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Birthright Project #1
Outriders
A new ark. An ancient enemy. Young warriors fighting the darkness. Delivered through the polar ice by a whale, their journey is nothing short of miraculous and their mission is nothing short of impossible. Their quest is to reclaim God's birthright and preserve the original creation that is being mutated out of existence. This daring team roams the blighted earth. They are Outriders, young warriors who wield swords and wits to protect the birthrighter camps. When rookie birthrighters arrive from the Ark, however, the battle turns into something no one expected. Not only must they battle the merciless warload Alrod and his horde of gigantic mutants, but a new and more powerful enemy has revealed itself, a darkness that threatens to destroy the world they've been charged to save. Book One in an unforgettable new series...a fantasy thriller with a heart of faith and an irresistible spirit of adventure.
276 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
188 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Mackel
10 books23 followersAs a screenwriter (writing as Kathy Mackel), Kathryn Mackel has worked for Disney, Fox, and Showtime. She’s famous with the kids for the Disney movie Can of Worms. She was the credited screenwriter for Frank Peretti's Hangman's Curse (with Stan Foster) and part of the story team for Left Behind: The Movie.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 29, 2008
This was overall a very enjoyable read, but there were a few points that keep me from fully enjoying the story despite several interesting characters and an interesting world.
First, much of this 'new' world revolves around genetic manipulation and mutation, but the author seems to know very little about the subject even though it's foundational to her version of the future. In the story, adult humans are routinely made into monstrous beings by unknowledgeable men using a seemingly inexhaustible supply of 'potions.' These potions were found in destroyed labs long ago and are really ancient cell-lines. Somehow, despite storage in primitive conditions and at least a hundred years passing, they still work perfectly. Not only that, but they can conveniently be administered by drinking the potion or by putting it under the skin with needles. If you don't give a fig about the scientific impossibility of that premise, you should have no problem.
Second, a big deal is made about how dangerous this world is and how the rooks wouldn't stand a chance on their own for several days (which brings up the question of how all of the first-evers survived for so long). The rooks are saved from death several times by Niki, they are shown as initially overwhelmed by this wide expanse of world, and they supposedly think highly of Niki and the other first-evers. These rooks are supposedly the top of their class and devoted to God, though only Cooper shows a hint of this being true. With all that being true, I had a hard time understanding why all three rooks totally disobeyed Niki's orders right from the start. Yes, Niki was a bit harsh at times, but they deserved worse for their constant disobedience since it was risking all their lives.
It is also established that everyone at Horesh is fairly used to following Brady's crazy battle plans and that they always work. Yet, at the end, suddenly everybody from Horesh starts to disobey his commands during a rather lopsided battle. I kept wondering why everyone started disobeying him now (much to their harm) when they had been obedient for years and knew how important it was for them to do so in order to succeed. It is never explained, nor is punishment ever handed out.
All that said, the book is better than I just made it sound. The above are really minor points, though the story would have been stronger if it had addressed them.
First, much of this 'new' world revolves around genetic manipulation and mutation, but the author seems to know very little about the subject even though it's foundational to her version of the future. In the story, adult humans are routinely made into monstrous beings by unknowledgeable men using a seemingly inexhaustible supply of 'potions.' These potions were found in destroyed labs long ago and are really ancient cell-lines. Somehow, despite storage in primitive conditions and at least a hundred years passing, they still work perfectly. Not only that, but they can conveniently be administered by drinking the potion or by putting it under the skin with needles. If you don't give a fig about the scientific impossibility of that premise, you should have no problem.
Second, a big deal is made about how dangerous this world is and how the rooks wouldn't stand a chance on their own for several days (which brings up the question of how all of the first-evers survived for so long). The rooks are saved from death several times by Niki, they are shown as initially overwhelmed by this wide expanse of world, and they supposedly think highly of Niki and the other first-evers. These rooks are supposedly the top of their class and devoted to God, though only Cooper shows a hint of this being true. With all that being true, I had a hard time understanding why all three rooks totally disobeyed Niki's orders right from the start. Yes, Niki was a bit harsh at times, but they deserved worse for their constant disobedience since it was risking all their lives.
It is also established that everyone at Horesh is fairly used to following Brady's crazy battle plans and that they always work. Yet, at the end, suddenly everybody from Horesh starts to disobey his commands during a rather lopsided battle. I kept wondering why everyone started disobeying him now (much to their harm) when they had been obedient for years and knew how important it was for them to do so in order to succeed. It is never explained, nor is punishment ever handed out.
All that said, the book is better than I just made it sound. The above are really minor points, though the story would have been stronger if it had addressed them.
September 20, 2007
Interesting, a bit weird...and yet...fascinating all the same! :D
Here's what Outriders is about:
A new ark. An ancient enemy. Young warriors fighting the darkness.
Delivered through the polar ice by a whale, their journey is nothing short of miraculous and their mission is nothing short of impossible. Their quest is to reclaim God's birthright and preserve the original creation that is being mutated out of existence.
This daring team roams the blighted earth. They are Outriders, young warriors who wield swords and wits to protect the birthrighter camps.
When rookie birthrighters arrive from the Ark, however, the battle turns into something no one expected. Not only must they battle the merciless warload Alrod and his horde of gigantic mutants, but a new and more powerful enemy has revealed itself, a darkness that threatens to destroy the world they've been charged to save.
Book One in an unforgettable new series...a fantasy thriller with a heart of faith and an irresistible spirit of adventure.
