The Terrestria Chronicles
http://www.talesofcastles.com/terrestria-chronicles.htm
These paperback books are available for $7.99 each or the set of seven for $39.99. There is also a set available in hardback for $73.99. The hardcover editions are not available individually. A spiral bound study guide Visits to Terrestria is available for $5.99. The answers are viewable online.
We received the last two books in the series free for this review. Since it is mentioned a few times that this series should be read in order, I found this a little odd. We really enjoy adventurous stories and if we can find them without magic or other questionable or bad influences we are thrilled. I had heard of this series through MOMYS-Mother of Many Young Siblings- and was anxious to finally have a chance to read them for myself. Even though we couldn’t start at the beginning of the series, we did start with the first of the two we received.
The Golden Lamps is book 6 in the series. After an intriguing prologue, the story opens with a battle. To say we were hooked would be an understatement. Even though we had not read any of the earlier books, we had no problems following along with the story. From reading on the website, Josiah is the main character that the series follows. This story could really stand alone because we do no meet him until well into the story. I read this aloud to my children and they really enjoyed it, often asking it to be read pretty much anytime they thought I needed something to do <grin>.
The last book in this allegorical series is The Great War. Knowing that the war referred to in the title is most likely symbolizing the last battle told of in Revelation, we dove right in having an idea of the broad story line. We enjoyed the finer points to the story as our beloved characters made their way to the final battle. Our children’s playtime now consists of making castles with found objects and using various sticks as swords and horses. They also like to ‘write petitions’ on paper, roll it up like a scroll and pretend it is ‘flying off to King Emmanuel’. I think they might be enjoying this.
At the end of the book is found a glossary of terms and some writings of castles. Also, a page about salvation with scripture references is included. We were all moved by the stories–especially in the last volume–and it is very likely that many children are led to Jesus through them. The author, Ed Dunlop, is an evangelist so this is his calling and he does it well.
Now, for what we did not like–though we do like what we read very much and will be purchasing the remainder of the series. This series is allegorical by definition. My previous experience with allegorical stories–specifically Christian allegories–is that they are subtle in their deeper purpose. This would be a very shallow allegory. Not shallow in meaning, but shallow in that you do not need to think hard on who are the good guys so to speak. The names of the various places and characters leaves nothing to the imagination as to whose side they are on. My children are all younger and loved that they could tell who were ‘the bad guys’. My husband and I (remember I read this aloud) were not as enthralled by this part of the stories. The series is written at a 5th grade or so reading level. If your family loves adventure stories of knights and castles then you will want to check this out.
Do not forget to read my fellow Crew mates reviews at this link http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HomeschoolCrew/771044/