Books I Need to Reread

As you may or may not know, I'm big into rereading books. Even if I already know what's happened, there's still the delight of rediscovering the story, of finding the hints I missed before, and of reconnecting with the characters. At one point, when I had a more limited to-be-read list, I'd make sure to read my favorite series at least once a year. As the number of new books I had to read increased, however, my time for rereading decreased, so at this point, some of the stories that I loved, I haven't touched in quite a while. I've been trying to remedy this, but there are still several books and series I haven't gotten to. And today, I thought I'd share some of my top need-to-reread series with you.

1. The Lord of the Rings and The Silimarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
As I mentioned, there was a time when I read The Lord of the Rings at least once a year (rarely more, though- even for the most enthusiastic reader, they're kind of long), but considering how much I love the trilogy, it's been an awfully long time since I've read it. I really do need to fix that soon- particularly now that I have a pretty new matching set. As for The Silimarillion, I've read it exactly once all the way through, and I skimmed a great deal of it. Now that I'm older- and, I hope, have more patience- I want to give it another try.
(Note: The above picture is not my "pretty matched set." My copies are decidedly less fancy, rare, and expensive. Though that doesn't stop them from having super pretty covers and being a very comfortable size for reading. The above image is the product of asking Google Images for a picture of LOTR and The Silimarillion together.)

2. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I used to like this book very much indeed, but after a well-meaning parent used it to turn a book club into a lesson in story structure, I didn't touch it again for, well, longer than I should've. I wish I'd let go of that memory sooner, but better late than never. Admittedly, I did listen to the Focus on the Family radio drama in the car last weekend, but it was so abridged that I felt like all my favorite parts had been cut short, or else left out entirely. All the more reason to reread the book sometime soon!

3. The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker
I read this series for the first time about five years ago and obsessed over it for several months- during which I also explored several of Ted Dekker's other books, none of which I liked quite as much and some of which freaked me out a lot. I've read the trilogy once or twice since then, but not recently. I'd like to reread it sometime soon, now that I'm older and have a different, hopefully more mature, perspective on it.

4. Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand
Cyrano is my favorite book (well, play) that I've had to read for literature, and it's also one of my favorite classics. I haven't gotten around to reading it since the year I had it in school, since my copy is in the back of that year's literature book. However, my sister is going to be reading it for her literature this year . . . which means I'd better reread it so I can join in her discussions! (I'll join in the discussion whether or not I've read the book, probably, if I get a chance- but at least that way I'll remember better what I'm talking about.)

5. The Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rodgers
This is a short little trio of books, a fantasy version of the Biblical story of David. I read them perhaps four years ago, but haven't reread them more than once or twice since then. I'd love to rediscover them, though; they were some of the more unique books I've read. Unfortunately, my new library only has the first one . . . I am very much not happy. Hopefully, my old library has an online version I can borrow . . .

6. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.
I have a confession to make: I haven't read The Chronicles of Narnia all the way through in quite a long time, despite how much I love the series. I've read single books now and then, and listened to some of the audio dramas either on trips or while knitting, but not the whole series. Obviously, that needs to change.

7. The Echoes From the Edge trilogy by Bryan Davis.
At one point, this was my favorite Bryan Davis series- it even beat out Dragons in Our Midst, which was an impressive feat. Is it still my favorite? I'm not sure- which is one reason I need to reread it, so I can find out. Also, it's a pretty awesome trilogy (I'm certain of that), and I haven't read it in a few years.

8. The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis.
I read these books the summer after I read The Silimarillion, I think- it's been a while. I'm sorry to say I really didn't appreciate them at the time. Out of the Silent Planet I liked well enough, true, but Perelandra seemed a bit odd, and by the time I got midway through That Hideous Strength, I was struggling. I'm fairly certain the main reason I finished was I thought "It's C.S. Lewis, and therefore I ought to like this." Recently, however, I've met enough people who really like the Space Trilogy that I feel I ought to reread it.

9. The Princess and the Goblin and The Princess and Curdie by George Macdonald.I loved these two books when I was younger, but sadly, they were some of the first to get lost in my new-book flood. Recently, however, I've been seized with occasional urges to reread them . . . which I've utterly failed to act upon. I do want to fix that, though, because they, like Narnia, are the sort of books that are always worth rereading.

Do you like rereading books? If you do, are there any books you need to reread? Please tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!
-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)

Chaos Review

Author: Ted Dekker

Characters: Incredible! Trapped into an unfamiliar (to them) world, favorite characters from the previous three books spring to life like they never have before!

