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Covenant Child: A Story of Promises Kept
Amanda’s heart broke as she watched them drive her beloved twins away. She resolved to hope . . . and to fight for them to her last breath.
Kara and Lizzie are heiresses to one of the largest fortunes in the country. But when their father dies suddenly, the toddlers are taken from the arms of Amanda, their loving stepmother, and given to relatives who only want the children’s fortune for themselves.
Kara and Lizzie grow up questioning their worth . . . until the day when they learn the truth.
Intensely involving, emotionally charged, and infused with hope, Covenant Child is an inspiring story that challenges us to embrace the life God holds out to us.
“Blackstock is a masterful writer . . .” —Christian Retailing
Kara and Lizzie are heiresses to one of the largest fortunes in the country. But when their father dies suddenly, the toddlers are taken from the arms of Amanda, their loving stepmother, and given to relatives who only want the children’s fortune for themselves.
Kara and Lizzie grow up questioning their worth . . . until the day when they learn the truth.
Intensely involving, emotionally charged, and infused with hope, Covenant Child is an inspiring story that challenges us to embrace the life God holds out to us.
“Blackstock is a masterful writer . . .” —Christian Retailing
309 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
260 people are currently reading
3289 people want to read
About the author
Terri Blackstock
90 books5,550 followersTerri Blackstock is a New York Times best-seller, with over seven million books sold worldwide.. She has had over thirty years of success as a novelist.
Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in a U.S. Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.
In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. She hopes to remind them that they’re valued by God and that their trials have a purpose.
Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in a U.S. Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.
In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. She hopes to remind them that they’re valued by God and that their trials have a purpose.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 418 reviews
May 24, 2012
I first read COVENANT CHILD by Terri Blackstock back in 2001, I think, when it was first released. I was starting my second year of college, majoring in Philosophy, and I thought I was quite the little Socrates -- philosophizing everywhere, knowledge over emotion, asserting my young rebellion with my newly discovered vocabulary of important terms and educated concepts. In my early, rough stages of rating books, I slapped this one with a one star (or whatever the chosen method was at that time), notating only that it was overly sappy and disgustingly sentimental. With my mind focused on "bigger" problems of metaphysics and epistemology, I thought this to be enough of a review to remind myself and others to steer clear of similar books in the future.
Fast-forward 10 years or so after new grown up experiences of utter betrayal, a broken engagement, a manipulating ex, a series of tragic losses, and a complete and utter jumbled confusion about the role of an educated mind in my current life-style. Coming home from another heart-wrenching funeral, I found COVENANT CHILD on my NetGalley list and decided to give it a try. Remembering my one-star review of years past, I really wasn't expecting much -- but I was open enough for the slight possibility that I would enjoy it more this time around.
I suppose there's an amazing degree to which one's enjoyment of the book is related more to the personality and situation of the current moment, despite the fact that one may like to see herself as a firmly unbiased, reasonable reviewer, right?
For whatever reason, my mind was definitely changed on this one.
Beginning with plot -- Lizzie and Kara have everything that two beautiful young twins could possibly want out of life. They have an adoring father, who happens to be the heir to a billion dollar family fortune, although he currently renounces the money and vows to do whatever it takes to make it through life with his precious children -- without daddy's dollar. They have Amanda, the doting step-mother who recently married their father and promised him she would make it her mission to be the mother the girls needed after the death of their birth mother. Life is full of fun, games, hugs, and kisses, and nothing could be more perfect...
...Until, that is, the twins' father and grandparents die in a plane accident, leaving young Amanda alone to care for the girls. Always thinking of his childrens' future, Jack made sure that Amanda and the girls would have access to his fortune, ensuring they would nurtured and supported their entire lives.
Except, Lizzie and Kara's maternal grandparents have gotten word of the billion-dollar babies, quickly suing for custody -- along with a settlement of $300,000 a year to house and provide for the twins. Greedy and heartless to the core, the grandparents squander the money in the casinos, leaving the twins to fend for themselves in a filthy trailer where they share a ratty mattress and have only one another for comfort. As they age, the twins' heads are filled with lies about Amanda, as their grandparents assure the girls that Amanda was a heartless murderer who killed their father and stole their fortune. Hoping that Lizzie and Kara will sue for their billions on their 18th birthday, the grandparents abuse the children into submission, confident they will believe the lies and be gracious enough to share the money once the settlement is finalized.
But, Amanda comes back on the twins' 18th birthday, assuring them that she can bring them to her mansion where they will be educated, nurtured, and comfortable in the life she intended for them. She promised Jack, years ago, that she would care for the girls and reinstate whatever they had lost -- but is this really too good to be true? Does Amanda have ulterior motives?
I think, in my first reading of COVENANT CHILD, I had been brutally stuck on the fact that everywhere here felt so unrealistic. I wrote it off as a fairy tale and never looked back, preferring to spend my time with more "serious" literature.
So now, years later, I feel like maybe I missed the point. Maybe it IS completely unrealistic -- and maybe that is entirely irrelevant to the author's intentions. If she had set out to create a story that documents real-life events as they naturally occur, surely the subject matter and the outcome would have been different, no? So, then, what was her point?
I can only imagine that the real point of COVENANT CHILD is to use an idealized tale to really illustrate (to the disillusioned reader) the concepts of love, grace, and forgiveness. What would grace really look like, simplified in a way that would teach troubled minds? How can someone really depict heartfelt forgiveness in a society full of ulterior motives?
I'm glad I gave this story a chance this time around, and I definitely did thoroughly enjoy the book. I think it was particularly fitting to certain events in my life now, and I wouldn't hesitate to read more by Blackstock in the future.
Fast-forward 10 years or so after new grown up experiences of utter betrayal, a broken engagement, a manipulating ex, a series of tragic losses, and a complete and utter jumbled confusion about the role of an educated mind in my current life-style. Coming home from another heart-wrenching funeral, I found COVENANT CHILD on my NetGalley list and decided to give it a try. Remembering my one-star review of years past, I really wasn't expecting much -- but I was open enough for the slight possibility that I would enjoy it more this time around.
I suppose there's an amazing degree to which one's enjoyment of the book is related more to the personality and situation of the current moment, despite the fact that one may like to see herself as a firmly unbiased, reasonable reviewer, right?
For whatever reason, my mind was definitely changed on this one.
Beginning with plot -- Lizzie and Kara have everything that two beautiful young twins could possibly want out of life. They have an adoring father, who happens to be the heir to a billion dollar family fortune, although he currently renounces the money and vows to do whatever it takes to make it through life with his precious children -- without daddy's dollar. They have Amanda, the doting step-mother who recently married their father and promised him she would make it her mission to be the mother the girls needed after the death of their birth mother. Life is full of fun, games, hugs, and kisses, and nothing could be more perfect...
...Until, that is, the twins' father and grandparents die in a plane accident, leaving young Amanda alone to care for the girls. Always thinking of his childrens' future, Jack made sure that Amanda and the girls would have access to his fortune, ensuring they would nurtured and supported their entire lives.
Except, Lizzie and Kara's maternal grandparents have gotten word of the billion-dollar babies, quickly suing for custody -- along with a settlement of $300,000 a year to house and provide for the twins. Greedy and heartless to the core, the grandparents squander the money in the casinos, leaving the twins to fend for themselves in a filthy trailer where they share a ratty mattress and have only one another for comfort. As they age, the twins' heads are filled with lies about Amanda, as their grandparents assure the girls that Amanda was a heartless murderer who killed their father and stole their fortune. Hoping that Lizzie and Kara will sue for their billions on their 18th birthday, the grandparents abuse the children into submission, confident they will believe the lies and be gracious enough to share the money once the settlement is finalized.
But, Amanda comes back on the twins' 18th birthday, assuring them that she can bring them to her mansion where they will be educated, nurtured, and comfortable in the life she intended for them. She promised Jack, years ago, that she would care for the girls and reinstate whatever they had lost -- but is this really too good to be true? Does Amanda have ulterior motives?
I think, in my first reading of COVENANT CHILD, I had been brutally stuck on the fact that everywhere here felt so unrealistic. I wrote it off as a fairy tale and never looked back, preferring to spend my time with more "serious" literature.
So now, years later, I feel like maybe I missed the point. Maybe it IS completely unrealistic -- and maybe that is entirely irrelevant to the author's intentions. If she had set out to create a story that documents real-life events as they naturally occur, surely the subject matter and the outcome would have been different, no? So, then, what was her point?
I can only imagine that the real point of COVENANT CHILD is to use an idealized tale to really illustrate (to the disillusioned reader) the concepts of love, grace, and forgiveness. What would grace really look like, simplified in a way that would teach troubled minds? How can someone really depict heartfelt forgiveness in a society full of ulterior motives?
I'm glad I gave this story a chance this time around, and I definitely did thoroughly enjoy the book. I think it was particularly fitting to certain events in my life now, and I wouldn't hesitate to read more by Blackstock in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2017
2.5 stars, I felt like the ending was rushed.
August 31, 2017
by Andrea Renee Cox
The cover of this book was the reason I chose it. The lighting, the wheat in the background, the child walking away... they all came together so beautifully that I couldn't resist seeing if the story inside would match up to it.
I really liked the emotional impact of this book. One woman's undying love for her stepdaughters shone through all the muck of inappropriate content that disappointed me. The search for redemption and restoration was the thread that kept me reading when the content became overwhelming. This was an okay story about a prodigal-type child.
The narrator of the audio version, Kirsten Potter, did a fantastic job. I'd love to listen to more audio books read by her.
Content (includes spoilers):
* gambling and teen gambling
* tobacco
* stealing/shoplifting
* teen drinking and other alcohol use
* child abuse
* fake IDs
* pre-marital sex and teen pregnancy
* abortion
* school drop-outs
* insinuations
* tattoos
* physical abuse
I'll try another book by this author, but I'll be wary going in. Normally, I don't read more by an author after all of the content issues found in this one, but I've heard Ms. Blackstock is dynamite at suspense writing. I'll try one to see if I agree.
I was not compensated for my honest review.
The cover of this book was the reason I chose it. The lighting, the wheat in the background, the child walking away... they all came together so beautifully that I couldn't resist seeing if the story inside would match up to it.
I really liked the emotional impact of this book. One woman's undying love for her stepdaughters shone through all the muck of inappropriate content that disappointed me. The search for redemption and restoration was the thread that kept me reading when the content became overwhelming. This was an okay story about a prodigal-type child.
The narrator of the audio version, Kirsten Potter, did a fantastic job. I'd love to listen to more audio books read by her.
Content (includes spoilers):
* gambling and teen gambling
* tobacco
* stealing/shoplifting
* teen drinking and other alcohol use
* child abuse
* fake IDs
* pre-marital sex and teen pregnancy
* abortion
* school drop-outs
* insinuations
* tattoos
* physical abuse
I'll try another book by this author, but I'll be wary going in. Normally, I don't read more by an author after all of the content issues found in this one, but I've heard Ms. Blackstock is dynamite at suspense writing. I'll try one to see if I agree.
I was not compensated for my honest review.
July 17, 2020
I flew through the first 42%. The story of Amanda and the twins was captivating and heart breaking. But around halfway I lost a bit of interest. The downward spiral of the girls was hard to read and I think I would have liked to see some more about Amanda's journey.
It was a great story/visual of the prodigal son and no matter how bad we mess up, God will never turn us away.
It was a great story/visual of the prodigal son and no matter how bad we mess up, God will never turn us away.
January 22, 2024
My heart melted and broke; it groaned and wilted.
The story sucked me in and didn’t let go until the end. It was brutal, but also so very beautiful.
Similar to the Prodigal Son parable in the Bible.
CWs:
Alcohol
Abuse- physical and sexual
Drugs
Sex
The story sucked me in and didn’t let go until the end. It was brutal, but also so very beautiful.
Similar to the Prodigal Son parable in the Bible.
CWs:
Alcohol
Abuse- physical and sexual
Drugs
Sex
December 25, 2014
Terri Blackstock never ceases to amaze me. I’ve seen this book on shelves for a while now and I kept passing it up because it didn’t seem as thrilling as her other books, and it’s not. But it’s thrilling in a completely different sense. This story wasn’t about some murderer on the loose or a grand mystery that needed solved, but it was no less captivating. Blackstock handles suspense very well and I love a good mystery, but there is a time for the thrill of adventure and a time for the thrill of something else. It took me two thirds of the book to realize what I was really reading and I wished I’d read it sooner. This story is more of a drama than a mystery, but it’s still very engaging and a page-turner of its own right. I love the tender care of this story, the brutal truth of reality sometimes, and the heart-warming promises kept within. Blackstock is a very masterful writer and I have yet to be let down by any genre of her writing.
November 6, 2014
Terri Blackstock's Covenant Child is a modern day "prodigal child" story. This novel captured my attention from page 1 until the very end. I read it in just one day as I had to find out what was going to happen next to twins Kara and Lizzie. The story line is very realistic and well developed. The characters are normal every day people with their flaws, foibles, and strengths that draw them in to both good and bad decisions.
Blackstock does an excellent job of showing Amanda's never ending love and forgiveness for the twins just as God does the same for each of his children.
Blackstock does an excellent job of showing Amanda's never ending love and forgiveness for the twins just as God does the same for each of his children.
January 17, 2016
Author: Terry Blackstock
Published by: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Age Recommend: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Raven Rating: 5
Blog Review For: GMTA
Review:
"Covenant Child" by Terri Blackstock was truly a well written story Christian fiction making this an exceptional good read. This author is truly one that can bring it hometo all of us.... for she knows who to keep the reader spellbound until the end. This novel was definitely one I was not able to put down until I had finished it.
From the twins losing their mom....then their dad...his parents and even Amanda(step-mother) for a time...living with those evil grandparents(who loved off the twins money)...for these 'billionaire babies' were now living in poverty...definitely a family ripped apart
by death and greed....until the twins turned 18... now they could choose between the two lifestyles...which truth would Lizzy and Kara choose? ...lies...of what they had been told by those greedy grandparents or the truth from Amanda...which would be a new life for both of the twins.
Amanda was my favorite character in this novel.... for she was a stepmother that cared deeply for the twins and loved God. Thank God for the friends she had (Joan and Matt) that helped her and helped Amanda to know that God would see her through all of this...just leave it in His hands. Amanda had promised her husband(Jack) that she would take care of his twin girls...should something happen....when it did and it looked like this would not be done.... I will only say their is no limit to a mother's love.. how far she will go....Well, I am going to stop here and just let you read about this in this wonderful read of "Covenant Child." The big question is Will the twins except the truth that will change their lives or not?
The author did a great job with us understanding ...Amanda, Kara, Lizzy, greedy grandparents (maternal) and the boy to men relationships. The details were well noted and the interactions were very vivid in this wonderful novel.
Amazing novel and a very moving story is all I can truly say about "Covenant Child." This was definitely a wonderful photo of God's love for us. If you are in for a excellent read...this read is for you.
Published by: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Age Recommend: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Raven Rating: 5
Blog Review For: GMTA
Review:
"Covenant Child" by Terri Blackstock was truly a well written story Christian fiction making this an exceptional good read. This author is truly one that can bring it hometo all of us.... for she knows who to keep the reader spellbound until the end. This novel was definitely one I was not able to put down until I had finished it.
From the twins losing their mom....then their dad...his parents and even Amanda(step-mother) for a time...living with those evil grandparents(who loved off the twins money)...for these 'billionaire babies' were now living in poverty...definitely a family ripped apart
by death and greed....until the twins turned 18... now they could choose between the two lifestyles...which truth would Lizzy and Kara choose? ...lies...of what they had been told by those greedy grandparents or the truth from Amanda...which would be a new life for both of the twins.
Amanda was my favorite character in this novel.... for she was a stepmother that cared deeply for the twins and loved God. Thank God for the friends she had (Joan and Matt) that helped her and helped Amanda to know that God would see her through all of this...just leave it in His hands. Amanda had promised her husband(Jack) that she would take care of his twin girls...should something happen....when it did and it looked like this would not be done.... I will only say their is no limit to a mother's love.. how far she will go....Well, I am going to stop here and just let you read about this in this wonderful read of "Covenant Child." The big question is Will the twins except the truth that will change their lives or not?
The author did a great job with us understanding ...Amanda, Kara, Lizzy, greedy grandparents (maternal) and the boy to men relationships. The details were well noted and the interactions were very vivid in this wonderful novel.
Amazing novel and a very moving story is all I can truly say about "Covenant Child." This was definitely a wonderful photo of God's love for us. If you are in for a excellent read...this read is for you.
November 7, 2021
Review
Allegory
Wow! As I’ve mentioned before, allegory is my favorite genre. I would definitely categorize this book as an allegory, but it also doesn’t tick the traditional allegory boxes. Typically, the allegories that I read are set in another world, or a speculative version of ours (i.e., apocalyptic/distant future). Additionally, they are frequently Gospel retellings—which I love!
But I also really appreciate the different approach that Blackstock takes with this standalone. For one thing, the novel is set in the recent past, in our familiar world, and could actually be categorized as realistic fiction, for that reason. The events of the novel are also everyday occurrences.
Likewise, while the book POWERFULLY ministers the truths of the Gospel, it is not a traditional retelling (putting Jesus’ earthly ministry in a fictional form).
Parables
And yet, this book REALLY brought Scripture to life for me, particularly Jesus’ parables. For me, personally, the novel read as a fleshing-out of the story of the lost coin and of the prodigal son, with definite undertones of the parable of the treasure in the field and the parable of the talents.
Gospel
And, wow, as I wrote that it occurred to me that these parables were Jesus’ ways of explaining redemption— so it is very likely that the author was just using the Gospel, and not specifically the parables, as her source material. Mind BLOWN. But, this just goes to show how the book brought Jesus’ teachings to life for me, in a brand new way!
Absolutely, utterly beautiful.
The work simply abounds with the truth of God’s unrelenting love and passion. It’s the story of His perseverance in winning our hearts. And it showcases the beautiful, best moment of reunion. I’ve mentioned before that God speaks to me through story, and this is one of those examples. I would LOVE to see people handing out books like this one when they go out to evangelize.
Recommendation Status
HIGHLY recommend. I do have some content notes, (see full review here: https://stephaniesninthsuitcase.com/2... ) because of some sensitive material, but this does not in any way change my recommendation status.
Allegory
Wow! As I’ve mentioned before, allegory is my favorite genre. I would definitely categorize this book as an allegory, but it also doesn’t tick the traditional allegory boxes. Typically, the allegories that I read are set in another world, or a speculative version of ours (i.e., apocalyptic/distant future). Additionally, they are frequently Gospel retellings—which I love!
But I also really appreciate the different approach that Blackstock takes with this standalone. For one thing, the novel is set in the recent past, in our familiar world, and could actually be categorized as realistic fiction, for that reason. The events of the novel are also everyday occurrences.
Likewise, while the book POWERFULLY ministers the truths of the Gospel, it is not a traditional retelling (putting Jesus’ earthly ministry in a fictional form).
Parables
And yet, this book REALLY brought Scripture to life for me, particularly Jesus’ parables. For me, personally, the novel read as a fleshing-out of the story of the lost coin and of the prodigal son, with definite undertones of the parable of the treasure in the field and the parable of the talents.
Gospel
And, wow, as I wrote that it occurred to me that these parables were Jesus’ ways of explaining redemption— so it is very likely that the author was just using the Gospel, and not specifically the parables, as her source material. Mind BLOWN. But, this just goes to show how the book brought Jesus’ teachings to life for me, in a brand new way!
Absolutely, utterly beautiful.
The work simply abounds with the truth of God’s unrelenting love and passion. It’s the story of His perseverance in winning our hearts. And it showcases the beautiful, best moment of reunion. I’ve mentioned before that God speaks to me through story, and this is one of those examples. I would LOVE to see people handing out books like this one when they go out to evangelize.
Recommendation Status
HIGHLY recommend. I do have some content notes, (see full review here: https://stephaniesninthsuitcase.com/2... ) because of some sensitive material, but this does not in any way change my recommendation status.
March 8, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was put together real well and everything from the beginning to the very end was exciting.I was just so hooked fromt he start. This book was right up my ally since I love reading about children being raised by awful people and then making a better life for themselves. After Amanda didn't win custody, the girls went to live with their grandparents where they were beaten and thrown in closets. They lived in a filthy trailer and they tell the girls that Amanda was the one that killed their parents so she could get all their money. Very good book! Definitely a keeper!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2016
A beautiful story of redemption, restoration, and everlasting love. It's a page-turner...I couldn't put it down!
November 12, 2021
Not her best work. Way too predictable, making me roll my eyes constantly. It wasn't a waste of time, but it's not one I'll bother sharing with others. I like the overall concept and theme. My favorite line came at the end when she wrote death is "a hallelujah moment . . . not a goodbye" for those who know Christ (314).
May 17, 2012
In this modern spin on the parable of the prodigal son, Blackstock introduces readers to Lizzie and Kara, twin girls who are heiresses to a large fortune. When their father dies, the girls are ripped from the arms of Amanda, the stepmom who loves them as her own, and given to their grandparents, who care nothing for the girls. Will Amanda be able to get her girls back, or will they live without ever knowing their true worth?
Told from Kara's point of view, this novel beautifully shares the story of unending love: the love of a mother who never gives up just like the heavenly Father never gives up on His children. Without being preachy, the novel reminds readers of God's open arms waiting to embrace the ones who walked away from the fortune He has for them.
The book starts when the girls are three and continues past their 18th birthdays, but the plot doesn't feel choppy or rushed. The characters are authentic, and I felt such sympathy for the girls and rooted for them to overcome the odds. I also loved that this book was about the love of a parent, not a romantic love. So many Christian fiction books focus on the love between a man and woman, but the love of a parent is so important too and it's nice to see that relationship explored in fiction.
Overall, this a great book. Fans of Christian fiction will enjoy this book about unwavering love, but Terri Blackstock fans should be warned that this is not one of her suspense books....just as good though.
I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.
May 28, 2012
From the way this novel was written, to the characters filling to the pages, to the story that grabbed my heart, “Covenant Child” is a novel to be cherished and shared.
I can’t honestly say I “enjoyed” this story as a means of pure entertainment. The story is exceptional, don’t get me wrong, but because of the strong subject matter, it quickly becomes a story that I wanted to see redeemed.
The main character of Kara is a bitter young woman and if the story weren’t written from her perspective, as one who stands back and looks back on her life, I think I would have become fatigued with her. But to see the struggles of Kara and Lizzie and not have your heart wrenched is an impossibility.
The story is gripping from one chapter to the next moving on a swift emotional roller coaster. My heart was jerked more than one time.
I loved that the story was first person, it truly came alive. Though I would have loved to experience the story from Amanda’s point of view.
I believe this is a rerelease from a previous edition, but the story is timeless. A stirring story from a masterful story teller and a wonderful allegory for God’s unending grace and love.
This review is my honest opinion. My thanks to the publisher for my copy to review.
I can’t honestly say I “enjoyed” this story as a means of pure entertainment. The story is exceptional, don’t get me wrong, but because of the strong subject matter, it quickly becomes a story that I wanted to see redeemed.
The main character of Kara is a bitter young woman and if the story weren’t written from her perspective, as one who stands back and looks back on her life, I think I would have become fatigued with her. But to see the struggles of Kara and Lizzie and not have your heart wrenched is an impossibility.
The story is gripping from one chapter to the next moving on a swift emotional roller coaster. My heart was jerked more than one time.
I loved that the story was first person, it truly came alive. Though I would have loved to experience the story from Amanda’s point of view.
I believe this is a rerelease from a previous edition, but the story is timeless. A stirring story from a masterful story teller and a wonderful allegory for God’s unending grace and love.
This review is my honest opinion. My thanks to the publisher for my copy to review.
February 13, 2014
A modern-day picture of the Prodigal Son, Kara Holbrooke was born heiress to her billionaire grandfather's estate. But her other grandparents, in a series of wild events, got custody of Kara and her twin sister Lizzie before they were old enough to remember. Raised on "the other side of the tracks by money-hungry grandparents, Kara grows hard and distrustful of anyone who claims to love her without motive.
This book illustrates the emptiness and blindness of rebellion while illustrating the journey of a wandering child who finally finds out what redeeming, covenant love is all about.
This book illustrates the emptiness and blindness of rebellion while illustrating the journey of a wandering child who finally finds out what redeeming, covenant love is all about.
August 4, 2016
This book was written as allegory illustrating the fallen condition of the unsaved, the invitation of Christ, and the movement from unsaved to saved. It was a good story, although I felt that keeping up the allegory made it stilted and weird at times. But the underlying premise does come through - that God is just waiting for us to choose His life, and at any time we choose, we can be living in the "castle" instead of being trailer trash.
July 6, 2015
It worked as an allegory- which, clearly, was the point- but I didn't particularly enjoy the book. Though I appreciated the message Blackstone was trying to convey, I didn't relate to or feel that I cared much about the main characters. They just weren't very well developed. Not only that, but the twins were dense and immoral through most of the book and the stepmother was too good to be believable.
Overall, the story dragged and disappointed me.....
Overall, the story dragged and disappointed me.....
February 1, 2023
Whew! Took me a day to read this book. With every book I read of Terri's, the more I love her writing. She pulls you in, and you don't want to stop reading til the last page. Covenant Child was another filled with so many emotions ranging from sadness, anger to joy.
March 19, 2010
Interesting.
October 22, 2012
Blackstock does not disappoint in this profoundly moving story about a set of twins in a very unique situation. This is a must read!
August 14, 2016
Excellent book by Terri Blackstock. Similar to The Prodigal Son, yet much more in depth. A reminder on how to pursue even when God's answer is "wait" or "not now"
November 19, 2020
The situation in the beginning is definitely a plot device—there were definitely ways for Amanda to manage to keep the girls—but I enjoyed it and it made me cry anyway.
January 20, 2023
This book, wow. My emotions were all over the place. But it was great. The characters and story line were just heart grabbing. Please read!
July 15, 2022
a reflection of redemption
I was definitely moved towards the end. At times frustrated with Kara and sorry for her. Lizzie’s optimism and hope in her future and believing the best I related to. Good read overall and such a beautiful reminder of the restoration and love we have in Christ. I enjoyed that the author quotes scripture throughout the book. Will check out the author again!
I was definitely moved towards the end. At times frustrated with Kara and sorry for her. Lizzie’s optimism and hope in her future and believing the best I related to. Good read overall and such a beautiful reminder of the restoration and love we have in Christ. I enjoyed that the author quotes scripture throughout the book. Will check out the author again!
October 13, 2019
The writing in this was just so juvenile to me - just for me... wasn't my speed of reading. I read this thing in one day because it was just too easy to get through.... & then the story just aggravated me. The hillbilly talk, the too simple plot. & then the ending was just so abrupt... I was not thrilled with this one.
November 2, 2024
Another stunning book by Terri Blackstock. What a powerful message of redemption, renewal, and God’s love for us! This was beautifully symbolic and a great reminder of our inheritance in Christ!
TW: abortion, child neglect, domestic violence
TW: abortion, child neglect, domestic violence
July 19, 2025
That was a pretty decent story about a woman who was offered so much and kept rejecting it over and over. It was a little rushed at times, but the message was very clear. Definitely meant to portray the relationship that we are offered to have with the Lord and the love that He has for us.
June 6, 2018
Wonderful allegory of God's love for us! Very interesting and hard to put down.
September 3, 2021
Terri Blackstock is another one of my favorite authors. Her stories are clean and have a good story line. This one was no exception.
November 2, 2025
I’m not crying, you’re crying! Kara and Lizzie had such a rough upbringing! Abuse followed them growing up but there’s someone waiting in the wings to help them..
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