Exodus Rising

Exodus Rising
(Tales of Starlight #3)
Bryan Davis

Adrian Masters continues his relentless march toward the bitterly cold Northlands of Starlight. Ravaged by a deadly disease and accompanied by two children, Adrian carries Marcelle in a vegetative state, hoping Alaph, king of the Northlands, will supply
a way to reunite her near-death body with her wandering spirit.

Time is of the essence. Invading soldiers from Major Four are marching toward the Southlands village to do battle against the dragon slave masters, but two great dangers await—the inescapable disease and the unpredictable Benefile, ageless and mysterious white dragons who will kill any infected humans.

All the while, Drexel, the murderer of Marcelle’s mother, has taken on an impervious disguise as a male Starlighter and is using hypnotic powers to gain control of Mesolantrum with his sights set on the entire kingdom. Adrian and Marcelle must battle to free the slav es on one world and protect their own world from Drexel’s malevolent plan or else the freed slaves will return to Major Four only to find another slave master. Performing both tasks seems impossible.

Hope remains in the guise of the little Starlighter Regina. Guided by Cassabrie, Starlight’s great liberator, Regina hopes to accompany Adrian step by step to thwart the plans of slave masters on both worlds.

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My Review

I loved this book! It was definitely an amazing ending to an amazing series!

There were so many things going on throughout the book. Eradicating the disease, reuniting Marcelle's spirit with her body, Adrian and Marcelle's engagement, a crafty new starlighter determined to take over Mesolantrum and the entire country, and so much more. And these are only things I knew were going to happen since I read the first two books! But I will leave the hows to you to find out.

I loved how everything worked together. This book builds on what happened in the previous books, making it much more exciting, romantic, and dangerous.

The spiritual elements were very good. Marcelle and Adrian both learn much more about trusting the Creator and leaning on Him, not themselves, for their strength, even when it didn't make sense. Also, the villains faced the consequences for their actions, unlike in many books and movies in which liars and thieves succeed and are helped on by their friends, even as the heroes. And yet, mercy triumphed as well for those who were willing to receive it. God gives mercy and justice, a theme that is woven throughout the series.

The only thing I didn't like had to do with Jason, Adrian's brother. Jason is the hero in a teen series of books called Dragons of Starlight set in the same story world. His story fills in all the holes and jagged edges in this series. Anyway, I didn't like that Jason, the mature-ish hero in his own story, is nearly killed as soon as he goes back to his own world! You would think he'd be smarter than that or something, considering all he's just lived through on Starlight! Grr, it was frustrating. Other than that, I have no complaints.

Things you should know:   Spoiler alert!

There is much violence, but it is not gruesome. There are disembodied spirits, kind of like ghosts. One villain has a pocket full of fingers that he cut from the body of the woman he murdered. The characters kiss, and sex is implied, but not done by the characters.

Unclaimed Legacy

I figured I should get back to blogging. After all, I read about 5 books that need reviewing!

Unclaimed Legacy
by Deborah Heal

Description

It's like being there. . . only you can fast-forward and rewind.

"I call it time-surfing," Abby said. "It's like being there,
except no one can see or hear us."

"Whatever you call it," John said, "that was crazy--what we just did.
Beyond realistic. I mean, I was in that guy's head
and knew everything he was thinking."

Abby's weird computer program is working again. And it comes
in handy when she and her friends agree to help the Old Dears with their family
tree.

Except Abby and John learn more about one of the ladies'
ancestors than they ever wanted to know. Convicted in 1871 of murder and arson,
Reuben Buchanan is a blight on the family's reputation. But was he really
guilty? Abby and John must get inside the mind of a murderer to find out.

And while they're rummaging around in the Old Dears' family
history, they also find Nathan Buchanan, a heroic relative connected to the
Lewis and Clark Expedition--and a legacy waiting to be reclaimed. But the most important discovery they make is that God's
promise to bless a thousand generations is true.
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My Review

After Abby and Merry agree to dog-sit for John's cousin (with his help, of course), they meet their new neighbors, the twins Eulah and Beulah. These old women, who are endearingly called the Old Dears, are trying to put together a family tree. But since they don't know much of their family on their grandfather's side, it proves difficult. Abby, Merry, and John decide to help them by time-surfing in other old or even rotting houses in the area. One clue soon leads to another, and as they unearth the mysteries behind the Old Dears family tree. An illegitimate son? Murder? Or what?

I really enjoyed this book. There was the mystery, the sort of "time travel", and the growing romance between Abby and John. I loved the history! And the Old Dears were quite hilarious sometimes, especially Beulah and her pranks. It makes me want to do my own family tree.

I only would have appreciated more time-surfing. The characters do it quite often, but the story revolves more around the present time than the past.

Overall, a very interesting and unique story.

Things you should know: *Spoiler alert
There a little violence in this book. The violence is not described in detail, but mainly features an abusive husband beating his wife to death then burning her body. Also, there is kissing and even an assumed affair (not described) that is later cleared up. And a minor character is arrested for using and selling drugs. The author clearly does not promote these things (except kissing).

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for and honest review.

Note: I was unable to post a picture of the most updated front cover, which features a rusty doorknob.