Stephen Lawhead

Dear Readers,

I love Stephen Lawhead's books. They are not everyone's cup of tea, but I hope he never stops writing. He is a great mixture of historical and fantasy. It seems like he is always wanting to change history. He does write the more straight forward historical novels like the King Raven series. It was about Robin Hood and the history behind his legend. With his new release, The Skin Map, he is going back to the mixture. There is time travel mixed in with space/dimension travel. I am not sure I can explain it all here, but Stephen does a good job of making it make sense in the book.

One day while taking a short cut through an alley in modern London, Kit experiences a very intense, but short storm. When he staggers out of the storm he meets a stranger that introduces himself as Kit's long lost great grandfather. Now Kit's great grandfather ran out on his wife and small son many years before, never to be heard from again. So if this guy is telling the truth he would have to be very old by now. Why doesn't he look it?

Cosimo tells Kit a crazy story about time travel but using other dimensions in time than just the one we are familiar with. Kit thinks the old man is crazy and that some how he has managed to lure poor Kit on to a movie set to enforce his story.
So starts this strange and interesting story. I have to admit for a book #1 in a Stephen Lawhead series it moves right along. I am more used to the series where Stephen takes his time doing character development in book one so this one took me a bit by surprise. I know that I am looking forward to book number 2 and I am not even sure when it will be released.
Happy Reading

Stephen Lawhead

Dear Readers,

I won't spend much time on this review. I just wanted to mention that I did finish Tuck by Stephen Lawhead. It is number 3 in the King Raven Trilogy or the Robin Hood story. I have really liked this whole series and quite a few of Stephen's books. I also understand they are not for everyone. He takes a long time (usually a whole book) to develop his story line and characters, but to me it is worth the wait.

Each of the books have focused on one specific person in the "Merry Men." Well this one is on Tuck, the monk that joins the battle against the crown and the church because of the misuse of power he witnesses. I really enjoyed this character. He is written a bit more light-heartedly than the other two books. He is more of the comedy relief than a serious warrior. Don't get me wrong, he does his share of fighting, but is more worried about his next bit of food or ale offered than whether he killed anyone.

The battle comes to a fevered pitch in this battle. Bran and his band of woodland dwellers have split because some are sick of the struggle and the living in the forest. Abbot Hugo and Guy of Gysburne are down to just a few Frenic knights. Each side rushes to fill their ranks, hoping to be the side that will strike the last deadly blow.

I have found that most of the people who like Stephen are ones who have read the "Lord of the Rings" series. But again he is an acquired taste. For those with a church library these books have appealed to loads of teenage guys.

Happy Reading
Chris

Stephen Lawhead

Dear Readers,

This is not a review. This is just to tell you that book 3 of the King Raven series, Tuck, is finally available. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I wanted to let you know that it is here and ready for pick-up. I know several of you that were waiting for it to come out.

It follows Hood and Raven and is listed as the final installment. I can't wait to get a chance to read it, but I may have to wait until spring break before I get a chance to sit and just immerse myself completely. I don't know if I can hold out that long, but I will post a review as soon as I get one written.

Happy Reading