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The Final Realm #1
Children Of The Forgotten: A Christian Dystopian Novel of Faith and Survival
In a post-apocalyptic world, most people by age thirty have succumbed to the Sickness, a mysterious deadly illness. But the Sickness is not the only enemy for Collin Mann's city. Hordes of deranged killers live in the hills around it. With few trained protectors, the future of the little city looks bleak.
Collin, fifteen years old, buries those the Sickness consumes. Slight and awkward, he shuns warrior training, avoiding the example of his big brother and guardian.
When killers attack at the watering hole, he's called to step forward and defend. Instead, he freezes.
He's ashamed. His people need him to fight. Can he do it? Or would a clumsy person like himself make any difference in the battle for existence?
Collin, fifteen years old, buries those the Sickness consumes. Slight and awkward, he shuns warrior training, avoiding the example of his big brother and guardian.
When killers attack at the watering hole, he's called to step forward and defend. Instead, he freezes.
He's ashamed. His people need him to fight. Can he do it? Or would a clumsy person like himself make any difference in the battle for existence?
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2022
About the author
Charles Franklin
187 books33 followersI was born and raised in Mineral Wells, Texas. My hometown is one of those places that you can’t wait to get out of, but then you can’t wait to come back to. After high school graduation, I enlisted in the United States Army and traveled the world. Uncle Sam sent me to Korea, Germany, Kuwait, Iraq, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. And the whole time, I longed to go back home.
Early in my service, I married my wife, Jennifer, and we had three children. I couldn’t be more proud of the amazing ladies and gentleman they’ve grown into.
Also during my service, I enrolled in college and I received a Bachelors of Science in Religion from Liberty University. I didn’t always know I’d want to go into ministry, but sometime in my mid-thirties, I heard my name called.
I didn’t end up working in a church, though. Upon retiring from the Army in 2017, I received my Texas Teaching Certificate and began teaching junior high kids—back in my hometown…that I couldn’t wait to get out of. So, that’s where my ministry is, for now. And let me tell you, those kids are…a blast!!
Early in my service, I married my wife, Jennifer, and we had three children. I couldn’t be more proud of the amazing ladies and gentleman they’ve grown into.
Also during my service, I enrolled in college and I received a Bachelors of Science in Religion from Liberty University. I didn’t always know I’d want to go into ministry, but sometime in my mid-thirties, I heard my name called.
I didn’t end up working in a church, though. Upon retiring from the Army in 2017, I received my Texas Teaching Certificate and began teaching junior high kids—back in my hometown…that I couldn’t wait to get out of. So, that’s where my ministry is, for now. And let me tell you, those kids are…a blast!!
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 17, 2017
The premise of this book fascinated me. I read a decent bit of post-apocalyptic fiction, but the idea of living with a death sentence already hanging over your head in a sickness that could strike at any moment and claims most adults before they hit 30 years old, really claimed my attention. (Because … germs … and wouldn’t we all much rather an enemy that you can fight physically?) It makes you start to think about how living with that sort of a dim life expectancy would affect the way you live.
Would you allow yourself to fall in love? Would you simply grit your teeth and plod on from one day to the next? Would you work hard and train to become a hero?
That’s the question that the characters in Children of the Forgotten have to deal with. But the inescapable threat of the Sickness is overshadowed by a much more immediate threat when an interaction with some of the deranged killers who live outside the City’s walls ends in tragedy and results in the outbreak of war!
Children of the Forgotten has strong characters. Well-paced writing. Only one minor incident toward the end that slightly stretched the zone of believability for me. Powerful themes. And brothers. Yes. I do love me a good brother tale!
Overall, it’s a great adventure tale with a strong pinch of heroism and a vivid dash of hope to engage the hardship and keep the story from wallowing in the ash and dust of a post-apocalyptic world. It’s the sort of story that will engage a wide variety of readers – girls and guys – but I can definitely see some of those reluctant readers among the pre-teen and teen guys loving this book.
Would you allow yourself to fall in love? Would you simply grit your teeth and plod on from one day to the next? Would you work hard and train to become a hero?
That’s the question that the characters in Children of the Forgotten have to deal with. But the inescapable threat of the Sickness is overshadowed by a much more immediate threat when an interaction with some of the deranged killers who live outside the City’s walls ends in tragedy and results in the outbreak of war!
Children of the Forgotten has strong characters. Well-paced writing. Only one minor incident toward the end that slightly stretched the zone of believability for me. Powerful themes. And brothers. Yes. I do love me a good brother tale!
Overall, it’s a great adventure tale with a strong pinch of heroism and a vivid dash of hope to engage the hardship and keep the story from wallowing in the ash and dust of a post-apocalyptic world. It’s the sort of story that will engage a wide variety of readers – girls and guys – but I can definitely see some of those reluctant readers among the pre-teen and teen guys loving this book.
September 30, 2023
“What was living life without giving part of it to another?”
“Hope can conquer more than any army can.” -Children of the Forgotten
We have two quotes today because I couldn’t choose just one.
What a magnificent story of faith, hope, courage, and perseverance. Children of the Forgotten excelled past my expectations. It no doubt lived up to the Christian, post-apocalyptic genres!
4/5 Stars
(Spoiler-Free Zone)
(Briefing)
In a post-apocalyptic world, most people by the age thirty have succumbed to the Sickness, a mysterious illness. But the Sickness is not the only enemy for Collin Mann’s city. Hordes of deranged killers live in the hills around it. With few trained protectors, the future of the little city looks bleak. Collin, fifteen years old, buries those the Sickness consumes. Slight and awkward, he shuns warrior training, avoiding the example of his big brother and guardian. When killers attack at the watering hole, he’s called to step forward and defend. Instead, he freezes. He’s ashamed. His people need him to fight. But can he do it? Or would a clumsy person like himself make any difference in the battle of existence?
(First Impression 4/5)
Charles did a great job introducing this dystopian world in the first couple of chapters. A few battles took place that were action-packed and thrilling to read. The descriptions of these fights and the actions taken by the knights were wonderfully detailed and believable. The beginning was a little slow, but it intrigued me. From the first line, it was evident how hopeless the people were. I instantly loved the somewhat medieval vibes. Post-apocalyptic stories that revert to older traditions and societies are always interesting to read.
(Character Development 5/5)
I loved these characters. Each one had a story to tell, and they all performed and added to the plot perfectly. The growth was unmistakable, especially with Collin: from being a boy who hid from conflict, soon becoming a man who stood for justice. So many characters faced various horrors and trials, and the depth of their wounds made them so real. It was beautiful to see people grow stronger from their pain, yet heartbreaking when others became forever changed by the horrific things that happened to them. Whether it was the main character, side characters, or antagonists, each person was written with a personified structure and personality. It was inspiring to see the reason for the conflicts and how each difficulty prepared the characters and aided them in future battles. The setting of the world no doubt added a layer of complexity to each character, and it had me wondering about the hundreds of stories untold in this book.
Another favorite character was Felicia. Reading about her finding confidence more so in her Creator than herself was a beautiful thing. Then we have Ty, the perfect comedy relief, and much more: a loyal friend, a beloved protector, and a fierce warrior. With jokes ;). I did confuse Arik and Ethan a few times, as their personalities and character traits were similar, along with their luscious hair. But other than that, the character development was phenomenal.
(World-Building 4/5)
There was beautiful imagery within this society and broken world. It was effortless to imagine the small city consumed with fear, the mystery of what awaited them past the mountains, and the vast cultural changes. I loved the return of swords and arrows as the regular weapons, and the farmers, villagers, knights, etc. Even the history and backstories explaining the world’s destructive state, the Sickness, and barbaric criminals threatening all who lived nearby made Children of the Forgotten a thrilling and intriguing read. Charles created a fantastic new society and economy from the fallen world.
(Emotions 5/5)
The loss of hope and peace was the perfect foundation for strong emotions. The concept of faith, God, and the Bible being banned, yet not wholly forgotten, introduced powerful moments of change. There was heartbreak, grief, potent fear, sadness, brokenness, and yet…an underlying hope. I loved the many moments of God’s power being revealed, the truth of Him never leaving us, and an undeniable hope and perseverance that flooded the pages. Charles created such realistic fear and hopelessness. Looking at today’s society, the downfall of humanity in this story and the overall darkness wasn’t hard to imagine. I cried, laughed, and hoped with these people.
(Style 4/5)
I enjoyed the way Charles wrote. The plot itself was a bit drawn out, and it took me a chapter or two to fully immerse myself, but Children of the Forgotten was a remarkable adventure. I could not stop reading. It was also multiple point-of-view, which I think Charles performed wonderfully. The POV created the perfect amount of suspense and clarity, being able to read from all different angles. The inclusion of Biblical principles was incredible. Every time that sprinkling of Christianity came up, I’d jump in excitement. It was subtle initially and then grew, just like one’s relationship with the Lord—a constant journey of growth and obedience. The Christian aspects weren’t preachy—not that I have issues with “preachy”—as in, they weren’t forced but flowed naturally with the plot. This isn’t easy to do, not only because of today’s culture but also in the post-apocalyptic setting the author chose. Charles did a lovely job inserting Scripture and breathtaking moments at just the right time.
(Cleanliness 4/5)
With Children of the Forgotten being a Christian read, cleanliness wasn’t much of an issue. Little romance was included, but not entirely out of the picture. It was sweet and more subtle. I actually enjoyed there being little romance, which isn’t always the case. Sometimes…I finish a book partly because I just want to see my ship sail. But in this story, I read literally for the plot! *applause*
There was a big issue with sexual harassment that appeared in written scenes—mostly foreshadowing and not highly detailed—and mentions or insinuations. With the state of the world and the new society, an unfortunate normalcy to sexual harassment was created, along with violence and gore. It was heartbreaking and frustrating. The many battles were filled with brutal actions, and when added to the Sickness, death was common. A short scene hinting at suicide does come up, but nothing too severe, though tragic all the same. Ritualistic practices were included—inevitably so with all those whacko killers on the loose—but nothing obtrusive and more so near the end. In light of all this, however, God’s presence and power shone through the darkness.
(Conclusion 5/5)
I am amazed I haven’t gone broke from all the books I’ve purchased this year, and now, I must buy the second book in this series because of the ending.
It couldn’t have concluded in a better way, my goodness. I didn’t sob as I thought I would but was more in shock and freakin excited to buy the next book. There was great resolve, breathtaking battles my eyes could not keep up with, and powerful moments where God proved time and time again that He was always there. And He always is. Nevertheless, there are still many unanswered questions that I must know the answers to!
Children of the Forgotten was an inspiring story and better than I anticipated. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy reads that are Christian, dystopian, apocalyptic, action-packed, adventuresome, and filled with epic battles.
Thank you to Book Sirens for this free copy of Children of the Forgotten. This review is in my honest opinion and voluntary. (Follow Book Sirens on Instagram: @booksirens & @booksirens_crew)
!Trigger Warnings!
Death, sexual assault, rituals, violence, grief, gore, fear, suicide implications
“For the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4
(For more book reviews check out my website juliarosebooks.com)
“Hope can conquer more than any army can.” -Children of the Forgotten
We have two quotes today because I couldn’t choose just one.
What a magnificent story of faith, hope, courage, and perseverance. Children of the Forgotten excelled past my expectations. It no doubt lived up to the Christian, post-apocalyptic genres!
4/5 Stars
(Spoiler-Free Zone)
(Briefing)
In a post-apocalyptic world, most people by the age thirty have succumbed to the Sickness, a mysterious illness. But the Sickness is not the only enemy for Collin Mann’s city. Hordes of deranged killers live in the hills around it. With few trained protectors, the future of the little city looks bleak. Collin, fifteen years old, buries those the Sickness consumes. Slight and awkward, he shuns warrior training, avoiding the example of his big brother and guardian. When killers attack at the watering hole, he’s called to step forward and defend. Instead, he freezes. He’s ashamed. His people need him to fight. But can he do it? Or would a clumsy person like himself make any difference in the battle of existence?
(First Impression 4/5)
Charles did a great job introducing this dystopian world in the first couple of chapters. A few battles took place that were action-packed and thrilling to read. The descriptions of these fights and the actions taken by the knights were wonderfully detailed and believable. The beginning was a little slow, but it intrigued me. From the first line, it was evident how hopeless the people were. I instantly loved the somewhat medieval vibes. Post-apocalyptic stories that revert to older traditions and societies are always interesting to read.
(Character Development 5/5)
I loved these characters. Each one had a story to tell, and they all performed and added to the plot perfectly. The growth was unmistakable, especially with Collin: from being a boy who hid from conflict, soon becoming a man who stood for justice. So many characters faced various horrors and trials, and the depth of their wounds made them so real. It was beautiful to see people grow stronger from their pain, yet heartbreaking when others became forever changed by the horrific things that happened to them. Whether it was the main character, side characters, or antagonists, each person was written with a personified structure and personality. It was inspiring to see the reason for the conflicts and how each difficulty prepared the characters and aided them in future battles. The setting of the world no doubt added a layer of complexity to each character, and it had me wondering about the hundreds of stories untold in this book.
Another favorite character was Felicia. Reading about her finding confidence more so in her Creator than herself was a beautiful thing. Then we have Ty, the perfect comedy relief, and much more: a loyal friend, a beloved protector, and a fierce warrior. With jokes ;). I did confuse Arik and Ethan a few times, as their personalities and character traits were similar, along with their luscious hair. But other than that, the character development was phenomenal.
(World-Building 4/5)
There was beautiful imagery within this society and broken world. It was effortless to imagine the small city consumed with fear, the mystery of what awaited them past the mountains, and the vast cultural changes. I loved the return of swords and arrows as the regular weapons, and the farmers, villagers, knights, etc. Even the history and backstories explaining the world’s destructive state, the Sickness, and barbaric criminals threatening all who lived nearby made Children of the Forgotten a thrilling and intriguing read. Charles created a fantastic new society and economy from the fallen world.
(Emotions 5/5)
The loss of hope and peace was the perfect foundation for strong emotions. The concept of faith, God, and the Bible being banned, yet not wholly forgotten, introduced powerful moments of change. There was heartbreak, grief, potent fear, sadness, brokenness, and yet…an underlying hope. I loved the many moments of God’s power being revealed, the truth of Him never leaving us, and an undeniable hope and perseverance that flooded the pages. Charles created such realistic fear and hopelessness. Looking at today’s society, the downfall of humanity in this story and the overall darkness wasn’t hard to imagine. I cried, laughed, and hoped with these people.
(Style 4/5)
I enjoyed the way Charles wrote. The plot itself was a bit drawn out, and it took me a chapter or two to fully immerse myself, but Children of the Forgotten was a remarkable adventure. I could not stop reading. It was also multiple point-of-view, which I think Charles performed wonderfully. The POV created the perfect amount of suspense and clarity, being able to read from all different angles. The inclusion of Biblical principles was incredible. Every time that sprinkling of Christianity came up, I’d jump in excitement. It was subtle initially and then grew, just like one’s relationship with the Lord—a constant journey of growth and obedience. The Christian aspects weren’t preachy—not that I have issues with “preachy”—as in, they weren’t forced but flowed naturally with the plot. This isn’t easy to do, not only because of today’s culture but also in the post-apocalyptic setting the author chose. Charles did a lovely job inserting Scripture and breathtaking moments at just the right time.
(Cleanliness 4/5)
With Children of the Forgotten being a Christian read, cleanliness wasn’t much of an issue. Little romance was included, but not entirely out of the picture. It was sweet and more subtle. I actually enjoyed there being little romance, which isn’t always the case. Sometimes…I finish a book partly because I just want to see my ship sail. But in this story, I read literally for the plot! *applause*
There was a big issue with sexual harassment that appeared in written scenes—mostly foreshadowing and not highly detailed—and mentions or insinuations. With the state of the world and the new society, an unfortunate normalcy to sexual harassment was created, along with violence and gore. It was heartbreaking and frustrating. The many battles were filled with brutal actions, and when added to the Sickness, death was common. A short scene hinting at suicide does come up, but nothing too severe, though tragic all the same. Ritualistic practices were included—inevitably so with all those whacko killers on the loose—but nothing obtrusive and more so near the end. In light of all this, however, God’s presence and power shone through the darkness.
(Conclusion 5/5)
I am amazed I haven’t gone broke from all the books I’ve purchased this year, and now, I must buy the second book in this series because of the ending.
It couldn’t have concluded in a better way, my goodness. I didn’t sob as I thought I would but was more in shock and freakin excited to buy the next book. There was great resolve, breathtaking battles my eyes could not keep up with, and powerful moments where God proved time and time again that He was always there. And He always is. Nevertheless, there are still many unanswered questions that I must know the answers to!
Children of the Forgotten was an inspiring story and better than I anticipated. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy reads that are Christian, dystopian, apocalyptic, action-packed, adventuresome, and filled with epic battles.
Thank you to Book Sirens for this free copy of Children of the Forgotten. This review is in my honest opinion and voluntary. (Follow Book Sirens on Instagram: @booksirens & @booksirens_crew)
!Trigger Warnings!
Death, sexual assault, rituals, violence, grief, gore, fear, suicide implications
“For the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4
(For more book reviews check out my website juliarosebooks.com)
November 14, 2017
In a world where wars and disease have decimated the population, Collin Mann’s small city holds on for survival. He buries the people who succumb to the Sickness, which claims everyone before they turn thirty. Being a grave-digger is the only way Collin feels he can contribute, because he’s not brave and strong like his brother Ethan, one of the protectors of the city.
Felicity is a teacher who watches over the children of the town, even though she is still young herself. When the leader of the city dies, she is thrust into the leadership void. However, she has a secret she is determined to protect as much as her people.
When the Saetos, the blood-thirsty hillsman, make a push to seize the city and kidnap people, Collin is forced to step up. Can he prove his bravery and become a savior for the people he cares about? Will Felicia be able to lead her people through the crisis, or will the city fall, along with all hope for the future?
The story Charles Franklin weaves is a potent mix of world-building, action, and drama. The society is a rich setting where a lot of conflict bubbles out of the surroundings. There is no shortage of excitement and action. In a recent interview, Charles said he loves the thrills of Robert Ludlum, and it is evident.
The reader is sucked into the challenges faced by Collin, Felicia, and the other characters. There are surprises that will keep a reader guessing through the whole story. And just when you think things can’t worse for everyone, Charles turns the screws and makes the reader feel the pain.
Overall, this book is a strong debut and sets the stage for a trilogy that should continue to up the stakes and thrill readers. It is a book recommended for fans for Christian YA and dystopian stories.
Felicity is a teacher who watches over the children of the town, even though she is still young herself. When the leader of the city dies, she is thrust into the leadership void. However, she has a secret she is determined to protect as much as her people.
When the Saetos, the blood-thirsty hillsman, make a push to seize the city and kidnap people, Collin is forced to step up. Can he prove his bravery and become a savior for the people he cares about? Will Felicia be able to lead her people through the crisis, or will the city fall, along with all hope for the future?
The story Charles Franklin weaves is a potent mix of world-building, action, and drama. The society is a rich setting where a lot of conflict bubbles out of the surroundings. There is no shortage of excitement and action. In a recent interview, Charles said he loves the thrills of Robert Ludlum, and it is evident.
The reader is sucked into the challenges faced by Collin, Felicia, and the other characters. There are surprises that will keep a reader guessing through the whole story. And just when you think things can’t worse for everyone, Charles turns the screws and makes the reader feel the pain.
Overall, this book is a strong debut and sets the stage for a trilogy that should continue to up the stakes and thrill readers. It is a book recommended for fans for Christian YA and dystopian stories.
April 14, 2018
This story captured me with its endearing characters and nonstop action. I bit my nails a lot, sure they wouldn't make it as the tension rose higher. And yet, in the midst of the fear and fighting, there are sweet moments of compassion and love. Collin's growth from cowardly boy to brave fighter made me cheer. Some of the characters didn't grow quite so much, but that was realistic.
My only complaint was the amount of violence and condoning of violence, despite the Christian message of the story. I know a realistic character will always have difficulty loving their enemies as Jesus taught, but even those that were peaceable became violent toward the end. That was disappointing, as I wanted to see them surrender to Jesus' guidance and allow God to avenge them and their loved ones.
All in all, this is a well-written, captivating tale that I probably will reread. I'm waiting impatiently for the next in the series.
My only complaint was the amount of violence and condoning of violence, despite the Christian message of the story. I know a realistic character will always have difficulty loving their enemies as Jesus taught, but even those that were peaceable became violent toward the end. That was disappointing, as I wanted to see them surrender to Jesus' guidance and allow God to avenge them and their loved ones.
All in all, this is a well-written, captivating tale that I probably will reread. I'm waiting impatiently for the next in the series.
August 18, 2018
Author Charles Franklin has woven a highly creative and exciting post-apocalyptic tale about young Colin Mann, who must learn to rise above his fear through faith, and come to the aid of his city. Children of the Forgotten has romance, danger, and lots of great action for those who love fantasy with a Christian world view. I found the story very entertaining, and author Franklin has much talent!
November 15, 2017
Collin’s city is dying. Most people do not live to meet their thirtieth birthday. They either succumb to the Sickness, or are killed by the frequent attacks from their war-mongering neighbor tribe, the Saetos. Day after day, he digs the graves of his friends and fellow townsfolk, wondering if, somewhere, there are others living happily far away.
Felicia quietly teaches the students in her charge, and attempts to keep her young adopted son’s powers a secret. As she watches her city crumble, she questions her faith in the Creator, wondering what His purpose is for their people, and whether or not He cares about their plight.
Bliss fights a battle with anger every day as a result of the physical and emotional scars inflicted upon her by the Saetos. She has lost her faith in humanity and the Creator and only wants to exact revenge upon the ones who ruined her life.
The city is defended by an army of knights, but when one of their best is taken by the Saetos, the people’s confidence begins to crumble. Collin, Felicia, and Bliss must all reach deep inside themselves to help save their people, but their strength and determination may not be enough.
Positives:
This was a different read for me. I do not usually read post-apocalyptic/dystopian genres, but the concept of a post-apocalyptic society that included knights intrigued me. It was interesting to watch how the author combined the medieval elements of the knights with a more democratic society where the people are allowed to vote for their leader. It was well-set up and I truly enjoyed that aspect of the book.
The post-apocalyptic settings I have seen in the past take place in a recent post-apocalyptic world. In this setting, people have been living this way for hundreds of years. Some are completely barbarian and many have turned to various levels of belief in pagan deities. It was interesting to consider how these people had come to be this way over several hundreds of years.
The characters were beautifully well-written. I especially loved the character development that took place in Collin and Felicia. Collin is a mild-mannered person who wants to keep a low profile, but when his inner-protector comes out there are some truly beautiful moments in his character growth. Likewise, Felicia begins the book without a lot of confidence, but I loved watching her become a leader as the book progressed.
Ty was one of my favorite supporting characters. He is solid through and through with his never-dying bravery, and a positive take-charge attitude. I look forward to seeing how the author will continue to develop all of these characters in the upcoming books.
The bad guys were truly EEEEVIL. Great job, Charles Franklin!
Constructive Criticism (hopefully):
I am always hesitant to say anything negative about a book I am reviewing because I know the author has put his or her heart and soul into the story. That said, I also know it is important for readers to be prepared, and for authors to receive constructive criticism. I hope what is included below will discourage neither the reader nor the author in their pursuit of the story.
First, while I came to love the characters and genuinely care about what happened to them, the story moved VEEEEERRRY slowly. Even when action scenes were taking place, I felt that they took a long time to arrive anywhere. I felt for the characters and all the abuse they endured during those long fighting scenes.
Some of the relationships were confusing and I would like to have seen more them more explicitly developed. Felicia is stated to have feelings for one man, but there was more development between her and his friend. His friend, while he spends all his time with Felicia, may or may not have feelings for another person, who may or may not have feelings for him. It was unclear which relationship I was supposed to be rooting for, or IF I was supposed to be rooting for a relationship. Naturally, I had my OWN preference, but it unclear to me whether that was what the author was trying to communicate or not.
**POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT**
I liked the idea of Collin and Autumn and I loved watching the protector in him come out as he took care of her. That said, there were a some of aspects of their relationship, particularly a scene at the end, that seemed rushed and not at all realistic given what was heavily implied happens to her. I hope to see more development of both characters and their friendship in the following books.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, it was an interesting story with well-crafted, many-layered characters that were easy to fall in love with. A message of hope in the midst of adversity, and in times when we think God is silent, was beautifully illustrated in powerful character-developing scenes scattered throughout the story. This made any difficulties I had with the reading completely worth the while. The setting was interesting, and the society was creative and well designed. I look forward to learning more about these strong characters as they continue to pursue hope for their people.
Felicia quietly teaches the students in her charge, and attempts to keep her young adopted son’s powers a secret. As she watches her city crumble, she questions her faith in the Creator, wondering what His purpose is for their people, and whether or not He cares about their plight.
Bliss fights a battle with anger every day as a result of the physical and emotional scars inflicted upon her by the Saetos. She has lost her faith in humanity and the Creator and only wants to exact revenge upon the ones who ruined her life.
The city is defended by an army of knights, but when one of their best is taken by the Saetos, the people’s confidence begins to crumble. Collin, Felicia, and Bliss must all reach deep inside themselves to help save their people, but their strength and determination may not be enough.
Positives:
This was a different read for me. I do not usually read post-apocalyptic/dystopian genres, but the concept of a post-apocalyptic society that included knights intrigued me. It was interesting to watch how the author combined the medieval elements of the knights with a more democratic society where the people are allowed to vote for their leader. It was well-set up and I truly enjoyed that aspect of the book.
The post-apocalyptic settings I have seen in the past take place in a recent post-apocalyptic world. In this setting, people have been living this way for hundreds of years. Some are completely barbarian and many have turned to various levels of belief in pagan deities. It was interesting to consider how these people had come to be this way over several hundreds of years.
The characters were beautifully well-written. I especially loved the character development that took place in Collin and Felicia. Collin is a mild-mannered person who wants to keep a low profile, but when his inner-protector comes out there are some truly beautiful moments in his character growth. Likewise, Felicia begins the book without a lot of confidence, but I loved watching her become a leader as the book progressed.
Ty was one of my favorite supporting characters. He is solid through and through with his never-dying bravery, and a positive take-charge attitude. I look forward to seeing how the author will continue to develop all of these characters in the upcoming books.
The bad guys were truly EEEEVIL. Great job, Charles Franklin!
Constructive Criticism (hopefully):
I am always hesitant to say anything negative about a book I am reviewing because I know the author has put his or her heart and soul into the story. That said, I also know it is important for readers to be prepared, and for authors to receive constructive criticism. I hope what is included below will discourage neither the reader nor the author in their pursuit of the story.
First, while I came to love the characters and genuinely care about what happened to them, the story moved VEEEEERRRY slowly. Even when action scenes were taking place, I felt that they took a long time to arrive anywhere. I felt for the characters and all the abuse they endured during those long fighting scenes.
Some of the relationships were confusing and I would like to have seen more them more explicitly developed. Felicia is stated to have feelings for one man, but there was more development between her and his friend. His friend, while he spends all his time with Felicia, may or may not have feelings for another person, who may or may not have feelings for him. It was unclear which relationship I was supposed to be rooting for, or IF I was supposed to be rooting for a relationship. Naturally, I had my OWN preference, but it unclear to me whether that was what the author was trying to communicate or not.
**POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT**
I liked the idea of Collin and Autumn and I loved watching the protector in him come out as he took care of her. That said, there were a some of aspects of their relationship, particularly a scene at the end, that seemed rushed and not at all realistic given what was heavily implied happens to her. I hope to see more development of both characters and their friendship in the following books.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, it was an interesting story with well-crafted, many-layered characters that were easy to fall in love with. A message of hope in the midst of adversity, and in times when we think God is silent, was beautifully illustrated in powerful character-developing scenes scattered throughout the story. This made any difficulties I had with the reading completely worth the while. The setting was interesting, and the society was creative and well designed. I look forward to learning more about these strong characters as they continue to pursue hope for their people.
November 12, 2018
This was a great surprise as I haven’t read or even heard of the author before. I didn’t have great expectations when I set out. But it’s very good. Some excellent characters, with strong visual imagery of a post-apocalyptic world, and a great battle between good and evil. Plus a leader who trusts in Jesus and demonstrates evidence of it even when placed in some particularly dire straits.
Felicia and Bliss – wow. Two strong and very different women who are brilliantly portrayed. I particularly loved that a bloke wrote these 2 female characters and made them so strong but vulnerable. We see tremendous development in their characters through the story and it will be interesting to see how Franklin further develops them in the follow-up. It will be a challenge for him.
Collin’s character is terribly cowardly at first but he too develops his character and courage except it arose through revenge for his brother’s death, which I found, didn’t quite resonate with the strong Christian themes. However, the fact he found himself to be prepared to die to save Autumn and others was Christ-like.
Another significant twist was his willingness to seemingly kill off a couple of significant characters in this first book of the series, however, the ending revealed that one of them may in fact not be dead and no doubt his ‘return’ will feature prominently in a future story I expect.
The visualisation was excellent – I was able to clearly visualise the various scenes through some good use of powerful descriptions. Whether it was in the hills or in the “broken down walled village” of Anistema I captured much of the detail; the sparseness of the housing, the various rooms of the Courthouse, the battles in both the hills and courtyard were well described.
Felicia’s faith was encouraging to watch develop. She chose to build her leadership around a servant model of caring for the sick and hurting while stirring her people to follow her because she believed in a God of justice and love.
Sometimes it’s hard to reconcile mass death with the love of God but I’m not sure God always calls us to lay down and die at the hands of a vicious enemy. Jorose was an excellent bad guy. He had no interest in being merciful unlike Felicia.
There was a Walking Dead feel about this book – kill first or be killed, the Sickness that eventually got everyone irrespective of race, creed, belief or age. The sheer ruthlessness of killing those who had a better situation in life. It was all there except for the walking dead types.
A really pleasant surprise and I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
Felicia and Bliss – wow. Two strong and very different women who are brilliantly portrayed. I particularly loved that a bloke wrote these 2 female characters and made them so strong but vulnerable. We see tremendous development in their characters through the story and it will be interesting to see how Franklin further develops them in the follow-up. It will be a challenge for him.
Collin’s character is terribly cowardly at first but he too develops his character and courage except it arose through revenge for his brother’s death, which I found, didn’t quite resonate with the strong Christian themes. However, the fact he found himself to be prepared to die to save Autumn and others was Christ-like.
Another significant twist was his willingness to seemingly kill off a couple of significant characters in this first book of the series, however, the ending revealed that one of them may in fact not be dead and no doubt his ‘return’ will feature prominently in a future story I expect.
