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Zarahemla #2
Escape From Zarahemla
It has been six months since the inexplicable passage to Zarahemla disintegrated and disappeared. Kerra and Brock McConnell have been reunited with their long lost father, but an emptiness remains in Kerra's heart as she watches her courageous Nephite warrior, Kiddoni, fade away in a vortex of time, possibly forever. As a violent flash flood washes through the forested hollow near Leeds, Utah, it reawakens the Whistlers and reignites the mystical rift that leads to ancient America. Kerra and Brock quickly learn of multiple secrets their father did not reveal about his twelve-year sojourn in the first century AD. Everyone soon realizes that such puzzles will have mind-bending ramifications for their lives and will draw them into a predicament as lethal as obsidian blades, with enemies as ruthless as the darkest savages and evils that could destroy their family once and for all. In the tumult of their adventure, Kerra and Brock soon find themselves in league with familiar friends from other Chris Heimerdinger novels, fighting alongside these valiant heroes and binding together Escape from Zarahemla with the imaginative Tennis Shoes Adventure series!
263 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
16 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
About the author
Chris Heimerdinger
42 books456 followersChris Heimerdinger is an author and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) who has presently written sixteen adult and young adult novels, most of which center on religious themes familiar to LDS members. Most are published with Covenant Communications in American Fork, Utah. One title, A Return to Christmas was also picked up by Random House/Ballantine in 1995. When the title was released by Ballantine in 2004, it was republished by Covenant Communications.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
March 10, 2012
Much better than the first one. Can't wait for the next Tennis Shoes book.
November 26, 2012
I absolutely loved that the author tied these books together with the Tennis Shoes series! Fun stories that really make the Book of Mormon chracters come to life. Chris Heimerdinger is a very gifted writer! I will continue to read whatever he can spin next!
March 7, 2024
Implausible. Inconsistent. The book equivalent of jumping the shark. I love the characters of these two separate series and they shouldn’t be combined. All the rules have been thrown out. The plot of the combined series is plodding and lurching along incoherently. The only plot device used to move the story forward is time travel over and over. The villain wasn’t scary or believable. Btw, jaguars don’t mate for life. Rated a two out of recognition that I’m not the target audience.
May 17, 2018
Another in a series of very enjoyable scripture retellings. Heimerdinger does a good job fitting his stories with the original Book of Mormon tales while creating an amazing amount of story tension with characters you can root for, and a mostly believable story. Well done, another nicely crafted story.
December 5, 2024
I loved it! I loved the twist of the villain being someone we knew all along. I liked this book more than the first one. I love the idea of the rifts. I feel like it backs up a lot of elements from the Tennis Shoes Series. I enjoy that they combined them, although I didn't read this book for so long because it took me forever to catch up to where they merge in the Tennis Shoes series.
March 5, 2020
a romance and an adventure through
July 8, 2020
Wonderful sequel!
Well written. A pageturner. Loved the romance between Kerra and Kidonni. Please make a movie of this sequel. Thank you!
Well written. A pageturner. Loved the romance between Kerra and Kidonni. Please make a movie of this sequel. Thank you!
January 5, 2022
Really hard to get in to and it didn't pick up until about halfway through but, still glad I read it. 2.5 stars
August 16, 2023
Parts were good, parts were slow.
February 23, 2017
What is actually cool about this book is that the author uses it to tie the universes of the Zarahemla books and the Tennis Shoes Adventure series together. If you want to know how you'll have to read the book.
November 23, 2011
This was a good book, but I still don't like the Passage to Zarahemla books as much as the Tennis Shoes books. This story was definitely exciting, though. This time the two worlds really merged as Kerra, Brock, their dad Chris, and Grandpa Lee all travel to Nephite times. Lots of battles and adventures ensue. And it does indeed hook us up with the Tennis Shoes books, although I won't ruin how for those who haven't read it. I'll just say this: Chris Heimerdinger sure loves that particular character, because this character just keeps coming back for more! Good thing this character is such an awesome one.
One of my complaints with this one is it was a lot more violent than some past Zarahemla/Tennis Shoes books. Lots of deaths, including people you actually cared about rather than just nameless soldiers. Also, I don't know, I've become a lot less enamored with Chris Heimerdinger over the years, and so little things bother me. This time around it was the names. For instance, Kerra's dad is referred to as Chris, Dad, and Mi'Con (his "Nephite" name), sometimes all on the same page! Just pick one! And probably don't pick Dad, since he's not the reader's dad. And once, about two-thirds of the way into the book, Kerra is referred to as "Kerra McConnell." Um, if you don't know who the main character is at this point in the book, there are issues. But since everyone does know who Kerra is, it's kind of unnecessary to refer to her using her last name. And it's not like we need to distinguish her from all the other Kerra's running around ancient America.
Like I said, they're little things that aren't a big deal. But lately with Chris Heimerdinger's books, they bother me more and more. I'm just sticking it out to find out what happens to everybody. Here's hoping it's worth it!
One of my complaints with this one is it was a lot more violent than some past Zarahemla/Tennis Shoes books. Lots of deaths, including people you actually cared about rather than just nameless soldiers. Also, I don't know, I've become a lot less enamored with Chris Heimerdinger over the years, and so little things bother me. This time around it was the names. For instance, Kerra's dad is referred to as Chris, Dad, and Mi'Con (his "Nephite" name), sometimes all on the same page! Just pick one! And probably don't pick Dad, since he's not the reader's dad. And once, about two-thirds of the way into the book, Kerra is referred to as "Kerra McConnell." Um, if you don't know who the main character is at this point in the book, there are issues. But since everyone does know who Kerra is, it's kind of unnecessary to refer to her using her last name. And it's not like we need to distinguish her from all the other Kerra's running around ancient America.
Like I said, they're little things that aren't a big deal. But lately with Chris Heimerdinger's books, they bother me more and more. I'm just sticking it out to find out what happens to everybody. Here's hoping it's worth it!
March 16, 2014
Another excellent adventure from the author of the Tennis Shoes Adventure Series. What is actually cool about this book is that the author uses it to tie the universes of the Zarahemla books and the Tennis Shoes Adventure series together. If you want to know how you'll have to read the book.
The story picks up six months after the events of Passage to Zarahemla. Kerra, Brock, their father and grandfather learn that the rift between the present United States and ancient America has been opened again. They go through to find out that trouble is brewing in the land of Zarahemla. The people who have not joined themselves to the wicked Gadianton robbers are growing restless, yet the strategy to draw the thieves out of hiding is not working. What's more several battalions of soldiers have gone missing. Kerra and Brock must use their skills to help track down these missing troops and stop the evil Gadiantons once and for all.
Even if you're not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints you might still find this story enjoyable. It's more than just fighting bad guys, eluding predators, and surviving a treacherous landscape. It's also about the characters discovering themselves and learning to trust in themselves. Basically you could say they are learning to believe in themselves and in God. Even if you don't believe in The Book of Mormon you can still enjoy this novel.
The story picks up six months after the events of Passage to Zarahemla. Kerra, Brock, their father and grandfather learn that the rift between the present United States and ancient America has been opened again. They go through to find out that trouble is brewing in the land of Zarahemla. The people who have not joined themselves to the wicked Gadianton robbers are growing restless, yet the strategy to draw the thieves out of hiding is not working. What's more several battalions of soldiers have gone missing. Kerra and Brock must use their skills to help track down these missing troops and stop the evil Gadiantons once and for all.
Even if you're not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints you might still find this story enjoyable. It's more than just fighting bad guys, eluding predators, and surviving a treacherous landscape. It's also about the characters discovering themselves and learning to trust in themselves. Basically you could say they are learning to believe in themselves and in God. Even if you don't believe in The Book of Mormon you can still enjoy this novel.
January 2, 2014
This book has it all—intense action, superb characters, amazing plotline. I couldn’t stop reading, even though I’ve waited on pins and needles for this book to come out (and still am waiting for the 12th in the Tennis Shoes series). I devoured it in one day because I could not leave the characters to the intense circumstances they were in—I had to get them out of it, but they kept getting into more trouble...and so you see my problem.
I LOVE these books. This one is book 2 and continues Kerra’s and Brocks tale from Passage to Zarahemla as they try to find Kerra’s dad’s Nephite wife and son, as well as Kerra’s Nephite flame, Kiddoni, who has gone missing in the great war and is assume dead. What I really loved about this story is that it ties into the Tennis shoes series (there are 11 of those books so far, and a 12th coming out hopefully within the next year). The interconnection surprised me...but it was a wonderful surprise. The characters from the Tennis Shoes books that came into this one are two of my favorites! Yippee! If you haven’t read books 8-11 of the Tennis Shoes series, you might want to wait to read this one until you do. It won’t spoil anything if you don’t...but it will just be much more thrilling for you if you do read those first! Heimerdinger’s a genius! My teenage son and I LOVE these books so much.
I LOVE these books. This one is book 2 and continues Kerra’s and Brocks tale from Passage to Zarahemla as they try to find Kerra’s dad’s Nephite wife and son, as well as Kerra’s Nephite flame, Kiddoni, who has gone missing in the great war and is assume dead. What I really loved about this story is that it ties into the Tennis shoes series (there are 11 of those books so far, and a 12th coming out hopefully within the next year). The interconnection surprised me...but it was a wonderful surprise. The characters from the Tennis Shoes books that came into this one are two of my favorites! Yippee! If you haven’t read books 8-11 of the Tennis Shoes series, you might want to wait to read this one until you do. It won’t spoil anything if you don’t...but it will just be much more thrilling for you if you do read those first! Heimerdinger’s a genius! My teenage son and I LOVE these books so much.
Want to read
May 29, 2013Title of book: Escape from Zarahemla year:2011
Author: Chris Heimerdinger pages: 263
intended audience for book: anyone
Main issue: trying to find their step mom and half brother
Setting: in zarehemla along time ago B.C
Description of main characters: kerra and Brock kerra strong she got gifts white with long brown hair 18 years old. Brock short is white with black hair 15 years old and mean.
story summary: they have a flood so now they can use the portales to go back to zarehemla to find their step mom and half brother when they go they meet up with the nephites who are in a war with the gadianton warriors so they help the nephites by using their gifts and finding the leader of the gadianton warriors who is from the 20th century like them and the nephites help them find their step mom and half brother.
like about the book: I liked how the bad guy was from the 20th century like them.
Two quotes: welcome back to the ranks of the warriors of zarahemla PG: 259
I found you thanks be to god. I had begun to lose hope. PG: 27
theme: those who mess with the McConnell family often lose
recommend this book: anyone who likes to here or read bout nephite battles and war and mystery.
unique about this book: its a\based of the scriptures.
Author: Chris Heimerdinger pages: 263
intended audience for book: anyone
Main issue: trying to find their step mom and half brother
Setting: in zarehemla along time ago B.C
Description of main characters: kerra and Brock kerra strong she got gifts white with long brown hair 18 years old. Brock short is white with black hair 15 years old and mean.
story summary: they have a flood so now they can use the portales to go back to zarehemla to find their step mom and half brother when they go they meet up with the nephites who are in a war with the gadianton warriors so they help the nephites by using their gifts and finding the leader of the gadianton warriors who is from the 20th century like them and the nephites help them find their step mom and half brother.
like about the book: I liked how the bad guy was from the 20th century like them.
Two quotes: welcome back to the ranks of the warriors of zarahemla PG: 259
I found you thanks be to god. I had begun to lose hope. PG: 27
theme: those who mess with the McConnell family often lose
recommend this book: anyone who likes to here or read bout nephite battles and war and mystery.
unique about this book: its a\based of the scriptures.
November 28, 2014
I really wanted to like this book, because I'm a big fan of the tennis shoes series. I also was hoping this would be good because the author has decided to merge the two series. However, I felt like the plot and characterizations in this book don't meet the standards from his other series. I never really understood what the villain's motivation was, and most of the characters were flat and only used as fodder.
I really had two problems with this book, which are somewhat connected. First, I wasn't a fan of the multiple time/space portals. The extensive use of portals made the story feel disjointed, and seemed to take choice away from the characters. I know this is a poor description, but it felt like the story was driven by an attitude of 'go here, go there, and things will just happen', rather than allowing the characters to encounter situations and react to them. The second problem I have is that the author decided to merge this story line with the 'Tennis Shoes' story line. The events and characters in this book create many plot holes in the original (and superior) Tennis Shoes books. Anyway, like I said I enjoy the author, and I hope that his last installment of the Tennis Shoes series resolves any problems I had with this book.
I really had two problems with this book, which are somewhat connected. First, I wasn't a fan of the multiple time/space portals. The extensive use of portals made the story feel disjointed, and seemed to take choice away from the characters. I know this is a poor description, but it felt like the story was driven by an attitude of 'go here, go there, and things will just happen', rather than allowing the characters to encounter situations and react to them. The second problem I have is that the author decided to merge this story line with the 'Tennis Shoes' story line. The events and characters in this book create many plot holes in the original (and superior) Tennis Shoes books. Anyway, like I said I enjoy the author, and I hope that his last installment of the Tennis Shoes series resolves any problems I had with this book.
June 16, 2012
I have two problems with this sequel so it gets only 4 stars as where the first book got 5 stars.
One, the author can't do simple math. In the first book, Passage to Zarahemla, Brock is 11 years old. Yet, only 6 months later in this book, Brock is now 13 years old. i don't of any kind of math where 11 years plus 6 months equals 13 years. even if in the first book he was 11 years and 11 months, after 6 months he would still only be 12 years old. His editor should have caught that mistake before it was published.
Two, it was too violent for my liking. Jaguars slashing and dashing people all over the place with blood spurting all over the place. Could have done without it.
Other than those two problems the story was really good. But not as good as the first one. I will look for his Tennis Shoes books and see if I like them.
Ok, so maybe a third problem. I didn't like the epilogue. It just wasn't satisfying. I hope their is a third book.
One, the author can't do simple math. In the first book, Passage to Zarahemla, Brock is 11 years old. Yet, only 6 months later in this book, Brock is now 13 years old. i don't of any kind of math where 11 years plus 6 months equals 13 years. even if in the first book he was 11 years and 11 months, after 6 months he would still only be 12 years old. His editor should have caught that mistake before it was published.
Two, it was too violent for my liking. Jaguars slashing and dashing people all over the place with blood spurting all over the place. Could have done without it.
Other than those two problems the story was really good. But not as good as the first one. I will look for his Tennis Shoes books and see if I like them.
Ok, so maybe a third problem. I didn't like the epilogue. It just wasn't satisfying. I hope their is a third book.
November 22, 2016
Escape From Zarahemla was a brilliant book just like its sequel "Passage to Zarahemla" Chris Heimerdinger did a magnificent job with this book. It was exhilarating and entertaining, throughout the book Tennis Shoes Adventure series collides with this book in a fantastic way. Chris Heimerdinger did a wonderful job blending them together. Escape From Zarahemla's setting was a jungle. A mix of dangers always kept you on edge from Jaguars, then to tribes of people, and to tip it off the deadly biological disasters. The main characters consist of Kerra (Sakerra), Brock, Chris, and their grandpa. The characters make friends throughout the book which are distinguished as mini characters and all are amazing. This book is based of of the Book Of Mormon's Laminates and Nephites. This book is fit for anyone who likes Tennis Shoes Adventure or Passage To Zarahemla. So read this Book to find two great series collide.
March 2, 2013
There was room for this book to be MUCH better. It just didn't have the same legitimate fell has his other book have. More than anything I felt like he was trying to hard. Some of the characters were over developed or illdeveloped. The principal villain made references and said things that I'm pretty sure he wouldn't knowing people with a similar mexican/american culture. Spiritual gifts seemed to be thrown around like candy and treated that way where in the other books he's written no matter how many people had them they were still very well developed and meaningful. Though it was cool to see some of the Tennis Shoes charactera baxkground. I just really hope he goes back to his regular quality of work with the last Tennis Shoe novel.
May 2, 2012
I read this book (I usually listen to books). It is a sequel to Passage to Zarahemla and by the
end it combines with the 11th book in the Tennis Shoes series. It is a little graphic a
couple of times, but doesn’t use foul language and regards relationships in a
respectful way. I would recommend this for older children and adults. It is
interesting to follow the characters that represent people in the Book of Mormon.
I’m curious how the author will bring both series together because the Tennis Shoes
series, I feel, needs to come to a conclusion.
end it combines with the 11th book in the Tennis Shoes series. It is a little graphic a
couple of times, but doesn’t use foul language and regards relationships in a
respectful way. I would recommend this for older children and adults. It is
interesting to follow the characters that represent people in the Book of Mormon.
I’m curious how the author will bring both series together because the Tennis Shoes
series, I feel, needs to come to a conclusion.
June 26, 2013
A little more fantastical than some of the Tennis Shoes books, but it definitely had a Tennis Shoes feel to it. I didn't think it was quite as good as Passage to Zarahemla, probably because there wasn't a lot in the way of character development (there was a lot going on in the way of action and plot, so that searching of the soul I felt was so needed for Kerra didn't have quite the impact I felt it needed). All in all, it was an enjoyable read which sent my mind racing back to try and figure out where the characters would end up in relation to the Tennis Shoes novels.
July 24, 2014
This is the sequel to Passage to Zarahemla. In this novel the main characters find themselves in the past in the middle of a Native American war between two tribes. There is a lot of motifs about light and darkness and good and evil and how both are powerful but one is ultimately a copy of the other.
With this book the author ties this series into his other time travel series Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites.
LDS Novel
With this book the author ties this series into his other time travel series Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites.
LDS Novel
Read
February 17, 2012I enjoyed it but I would have liked the story to not be another cliff hanger. Especially since the next book still isn't out. I would have enjoyed it more if I could have read the next book right after that. That being said, I have read it twice and I can't wait for the final book to end the cliff hanger
April 29, 2017
This was a great book, but I didn't love it as much as the first and definitely not as much as the Tennis Shoes books. But since this one starts a connection with those that apparently will continue with the last couple of books in that series, I think I'll probably enjoy it more once I've re-read and read the new ones.
January 7, 2012
I didn't like it as well as Passage to Zarahemla, which I absolutely loved. The author is trying to combine his two series, Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites and this Zarahemla series into one. I was disappointed with that, as this book seemed like just another Tennis Shoes book. But it was an enjoyable read.
March 12, 2012
If you like the Tennis Shoes among the Nephites books this is a good read. Probably about a 3 1/2 star rating. The author is going to tie this book and the next Tennis shoes book together so that will be something for fans to look forward to. I may have to reread the last couple of Tennis Shoes books to remember what was going on.
May 2, 2012
I enjoyed this book as I have all the Tennis Shoes books. My kids used to listen to them on cassette tapes when they went to sleep. It was fun when we read the Book of Mormon and they would pop up with I remember that person in the Tennis Shoe stories. I hope other parents will introduce their family to them.
January 16, 2013
I loved this series. I loved how it came together with the tennis shoes series. This book was a little longer than Passage to Zarahemla but it was just as quick a read. The story was fast paced and easy to read. I seriously didn't want put this book down. I am all the more excited for the last book in the tennis shoes series to come out.
October 17, 2015
Kerra McConnell has returned from the land of Zarahemla without her Nephite warrior, Kiddoni. The vortex she, her brother Brock and her Father used to time travel has disappeared.
But a bad weather incident has opened the vortex again and Kerra is going to find Kiddoni. Her Father is also on a quest.
Easy read. Enjoyed the imagination of time travel and life 2000 years ago.
But a bad weather incident has opened the vortex again and Kerra is going to find Kiddoni. Her Father is also on a quest.
Easy read. Enjoyed the imagination of time travel and life 2000 years ago.
November 2, 2011
The characters that crossed over from the Tennis Shoes series surprised me. I had my theories on which it would be. I was so wrong.
Once again, I'm waiting for Chris Heimerdinger to release the next portion of this series.
Once again, I'm waiting for Chris Heimerdinger to release the next portion of this series.
December 18, 2011
I found myself getting frustrated with the characters and the storyline. The characters actions felt forced and out of character. It's like Heimerdinger knew what he wanted to happen and made his characters do it, rather than have them develop into a character that would act as they did.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews