Landon Snow and the Island of Arcanum

Landon Snow #3

by R.K. Mortenson

WARNING: ADVENTURES IN LIBRARIES ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR

At least that's what Landon discovers when a few drips from a library ceiling turn into a powerful waterfall. As the waters rise, as do the perils in this latest adventure of Landon Snow, as he and his sisters--Holly and Bridget--are transported out of the library and into another world.

In this high-seas voyage, the Snow children join a quest to find the Island of Arcanum, where the animals of Wonderwood are imprisoned and the evil shadows of Malus Quidam lurk. With the help of some old friends--a horse named Melech, an odd fellow named Hardy, a girl named Ditty, and the poet/prophet Vates--Landon seeks to unlock the island's dark secrets and escape with the animals intact. But first he must navigate his way through uncharted waters and battle the villainous Arcans.

Can Landon and his friends rescue the animals from deep within the island's stronghold?

Are the winds in Landon's favor, or will this prove to be his final voyage?

Genres: Fantasy, Christian, Middle Grade, Childrens, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Juvenile

216 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2006

About the author

R. K. Mortenson, an ordained minister in the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, has been writing poems and stories since he was a kid. A former Navy chaplain, Mortenson is a pastor in North Dakota. He serves a church in Mayville, where he lives with his wife, daughter, and two sons.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a good middle grade series. I’m a Grandma and I’m loving it as well. Fun adventure and good verses evil with the Bible and faith in God backing it all up.

[Melissa (Post-vacation Catch-Up) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Landon Snow is excited to return to the wonderful land of Wonderwood. Twice before, while visiting his grandparents, he has traveled to the Button Up Library late in the night and transported to a world where animals talk and where Landon recently helped free the people who used to be known as Odds. His sister Holly accompanied him during his previous visit, and Landon wouldn't even mind if she came again. But this time, Landon is so tired when they arrive at his grandparents' house that he sleeps through the night and doesn't have a chance to go anywhere.

Landon and Holly wake up the next morning angry and disappointed. Reluctantly, they agree to take their younger sister Bridget to the library, but Landon is heartsick that he missed his opportunity for an adventure. They get to the library before it is scheduled to open, but the doors are unlocked and they enter the deserted building. As they poke around, they hear water running, which turns into a real flood. Soon, the three siblings find themselves in a ship on the sea, on their way to a mysterious island to help save some animals.

This is the third book in the Landon Snow series. Readers should complete the first two books in order to get to know the characters and understand where the plot is going. This series includes fun, unique fantasy tales written from a Christian worldview. There is nothing preachy included, but there also isn't any sorcery or other magic that you might expect from a fantasy novel. The characters trust the Auctor (God) to help them defeat evil, which most often takes the shadowy form of Malus Quidam.

In this episode, Landon and his cohorts must free animals from an island where they have been kept captive. The overall themes of trusting God in spite of our fear, and trusting God to overcome evil even when it seems completely hopeless permeate the plot. Landon Snow and the Island of Arcanum is another delightful addition to this series, offering a fantasy voyage sure to appeal to all who enjoy this genre.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute third installment to the Landon Snow series. It did take a little bit to really get into, which is why it took me a while to read, but it's actually not a bad book. Darker, oddly, than the other two, but I really liked the inclusion of Landon's and Holly's little sister, Bridget. The children feel much older than their very young ages, and the romance brewing between Ditty and Landon is still pretty weird.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book for the kids in my life. Will look for others in this series.