The Bark Of The Bog Owl (The Wilderking Trilogy)

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Summary: Barking Up the Right Tree
Review: A superb book by this new author. The world of Corenwald is wonderfully and creatively depicted in this story of a young shepherd boy named Aidan. Although the plot features a familiar parallel to a young shepherd boy in the Bible, unique characters, fanciful settings and plot twists make the book a delightful read. The wild, courageous and adventuresome Aidan will appeal to all readers.

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Summary: Loved this book!
Review: I loved this book! It has the creativity of Harry Potter and the substance of The Chronicles of Narnia. I am anxious for volume two to come out!

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Summary: ...
Review: Lately I've been keeping a tab on the Christian fantasy/sci-fi that's been released in the past half year or so. Of the ones that I've read, "The Bark of the Bog Owl" is the one geared for the youngest age group.

The book is perfect for parents to read to their kids. I am a big advocate of kids being read to because some of my fondest memories are of being curled up in the rocking chair with my mom while she read books we borrowed from the library. I would have eaten this up at that age.

The only disappointment I had about "Bark of the Bog Owl" is how the story turned out. Through the first 3/4ths of the book it was developing well. It felt unique and indiviual. Then the story spins into a parallel of the story of David from the Bible. Bible stories aren't a bad thing, but when I want to read them I'll read the Bible. So I found that to be a bit of a letdown.

To Jonathan Roger's credit, however, he allowed himself to add enough unique details that it was still enjoyable. Unfortunately, if he continues with the David parallel, it becomes too easy to guess what trials will happen next.

Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: My 8 year old daughter and I read the book together in the evenings a chapter at a time. We both couldn't wait until the next evening's chapter... a great story with a great message. We're anxiously awaiting the next book.

Rating:
Summary: Best book I've read in ages!
Review: My children ages 5 and 7 loved this book so much they begged me not to finish the last chapter so they could drag it out a few more nights. And when we finally finished, my son wanted me to start reading it to him all over again. I myself found the book to be very captivating and hard to put down. There never seemed to be a good place to leave off at, every chapter was so good. Older children will love this book even more as they will understand more of it, but my young children found it to be very exciting and all without pictures. I highly recomend this book to adventure lovers.

Rating:
Summary: Bog Owl is Awesome!
Review: So many new christian fiction books coming out, but there never is anything of quality for young people,,,until now. If you're kids are hooked on Harry Potter then you've got to get them to try this book. Its very well written, and so imaginative. I especially like the "swampy" setting, gators and all. I give this my highest recommendation!

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Summary: Read this out loud to your family!
Review: Some children's books beat the reader to death. Happily this is not one of them, in fact it's a joy to read aloud! It also held my family in it's sway as we read it each night. After our nightly chapter my children would scream, "read more, read more". It's a great story of courage and resourcefulness that was appropriate for my 10, 8, and 6 year old. Make up voices for the the different characters and when the Bog Owl barks do it with gusto! I hope that the author has already written the next two because my children are clamoring for more.

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing read for young and old
Review: This book is a hoot for old and young. Fun, fast chapters with excitement, adventure and smattering of literary allusions made this book a treat. It's like watching the knights of the round table wake up in the old South. Laughed at the superstitions/traditions of the feechie folk and rallied for the young Wilderking in his every step. Didn't want to stop reading and can't wait for the next book in the trilogy. Will buy a set for each of my brothers and sisters and will have one in my home.

Rating:
Summary: delightful!
Review: Three cheers for Jonathan Rogers and Broadman and Holman.

Where to begin my praise for this book?

First of all there is a boy who is all boy--rough and tumble and longing for adventure. This is a boy who calls to our innermost beings, urging us to be good and noble and true without being stodgy and stiff and stuck-up. Aidan delights us with his humility, his appetite for fun, his courage, and his steadfast devotion to God and King.

Add to the mix a wild feechie boy--I won't even try to describe him because I can't do him justice. But you are sorely missing out if you don't buy this book and get acquainted with Dobro Turtlebane.

The pace never stills, the story never lags, and the children never stop begging for "just one more" chapter when you read it aloud.

And the children's plea is mine, also. "More, please, Mr. Rogers." I want to go back to the swamps and do some fishing and feasting. I want to follow Aidan to the caves as he flees from his king. I look forward to an honorable, deep love between Aidan and the king's son (I'm thinking Smike and Nicholas Nickleby).

I can't wait to see where this talented writer takes us next. What relationships will be forged, what sacrifices will be made, what honorable service will be rendered, all while we are romping through Aidan's world and laughing with him and loving him?

Not only was the story enthralling and the prose superb, the book came out in hardback with a well-thought-out cover design. Good for Broadman and Holman. The paper quality, the printing, and the pictures were still substandard but those are minor irritations considering the huge leap that this book makes in the Christian publishing industry.

If you or someone you know loves fantasy, buy this book. You will not be disappointed. Like Harry Potter, this one is going to be loved by adults as well as children.

And, no, I've never met the author and I don't work for Broadman and Holman. I just cannot contain my joy at seeing this kind of quality from Christian publishers. Hurray, hurray, hurray. Or perhaps that should read: Haawwweeee!