The Journey

The Adventures of Jecosan Tarres #1

by Laura Lond

His father killed in war before he was three, his mother unexpectedly dying when he was eight, Jecosan Tarres is young and poor, yet he has something not many men have: a faithful heart, a strong spirit, and the knowledge of truth taught to him by his mother and Priest Shaledan. Alone for a year, but later befriended by Dalian the blacksmith, he has already beaten the odds of being destitute and forgotten, but clearly something or someone is at work in his life.

With his faithful dog Gart and his friend Dalian, he sets out on a life defining journey after a messenger visits him with a commission to go to Kanavar, the ancient capital of Meoria, where he is to enter the king's service and somehow prevent the war that is about to break out in his country. There are powerful forces interested in his journey, both to fail and succeed.

Join young Jecosan as he struggles along, escaping sudden traps, facing prison and captivity, fighting pain and despair, losing and making friends.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Amazon, Christian Fiction

Nook

First published March 25, 2003

About the author

Laura Lond is an internationally published author of 20+ novels, novellas, and short stories. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. Her first job was at a literary museum. After that Laura had entered the world of business, working for large corporations like Xerox Ltd. and Fluor Daniel. Writing, however, has always been her passion. When she was blessed with an opportunity to write fiction full time (well, almost...), Laura embraced it and never looked back.

Laura prefers to write in the fantasy genre, but she has ventured out into contemporary fiction as well ("Five Million Dollar Cat," "If Grandma Ain't Happy"). She appreciates good, clean humor and often incorporates it in her works.

In addition to novels and short fiction, Laura has also released a series of children's coloring books and picture books ("Rhyming Names Funny Animals," "Help! We're Black and White" "Funny Poems," "The Kitten Who Liked To Dress Up"). While she sometimes uses artificial intelligence tools to create book covers and illustrations, Laura's texts are always 100% authentic, written by herself without any use of AI.

Reviews

[LadyCalico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost passed by this book thinking it was just a kid's fantasy, then I noticed it was written by Laura Lond, and I just had to get it. I am so glad I did--great story, great characters, great allegory, great lessons, one truly great little read. What a difference it makes to realize that obeying God's will not only means seeking a certain outcome but seeking it according to God's ways in God's time. I just adored Jeco and Dalian, both truly good-hearts, but having a heart for the Lord of Heaven gives Jeco a wise-heart as well. This would be such a wonderful story to read to kids and discuss the difference faith and trust made in our noble heroes values and choices. There were lovable heroes, truly evil villains, but the majority of people just huddled somewhere in between concerned mainly with protecting their own hides, another life lesson about how life is diminished by staying luke-warm. Immediately upon finishing, I ordered the next two books. Thank goodness Kindle books arrive instantly because I couldn't wait!

[David Bergsland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful little tale of faith

I first read this many years ago. It’s always remained in my memory with joy. Now I remember why. A boy without guile is asked to do something for the Lord, and he does. What more do you need?

[J.A. Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was my introduction to Lond's writing. After reading this series I purchased all of her other stories.

[Alicia Marsland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absorbing read, Despite the spelling and grammatical errors. I just itch to edit it but if it were not so interesting I would just stop reading it.

[Yllo · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading "Fair Price", "The dark Elf of Syron series", and the first Lakeland Knight series book "My Sparkling Misfortune", books that I seriously recommend to amateurs of refreshing and daring Christian friendships and mature-as-in-realist but concise and straight to the point social and political settings...

Well, I expected more from this one than a political retelling of Tobit with less original supernatural/spiritual elements.

Where is the otherworldly friendship that I've grown I was accustomed to from the other?
Are these series known to be the most famous because their were her first?

[Marion Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid start to a fantasy series that deserves wider recognition. Also, it is a series that both kids and parents can read together.

[Garris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was well-written. many parallels with the Bible.

[Bess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first book by Laura.
I'm left with mixed feelings on this one.
Perhaps I need to continue the series before I can give a real review.

[MaryD · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this so much I immediately bought the next two in the series.

[Lynda Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read!

I wish book 1 (The Journey) would have brought Gart and Jeco back together. This is the first time I have read anything by Laura Lond, and I will definitely be reading more. Definitely recommend this book.