Darien's Rise

Adventures In Odyssey: Passages #1

by Paul McCusker

Kyle and his sister Anna find themselves in an alternate world in which they have special powers to help carry out the will of the Unseen One

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

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Paul McCusker is a writer of many different kinds of things. You may know him from Adventures In Odyssey and Focus On The Family Radio Theatre. Or the Father Gilbert Mysteries. Or the Augustine Institute audio dramas Brother Francis: The Barefoot Saint of Assisi and The Trials of Saint Patrick. Or plays like The First Church of Pete's Garage and Catacombs. Or C.S. Lewis projects like The Chronicles of Narnia audio dramas or The Annotated Screwtape Letters. Or the film Beyond The Mask. Or lots of other dramas, novels, scripts and lyrics. He simply can't make up his mind what he likes to write.

Reviews

[Kaitlyn S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this out loud to two little siblings (ages 7 and 8) and they enjoyed it more than I did, to be honest. But I did enjoy it, nonetheless, just not as much as other books I have read =)

This book was....interesting. There was nothing wrong with it, I just personally don't enjoy parallel worlds or fantasy lands. So the fact that I somewhat enjoyed it is saying a lot. The world was well done, the story line was intriguing and fast moving, and I enjoyed that. While I was reading the two who I was originally reading to were quiet and still, and each time I had to stop, I was greeted with complaints. And we had several other siblings listening in, if the corrections to my pronunciation of certain names of cities written about were any indication :D Apparently it's been made into an audio drama (I know of Adventures in Odyssey, I've just never heard this particular one), and I was making the names more complicated than they actually were.

Th basic premise of the story is a retelling of the biblical account of David, and Jonathan, and King Saul. I enjoyed the way it engaged the little one sin Biblical truth without changing it all around too much. It was told so well that the 8 year old recognized it soon into the story.

I enjoyed the time spent with the little ones, and will most definitely be starting the second one - tomorrow, if my eager listeners have anything to do with it =)

[Nick]

I read this series back in... spring of 2023? So I don't remember it enough to rate it now, HOWEVER!! If you want any Christian Fantasy recs, this series is such a good one!!! Not only is it Christian Fantasy, but it's also bible retellings. I highly suggest checking this series out if that sounds like something you might enjoy :) I definitely want to reread some of these books at some point 🤭

[E.F. Buckles · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Passages" is only one of my most favorite children's Christian Fiction series EVAH!!! I've lost track of how many times I've read these books. <3 <3 <3

[Jon (VICIOUS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid short story. Nothing too off the wall but I really loved the dialogue between characters. Kept me interested and curious to read the rest of the series.

[Noel Hume · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing first book to a great series!! I love this author's imagination.

[Myrissa Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread from my childhood! Listening brought back such fun memories!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't have a lot of experience with Adventures in Odyssey, which is loosely tied to this series of books. In Darien's Rise, the first installment of the Passages series, a couple of adults discover and read an old story one of them found in a trunk from an estate sale. The story is about two kids who find an old house in the woods and are supernaturally transported to another place and time.

What's cool about this story is that it's based on a story from the Bible. In this case, it's based on parts of the life of King David.

I haven't read a lot of middle grade fiction, but I really enjoyed this book. It is well-written and the parallels are not obvious but also not so subtle that you have to have studied the Old Testament in depth to know it.

The books are promoted as a fresh look at familiar stories, and I would agree with that label. I'm looking forward to reading more of these.

[King Haddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in Adventures In Odyssey Passages is definitely the best by a long shot. McCusker does an amazing job retelling the story of how David became king, while adding much excitement and modern thrill and technologies (like trains). Actually, when I first read the book back in elementary, it took me a while to figure out how the story corresponded with the Bible. Either way, the book is very exciting and enjoyable. I did, however, find it slightly obnoxious how it seems exactly like Narnia and many other children's fantasy books - kids wander off and find themselves in a new world.

[Reggie Virus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I loved this! I found this in a little free library and thought why not. Glad I picked this up and I can’t wait to read the rest.

[Meredith Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darien's Rise is a wonderful story that parallels a familiar one. However, the setting is World War I era. As I love stories with parallel worlds, (I simply can't seem to outgrow them), I found this tale of two children chosen for extraordinary purposes to be impossible to put down.

Kyle and Anna, two siblings visiting their grandparents in the midwest town of Odyssey are exploring an abandoned house when an accident sends them hurtling into a world called Marus. Caught up in the schemes of a jealous and power-hungry king against his most valiant general, the siblings discover that the "Unseen One," has tasks for them to perform in this world. But, will their own frailties and King Lawrence's madness destroy all? And, will Kyle and Anna reach Odyssey again?

I listened to this book as it was adapted into an audio drama. The story kept me on the edge of my seat, and the voice acting was superb. I especially loved the portrayal of the friendship between General Darien and Prince George. The story will be easily recognized by those familiar with Biblical events, but the setting and clever twists will hold your interest. My favorite scenes involved a royal banquet and a crossbow, a train journey where an enemy sleeps in an adjoining compartment and a dangerous ambush at a convent.

I am deeply saddened that there appear to be no more adaptations of this book series to come. Even if they had no plans to dramatixe more books in the series, it would seem to make sense to at least produce audiobook versions read by a single narrator. However, I understand the book industry operates on sales. Not enough revenue, and hopes of visually impaired individuals getting to experience an entire series are dashed. I might have to have some of the books transcribed as I want to read more adventures in this series and discover more clever twists.

Anyhow, the characterization is very good in Darien's Rise. I loved that the antagonist is frightening but also empathetic. Darien, the protagonist, is kind but also has a temper and pride problem that makes him relatable. Kyle and Anna are fun, and I especially appreciated Kyle's struggle with patience.

I thoroughly recommend this enthralling book. I would recommend it for ages 10 and up as there are a few instances of brutal episodes, including the convent scene I mentioned and a climactic scene where a young boy witnesses a suicide.
This is a book about learning to trust an unseen hand to guide you. Darien's Rise is a tale of trust, forgiveness and faith.
Thoroughly recommended!
God bless you all.

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun reimagining of old stories.. For me, the original historical stories were from when the Bible first feel real, alive, and relatable. I tried reading this aloud with a couple of kids in my life but they didn't recognize the story and weren't that into it. After waiting a while, I decided I wanted this off my to read list. I finished it and enjoyed it well enough. I talked about it with other ppl but they really didn't seem to get as excited about it as I did. I am wondering if part of my liking it is connected to that early connection with me as a kid.

If you read it or read it with a kid in your life, I would be curious to hear how well it went over with both kids and adults.

[Alicia Flatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice read aloud with my seven year old - two kids get transported into a new world where they meet Darien and King Lawrence and fight epic battles. The story closely follows the plot of King David and Saul from the Scriptures, but in a fantastic setting with trains and guns and powers granted from the Unseen One.

I can't remember who gave me this book haha but my kids are already asking to read the next in the series.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

To me, this book had a distinctly amateur feel, which may have been appropriate, given that this book was supposedly penned in a composition notebook by children-but still had the result of decreasing the believability of the plot.

All in all, entertaining enough, but nothing special and a bit amateur.

[Lisa Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

First section of the story was edge of my seat excitement and I really enjoyed it. The second section seemed to just fizzle out and kill off people rather than develop them. It was disappointing to me as a reader.

[Jalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ I think, listening to the Odyssey program, spoiled me from getting into this book. I knew everything that was happening and about to happen. But hopefully the next books will be more interesting. Still a very intriguing story and great learning opportunities!

[Mh Weyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. The story of biblical David from Samuel’s anointing to the death of king Saul. The twists to retell the story still remained faithful to the Bible and used clever means to retell parts that were only known to the Lord. Well done!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, I'm curious how they are going to handle the framing story for the series.

[Cleo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this. I first read then when I was 16 and now 8 years later I still love it.

[Jenelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A neat and adventurous retelling of the story of King David's rise to the throne.

[Abigail G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to listen to this story. I forgot how powerful this series is!

[Alison Coles · Rating 4 out of 5]

See review of Arin's Judgement.

[Sharon Loves to Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

The entire series is super, although some individual books are more exciting than others. These were also made into dramatized radio programs by Adventures in Odyssey. Highly recommended!

[Mishon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m starting to read some books for this age group in preparation for when my kids get that old. This one was okay. There’s some concepts in it I wouldn’t want to introduce before 10 or so
David and King Saul

[Campbell Rue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read ! I loved it😀

[James Calcara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was bussin bussin chat, it wuz not skibidi at all. I recommend to little rizzler gen alpha's.

[Stuart Levy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some crazy convoluded story that I don't recommend to anyone.

[Jalynn Staley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ I ruined this book for myself by listening to the Odyssey episodes so I was bored, but I still really enjoyed it

[Jamie Humphreys · Rating 5 out of 5]

My class enjoyed the read aloud.

[Aryston Dillard · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s good

[Ashlyn Heinold · Rating 5 out of 5]

5-star read when I read it in elementary school, still a 5-star read now in high school!