Illuminary by Chawna Schroeder

Blurb: “Yosarai Patican dreams of becoming an illuminator in a country that values art above all else. A lofty goal that finally seems within reach when she earns a position at the prestigious Academy of the Seven Arts. Although Yosarai loathes to leave behind her quiet country life, she travels to the capital, determined to live up to her mother’s fame as one of Indel’s greatest artists.

Prince Xander never planned to become king. Indeed, he never wanted to become king. But when his father dies suddenly, he is thrust into the middle of coronation preparations—and assassination attempts. With everyone around him in increasing danger, Xander decides to hide in neighboring Indel until the time for him to be crowned king arrives.

Posing as an inventor struggling with aesthetics, Xander enlists Yosarai’s aid as part of his cover, but soon he suspects she knows more than she should. But when danger threatens and secrets are exposed, entering a competition reputed as cutthroat may be the only way for them to protect everything they hold dear.”

My Review: This was a fantastic book! My favorite thing about the book is that it is an incredible example of how to incorporate Christian faith into fantasy. I absolutely loved the allegorical religious system and the characters' faith. Many of the characters had a strong faith in “the Sustainer,” and that faith drove their actions. It can be difficult to represent God and faith in fantasy, but Chawna Schoreder did a wonderful job. I love the message of relying on “the Sustainer” in all things. Here are some of the other things that made it such a great read:

-              The setting is beautiful!

-              The characters have deep, interesting discussions about the value and purpose of art.

-              The characters are realistic and make realistic decisions.

-              Going into this book, I thought Yosarai and Xander were going to fall in love, but they didn’t. It was refreshing to read a book that didn’t rely on romance to fuel character development or plot. I think they will eventually fall in love and probably get married in subsequent books, but in this book, they just developed a strong friendship.

-              The world is creative and interesting.

-              And lots more!

The only thing I didn’t like about this book is that it was only published in April and the second book doesn’t even have a release date yet. I really want to read the next one!

Age Recommendation: 13+

Content Concerns: I can only think of one content concern. Xander is the illegitimate son of the king. He has an older half-brother and a younger half-sister who are the children of the Queen. When Xander’s mother died, the king’s affair was brought to light. The king acknowledged Xander as his son. From then on Xander was raised in the palace by the king and queen. The royal family is kind and accepting of Xander even though he is illegitimate. Because of this, I wouldn’t recommend the book for younger kids.

By Susanna Patrick

The kids and I are on a trip. We brought the atlas, because I thought maybe we’d want to venture off the interstate and take a road less traveled. Thus far, Siri has directed our way, but perhaps when we head home we’ll be more adventurous. We have talked about those days long ago when I was a girl and we used an atlas to plan our travel route. Truly, it is foreign to them and as Siri tells us of construction and flooding and police up ahead I try to remember what it was like when we added up the miles from one place to the next on the atlas and headed out with an idea of when we might arrive, and a pillow to put into the back window of the car so we’d each have a place to lay down, and the hope that we’d find a radio station we all liked along the way.

We are listening to a book as we travel. ‘Restoring All Things: God’s Audacious Plan to Change the World Through Everyday People’. I’ve been thinking lots about what it really looks like to be a part of God’s plan to change the world. I have some of the same dreams I’ve had for a long time…and a few new ones.

*I’d love to own an apartment building, or an old motel, or land with tiny homes, and have a place that is a place of healing and hope and restoration and dreams of something better.

*I’d love to have books readily available for kids. Think library, but pull up in a neighborhood, have story time with lovely, carefully curated books that point people to the good and beautiful life God has for them, and then send kids home with books to read. I have a friend who dreams of just such a gathering, but with music. Does anyone have an old school bus they’d like to donate to make our dreams come true?

*Our church has a community garden. It has produced beets, and okra, and corn, and cucumbers, and flowers thus far this year. And more. But I cannot remember exactly what. I’m dreaming of a fall garden with kids from the community. Wouldn’t it be fun to let them choose seeds to plant and care for and then watch God do the incredible, miraculous work of bringing life from something that is dead? What a beautiful picture of what Jesus does in our lives when He saves us.   

*And if you know me, you know I am dreaming of more…

We are a loyal bunch. If we visit a park. Or a rest area. Or a donut shop. Or a bookstore we love, we will be back. We found a favorite bookstore in Anderson, SC last year while visiting family. It’s a perfect blend of new and used books, classics and new releases, historical fiction and fantasy, complete with two cats roaming the store. We made a return visit today. I think we purchased mostly beloved books that have been read but do not yet have a place in our home library, although two Shakespeare books were acquired to be added to our ever-growing to-be-read stack. It was a perfect afternoon adventure. McDowell’s Emporium, we’ll be back!

By Monica Patrick

When one says the word faithful, we all jump right to the commonly understood definition: someone who is loyal, steadfast, passionate, and well, faithful. But when it comes to God, does it have a different meaning?

When you think about how big God is, it is important to remember that we are horrible. That's right, or I should say we were horrible, but God has sanctified us by His Spirit, in His faithfulness! We may not fully understand God, but He tells us what we need to know. He is our Lord, and He never forsakes us. In our world, no matter how faithful we are, we always make mistakes, and we forsake those to whom we are faithful. But God, rich in mercy, has perfect faithfulness, and He will never forsake us!

I love the song 'But God' because it really speaks truth through the lyrics, even just the chorus has such a strong and true meaning: 

“But God, rich in mercy, how you loved me, nailing my sin to the cross!”

These powerful words speak truth about God's faithfulness in love, in His loyal steadfastness, and His everlasting mercy!

By Seth Patrick.