Here's what Outriders is about:
A new ark. An ancient enemy. Young warriors fighting the darkness.
Delivered through the polar ice by a whale, their journey is nothing short of miraculous and their mission is nothing short of impossible. Their quest is to reclaim God's birthright and preserve the original creation that is being mutated out of existence.
This daring team roams the blighted earth. They are Outriders, young warriors who wield swords and wits to protect the birthrighter camps.
When rookie birthrighters arrive from the Ark, however, the battle turns into something no one expected. Not only must they battle the merciless warload Alrod and his horde of gigantic mutants, but a new and more powerful enemy has revealed itself, a darkness that threatens to destroy the world they've been charged to save.
Book One in an unforgettable new series...a fantasy thriller with a heart of faith and an irresistible spirit of adventure.
August 3, 2018
I would have preferred a bit more resolution to the plot lines without having to read the next book in the trilogy.
August 18, 2011
The world has almost come to an end. Vast areas have been rendered desolate by bombs and disasters. What remains is ruled by evil overlords that force the people to undergo cruel experiments in the endless effort to rule over all. But hope is not lost. Far beneath the polar ice caps a second ark lies, housing people and animals untouched by the blight that has swept across the surface. The time has come for the Birthrighters, as they call themselves, to venture out into the world. Setting up outposts where they can, they fight against the overlords and rescue what they can of the remaining animals and plants that have retained their original form.
I was a little leary when I realized this was a Christian book, many of them get too preachy for my taste. However, Outriders' mix was just right. There was plenty of lessons to learn as the people fought against the overlord Alrod and his mutants, most of which were created against their will from the peasants under his rule. The Outriders must learn to fight when it is needed while learning to accept that it is not always the only way. The overlord isn't their only concern. As the first group to leave the arc enters their 20's, they begin to fight temptation and jealousy. There is much to overcome if the Birthrighters want to succeed in their mission of returning the earth to its original glory.
3.5/5
I was a little leary when I realized this was a Christian book, many of them get too preachy for my taste. However, Outriders' mix was just right. There was plenty of lessons to learn as the people fought against the overlord Alrod and his mutants, most of which were created against their will from the peasants under his rule. The Outriders must learn to fight when it is needed while learning to accept that it is not always the only way. The overlord isn't their only concern. As the first group to leave the arc enters their 20's, they begin to fight temptation and jealousy. There is much to overcome if the Birthrighters want to succeed in their mission of returning the earth to its original glory.
3.5/5
March 17, 2013
Reactions:
This book is set in the future when the Earth is so polluted that mutants are common and mutations are considered a magic done by wizards. People choose to make their necks longer or later their appearance while others are held in custody and forced to change.
The Outriders are the group sent from a New Ark by God. God has sent them to help change the world and to protect what it has become and what still remains good. The characters: Niki, Cooper, Timothy, Dawnray, Alrod, Taryan, Anastasia and the rest are all so believable. They are all intertwined in a book that is full of action, adventure and fighting for God.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish!
This book is set in the future when the Earth is so polluted that mutants are common and mutations are considered a magic done by wizards. People choose to make their necks longer or later their appearance while others are held in custody and forced to change.
The Outriders are the group sent from a New Ark by God. God has sent them to help change the world and to protect what it has become and what still remains good. The characters: Niki, Cooper, Timothy, Dawnray, Alrod, Taryan, Anastasia and the rest are all so believable. They are all intertwined in a book that is full of action, adventure and fighting for God.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish!
June 27, 2013
Initially, I thought I would be putting the book down within a few chapters, as it wasn't my genre. Then I thought the story was really bizarre. Once I was two chapters in, I was fascinated and hooked like a fish on a multi-worm line. Kathryn Mackel created this fantasy thriller with hideous creatures, evil sorcerers, wild adventures, and at the core is faith. A combination that makes you think of the world of the spirit, what lies behind our existence, and where our future lies...and with Whom.
July 25, 2016
I really enjoyed these books. It was a neat futuristic story. The birthrighters are trying to restore God's creation to it's natural glory, while the sinful culture encourages everyone to mutate themselves and other creatures in an effort to make them 'better'.
August 24, 2016
Speculative fiction (Christian) I loved this series. Read both books, not it seems the publishers won't publish the third book in the series. I sure hope they change their minds, I loved this series.
March 2, 2008
Excellent sci-fi/fantasy book that includes
Christian themes. Well written, worth a read!
Christian themes. Well written, worth a read!
November 17, 2010
I loved this book. Can't recommend it enough.
August 6, 2011
Very good. Will definitely read the second book in the series.
May 23, 2011
Amazing, like it was last time.
More review pending.
More review pending.
April 3, 2017
Outriders by Kathyrn Mackel was a slightly enjoyable read. The only thing that kept me from liking this book more than I did was the fact that it jumped around from different characters views: which sometimes confused me and I would have to reread a few sentences to understand who's point of view I was reading from. Outriders is well suited for teens and try's to implement the Christian religion while telling the story of the main characters. I personally enjoyed it although it is not one of the best books I have read. Outriders would be a great book if you don't have anything else to read. A few things that I disliked about this book was how Mackel overly used the words; transmogrification, modify, mog, and anything that has to do with the modification of some kind. These words made the story seem like more of a fairy tale than what seems like she was trying to make was a realistic future of the world in which everything was destroyed by war. The book became confusing at times because I felt like I was reading two different books at the same exact time and it would throw me off if I wasn't paying much attention. Other than that this book is a decent read and I would recommend it to anyone in need of a book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews