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Tennis Shoes #12
Drums of Desolation
Join our time-traveling heroes from the Tennis Shoes Adventure Series as they stand ready to take part in one of the most intense, supercharged, and harrowing contests in all of Book of Mormon history.
Surrounded by more than a million Lamanites and Gadianton robbers, Joshua, Harry, Apollus, Meagan, Garth, Steffanie, and many other favorite Tennis Shoes characters brace themselves with the Nephite nation for the promised day of violence and thunder. For four long years, the prophet Mormon has guided his people into making the Hill Cumorah an impregnable fortress against any adversary, but conflict and corruption among the Nephites threatens to undermine all of Mormon's efforts and make everyone—including our characters—vulnerable for disaster.
Drums of Desolation is a novel of herculean ambition, serving as a sequel not only for Tennis Shoes Adventure Series: Sorcerers and Seers, but also for Passage to Zarahemla and Escape from Zarahemla, combining characters and struggles from both of Chris Heimerdiner's epic series of Book of Mormon adventures.
Featuring nail-biting suspense and nonstop action, Drums of Desolation stand as one of the most important fictional studies ever undertaken of the most climactic and heart-breaking episode in the Book of Mormon. Fasten up for the thrill ride of your life—an adventure that will carry you from the depths of despair to the glorious triumphs of the human spirit in the midst of one of the most complex and sinister centuries every experiences in the New World.
Surrounded by more than a million Lamanites and Gadianton robbers, Joshua, Harry, Apollus, Meagan, Garth, Steffanie, and many other favorite Tennis Shoes characters brace themselves with the Nephite nation for the promised day of violence and thunder. For four long years, the prophet Mormon has guided his people into making the Hill Cumorah an impregnable fortress against any adversary, but conflict and corruption among the Nephites threatens to undermine all of Mormon's efforts and make everyone—including our characters—vulnerable for disaster.
Drums of Desolation is a novel of herculean ambition, serving as a sequel not only for Tennis Shoes Adventure Series: Sorcerers and Seers, but also for Passage to Zarahemla and Escape from Zarahemla, combining characters and struggles from both of Chris Heimerdiner's epic series of Book of Mormon adventures.
Featuring nail-biting suspense and nonstop action, Drums of Desolation stand as one of the most important fictional studies ever undertaken of the most climactic and heart-breaking episode in the Book of Mormon. Fasten up for the thrill ride of your life—an adventure that will carry you from the depths of despair to the glorious triumphs of the human spirit in the midst of one of the most complex and sinister centuries every experiences in the New World.
468 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
20 people are currently reading
598 people want to read
About the author
Chris Heimerdinger
42 books462 followersChris Heimerdinger is an author and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) who has presently written sixteen adult and young adult novels, most of which center on religious themes familiar to LDS members. Most are published with Covenant Communications in American Fork, Utah. One title, A Return to Christmas was also picked up by Random House/Ballantine in 1995. When the title was released by Ballantine in 2004, it was republished by Covenant Communications.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
January 25, 2018
Ah the memories associated with this book and series. All the years waiting for the next book, the excitement, the rush of reading or listening to the stories, the characters in peril, the sweet romance, the humor, the time travel, the hours upon hours of my time invested in reading and rereading.
My voracious appetite of reading lead my mom to purchase the first book of this series way back before I was 10 years old. I devoured it. Absolutely loved it! Read it and reread it, waited for the next book and the next and the next. After several of the books were released my mom gave me a boxset of the collection on cassette tape (ha, just dated myself even more). One Christmas as a teenager I woke up Christmas morning and had the newest book waiting for me. Squeallllll. I didn't emerge from the book until I had consumed every page and then I had to reread it. Imagine my pure delight when I met my hubby and discovered that he loved Tennis Shoes just as much as I did! Woohoooooo! So my Christmas gift from him was the author's newest book Passage to Zarahemla, I was super excited! (Fun side note-the author turned Passage to Zarahemla into a movie. A good friend of ours was one of the Lamanites who came into modern time. So when he found out that I had all of Chris Heimerdinger's books and was a huge fan he took my paperback of Passage to Zarahemla and had it autographed by Chris! And it's fun to watch that movie for the handful of scenes that our friend is in.) Then the next Tennis Shoes book came out a little after we were married and we purchased it. Our old car only had cassette tape and we happened to be going on a road trip so he purchased the CDs and we took our boombox, fully stocked with 'D' batteries and listened to it together that way while traveling. Oh heavens, funny to look back and think how much technology has changed and made everything so easily accessible.
Well a couple weekends ago I was on a long road trip...again (always on long road trips it seems) taking a couple of my daughters to some state competitions and I saw this on Deseret Bookshelf. With my nifty thrifty gift subscription I had access to the audiobook, so no more boombox, just my phone, an app and a cord to hook it into my truck's sound system. Definitely different than the cassette tapes and boombox and CDs. No more rewinding, fast forwarding, skipping, just so crazy to think how different it is now.
It was fun to listen to the story continue of these dear friends of mine who I have known practically my whole life. So fun. I'm pretty invested in their lives and stories and man on man did this ever bring back even more memories. I will say that I went into it thinking that it was the end. Nope, not the end, people. I'm thinking we have one more book....unknown though. Every time my hubby and I have thought it was the end, there have been several more books. So we have learned not to hold our breath waiting for the end but to just enjoy the fun adventures. But I will say it was interesting how the author added another book to Passage to Zarahemla and connected the two series together with this book.
If you're a Tennis Shoes fan this is a great continuation and fun to see where all the characters are. Lots of surprises in store. And can I just give a shout out to Gidgiddoni? Love you Gid!!!!! You the man Gid!!!!! *blushes* Yeah my hubby knows I think Gid is the best, how could he not be the best. And guess what????? There's a new surprise for Gid in this one. Hello! Never in a million years would have thought the author would do that but I am so happy for Gid. Everyone else is getting happily ever afters and wonderful surprises in their stories so why not Gid right? Right!
Ok, I'll stop now. Just had to take a few minutes to go down memory lane and relieve the fun nostalgia of this series and the many memories surrounding them. Oh, here's one. When I was about to have my first daughter, I worked days, and went to school as well. My hubby went to school full time during the days and worked evenings until about 11 at a grocery store. So I had several evenings to myself and needed something to fill the time. So what else than to start the whole series over again and listen to them. LOL. Yes, I did! I put in my cassette tapes into my boom box, sat on the couch and crocheted my soon to be baby girl's blessing dress. Which led to me crocheting blessing dresses for each of my sweet little baby girls and me revisiting this series every time I was working on those dresses. Ah, the nostalgia. Where has time gone? Me and my babies are many, many, many years older but this series will always hold a dear place in my heart for the pure joy and fabulous memories that it has created throughout my life.
Definitely a series I would recommend to anyone trying to get their kids to read and find a fun adventure to dive into. My own daughters love this series too. How could they not when their mom listened to them while they were in my tummy and as they've gotten older. And I can't forget to mention how much I love the narration. Forever ago with the original books, it was the author narrating then over the years it has evolved and included different voices for the different characters. So much fun! And the old crew was back together for this one, albeit their voices are definitely a little older than when they all first started recording years ago. At least I'm not the only one getting old. Hee Hee!
Content: Clean. Peril and fighting but nothing overly graphic. A fun time travel adventure series that takes these characters back to Old Testament, New Testament times and many adventures with Book of Mormon characters. Love it!
Happy Reading!!!
My voracious appetite of reading lead my mom to purchase the first book of this series way back before I was 10 years old. I devoured it. Absolutely loved it! Read it and reread it, waited for the next book and the next and the next. After several of the books were released my mom gave me a boxset of the collection on cassette tape (ha, just dated myself even more). One Christmas as a teenager I woke up Christmas morning and had the newest book waiting for me. Squeallllll. I didn't emerge from the book until I had consumed every page and then I had to reread it. Imagine my pure delight when I met my hubby and discovered that he loved Tennis Shoes just as much as I did! Woohoooooo! So my Christmas gift from him was the author's newest book Passage to Zarahemla, I was super excited! (Fun side note-the author turned Passage to Zarahemla into a movie. A good friend of ours was one of the Lamanites who came into modern time. So when he found out that I had all of Chris Heimerdinger's books and was a huge fan he took my paperback of Passage to Zarahemla and had it autographed by Chris! And it's fun to watch that movie for the handful of scenes that our friend is in.) Then the next Tennis Shoes book came out a little after we were married and we purchased it. Our old car only had cassette tape and we happened to be going on a road trip so he purchased the CDs and we took our boombox, fully stocked with 'D' batteries and listened to it together that way while traveling. Oh heavens, funny to look back and think how much technology has changed and made everything so easily accessible.
Well a couple weekends ago I was on a long road trip...again (always on long road trips it seems) taking a couple of my daughters to some state competitions and I saw this on Deseret Bookshelf. With my nifty thrifty gift subscription I had access to the audiobook, so no more boombox, just my phone, an app and a cord to hook it into my truck's sound system. Definitely different than the cassette tapes and boombox and CDs. No more rewinding, fast forwarding, skipping, just so crazy to think how different it is now.
It was fun to listen to the story continue of these dear friends of mine who I have known practically my whole life. So fun. I'm pretty invested in their lives and stories and man on man did this ever bring back even more memories. I will say that I went into it thinking that it was the end. Nope, not the end, people. I'm thinking we have one more book....unknown though. Every time my hubby and I have thought it was the end, there have been several more books. So we have learned not to hold our breath waiting for the end but to just enjoy the fun adventures. But I will say it was interesting how the author added another book to Passage to Zarahemla and connected the two series together with this book.
If you're a Tennis Shoes fan this is a great continuation and fun to see where all the characters are. Lots of surprises in store. And can I just give a shout out to Gidgiddoni? Love you Gid!!!!! You the man Gid!!!!! *blushes* Yeah my hubby knows I think Gid is the best, how could he not be the best. And guess what????? There's a new surprise for Gid in this one. Hello! Never in a million years would have thought the author would do that but I am so happy for Gid. Everyone else is getting happily ever afters and wonderful surprises in their stories so why not Gid right? Right!
Ok, I'll stop now. Just had to take a few minutes to go down memory lane and relieve the fun nostalgia of this series and the many memories surrounding them. Oh, here's one. When I was about to have my first daughter, I worked days, and went to school as well. My hubby went to school full time during the days and worked evenings until about 11 at a grocery store. So I had several evenings to myself and needed something to fill the time. So what else than to start the whole series over again and listen to them. LOL. Yes, I did! I put in my cassette tapes into my boom box, sat on the couch and crocheted my soon to be baby girl's blessing dress. Which led to me crocheting blessing dresses for each of my sweet little baby girls and me revisiting this series every time I was working on those dresses. Ah, the nostalgia. Where has time gone? Me and my babies are many, many, many years older but this series will always hold a dear place in my heart for the pure joy and fabulous memories that it has created throughout my life.
Definitely a series I would recommend to anyone trying to get their kids to read and find a fun adventure to dive into. My own daughters love this series too. How could they not when their mom listened to them while they were in my tummy and as they've gotten older. And I can't forget to mention how much I love the narration. Forever ago with the original books, it was the author narrating then over the years it has evolved and included different voices for the different characters. So much fun! And the old crew was back together for this one, albeit their voices are definitely a little older than when they all first started recording years ago. At least I'm not the only one getting old. Hee Hee!
Content: Clean. Peril and fighting but nothing overly graphic. A fun time travel adventure series that takes these characters back to Old Testament, New Testament times and many adventures with Book of Mormon characters. Love it!
Happy Reading!!!
October 19, 2014
Four years. Four years I waited and this is what I get? Sigh. Maybe it just took too long and I've forgotten the other books, but this one was a let down. And I'll tell you why:
1. Did I mention it took four years between Sorcerers and Seers and Drums of Desolation? That's just too long.
2. Merging the Tennis Shoes series with the Passage to Zarahemla series. This series was complicated enough on its own. Heimerdinger has so many characters in so many places that the plot hardly moves. Now he added more characters to the mess.
2.5 Brock. Was there anything likable about this guy in his own series? Because he was absolutely intolerable and didn't serve to add to the plot in any way.
3. Too many characters. Like I said, there are too many characters in so many places and times that it takes multiple books for anything to happen. This book didn't address what happened to Pagag or Ryan. It barely touched on the plot involving Jim. We got a lengthy soliloquy and a chapter of catch-up and that's it. The majority of the focus was on Josh, Marcos, and Brock. And what happened? not much. Then this problem was exacerbated by Megan and Apollus being sent to who knows when, Josh and his girlfriend being sent to be with Jenny and Melody, Stephanie potentially going to find Pagag, and Gid announcing to stay behind and battle the Lamanites. People need to start coming back together instead of being split further apart.
4. Repetitive. The biggest problem with switching between narratives was that there was a lot of time spent rehashing what the former narrator said already. This added length to the book but not substance. It was very draining and not fun to read.
5. Characters all sound the same. They all have the voice. They all use the same descriptions, the same vocabulary, the same narration style (except for maybe Brock who is so ridiculously different that he doesn't sound natural).
6. Josh. Josh grew up in the land of the Nephites and he spent the last five years being a Nephite captain. So... why does he use so many pop culture references in his similes and metaphors? His internal monologue and descriptions just didn't mesh with his character's background and personality. There needed to be some definite cohesion there.
7. Similes and metaphors. The similes and metaphors had two extremes. They were either cliches or really awkward and forced. There were very few instances where everything flowed and didn't jar me out of the world that I'm reading.
8. Spiritual experiences. These kind of happened like his similes and metaphors. There were two extremes. There were vague thoughts that might've been spiritual promptings, but were overshadowed by doubt and ridiculously drawn out ramblings that went in circles or there were big undeniable experiences like seeing one of the three Nephites or following the Liahona. Then the big experiences were kind of taken lightly... I don't know how to describe it better.
This was a definite let down and needs to be redeemed by the next book.
1. Did I mention it took four years between Sorcerers and Seers and Drums of Desolation? That's just too long.
2. Merging the Tennis Shoes series with the Passage to Zarahemla series. This series was complicated enough on its own. Heimerdinger has so many characters in so many places that the plot hardly moves. Now he added more characters to the mess.
2.5 Brock. Was there anything likable about this guy in his own series? Because he was absolutely intolerable and didn't serve to add to the plot in any way.
3. Too many characters. Like I said, there are too many characters in so many places and times that it takes multiple books for anything to happen. This book didn't address what happened to Pagag or Ryan. It barely touched on the plot involving Jim. We got a lengthy soliloquy and a chapter of catch-up and that's it. The majority of the focus was on Josh, Marcos, and Brock. And what happened? not much. Then this problem was exacerbated by Megan and Apollus being sent to who knows when, Josh and his girlfriend being sent to be with Jenny and Melody, Stephanie potentially going to find Pagag, and Gid announcing to stay behind and battle the Lamanites. People need to start coming back together instead of being split further apart.
4. Repetitive. The biggest problem with switching between narratives was that there was a lot of time spent rehashing what the former narrator said already. This added length to the book but not substance. It was very draining and not fun to read.
5. Characters all sound the same. They all have the voice. They all use the same descriptions, the same vocabulary, the same narration style (except for maybe Brock who is so ridiculously different that he doesn't sound natural).
6. Josh. Josh grew up in the land of the Nephites and he spent the last five years being a Nephite captain. So... why does he use so many pop culture references in his similes and metaphors? His internal monologue and descriptions just didn't mesh with his character's background and personality. There needed to be some definite cohesion there.
7. Similes and metaphors. The similes and metaphors had two extremes. They were either cliches or really awkward and forced. There were very few instances where everything flowed and didn't jar me out of the world that I'm reading.
8. Spiritual experiences. These kind of happened like his similes and metaphors. There were two extremes. There were vague thoughts that might've been spiritual promptings, but were overshadowed by doubt and ridiculously drawn out ramblings that went in circles or there were big undeniable experiences like seeing one of the three Nephites or following the Liahona. Then the big experiences were kind of taken lightly... I don't know how to describe it better.
This was a definite let down and needs to be redeemed by the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2015
I am so exhausted by this book and the time I wasted on reading it, that I don't want to even waste anymore time on it by writing up a review. There is one reviewer in particular that already wrote everything I would want to say - so just go read it, her name is Lindsey and she rated it two stars.
I will just bullet point a few things:
-Hated that the author merged Passage to Zarahemla characters into this book. Seriously sooo stupid!!
-Too many characters - too many telling the story and just too many in general, all over the place in different times and places.
-The story is not over yet - you heard right... it ends with, "to be continued", again! It should have ended a looong time ago. This particular storyline began way back on book 8 and now we have to wait for book 13?
-Meagan and Apollus ended up where?! Are you serious? This was just one of many moments where I just had to shake my head in unbelief at how ridiculous this story has become...
Hmm... was there anything I actually liked??
-Harry's story is always awesome!
-Rafa!
-Gidgiddonihah!
and ...ok that's about it.
I own all of the other books, but do I really want to pay money for this book??
I will just bullet point a few things:
-Hated that the author merged Passage to Zarahemla characters into this book. Seriously sooo stupid!!
-Too many characters - too many telling the story and just too many in general, all over the place in different times and places.
-The story is not over yet - you heard right... it ends with, "to be continued", again! It should have ended a looong time ago. This particular storyline began way back on book 8 and now we have to wait for book 13?
-Meagan and Apollus ended up where?! Are you serious? This was just one of many moments where I just had to shake my head in unbelief at how ridiculous this story has become...
Hmm... was there anything I actually liked??
-Harry's story is always awesome!
-Rafa!
-Gidgiddonihah!
and ...ok that's about it.
I own all of the other books, but do I really want to pay money for this book??
August 10, 2015
I kind of wish Chris Heimerdinger would just kill off all of his characters and be done with it.
But . . . he does a lot of things right in this book. The pointless Jerusalem storyline is cut almost entirely. The chapters are shorter. No stupid recaps at the beginning. For the most part, the characters are in the same place. There's still a lot going on, but things are much easier to follow than they were in the last book. And the writing/editing is much better (though still not great), so I could finally relax and enjoy the story. I think this book might even be Heimerdinger's best work of the series.
Except that he sticks the obnoxious Brock on us. I know Chris Heimerdinger loves his Passage to Zarahemla characters, but that's no reasons to punish us.
But . . . he does a lot of things right in this book. The pointless Jerusalem storyline is cut almost entirely. The chapters are shorter. No stupid recaps at the beginning. For the most part, the characters are in the same place. There's still a lot going on, but things are much easier to follow than they were in the last book. And the writing/editing is much better (though still not great), so I could finally relax and enjoy the story. I think this book might even be Heimerdinger's best work of the series.
Except that he sticks the obnoxious Brock on us. I know Chris Heimerdinger loves his Passage to Zarahemla characters, but that's no reasons to punish us.
June 3, 2015
I'd like to say upfront that Tennis Shoes is one of my favorite series ever. But I'm obliged to be honest in this case. This book was trash. That may seem harsh, but I had to force myself to even read the first 120 pages. I want to know what happens really badly (having reread the series multiple times) but I just can't read anymore. It's so wordy it's absurd. "His dexterity was viper swift" REALLY?? My gosh, Stephen King would develop an eye twitch. The whole thing could've been chopped in half just by eliminating useless words. Anyway. I'm sure every other fan thought it was amazing. But I was sorely disappointed.
October 26, 2014
More like 2.5. Too much going on and not enough happening, if that makes any sense.
April 21, 2015
This book was fine. Not my favorite in the series for sure, but it was good. There were some truly excellent moments that made me remember why I fell in love with these books in the first place. But there was also a whole lot of nothing. There is almost no progress in this book, plot wise or character wise. For a book that's over 400 pages long, not much actually occurred.
I hated the idea of combining the Passage to Zarahemla books with this series, and I still do. I feel like that series is Chris Heimerdinger's favorite, but more people like the Tennis Shoes books, so he's forcing us to pay attention to his baby. And if you're going to combine them, why was the least likable character, Brock, the one we got saddled with the longest? So obnoxious. There is nothing gained from adding these characters in, either. The only purpose Brock served was to get Kerra there. Kerra's only purpose seems to be to help them find portals for time travel, but they don't need that. As we've seen in past books as well as this one, Rebecca and Harry seem to have a similar gift and the Liahona has also helped with that as well. They don't need her. Her only other reason for being there (which I won't mention to keep this spoiler free) is all happy and nice but completely unnecessary.
These books have just become too convoluted. For all my complaints about nothing happening in this book (as far as furthering the plot), there are just so many sub plots going on that you need a diagram to keep track of everyone and everything. There's a multipage list of characters in the beginning of the book that's supposed to help you, but there are so many people that it's unhelpful. Leave out the minor characters who have all of 3 pages of "screen time" and just leave the main and secondary characters that we actually need to know about. We don't really need a list of every person that has ever graced the pages of books 8-12.
As for Chris Heimerdinger's claim that we won't be waiting "years" for the final book in the series, I'll believe it when I see it. This particular saga started in book 8, which came out 15 years ago. I have been waiting almost half of my life for the resolution of this story. Also, my mom saw Chris Heimerdinger at Costco doing a book signing about 2 years after Sorcerers and Seers came out. She told him she had several children anxious for the next book and asked him when he thought the next one would be released. He said he was hoping to have it out that fall (it was late winter/early spring). TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER, it finally came out. So take his claims with a grain of salt. I feel like he's been getting too caught up in his researching and his writing slows down. We shall see.
I hated the idea of combining the Passage to Zarahemla books with this series, and I still do. I feel like that series is Chris Heimerdinger's favorite, but more people like the Tennis Shoes books, so he's forcing us to pay attention to his baby. And if you're going to combine them, why was the least likable character, Brock, the one we got saddled with the longest? So obnoxious. There is nothing gained from adding these characters in, either. The only purpose Brock served was to get Kerra there. Kerra's only purpose seems to be to help them find portals for time travel, but they don't need that. As we've seen in past books as well as this one, Rebecca and Harry seem to have a similar gift and the Liahona has also helped with that as well. They don't need her. Her only other reason for being there (which I won't mention to keep this spoiler free) is all happy and nice but completely unnecessary.
These books have just become too convoluted. For all my complaints about nothing happening in this book (as far as furthering the plot), there are just so many sub plots going on that you need a diagram to keep track of everyone and everything. There's a multipage list of characters in the beginning of the book that's supposed to help you, but there are so many people that it's unhelpful. Leave out the minor characters who have all of 3 pages of "screen time" and just leave the main and secondary characters that we actually need to know about. We don't really need a list of every person that has ever graced the pages of books 8-12.
As for Chris Heimerdinger's claim that we won't be waiting "years" for the final book in the series, I'll believe it when I see it. This particular saga started in book 8, which came out 15 years ago. I have been waiting almost half of my life for the resolution of this story. Also, my mom saw Chris Heimerdinger at Costco doing a book signing about 2 years after Sorcerers and Seers came out. She told him she had several children anxious for the next book and asked him when he thought the next one would be released. He said he was hoping to have it out that fall (it was late winter/early spring). TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER, it finally came out. So take his claims with a grain of salt. I feel like he's been getting too caught up in his researching and his writing slows down. We shall see.
December 17, 2014
Only slightly better writing than the last installment of this series (see my review for Sorcerers and Seers) as the narration of the story by the characters was refreshingly free of the "club notebook" banter which freed up the pacing. Setting Jim's storyline aside for a time was also a wise choice by the author. There's just too many loose ends flapping around this universe with all the time traveling and it looks like nobody's going home anytime soon. *sigh*
Again, the author has included a Cast of Characters with a list long enough to rival a small town in Utah.
Other reviewers have expressed their dislike of the intertwining of this "episode" of the series with the characters from Passage to Zarahemla but I actually liked it. Brock has enough personality to steal every scene he's in. His distinctive voice really livens up the text while other characters' voices, Steffanie and Meagan for example, are so similar I was often confused not only as to who was speaking but the gender of the character to boot (sorry Apollus!)
Once again, another fast read as I found it very easy to start skimming pages. Lots of monologuing by the enemy characters who prove to be more eye rolling than formidable while the talking animals and sword have me fearing Heimerdinger has a rather unhealthy obsession with Disney.
Just another "filler" episode where nothing is resolved.
Again, the author has included a Cast of Characters with a list long enough to rival a small town in Utah.
Other reviewers have expressed their dislike of the intertwining of this "episode" of the series with the characters from Passage to Zarahemla but I actually liked it. Brock has enough personality to steal every scene he's in. His distinctive voice really livens up the text while other characters' voices, Steffanie and Meagan for example, are so similar I was often confused not only as to who was speaking but the gender of the character to boot (sorry Apollus!)
Once again, another fast read as I found it very easy to start skimming pages. Lots of monologuing by the enemy characters who prove to be more eye rolling than formidable while the talking animals and sword have me fearing Heimerdinger has a rather unhealthy obsession with Disney.
Just another "filler" episode where nothing is resolved.
July 24, 2015
I am so disgusted by this book that if I could give it a half-star rating, I would. I don't think I've ever had more scathing thoughts towards a novel before. Heimerdinger has COMPLETELY lost his way with this series! I have read,loved, and been inspired by this series since I was an early teen (now I am 26), and I just can't stomach it anymore. Heimerdinger has involved far too many characters and narrators and time periods and settings that it just boggles my mind and I no longer can connect and care about the characters and their stories. When Joshua is ONCE AGAIN--really???--transported to yet another time period and setting, his father says exasperatedly, "Hasn't my son endured enough of this?" My thought was, "Mr. Heimerdinger, haven't your readers endured endured of this?! Just write an interesting, cohesive story again--and try to freaking finish it in one novel!! And really did you have to throw in dinosaurs??? Seriously, come on!" (PS: Sorry--kind of--for the juvenile rant.)
Additionally, there is no uplifting spirit to the scripture characters and experiences in the series anymore, but rather a borderline--perhaps blatant--blasphemy for sacred things. It's disturbing and uncomfortable.
Ultimately, it is work (not the rewarding, fulfilling kind; the excruciatingly painful kind) to read this book.
Additionally, there is no uplifting spirit to the scripture characters and experiences in the series anymore, but rather a borderline--perhaps blatant--blasphemy for sacred things. It's disturbing and uncomfortable.
Ultimately, it is work (not the rewarding, fulfilling kind; the excruciatingly painful kind) to read this book.
June 26, 2017
Confusing, chaotic, and continued yet again. It's time to admit the author has no idea what he's doing. I keep picturing him sitting at his desk saying, "uh oh." I feel like he's gotten in over his head and doesn't know how he's going to bring this all together. I'm glad I've read this series (it has motivated me to return to the scriptures for one thing) but there is no evidence that the author has the ability to carry it off. Even if he does, I don't know that I have the patience to wait him out.
January 12, 2022
I love this series but this book was a letdown. After waiting so long I hoped there would be more to it. But Chris has a way of building things up and then following through in a great way so I hope this is the case of this book. And, of course, I will definitely tune in for the next installment to find out what happens to my favorite characters.
March 15, 2015
A bit painstaking to read. It dragged. It's been dragging the same plot for five books. Over too many years. I don't even remember the characters any longer and all their different story lines.
I don't think I have it in me to read another. Very dissappointed because the series was entertaining to begin with, but is not ending in the same vein. . . If there will ever be an end to this story. ??
I don't think I have it in me to read another. Very dissappointed because the series was entertaining to begin with, but is not ending in the same vein. . . If there will ever be an end to this story. ??
October 30, 2014
I cannot believe I now have to wait for the next book in this series! I do it to myself every time! At least Mr. Heimerdinger has promised it won't be another 4 year wait!!! These books are awesome!!!!! This one kept me on edge the whole thing!
June 28, 2023
The fact that they have to hide some characters shows there are just too many right now and Brock is insufferable.
July 11, 2016
Wow..just wow. This one was a DNF..and I have a thing about finishing books. Even really really bad books. I was completely lost for the entire thing..thinking I'd missed a book in there..but I'd read them all. Except the Zarahemla books, and I just don't have it in me to go there.. I've seen other authors insert elements of other stories into their books. Stephen King did it in the Dark Tower series..effectively. It worked for him because if you hadn't read the other stories he was reading, it didn't ruin the storyline and confuse the reader. It's sort of like the Easter Eggs they have in video games. If you get a reference it's a fun surprise. The way it's done in this book the author assumes the reader has read all of his work, and will be happy to go off on this tangent with him. Not so much in my case.
The Tennis Shoes Series are crowded already with characters in all times and all places. This was a good series in the beginning. It had a unique premise, and it was fun to read. Now it's just ugh.. The internal monologues..these come from 15 year olds? LDS teenagers? Not the ones I serve with. I understand it's a device. But a device is ineffective if it doesn't ring true.
And I guess that's overall problem I have with these later books. They seem to be trying too hard. Too much messaging..too forced.. heavy handed overly dramatic preaching. There's no balance. And the storytelling got lost.
I often wonder if writers understand we as readers want the story first. And usually in these big epics, at some point the whole point of the story gets lost. I think authors get so invested, they can't bring themselves to finally end a 12 book series. So they keep going with increasingly implausible story lines. Dinosaurs..really?? Did we really have to add Jurassic Park to this hot mess of a book? Crown of Thorns supposedly is in Beta testing..no publication date. Book 14..15 and 16..where the poor Hawkins/Plimpton families are still scattered and maybe being chased by aliens next. Ugh..
Update: I couldn't help myself..I finished it. And the only thing I can add is..you have got to be kidding me.. What a totally stupid stupid ending.
This book has done something I thought impossible. It has replaced the Whiskey Beach as the most stupid, vapid, self indulgent book I have ever read. I'd be screaming for a refund for this garbage, but unfortunately the vendor I bought it from has a no return policy. Unreal..
I'm going to go out on a limb and make a prediction. This series is not ending anytime soon. The author will keep cranking out this total garbage because of his "niche". However, I'm not sorry I finished it. It's a well learned lesson that this series, and this author are a big waste of time and money.
The Tennis Shoes Series are crowded already with characters in all times and all places. This was a good series in the beginning. It had a unique premise, and it was fun to read. Now it's just ugh.. The internal monologues..these come from 15 year olds? LDS teenagers? Not the ones I serve with. I understand it's a device. But a device is ineffective if it doesn't ring true.
And I guess that's overall problem I have with these later books. They seem to be trying too hard. Too much messaging..too forced.. heavy handed overly dramatic preaching. There's no balance. And the storytelling got lost.
I often wonder if writers understand we as readers want the story first. And usually in these big epics, at some point the whole point of the story gets lost. I think authors get so invested, they can't bring themselves to finally end a 12 book series. So they keep going with increasingly implausible story lines. Dinosaurs..really?? Did we really have to add Jurassic Park to this hot mess of a book? Crown of Thorns supposedly is in Beta testing..no publication date. Book 14..15 and 16..where the poor Hawkins/Plimpton families are still scattered and maybe being chased by aliens next. Ugh..
Update: I couldn't help myself..I finished it. And the only thing I can add is..you have got to be kidding me.. What a totally stupid stupid ending.
This book has done something I thought impossible. It has replaced the Whiskey Beach as the most stupid, vapid, self indulgent book I have ever read. I'd be screaming for a refund for this garbage, but unfortunately the vendor I bought it from has a no return policy. Unreal..
I'm going to go out on a limb and make a prediction. This series is not ending anytime soon. The author will keep cranking out this total garbage because of his "niche". However, I'm not sorry I finished it. It's a well learned lesson that this series, and this author are a big waste of time and money.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2014
This is an honor to do only the third review for this new release. This book is fantastic. Chris Heimerdinger can really tell an exciting tale. There were several times I had to stop as it was too exciting or scary or both. I thought he made the most of any scenario. I loved how he used the curelom (mammoth) Muskah in the story and the jaguar Huracan and the peregrine falcon Rafa.
There were so many characters from past books arriving and adding to the mix. With little incidents added like Joshua losing Hamira, Sakerra latching onto Gidgidonihah, Apollos and Meagan "falling" into trouble, and Steffanie losing Pegag to the time rift, your interest was intensified. All of this took place with the backdrop of the last battle between the Nephites and the Lamanites and all the horrors of a fallen society.
It illuminates possibilities for the real happenings of the Book of Mormon.
Past books have indicated this took place in Mexico and Central America. Recent DNA test show that the Aztecs and Maya were of Asian descent; however, there are some native Americans in the Great Lakes area who had Middle Eastern patterns of DNA. The Mound Builders of the Mississippi area could have been the Nephites. There is added proof of this in relics found by archaeologists. It makes more sense with the location of the Hill Cumorah to that area. The Great Lakes could be the mighty "seas" and the Mississippi River is the River Sidon. Also, the LDS apostle, L. Tom Perry, in 2012, has stated the Book of Mormon took place in North America.
I have wondered why snow was not mentioned but I have also thought that maybe there were different weather patterns in that area of the world at that time.
Regardless of the exact setting, this series has been very exciting and a true adventure series. I can't wait for the next one.
There were so many characters from past books arriving and adding to the mix. With little incidents added like Joshua losing Hamira, Sakerra latching onto Gidgidonihah, Apollos and Meagan "falling" into trouble, and Steffanie losing Pegag to the time rift, your interest was intensified. All of this took place with the backdrop of the last battle between the Nephites and the Lamanites and all the horrors of a fallen society.
It illuminates possibilities for the real happenings of the Book of Mormon.
Past books have indicated this took place in Mexico and Central America. Recent DNA test show that the Aztecs and Maya were of Asian descent; however, there are some native Americans in the Great Lakes area who had Middle Eastern patterns of DNA. The Mound Builders of the Mississippi area could have been the Nephites. There is added proof of this in relics found by archaeologists. It makes more sense with the location of the Hill Cumorah to that area. The Great Lakes could be the mighty "seas" and the Mississippi River is the River Sidon. Also, the LDS apostle, L. Tom Perry, in 2012, has stated the Book of Mormon took place in North America.
I have wondered why snow was not mentioned but I have also thought that maybe there were different weather patterns in that area of the world at that time.
Regardless of the exact setting, this series has been very exciting and a true adventure series. I can't wait for the next one.
November 15, 2014
Story:
The story continues with the Hawkins/Plimpton family scattered across time and space, some being in ancient Israel, the rest being at different parts of ancient America, and neither side of the world is safe from harm. While Josh and Marcos pursue the sorcerer Akish the majority of the family is preparing to witness the battle that will close the chapter on one of America's civilizations. Danger abounds everywhere, as darkness encircles the family many will find their faith tested like nothing they've faced before.
If you haven't read the first books in the series this won't make a lot of sense. What really got me excited was now this series ties in with the books Passage to Zarahemla and Escape from Zarahemla. Chris Heimerdinger combines elements of fantasy and science fiction into the stories while doing extensive research to create the ancient worlds. The stories do tend to get dark at times, but it shows how devastating evil can be upon a people.
Caution:
A sword tries to lead someone astray. Ancient American warriors threaten the characters, and may appear intimidating at times. A jaguar kills men. A man is hanged. People drown and are threatened by a mammoth. Warriors fight and kill each other. Sorcerers use dark powers to try and kill the characters and monsters are seen.
Lessons:
Parents might want to use this book to show how secret combinations can destroy civilizations. We may not understand why things happen to us, but we can trust that it will work out in the end. Through faith in the Lord our weaknesses can become our strengths. The Lord will not desert us in our time of need.
The story continues with the Hawkins/Plimpton family scattered across time and space, some being in ancient Israel, the rest being at different parts of ancient America, and neither side of the world is safe from harm. While Josh and Marcos pursue the sorcerer Akish the majority of the family is preparing to witness the battle that will close the chapter on one of America's civilizations. Danger abounds everywhere, as darkness encircles the family many will find their faith tested like nothing they've faced before.
If you haven't read the first books in the series this won't make a lot of sense. What really got me excited was now this series ties in with the books Passage to Zarahemla and Escape from Zarahemla. Chris Heimerdinger combines elements of fantasy and science fiction into the stories while doing extensive research to create the ancient worlds. The stories do tend to get dark at times, but it shows how devastating evil can be upon a people.
Caution:
A sword tries to lead someone astray. Ancient American warriors threaten the characters, and may appear intimidating at times. A jaguar kills men. A man is hanged. People drown and are threatened by a mammoth. Warriors fight and kill each other. Sorcerers use dark powers to try and kill the characters and monsters are seen.
Lessons:
Parents might want to use this book to show how secret combinations can destroy civilizations. We may not understand why things happen to us, but we can trust that it will work out in the end. Through faith in the Lord our weaknesses can become our strengths. The Lord will not desert us in our time of need.
August 2, 2016
Okay, five stars might be a liiiittle high for this book, but I feel like it deserves more than four stars because it exceeded my expectations.
I used to LOVE this series when I was a kid. Then it started taking forever for the books to came out, and when I read the previous one at age 16 or so I remember thinking "this is not as good as I remember." I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one, but I ended up enjoying it a lot. Yes, it can be a bit cheesy, but that's a given for LDS fiction. I also found the storyline a lot easier to follow than the previous book, even though it had been so long since I read the other books (and I've never read Return to Zarahemla). I actually want to go back and reread the series from the beginning now.
My only complaint is Brock. His narration makes me feel like the closest the author has never interacted with a teenager in his life. PLEASE DO SOME RESEARCH ON LA SLANG. He also knew things that he shouldn't have known - like, he calls Steffanie a tomboy and an Amazon warrior even though he's JUST met her, has barely spoken to her, and she hasn't done anything tomboyish for the entire book.
I used to LOVE this series when I was a kid. Then it started taking forever for the books to came out, and when I read the previous one at age 16 or so I remember thinking "this is not as good as I remember." I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one, but I ended up enjoying it a lot. Yes, it can be a bit cheesy, but that's a given for LDS fiction. I also found the storyline a lot easier to follow than the previous book, even though it had been so long since I read the other books (and I've never read Return to Zarahemla). I actually want to go back and reread the series from the beginning now.
My only complaint is Brock. His narration makes me feel like the closest the author has never interacted with a teenager in his life. PLEASE DO SOME RESEARCH ON LA SLANG. He also knew things that he shouldn't have known - like, he calls Steffanie a tomboy and an Amazon warrior even though he's JUST met her, has barely spoken to her, and she hasn't done anything tomboyish for the entire book.
January 28, 2015
I have been following this series since the first printing in 1989. The series continues to thrill and entertain many readers including my family. I LOVE that it brings the scriptures alive and helps my mind grasp the stories so much better. I also LOVE the time travel aspect. How fun and intriguing it would be to travel back to Nephite times.
The adventures continue in this EPIC tale as you travel through rifts in time and space into the land of the Nephites and the Lamanites....beware of the Gadianton Robbers!
As the synopsis states this book combines characters from both the Tennis Shoes series and the Zarahemla series. I highly suggest you read at least a few of the Tennis Shoes books and at least the first book in the Zarahemla series BEFORE you read this book.
You will also find "chapter notes" explaining more details...which I really appreciate.
I absolutely recommend this series for the entire family!
The adventures continue in this EPIC tale as you travel through rifts in time and space into the land of the Nephites and the Lamanites....beware of the Gadianton Robbers!
As the synopsis states this book combines characters from both the Tennis Shoes series and the Zarahemla series. I highly suggest you read at least a few of the Tennis Shoes books and at least the first book in the Zarahemla series BEFORE you read this book.
You will also find "chapter notes" explaining more details...which I really appreciate.
I absolutely recommend this series for the entire family!
December 10, 2014
Exciting and entertaining as usual. I've read them all over the last two decades. Escape to Zarahemla and this one got too dark for my taste. I love adventure, and of course our heroes need villains, but all the Gadianton Robber stuff is to gruesome and too detailed. Not enough humor in the last two either. Meagan and Stephanie have been hilarious in the past. Even Garth comparing the Liahona to Weebles. I did love the Ricky Ricardo reference in this one at least. That gave me a much needed laugh that I could have used more of throughout the book. I am surprisingly enjoying the Gid/Kerra attraction. I was taken aback at first and mad about Kiddoni's demise and Kerra's tragedies, but now I'm intrigued by this twist. Unlike others, I don't mind that it's not over yet, I enjoy more characters and many/complicated story lines. Works for me. Though this book does have that "Empire Strikes Back" feel, leaving everything sad and unresolved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2014
Well, 3.5 stars. I liked that my favorite characters were back, but, really it's time to wrap the story up. In this book, there's a lot going on, but that actually gets to be distracting - too many characters, too scattered abroad, sometimes it's hard to follow. Combining the Zarahemla and the Tennis Shoes series really doesn't sit well with me.
The chapter notes kinda made me laugh. Some were almost as long as the chapters themselves. I appreciate the author's scholarship, and I think he does write a better story because of it, but the chapter notes were rather longwinded. Some were interesting, but mostly I skimmed or even skipped them.
Good things - I really liked his imaginings of what the preparations to the battle at Cumorah might have been like. I liked the animals, Huracan, Rafa and the curulom, Muskah.
The chapter notes kinda made me laugh. Some were almost as long as the chapters themselves. I appreciate the author's scholarship, and I think he does write a better story because of it, but the chapter notes were rather longwinded. Some were interesting, but mostly I skimmed or even skipped them.
Good things - I really liked his imaginings of what the preparations to the battle at Cumorah might have been like. I liked the animals, Huracan, Rafa and the curulom, Muskah.
January 14, 2015
Wow, so I really thought I heard CH say in an interview that this was going to be the last book in the series. I guess not. I have followed this series for years now. I love the historical fiction element of it. The science fiction side of it is a bit distracting to me sometimes. CH is all about adventure and action too. That works well with Josh's story line. During much of the book I was just waiting for the story to move forward and the characters to reunite. Sometimes I thought the description of the action just went on too long. I liked Harry's story in this book. I was impressed how some of the things happening to Harry pulled from scriptural accounts that were not necessarily being retold at this part of the story. Huracan continues to be one of my all time favorite characters in this series. I can only hope to one day know a jaguar as awesome as Huracan.
May 8, 2015
hey Chris. I'd just like to remind you of a few characters that you seem to have forgotten: Pagag (he was Steffanie's Jaredite boyfriend), Ryan (that one dude who was like, a main character in the last two books? yeah), and Sabrina and child (they're Jim's family. remember? remember? OH YEAH)
I only want three things.
1) Pagag and Steffanie to be together again.
2) for Becky and Josh to be reunited. we were like. five minutes away from the awesomest reunion of all time. AND THEN JOSH GETS TRANSPORTED TO JERUSALEM. NO. I HATE YOU. (but small note of appreciation that he finally found out that she was alive)
3) STOP SPREADING YOUR CHARACTERS ALL OVER THE UNIVERSE. STOP IT. PLEASE. YOU ARE CREATING SO MUCH WORK FOR YOURSELF. YOU'VE GOTTA START BRINGING THEM BACK TOGETHER.
(could we also keep Brock, Kerra, & dinosaurs out of this series? k thanks bye)
I only want three things.
1) Pagag and Steffanie to be together again.
2) for Becky and Josh to be reunited. we were like. five minutes away from the awesomest reunion of all time. AND THEN JOSH GETS TRANSPORTED TO JERUSALEM. NO. I HATE YOU. (but small note of appreciation that he finally found out that she was alive)
3) STOP SPREADING YOUR CHARACTERS ALL OVER THE UNIVERSE. STOP IT. PLEASE. YOU ARE CREATING SO MUCH WORK FOR YOURSELF. YOU'VE GOTTA START BRINGING THEM BACK TOGETHER.
(could we also keep Brock, Kerra, & dinosaurs out of this series? k thanks bye)
August 14, 2015
2.5 Stars
Really!?! This was supposed to be the end. I only read it because the series would finally be over.
I didn't enjoy this one much. It has been so long since the last one that I really had to think about who the characters were (I know there was a list of them at the front of the book, but it was pages and pages and pages and who wants to read all of that?) and also try to remember where they all were in time and geography. There were so many points of view it was getting annoying. I think I would almost rather read this in third person than have each character tell their own story. It would cut down a lot on some of the confusion.
Really!?! This was supposed to be the end. I only read it because the series would finally be over.
I didn't enjoy this one much. It has been so long since the last one that I really had to think about who the characters were (I know there was a list of them at the front of the book, but it was pages and pages and pages and who wants to read all of that?) and also try to remember where they all were in time and geography. There were so many points of view it was getting annoying. I think I would almost rather read this in third person than have each character tell their own story. It would cut down a lot on some of the confusion.
February 11, 2015
I have followed this from the very first book.
This one, much like the last was a disappointment. TOO MANY CHARACTERS AND INWARD WHINING.
This book covers only a few days and a lot goes on in those few days but I sure got tired quickly of listening to Josh inward complaining and uttering nonsense.
I do find it interesting that Josh has spent most his life in ancient time but yet uses modern references so easily.
Combining the two book series adds to the utter confusion in the story line now...also not sure if I want to read the next a(and maybe the last) book, that is sad.
This one, much like the last was a disappointment. TOO MANY CHARACTERS AND INWARD WHINING.
This book covers only a few days and a lot goes on in those few days but I sure got tired quickly of listening to Josh inward complaining and uttering nonsense.
I do find it interesting that Josh has spent most his life in ancient time but yet uses modern references so easily.
Combining the two book series adds to the utter confusion in the story line now...also not sure if I want to read the next a(and maybe the last) book, that is sad.
April 13, 2015
Of course I love the Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites series. I also love that Heimerdinger merged the characters from the Passage to Zarahemla series into the Tennis Shoes stories. I just kind of wish it would be done already though. I had thought this 12th book in the Tennis Shoes series was the last, but no; it's just another entry. And, it only covers two or three days in the life of the Hawkins-Plimpton-McConnell clans. The story is fascinating, the characters are amazing, and I do enjoy reading the books. It's just enough I think.
May 23, 2015
I love all these books. Such an amazing adventure.
With that being said. There are so many different "main" characters and they are on so many diverse journeys it's difficult to keep up. Also by the middle of the book many of the groups are left out entirely and not mentioned again,.... Ever. Which obviously means there will be more on them in another book but seriously. Just letting their story go completely in this book? Wouldn't you want to keep up with each characters story evenly?
Excited for the next book
With that being said. There are so many different "main" characters and they are on so many diverse journeys it's difficult to keep up. Also by the middle of the book many of the groups are left out entirely and not mentioned again,.... Ever. Which obviously means there will be more on them in another book but seriously. Just letting their story go completely in this book? Wouldn't you want to keep up with each characters story evenly?
Excited for the next book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2014
It was enjoyable but I would have liked it better if I hadn't had to wait 4 years for it and it still didn't resolve the adventure. I think next time I might wait until enough book are written that the story is resolved and then read them. I now have two book series that I'm hanging on waiting for the next book in the series. At least my other series has a new book coming out in April. Heaven knows when the next Tennishoes book will come out.
December 30, 2014
Seriously, I thought this was the book that wrapped them all up. Nope. There was something lacking in this book that I felt with the others. It may have been less action and a lot more thoughts and feelings of the characters. It just drug out too much. But, now that I own all twelve of the Tennis Shoes cd and two of the Zarahemla cds... Come on Chris, let's end this! Put this family back together and let them go home already!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2015
Ahhhh! Screaming with pain, joy, and delight altogether at finally finishing!
There is so much that happens in this book! It kills me to have it end and have to wait for the next one, because there is a HUGE cliffhanger, which I have never seen the likes of before!!!!!! I felt several emotions while reading. It had a good storyline, as always. Overall, a really great book!
NOTE TO AUTHOR:
Hurry up, Chris Heimerdinger! I need the next book really really soon!
There is so much that happens in this book! It kills me to have it end and have to wait for the next one, because there is a HUGE cliffhanger, which I have never seen the likes of before!!!!!! I felt several emotions while reading. It had a good storyline, as always. Overall, a really great book!
NOTE TO AUTHOR:
Hurry up, Chris Heimerdinger! I need the next book really really soon!
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