Conservative Book Talk

The Shining Sword is an analogy of the armor of G-d. The author uses fictional characters and a season in their lives to show how she believes the armor of G-d is portrayed in the Bible. (I consider it accurate)

Lanus is our main character and he is very lazy. His favorite activities include wrestling and sleeping in the grass. He works only when he absolutely has to, and looks to the villagers for free meals here and there. He does not sound like much of a hero does it. No, and that disturbed me at first, that the author chose such a character for her hero, but it soon became clear that Lanus’s character was soon to get a wake-up call.

As Lanus is leisurely lying in the grass on a hill, he sees a familiar figure approaching, who turns out to be a friend that disappeared a year ago. Robin, the friend, tells Lanus of his life as a solider of the King, and that he came to invite him to visit the King’s home beyond the little valley where Lanus lives, and to become a soldier of the King.

Lanus agrees to visit, and is impressed with the work and lifestyle Robin and his comrades live in, yet the work part is still a bit bothersome to him. So instead of staying he goes back to the village. Yet instead of staying, you guessed it, he decides to return and become a soldier of the King, and face the enemy (the devil). From there we watch Lanus grow, fall and get back up again and learn proper use of the armor of the King. (G-d)

I must admit I considered this book a bit of a bore for the first 10 or 15 pages, the way the author began things was a little tedious and not very catching. However, I persevered because a friend lent it to me and I told him I would read it. After those first few pages, it began to pick up speed. It never reached 90 miles per hour, but it did end up keeping my interest and finishing out as a book worth reading. (198 pages at most)

If you end up reading this book, let me know what you think about the way the author portrays the armor of G-d. I liked it and thought it a good reminder.

Tags: Charles G. Coleman, Hannasus, Religious, The Shining Sword

Plot: As a note, reviews of the first three books have already been written, you may find them in the archives. It will give you background on our character.

Eagle Strike begins where Skeleton Key left off. Alex Rider is now trying, once again, to become a normal schoolboy.

He almost secedes when he accepts a friend’s invitation to go on a two week vacation with them. All goes well, until Alex sees the assassin that killed his uncle, Ian Rider.

His friend’s father is almost killed in an explosion in their rental home, the police say it was a leaking pipe, but Alex knows it was no accident, and sets out to find out to kill the man who set the bomb. Thinking it was set to kill him instead. He finds and follows the man until caught, and is forced to participate in a bull fight. His choice was fight the bull or be shot, he chose the former.

He of course lives, and continues back home while his friend stays with her father in the hospital. Back in Brittan, Alex suspects a multimillionaire of evil intentions and bring it to the MI6’s attention. They do not believe him, considering the man’s reputation for good, so it is up to Alex to discover the truth behind the mask.

Negative: From what I recall, there is nothing terribly negative, there is implied swearing, but the word is never actually said. Some people are killed, a man drowned in coins, our hero is forced to go through a rigged obstacle course. Nothing graphic, but certainly not for the very young. (below age 10)

Overall: Overall, rating this book from 1 to 10, ten being highest, I would definitely, without a doubt, give this book a 10. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end, a thriller of a book, I hope you have time to get your hands on this and the three before it. (and the others after Eagle Strike, in the Alex Rider series)

Tags: Alex Rider, Anthony Horowitz, Eagle Strike, fiction, Hannasus, youth

Plot: Won by the Sword is set in the 17th century. The French at that time were in the midst of what would turn out to be a thirty years war.
We meet our hero, Hector Campbell, in 1639, the war has already been raging for twenty-some-odd years by that time. Found by General Turrene practicing play-war against a city, Hector talks some time with him before finding that the gentlemen he is speaking with is General Turrene himself. Turrene takes a liking to Hector and soon has him on as his personal messenger.

The thirty years war began mostly due to the different nobles of France warring for more power, and a stronger hold on the French throne. At that time the Italian bishop, Richelieu, held great power over the throne, mostly due to his friendship with the king. A man of intelligence and power, Richelieu did his best to unite France during his life time with the king.

Not far into our story Richelieu, and the king, die of illness. The king’s young son is then crowned king, but the throne is in control of his mother until he comes of age. Succeeding Richelieu is Mazerin, another Italian bishop who is also in great power, though he was not greatly admired by the king, he learned well from Richelieu and is held in favor by the queen.

General Enghien is also under Frances’s service at this time, and is equal in brilliance in strategy to Turrene, though Turrene is more cautious while Enghien is less concerned with how many men are lost. Both are equally brave, and both take a liking to Hector, who serves under the two.
Battles are won on either side, the French and Austrian, (both countries have other countries aiding them) but nothing happens that truly sways the victory rod in either direction.

This Henty book contains much of the history of France, yet is combined with Hector’s own adventures, which are many. We see the war through Hector’s eyes, and are very happy for it, as it’s a fun nose-in-the-pages book.

Negative: The war chapters do not go into great detail of how men die and are very mild. Other than a duel, an alley fight and a brush with robbers in an inn, there is little negative content.

Overall: This was a very good Henty book, not his most exciting, but it was not dry and dull. I do recommend this book, as it is chock full of good history, and is rather a fun read. (And, as usual, our hero is ever brave and honorable.)

Tags: fiction, G. A. Henty, Hannasus, History, youth