The Enchanter Heir by Cinda Williams Chima, a book review

Next in line in The Heir Chronicles, The Enchanter Heir by Cina Williams Chima is really good… even if, like me, you missed the steps between it (The Wizard Heir and The Dragon Heir) and the first book in the series, The Warrior Heir.

Jack and Ellen appear again, but definitely as background characters. It is fun to see them in this book which is predominantly about Jonah Kinlock and other survivors of the Thorn Hill incident. I'm not sure if what happened at Thorn Hill is mentioned in The Wizard Heir or The Dragon Heir, but it easily could have been.

Jonah is the enchanter referenced in the title and he is a loner among misfits. Probably a stronger enchanter than he would have been if he'd not been part of the Thorn Hill incident, he also has some other abilities which are being put to use by his mentor and keeper, Gabriel, when we begin the book.

The desriptions of music and focus on it throughout this story is really enjoyable and believable. I particularly liked that music calmed Jonah's younger brother Kinzey's flames. Although there are a few other characters in the story, I'm left wondering about what other gifts are represented and manifested in those who are in Safe Passage.

I enjoyed this story very much. Even so, I was disappointed that there are a few appearances of foul language. For that reason, my children will have to wait until they are a bit older to read this part of the series. My eldest daughter was disappointed to learn my decision because she thoroughly enjoyed The Warrior Heir.

Have you read The Enchanter Heir by Cinda Williams Chima? What did you think of it?

If you like my book reviews for youth and adults, come back on Monday, January 2nd for a new review.  Children's book reviews are the only ones that will appear on Friday from here on out.  Hope to see you in a couple days to check out my latest youth fiction book review!

my thoughts: on children

It seems wildly apparent to me that our culture is really not pro-children. Being anti-child isn't the “it” way to be as yet generally, but we definitely seem to be headed that way. Although I use we, I use it loosely to reference our culture. As in so many ways, in this I also tend to have a counter-cultural mindset.

The most upsetting experiences I have had with the not completely anti, but also unfriendly-to-children cultural atmosphere is in the church. While I am a member of a particular church and I definitely do include them, I'm speaking of the church in broader terms. I have found a few exceptional groups, but overall, I've found that even Christians are unfriendly to children as a rule. Not just in the edifices of the church, either.

I believe children are the future. Isn't there a song that says that? Maybe Michael Jackson sang it or was a part of it? Anyway, as the future, they are really what all of this… they are the point of all our efforts. Unless, of course, you agree with the person who told me about the only three things that motivate people (for the record, I still disagree with those three). ←LINK to first post about MOTIVATION

As a result of my disagreement with those (LINK TO MY THOUGHTS ABOUT) motivations, and perhaps because I believe love is actually the number one motivator, I believe most folks inherently know that children are the reason for all of it. Most folks know that children are the actual why behind and within just about everything we do.

So, why do we have the cultural disregard and devaluing of children? I don't actually know the many-faceted answer to this. I think it's got so many sides that it connects to most everything that is touted to have value of the world. However, ultimately, and like the overall picture of the Mandelbrot Set, I think it's because evil has led us to believe that other things are more important than including children, or valuing children, or having children.

I have been long working to teach my children to serve. Sometimes I think my efforts are working. Other times… well, they are children. There have been some wonderful service opportunities organized by my church in various places and by various people. Apparently these folks have talked about me (gossip?) and made sure to include in the announcement about the service projects that only certain age children were welcome. Well, because of the circumstances of my life, if any of my children are excluded, the whole family won't make it. This is just one repeating example of the unfriendliness to children I reference.

Another manifestation is the cruel words I've heard on more than one occasion about my family size. One guy was even so direct as to use tone of voice and words to tell me I was crazy. Most folks use neutral words combined with derogatory tone to communicate the same. The only reason anyone would do this is if they have fallen prey to the predominant culture of child-devaluation.

Do you see what I've described in our culture?

my thoughts: on the difference between knowing and learning

Knowing is having the facts.  Being aware of truth.  Acknowledging steps necessary to accomplish something.

Learning is applying facts, truth, and steps.

Knowing is cerebral.  Learning is practical.

The former is easy.  The latter, much more difficult.  Application is far more invasive and consuming than holding information in one's synapses.

The two are worlds apart.  Yet some would use them interchangeably.  No!  We must know before we can fully learn, it's true.  But just because we know something, doesn't mean we've actually learned it!

I'm a great example of this!  I can tell folks how to do any number of things I haven't yet mastered application of.  This is, perhaps, a YUCK of being a teacher personality.  Seeing clearly HOW to do something comes far more easily than making myself consistently DO it. 

Thus... I'm a fluffy girl who knows TONS about the process of weight loss!  And that's just one example of a chasm between knowing and learning in me.  I've got lots more, unfortunately.

How about you?  Can you think of any instances of something you know, but haven't fully learned yet?

The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell, a book review

The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell could be a wonderful addition if you have a collection of Christmas stories you like to pull out only for the time of year you choose to celebrate our Savior's birth.

A child dies and has a difficult time adjusting to becoming an angel until he receives something he misses from earth. The thing he receives becomes his gift to the Christ child, the night of his birth. And thereafter becomes something even more amazing when accepted by God for his child.

This story was originally written by Charles Tazewell for entertainment radio broadcasting back in 1939. It's debut as a children's book was in 1946. It's also appeared in a magazine and as a film production. It has been published in many languages and Time Magazine declared it an international classic.

It is an awesome story! I got teary voiced and then teary-eyed while reading it. I would like to have it for my children's book collection.

Have you read The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell? What did you think?

The Grey Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima, a book review

Have you read The Grey Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima?  If you haven't yet, I hope you will consider it.  It is the third book in Chima's Seven Realms series and quite good.  Somehow I've missed the first of the series and started with the second.  I look forward to reading the first and fourth.

If you have read it, tell me what you thought of it!

Raisa, the main character and princess heir, continues her learning. Will she return to her mother and make claim on the Grey Wolf Throne?  Or will her efforts to become the next queen be foiled by her many enemies?

Wizards and spell casting make this series fit nicely within the fantasy genre.  Raisa has the gift of prophecy and sees the other wolf queens at specific times.  It's interesting to learn, very specifically, in this book when she sees the other queens.  In the previous book, their appearance was more alluded to than directly explained.  And since I haven't read the first, I'm not sure if she saw them then or not.

This series is meant for older youth and young adults.  I will not let my children read it until they are older.  The youth in the series have few if any problems with kissing just about anyone they meet and no problem with getting hot and heavy with numerous other youth.

observations: flawed or flawless

I once overheard a woman say that she 'had it out' with another woman.  She commented that she hoped the other woman felt good in her perfection.  "As for me, I'm imperfect.  I'm happy with my flaws."  This is a sort of conundrum, isn't it?  I mean, if you're happy with your flaws, then they can't really BE flaws.... right?

So I've been thinking a bit about this.  If someone says such a thing... is it really conveying a spiritual laziness?  They don't want to do the work necessary to make those weaknesses (flaws) into strengths (points of perfection in a flawed human).  I think that's definitely a possibility!

Perhaps in other situations, the character trait or other issue that someone else identifies as a 'flaw' isn't really one.  I've definitely experienced that.  It sure can grow to feel like one when people point at it over enough years... like the way people have said I'm too trusting.  Well... since we live in a fallen world in which folks really enjoy intrigue, this trait that folks point to all too often really can be troublesome... and painful.  But that doesn't make TRUSTING a bad thing... it just makes me unusual in a fallen world in which most people learn NOT to trust much sooner than me.  And still I struggle with being too trusting!

Yet in other situations, perhaps the flaw is really just a momentary problem that someone is able to see simply because of bad timing... sorta like driving West at just the wrong time of day when you absolutely cannot get the glare of bright sunlight behind anything... no visor low enough... no way to sit up straight enough to manage it.

Do you think we should work on making our flaws into strengths?

The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima

An awesome story continues in The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima.  My daughters will not read this trilogy until they are a bit older because the youth seem to have little moral integrity.  It's not a part of their culture, so it makes sense to the book.

I started this series with this book.  I'm sure I will enjoy reading the first and seeing how Chima set things up that have and are coming to pass in this book.  She is a good storyteller with almost poetic prose at times.  I'm able to get INTO the story in the way that one feels a bit like coming out of a dream when the real world calls our attention away from the story.  In fact, a neighbor arrived to share some news while I was reading and I didn't realize he was walking toward me until my little boy mentioned it.  So, I definitely recommend it.

This fantasy follows two main characters with a few secondary characters.  One of the two main: a wizard youth learning to use and control his magic and navigating his way through the the political difficulties he faces is interesting and engaging.  The other main character, Raisa, known as Rebecca Morley, is a strong princess under cover.  She's trying to make her own way in the world rather than succumb to being controlled by a man in an arranged marriage.

Will she be able to choose her own way?  Will her marriage be for love or simply the best political move she can make?

Have you read The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima?  What did you think of it?



Happy birthday to me!

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima, a book review

Cinda Williams Chima weaves of a tale of fantasy about Jack coming of age in the present day amid medevil rules for those with gifyed with magical abilities in The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima. We meet Jackson as he is hoping to go out for the soccer team. Very early on, he has to choose between tryouts and following through with doctor's orders concerning medicine he has taken his whole life. His choice is the reason we have this tale to enjoy. Is he a wizard? Or a warrior?

I do recommend this novel. I am allowing my 12 year old to read it because it doesn't delve into any questionable subjects and there aren't any steamy scenes. I like that magic is set in present day and still feels potentially plausible. It's easy to get into this story as a female reader and I imagine, since the main character is male, it would be even easier to do so for a guy. I'm looking forward to reading more of Chima's work. I'll let you know what I think of what I read.

Have you read The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima? What did you think of it?

observations: we need more connections when...

A lady with her child in the children's area of the library held herself in a very open way.  Her arms were almost behind her.  Her face was open... searching.  I was focused on what I was doing, so I realized these things only upon pondering what I'd barely seen in the moment.  I feel bad.  Maybe I was supposed to offer her an opportunity to feel less alone.  I know I used to need those moments so very much.

Sometimes I still feel very alone.  When my life and the ways we've chosen to live feel unbearable because it's just so different... but doesn't everyone feel that way... at least, in a way?  I mean, maybe not everyone realizes their life is a result of a series of their own choices as much as I do... but I think maybe we all feel our life is a little unbearable at times.  And different.  Don't you?

It's in those moments I used to want (much more than I do now) another lady with whom to commiserate.  I think I've learned that commiserating doesn't help anything... and, in fact, can make things worse.  Sometimes I still cry to my Mom or sister when I feel like the pressure of the circumstances I'm facing will actually crush me.  Usually I'm crying to be heard.  I know they won't understand the circumstances very well... I just want to hope that someone will care enough to listen.  And they do.  I'm so grateful!

But even that is reaching out hoping for connection, isn't it?

And the old folks next door who talk too long when you've got so much to do...
And the child who gives you a drawing and wants to talk about it for ten minutes...
And the teen who recognizes you and wants to know that they are familiar to you, too...

We're all seeking to be heard... seen... remembered.

I know that our Father hears, sees, and remembers each of us.  I KNOW it.  Yet I still seek the validation of those I love here in this mortal realm.  How silly, right?  But human.  So very human.  And that's okay.  So long as we don't allow ourselves to simply wallow in sameness.  Working hard to become better is so much... BETTER!

my thoughts: group mind

There have been experiments performed that show the power of groups working together to be of one mind. Most of them revolving around meditation groups. I imagine that the same of very similar results may well be attained during times when religious organizations have special meetings for their members, though I am not aware of any studies to prove such.

At least a couple instances show that group meditation has decreased a certain type of crime rate in large cities. How is that even possible? Well, I think it makes perfect sense because like attracts like, right? Lots of people focused on good thoughts and positivity will bring the same. Light attracts light. Light dispels darkness.

I have felt the result of group mind most frequent experience of it has been during General Conference which is a twice yearly meeting of the members of the church to which I belong. On a personal level, it feels like a sort of “shot” of goodness, love, and upliftment. (Yes, I know that last isn't a real word. I like to make up words… and you can tell what it means, right?)

This concept is really valuable and powerful. And I've known about it for a good many years. It has taken me a few years to work through thoughts and feelings about celebrating Christmas on December 25th. Now, as I reflect, I wonder why I didn't see and understand the connection between group mind and Christmas.

My greatest desire has been to honor our Savior in the best way possible. For a few years I have been greatly concerned about the date and mode of celebrating Him in our day. I still have a number of issues with the societal norms and am working to mitigate them within my family. However, among my great concerns was that of date and is no longer a concern at all.

You see, I was worried about the way the date for the celebration was chosen as a result of research, pondering, and prayer. I still do not prefer the date, but accept it because as Christians we can act as light bringers to an otherwise potentially not so bright day. Because we choose how we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we can also stand against the tide of the way the world would distort this very special celebration.

Who's Got Game? The Lion or the Mouse? by Toni and Slade Morrison, a book review

Both this and the other book by the same three with the same beginning name which I reviewed HERE are obviously illustrated by the same artist. The covers are very similar. It's fun that the horizon scene on the cover of Who's Got Game? The Lion or the Mouse? Is more of a African plains sort of scene. It prepares the reader for a different environment in this book. The title page and other small sketches until the first page carry on the preparatory differences.

The illustrations, by Pascal Lemaitre, of this story definitely accomplish the task of supporting and amplifying the words of the story. The words and illustrations work well together.  This, like it's similar story mentioned before, is also in comic style.

This story has the same rhyme problem as the other, though not as drastic an issue this time. Perhaps that's because I read it after the other, so my expectations for the rhyme were considerably diminished based on my memory of the first. I did feel a bit annoyed that it seemed at times like the authors were going for rhyme, but didn't keep it steady and flowing.

Again, I kept reading because I wanted to see what the title meant. What point are they shooting for? Will they finish as well as the other?

Though they do end with a question, I think this story does not leave the audience as much room to choose for themselves. This could be a good thing, given the subject, of course.

As for me, I like the message of the story.

Have you read it? What did you think?