Saturday, August 6, 2011

Book Review: Wormling series by Jenkins and Fabry

I have just finished the Wormling series by Jerry B. Jenkins and Chris Fabry.  I would highly recommend this book for kids over the age of 7. The frightneing parts are seriously tempored to allow a younger audience without really letting any of the "thrill" go. It is really well written and captivating. I dislike slow moving books and this is a nicely paced plot and will hold some twists and turns appropriate for elementary aged kids. While this book could be very enjoyable for older kids they may be able to guess some of the twits and plot endings a bit too soon. Not so for kids under 12.

There are five books in this series and they read like one big book with mini books.  So, you really need to start from the first and read them all in order and one after the other.

The story follows a boy, he may be about 13 or so when this starts out, his age is never mentioned. His name is Owen Reader and he lives a rather secluded and nerdy life in a bookstore with his single parent dad. Modern day.  He is not a very happy boy and strange turns of events make him even more so. However, he is an inquisitive boy and brave despite his first appearance. The story follows him through a series of epic ordeals and otherworld travels (not so modern day) to reavel to the reader as well as to Owen himself the answers to the basic questions we all ask.Who am I, what am I here for and what matters? He also deals with the question that is becoming more common now. What is real?  Owen learns great truths and how to trust what is true when you can not see it and it seems to be far far off. The reader may find that in following Owen, he or she learns a great deal about him or herself.

This is a Christian book, and as such holds a great many rephrased passages from the Bible. It is an allegory of sorts and does a good job. I would say that it is not preachy and would also be a fine read, very interesting and not overbearing for a reader of no particular faith.

I highly recommend this book.

The series contains these 5 books:
The Book of the King
The Sword of the Wormling
The Changeling
The Minions of Time
The Author's Blood