The visualisation was excellent – I was able to clearly visualise the various scenes through some good use of powerful descriptions. Whether it was in the hills or in the “broken down walled village” of Anistema I captured much of the detail; the sparseness of the housing, the various rooms of the Courthouse, the battles in both the hills and courtyard were well described.
Felicia’s faith was encouraging to watch develop. She chose to build her leadership around a servant model of caring for the sick and hurting while stirring her people to follow her because she believed in a God of justice and love.
Sometimes it’s hard to reconcile mass death with the love of God but I’m not sure God always calls us to lay down and die at the hands of a vicious enemy. Jorose was an excellent bad guy. He had no interest in being merciful unlike Felicia.
There was a Walking Dead feel about this book – kill first or be killed, the Sickness that eventually got everyone irrespective of race, creed, belief or age. The sheer ruthlessness of killing those who had a better situation in life. It was all there except for the walking dead types.
A really pleasant surprise and I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
November 15, 2017
Wow!!! This story was incredible. I’ve grown up reading dozens of post-apocalyptic fiction- From the Postman to Out of the Ashes- So I know quite a bit about the genre. But Charles Franklin gives us a story so much deeper and richer. With complex characters and a fascinating world, the story shows us a society in which a definite death sentence hangs over each person’s head.
What fascinated me most about this story is the constant idea of hope. How the characters hung onto it and wrestled with questions of love, dreams, and will I rise to be the hero needed…?
I don’t like giving any review that contains spoilers- But this story held me from the start. I highly recommend this and can’t wait to see what Charles Franklin puts out next.
What fascinated me most about this story is the constant idea of hope. How the characters hung onto it and wrestled with questions of love, dreams, and will I rise to be the hero needed…?
I don’t like giving any review that contains spoilers- But this story held me from the start. I highly recommend this and can’t wait to see what Charles Franklin puts out next.
December 27, 2017
I have just finished reading this book and found it to be a very exciting and interesting read. I have been a fan of science fiction since I was a child and have continued to read selected books through the years. I received this book as a gift from a friend and I am very glad I did. As a retired Pastor I so appreciated the spiritual significance of this futuristic apocalyptic look into an unclear picture of our future. Mankind's continuing battle between good and evil, our faith in a risen Savior and the struggles we face making the ultimate decision to receive that Savior is wonderful woven through this story line. I am looking forward to reading Book II and hopefully more books of the Anistemi. Keep up the good writing Mr. Franklin you have a fan. - Pastor Mike Wiley
December 27, 2017
Great book!! Was interesting right from the start and can’t wait for the next one. A must read!!
May 23, 2018
The world of the Children of the Forgotten is a difficult one, but the message of hope in Christ that they begin to find in the midst of death and war makes it all worthwhile. I enjoyed the growth of the characters and look forward to seeing more changes in the next novel.
November 25, 2020
Book 1
Book 1 had well developed characters and plot. The plot is a nice twist and change to normal books. The main male character is somewhat annoying with he believing himself a coward all the time. I understand the point to it, but becomes distracting and not necessary to tell each time he has a thought. The religious aspect is odd. It was introduced after half the book and becomes a major factor and filler for the overall book. It has given the book a different feeling to it.
Book 1 had well developed characters and plot. The plot is a nice twist and change to normal books. The main male character is somewhat annoying with he believing himself a coward all the time. I understand the point to it, but becomes distracting and not necessary to tell each time he has a thought. The religious aspect is odd. It was introduced after half the book and becomes a major factor and filler for the overall book. It has given the book a different feeling to it.
December 29, 2018
"The women begged the men to come back and help the people that needed them. They wept and cursed...then wept some more. But they never prayed."
"Juilo's words about the outside world returned to him: It rained fire. Beast came from the sea. Everything changed."
Children of the Forgotten is something I easily could have devoured in a day. I had to know what was going to happen to Collin, his brother, and the other characters in this post-apocalyptic tale BUT sadly I had adultish duties to attend to. Rumors and tales of what lurks in the hills around the city spark not only my interest but Collin's as well. What else is out there? Are there other cities? People? Survivors? Giants?
Collin and his older brother Ethan live in a world after ours. Wars, bombs and the collapse of civilization produced a dangerous, potentially nuclear, wasteland. Luckily, Collin, Ethan, and their friends live in a city that is protected by not only an established government and knights but hills. The hills hide things and we only being to learn the danger of them, one being the savage Saetos.
Collin Mann is fifteen and a gravedigger. He is lucky to not only be fifteen but make it to sixteen. It is common and expected, everyone will catch "the sickness" and die very young. Collin is awkward and admires his older brother, Ethan. Ethan works with others who guard the city against the savages that live in the hills. Collin struggles to find faith and purpose in himself. He is faced with unthinkable challenges as he and his friends battle to survive.
Felicia is a school teacher. She is highly respected within the community and is raising a peculiar child, Anthony. She is thrown into a position of leadership and faces a war. Felicia is a character strong in her faith and eager to share the magic of what she believes with those around her. Some see her as hopeful and inspiring, while others view her as a witch.
Bliss is a fighter. She survived being attacked and kidnapped by the Saetos. You can only assume what she had to endure. She is able to escape and make it back to the city where she is known as "the girl who survived" more or less. People have a hard time dealing with what she went through, so Bliss is somewhat of an outcast. She doesn't want friends or relationships, she wants revenge.
After an attack outside of the city, officials and townspeople start to worry the Saetos will attack. Collin and his friends will be tested in ways he never could imagine as the nail-biting story unfolds. I have so many questions that NEED to be answered in the books to come.
If you like post-apocalyptic science fiction this is the read for you. There is a Christian message, but it is not forced or cheesy. I am not one to read Christian fiction often, or ever, so trust me that is it not a religion pushy story. Honestly, Children of the Forgotten felt more like a story of hope. If you are interested in the genre, I recommend you check Children of the Forgotten out!
I hope you will give Children of the Forgotten a read. After looking on Goodreads I discovered there is a prequel novel called A Search For Bliss: A Prequel to The Anistemi. I will most defiantly be reading it soon while I wait for book two!
May 27, 2026
You can never go wrong with a classic chosen hero story-line.
This novel was well written and an experience to read! There were times that I could not put the book down and times that I wanted to throw it against the wall. That is to say that I believe the author does an amazing job evoking emotions into the reader and making us care for the characters, their goals, and their well being.
I'll admit that I was skeptical at first, as this is my first time reading a Christian Fiction, but throughout the book it is not explicitly stated other than its expanded title, and genre. Instead I believe that it is incorporated tastefully within the novel, and as someone that grew up christian being able to recognize the teachings and relate to them add a nice sense of depth into the story as a whole.
This is one of the few reads that has brought me motivation and inspiration during and after reading. I will definitely be continuing this series and hope that more of its world building is brought up in the following books.
This novel was well written and an experience to read! There were times that I could not put the book down and times that I wanted to throw it against the wall. That is to say that I believe the author does an amazing job evoking emotions into the reader and making us care for the characters, their goals, and their well being.
I'll admit that I was skeptical at first, as this is my first time reading a Christian Fiction, but throughout the book it is not explicitly stated other than its expanded title, and genre. Instead I believe that it is incorporated tastefully within the novel, and as someone that grew up christian being able to recognize the teachings and relate to them add a nice sense of depth into the story as a whole.
This is one of the few reads that has brought me motivation and inspiration during and after reading. I will definitely be continuing this series and hope that more of its world building is brought up in the following books.
May 1, 2020
A YA post apocalyptic Christian read..young main characters deal with mature issues. Few live past 30 due to the Sickness, marauders, and mutant animals. Strong female and male characters overcome adversity - sometimes with physical strength, others lead with servitude, fight with handicaps or advance /grow with "stillness". They face their challenges with heart, blood and sacrifice. You become invested in the story of the "Children of the Forgotten"
Although the author shared a copy, I could have also received a free copy from KU. Thru KU I am currently reading the Journey of the Forgotten because I must know what happens with Collins, TY, Bliss, Donk and Ethan.....
Although the author shared a copy, I could have also received a free copy from KU. Thru KU I am currently reading the Journey of the Forgotten because I must know what happens with Collins, TY, Bliss, Donk and Ethan.....
March 28, 2023
Phenomenal. Couldn’t put it down.
As soon as I’m done writing this review, I’ll be starting the second book of this series. It’s rare to find a book that can make you feel so many emotions at one time and I read a lot of books. I purchased this book because I liked the premise and because the author is a US Veteran. I haven’t been so pleasantly surprised in a long time. As a Christian, this book reminded me of things that may happen one day. As for non-Christian readers who may read this, they will absolutely enjoy the book and just may get more out of it than they ever expected. To the author, thank you for the story and for your service to our country.
As soon as I’m done writing this review, I’ll be starting the second book of this series. It’s rare to find a book that can make you feel so many emotions at one time and I read a lot of books. I purchased this book because I liked the premise and because the author is a US Veteran. I haven’t been so pleasantly surprised in a long time. As a Christian, this book reminded me of things that may happen one day. As for non-Christian readers who may read this, they will absolutely enjoy the book and just may get more out of it than they ever expected. To the author, thank you for the story and for your service to our country.
November 3, 2018
This book is well paced and attention grabbing. While there were some areas I had questions on (I’m hoping those are answered in future books), I stayed right there with the story. The characters are real and relatable and the use of scripture is done in a natural way. The Christian element wasn’t forced, which is a problem I see in so much Christian fiction. I’m looking forward to the next book!
May 24, 2018
Charles Franklin took two things I generally dislike and made them enjoyable - Christian Fiction and a post-apocalypse setting. It’s a great story with enjoyable characters and a beautiful message. So glad I found this book and I look forward to seeing more!
April 5, 2023
I was going to give this book 4 stars as it was a delight to read and sets up the series in which I’m excited to continue. BUT the last two words written in the book set this to 5 stars and beyond. If you know, you know.
September 30, 2018
First in a series. Mildly interesting and I may want to read more...but only OK with several inconsistencies that didn't make sense.
January 13, 2020
This is an interesting post-apocalyptic story of a small town and the enemies they are plagued with. Simple citizens must learn to rise up to defend what is theirs.
December 15, 2022
I thought the beginning had a rocky start, and I briefly considered not bothering to finish it. I’m not a fan of “swords and horses” books, and that’s what it sounded like. But I’m glad I kept reading, because it really picked up and kept me glued until the end. I had some confusion with timing in the beginning, but that evened out as the book progressed. I hope to read the next book in the series, as I care about the characters and the storyline.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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July 16, 2023It was strange.
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