The Return

by Christy Newman

The people of Usoa have disappeared, and those left behind are dying of an unknown disease. A young girl leaves the plagued village to find help, and in the process she is taken by the very people who spread the illness. She is held hostage in a pitch black cage where the only lights are the glowing blue eyes staring back at her. To save the world of Terion, broken people must be brought to the light. (Fantasy with Christian elements.)

Genres: Fantasy

251 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2014

About the author

Christy Newman is an award-winning author, homeschool graduate, and shameless coffee and cat lover with a passion for Christian fantasy. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Newman weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that, even in the deepest darkness, God's love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the high desert of New Mexico. Christy Joined the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) in 2016.

Reviews

[Mehreen Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apart from a few stylistic issues, this is a great metaphorical story about light and darkness. If the author, Christy Newman had done away with paragraphs beginning with the same word, in this case a name, "Milana" and the pronoun, "she", repeatedly over consecutive paragraphs, that would have cut the monotony of reading. Other than this, I think it is very well described story with an intriguing plot. In Gulliver's Travels, Houyhnhnm were considered a race of intelligent Horses. Similarly, horses have been treated pretty much the same here as well to mean well to mankind, who would restore hope, peace and prosperity in the troubled, fantasy land of Terion.

[Louisa Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a difficult book for me to rate.
It was either a 3 or 4 star so I went with the latter because if the author can evoke that sort of reaction then they had achieved something through their writing:)

I was immediately taken by the author's ability to describe a brand new world yet with the natural laws that make you understand this 'new' place.
I particularly loved the way she described the horses, the colours, the emotions of the rider and really wished we could have had a whole book on that aspect alone!
The descriptions were vivid, tangible and full of life from the pages. It really seems to be the author's strength to describe nature and the four legged variety.

However maybe it depends on the reader, but I just could not connect with the characters. That's why I struggled rating this.
The storyline is valid, the reasons for each character in the story is believable but I didn't 'care' for them as I normally would as a reader.
I'm not an ice maiden, quite the opposite, when I discover characters in stories and describe them to friends in 'reality' they think I am talking about an actual person! But I didn't feel any of the character carried enough weight for me to carry from the pages and care enough although the horses did- strange I know.

Overall this is a good story with great Christian elements in and scripture and you could understand the point the author was making but I didn't like the 'telepathic' aspects and new ageisms as mentioned by another reviewer. It didn't seem to have a place in the story, it was one thing to many. A new world, new heroes with their own laws and the Christian aspect as well... too confusing.

A book I would recommend fantasy lovers to try that is off the beaten track and is a unique voice in a market that is currently overwhelmed. x

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not much of a fantasy fan, but I did enjoy this. The characters were interesting and the setting descriptions vivid. The storyline kept my attention all the way through, with adventure, flashbacks, character development, and empathy. I applaud the author's use of Scripture, both in giving the gospel and in trusting in the Lord. The story largely touched on love and giving for others. It centered around one girl's journey and friendships through dangerous territory, where enemies and wild beasts lurk. I'm grateful there was no romance, just normal, friendly relationships. The downsides are the things that sometimes sound rather like New Age philosophy (telepathy, healing with the hand, and out-of-body experience). There is a bit of violence, too, if you dislike that for yourself or for children. I am glad, however, that there are no witches or wizards. I believe the teenage author has a promising future and did well with this book, besides the possible (though unintentional) New Age angle.

[Tom Fallwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Return is a tale of salvation in a fantasy setting that will please many. The story was good and the author's descriptions brought forth beautiful imagery. All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and very much enjoyed the ending.

That said, I also will say the characters seemed alive, but sometimes the dialogue was ... well, stale. Not bad entirely, but not lending to the overall story as well as it should have. I also think Milana should have played a more important role to the story as a whole. She was sort of left out at the end.

Overall, I enjoyed reading The Return and would recommend it as a good Christian Fantasy read. I feel it was better than just three stars, but it wasn't quite a four star read for me. If you like stories of salvation and fantasy, you will enjoy the book.

[Kimberly Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the book hard to put down. The characters are interesting, and the story line is engrossing. The book placed the Creator in my mind often and put me in awe of Him in a way very few books ever have. Seeing the new creature develop in some of the characters was wonderful to me. Good always triumphs over evil even though the road may be difficult and long.

[Mandy Fender · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Epic Adventure with heart

Adventure, reconciliation, and forgiveness this story has it all! The author writes vivid descriptions and combines it with well-written dialogue to build a truly incredible world. You have to read it to really appreciate the dynamic the author creates between the characters. Great backstory as well so you can get a feel of emotions the characters went through together. The last chapter gripped my heart! Ryden, Cade, and Milana are characters you want to meet, not to mention the horses!

If you like heartfelt and fast paced adventures this is the book for you!

[Ann Majors · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! I read it again and again. I felt that it reflected many things going on in our world today. Oh that we had Cade to help! This book is inspiring; the descriptions of beautiful places are amazing, as well as the feelings of the characters are so clear you feel you know them and feel what they are feeling. The story encourages me to be more careful with how I live my life, and to be a good example for others and not to ever give up on people. It helps me remember to love the unlovely. It is a heartfelt book that I strongly recommend to all.

[C.B. Haight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the premise of this story and the overall theme of forgiveness. The author has a great way of describing the scenes and the elements in the world very well. I did wish for more emotion from the characters. I felt like some of the dialogue was rushed. However, I could imagine myself in that realm with the characters easily enough. This was a easy light read with some Christian elements and very clean.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

All in all, I enjoyed this fantasy book. Newman does a commendable job with descriptions and creating a vivid world that unfurls before the reader. That said, there were a few parts where I found the story a bit weak in the sense that my interest faded...and yet the descriptions were good enough to keep me enticed. At the end of the day, I liked the book.

[Anita Estes]

Couched in a fantasy world of magnificent horses and a few rare Valdarian warriors who read the thoughts of men, the struggle of two brothers, Cade and Ryden unfolds. It is the age old story of good vs. evil, but with a twist, one of forgiveness rather than revenge. The story begins with a feisty young lady Milana Keenan who is bereft of mother and father, in the land of two moons. As she heads off on a journey to find her family she encounters a splendid horse that leads her to her destiny,and holds out a thread of hope for the return of one who can make things right. After a terrible encounter with the Shirak and her meeting Cade,the story weaves itself through a fantasy land ravaged by hatred and war. When revenge seems to make sense, the higher road of love is espoused by him "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." If you like fantasy lands that are not just filled with illusion, but substance, you'll enjoy "The Return."

[Karen Ingalls]

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed, June 19, 2016
By KAREN INGALLS
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This review is from: The Return (Kindle Edition)
I enjoyed the book, the characters and scenery were well described. I did get a little confused when suddenly Christianity was introduced at the same time mental telepathy, horses that can talk, and the power of using fire. When I started the book I thought I was in ancient times before Christ. I might have missed it but I think the author could have been more clear about the time period in the beginning of the book. I loved the ending but did feel the character Milana was "left out."
Overall an enjoyable read.