Challenge on the Hill of Fire

The Imagination Station #10

by Marianne Hering, Nancy I. Sanders

Kidnapped by Celtic Druids in 433, Patrick and Beth are headed to certain death when followers of a former Irish Slave (Saint Patrick, called "Patritius" in this book) save them. The cousins find themselves in the midst of a power struggle between Ireland's King Logaire, Patritius, and the leader of the Druids, Lochru. A spiritual showdown begins on the Hill of Slane when Patritius builds a fire, challenging the King's authority. Will Patritius prove to the king that the God of the Bible is the true God? Or will the king take sides with the Druids? The Emerald Isle holds many tales and legends, but this story of truth and standing strong for God is not one to be missed.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Childrens, Christian, Adventure, Ireland, Historical

144 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2012

About the author

Marianne Hering is a prolific writer, having written hundreds of articles and a number of books for children and parents. For nine years she worked for several magazines in Focus on the Family’s periodicals department and became the editor of Clubhouse, a Focus on the Family children’s magazine with a circulation of more than 100,000.

As a book developer for Focus on the Family, she and coauthor / creative director Paul McCusker launched the Adventures in Odyssey book series The Imagination Station in 2010. Currently the series includes 19 books, with two more contracted for 2017 release. Paul bowed out of his role in 2015 to pursue other creative avenues. The combined sales are more than 450,000.

Currently Marianne is a freelance writer taking assignments. She and her husband live in Colorado with their twin sons.

Reviews

[Jon E]

It started out like all the other books and Whit sent cousins Beth and Patrick to a place and time in the Imagination Station. It was the time of Bishop Patrick (in Latin his name was Patricius) in Ireland. There was a bad guy named Lochru, and he tried to poison the bishop in a drink, but the bishop knew and gave the cup to the king and Lochru panicked and lied and said the bishop poisoned it to try to kill the king. In the end Lochru was taken away for lying and trying to kill the bishop. In the end, Finn the squirrel was pretty sad that Beth and Patrick had to leave in the Imagination Station, and everyone else was too. (They called them Beth O'Shamrock and Patrick O'Shamrock.) I liked the book because it was pretty exciting and fun.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patrick and Beth arrive in Ireland. There, they get kidnapped by druids, but escape. They meet Tristan, a friend of the Bishop. They are Christians. The Bishop lights a special fire, and he and Patrick get taken in front of the king for doing that. Beth goes and tries to rescue them.
Will Beth rescue Patrick and the Bishop? Read this amazing book to find out!

[Tim Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Pairs well with AIO “Patrick A heart afire” episodes.

[GheenGirls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turtle just re-read this series at her own request. She said: great! Return to library.

[Jessica Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story with a focus on bravery.

[Kirsten · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perpetuates religious intolerance and prejudice. Elevates one form of magic tricks over the other, just stating that one is good and one is evil. Conflates fallible men with the religion they espouse.

[Chapter · Rating 3 out of 5]

FROM GOODREADS SITE:Kidnapped by Celtic Druids in 433, Patrick and Beth are headed to certain death when followers of a former Irish Slave (Saint Patrick, called "Patritius" in this book) save them. The cousins find themselves in the midst of a power struggle between Ireland's King Logaire, Patritius, and the leader of the Druids, Lochru. A spiritual showdown begins on the Hill of Slane when Patritius builds a fire, challenging the King's authority. Will Patritius prove to the king that the God of the Bible is the true God? Or will the king take sides with the Druids? The Emerald Isle holds many tales and legends, but this story of truth and standing strong for God is not one to be missed.

[Christina Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love these Imaginations Station books. Challenge on the Hill of Fire is the tenth book in the series. The cousins Patrick and Beth are thrust into another daring adventure in history as they learn about standing up for your faith even against certain death. I'll admit that when I first saw the cover of this book, I thought the kids were going back in Bible times to Elijah's challenge against the prophets of Baal. It took me only a few pages to realize I was wrong. Instead the book took me to Ireland in days gone by where real evil kept the people captive in superstition and fear. I think that these books give young readers and exciting glimpse into the past and provide a way for them to see how important it is to stand for what they believe. I look forward to the day when my son will be old enough to read these books.

I recommend this book to young readers ages 7 and up.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one I've read so far

I haven't read all of the books in this series, but I HAVE read a good many of them. So far, this is the best one. The title is relevant, the history is something children are rarely taught, and it's significance is hard to understate. I do roll my eyes at how Beth & Patrick conveniently "help history along", from time to time, in these books, as in this book - but it's a historical fiction children's book involving time travel ... and people like to have fun and interpret that differently anyway, so I don't fault the authors there. It's just not what I would do. This is my favorite book in this reinvented series thus far. Definitely recommend.




These books are appropriate for young elementary school aged children.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenge on the Hill of Fire was an exciting adventure in which cousins Patrick and Beth traveled to 433 Ireland through the Imagination Station. While in Ireland, the cousins are kidnapped by Druids only to be saved by Saint Patrick’s converts. While in the hands of the converts, they see first-hand the struggle of power between the Irish king, the druid leader, and Patritrius (Saint Patrick) when Patritrius challenges the king by building a fire on a hill to show proof to the king that the Bible’s God is the Only True God. This was a great book because it not only taught Christian truths, but the history included into the story was pretty accurate.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book because it was all about St. Patrick's Day! The kids take a trip in the Imagination Station to Ireland and meet up with Patritius who saves them from being sold as slaves. The country at this time was in fear and confusion on what to believe and who to trust. Patritius shows the kids how powerful God can be when you truly have faith.

This book is a great example to young adults about believing in the power of Christ and learning a bit about why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day.




I loved this book!

[Celena Janton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having thoroughly studied the life of Patrick for a play I acted in about a year before this book came out, I can say that it's probably as close to historically accurate as a kids book on the life of Patrick could be. Just like every other AO book, this one is thoroughly entertaining. My kids loved it, and I love that this series is giving them such a love to actually LEARN history and makes them want to know more.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s St. Patrick ’s Day for the cousins Patrick and Beth. When Whit realizes they know nothing of St. Patrick he sends them on an adventure to Old Ireland. There they encounter the Patrick, as well as evil druids and find out the importance of Patrick’s deeds as he brought truth to the green isle by sharing the gospel. Fantastic book!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenge on the Hill on Fire is an Adventure in Odyssey Imagination Station adventure to teach about the meaning behind St. Patrick's Day. It is easy to see God in this story & bridges the gap between the secularized holiday & the Christian roots.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenge on the Hill of Fire takes Beth and Patrick to Ireland where they meet with St Patrick. It was interesting to see through their eyes how Bishop Patricius was able to change many Druids during his time. I enjoyed reading this book to my kids. They enjoyed the adventure as well.
5 stars.

[Joy Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick and Beth are off to Ireland during the time of the druids. I thought that this was a great way to teach kids about this time in history. It was also a good way to show that we should share about God no matter what the potential consequences.

[Beth Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud to Emma and Will. For what it is, this was one of the best In the series. These aren't high literature, but it did a great job of using church history to inspire current day living and truth. I found the application of how the children shared their faith to be compelling.

[Mary-Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Patrick and Beth go to the time of the Druids in Ireland when St. Patrick brings the gospel as a missionary.