Book Review: Adventures and Adversities

A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of helping market a total of 23 titles written by 18 homeschooled authors. It was an awesome experience spending time with my older sister and learning to be friendlier with people I don't know. : ) And, of course, I had to bring one of those amazing books home. (Two of them actually.) I read the first one Adventures and Adversities in a day and a half. : ) The cover isn't the most appealing or highest quality I have ever seen, but don't let this turn you off from reading the delightful story author Sarah Holman has crafted just for you. IT WAS AWESOME!

The Setting:

This story was setting in the fictional medieval kingdom of Taelis. After a time of upheaval in their government, serfs are being sent to serve the new king by building his castle. I found it really interesting how the author managed to give her fictional kingdom a feel of authenticity. Reading it one almost felt as if this were really history. (Characters did come in contact with actual historical things such as the Vikings and Gaul.) Mentions of clothing and customs seemed historically accurate enough to me. : )

The Storyline:

The storyline was so amazing! There were some loose ends, but I'm convinced that those are set up for the next book. (Hooray!) All the way through the characters had to learn to be grateful, to trust God, and to have faith. (There were also some really good thoughts about grieving.) It was such a cool story--a real page-turner at some points!

The Characters:
The characters were delightfully real. The reader either extremely hates the characters or loves them to pieces! I, of course, like Alditha. She was such a sweet character, but not too perfect either! The lessons she had to learn really spoke to me as I read about them. The Captain was such a complicated, conflicted, and loyal character! I found him very real and very intriguing. Alditha's friends (to name a few--Marian, Eleanor, Maggie, Gregory, and so on) made a great "supporting cast". Two other characters that I really enjoyed were the honorable stable boy William and the insightful hermit/priest.

The Concerns:

Parents should have caution in considering this book for younger readers because of some mild romance (all friendship based with marriage in view and the utmost purity) and medieval torture. SPOILER ALERT--the penalty for stealing is the loss of a right hand which almost happens to one of the characters. Ick! (Everything turns out fine, but it is really tense for a while there.) Also, political usurpers talk about murdering the royal children in their beds which also doesn't end up happening. Ick again!

I found this book so fabulous! The romance was sweet, the characters and setting were very real feeling, the lesson were wonderful, and the story was compelling! Not to be missed!