Journal Entry 1 by loopy1 from Herne Bay, Kent United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Obadiah Demurral is a sorcerer who is seeking to control the highest power in the Universe. He will stop at nothing. The only people in his way are Raphah, Kate, Thomas - and the mysterious Jacob Crane.
Packed full of history, folklore and smuggling, this tale of their epic battle will grip both young and old. The thrills, suspense and danger are guaranteed to grab the attention and stretch imaginations to the limit.
(from back cover).
This book was written by a vicar, and originally self published, financed by him selling his motorbike.
Billed as the Christian alternative to Harry Potter, and promoted as Waterstones book of the month, it promises a world of superstition, magic and witchcraft where nothing can be taken for granted, and the ultimate sacrifice might even be life itself.
But does it live up to its hype? Here's the chance to decide for yourself as I send this out on a bookray.
Mailing List:
PDB11 UK
Wistfuldragon UK
Deerskin UK
Veganvixenuk UK
Theresa-A UK
nyassa UK
BlossomU Portugal
Violetaparra US (Mass)
KarenDawn US (Texas)
Caligula03 US (California)
lduggan1 US (Cal)
Bridge2thestars (California)*
kymberlie (Texas)*
bkwrm23 US (NJ)
kernow8 (Virginia)
 

Journal Entry 2 by loopy1 from Herne Bay, Kent United Kingdom on Friday, September 05, 2003

This book showed signs of being a very good book, but unfortunately it was spoiled in places by trite religious/biblical phrases.
I felt it wasn't sure whether to be a fantasy book or religious book, and suffered by not truly being either.
Having said that, I did enjoy it and it did grip me in places. Maybe someone who isn't so familiar with the phrases in question would enjoy it more.
The book started its travels today, on its way to PDB11.
 

Journal Entry 3 by PDB11 from Barsinghausen, Niedersachsen Germany on Tuesday, September 09, 2003

Arrived safely - many thanks, Loopy!

Two book rays arrived today, and a book box late last week, so I fear it will be several days before I can tackle this. 

Journal Entry 4 by PDB11 from Barsinghausen, Niedersachsen Germany on Wednesday, September 24, 2003

I have mixed feelings about this book. It seems to be a hybrid of Philip Pullman and C S Lewis (but not as well written as either).

I asked to read the book because it came up in discussion as an attempt by a clergyman to write children's fantasy with a Christian moral, in reaction to some of the fuss that's been going on over Harry Potter. If this is the case, it hasn't worked very well. The moral messages seem much the same as a lot of children's fantasy: strive for the right, even when those in authority are against you; be loyal to your friends; and so on. The Christian bits - witchcraft is evil; all gods are either God or the Devil - seem to fit the story rather poorly.

I enjoyed the story, but I felt that the ending was a bit ragged: extra ideas were introduced very late on, and then not resolved properly. Important theological questions - most notably, Could the Devil have defeated God if he'd got his hands on both the "Keruvim"? - were left open, whereas I have much stronger beliefs on this than I do on the theological statements the author did make.

Added to this there was a general feeling of its being poorly researched; and that many of the adult characters were badly portrayed. In particular, I felt that the villain was too evil for the role he was playing. 

Journal Entry 5 by WistfulDragon from Streatham, Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 14, 2003

Received this book a while back, but was unable to read it due to illness - believe me an illness that prevents you reading is not enjoyable!

The book is definitely 'Religious fiction'. Unfortunately this is the label I apply to books where the author is so keen to get the religious message accross that they either don't realise they are not the world's best writer or else don't devote enough of their energy to characters etc, so the message gets in the way of the tale. I have read better fiction with a relious theme.

Having said that I have read lots of poorer books, and quite enjoyed this one. And it is not too dissimilar in style to some of the books that my children read and enjoy, so maybe I was approaching it from too adult a perspective.

As for the open question as to whether the devil could really defeat God, I too have my own opinion on this from my own beliefs. Having said that, I also have to admit thoroughly enjoying the film Dogma - you don't have to agree with the author to enjoy their work.

Sending this on its way tomorrow - apologies for the delay! 

Journal Entry 6 by Deerskin from Aberystwyth, Wales United Kingdom on Monday, October 20, 2003

Recieved today - thanks! 

Journal Entry 7 by Deerskin from Aberystwyth, Wales United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 18, 2003

I tried (twice) but I really couldn't get into this book - I just couldn't get interested enough in the plot or the characters, though I ploughed through it for a while before giving up. No originality, no spark (for me anyway).

