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Tennis Shoes #13
Tennis Shoes Adventure Series, Book 13: Thorns of Glory Part One
It’s a tale of two hills.
One in Judea. The other in the Promised Land.
One hill is a place of indescribable suffering and pain, ascending to ultimate triumph and salvation. The other presents a scene of indescribable suffering and pain, spiraling into ultimate destruction and genocide.
Join all of our immortal characters from the Tennis Shoes Adventure Series—Joshua, Harry, Steffanie, Meagan, Gidgiddonihah, and MORE—as they witness, endure, and transcend two of the most dramatic events in world history: the everlasting sacrifice of our Lord and Savior upon the Mount of Olives and the unwavering consequences of apostasy upon the thousand-year-old Nephite nation at a hill called Cumorah.
Plunge into adrenaline-pumping adventure, world-altering warfare, mind-bending twists, heartwarming reunions, and the nail-biting exploits of heroes and villains—old and new—amidst the unstoppable avalanche of destiny.
One in Judea. The other in the Promised Land.
One hill is a place of indescribable suffering and pain, ascending to ultimate triumph and salvation. The other presents a scene of indescribable suffering and pain, spiraling into ultimate destruction and genocide.
Join all of our immortal characters from the Tennis Shoes Adventure Series—Joshua, Harry, Steffanie, Meagan, Gidgiddonihah, and MORE—as they witness, endure, and transcend two of the most dramatic events in world history: the everlasting sacrifice of our Lord and Savior upon the Mount of Olives and the unwavering consequences of apostasy upon the thousand-year-old Nephite nation at a hill called Cumorah.
Plunge into adrenaline-pumping adventure, world-altering warfare, mind-bending twists, heartwarming reunions, and the nail-biting exploits of heroes and villains—old and new—amidst the unstoppable avalanche of destiny.
Audio CD
First published October 19, 2020
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285 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 50 reviews
March 26, 2021
We waited for 5 years for a book where pretty much nothing happens. Even when we have a bit of storyline it's immediately followed by long stretches of philosophical character thoughts and trains of thought that don't add to the story. For heavens sake we don't need so many "reflecting on the past" moments that sum up the previous book from several docent character's perspectives. If anything their long mental rants detract from the story. There are too many perspectives and voices to the story which makes reading it more suffocating. Not to mention we had a pointless side quest with a despicable character that didn't do anything to add to the story.
January 10, 2021
This book was alright. I don't want to be rude, but I don't see the purpose for this book. Basically wars happen and people survive. Maybe I just didn't get it, but I didn't see a purpose, whatsoever, for this book. There were a couple important details, but not many.
September 29, 2020
Tennis Shoes Adventure Series fans the wait is over! Well sort of, because this is a part one, but FINALLY we learn more of where our beloved Hawkins family and friends have landed in their latest adventure back through time.
I have been a huge fan of this series since I read the first book as a teen. I enjoy the way the author tells the story from so many different perspectives and manages to give each character a distinct voice. Thorns of Glory, Part 1 is no exception to this. The story picks up right where book 12 in the series ends and immediately moves the characters closer to the final battle at Cumorah in the Book of Mormon while simultaneously having some characters follow the Savior as the days lead up to His Atoning sacrifice. I worried having so many different locations in time would make this too convoluted of a plot (especially with such a gap between the release of the last book and this one), but I feel the potential and am optimistic the author has a good end goal and reason for why the characters are jumping around so much. The book is action packed, a little bit more violent than earlier books, but given the nature of the historical events, it didn't feel out of place and wasn't gory. I was glad to get an idea of where some former lose ends are headed, though this does leave another cliff hanger so I just seriously cross my fingers the next book doesn't take as long to come out as this one did. (I can’t invest decades more to waiting for this specific story to end Mr. Heimerdinger.)
I did enjoy reading this story. I love the series and recommend reading them in order. You will need to have at least read books eight forward to understand the characters and what is happening in this story. It cannot be read as a standalone at all as it picks up from one cliffhanger to drop you at another.
I received an advance reader copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have been a huge fan of this series since I read the first book as a teen. I enjoy the way the author tells the story from so many different perspectives and manages to give each character a distinct voice. Thorns of Glory, Part 1 is no exception to this. The story picks up right where book 12 in the series ends and immediately moves the characters closer to the final battle at Cumorah in the Book of Mormon while simultaneously having some characters follow the Savior as the days lead up to His Atoning sacrifice. I worried having so many different locations in time would make this too convoluted of a plot (especially with such a gap between the release of the last book and this one), but I feel the potential and am optimistic the author has a good end goal and reason for why the characters are jumping around so much. The book is action packed, a little bit more violent than earlier books, but given the nature of the historical events, it didn't feel out of place and wasn't gory. I was glad to get an idea of where some former lose ends are headed, though this does leave another cliff hanger so I just seriously cross my fingers the next book doesn't take as long to come out as this one did. (I can’t invest decades more to waiting for this specific story to end Mr. Heimerdinger.)
I did enjoy reading this story. I love the series and recommend reading them in order. You will need to have at least read books eight forward to understand the characters and what is happening in this story. It cannot be read as a standalone at all as it picks up from one cliffhanger to drop you at another.
I received an advance reader copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 12, 2021
Okay, this book... there’s absolutely no reason for this book. No real progress was made. I don’t see the point of taking two to three books for just one battle. I mean, what’s the point?!
That whole situation with Mary and Jesse made absolutely no sense at all! That was a plot twist that was completely unnecessary.
The slot canyon thing? It sounded like something out of Star Wars or something like that; it was too bizarre for me in the context of this series.
And then Salome - it was a lame side story that added nothing to the main story!!!
And then allll the point of views. I’m like... seriously?? There were a few sections where I had to go back to see who it was because I was having such a hard time keeping track of who was speaking.
This feels like Robert Jordan and his Wheel of Time book series - adding new characters and plots just to drag out the story, and for what? I loved the first book - it was fantastic and a fun adventure! Now it’s become a never-ending, long-winded thing. I struggled to get through the last few books, but only because I wanted closure. I would skim or skip over parts, especially the violent scenes. I don’t need to know all the details.
Side vent: I admit, I was furious when he added those two Zarahemla books to this series because there was *no* point to it!! I still don’t understand why those characters were added to this series. There’s already soooooo many to try to keep track of.
I will only read the rest of the series (I’m hoping there’s only ONE more!!!) for the closure, but I’m not buying the books anymore. The fun and magic of the first book is long gone.
That whole situation with Mary and Jesse made absolutely no sense at all! That was a plot twist that was completely unnecessary.
The slot canyon thing? It sounded like something out of Star Wars or something like that; it was too bizarre for me in the context of this series.
And then Salome - it was a lame side story that added nothing to the main story!!!
And then allll the point of views. I’m like... seriously?? There were a few sections where I had to go back to see who it was because I was having such a hard time keeping track of who was speaking.
This feels like Robert Jordan and his Wheel of Time book series - adding new characters and plots just to drag out the story, and for what? I loved the first book - it was fantastic and a fun adventure! Now it’s become a never-ending, long-winded thing. I struggled to get through the last few books, but only because I wanted closure. I would skim or skip over parts, especially the violent scenes. I don’t need to know all the details.
Side vent: I admit, I was furious when he added those two Zarahemla books to this series because there was *no* point to it!! I still don’t understand why those characters were added to this series. There’s already soooooo many to try to keep track of.
I will only read the rest of the series (I’m hoping there’s only ONE more!!!) for the closure, but I’m not buying the books anymore. The fun and magic of the first book is long gone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2020
Before I say anything more, I'd like to say that I did enjoy it. I've been reading this series since I was in middle school and I'm anxious to find out how it all ends. The story is engaging and the tension is so thick with emotion that I felt like I was there at both Hill Cumorah and at the Garden of Gethsemane. You can really tell that he but his heart and soul into this series with the amount of research that he did.
What I didn't like was that almost all (and I mean all) had long soliloquy at the beginning of each section that made it feel like he was rambling. There was a couple of instances that he called someone by their wrong title (someone would say that a sibling was a cousin or an aunt was actually a mother) that I had to read that section a could of times to make sure I read that right. Plus some of the sections I didn't see the purpose to the story as a whole.
Regardless of these critiques, I do have to say that I'm waiting patiently for the next book and I hope it doesn't take years for it to come out OR that he decides to continue by prolonging the ending. All things must come to an end and I think its time for this one. I hope to read the next one soon.
What I didn't like was that almost all (and I mean all) had long soliloquy at the beginning of each section that made it feel like he was rambling. There was a couple of instances that he called someone by their wrong title (someone would say that a sibling was a cousin or an aunt was actually a mother) that I had to read that section a could of times to make sure I read that right. Plus some of the sections I didn't see the purpose to the story as a whole.
Regardless of these critiques, I do have to say that I'm waiting patiently for the next book and I hope it doesn't take years for it to come out OR that he decides to continue by prolonging the ending. All things must come to an end and I think its time for this one. I hope to read the next one soon.
April 12, 2021
How bad does a book have to be to make you quit a 14* book series halfway through the thirteenth book?
This bad.
Don't get me wrong, the writing within the scenes is competent, but the swirl of confusing, disjointed scenes feels more like a fever dream than a coherent work of fiction. At this point I've given up remembering who is who and where and when they are. I just want it to be over. Then I realized - it can be, all I have to do is quit reading. So I did.
One more note, I hate how the religious and spiritual things that are supposed to underlie these stories have been lost in the fog of spiritualism and sorcery. The early books in this series were respectful and devoted to the spirit of the stories they retold. Now those things have been lost in the morass of magic that has replaced the tone of the earlier books. Maybe the author will find his way back to the spiritual core he's lost in these later books, but I won't be around to find out.
* 16 if you count the Zarahemla books
This bad.
Don't get me wrong, the writing within the scenes is competent, but the swirl of confusing, disjointed scenes feels more like a fever dream than a coherent work of fiction. At this point I've given up remembering who is who and where and when they are. I just want it to be over. Then I realized - it can be, all I have to do is quit reading. So I did.
One more note, I hate how the religious and spiritual things that are supposed to underlie these stories have been lost in the fog of spiritualism and sorcery. The early books in this series were respectful and devoted to the spirit of the stories they retold. Now those things have been lost in the morass of magic that has replaced the tone of the earlier books. Maybe the author will find his way back to the spiritual core he's lost in these later books, but I won't be around to find out.
* 16 if you count the Zarahemla books
January 15, 2021
Heimerdinger finally released the next book in the continuation from the last several of the books in this series. I begin to wonder if this family will ever get back to their own time. I was disappointed with the last book at how little progress was made telling the story and can say the same thing about this book. One day, that's all that was covered in the whole book. One day. There are so many points of view that it drags a bit because you have to see everything that could possibly happen from everyone's point of view.
Maybe I'm just getting too old for the books, I really used to love them but have been really disappointed in the last two books. I'm guessing he's going to drag this story out for another 4-5 books.
Maybe I'm just getting too old for the books, I really used to love them but have been really disappointed in the last two books. I'm guessing he's going to drag this story out for another 4-5 books.
March 2, 2022
It took SIX Years to get nothing! More characters and more storylines is all you get. I did not like the authors presentation of the suffering in the garden and really did not like the perspective of the character that narrated the event. It has been 18 months since this book came out and “part two” is not out. Perhaps we will have to wait another six years. Ugh! I really thought after six years both would be done and out no more than a year apart. I am not sure if I will even bother with the last book. I definitely will not start it until someone can tell me if it really is the end of the series.
April 20, 2021
My kids loved the book! I thought it was good, but the series is getting long! And I am not a fan of huge cliffhangers at the end of books, but I know my kids enjoyed that. So, we are torn.
Overall - I think this is a fun series to read or listen to as a family! It has made the scriptures come to life for my kids - realizing the people that we study about were real. I know he is just using interpretations of what the characters in the books may have actually said or done, but it's fun to think about how people felt!
Overall - I think this is a fun series to read or listen to as a family! It has made the scriptures come to life for my kids - realizing the people that we study about were real. I know he is just using interpretations of what the characters in the books may have actually said or done, but it's fun to think about how people felt!
March 23, 2021
Wow, so much going on! I can’t wait for the final book!
May 12, 2023
I just finished this book, and I ended up skipping and skimming stuff once more. I felt that, like the last one, this installment took a very long time to go anywhere or do anything. Like many other reviewers have said, there are too many people and there's too much going on. I believe only a day or two passed in the whole thing, just like in the last volume. And I was right to dread reading about the battle scenes of Cumorah. I felt hopeless and kind of awful as I went through them (though I skimmed a lot). I know war is terrible, and I don't want to read about it. I really wish that the main characters could have left this time period before it all went down. There's almost no way for anything redeeming to come out of the total destruction.
Here's what I wish:
* I wish that Jim and Jenny had never gotten involved in this story arc. The last several books would have been much less laborious to read without the addition of the Jerusalem story. The last week of Christ's life could be explored in a different book.
* I wish that Melody, Sabrina, and baby Gid had never shown up. They aren't doing a thing to help move the plot along. All they really do is eavesdrop on Christ and His disciples, and they got captured pretty much right after they showed up, causing other characters to waste time helping them. They hardly have distinct personalities, and they don't even talk much. Sabrina should never have brought an infant time traveling, and Melody shouldn't have left her little boy with a relative in the modern world. Their responsibility is to their little children first.
*I wish Kerra and Brock had never been introduced into the Tennis Shoes universe. They truly don't add anything of value to the plot in my opinion. They simply waste time in the already bloated narrative.
*I kind of wish that Hamira wasn't in this story either. I warmed up to Joshua a lot more in the last couple of books, and the King Omer stuff was decently interesting, but . . . yeah, I'm not loving Hamira. I don't particularly dislike her, I guess, but aside from the part of the story a book or two ago when she bravely helped save her people from a flood, she hasn't really impressed me. The whole Nimrah and Salome subplot with Hamira in Jerusalem could have been totally skipped too.
Here's what I think should have happened with this story arc (starting from book 8):
Books 8, 9, and 10 would stay mostly the same, minus the insertion of Jim, Jenny, Sabrina, the baby, and Melody (and maybe Marcos too, though he did end up helping Joshua in important ways) (and maybe minus Garth too, though it does make sense that he'd come looking for his children, and he did also help Joshua get on the right path).
This would mean that Meagan, Ryan, and Apollus would still meet Lamanai and his people and help to free Moroni from prison. They would then travel toward Cumorah and experience all the same events up until the awesome gladiator-style battle between Apollus and Gid in Desolation.
Mary, Becky, and Joshua would still go to 1840s Judea and meet Akish, who would go on to get rid of Todd Finlay and finish making his silver sword. The Tower of Babel events with Mary, the kids, Pagag, Harry, and Steffanie would then go on as written, and Harry's group (including Gid, Micah, and Jesse) would still eventually meet up with Meagan's group after everyone's adventures in the Nephite/Lamanite jungles and the "gladiator" competition in book 10. This would mean that Pagag and Steffanie would still get split off from Harry for a while, thus allowing them to get to know each other.
Joshua would have still been taken by Akish, would age seven years and be a Nephite captain, and would be asked by Mormon to save the sacred record (the gold plates). He would still get mixed up with the Jaredites/people of Omer and save Mahonri Moriancumr's sacred record as well as Mormon's. He'd also meet Hamira, but she'd be more likeable. She would not get kidnapped by Nimrah, her brother, but would accompany Joshua and Marcos to Cumorah after Omer's people were safe.
The whole Gadianton Ghost subplot wouldn't happen. Gadiantons would cause trouble for the heroes and would still poison poor Micah and wound Jesse, Pagag, and Meagan, but they wouldn't be able to time travel or disappear. They wouldn't keep showing up again and again, either.
Kerra and Brock would never appear. Harry would still get captured by Lamanites and saved by one of the Three Nephites (Jonas), but instead of just helping him get free, Jonas would tell Harry that he needs to take his friends and family and leave Cumorah because this isn't their time to die. There would be peril, and they might do various things to help Moroni, but they'd get away before the Lamanites totally breach the fortress.
The whole thing with Jesse and Harry kind of fighting over Mary could be in there somewhere, somehow, and get resolved. Harry would have to really step up and let Mary know what she means to him. Jesse would not die! (I don't know if he's going to die yet, but I hope he won't.) Apollus could maybe still get the chance to kill Lamanai somehow. Joshua wouldn't want to desert his men, but he would be convinced to go back home in the end, or maybe he'd be wounded and the rest of the group would take him with them. Hamira might come with him to the modern world. Not sure how that relationship would play out. Apollus, Meagan, Ryan, Harry, Marry, Becky, Josh, Garth, and Marcos would go back to the 21st century. Steffanie would go with Pagag to be his queen of the Jaredites. Gid and Jesse might go back to the earlier Nephite times where they were when Harry came to get their help.
There would be a good chunk of time devoted to the characters getting some well deserved reunions and rest time. Harry and Mary would get married. Apollus and Meagan would get married. There would be fun details about all of this, not just a quick summary. (Somehow Meagan would regain her sight, maybe?) Jim would be devastated to lose Steffanie. Maybe she'd come back with Pagag to introduce him and go to the weddings and then leave. I dunno. Harry and/or Becky would help everyone go where they needed to go using a seer stone, like usual.
Well, we shall see what actually happens in the final book. I wonder when it will come out.
Following are some random thoughts I had as I was reading the book in real time. Feel free to skip. I'm just putting them here for my own reference.
1. Meagan and Apollus were transported by Gadianton Ghosts to a random dinosaur land at the end of the last book and then immediately got transported back to Cumorah at the start of this book. What was the point of that?
2. Pagag is also back at Cumorah now after being randomly transported back to his family the book before last. I thought Kerra said Steffanie was going to have to do something to find *him.* Again, what was the point of the separation at all? Suspense? Is Ryan going to suddenly materialize too?
3. Why is Marcos giving Pagag such a hard time about coming back to a war zone to find Steffanie? Didn't he travel through time to get back to Melody? It feels like Heimerdinger is forgetting basic things about his character. I don't get it.
4. In books 1 through 7 of the series, I found the character dialogue to be believable and fun. But starting with book 8, it seems like almost everyone speaks really formally. It makes sense for Apollus and Jesse and Mary to speak that way, but Meagan, for example, used to be really casual and relaxed in her speech. It was part of her charm. But in this book, for example, she says, "Is it safe? Is it a suitable sanctuary?" on page 13 while hiding from the aforementioned dinosaurs. No 18-yr-old talks like that, especially not when she's in mortal danger! It just feels fake and pulls me from the story.
5. Okay, "the slot" part was really creepy. It made me start glancing around to make sure nobody was watching me.
7. Wow, Apollus just keeps impressing me. And the way he took down Lamanai was great. I'm so sick of Lamanai. I'm glad Apollus got to be the one to do it.
9. Oh my gosh! Jesse has a thing for Mary? That's so sweet! I always thought he had a crush on Meagan. He probably did years back. He's a great character. Such a tragic life. I really, really hope he doesn't die. (He's currently wounded.) He deserves happiness and peace. I'm sad that he has some enmity toward Harry now, even just a little. The two friends have been through so much together.
10. I always wanted Harry and Mary to be in a relationship. As Mary said, it seemed that she and Harry were meant to be. Destined. But I actually think she and Pagag could have made a really cute couple. However, I can't see Harry with anyone but Mary while I can see Pagag with Steffanie, if she'd just stop being so rude to him and competitive with him. Mary and Jesse, though? Hm. I'm liking them more as "unrequited love." But I don't want Jesse to be hurt. Ah! Well, Harry complained way back in book 9 that things had been too easy with Mary. Not anymore! I'm very curious to see how this plot point is resolved.
Here's what I wish:
* I wish that Jim and Jenny had never gotten involved in this story arc. The last several books would have been much less laborious to read without the addition of the Jerusalem story. The last week of Christ's life could be explored in a different book.
* I wish that Melody, Sabrina, and baby Gid had never shown up. They aren't doing a thing to help move the plot along. All they really do is eavesdrop on Christ and His disciples, and they got captured pretty much right after they showed up, causing other characters to waste time helping them. They hardly have distinct personalities, and they don't even talk much. Sabrina should never have brought an infant time traveling, and Melody shouldn't have left her little boy with a relative in the modern world. Their responsibility is to their little children first.
*I wish Kerra and Brock had never been introduced into the Tennis Shoes universe. They truly don't add anything of value to the plot in my opinion. They simply waste time in the already bloated narrative.
*I kind of wish that Hamira wasn't in this story either. I warmed up to Joshua a lot more in the last couple of books, and the King Omer stuff was decently interesting, but . . . yeah, I'm not loving Hamira. I don't particularly dislike her, I guess, but aside from the part of the story a book or two ago when she bravely helped save her people from a flood, she hasn't really impressed me. The whole Nimrah and Salome subplot with Hamira in Jerusalem could have been totally skipped too.
Here's what I think should have happened with this story arc (starting from book 8):
Books 8, 9, and 10 would stay mostly the same, minus the insertion of Jim, Jenny, Sabrina, the baby, and Melody (and maybe Marcos too, though he did end up helping Joshua in important ways) (and maybe minus Garth too, though it does make sense that he'd come looking for his children, and he did also help Joshua get on the right path).
This would mean that Meagan, Ryan, and Apollus would still meet Lamanai and his people and help to free Moroni from prison. They would then travel toward Cumorah and experience all the same events up until the awesome gladiator-style battle between Apollus and Gid in Desolation.
Mary, Becky, and Joshua would still go to 1840s Judea and meet Akish, who would go on to get rid of Todd Finlay and finish making his silver sword. The Tower of Babel events with Mary, the kids, Pagag, Harry, and Steffanie would then go on as written, and Harry's group (including Gid, Micah, and Jesse) would still eventually meet up with Meagan's group after everyone's adventures in the Nephite/Lamanite jungles and the "gladiator" competition in book 10. This would mean that Pagag and Steffanie would still get split off from Harry for a while, thus allowing them to get to know each other.
Joshua would have still been taken by Akish, would age seven years and be a Nephite captain, and would be asked by Mormon to save the sacred record (the gold plates). He would still get mixed up with the Jaredites/people of Omer and save Mahonri Moriancumr's sacred record as well as Mormon's. He'd also meet Hamira, but she'd be more likeable. She would not get kidnapped by Nimrah, her brother, but would accompany Joshua and Marcos to Cumorah after Omer's people were safe.
The whole Gadianton Ghost subplot wouldn't happen. Gadiantons would cause trouble for the heroes and would still poison poor Micah and wound Jesse, Pagag, and Meagan, but they wouldn't be able to time travel or disappear. They wouldn't keep showing up again and again, either.
Kerra and Brock would never appear. Harry would still get captured by Lamanites and saved by one of the Three Nephites (Jonas), but instead of just helping him get free, Jonas would tell Harry that he needs to take his friends and family and leave Cumorah because this isn't their time to die. There would be peril, and they might do various things to help Moroni, but they'd get away before the Lamanites totally breach the fortress.
The whole thing with Jesse and Harry kind of fighting over Mary could be in there somewhere, somehow, and get resolved. Harry would have to really step up and let Mary know what she means to him. Jesse would not die! (I don't know if he's going to die yet, but I hope he won't.) Apollus could maybe still get the chance to kill Lamanai somehow. Joshua wouldn't want to desert his men, but he would be convinced to go back home in the end, or maybe he'd be wounded and the rest of the group would take him with them. Hamira might come with him to the modern world. Not sure how that relationship would play out. Apollus, Meagan, Ryan, Harry, Marry, Becky, Josh, Garth, and Marcos would go back to the 21st century. Steffanie would go with Pagag to be his queen of the Jaredites. Gid and Jesse might go back to the earlier Nephite times where they were when Harry came to get their help.
There would be a good chunk of time devoted to the characters getting some well deserved reunions and rest time. Harry and Mary would get married. Apollus and Meagan would get married. There would be fun details about all of this, not just a quick summary. (Somehow Meagan would regain her sight, maybe?) Jim would be devastated to lose Steffanie. Maybe she'd come back with Pagag to introduce him and go to the weddings and then leave. I dunno. Harry and/or Becky would help everyone go where they needed to go using a seer stone, like usual.
Well, we shall see what actually happens in the final book. I wonder when it will come out.
Following are some random thoughts I had as I was reading the book in real time. Feel free to skip. I'm just putting them here for my own reference.
1. Meagan and Apollus were transported by Gadianton Ghosts to a random dinosaur land at the end of the last book and then immediately got transported back to Cumorah at the start of this book. What was the point of that?
2. Pagag is also back at Cumorah now after being randomly transported back to his family the book before last. I thought Kerra said Steffanie was going to have to do something to find *him.* Again, what was the point of the separation at all? Suspense? Is Ryan going to suddenly materialize too?
3. Why is Marcos giving Pagag such a hard time about coming back to a war zone to find Steffanie? Didn't he travel through time to get back to Melody? It feels like Heimerdinger is forgetting basic things about his character. I don't get it.
4. In books 1 through 7 of the series, I found the character dialogue to be believable and fun. But starting with book 8, it seems like almost everyone speaks really formally. It makes sense for Apollus and Jesse and Mary to speak that way, but Meagan, for example, used to be really casual and relaxed in her speech. It was part of her charm. But in this book, for example, she says, "Is it safe? Is it a suitable sanctuary?" on page 13 while hiding from the aforementioned dinosaurs. No 18-yr-old talks like that, especially not when she's in mortal danger! It just feels fake and pulls me from the story.
5. Okay, "the slot" part was really creepy. It made me start glancing around to make sure nobody was watching me.
7. Wow, Apollus just keeps impressing me. And the way he took down Lamanai was great. I'm so sick of Lamanai. I'm glad Apollus got to be the one to do it.
9. Oh my gosh! Jesse has a thing for Mary? That's so sweet! I always thought he had a crush on Meagan. He probably did years back. He's a great character. Such a tragic life. I really, really hope he doesn't die. (He's currently wounded.) He deserves happiness and peace. I'm sad that he has some enmity toward Harry now, even just a little. The two friends have been through so much together.
10. I always wanted Harry and Mary to be in a relationship. As Mary said, it seemed that she and Harry were meant to be. Destined. But I actually think she and Pagag could have made a really cute couple. However, I can't see Harry with anyone but Mary while I can see Pagag with Steffanie, if she'd just stop being so rude to him and competitive with him. Mary and Jesse, though? Hm. I'm liking them more as "unrequited love." But I don't want Jesse to be hurt. Ah! Well, Harry complained way back in book 9 that things had been too easy with Mary. Not anymore! I'm very curious to see how this plot point is resolved.
October 27, 2020
Chris Heimerdinger has a gift for making the scriptures come to life in new and thrilling ways. Wrapping up a storyline that has consisted of 5 books (and one more to go,) he focuses on two profound, heart-wrenching moments in scriptural history. The Nephites' destruction at the end of the Book of Mormon (400A.D.) and the Savior's ultimate act of love that occurred on the Mount of Olives 2,000 years ago.
Your favorite characters are brought back into the fray like never before—each fighting for their lives, souls, and more. After years of waiting for a new book, it is like traveling to see an old friend you have been waiting to visit. Frustrating- but well worth the wait.
Chris helps the reader better understand the terrible ache that Mormon and Moroni must have felt as they witnessed their people's prophesied destruction and the unconquerable love that our Savior posses for us. By creating parallels between the two events, an important question arises- if we could change circumstances surrounding an event, despite knowing the outcome, would we give everything we have to work towards changing the result for the better? Can we do that now, in our own lives? Despite us knowing how the story ends- do we continue ignoring the world's problems, or do we stop and try to prevent them as Mormon did?
There are so many things to love about reading a Tennis Shoes novel. The characters, the storyline, and the vivid imagery are some of my favorite aspects of this series. The best part, though, is the moments where eternal truths come forth. They reaffirm your faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ by reminding you of God's love for His children and the power the scriptures present in our everyday lives, not just in times of stress or trial. After finishing this book, I eagerly picked up my scriptures to continue reading about real adventures and real love recorded in its pages.
Your favorite characters are brought back into the fray like never before—each fighting for their lives, souls, and more. After years of waiting for a new book, it is like traveling to see an old friend you have been waiting to visit. Frustrating- but well worth the wait.
Chris helps the reader better understand the terrible ache that Mormon and Moroni must have felt as they witnessed their people's prophesied destruction and the unconquerable love that our Savior posses for us. By creating parallels between the two events, an important question arises- if we could change circumstances surrounding an event, despite knowing the outcome, would we give everything we have to work towards changing the result for the better? Can we do that now, in our own lives? Despite us knowing how the story ends- do we continue ignoring the world's problems, or do we stop and try to prevent them as Mormon did?
There are so many things to love about reading a Tennis Shoes novel. The characters, the storyline, and the vivid imagery are some of my favorite aspects of this series. The best part, though, is the moments where eternal truths come forth. They reaffirm your faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ by reminding you of God's love for His children and the power the scriptures present in our everyday lives, not just in times of stress or trial. After finishing this book, I eagerly picked up my scriptures to continue reading about real adventures and real love recorded in its pages.
December 31, 2023
WOW.
What a book this was. I have been reading these books since I was a teenager. The latest volume did not disappoint. This arc has been going since book 8 of this series and it really feels like its building towards its inevitable conclusion. Do I feel the arc has dragged? Absolutely not.
Every moment was earned, especially as tensions are heating up at Cumorah, with certain characters slated to meet their dooms in this book. It also introduced a new romantic element that I was not expecting, but I could see going either way.
The second to last chapter which had its action primarily at the Garden of Gethsemane. Even though I know that scriptural account by heart and have read it dozens of times and seen it portrayed dramatically in other mediums, my heart was pounding and tears flowed from my eyes.
The action of the last few pages was not frustrating but very satisfying as I saw characters reunite who I was not expecting to reunite. One thing these books do well is the reunions of the characters after they separate to go on dire missions to save their family members or to make sure they are out of the way of certain historical events. They did not disappoint.
I am anxious to see where the next and final volume of this series goes, although I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to these characters who I've following since I was a teenager.
What a book this was. I have been reading these books since I was a teenager. The latest volume did not disappoint. This arc has been going since book 8 of this series and it really feels like its building towards its inevitable conclusion. Do I feel the arc has dragged? Absolutely not.
Every moment was earned, especially as tensions are heating up at Cumorah, with certain characters slated to meet their dooms in this book. It also introduced a new romantic element that I was not expecting, but I could see going either way.
The second to last chapter which had its action primarily at the Garden of Gethsemane. Even though I know that scriptural account by heart and have read it dozens of times and seen it portrayed dramatically in other mediums, my heart was pounding and tears flowed from my eyes.
The action of the last few pages was not frustrating but very satisfying as I saw characters reunite who I was not expecting to reunite. One thing these books do well is the reunions of the characters after they separate to go on dire missions to save their family members or to make sure they are out of the way of certain historical events. They did not disappoint.
I am anxious to see where the next and final volume of this series goes, although I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to these characters who I've following since I was a teenager.
January 13, 2022
SO MUCH EXPOSITION HOLY HECK!!! This book suffers from AWoT syndrome. Acute Wheel of Time Syndrome. Great characters, great setup, with an author so unwilling to end the series he begins weaving unexessary plotline after unexessary plotline!! I'm sorry but I think the entire ancient Jerusalem plotline should be excised. There is no point or connect to the story at hand beyond the author wanting to include the atonement in the story. Heimerdinger needs to get on with it and finish up the dang story. Or do we need to bring Brandon Sanderson to wrap this series up too??? Come on dude! You have a great series, stop ruining it with EVERYONE'S thoughts on the action going on around them with minimal description of the actual action. Also please wrap up, or semi wrap up a story in each book, you stopped doing it several books ago and it is frustrating. I feel like the last 4 or so books have been one looooooooong single story.
April 16, 2021
It was good but it felt incredibly prolonged with no action. I mean there was a lot about the battle between the nephites and the lamanites, but the whole book kind of felt like we were trudging through mud, not really going anywhere. I’m anxious to read the next because this book didn’t satisfy my need for closure.
October 28, 2020
Finally!
I used to read these to my kids. Now they are all grown up! I am happy I got to read this. This was very good but I was a bit lost here and there. I didn’t go back and reread the others and I almost wish I had. The whole series is worth reading.
I used to read these to my kids. Now they are all grown up! I am happy I got to read this. This was very good but I was a bit lost here and there. I didn’t go back and reread the others and I almost wish I had. The whole series is worth reading.
May 20, 2021
Not a bad read. I really love this series but it seems like there are more problems given to the characters on top of their current problems. This poor family has been through a lot.
Not the best in the series but I'm glad I read it.
Not the best in the series but I'm glad I read it.
April 22, 2021
Thorns of Glory was worth the wait. There are still some loose ends here, but Heimerdinger managed to tie together some of the timelines (we're down to two times and places now, folks!) and still introduce some interesting new conflicts so that it doesn't just feel like inevitable winding down. I'm more hopeful now that the next book will be able to wrap it up.
Heimerdinger's portrayal of Jesus' suffering in the garden is very emotional. The viewpoint characters who witness it are mostly bystanders, but to some extent that is as it should be. In that moment, it's not their story, it's His. Nevertheless, there is still character development as one character finally "gets it." Seeing Jesus' prayer of agony through their eyes, in contrast to their prior ideas about kings and God, was a really original take on the moment, and I appreciated it.
There were some very minor continuity issues, but they didn't really bother me, I just noticed them. Joshua and Melody do not seem to experience the same nausea as Jim and Jenny do while inhabiting the same time as their past selves. A character in a flash of inspiration says "I know what we have to do to find [X]!" but it isn't followed up - they run off, and the succeeding events seem to happen to them rather than occurring by their agency (it's possible their inspiration was just to run in that direction, but it was implied to be more). Joshua's dialogue felt out of character a couple of times.
Eagerly awaiting the next book!
Heimerdinger's portrayal of Jesus' suffering in the garden is very emotional. The viewpoint characters who witness it are mostly bystanders, but to some extent that is as it should be. In that moment, it's not their story, it's His. Nevertheless, there is still character development as one character finally "gets it." Seeing Jesus' prayer of agony through their eyes, in contrast to their prior ideas about kings and God, was a really original take on the moment, and I appreciated it.
There were some very minor continuity issues, but they didn't really bother me, I just noticed them. Joshua and Melody do not seem to experience the same nausea as Jim and Jenny do while inhabiting the same time as their past selves. A character in a flash of inspiration says "I know what we have to do to find [X]!" but it isn't followed up - they run off, and the succeeding events seem to happen to them rather than occurring by their agency (it's possible their inspiration was just to run in that direction, but it was implied to be more). Joshua's dialogue felt out of character a couple of times.
Eagerly awaiting the next book!
June 30, 2022
I finally finished this book. This took me a long time to finish. Finally, three months ago, I decided to finish it. I have read all the previous Tennis Shoes books and they were good and ones I wanted to keep reading. This one was written quite a while after I had read the others. This one brought characters from all the other books into one book. Some of these characters were from so long ago that I didn't remember their personality and why they were in the books. SO I WAS CONFUSED. After I got to the last part of the book, I could figure it out.
I liked these characters: the Roman soldier, Hamira, Joshua, and Salome.
The idea of Time Travel has always thrilled me.
I liked these characters: the Roman soldier, Hamira, Joshua, and Salome.
The idea of Time Travel has always thrilled me.
July 9, 2025
These last three books have been absolutely horrible. I have loved this series ever since I was a young Missionary when I first heard them, and I’ve loved them all up until these last three,I don’t know what changed, or if he ran out of ideas or what but they are horrible. And this last one was the worst. I finally listened to it on one and a half speed just to finish it and everybody kept asking me why I didn’t just quit listening to it and I said I can’t because I’m so invested in the characters, but it was a huge disappointment. At this point, it’s been five years. Who knows if he’ll ever finish this book.
January 23, 2021
So fun to visit these characters again. It has been awhile so there where a couple of characters that it took me a bit to remember who they were. There are getting to be so many characters too and that makes it a bit hard to keep track of them too. However, it was still so entertaining. I was listening tonight and it was getting super intense and all of a sudden Heimerdinger voice comes on “to be continued” Aahahh!!!!
August 3, 2023
Ok, so I am conflicted. This is like the fourth book in a row where we are at the same battle and still nothing is happening. At this point these books have been going on for 40 years and we are just writing in circles. He is also creating conflicts between characters that really shouldn’t be there and it is becoming frustrating to be a fan of these books. I really hope that the next book is the last one for this series especially since it takes so long to come out with the next book.
January 9, 2026
This may have been my favorite book of the series, but I have enjoyed them all. I love the feelings I had for Jesus in this book! I read it to all my family & they all loved it also. The only down side is the end REALLY leaves you hanging….there is no conclusion at all as it’s a Part 1 book, but the next book, Part 2, isn’t written yet & has no release date so we are dying to know what happens next in the story!
January 11, 2021
I’ve waited years for this book and finally it’s here! I thoroughly enjoyed it and I can’t wait for part two! My only thing is the disconnect of Mary and Harry that is based solely on the fact that they have not talked to each other about the future. The story telling is wonderful and I absolutely can’t wait wait until part two comes out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2021
I am determined to see this never-ending series through to the end, but this book was a slog. Just a bunch of battle scenes and rehashing of old storylines through new characters I don't care about as much. The book adds nothing to the series. I don't see how Chris Heimerdinger felt justified splitting this book into two parts, even with him being as long-winded as he is.
November 27, 2021
Finished reading the actual book. The latter-day characters are all over the time-line. Some are in the Holy Land close to the time of the Savior's sacrifice, while others are encamped on the Hill Cumorah at the last battle. There's great moments when gospel truths become reality for the heroes, as well as escapes and entrapments from enemies. What an adventure!
March 16, 2023
I really enjoy reading this series and hope the next book will be released soon. I'm not patient enough to wait too long. After a decade of waiting for book #11, I worry when it gets too long without hearing about the next book. I guess I just am one of those that just need the complete series right at the start.
June 10, 2023
What I don’t like about the series is that the Hawkins’s modern lives are ruined. I noticed this when Harry got back to the modern world from Greece in Book 7 and when Jenny is sad about not being able to see Josh grow up in this book. If and/or when the Hawkins return to the modern world who knows if they still have a place in it? Aside from that, the series is pretty great.
November 1, 2020
May Chris continue to be inspired as he writes the dramatic finale to this arc. This book was excellent. I may have taken longer than I wanted with it, but I tried to digest the chapter notes as I read them.
November 25, 2020
Great book to continue the saga but at times it was difficult going back and forth between the different groups of characters and their experiences and keeping them straight. Love that the author and his family were reading the book.
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