicles of Narnia. It is the story of Queen Esther set in a different world and seen through the eyes of a young girl from our world. McCusker has made this other world very real and I loved some of the points he made through Maddy's naivety.
While I found most of the Passages books to be more candy than meat, this one I really enjoyed and appreciated the lessons it contains.
While I found most of the Passages books to be more candy than meat, this one I really enjoyed and appreciated the lessons it contains.
September 6, 2014
Annison's Risk is the exciting continuation of Paul McCusker's Adventures in Odyssey Passage Series. Maddy is transported from her world to Marus to the time of Princesses and Kings. She finds herself in the palace with a princess who believes in the Unseen One along with a few other secret believers and a King who does not believe. Maddy became a part of the story and the reader is made to feel like they are right there in the middle of Queen Esther's story too.
March 22, 2010
I definitely enjoyed this book more than the previous book in this series (Arin's Judgment). It has a much better flow, plot, and storyline. This book parallels the biblical story of Esther. There is a lot of suspense in this story but it's not too scary for children. It is an easy and enjoyable read for kids.
March 1, 2010
When Mady meets the princess of a fantasy land she learns of a plot to kill her fiance.
It's more of a alagory to the Bible with kids that are whisked away from Odysey to the new world. I was dying to know how it ended!!!!!!!
It's more of a alagory to the Bible with kids that are whisked away from Odysey to the new world. I was dying to know how it ended!!!!!!!
June 16, 2012
Annison's Risk is the third book in the Passages series. It's the retelling of Esther. I loved this because it made the Bible story new and exciting for someone who heard it before. It also has some familiar characters if your a fan of the radio series, Adventures in Odyssey.
September 7, 2015
(I have just realized that, though I read these several years ago, I didn't mark them as read on here. So, in case your jaw just hit the floor, I did not read the entire series in one day. :p)
June 10, 2009
Love love love this series! It's just so cool, going to another world! lol :D
Read
April 8, 2010F McCU aio passages bk.3
June 7, 2012
A good book that keeps you reading!
June 26, 2014
I enjoyed reading this story, although it was probably intended for younger audiences. This story, as well as the others in The Passages series, gave me a new perspective on an old familiar event.
June 6, 2014
All this book was, was a modern version for kids of the book of Esther from the viewpoint of a young girl from odyssey taking part in the story.
July 18, 2015
Good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews