What do you think?
Rate this book
Trap #1
Toxic
Think carefully about reading this book. It’s filled with things like sword fights and flying horses, death and magic, violence and huge evil monsters, and there is absolutely no hope that life will turn out okay at the end. If you do choose to read this book, prepare yourself. This is not a story for the faint of heart. Your beliefs are guaranteed to be challenged. The monsters will never give up until they catch you, the magic is too strong to fight, and the disease from the water is impossible to cure. Kai, Taryn, and Lizzy have to purify the toxic water of Eltiria before anyone else dies. If they don’t, life as they know it will cease to exist. A Winged Horse sets them on the search to locate the source of the poison and to find their faith while battling to see the truth in a world of chaos and destruction.
412 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2011
7 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Vicki V. Lucas
23 books47 followersConnoisseur and Creator of the most epic books for Christian kids
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 22, 2015
Originally reviewed at: http://oscarlettreviews.blogspot.com/...
I picked this story up for free at least a year and a half ago. I sent it directly to my android app, since I loved the cover and thought the theme sounded intriguing. I gobbled down the introduction and first chapter or so, and then the POV changed to a completely different character who I didn't identify with ... so I put it down and read something else.
Ever so often I would pull it back up and read another chapter, but for some reason, I couldn't connect to the story. It was following three very different characters on three very different paths, and I couldn't stay interested.
The other day, however, I stumbled across it on my new kindle, and since I really wanted to finish the book, pulled it up, prepared to plow through another chapter - except that suddenly the three stories converged and I was now interested! I finished the book that very day.
The three main characters are Kai, Lizzy, and Taryn. Kai is the son of a crippled race jockey, and his younger sister is sick with the plague. He wants to find a cure for her, and also achieve the fame that his father lost. Lizzy is the daughter of traveling musicians, who doesn't measure up to her older brother. She desperately wants to prove herself to her parents and earn their love. Taryn wants power. He thinks he has natural magic - and some of the people from the temple he talked with seemed to confirm it. There's also a wind spirit named Foehn, who was an interesting character.
The uniting issue they face is the fact that the water is poisoned.
Kai seemed to be the main character, but unfortunately, I didn't connect to him, much preferring Lizzy's and Foehn's stories. So I kept wandering away from this book.
And then the three protagonists met, and from that moment on, I couldn't put the book down, and by the time I'd finished, it was on my list of the best Christian Fantasies I've ever read. The worldbuilding was amazing, though weird at moments (Zombie - I mean, Untwanted army anyone?). The plot moved quickly, and twisted enough I couldn't tell how it was going to end. And the Christian message was well done.
This was not an allegory. Yes, there was a Jesus figure, but he belonged to the world's history. I was really impressed with this, since prior to this book, I don't think I'd ever read a fantasy that had dealt with our Lord's Sacrifice and had chosen to treat it as history. It didn't loose any of its power for that, and it still played a huge role in the plot.
I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone.
I picked this story up for free at least a year and a half ago. I sent it directly to my android app, since I loved the cover and thought the theme sounded intriguing. I gobbled down the introduction and first chapter or so, and then the POV changed to a completely different character who I didn't identify with ... so I put it down and read something else.
Ever so often I would pull it back up and read another chapter, but for some reason, I couldn't connect to the story. It was following three very different characters on three very different paths, and I couldn't stay interested.
The other day, however, I stumbled across it on my new kindle, and since I really wanted to finish the book, pulled it up, prepared to plow through another chapter - except that suddenly the three stories converged and I was now interested! I finished the book that very day.
The three main characters are Kai, Lizzy, and Taryn. Kai is the son of a crippled race jockey, and his younger sister is sick with the plague. He wants to find a cure for her, and also achieve the fame that his father lost. Lizzy is the daughter of traveling musicians, who doesn't measure up to her older brother. She desperately wants to prove herself to her parents and earn their love. Taryn wants power. He thinks he has natural magic - and some of the people from the temple he talked with seemed to confirm it. There's also a wind spirit named Foehn, who was an interesting character.
The uniting issue they face is the fact that the water is poisoned.
Kai seemed to be the main character, but unfortunately, I didn't connect to him, much preferring Lizzy's and Foehn's stories. So I kept wandering away from this book.
And then the three protagonists met, and from that moment on, I couldn't put the book down, and by the time I'd finished, it was on my list of the best Christian Fantasies I've ever read. The worldbuilding was amazing, though weird at moments (Zombie - I mean, Untwanted army anyone?). The plot moved quickly, and twisted enough I couldn't tell how it was going to end. And the Christian message was well done.
This was not an allegory. Yes, there was a Jesus figure, but he belonged to the world's history. I was really impressed with this, since prior to this book, I don't think I'd ever read a fantasy that had dealt with our Lord's Sacrifice and had chosen to treat it as history. It didn't loose any of its power for that, and it still played a huge role in the plot.
I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone.
March 15, 2013
A lovely tale that follows 3 young heroes/heroin on a journey that tests their beliefs and skills. We meet a magical horse and are chased by some tough baddies. The characters were a little reminiscent of the children and the lion in the Witch and the Wardrobe. There are also a few religious connotations to the plot. My favourite character, if it was one, was the wind but I never quite understood it's role as it didn't seem to get involved in the unraveling plot. A beautifully Written tale though.
February 22, 2018
I really want to praise this book, mainly because it was written by a Christian author, and I want to be the same. I don't want to be a discourager, but I see problems. Let me start with the strengths, first.
The world building and characterization was good, and the description was often really fabulous. I reread some parts just because the imagery was so good. I think that will attract readers, and for good reason. The story idea was also good, although rather popular in the sword and sorcery subgenre of fantasy. Elements of it reminded me of C.S. Lewis, and that was nice. After LOTR came out in the box office, far too many stories became dominated by Tolkein themes. The Unwanted army seemed like a Tolkein nod, even so, but this story had its own distinct approach to the theme of redemption from a curse.
So, here is the bad. The book struggled to find its audience. I think it was written for teens, and was meant to be a witnessing tool, but the writing assumes prior knowledge of Christian symbolism, which excludes that audience. Without that knowledge, sometimes the characters will seem to readers to be making mental leaps or breaking into religious language without prior training in how to talk or think that way. I noticed this, and I have been a Christian for over 20 years. I guess it is easy to forget what it was like before.
The story also struggled at times with showing rather than telling. For instance, all of the characters at some point told us of their emotions and intended actions, and explained their reasoning in their heads, which feels forced and unnatural. People generally don't have to explain these things to themselves, and rarely explain them aloud, even to another person they trust. Certainly not in the heat of battle. I also felt disoriented at times during fight scenes, because I ceased to be able to imagine some of the movements described.
So overall, it's a good attempt, and I hope as the author matures in her style she will work out these bumps and keep working. The Christian arena needs dedicated authors who care, and I believe she does, and she is.
The world building and characterization was good, and the description was often really fabulous. I reread some parts just because the imagery was so good. I think that will attract readers, and for good reason. The story idea was also good, although rather popular in the sword and sorcery subgenre of fantasy. Elements of it reminded me of C.S. Lewis, and that was nice. After LOTR came out in the box office, far too many stories became dominated by Tolkein themes. The Unwanted army seemed like a Tolkein nod, even so, but this story had its own distinct approach to the theme of redemption from a curse.
So, here is the bad. The book struggled to find its audience. I think it was written for teens, and was meant to be a witnessing tool, but the writing assumes prior knowledge of Christian symbolism, which excludes that audience. Without that knowledge, sometimes the characters will seem to readers to be making mental leaps or breaking into religious language without prior training in how to talk or think that way. I noticed this, and I have been a Christian for over 20 years. I guess it is easy to forget what it was like before.
The story also struggled at times with showing rather than telling. For instance, all of the characters at some point told us of their emotions and intended actions, and explained their reasoning in their heads, which feels forced and unnatural. People generally don't have to explain these things to themselves, and rarely explain them aloud, even to another person they trust. Certainly not in the heat of battle. I also felt disoriented at times during fight scenes, because I ceased to be able to imagine some of the movements described.
So overall, it's a good attempt, and I hope as the author matures in her style she will work out these bumps and keep working. The Christian arena needs dedicated authors who care, and I believe she does, and she is.
June 24, 2017
At first I was a little hesitant in this book. Book the moment I opened this book, I was instantly captivated! Three teens are called to cleanse the river, poisoned by evil. But if they are ever going to suceed, they will need to learn to set aside their differences, to work together, and completely trust in the One True God. Throughout the story, I came to love Kai, Lizzy, and Taryn, and how each of them have their flaws as well as their stregnths. What stood out to me was that even though throughout the journey they come to learn more about Adonyi, they still struggle with their weaknesses. I suppose that is how all of us are in life. We come to know Christ and His incredible love, we still struggle.
My personal favorite of the book was the Archippos Elderan. What a hero he is! And the world was wonderfully built, along with its other characters and creatures.
This is certainly one of my new favorite reads, a fantasy adventure worth reading again and again. I can hardly wait to read the sequel! Recommend for ages 9 through adulthood!
My personal favorite of the book was the Archippos Elderan. What a hero he is! And the world was wonderfully built, along with its other characters and creatures.
This is certainly one of my new favorite reads, a fantasy adventure worth reading again and again. I can hardly wait to read the sequel! Recommend for ages 9 through adulthood!
October 30, 2014
At last someone has written a fantasy that can be viewed as light-hearted and at the same time meaningful, just like the Chronicles of Narnia! Three fascinating human beings join some delightful good characters plus some deadly fictional ones in a way that creates enjoyable, clean reading. Vicki Lucas demonstrates how riveting action can be written without the need for swearing, vivid gore, or any unnecessary focus on evil. Toxic would appeal to anyone from age 10-90 looking for a little "other-worldliness" along with the everyday. As an author and editor of 30 years experience,I'm not seeing this quality of writing in every book I read. I definitely look forward to a sequel!
June 10, 2018
1.5 stars
Don't care at all for the whining bickering main characters, predictable plot, and flat villain. Only reason this isn't 1 star is because I could see so many (barely concealed) relations and hints about the Bible and Jesus
Don't care at all for the whining bickering main characters, predictable plot, and flat villain. Only reason this isn't 1 star is because I could see so many (barely concealed) relations and hints about the Bible and Jesus
October 24, 2014
This book was recommended to me by another author in the Indie Christian publishing circles, so I decided to take a chance.
Plot – A
The plot of saving a dying world from an evil sorcerer may not be one of the most original in the range of fantasy plots, but I thought Lucas did a good job of making it her own. I didn’t feel that I was reading a rehash of a classic fantasy offering, which is always a good thing in my book. There was a distinct storyline that was completed in this book but the cliffhanger was written in such a way that I felt like there should have been more, which is a good way to make me want the next book if only to see what happens next. :)
Content – B-
There is no sensuality present in this book. The only language present is found in Kai’s humorous utterances – all inoffensive horse-related “swearing” such as “Stallion stalls.”
The main characters, Kai, Lizzy, and Taryn, do bicker constantly. Even after they’ve been reprimanded multiple times by two different characters, they fight and argue to the point that it really got on my nerves. It was extremely frustrating when these three teenagers (I also wasn’t sure how old they were except that Kai was probably the oldest) would work together for a page or two and I thought they making progress as far as maturity and then it was right back to the squabbling and screaming at each other. This wishy-washy footing with each other is also reflected in their spiritual journey. The spirituality is very clear in this book. There is a clear difference being drawn between the magic fueled by spells and the abilities given by Adoyni and Lesa the divine Prince who paid for freedom of the world with His life. The allegorical aspect is very clear and there is an interesting choice of turning a wind into a character, but the chapters written from his point of view were well done. The worship of Adoyni has essentially faded but while each of the main characters make a decision to believe in Him at different points in the book, they all immediately go back to being wishy-washy and turning back to the goddess. This is a huge frustration in regards to one character who believes then backpedals then believes then backpedals then believes then backpedals right until the very end. I can understand them struggling to keep the faith but I wish “one step forward, two steps back” didn’t apply to all three of them in regards to their interactions with each other and their spiritual journey. I really wanted to see at least one characters stay firm and help the other two stay firm in their own journeys.
There is a LOT of violence and darkness in this book. There are murders, people dying of poisoned water, bloody wounds, and a zombie army. Let me be clear that I despise zombies, I don’t like them on TV, film, or in books. HOWEVER, the Unwanted as they are called are not really the Hollywood type of zombies. At least, they don’t want brains and they can do more than shuffle so I could tolerate them more than usual. They are specifically described in legend as being caught between heaven and hell. These zombies also have black blood that spurts when they get a limb chopped off. There is one character who is badly injured twice and eventually dies from their wounds. Another character is described as losing so much blood from a head wound, I was a bit surprised that they lasted as long without true medical attention even from the head wound. There is also a human sacrifice scene, that wasn’t graphic.
Technical – A-
This book was well-edited. I think there were only three places where there was a punctuation error – a period missing or an extra space was between the opening quotation mark and the word. There were some issues with the narration. First, when we jumped to a different secondary narrator for a few sections, it was so far into the book that it felt a bit jarring to me. Second, one of the biggest difficulties for multiple narrators in the same place is avoiding the “I just went through all this with the other character” feeling, and while this particular sensation was avoided, there were pacing issues because we kept jumping back in time with the narrator switches, especially in regards to the final battle.
Final Grade – B or 4 stars
Overall, the book was okay. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it. There were some interesting decisions in regards to the narrators. But, I liked the feel of a fantasy world with winged horses (Archippos) and good and evil locked in conflict. The zombies…I can tolerate them this time. I do hope the more irritating aspects for the heroes’ characters are grown out of over the course of the next book. I will probably read Book Two just to find out what happens. I recommend this book for fans of fantasy books dealing with spiritual warfare and those who like Christian fantasy employing zombies. Recommended for ages 15 and up.
Plot – A
The plot of saving a dying world from an evil sorcerer may not be one of the most original in the range of fantasy plots, but I thought Lucas did a good job of making it her own. I didn’t feel that I was reading a rehash of a classic fantasy offering, which is always a good thing in my book. There was a distinct storyline that was completed in this book but the cliffhanger was written in such a way that I felt like there should have been more, which is a good way to make me want the next book if only to see what happens next. :)
Content – B-
There is no sensuality present in this book. The only language present is found in Kai’s humorous utterances – all inoffensive horse-related “swearing” such as “Stallion stalls.”
The main characters, Kai, Lizzy, and Taryn, do bicker constantly. Even after they’ve been reprimanded multiple times by two different characters, they fight and argue to the point that it really got on my nerves. It was extremely frustrating when these three teenagers (I also wasn’t sure how old they were except that Kai was probably the oldest) would work together for a page or two and I thought they making progress as far as maturity and then it was right back to the squabbling and screaming at each other. This wishy-washy footing with each other is also reflected in their spiritual journey. The spirituality is very clear in this book. There is a clear difference being drawn between the magic fueled by spells and the abilities given by Adoyni and Lesa the divine Prince who paid for freedom of the world with His life. The allegorical aspect is very clear and there is an interesting choice of turning a wind into a character, but the chapters written from his point of view were well done. The worship of Adoyni has essentially faded but while each of the main characters make a decision to believe in Him at different points in the book, they all immediately go back to being wishy-washy and turning back to the goddess. This is a huge frustration in regards to one character who believes then backpedals then believes then backpedals then believes then backpedals right until the very end. I can understand them struggling to keep the faith but I wish “one step forward, two steps back” didn’t apply to all three of them in regards to their interactions with each other and their spiritual journey. I really wanted to see at least one characters stay firm and help the other two stay firm in their own journeys.
There is a LOT of violence and darkness in this book. There are murders, people dying of poisoned water, bloody wounds, and a zombie army. Let me be clear that I despise zombies, I don’t like them on TV, film, or in books. HOWEVER, the Unwanted as they are called are not really the Hollywood type of zombies. At least, they don’t want brains and they can do more than shuffle so I could tolerate them more than usual. They are specifically described in legend as being caught between heaven and hell. These zombies also have black blood that spurts when they get a limb chopped off. There is one character who is badly injured twice and eventually dies from their wounds. Another character is described as losing so much blood from a head wound, I was a bit surprised that they lasted as long without true medical attention even from the head wound. There is also a human sacrifice scene, that wasn’t graphic.
Technical – A-
This book was well-edited. I think there were only three places where there was a punctuation error – a period missing or an extra space was between the opening quotation mark and the word. There were some issues with the narration. First, when we jumped to a different secondary narrator for a few sections, it was so far into the book that it felt a bit jarring to me. Second, one of the biggest difficulties for multiple narrators in the same place is avoiding the “I just went through all this with the other character” feeling, and while this particular sensation was avoided, there were pacing issues because we kept jumping back in time with the narrator switches, especially in regards to the final battle.
Final Grade – B or 4 stars
Overall, the book was okay. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it. There were some interesting decisions in regards to the narrators. But, I liked the feel of a fantasy world with winged horses (Archippos) and good and evil locked in conflict. The zombies…I can tolerate them this time. I do hope the more irritating aspects for the heroes’ characters are grown out of over the course of the next book. I will probably read Book Two just to find out what happens. I recommend this book for fans of fantasy books dealing with spiritual warfare and those who like Christian fantasy employing zombies. Recommended for ages 15 and up.
January 28, 2014
It’s been a long time since I flat-up enjoyed a book I was reading. But I’ve been totally basking in Toxic’s glow. In fact, although it’s a fluid, easy read and I read half of the narrative in a mere day, I found myself closing the book on purpose so that I could have some to enjoy the next day. The story picks up fast. The action scenes are riveting and edgy. The chapters are short enough to keep you saying, “Just one more!” The symbols before each character’s part really help in keeping everyone straight. (There’s not a lot of head hopping though, thankfully) The descriptive parts enamor my imagination, and the fact that part of the story is told from a wind’s perspective is a neat twist.
All in all, I rate this a five out of five. And that’s a honor not frequently bestowed by me.
Now I’m off to buy a copy for my Dad, and my siblings. Because I think they’ll all enjoy this wonderful story.
All in all, I rate this a five out of five. And that’s a honor not frequently bestowed by me.
Now I’m off to buy a copy for my Dad, and my siblings. Because I think they’ll all enjoy this wonderful story.
November 19, 2014
I liked this book and give it 3.5 stars. It is a christian fiction sci-fi type adventure book. It is geared toward the YA audience but I enjoyed it just as much as an adult. It reminded me of a cross between "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" and "Harry Potter" mostly because of the 3 friends and their adventures. It was easy to relate to the characters and I loved the good vs evil. I would consider this an allegory with the Bible similarities. The adventure kept me captivated and the pages turning. However, the ending didn't seem to wrap up as well as I expected.
June 7, 2012
This book was amazing! I've read it several times and would totally recommend it to really any age of a reader. I know that it is in the Christian Young Adult Fantasy genre but I'm 35 and it was a page turner for me.
I'd consider it a little older than the Narnia series but with a bit of the Lord of the Rings tossed in.
That's just my humble opinion, however, I've not heard anyone NOT like this book yet.
I'd consider it a little older than the Narnia series but with a bit of the Lord of the Rings tossed in.
That's just my humble opinion, however, I've not heard anyone NOT like this book yet.
April 18, 2013
I really liked this book and was held spellbound to the end! I was challenged to try and figure out who the characters were in the biblical perspective.
I recommend this book to everyone and am definitely looking forward to her next book!
I recommend this book to everyone and am definitely looking forward to her next book!
May 6, 2013
Awesome book! Can't wait to read the sequel!
January 26, 2014
So good! I loved it all the way through! I could hardly put it down throughout the whole book!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews