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The Sword of Lyric #3

The Restorer's Journey

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His choices have the power to save or destroy.

With a loved one’s life at stake, Jake charges through the portal into Lyric to stage a dramatic rescue, trusting that the signs that mark him as Restorer will guarantee success. But everything familiar in Lyric has vanished, swept away by deadly lies and a corrupt king. As inexorable forces conspire to turn him from his purpose, Jake finds his path leading to places beyond his courage.

While he confronts the temptation to flee his calling, Susan struggles in brutal captivity. Can she gain freedom before the enemy destroys her spirit, and will Jake choose to follow his destiny before everything is lost?

(Book three in the groundbreaking Sword of Lyric series, The Restorer’s Journey won a Carol Award for speculative fiction. This new expanded edition includes bonus scenes, a ten week devotional guide, and links to audio and video extras.)

466 pages, Paperback

First published January 29, 2008

9 people are currently reading
421 people want to read

About the author

Sharon Hinck

28 books516 followers
http://www.sharonhinck.com/

Sharon writes "stories for the hero in all of us" - uplifting and entertaining novels about ordinary people called to extraordinary challenges.

She recently was awarded a Christy Award for Hidden Current. She's also won several Carol awards for both contemporary Christian fiction and fantasy, and was a Christy finalist for The Restorer - a genre-blending adventure of a soccer-mom in an alternate world.

When she isn’t wrestling with words, Sharon enjoys speaking to conferences, retreats, and church groups. She and her family make their home in the Midwest.

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5 stars
244 (52%)
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156 (33%)
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54 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Celestria.
380 reviews466 followers
September 30, 2023
I found more characters and situations frustrating in this one, but other parts were interesting.
Profile Image for Victoria Lynn.
Author 9 books1,062 followers
December 23, 2016
4 stars
recommended age range, mid to late teens and adult.
This book lived up to expectations! I had read book 2 feeling let down after the high of book one, and boy, did this one deliver! I really liked it a lot. Jakes struggle I found easy to relate to and I greatly enjoyed the story. Again, Sharon Hinck's writing is so in-tuned to real life that you feel right at home amidst her fantasy world of Lyric. I also love the musical aspect and the parallel between the peoples Verses and our Bible. It really is a remarkably contrived story that will take you on a ride you will not soon forget! I would highly recommend it.

~contains violence that would be too much for young children and teens.
Profile Image for Sheila Holmes.
Author 27 books59 followers
February 24, 2017
As per the previous two in this series, this was just wonderful! I read such voluminous amounts at a time because I was so mesmerized by its content. Now I am preparing to read the fourth and final in this series. Can hardly wait to get started.
Profile Image for C.M..
Author 2 books8 followers
October 26, 2016
**Alert! Mild spoilers for those who haven’t read the first two books!**

How can you endure when your own mind fights against you?

After yet another harrowing experience in Lyric Susan, Mark, and their son Jake return home. But they are not alone. The villainous elder Cameron and his mind-altering Rhusican partner Medea have escape into their world and vanished without a trace. Though they have taken precautions, Susan can’t shake her fears. She dreads the day they return and knows without a doubt that it’s coming soon.

When her fears are realized and Cameron and Medea drag her back to Lyric, Susan is dropped into the worst trial she has faced yet – the battlefield of her own mind. Locked up and alone in a Rhusican prison, all she can do is pray and wait for the next time her captors come to torture her mind by using her own hurts and fears against her, coaxing all her worst traits and emotions into a frenzy. The One felt so far away, but could He still have a purpose for the pain?

Jake returns to Lyric alone to find his missing mother. Months have passed and nothing is as it was. The people live in fear of their new king – Cameron. The guardians are scattered and in hiding. Worse, no one believes in the Restorers anymore. Seeing through the lies that Cameron spins is easy for Jake, but no one else will believe him. Even his allies have become his enemies. When he tries to fight back he is branded a traitor and spy.

As the country fractures around him, Jake has to let go of his own plans if he wants to save the kingdom from itself – even if it means he might never see his mother again.

Read the rest of this review and ratings here on my book review site: https://embersreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Profile Image for Jessica.
459 reviews
May 31, 2019
Just found out there's another book in this series! How did I not know this?! I'm off to ebay to try and procure a copy! Take me away Sharon Hinck! Such a talent! Thank you for sharing it with all of us!
Profile Image for Ron.
Author 2 books169 followers
September 15, 2008
Had the potential to be the best of the Sword of Lyric series, but not as well developed. Perhaps it was rushed to print.
Profile Image for Jennifer Finstad.
53 reviews2 followers
January 26, 2021
I am in love with this series- from connecting with the carpool- overwhelmed mom to the theme of fighting-to-understand-God’s-purpose. This book carries us deeper into the world of the Verses from the perspective of both Susan and Jake. Susan’s plot was painful- not because of the writing but the events that occurs and her constant drive to her knees to ask for help from the One. I can relate. I personally had to pause several times during her story because of how connected I felt to the character and her pain In this book. Jake, similar to Kieran’s story in book two, took some time to grow into his Restorer role. I personally liked this take because with Susan, everyone believed she was the Restorer without much push back. With Kieran, it was so crazy that it had to be true! With Jake, he wasn’t wanted and wasn’t believed for much of the story. How like our own lives are we constantly trying to prove ourselves and measure up to past characters in our lives or around us by unknown pressure. Sad to move to book 4 because this world and these beloved characters will be ending but looking forward to how it concludes.
168 reviews4 followers
July 28, 2017
I don't buy the timeline at the beginning of the book where Cameron was in Lyric long enough to do a big takeover while Jake was still on earth. Jake says he left earth one hour after Cameron. This was after both had been on earth for quite a while. I know time moves differently, but that implies that time on Lyric moved slowly while Cameron was on earth and then VERY VERY quickly between his return and Jake's.

That said, I liked this book the best of the series so far and I've much enjoyed the series. Great job Sharon!
Profile Image for Sharon.
1,230 reviews48 followers
July 19, 2017
Okay, I get the need for the allegory to run true to script but that left very little in this book for me to like, initially. Most of the time I was just frustrated with the way the script was panning out. That tention had my angst reaching nearly fever pitch before there was finally a shift in the story. The last few chapters are action adventure like the previous books in this series and that made it worth while persevering when I was tempted to set aside my reading of this for good.
Profile Image for Katie.
1,313 reviews2 followers
July 13, 2018
This is probably my least favorite in the series because of the perspectives it was told from. The books have one consistent perspective & one that is new in each book. Worth the read if the other books were read because the next one is my second favorite.
Profile Image for Georgann .
1,034 reviews34 followers
July 30, 2019
The third entry in the series, and it is every bit as good as the previous two. Full of challenges and mistakes, successes and failures, and a constant call to follow the One and be obedient to His call. Book 4, here I come!
Profile Image for Abigael.
139 reviews
January 22, 2023
3.5🌟
Very sad, kind of literally depressing. I found it very hard (emotionally & mentally & spiritually) to get through - to the point that it should have taken me only maximum 2 weeks to read, but instead it took OVER A MONTH!!! OVER TWICE as long as it should have!!! I hope Book 4 isn't so awful.
Profile Image for Michelle Kaderly Welsh.
170 reviews9 followers
February 22, 2021
This is a great book that keeps you turning the pages. I appreciate the encouragement for our own lives hidden within the story.
Profile Image for Lacy Williams.
Author 192 books1,285 followers
March 1, 2008
The Restorer’s Journey
By Sharon Hinck
Navpress

Reviewed by Lacy J. Williams for novelinspirations.com

At the end of The Restorer’s Son, Susan, Marc and Jake Mitchell have just returned to their home from Lyric, following closely on the heels of Cameron and Media who have somehow managed to slip through the portal unnoticed.

The Restorer’s Journey opens a few weeks later, with Susan watching over her shoulder for the bad guys that haven’t yet shown their faces. Unfortunately for her, they do show up and threaten her life before Marc fixes the portal so they can return to Lyric. They grab Susan and rush through the portal before Marc or Jake can do anything about it.

Marc and Jake quickly gather supplies, but when they try to go back through the portal to rescue Susan, only Jake arrives in Lyric. Now the eighteen-year-old must make a choice - go back for his dad, or go find his mom. He moves forward to try and rescue Susan, but everything in Lyric has changed since Jake’s last visit. Who can he trust?

Susan finds herself taken captive by Media and her Rhusican friends. Can Susan survive the mind-torture that they intend to inflict on her? Can she find the One’s purpose in the midst of the darkess hours of her life?

This last installment in Sharon’s Sword of Lyric series is a marvelous finish. Readers will be on the edge of their seats nearly the whole book - I know I was.

Sharon has done a great job with her characterization throughout the series, and The Restorer’s Journey is no exception. Readers feel acutely Susan’s distress, depression, and fight to live. Likewise, they cheer for Jake as he begins to follow the path God set for him, and groan when he diverts from that rocky road for awhile.

As in both other books in this series, good overcomes evil in the end. However, this ending is a touch bittersweet… but I won’t spoil it for you. It certainly makes a poignant and memorable ending.

The one thing I was disappointed in during this book was that Kieran didn’t show up at all. I’ll admit that the fiery crusader won my heart in The Restorer’s Son and I wanted to see him in this book. But, to be fair, I didn’t miss him WHILE I was feverishly turning pages.

I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy fantasy, and those who don’t. If you love good writing and a story of triumph that will draw you in to the book from page one, this is the book for you.



Profile Image for Erin.
1,034 reviews33 followers
September 21, 2018
A new Restorer bursts onto the scene without friend or ally in the wrap-up of this adventurous trilogy. The world of Lyric is much changed since we last visited, deceived by Cameron and the return of the Rhusicans. What is truth? Whether hiding from the corrupted king's men, fighting off enemy nations or trusting God for survival in a prison cell, our much-loved characters face their own weaknesses and the overwhelming love and leading of God no matter the circumstances.

**2018 Reread
Once upon a time there was the story of Susan, the soccer mom who fell into a portal and entered another world, only to find out that she had new talents given to her by The One to bless His people. Then there was Kieran, an unlikely hero who had questions at every turn. Now The Sword of Lyric series continues with its third book, and a brand new Restorer on the scene: Susan's 18-year-old son Jake.

Because Jake has not been long with the People of the Verses, he often stumbles his way through things, unintentionally making them much harder than they could be. Due to his past exposure to Rhusican poisoning he is also extra susceptible to the new power controlling the capital city of Lyric. Jake isn't sure who to trust with the news that he has Restorer signs, nor what The One would have him to do. Most people think him a naive blunderer at best, if not an outright traitor. But The One does have a purpose, and slowly Jake learns to listen and trust Him.

Meanwhile Susan has been kidnapped and taken to Rhus, where the mind poisoners are trying their best to take everything from her. Her imprisonment threatens to shake the foundation of her faith. Can The One find her even in Rhus? Is it possible His love can reach her and reach these people who live off the torment of others?

This is such a great series. Captivating, easy to read, with great spiritual truths woven throughout. I can't wait to read the final book in the series, which was released seven years after this one and not on my radar until recently. I hope it wraps things up nicely!

This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.dreamwidth.org
Profile Image for Sarah Sawyer.
Author 24 books84 followers
November 17, 2012
Still spinning from the shock of arc enemies loose in their own world, Mark, Susan and Jake try to come to terms with their recent experiences, and more importantly, the near future.

Nothing prepares them for the horrors that lay ahead. Forced back into another world, Susan faces mental torture that’s impossible to comprehend, yet feels frighteningly familiar. Jake faces dragons from his past, and learns real life challenges in the world of Lyric are nothing like the fairy tales of glory he once dreamed of. Unable to convince the good guys he’s one of them, Jake not only battles known enemies, but also the men he’s trying to help. What does the One want from him anyway?

The answers are far from anything Susan or Jake want to face.

>>>

Another homerun in this third book of the Sword of Lyric series by Sharon Hinck, though not a grand slam for me. Still, it was the caliber I’ve come to expect from this author. Unique metaphors, real life connections, spiritual lessons that stick, wit, irony, and heart pounding adventure.

I’m not sure what was missing though, from her previous book. Maybe it was the absence of some of the beloved characters I’d grown attached to. Or the loose ends that I thought would be tied up in this book. Good thing she’s working on a new one, number four!

As with the previous books, don’t read the bonus scenes until the end, because they do contain some spoilers. That said, by all means, read them. I love seeing through the eyes of other characters and discovering they are just how the author showed them from the outside. Wade was a great character, I’m so glad he was brought to the forefront in this story.

Sword of the Lyric series, Expanded Editions:
The Restorer
The Restorer’s Son
The Restorer’s Journey

Get ‘em, and get drawn into the adventures.
Profile Image for Rebekah.
467 reviews24 followers
May 31, 2014
This book was a wonderful conclusion to an amazing trilogy. It wasn't my favorite book out of the three (No Kieran!), but it was still great at tying up the story. I loved how the Rhusicans got some humanity and depth like the Hazorites in the last book. I don't like purely evil characters because there's usually more to it than that. That situation was a great depiction of just doing what God tells you to do even if you do not get to see the effects of His influence in their lives. Long after Susan left the Rhusicans could still think back on her time there and maybe eventually come to know the One. Her job was to be obedient and it made me happy that they put in such a realistic situation. Jake was a pretty good protagonist. He annoyed me at the beginning due to his immaturity and cockiness, but luckily he grows as a character as the book moves on. I lamented the lack of Kieran in this book, but I know there was really no opportunity to bring him in. He had a job to do and this was not his story. It still made me sad though.

A pretty good conclusion to a fantastic series. It is the weakest of the three, but still a very good read.

Link to my review of The Restorer: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Link to my review of The Restorer's Son: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Profile Image for Tina at Mommynificent.
661 reviews18 followers
April 15, 2016
This is the third and what I thought was the final installment to Sharon Hinck's Restorer series. I'm re-reading them because a fourth book has been released recently. In my previous reads of this series, this third one has not been my favorite, but I found it much more compelling and moving this time for some reason. It is a hard book to read in that there is much pain and mental anguish described in its pages, but it is so worth it. The way Hinck has allegorically described the way lies worm their way into our minds and distort all of reality for us is so powerful. I am stunned by it every time I read it. And the way she describes the way to freedom and defeat of these lies is even more powerful.

In short, this series stands the test of time and many re-reads. I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who will take my recommendation, and I can't wait to read book four!
28 reviews
October 21, 2008
The third one in the series: I didn't think things could be worse in Lyric, but they are! And that makes it wonderful for Hinck's readers as they watch the characters squirm!

Now Susan and Mark's son is the Restorer---and nothing is going right. Anything he does is wrong. Nor can Mark come to the rescue: he's stuck in our world, and the gate won't open for him!

Nor is it well for Susan, captured by dreadful people who play with minds, and torture their prisoners. How is she going to get through to these proud people, who don't even see how much they need The One, or the love she offers? How can she cling to reality as they play their psychological games with her?


This book is a gem!
196 reviews2 followers
April 23, 2016
Fantastic Series

This is not my normal genre Christian Fantasy but every book of this series has been unbelievably good. I can't wait to read the last book in the series and yet I don't want it to end. Sharon Hinckley is a very talented writer who quickly transports you to this fantasy world where you can feel like you're actually there. Love how the presence and wisdom of The One is so wonderfully conveyed. This is a must read for anyone who loves Christian fiction.
146 reviews
May 24, 2016
I think this may be my favorite novel in this series. Susan's struggle in captivity resonates with me and is what I remember about this novel. This is the second time I have read this novel, with several years in between readings. One again, I find myself thoroughly enjoying the struggles of the characters in this rather unique fantasy world.

I recommend this series to anyone interested in faith-based fantasy, but I do recommend reading the books in order.
Profile Image for Redwallcrazy.
211 reviews
February 21, 2010
This one was really good too, and I hope that Sharon makes more books in this series. I was a tad=bit frusterated with it because it didn't have my favoritest character, but other than that it was wonderful, and I couldn't stop reading it.
Profile Image for Della Loredo.
Author 7 books8 followers
April 21, 2016
Like the first two books in this series, this story is well-written, engaging, easy to read, and hard to put down. Of the four books in the series, I think this one is my favorite because it so clearly depicts the love that the One has for ALL people, even those who choose to call Him "enemy."
47 reviews
July 8, 2016
Paradoxical time theory...

If time moves more slowly on Susan's home world, as all the books clearly illustrate, then Markkus would be younger than the people of his home world, NOT older.
Profile Image for Magma.
75 reviews2 followers
March 2, 2008
Very good book. I loved the way the trilogy ended. I am completely satisfied with it. SOOOO GOOOODDDDD! and I love the bonus content at the ends of these books.
Profile Image for Joanne.
2,642 reviews
April 7, 2009
Better than #2 in the series, continues the adventures of a suburban U.S. family caught up the conflicts of an alternative universe. Not as schmaltzy as most Christian fiction.
2,982 reviews
November 19, 2009
Good final book of the series. Love the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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