Thanks for the bookring (at least I didn't go out and buy it, as I'd been considering!). I'll get this in the post as soon as I can. 

Journal Entry 8 by Mamooo from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Saturday, November 29, 2003

Got this yesterday morning.
Thanks for sending it on.
It looks really good and i started reading it right away!
Will journal again when i am done! 

Journal Entry 9 by Mamooo from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 03, 2003

Well, i've only had the book a few days but i started reading it straight away. Unfortunately i only got as far as the fourth chapter before having to put it down.

Many of the reasons for this have been mentioned by others already. I tried to read on but found myself getting more and more irritated so decided to give up.

The religious phrases grated on me. Real people don't talk like that. I'm not christian myself - if i had to label myself i would say my beliefs are pagan. So i found the continued references to witchcraft being evil quite offensive.

I realised beforehand that it was a fantasy book written by a vicar but i didn't expect it to be so full of religious dogma.

My other main moan was that i found the characters completely unauthentic. They just did not seem real to me - very two dimensional. Their speech in particular i found unrealistic. As an example -

"I don't mind work, Beadle. One more word from you and i'll knock that wart from the end of your nose. Where were you the night my mother was burnt out of the cottage?"

Now, who would say in these things in the same sentence? I found the juxtaposition of the phrases very strange.

I think the idea behind the story is good. Its just a shame that this guy wrote it!

Hope i haven't offended anyone with my opinion - i just wanted to be honest and try to explain myself as best i could.

Contacted Theresa-A, who is next in line for her address before i journalled so it should be off to her soon. 

Journal Entry 10 by Mamooo from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Monday, December 08, 2003

Got a PM from Theresa-A today. She has decided that she has too many bookrings and rays on the go and it would take her too long to read it so Shadowmancer is off to next in line, nyassa, as soon as i get her details. 

Journal Entry 11 by nyassa from Deal, Kent United Kingdom on Friday, December 12, 2003

Arrived today - many thanks veganvixenuk 

Journal Entry 12 by nyassa from Deal, Kent United Kingdom on Thursday, January 22, 2004

I did manage to finish the book, but it wasn't unputdownable, if that's a word. While I can see why people consider it to be religious, it seemed to me much too violent to be putting the right message across.

I didn't think it was at all well written and there were several places where it seemed to contradict itself on small points. It has made me realise that I seem to visualise the narrative because I kept finding myself pulling up short and re-reading a passage in order to "see" what was happening, e.g. characters suddenly appearing on another side of the room.

So in all rather disappointing. 

Journal Entry 13 by BlossomU on Monday, January 26, 2004

Book has just arrived, thanks nyassa and loopy1. I will be starting it at once, I will let you what I think of it as soon as I finish it. 

Journal Entry 14 by BlossomU on Wednesday, January 28, 2004

This book sounded interesting and I got a special fondness for children´s books, but I am afraid I really did not like this book. As previous readers have mentioned, the tone is preachy, the plot and universe seems to be there to proselytize rather than making the reader think on right or wrong and choices, or charming him or her with characters which are real. I am afraid character seem extremely flat, the omniscient saintly Raphah is totally annoying. The writing is also very unskilfull, there is dialogue like

"How can you forgive me when I hurt you so badly?"Beadle asked.
"It is what Riathamus commands", Raphah replied.

there is no feeling of suspense to the plot, we are told at once how bad the evil guys are, miracles are worked whenever possible - and even when miracles are not worked the plot moves along because the bad guys do not notice their tied up prisoner is carrying a sword (really!) or because a character has a "feeling" they should go this way. Ok, in conclusion, a bad book and a badly written one at all. But I did want to check for myself after all the hype, so thanks for the chance to read it, loopy1!

This book will be shipped to violetaparra as soon as I get her adress.

 

Journal Entry 15 by BlossomU on Tuesday, February 03, 2004

I had not received violetaparra's adress yet so I asked for the adress of person next. Book was shipped to karendawn in the USA today, it might take round 3 or 4 weeks to arrive. 

Journal Entry 16 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Wednesday, February 18, 2004

Book arrived today. I'm about to get a bunch of papers to grade (84 tech writing proposals and 22 literature papers), but I'll definitely want to take breaks, so I'll try to finish this book as soon as I can. 

Journal Entry 17 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Thursday, February 26, 2004

I was very disappointed with this book (though of course with the previous comments, I shouldn't have been too surprised). I almost stopped reading it several times, but I hate giving up on a book, so I kept reading. Perhaps a large part of my feelings for this book comes from the fact that I am not a Christian and this was a very Christian book. But I also (like others) felt that the storytelling wasn't up to par. For example, the ending felt completely rushed and anticlimatic. Also, what was the point of mentioning that Thomas was a sin-eater? It was mentioned twice, but it had no tie to the story and seemed completely unnecessary. And the part about Thomas and Kate playing the parts of Adam and Eve? That could have been interesting, but again it was completely dropped.

If I want Christian allegory, I'll read C.S. Lewis. If I want the war against God, I'll take Philip Pullman.

Thank you, though, for sharing this book. I do like to keep up with what's going on in fantasy literature. :)

Skipping over kymberlie for now and sending this on to Caligula03 today. 

Journal Entry 18 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Tuesday, March 02, 2004

The book arrived today. I will read it as soon as I can. You can track my progress on my website. 

Journal Entry 19 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Thursday, June 03, 2004

This book failed to get and hold my attention. It's not the religious underpinings, it's the wildly inconsistent style. The action starts quickly but it's so poorly described to become both boring and confusing! 

Journal Entry 20 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Friday, June 04, 2004

I thought I had lduggan1's address but I don't. I have PMed a second time. I won't be mailing this book out tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 21 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Saturday, June 05, 2004

The person after me has asked to be skipped so I am now contacting: Bridge2thestars for an address. 

Journal Entry 22 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Saturday, June 05, 2004

Apparently Bridge2thestars is a blackhole. I just want to get this book moving along. Now contacting bkwrm23. 

Journal Entry 23 by caligula03 at on Sunday, June 06, 2004

Release planned for Saturday, June 12, 2004 at bkwrm23 in n/a, n/a Controlled Releases.

Mailing on Saturday. 

Journal Entry 24 by bkwrm23 from Haskell, New Jersey USA on Friday, July 09, 2004

Received this a couple of weeks ago..sorry..haven't had tiome to journal it. It was OK, but seemed a little choppy to me. I don't know if it was the book itself or the fact that I had to keep putting it down.
As I'm writing this I decide to stop and read other entries...And I fully agree. It wasn't just me!! Very choppy story, and I agree that the characters just didn't seem "real".It didn't really seem like a children's story (even older kids, like the age of the main actors). Demurral was just too evil, no redeeming angles to his character at all. I look forward to giving his next a second chance, but only to see if there is any improvement on the story development.
Will send on to kernow8 as son as I have an address. 

Journal Entry 25 by bkwrm23 from Haskell, New Jersey USA on Sunday, July 18, 2004

Received kernow8's address so will be sending on on 7/24. 

Journal Entry 26 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 28, 2004

Arrived (already!) at the last on the list - thanks bkwrm23. Let me know what you want me to do with this after I've finished it, loopy1! 

Journal Entry 27 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Monday, December 20, 2004

I was quite excited about reading this, but it didn't really live up to expectations. I found the writing a bit patchy (the author could have done with a thesaurus to avoid repeating adjectives in places, for example) and the way the Christian message was worked in was like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Not very subtle. Not that I have any objections to the Christian message - I am a Christian. However, from what I remember from reading the Narnia books, for example, (which was a long time ago so I could be mistaken), CS Lewis was much more subtle with his references.

I did enjoy the read though, as it was interesting to see what the hype was about, especially if it's being made into a film. Thanks for the bookray, loopy1 - I've now offered the book up on the BookRelay site so that it can continue its journey. 

Journal Entry 28 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 05, 2005

Sent to MarciNYC today after she accepted it on CasualReader's BookRelay site. 

Journal Entry 29 by MarciNYC from Howell, New Jersey USA on Monday, January 10, 2005

Wow! This was a surprise in today's mail. I had forgotten about accepting this on relay. I'm going to try and read this in the next week or so - I've got a YA bookbox ready to go and this would be one more book I'd like to include in it.

Thanks all! 

Journal Entry 30 by MarciNYC at PaperbackSwap.com in USPS, USPS -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, May 26, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (5/26/2005 UTC) at PaperbackSwap.com in USPS, USPS -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

After trying to read this several times I gave up. It's now off to another reader in Maine - enjoy!