Protecting the Poor

Tales of Faith #3

by Amanda Tero

Sheriff Feroci is now lord over the province, and Abtshire has become a pit of injustice. Being forced into the lord’s service does not give Dumphey as many opportunities to help the poor as he desires. When attempts on his life drive him into the forest, this freedom opens a world of possibilities for helping others. But how can he do so when he is running for his life? And does God want him to do more than simply feed the poor?

Noel has always hidden behind the shadow of his older brother, Dumphey. When life forces him to stand on his own, will he still follow God in the corrupt world in which he lives? Would God really call him to do something that is beyond his power to do?

As Lord Feroci's sinister plot comes to light, each lad has a choice to make. A choice that could cost them their lives.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2019

About the author

Amanda Tero grew up attending a one room school with her eleven siblings—and loved it! She also fell in love with reading to the point her mom withheld her books to get her to do her chores. That love of reading turned into a love of writing YA fiction.

Amanda is a music teacher by day and a literary guide by night, creating stories that whisk readers off to new eras and introduce them to heroic but flawed characters that live out their faith in astonishing ways.

Reviews

[Erika Mathews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so impressed by how the author took the original premise of this story - "robbing rich to feed poor," and portrayed it in Biblical way that honored God's law and principles. That's something that's not easy to do with a traditional tale. Did all the characters do the right thing? No, not even close - not even most of the time! But the underlying current of the desire to follow and honor God threaded through the entire story, breathing beauty and truth in the midst of the wrong choices that were made. Sin was never excused, yet this story was so much deeper than a simple "good choices were rewarded and bad ones were punished." No, this story explored the intricacy of life: doing the right thing and suffering for it, seeing wrong apparently go unpunished and unchecked, struggling with the right choice, struggling with the wrong choice, and above all, watching God redeem in all in his unique way. The characters were vivid; the plot was intriguing; the conclusion was satisfying. I enjoyed following the perspectives of both boys - their differences stood out sharply and made for interesting conflict and character growth.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 4 out of 5]

About this book:

“Sheriff Feroci is now lord over the province, and Abtshire has become a pit of injustice. Being forced into the lord’s service does not give Dumphey as many opportunities to help the poor as he desires. When attempts on his life drive him into the forest, this freedom opens a world of possibilities for helping others. But how can he do so when he is running for his life? And does God want him to do more than simply feed the poor?
Noel has always hidden behind the shadow of his older brother, Dumphey. When life forces him to stand on his own, will he still follow God in the corrupt world in which he lives? Would God really call him to do something that is beyond his power to do?
As Lord Feroci's sinister plot comes to light, each lad has a choice to make. A choice that could cost them their lives.”


Series: Book #3 in the “Tales of Faith” series. Reviews of Book #1 Here! and #2 Here!


Spiritual Content- Many Scriptures are quoted, remembered, mentioned, & thought over (All the Scriptures quoted or mentioned throughout the book are listed at the back of the book in a section titled ‘Scripture Passages’); Many Prayers & Thanking God; Witnessing & Discussing with someone about believing in God; Asking for forgiveness from God; Feeling peace; Talks about God, being protected by Him, following Him, that vengeance is His, & those and events in the Bible; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; At the very end, there is a section asking if you have met the Master Author and why you should know Him; Many mentions of God, Jesus, being protected by Him, His path, following Him, & peace; Many mentions of prayers, praying, & thanking God; Many mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of Heaven; Mentions of blessings & counting them; A few mentions of believing the Scriptures with your heart; A few mentions of sins; A couple mentions of a man becoming a man of the Word (pastor).


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: ‘curse you!’ is said a few times by a villain or towards the villain (another says that he shouldn’t speak evil of the man); A but of sarcasm (once); Seeing a murder (& struggling over guilt about it, up to semi-detailed); Almost killing someone (but stopping because of convictions) & giving for minor injuries to others (so not to kill them, barely-above-not-detailed); Threatening & being threatened (barely-above-not-detailed); Being attacked, fighting, passing out, being held in the stocks, pain, injuries, blood/bleeding (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Many mentions of rebellions, battles, fights, injures, & deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of weapons, attacks, injuries, & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of killing (Dumphey does not want to kill anyone because of the Scripture, but they do aim for parts that would not kill the other side); Mentions of executions, hangings, the gallows, false accusations (including being a murderer), & crimes; Mentions of stealing & thieves/outlaws; Mentions of threats; Mentions of bribes & guilt for accepting one; Mentions of rumors; Mentions of hunting (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of treason; A few mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of hatred; A couple mentions of drinking & alcohol; A mention of an injured horse that probably won’t be able to rest because of it’s owner;
*Note: A couple mentions of a man abandoning his wife for another woman & the comforts of sin.


Sexual Content- N/A.

-Dumphey
-Noel
P.O.V. switches between them & Feroci (once)
{Medieval/Fantasy}
235 pages

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Three Star
New Teens- Four Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars

This was such a treat to read!

I’ve enjoyed the prior books in the series, but I think this may be my favorite of the series. The faith content was excellent and perfectly weaved into the story. I definitely saw elements of David and Goliath with Dumphey’s side of the story and then Moses and Aaron with Noel’s side, which I really enjoyed and thought were neat parts to this novella-length book.

One thing I’ve always struggled with in the story of Robin Hood was, you know, the stealing aspect of the plot. I liked how the author covered this and the results of Dumphey & his lads not repaying evil for evil. (I want to say so much more, but can’t because of spoilers. But, trust me, I’m quite happy with that ending—and the epilogue!)

It was super clean (even with fighting parts) with no romance at all, so I would say it could even interest middle-grade readers—girls and boys.



Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite of all the Tales of Faith series. Dumphey was the best, and he made a fantastic Robin Hood character. I loved the plot to this book and the conclusion to all the character's stories. It was fun to see where they all ended up.
Overall, a fantastic series with amazing characters and strong faith elements.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent conclusion to a great series!! I loved learning more about Dumphey and Noel and the intertwining of the Robin Hood story :)

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. This is my first time re-reading this story, and it was once again very satisfactory. As a huge Robin Hood fan, I loved getting to see his story retold from a christian POV with characters anxious to follow the Lord. The spiritual messages here were excellent—really struck me—and I related to both worried Noel and eager-for-justice Dumphey. The characters were awesome (I love the "Merry Men," and finally learning more about Zuzene!) and I enjoyed seeing a few past characters as well. A perfect ending to the series. :)

A Favourite Quote: The danger was far from over. Dumphey was still somewhere under the lord’s grasp, but Noel forced his thoughts away from that. That was where he had been led astray earlier. He hadn’t truly been praying—not like Zuzene had prayed. He had been focusing on the troubles that surrounded him and those he loved. Father, Thou hast protected me when I doubted Thee.... Forgive me, Father. Help me to trust in Thee more.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “A second dagger.” Betin tossed it aside. “And a third.” He added it to the pile.
Dumphey folded his arms as he watched [Betin search the messenger]. “I don’t suppose you’d be so kind as to tell us the amount of daggers we’re searching for, aye?”

[Liz F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC closer to publication.

4.5 stars. :D

[Careena Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this series, and I think this book might have been my favorite out of all three! I have always loved adventure-type stories, but finding ones with solid Biblical themes is tough. This book was adventurous and fast-paced, but there was no compromise made with the Christian message. As always, Amanda gets a great balance. She puts a twist on the typical Robin Hood theme of "stealing from the rich to give to the poor" and instead has the forest-dwelling outlaws try not to steal. The main character, Dumphey, was well-developed. I enjoyed seeing his hunger for justice and revenge conflict with God's way of peace and loving your enemies. And talk about a plot twist at the end! All in all a great story that was full of twists and turns while ultimately ending with an uplifting message. Would totally recommend!!

[Angie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story so much! I actually didn't remember at first how the main characters connected to the rest of the series (I'm so bad at names sometimes), but once I recognized the connection, it made it even better. <3 Also, the whole Robin Hood theme was awesome, and I liked the way the retelling was recognizable while still being entirely its own story.

Dumphey and Noel were both very sweet characters, even though their challenges and struggles were definitely unique. I loved their brother bond, especially the loyalty and protectiveness that they both displayed. Several of the minor characters were awesome, too--Betin was my absolute favorite! <3<3<3 And the bad guys were definitely of the kind that you love to despise and want to see defeated in the most complete way possible...

There were a few twists that I didn't see coming at all and a couple times where I wondered how on earth the good guys were ever going to win with the odds they were up against. I do admit to being a little lost in the chronology of the backstory at times, but that's a common problem for me, so probably not the book's fault. ;) Loved the way things ended up, though--and don't get me started on the sweet little epilogue... <3

The only little bit of a complaint I had was that both the main characters were a bit too introspective at times and sometimes beat themselves up for things they'd been tempted to do, rather than things they'd actually done. But I have to admit, I related to this a lot more than I wanted to, which was probably why it made me a bit uncomfortable. :P (I mean, who wants to spend a day living in my head?) So definitely very relatable, just a little disconcerting at times. ;)

As always, the Christian message was spot on, and the story stayed clean and sweet. Probably my favorite of the author's books so far! <3

4.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Content--mentions of fights, battles, and murder; mentions of harsh punishments and torture; some injuries, wounds, and blood (not graphic); mentions of stealing (not condoned); mentions of a man putting aside his wife and marrying another woman

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Having read and enjoyed the first two books in this series, I was excited to pick up the final book and see how the author tied everything together even though I’m not a huge fan of this era.
This story was well told and the characters felt real not fake and forced. I greatly enjoyed the faith and trust aspects of the story and how different ones struggled in different areas but it didn’t mean any of them were wrong. There was plenty of excitement and adventure as you might expect with a “Robin Hood” retelling. The ending didn’t just leave you wondering what happened to the characters in the kingdom, it tied everything together and gave a very satisfactory conclusion to all three books.
I would recommend this book to anyone.

I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I was not required to write something positive.

[Becky Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Protecting the Poor" is the third book in the Tales of Faith series. It is a Robin Hood retelling. Having met Dumphey and Noel in the second book of the series, it was nice to read their story. It was a little different with the story being from the viewpoints of Dumphey and Noel only and not having a female main character like other books usually do. I was drawn back into time with this story and the plight of the characters felt like it was my friends' troubles. The story held twists I didn't expect and the action kept me engaged. The story wrapped up the series with a nice recap of what happened. It will be sad to not be seeing more from Belle, Lia, Dumphey, and Noel, but I look forward to reading more books from Amanda Tero.

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

[Raechel Lenore · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC!

[Kathy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed reading this retelling of the “Robin Hood “ story. There is plenty of intrigue, adventure, and excitement for all readers. Her main characters are faced with personal trials which force them to lean on God’s strength and help. Amanda Tero consistently presents a clear gospel message in her books which is why she is one of my favorite authors to read.

FTC Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review; all thoughts are my own.

[Kaitlyn S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read Dumphey’s tale several times, and each time has been more delightful than the last — and not just because of the changes made to the differenct drafts of the story. The way Dumphey learns and grows is wonderful, and the way Noel responds to God’s calling in his life is a wonderful example of faith and trust in the Saviour. Having read a bit about Dumphey in The Secret Slipper, I was so happy that Dumphey and his brother would be able to have a story all their own :D

Robin Hood is one of my favourite stories — I have always been intrigued with the legend of an outlaw who runs around with a monk and a gang of men who are considered outcasts, seeking justice and vengeance on behalf of the peasants and King Richard. I have always wondered what in it is true? I’m sure there’s a bit of truth . . . but I’m also sure that that bit of truth would be unrecognizable now, due to the story spreading by word of mouth and minstrels. But I am also equally certain that this legend was a way for those being persecuted by King John to have a bit of hope. To comfort their children and get them to sleep, to keep them quiet when on the run, and to basically help the whole family get through those trying times.

This retelling captures the essence of that truth perfectly. It went beyond the legends and fables surrounding this mystery man, and the resulting story is one about a young man and his younger brother who join forces with others to help their village in a time of need. There are so many recognizable elements of Robin Hood, yet the story told is a unique one.

One thing I have always loved about Amanda’s books is that they are unapologetically Christian in nature, and this is no exception. The way biblical themes are woven into the very essence of the story is delightful, and watching the characters grow more like Christ throughout the story is precious! I loved how the characters each had their own individual struggle and sought to overcome it with the help of the Lord. The way that Dumphey and Noel and their friends learn truths about forgiveness, vengeance, and fear was beautifully shared!

So, the short of it is that this is a series that you definitely want to add to your bookshelf! They are perfect for old and young alike, and I have a feeling they would keep my younger brothers who are learning to appreciate the fine art of reading engaged — while still being perfect for us who already love books :D These would also make great read-aloud to younger siblings, or for the entire family on cold winter evenings.

And as a note, each of these books can be read as a stand-alone novel . . . although I did get much more out of the books by reading them in the order they were published!

I received a copy of this from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to enjoy the book, simply to give my honest opinion.

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Because this is a novella, the plot picks up with striking swiftness: the first couple of chapters aren’t too action-packed, but after that, you really hit the ground running and reach the climax quickly. There’s a good mix of action (I do love a good David-and-Goliath ambush by the good guys!), tense moments prepping for action (like, there are a lot of these), and a little bit of downtime between moments of action, so one thread of feeling never fully overwhelms the others. There are also several significant moments that I just adored, whether it was a perfectly placed showcase of character growth that just made me glow from the inside out or a nod of respect as the people recognized God’s greatness in someone and were willing to follow.

I will say, however, that the story is not particularly complex: it was pretty straightforward and there was really only one major plot twist at the end. Plus, there were a few plot pieces that rather stretched my suspension of disbelief . However, all together, it was an enjoyable ride.

If you'd like to read more of my thoughts on this book, you can find the full review on Verbosity Reviews.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am going to start this review different then I have ever done before, because I am going to say that I am glad that the Scriptures verses refer to in the story are written out in their entirely and the verse at the back of the book and after the questions to ponder, there is verses to getting to know the Master Author, which is Jesus.

"Protecting the Poor" by Amanda Tero is a retelling of Robin Hood with a Christian theme. It really brings the whole series "Tales of Faith" to a delightful end.

I kept thinking while reading, this would be a story that my husband would like if it was a movie.
I like that this series is one that any teen or a younger child could read and I wouldn't have to worry about them reading words or reading scenes that would be displeasing to God. There is violence with arrows and swords but a reader excepts these in this type of story.

I don't usually like these type of stories either in print or movies, but because it has a Christian theme and points to faith in God, I would watch the movie, if it became one, with my husband.

My favorite character has to be Noel because he is the one that had to have the most courage and do something that he has never had to do before without any training!

I recommend reading the whole series and have a whole different outlook on these fairy tales. Amanda Tero's retelling of these three fairy tales introduces readers to Christian truths that they might never have heard of before and shows that happy ending are not because of fairy godmothers and wishes, but because of God goodness and love.

I was given a complementary copy by the author. These opinions are my own.

[Tarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing adventure, about keeping one's faith in God always, about standing up for others when you've been called to do it, about helping those less fortunate, about following God's guiding Word. Herein we have a plot inspired by Robin Hood. The historical elements embedded in the story add much flavor and detail. The medieval setting... the archery... the soldiers going to battle in chainmail... It feel stunning to be transported into this setting.

I love Amanda Tero's clear, strong writing style. Not flowery, nor bland; it hits the mark in the middle ground. She just knows how to tell a good story, and how to tell it well. Additionally, most characters spoke in a faintly detected Scottish accent, I believe. This added so much to the authenticity of their culture and background.

The thing I love most about the book is that it's a clean read which Christian families can be extremely happy to have in their homes. The main characters are striving to live Christ-filled lives, even in a setting of turmoil, fighting, and dealing with evil men of the world. Sets a good example to what we can do for God in our own lives. It's an adventure that kids/teens can all enjoy, probably ages 10 and up.

[Tara Savanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Tales of Faith series. Each book is a clean, faith-filled, magic-free, and enjoyable twist to a traditional fairy tale. While “Protecting the Poor” can be read on its own, it does contain a few characters from the previous books and many of the previous character’s futures in the epilogue.

I have enjoyed many Robin Hood tales over the years and have always loved the story, no matter the version. This book, in my opinion, tops them all. Dumphy does things a bit differently than your traditional Robin Hood, and I rather liked it!

The characters felt real and relatable, as did their struggles. I appreciate that God is placed at the forefront of the story and that scripture is used to give the characters strength and guidance. The suspense was carried quite well; it’s always a good sign when I try to read faster to see what the outcome of a particular situation will be!

This entire series is wonderful and I hope that there will be more books to come!

I received a copy of this book from the author and chose to leave a free, honest review.

[Rachel Rizzuto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not read the other books in this series, but I still enjoyed this book. It had a Robin Hood feel to it, but with boys, I liked that. My favorite characters were: Dumphey, Noel, Patey, and Betin. I guess, almost all the boys. I did not see the plot twist at the end coming. Very good book!

[Esther Filbrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Protecting the Poor. I have loved Robin Hood’s story for years now, and joining that beloved tale with Amanda Tero’s excellent imagination and writing, I had a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. There is the classic adventure, of course, but my favorite part was how the old story was kept in the same setting but was tweaked here and there to create not only a story all on its own, but also a great wrap-up to the Tales of Faith series! The faith part came through fairly strongly here; unlike other books I could mention, I felt like that element was well done here—not too much, but enough that you know the characters are acting on their convictions. I loved that.

There was one part I hated, though. Why a favorite innocent character had to be sent to the stocks and threatened so evilly, I’ll never know.

Still…I really rather enjoyed this story! This, I felt, was a rather clever retelling, and for that I would recommend the book. If you love old classics with a twist, or books that will encourage your faith, I think you would like Protecting the Poor. Though somewhat simple and fun, I enjoyed it!

I requested a free review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure how it is possible, but each new book in this series seems to be better than the last one!
I loved this retelling of Robin hood so much. The characters were nicely done and I loved the message that was woven into the story. It was done in a graceful way where it really felt like a part of the story.

And I loved the way the plot went, with all of it's twists, turns, and unexpected surprises. I was so excited to see how it would all end, but now I am sad that the story is over already. I normally do not re-read books very often, but with this one I almost feel like reading it again right now!





I received this book free from the author, Amanda Tero, for my honest review. The opinions are my own.

[Abigail Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC

[Ejayen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Review will be on my blog on the 27th, but for now, know that the bad guys are smart.

[Rebekah Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If desires could change hearts, then he had enough to make every wrong in the world right.”

“Protecting the Poor,” is the third and final book in the series, “Tales of Faith” by author Amanda Tero.

Very sad to hear this is the last book in the series, but I know Tero will continue to write and inspire me even more with her other books. Tero’s series ended with a splintering success.

“Protecting the Poor” is a retelling of the legendary Robin Hood that has been a hero people have lived through many generations.

The character Dumphey is the hero of the story and main character. He earns his place with the lads of the forest after his thoughts on their stealing from the lord of the land and others. The lads in turn learn to respect him and his godly ways.

As Tero mentioned in one of her recent blogs, Robin Hood reminds her of David in the Bible, I can almost see where she got her inspiration. Throughout the story, I picture David but with a different plot. One thing that my mind kept battling with was Dumphey’s beliefs and commands for, “no killing the enemy,” unless in self-defense. I understand that, but I could not understand why he would never take the chances when possible.

This quote from Tero’s book had such a powerful statement. “The story of David with Abigail’s husband flashed before his mind. God had killed Nabal in His own time. Could he not do the same for someone like Lord Feroci?”

At one part of the story, Dumphey is given a chance at what could end his miserable life, but will he take it?

I must say I was completely blown away at the ending, but at the same time saw the lesson that Tero was trying to get across and praise her well. I wondered myself…if I were in Dumphey’s position could I have done the same thing?

With that being said, I shall not destroy the story for the reader as they must read it for themselves.

[Melinda Staley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a bit behind on reviewing, so I am going to review this Tales of Faith trilogy as a whole. These were my first reads by Amanda Tero, and I’ve found a new favorite author! I love fairy tale retellings, and when they have a Christian spin on them, they’re even better to me! These books are lighter on the romance spectrum and instead focus on God’s love.
In Befriending the Beast, Amanda changes the roles up a bit. Instead of having Belle fall in love with a beast, she makes the beast the father. This was an interesting twist I never would have been able to create!
In The Secret Slipper, we once again have the roles changed up with the father being the one to seek the daughter with the slipper. This one also handles physical disabilities tactfully and ties it in well.
In Protecting the Poor, I loved how all three novellas were tied together to come up with an amazing ending.
These novellas remind me of Meanie Dickerson’s Hagenheim series without as much romance, so very appropriate for younger readers as well! Both series follow a family and others linked with the family throughout a series, and I love being able to revisit characters I’ve fallen in love with earlier in the series!

[Sophia E. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and thought the second would be my favorite, but now I'm thinking it might actually be this one! I have actually read the story this one is a re-telling of, unlike the first two, so it made it even more interesting. I loved how the core ideas of Robin Hood were here, but the stealing was cut out and even called out against by the characters. Seeing the characters from the first two books tie into this story made it even better. There were a couple times that the descriptions of pain the characters felt made me cringe, but I can be sensitive to that sort of thing. ;) It kept me hooked the whole time though and was both an encouraging and fun story!

[Chloe DeJong · Rating 5 out of 5]

She just got better and better with each book in this series. The first one was so short that I was disappointed, but I'm glad I read the next two. I loved everything about this book, from the dramatic rise and fall of the plot to the wonderful Christian element. The characters were well defined with individual personalities.

Here's a review that I posted on my blog, Chloe's Books:

Main Characters: Noel, age 12, Dumphey age 16
Age rating: 13+
Pages: 233

Religious Content: Many prayers. Prayers for protection; prayers for guidance; prayers for forgiveness. Standing up for Christian values, such as not stealing. Recognizing that one wrong doesn't make another wrong right. Use of self-control when wanting to take revenge. When scared, talking to God. Praying for one another. Mentions of Heaven. Witnessing.

Negative Content: Mentions of killing. Mentions of murder. Being accused of murder. Mentions of bribery. Mentions of hunger. Mentions of fighting with swords, bows, and arrows. Dumphey refuses to kill (though he is tempted to several times) because of the Scriptures, and will only wound a person. Mention of gallows. Mention of being put in the stocks. Mentions of having fingers chopped off. Mentions of the dungeon. Mentions of falling and hurting oneself. Mentions of highwaymen. Mentions of thieves. Mentions of conspiracy. Mentions of war. Mentions of drink and alcohol. Mentions of lying. Mentions of hatred. Being injured. Bleeding, blood. Threatening and being threatened. (Note: Nothing is excessively described)

Sexual Content: *SPOLIER* It is found out at the end of the book that a man left his wife to remarry into a higher status. *END OF SPOLIER* In the epilogue, we learn what happened to the characters as they grew up, including who marries whom.

My Comments: A full five stars. With each book, Tero just got better and better. I stayed up until past eleven at night reading this in one sitting. I loved how protective Dumphey was of his brother and how close they were. I also liked how Dumphey stood up for his beliefs among a group of young men his own age (Not an easy feat). The drama was great and exciting. The characters were well-defined and had unique personalities. I loved how some were serious and others were your complete jokesters. Noel's character was beautiful. Shy and sweet but determined to live up to what he believed. I also loved his relationship with his grandmother. The Christian content in this book was great, with it expressively showing that though wrong prevails, it's still wrong to use wrong to try to set that wrong right. Awesome job, Amanda! This book is definitely a read again and maybe even one of my favorites. Five-star rating.

Loved this book!

[Hanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun read!! I haven't really read much Robin Hood in general, although I do know the general storyline. Protecting the Poor was a really good Robin Hood retelling, and with a Christian/biblical twist. It was basically Robin Hood, but more realistic and with a good backstory that made sense and had more depth than just..stealing and giving.

I LOVED Dumphey and Noel: they were SO sweet and thoughtful and just AAA. Good people. Dumphey's band of boys was AWESOME, and his and Noel's food ministry was really cool as well. They felt really realistic, and had struggles just like everyone. The side characters were also amazing: Zuzene and Betin, and everyone else, except the villain of course. :)

There wasn't any romance in this book, which I appreciated a lot. The plot twist at the end was also really cool, and I enjoyed it a lot as well. The characters throughout the series came back, and anyone who's ever read any of my reviews knows that I LOVE CONNECTED CHARACTERS THROUGHOUT SERIES.

I really did enjoy reading this story: the story had a lot of depth and thoughtful parts. The action was also really well paced: although it was a novella, the story didn't feel rushed or hard to understand. The spiritual content in it was also SO GOOD: there was so much thought about what God would want, even in the face of despair, and the gospel message shone through so well. I'd really recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a clean fantasy book to read!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion; I was not required to write a positive review.

[Joshua Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protecting the Poor by Amanda Tero is a book that I didn't expect to enjoy right away, especially as the final book in the Tales of Faith trilogy. As someone who hasn't read a lot of indie published books, I was surprised by the level of care and attention to the characters and world that Amanda created.

One of the immediate aspects of the book that I enjoyed was the dynamic between Dumphey and his little brother Noel. Their relationship is amazing and Amanda does a great job at fleshing out their characters and what separates them, both in thinking and spiritually.

Also, the aspect of incorporating Christian elements into this story is an amazing touch and something I didn't expect when reading this story (despite the trilogy being called the Tales of Faith. 😂.) The way that not just Dumphey and Noel but also Patey, Stefan and Benit also seem to have their own understanding of God is an amazing touch to the story.

The villain of the story, Sheriff, now Lord Feroci is an interesting villain who I didn't expect to dislike so early into the story but the way that he manipulates events is very good and brings a tension to the narrative that I haven't seen in a lot of traditional published books in a while.

Overall, I'd give Protecting the Poor a 5/5 and would highly recommend it, even if you aren't a Christian, because the messages within the story are relatable.

You can find the full review on my blog next week at thewanderingscribe.home.blog.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Tero is writing quality, historical fiction that you can trust. For your children, for your family, and for you own soul. Highly recommended for home schooling families (particularly as read-alouds) as well as independent readers of all ages.

Though I'm please to have discovered Ms. Tero's work, I regret not knowing about her sooner. Her books would have filled my home school library shelves.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very satisfying conclusion to this trilogy. Like the others, this book could be read as a standalone story, but it is better taken with the previous two books.

The twist on the Robin Hood story was well done. I appreciate seeing the struggles of our two main characters as they wrestle with their faith and how to respond to what is happening in their village.

The writer has improved their craft throughout this series, and this book has the detail that I missed from the first book.