RJ Larson

Dear Readers

There is usually so little to say once the third book of a series arrives and is read.  You are either reading the series already or if you are not, this review can ruin the whole series for you.  If you haven’t read the Books of the Infinite series by RJ Larson, then stop reading this review and go find book one Prophet and book #2 Judge, read those first.  We will wait for you. 

Ok so now that those readers who haven’t read the series are gone we can talk about this book, King, book number 3 in the series.  I have loved all three of them (not sure which one is my favorite) and really wish I had time to read them again as when I talk to my daughter about them I realize how much I missed the first time through them. 

Ela, Kien, and Pet/Scythe are back and ready to do battle for the Infinite again, even if he requires their lives.  Akabe is determined to rebuild the House of the Infinite so that the people of Syphra will be reminded of his awesome power whenever they see or worship at his house.  The only problem with this plan is Akabe forgot to ask the Infinite if this was his plan for Syphra and his people.  Because he didn’t ask the Infinite now Akabe and his new wife Caitria may have to pay with their lives.

Once again the story line of this book is fast paced, adventuresome, and a good reminder that sometimes God does require things of us that we may not be ready to give.  Ela has gone from a frightened little Prophetess to a confident woman who is ready to do His bidding at any cost.  Her love for the Infinite knows no bounds, but she is still very human and that comes through in the book.  Which is probably why I truly loved this series so much, the characters are so very human, whether they were good or evil, they represented “normal” humanness.  It was a good reminder to me that God will use us no matter how great or small we feel we are. 

Loved this series and am looking forward to the next book or books that RJ writes.

Happy Reading

R.J. Larson

Dear Readers,

Just last year I was excitedly talking about a new fantasy author.  R.J. Larson started her series with a bang with Prophet.  While reading I kept thinking I would not be able to get my hands on the next book fast enough.  I was right, it took too long for Judge to come out and it didn’t take me long enough to read it.  I wanted the story to go on for a few more pages.  Ok maybe more than a few, maybe Lord of the Rings length would be good.

Judge doesn’t pick up right where Prophet leaves off, but it is close.  Kein receives a calling from Infinite.  He doesn’t want to go as he was on vacation and is planning on spending time with Ela.  But go he does, it sometimes doesn’t pay to have a Prophet for a girlfriend. 

Ela is called back to her home city.  The excitement of seeing her family is tempered by the message that she must deliver.  Repent or Infinite will destroy the city.  It is not a message that will be well received in the city, especially by those she offended when she was getting started.

I really wasn’t sure if I would like book 2 better than book one.  You just never know with new authors, but I did.  All of my favorites were back and a few new ones.  You will have to read to find out who Prill is, but she quickly became a favorite of mine.  She is just so normal.   I am not sure I could have been as brave as her, but I sure do like to think I could be.

I know many of you have been waiting for this release.  Enjoy.

Happy Reading

P.S.  I still want a destroyer.

R.J. Larson

Dear Readers,

A few weeks ago I read a book that I had declared would probably be my book of the year for 2012.  The publishing houses and authors must have taken that as a challenge as I have since read two other books that could easily make it to the top of the list.  What a wonderful problem to have!

Prophet by R.J. Larson has been promoted several different ways to me.  The one that made me hesitant on it was that they were saying it is for fans of the Hunger Games.  I have always had a problem with books that compare themselves to classics or say they are great for fans of...  I always figure it takes time to prove themselves first. 

Now personally I can’t speak to whether or not it is as good as or better than the Hunger Games books as I have not read them.  But I did ask my daughter, who has read them, to read this book and let me know what she thought.  I will simply say, she loved it and is not happy that she has to wait until later this year for book number 2 to release and then wait until next year for book 3. 

When Ela accepts the Infinite’s call to be his Prophet she knows it is with lots of risks involved, as the saying goes, “A silver-haired prophet has failed.”  She doesn’t understand why he would want her.  She is undignified, kind of clumsy, bad tempered and only 17.  Who will listen to her anyways?  She is sure that no one will and that she will be killed instantly by the first group of people she confronts with the Infinite’s warning.  

Now most of that you can find on the back of the book, but to talk about any more will give away a lot of the story.  Because this story flows so well and each item hinges on what happens in the story before, I really can’t talk about it as it won’t make sense without having to tell you most of the story.  It is frustrating for me.  This might have to be one of those times I say, ‘trust me on this book, it is that good.”

Oh let me say this though – I would have gotten in line for a destroyer. 

Happy Reading