Copyright Date:
2013
Edition Date:
2013
Release Date:
11/12/13
Pages:
xi, 257 pages
ISBN:
1-400-32287-1
ISBN 13:
978-1-400-32287-9
Dewey:
Fic
LCCN:
2013020908
Dimensions:
22 cm.
Language:
English
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews
Quarter-angel Jonah Stone re-enacts the tale of his biblical namesake in the latest of an evangelical fiction series aiming for Percy Jackson–style adventure. Grief-stricken by his mother's murder, Jonah ditches the cloistered Angel School with his fellow "quarterlings" for the easy popularity his special powers bring him at an ordinary public high school--so long as he ignores the way the whole place is ruled by demons. But Jonah cannot run far enough to escape Elohim's plans for him: not boring proclamations of repentance and mercy like the ancient prophet, but a more gratifying battle with monsters on a luxury yacht for the soul of the U.S. president. Readers accustomed to thinking of life as perpetual spiritual warfare will likely overlook the clunky prose and stereotyped characters and thrill to the nonstop chases, kidnappings, storms, wrecks and gruesome violent clashes with the forces of Abaddon. Others will find the perspective bizarre and mean-spirited and are more likely to giggle than gasp at the silly B-movie villains and the heroes' ludicrously literal spiritual armor ("sandals of speed," "belt of truth," "helmet of salvation," etc.) Nonetheless, anyone can appreciate the hard questions about divine justice Jonah hurls in his very real anger and despair; few will be satisfied by the anodyne platitudes he receives in response. Strictly for the target audience, but they deserve better. (Fantasy. 10-14)
Faced with unparalleled grief, will Jonah return to Elohim? Parents are looking for fiction that makes Christianity exciting for their kids. This series is the first Christian answer to Percy Jackson, the Kane Chronicles, the Secret Series, and other middle grade series packed with action and adventure. But the message is solidly based in Scripture, conveying that God is always in control. It has been a trying six months for Jonah, Eliza, and Jeremiah Stone. They have been grieving over the loss of their nephilim mother, who was murdered by Abaddon's forces. As part angels, the siblings have been in school with other children of nephilim to hone their special powers In Truth Runner , Jonah has left Angel School and attempts to forget Elohim's calling by moving back to his hometown and starting high school as a "normal" kid. But Jonah can still see fallen angels--and the evil they're doing. When Jonah realizes the Fallen are attacking his friends without their knowledge, he is faced with a choice: continue to ignore it and forge his own path, or remember who he really is and fight for his friends. As Jonah's story begins to resemble his Biblical character's namesake, will he turn back to Elohim's path for his life? Meets national education standards.