Scan barcode
english_lady03's review
3.0
I discovered this had finally been released on audio-book yesterday, and got it. Finished it in a day at work, as its only short (just under 5 hours).
'Brothers and Betrayal' was a well-told story centered around the themes of forgiveness, grace, mercy and helping others. Like the author says, these are important things to remember, and not enough professing Christians seem to exhibit these virtues in our lives.
The storyline with 'The Archer' and his men living in the woods sort of echoes Robin Hood: except that this Robin or rather John- refuses to steal, even to feed the others. He does shoot game though, which isn't technically stealing I suppose. He's supposed to be more of a godly example to impart Christian values to younger readers than the traditional character. Though he has his funny moments too. A bit of a cocky trickster, as we love to see in the old tales.
Overall, I did like this and the gospel message woven into in. (Except in one scene, but that was because I disliked the way something was worded, in such a way as to suggest Medieval people had never even heard of Jesus. Although an earlier scene suggested differently.)
There were a few details thought that did not really work for me. One was the heroine supporting The Archer and his group by sending them supplies in the form of sacks of grain.
Nothing wrong with that, except I was left thinking: what possible use would people living rough in the forest have had with sacks of raw, unprocessed grain? Unless they had built a mill to grind it into flour to make bread, a bake-house and preferably a brewery for making ale.
Medieval people you see, rarely ate grain in its raw form: their main foodstuffs were processed products made from it: bread and ale.
Maybe I'm being pedantic, but its that food production is an aspect of everyday life that we rarely take account of. Its like how in many novels like this, nobody ever seems to GROW any crops. They either have sacks of grain that magically appear from nowhere, or they are entirely dependent on the hero/heroine for handouts. At least this novel actually mentions people farming.
I did find the style a little simplistic in some places, although as I had to keep reminding myself, that probably because its a YA novel. Its a good one though, and just a nice story which grown ups can enjoy along with children. Sarah Holman is certainly a talented storyteller, whose fictional country of Taelis seems a more consistent and realistic in this second installment.
'Brothers and Betrayal' was a well-told story centered around the themes of forgiveness, grace, mercy and helping others. Like the author says, these are important things to remember, and not enough professing Christians seem to exhibit these virtues in our lives.
The storyline with 'The Archer' and his men living in the woods sort of echoes Robin Hood: except that this Robin or rather John- refuses to steal, even to feed the others. He does shoot game though, which isn't technically stealing I suppose. He's supposed to be more of a godly example to impart Christian values to younger readers than the traditional character. Though he has his funny moments too. A bit of a cocky trickster, as we love to see in the old tales.
Overall, I did like this and the gospel message woven into in. (Except in one scene, but that was because I disliked the way something was worded, in such a way as to suggest Medieval people had never even heard of Jesus. Although an earlier scene suggested differently.)
There were a few details thought that did not really work for me. One was the heroine supporting The Archer and his group by sending them supplies in the form of sacks of grain.
Nothing wrong with that, except I was left thinking: what possible use would people living rough in the forest have had with sacks of raw, unprocessed grain? Unless they had built a mill to grind it into flour to make bread, a bake-house and preferably a brewery for making ale.
Medieval people you see, rarely ate grain in its raw form: their main foodstuffs were processed products made from it: bread and ale.
Maybe I'm being pedantic, but its that food production is an aspect of everyday life that we rarely take account of. Its like how in many novels like this, nobody ever seems to GROW any crops. They either have sacks of grain that magically appear from nowhere, or they are entirely dependent on the hero/heroine for handouts. At least this novel actually mentions people farming.
I did find the style a little simplistic in some places, although as I had to keep reminding myself, that probably because its a YA novel. Its a good one though, and just a nice story which grown ups can enjoy along with children. Sarah Holman is certainly a talented storyteller, whose fictional country of Taelis seems a more consistent and realistic in this second installment.
rebekahmorris's review
3.0
Having read and enjoyed the first book in these "series," I was looking forward to reading this book. While I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first one, it was a delightful afternoon read with a great message. The characters were delightful (well, except the "bad guy"), the conversations were enjoyable, and the settings were well written. I think it just felt a little . . . um, rushed, or not as in depth as I wanted it to be in a few places. But it was good, and I enjoyed it.
There were a few typos, but nothing more than I find in traditionally published books. :)
There were a few typos, but nothing more than I find in traditionally published books. :)
More...