Rating: My bookshelf

Reading Level: Mid-Elementary , Late Elementary, Middle School

Four Children travel to a fantasy world where they battle enemies and rely on mysterious armor. The author clearly has Christian values and a faith-based agenda.

Imagine Narnia for a slightly older audience.

Possible Concerns:

  • Fantasy. Magic, water dragons, evil and deceptive creatures.
  • Bullying. One character is wrapped in toilet paper like a mummy and laughed at by bullies.

Things I like:

  • Excellent relationship with adults. A dad eventually shows up in the fantasy land and teaches the kids how to be heroes there. He shares, basically, that he has been saved by grace. Also, one kid comes clean about lying to his mom.
  • Black heroes. The book includes main character heroes with dark skin.
  • Identity as princes and princesses. The children are called by these titles of honor before they feel they have earned them.
  • Clearly shadowing principles of Christianity. The warriors have a belt of truth, boots of peace, etc. Paraphrases of scripture guide their journey. There is a clear enemy whose story reflects that of Satan.

Although perhaps not as well-written as Wingfeather Saga, it is still an asset to my bookshelf, and it kept my precious 9-year-old quite enthralled. I also liked Book 2, The Unseen Invasion and Book 3: The Swords of Rhema.