5/5

Location: Ok. The description of Alucard’s lair was fairly interesting, but other than that I wasn’t impressed.

3/5

Plot: Amazing! If possible, this plotline is even more action-packed than the previous three books! Chaos features enough mystery, high-speed action, and completely unpredictable plot twists too keep you turning the pages the whole time. Don’t start this book late at night; you won’t be able to put it down!

4/5

Other: No other comments.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Renegade Review

Author: Ted Dekker

Characters: Very good! Favorite characters from the first two books return, along with some new characters! I enjoyed meeting another Roush, as well as learning more about Karas. And although Billos and, to a degree, Darsal, both easily make you want to knock some sense in them, they aren’t as bad as Johnis in the previous book.

4/5 

Locations: Ok. The locations were a little confusing, and they weren’t as good as those in the previous books.

2/5

Plot: Very good! Like all Dekker’s books, this is a fast-paced, action-packed plot that will have you on the edge of your seat with suspense!

4/5

Other: No other comments.

Overall Rating: 3/5

Infidel Review

Author: Ted Dekker

Characters: Fairly good. The characters are just as alive and vibrant as in Chosen, but certain characters (otherwise known as Johnis) made so many mistakes that I had a strong desire to yell at them for a half hour or more.

3/5

Location: Very good. There was just the right amount of description, and it was very clear!

4/5

Plot: Very good. The plot is intense and action-packed, with so much mystery, betrayal, and subplot that you can’t put the book down!

4/5

Other: Unlike some authors, Ted Dekker does a very good job of making sure that his books fit together and don’t contradict each other, a fact I first noticed in this series when a “flashback” scene from Red was in this book. As this series and the Circle Series continue, I noticed it more and more.

Overall: 4/5

Chosen Review

Author: Ted Dekker

The land of the Forest Dwellers has been decimated by the Horde under the watchful eye of the vilest of all creatures, Teelah. Thomas Hunter, supreme commander of the Forest Guard, is forced to lower the recruitment age from 18 to 16. From among thousands, four new recruits are chosen to lead- and perhaps die- for the greater good.

The chosen four are sent on a quest to prove their character, but their mission takes a dramatic turn when they are intercepted, sworn to secrecy, and redirected to a different endgame. Now they must find the seven lost Books of History. Books that have power over the past, present, and future. Books whose words are alive. Books sought by the Dark One that controls not only the destiny of their world . . . but that of ours as well.
-Summary from the back of Chosen

Characters: Excellent! These characters are well-done and interesting, with the good characters good but not perfect, and the bad guys being chillingly evil, for the most part. I also enjoyed seeing some of my favorite characters from Black, including Gabil and Thomas Hunter.

4/5

Location: Very good! There’s enough description that you get a fairly clear picture of the locations, but not so much as to overwhelm you. However, I did get a little confused in one or two spots.

3/4

Plot: Excellent! The plot is exciting and action-packed, with enough twists to keep you on your toes the whole time!

4/5

Other: This book is definitely one of my favorites! Although Wayne Thomas Batson remains my favorite author, Ted Dekker is almost, if not just as, good! I would definitely recommend reading this book!

Overall Rating: 4/5

What's Up This Week?

Hello, everyone! It’s Saturday, and that means it’s time for an update on my life!

·        My novel is going ok, though not particularly well. I managed to get off track in the last few days, and my attempts to get on track aren’t going too well. Hopefully next week will be better.

·        Part of the reason why my novel probably isn’t going well is that on Tuesday or Wednesday, I caught a cold, which set me back by a whole day when I just couldn’t write. Thankfully, the cold is mostly gone by now except for a slightly stuffy nose, but the writing damage is done.

·        Another possible reason for the lack of work on my novel? The fact that I’ve had a variety of new books to read. This week I enjoyed Perelandra, the second in C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy, as well as House by Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti, and, to my great excitement, Song of the Ovulum by Bryan Davis. Song of the Ovulum, which I read just this morning, is definitely my new favorite by Bryan Davis. A book review on Song of the Ovulum, as well as ones on various other books that I have read this week, will be posted on my blog. 

·        You may have noticed the tabs along the top of my blog, just below my banner. Well, each of these tabs links you to a new page with one of my stories that I’ve posted here on it! So, you now don’t have to search through posts if you want to read one of my tales; you can just click on the name at the top of my blog to read it all in one place!

·        This past weekend, I got to see several of my relatives, including my grandpa, aunt, uncle, and cousin. I very much enjoyed this, since I don’t get to see them very often.

Well, that’s about it. Thanks for stopping bye!

-Sarah

Green Review

Author: Ted Dekker

Characters: Excellent! There’s one name inconsistency, but for the most part, the characters are just as amazing as in the rest of the series, even if one or two do give you a slight desire to yell at them even now and then.

4/5

Location: Very good! As usual, Dekker does an excellent job in the setting, with just the right amount of clear description.

4/5

Plot: Amazing! Dekker does an excellent job of finishing the series and linking if back to Black in the most surprising way. This plot has even more twists and turns than usual, and I quite literally could hardly put it down.

4/5

Other: I will note that this book is a bit creepier than the rest in some ways, and I wouldn’t advise reading it late at night, or near the time when you’re going to sleep.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Series Rating: 4/5

White Review

(Sorry for the lack of a review, I don't have the book available at the moment, and I'm not sure where to get a review. The book basically picks up where Red left off.)

Author: Ted Dekker

Characters: Very good! The characters in this book are vibrant and colorful, with favorites from Red and even a few from Black reappearing, along with some new faces.

4/5

Location: Very good! Dekker describes the setting with his usual amount of clarity and vibrance, and the locations are easy to visualize.

4/5

Plot: Excellent! Dekker combines his trademark high-speed action with mystery, a touch of romance, and enough plot twists to keep you on your toes the whole time!

4/5

Other: No other comments.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Red Review

Author: Ted Dekker

"The mind-bending pace of Black accelerates in Red, Book Two of Ted Dekker's epic Circle Series. Less than a month ago, Thomas was a failed writer selling coffee at the Java Hut in Denver. Now he finds himself on a desperate quest to rescue two worlds from collapse. In one world, he's a battle-scarred general commanding and army of primitive warriors. In the other, he's racing to outwit sadistic terrorists intent on creating global chaos through an unstoppable virus.

Two worlds on the brink of destruction. One unthinkable solution.

Enter an adrenaline-laced epic where dreams and reality collide. Nothing is as it seems as Black turns to Red."
-Summary from the back of Red

Characters: Very good! This book is full of amazing characters, every bit as epic as those in Black. There are plenty of twists about who each character is, with the revelation of a few faces (or names anyway) that I never expected. There is, however, one think that I dislike about the cast of characters: the very regrettable absence of Roush, Gabil in particular.

4/5

Location: Very good! The locations are as incredible as they were in Black, with clear description and imagery.

4/5

Plot: Excellent! If you thought that Black was exciting, you’ll love Red! With a new twist or turn at every corner, this book will keep you turning the pages until you come to the cliffhanger ending. However, it is also very sad at the end, for reasons I won’t mention here for fear of spoiling the book.

4/5

Other: You want an epic tale with amazing characters, an incredible double plot, and more action than you could imagine in a single book? Read Red.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Black Review

Author: Ted Dekker

"Fleeing assailants through deserted alleyways, Thomas Hunter narrowly escapes to the roof of a building. Then a silent bullet from the night clips his head . . . and his world goes black.

From the blackness comes an amazing reality of another world where evil is contained. A world where Thomas Hunter is in love with a beautiful woman. But then he remembers the dream of being chased through an alleyway as he reaches to touch the blood on his head. Where does the dream end and reality begin? Every time he falls asleep in one world, he awakens in the other. Yet in both, catastrophic disaster awaits him . . . may even be caused by him.

Some say the world hangs in the balance of every choice we make. Now the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance of one man's choices."
-Summary from the back of Black

Characters: Excellent! The characters in Black are interesting and colorful, each with flaws, but none so mistake-ridden that they’re annoying.

4/5

Location: Great! This book has one of the best settings I’ve found outside of The Lord of the Rings! Both worlds in this book have enough detail that you can get a picture of the setting, but not so much that it overwhelms you.

4/5

Plot:  Amazing! This plot is something fairly new and unusual for me, a definite plus. It’s well-drawn, and though complex, not so complicated that it’s confusing. Always exciting, funny when it needs to be, serious when the situation calls for seriousness, this plot is excellent!

4/5

Other: Although this is officially the strangest book I’ve ever read, it is excellent! The highly unusual method of travel between worlds, along with the amazing characters and action-packed plot, make this a tale well worth reading.

Overall Rating: 4/5