The Messenger by Siri Mitchell

What is Hannah Sunderland to do?  Her twin brother is imprisonned, yet her parents forbid her to help him because of their Quaker faith.   However, when she feels the cold and desperation that he feels through that weird twin connection she knows he must seek to help him.  How does a Quaker who cannot lie help a brother in jail?  She becomes a spy... of course!

Jeremiah Jones is a former soldier who is now a colonial spy and he needs help getting into the jail to help the prisoners escape.  Meeting Hannah is just what this spy needs to help him get information in and out of the prison.  Who would suspect a Quaker woman of trying to bring aid to her brother?

Hannah is conflicted about the beliefs the Quakers have instilled in her.  Are they right?  Should conflict be avoided at all cost?  Jeremiah is also challenged in this story.  He is embittered by his amputation and the loss of the quality of life he had before, but Hannah's quiet strenght and integrity affect him. 

While I enjoyed this read, I did not love it.  I found the story moved along at a meandering pace and unlike some of the other readers I was not spell bound.  I thought it was a good book...just not great.

I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

Prophet by R. J. Larson

Imaginative and compelling; this book is a great read.  The creativity required to create this fictional world that Ela lives in is mind boggling.  Right from the very first pages I was caught up in the story which was surprising for me because I was expecting a much drier story.  However, if you want a story that is full of incredible imagery, action, intrigue and a touch of romance, this book is for you.

Ela is a teenage girl whom the Infinite asks to be His prophet.  Ela accepts because she can't bear to lose his presence.  Leaving her home in Parne, Ela follows the Infinite's direction to go to Istgard where she is to confront the ruler there.  Along the way Ela encounters danger from beasts and men alike.  The story moves along quickly and I must say that my household duties were neglected as I just couldn't put the book down.

Prophet also provoked me to examine whether I was as devoted to God as Ela was to the Infinite.  She exhibits courage beyond her years as she confronts and speaks the Infinite's words.  I am inspired to be more like her... even if she is fictional.

I can't wait until the second book of the series comes out!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".