Darien's Rise

Adventures In Odyssey: Passages #1

by Paul McCusker

What if history repeated itself―with you in it? Passages takes ancient stories and retells them from a kid's perspective. Loosely based on the popular “Adventures in Odyssey” series, Passages books begin in Odyssey and take you to a fantasy land, where belief in God becomes the adventure of a lifetime! God's call; based on the story of David and King Saul. The story of a brother and sister from small-town Odyssey who find themselves suddenly transported to Marus, a world of brilliant color and perilous wars.

Genres: Fantasy, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Adventure

190 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Paul 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.

Reviews

[Kaitlyn S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this out loud to two little siblings (ages 7 and 8) and they enjoyed it more than I did, to be honest. But I did enjoy it, nonetheless, just not as much as other books I have read =)

This book was....interesting. There was nothing wrong with it, I just personally don't enjoy parallel worlds or fantasy lands. So the fact that I somewhat enjoyed it is saying a lot. The world was well done, the story line was intriguing and fast moving, and I enjoyed that. While I was reading the two who I was originally reading to were quiet and still, and each time I had to stop, I was greeted with complaints. And we had several other siblings listening in, if the corrections to my pronunciation of certain names of cities written about were any indication :D Apparently it's been made into an audio drama (I know of Adventures in Odyssey, I've just never heard this particular one), and I was making the names more complicated than they actually were.

Th basic premise of the story is a retelling of the biblical account of David, and Jonathan, and King Saul. I enjoyed the way it engaged the little one sin Biblical truth without changing it all around too much. It was told so well that the 8 year old recognized it soon into the story.

I enjoyed the time spent with the little ones, and will most definitely be starting the second one - tomorrow, if my eager listeners have anything to do with it =)

[Nick]

I read this series back in... spring of 2023? So I don't remember it enough to rate it now, HOWEVER!! If you want any Christian Fantasy recs, this series is such a good one!!! Not only is it Christian Fantasy, but it's also bible retellings. I highly suggest checking this series out if that sounds like something you might enjoy :) I definitely want to reread some of these books at some point 🤭

[E.F. Buckles · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Passages" is only one of my most favorite children's Christian Fiction series EVAH!!! I've lost track of how many times I've read these books. <3 <3 <3

[Jon (VICIOUS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid short story. Nothing too off the wall but I really loved the dialogue between characters. Kept me interested and curious to read the rest of the series.

[Noel Hume · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing first book to a great series!! I love this author's imagination.

[Myrissa Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread from my childhood! Listening brought back such fun memories!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't have a lot of experience with Adventures in Odyssey, which is loosely tied to this series of books. In Darien's Rise, the first installment of the Passages series, a couple of adults discover and read an old story one of them found in a trunk from an estate sale. The story is about two kids who find an old house in the woods and are supernaturally transported to another place and time.

What's cool about this story is that it's based on a story from the Bible. In this case, it's based on parts of the life of King David.

I haven't read a lot of middle grade fiction, but I really enjoyed this book. It is well-written and the parallels are not obvious but also not so subtle that you have to have studied the Old Testament in depth to know it.

The books are promoted as a fresh look at familiar stories, and I would agree with that label. I'm looking forward to reading more of these.

[King Haddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in Adventures In Odyssey Passages is definitely the best by a long shot. McCusker does an amazing job retelling the story of how David became king, while adding much excitement and modern thrill and technologies (like trains). Actually, when I first read the book back in elementary, it took me a while to figure out how the story corresponded with the Bible. Either way, the book is very exciting and enjoyable. I did, however, find it slightly obnoxious how it seems exactly like Narnia and many other children's fantasy books - kids wander off and find themselves in a new world.

[Reggie Virus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I loved this! I found this in a little free library and thought why not. Glad I picked this up and I can’t wait to read the rest.

[Meredith Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darien's Rise is a wonderful story that parallels a familiar one. However, the setting is World War I era. As I love stories with parallel worlds, (I simply can't seem to outgrow them), I found this tale of two children chosen for extraordinary purposes to be impossible to put down.

Kyle and Anna, two siblings visiting their grandparents in the midwest town of Odyssey are exploring an abandoned house when an accident sends them hurtling into a world called Marus. Caught up in the schemes of a jealous and power-hungry king against his most valiant general, the siblings discover that the "Unseen One," has tasks for them to perform in this world. But, will their own frailties and King Lawrence's madness destroy all? And, will Kyle and Anna reach Odyssey again?

I listened to this book as it was adapted into an audio drama. The story kept me on the edge of my seat, and the voice acting was superb. I especially loved the portrayal of the friendship between General Darien and Prince George. The story will be easily recognized by those familiar with Biblical events, but the setting and clever twists will hold your interest. My favorite scenes involved a royal banquet and a crossbow, a train journey where an enemy sleeps in an adjoining compartment and a dangerous ambush at a convent.

I am deeply saddened that there appear to be no more adaptations of this book series to come. Even if they had no plans to dramatixe more books in the series, it would seem to make sense to at least produce audiobook versions read by a single narrator. However, I understand the book industry operates on sales. Not enough revenue, and hopes of visually impaired individuals getting to experience an entire series are dashed. I might have to have some of the books transcribed as I want to read more adventures in this series and discover more clever twists.

Anyhow, the characterization is very good in Darien's Rise. I loved that the antagonist is frightening but also empathetic. Darien, the protagonist, is kind but also has a temper and pride problem that makes him relatable. Kyle and Anna are fun, and I especially appreciated Kyle's struggle with patience.

I thoroughly recommend this enthralling book. I would recommend it for ages 10 and up as there are a few instances of brutal episodes, including the convent scene I mentioned and a climactic scene where a young boy witnesses a suicide.
This is a book about learning to trust an unseen hand to guide you. Darien's Rise is a tale of trust, forgiveness and faith.
Thoroughly recommended!
God bless you all.

[Alicia Flatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice read aloud with my seven year old - two kids get transported into a new world where they meet Darien and King Lawrence and fight epic battles. The story closely follows the plot of King David and Saul from the Scriptures, but in a fantastic setting with trains and guns and powers granted from the Unseen One.

I can't remember who gave me this book haha but my kids are already asking to read the next in the series.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

To me, this book had a distinctly amateur feel, which may have been appropriate, given that this book was supposedly penned in a composition notebook by children-but still had the result of decreasing the believability of the plot.

All in all, entertaining enough, but nothing special and a bit amateur.

[Lisa Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

First section of the story was edge of my seat excitement and I really enjoyed it. The second section seemed to just fizzle out and kill off people rather than develop them. It was disappointing to me as a reader.

[Jalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ I think, listening to the Odyssey program, spoiled me from getting into this book. I knew everything that was happening and about to happen. But hopefully the next books will be more interesting. Still a very intriguing story and great learning opportunities!

[Mh Weyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. The story of biblical David from Samuel’s anointing to the death of king Saul. The twists to retell the story still remained faithful to the Bible and used clever means to retell parts that were only known to the Lord. Well done!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, I'm curious how they are going to handle the framing story for the series.

[Cleo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this. I first read then when I was 16 and now 8 years later I still love it.

[Jenelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A neat and adventurous retelling of the story of King David's rise to the throne.

[Abigail G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to listen to this story. I forgot how powerful this series is!

[Alison Coles · Rating 4 out of 5]

See review of Arin's Judgement.

[Sharon Loves to Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

The entire series is super, although some individual books are more exciting than others. These were also made into dramatized radio programs by Adventures in Odyssey. Highly recommended!

[Mishon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m starting to read some books for this age group in preparation for when my kids get that old. This one was okay. There’s some concepts in it I wouldn’t want to introduce before 10 or so
David and King Saul

[Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read ! I loved it😀

[James Calcara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was bussin bussin chat, it wuz not skibidi at all. I recommend to little rizzler gen alpha's.

[Stuart Levy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some crazy convoluded story that I don't recommend to anyone.

[Jalynn Staley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ I ruined this book for myself by listening to the Odyssey episodes so I was bored, but I still really enjoyed it

[Ashlyn Heinold · Rating 5 out of 5]

5-star read when I read it in elementary school, still a 5-star read now in high school!

[Hunter Oda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book of the Passages series was a lot different then I was expecting. It was also a lot better. I was expecting it to be more of a book for little kids but I really enjoyed it even at the age of 15. The book takes place with two young kids, Kyle and Anna, playing in the woods looking for an abandoned house their uncle told them about. Finally they find it and while they're exploring the inside of it, both of them are magically transported to different parts of another world. The two of them experience the story of David and Saul. King David, or in the book his name is Darien, is in a battle when Kyle transports to where David is and he saves his life. Anna is transported to the bad guy's castle and she is caught "spying" on the king. She then gets taken away and is about to be sold into slavery when the old judge saves her. And from that point on the story of David and Saul is told from a new perspective.
There are times when I can get bored from reading and hearing the same Bible story over and over, so that is why I really liked Passages. It tells the story differently and allows you to get a new take on it. I have the rest of the series so I think that the chances of me reading a few more books from the series are pretty high.
However, I thought that the book was a little slow at times. I felt like some chapters I wasn't reading because I couldn't put the book down but because I just wanted to get to another good part. It wasn't as action packed or interesting as I was hoping it would be when I first started. I also was hoping that there would be some comedy in the book. Kyle seems like the kind of kid who would be easy to make into a funny and relatable character but he was just kind of plain and simple. And the same goes for Anna.
Overall, I would definitely recommend the book. It kept me interested and it was definitely a great new way to hear some of those classic Bible stories.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fun! The Passages series transports the reader to a fantasy world that richly parallels our own Biblical history. In Darien's Rise, the reader can quickly identify David and King Saul. Two visitor children from our own world stumble into Marus through a portal (Wardrobe, anyone?) and find themselves serving as protector and voice of the Unseen One, guiding the main character through many troubling times. What makes it even more interesting is the modern setting of 1958. Marus appears to be a Northern European setting rather than Middle Eastern and there are modern conveniences such as railways and pistols. Even so, the message is not lost. I enjoyed very much seeing how the author interwove the details of both worlds and maintained the integrity of Scriptural truth. C.S. Lewis would be proud.

[Shali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this series as a child, and enjoyed them immensely, and recently started reading them to my younger brother- who, incidentally, is named Kyle.
That made the experience ten times better, I must say, to narrate a story while giving pointed looks at my brother whenever the character did something juvenile or awesome.
I love the story, and when reading out loud I sometimes found myself acting out the scenes, instead of just reading them.

It's engaging and entertaining, and the story is a well done parallel to the Biblical story of King David.

It's always refreshing to find a gem like this; an interesting children's book, with a good Christian message, that's easy to read. I would recommend to any Christian, though even those who don't follow Christianity could enjoy the book.
I think it's a good book for a kid to read on their own, but also a good one to be read aloud.