A Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlund {Teen Fiction Review}

A Daring Sacrifice

An Uncertain Choice, #2

Jody Hedlund

Teen Fiction

The only thing harder than 

fighting for what's right . . . is fighting their

feelings for each other

For three years, the Cloaked Bandit has terrorized Wessex, robbing the nobility by knifepoint and a well-placed arrow. But little does anyone know, this bandit is in fact Juliana Wessex, the rightful ruler of the land and a girl her tyrannical uncle--the current Lord Wessex--believes was killed along with her father.

Juliana has become skilled at hiding from Lord Wessex in the forest, using her stolen goods to provide food and shelter to the peasants her uncle has taxed into poverty. But when she robs Collin Goodrich, her red hair betrays her true identity. Lord Collin remembers Juliana from their childhood--and challenges her to stay on his estate for a week in hopes she will leave her thieving ways and become a proper lady once more. Juliana is intrigued by Collin and his charms, but only time will tell if he can overcome her distaste of the nobility--as well as win her heart.

My Thoughts
I really love a good fairy tale. Such a nice escape from reality. But I have to say that I never really enjoyed the story of Robin Hood. The whole stealing from the rich to give to the poor just went against my ingrained two wrongs don't make a right. 
Then along came  A Daring Scrifice by Jody Hedlund. It's a retelling of the Robin Hood story with several twists. I couldn't resist reading it because, well . . . Jody Hedlund! I'm so glad that I did. Jody used what I don't like about the original to bring about a tension that would ultimately lead to a crisis of conscious. 
The story of Juliana Wessex is one of turning tragedy into triumph. She learns as we all must that our salvation isn't within ourselves, it comes from a higher source. The character of Lord Collin Goodrich is what we all want in a man--daring yet disciplined, loyal and devoted, brave and trustworthy. If his name seems familiar it is because you may have met him in An Uncertain Choice. (By the way, if you haven't read that one . . . treat yourself!) The tension between the two make a wonderful story of yearning for something that is seemingly in contrast to the duties they are bound to.
I would recommend this book for teen girls age thirteen and above. It has scenes of torture (it is set in medieval times) and it has two people falling in love and outward expressions of that. There's absolutely nothing scandalous but you may not want your ten-year-old avid reader consuming it. (That would have been me!) If you're on the fence about it I say read it for yourself. You'll probably love it like I did and that makes a nice treat for the momma!
In the back of the book there is a group of discussion questions. I'm thinking about using it for a mother/daughter read for my book club. Doesn't that sound like fun?!!
Other Reviews For This Author
Unending Devotion A Noble Groom Love Unexpected An Uncertain Choice Hearts Made Whole
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Photo Credit: © Sarah Davis Photography

www.JodyHedlund.com

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Lightning (Stone Braide Chronicles, Bk 2) by Bonnie S. Calhoun {YA Dystopian Book Review}

Lightning

Stone Braide Chronicles, Bk 2

Bonnie S. Calhoun

YA Fiction / Dystopian Romance

Selah's past and her future are about to collide . . . 

and time is running out.

Selah Rishon thought that finding her real father would solve her problems. Instead it has created a host of new ones. She is feeling strange, destructive flashes of power within her body. The family she left behind is being sequestered in the Mountain. And if her father and his team cannot find the key to the West and make contact with the Third Protocol of Landers, Selah will fracture.

Selah is trying to accept this new world, but none of the facts she's learned about novarium or Landers are adding up. Determined to find answers, she launches a new rescue effort to the Mountain. But will the prison that holds her family become Selah's grave?

READ AN EXCERPT

My Thoughts

If you've been in the teen section of your local book store or library you already know that dystopian fiction is all the rage. We're not talking old school dystopian like Orwell's 1984 or Huxley's Brave New World. I'm talking about things like The Hunger Games and Divergent series.

I don't want to take issue with those books but let's just say that I want something better for my teens to read. I believe I've found it in Bonnie S. Calhoun's Stone Braide Chronicles series. The first book in the series was entitled Thunder. There are also two ebooks Tremors and Aftershock that fill in some of the background. (I've not read either of the ebooks.) I was pleasantly surprised by this series because it isn't my usual go to genre. Lightning has solidified my love for this author's writing.

Lightning picks up where we left off with Selah and the rest of the characters. Because of that I would characterize this as a series that needs to be read in order. (I still think the ebooks are optional but they would enhance the story.) The story line is complex and without the background material I think you would be a bit lost.

The story is intense and fast-paced. Perfect to keep the attention of a young adult reader. As I've said before I'm not a young adult and I don't normaly care for dystopian fiction but Bonnie Calhoun's writing style is absolutely riveting. There is very little fluff involved in these stories but they are chock-full of moral dilemmas that cause the reader to ponder their own response. 

While the ending was quite satisfying it also leaves open the need for more books in this series. I can't wait to read them and see how this futuristic society will survive. Thanks Bonnie Calhoun for changing my mind about a genre and providing hours of reading enjoyment.

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www.BonnieSCalhoun.com

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My Amish Boyfriend by Melody Carlson ~ A Teen Fiction Book Review

My Amish Boyfriend

Melody Carlson

Teen Fiction/Amish Fiction

Back of the book:

Shannon's summer just got a whole lot more . . . Amish?

Shannon McNamara has exciting plans for the summer--getting her driver's license, a job, and more--and she can't wait to dive in. But her ill mother has plans of her own: to relocate them both to the heart of Amish country in Ohio where she has relatives who can help her.

Turns out a "simple" life is actually a lot of hard work. But when a hot young Amish guy named Ezra enters the picture, Shannon's ready to get an Amish makeover and even consider making it a permanent change. Will these plans come crashing down around her too? Or can she really make the jump into a whole new way of life?

Teen favorite Melody Carlson brings fans another surprising story of worlds--and families--colliding.

Read An Excerpt!

My thoughts:

Melody Carlson is well known for her fabulous Christmas stories, but she has also become prominent in the teen fiction genre. Melody has the distinct ability to write in a way that instantly connects with her adolescent audience. Her books often talk about subjects that are not addressed in other Christian fiction books.

In this story we meet Shannon McNamara who is a sixteen-year-old that has a lot of responsibility. Her father died when she was young and her beloved mother has a debilitating illness that leaves Shannon shouldering most of the weight of the household. The story picks up just as school is recessed for the summer. Shannon has plans for some personal freedom that get put on hold when they suddenly relocate to the Amish community where her mother grew up.

Once they are at her grandparent's house, things really begin to change. The handsome Ezra quickly catches Shannon's eye and she begins to contemplate becoming Amish herself. But are her motives honest? Does she really want to become a devout believer and assume all the requirements of the Ordnung? Or is this just another way to escape from a life that has become overwhelming?

I think this is a book that many teens will be able to easily relate to. I thought that the Amish lifestyle was portrayed honestly. Very few teens will be confronted with the choice of becoming Amish, but most teens do face some of the same challenges that are presented in the story.

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www.MelodyCarlson.com

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