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The Peleg Chronicles #1
Foundlings: The Peleg Chronicles, book one
Foundlings...Awarded Best Book 2010-2011 from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine! Foundlings, the #1 Bestseller in Historical Fiction from Christian Book Distributors Spring 2011! Foundlings, the Top Ten Bestseller in Christian Fantasy from Christian Book Distributors Winter 2012!Overview of Foundlings... The Northern realms. Circa 2000 B.C. It was in the days of Peleg when the world was divided. After the flood of Noah, after the Tower of Babel and the dispersion ... when beasts were more numerous than men. Two orphans, Thiery and Suzie. The Lady Mercy without a protector. Priests of the dragon, Baal, and the Queen of Heaven are seeking sacrifices for their false gods. The Death Hunt! In a land of giants and dragons, and men running from the knowledge of their Creator, wickedness spreads as a plague, but a remnant of faithful souls shine in the darkness.Other Works**Paladins, book two of The Peleg Chronicles**Loresmen, book three of The Peleg Chronicles ***Warning*** Before you purchase this book please be aware that Foundlings ends with a thrilling Cliff Hanger, as does Paladins, the second book in the series. Loresmen, the third and final book, ends with a wonderfully satisfying conclusion and epilogue - two endings in one. As Kaleb Haman reviewed it, "A perfect ending to a perfect series!"***Warning***No magic or mysticism
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 7, 2015
Pleasant enough, "Foundlings" is rather bland. The characters are loosely drawn, the world - a promising premise - is hazy, and the plot is rather slow.
The author is clearly attempting to imitate the likes of Tolkien or Lewis, but the reader cannot help but *notice* his forced modifiers and belabored attempts to construct a "world." Peleg Chronicles (of which this is book 1) may *remind* you of other, more accomplished authors, but the reader is dependent on their better illustration to fill in the gaps.
There are also several choices made that are perplexing. Why brand the book no magic - no evolution - no humanism and the open the first paragraph with a witch over a cauldron casting a spell? Why illustrate a world that has distinct medieval overtones (ala Lewis, Tolkien and many other writers) without showing us the supposed lost brilliance of the post-flood world? There is a clear conflict between pagan polytheists and those who follow "the God of Noah", but no clear connection to either Noah, his descendants, the pre-flood world, Babel or how the message was inherited in now God fearing hearts. Why have believers quote long passages of Scripture not yet written without any explanation for the contemporary audience? Surely, Harding doesn't mean to imply they had the entire Bible (including Psalms and New Testament)?
This book is fine to pass the time or satisfy a voracious child reader, but it's entirely forgettable. I was given the set, so I'll continue reading and posting reviews on Goodreads.
The author is clearly attempting to imitate the likes of Tolkien or Lewis, but the reader cannot help but *notice* his forced modifiers and belabored attempts to construct a "world." Peleg Chronicles (of which this is book 1) may *remind* you of other, more accomplished authors, but the reader is dependent on their better illustration to fill in the gaps.
There are also several choices made that are perplexing. Why brand the book no magic - no evolution - no humanism and the open the first paragraph with a witch over a cauldron casting a spell? Why illustrate a world that has distinct medieval overtones (ala Lewis, Tolkien and many other writers) without showing us the supposed lost brilliance of the post-flood world? There is a clear conflict between pagan polytheists and those who follow "the God of Noah", but no clear connection to either Noah, his descendants, the pre-flood world, Babel or how the message was inherited in now God fearing hearts. Why have believers quote long passages of Scripture not yet written without any explanation for the contemporary audience? Surely, Harding doesn't mean to imply they had the entire Bible (including Psalms and New Testament)?
This book is fine to pass the time or satisfy a voracious child reader, but it's entirely forgettable. I was given the set, so I'll continue reading and posting reviews on Goodreads.
December 7, 2022
I really enjoyed these books in middle school. However, re-reading this one as an adult I found it very lacking. It was an easy enough read, but really didn’t find myself as drawn to to the plot or the characters. I really wanted to love them again.
While I love stories that incorporate scripture and biblical principles well, I felt like it didn’t flow well in this book. The scripture felt forced. Especially since they meant for it to be exact quotes, but historically those scriptures didn’t exist then. Quoting the psalms in a Genesis historical time was weird to me. When they quoted Job if felt more natural for the characters as they might have been told that story growing up. When it came to the psalms or New Testament scriptures I would have preferred him trying to incorporate principles from scripture or praises not word for word and then having references to those verses or biblical principles he was thinking of in an appendix or something. A unique song of praise (not psalms just song by characters) of a medieval feel would have helped with world building as well. It was distracting to the plot in my opinion. It’s sad to me when the desire to point people to God and scripture don’t seem to combine well with the plot as I believe it is very possible for both a really good story and to point to the Lord and His word. Reminds me of some half-hearted Christian movie attempts where their main goal is a certain theme or message and they don’t put much effort into a plot or character development, etc.
That being said, I REALLY remember loving these in middle school. These things didn’t bother me that much back then. So maybe it’s just more based for younger people.
While I love stories that incorporate scripture and biblical principles well, I felt like it didn’t flow well in this book. The scripture felt forced. Especially since they meant for it to be exact quotes, but historically those scriptures didn’t exist then. Quoting the psalms in a Genesis historical time was weird to me. When they quoted Job if felt more natural for the characters as they might have been told that story growing up. When it came to the psalms or New Testament scriptures I would have preferred him trying to incorporate principles from scripture or praises not word for word and then having references to those verses or biblical principles he was thinking of in an appendix or something. A unique song of praise (not psalms just song by characters) of a medieval feel would have helped with world building as well. It was distracting to the plot in my opinion. It’s sad to me when the desire to point people to God and scripture don’t seem to combine well with the plot as I believe it is very possible for both a really good story and to point to the Lord and His word. Reminds me of some half-hearted Christian movie attempts where their main goal is a certain theme or message and they don’t put much effort into a plot or character development, etc.
That being said, I REALLY remember loving these in middle school. These things didn’t bother me that much back then. So maybe it’s just more based for younger people.
January 29, 2013
For Christmas a few years ago, my Gma and Gpa got me this book. It's by Matthew Christian Harding, and is the first book of a trilogy called "The Peleg Chronicles." Now, if you know your Bible, you would know that Peleg was a man who lived between Noah and Abraham, which gives you a hint on what its time era is.
It took me a while to get into it, but mostly because, at first, I found some of it slightly confusing, mostly shifts between chapters and characters, and the book has a slightly peculiar writing style that takes getting used to, but once I got into it, I devoured it.
It's a rather new genre, without a real label, but it's category on Amazon is Christian Fantasy and Sci-fi. It doesn't even really fit with the normal young-earth genre book. There's no magic, and it takes place in the post-tower-of-babel era. There are dwarves, dragons, sea serpents, and pagan priests who want to make human sacrifices of some of the characters, and tons of adventure and excitement.
Since it was written by a man, it's not surprising that the cast is mostly male. Of the protagonists, there were only two girls, Suzie and Mercy. There also appear to be three more women in the other two books, Mercy's aunt and cousin, and the Witch Elsa, who is one of the villeins. The one thing I wonder about this book is some of the names, like Mercy and Strongbow, sound rather English and I would have thought that people living in that era and that people group wouldn't be speaking English, but something more like Hebrew, but that aside, I guess an author has a right to name his characters whatever he wishes.
The character that I liked best was Thiery, one of the titular foundlings. The first thing I liked was his name. Don't ask why, I just liked it. Thiery, Thiery, Thiery ... It has a nice ring to it. Anyways, in the beginning of the book, he doesn't have any idea who his parents were, but he is an aspiring ranger of sorts and serves under slow-witted man named Oded, whose father was a giant. Oded follows the true faith, as does Thiery. Thiery then adopts the other titular foundling, Suzie, and makes her his sister, which causes some confusion to those who know who Thiery's father is when they assume that she is his real sister. He is very protective of his adopted sister. I also liked that he had a pet wolf. I personally believe that all growing boys need a pet wolf.
Well, at least a pet dog.
It took me a while to get into it, but mostly because, at first, I found some of it slightly confusing, mostly shifts between chapters and characters, and the book has a slightly peculiar writing style that takes getting used to, but once I got into it, I devoured it.
It's a rather new genre, without a real label, but it's category on Amazon is Christian Fantasy and Sci-fi. It doesn't even really fit with the normal young-earth genre book. There's no magic, and it takes place in the post-tower-of-babel era. There are dwarves, dragons, sea serpents, and pagan priests who want to make human sacrifices of some of the characters, and tons of adventure and excitement.
Since it was written by a man, it's not surprising that the cast is mostly male. Of the protagonists, there were only two girls, Suzie and Mercy. There also appear to be three more women in the other two books, Mercy's aunt and cousin, and the Witch Elsa, who is one of the villeins. The one thing I wonder about this book is some of the names, like Mercy and Strongbow, sound rather English and I would have thought that people living in that era and that people group wouldn't be speaking English, but something more like Hebrew, but that aside, I guess an author has a right to name his characters whatever he wishes.
The character that I liked best was Thiery, one of the titular foundlings. The first thing I liked was his name. Don't ask why, I just liked it. Thiery, Thiery, Thiery ... It has a nice ring to it. Anyways, in the beginning of the book, he doesn't have any idea who his parents were, but he is an aspiring ranger of sorts and serves under slow-witted man named Oded, whose father was a giant. Oded follows the true faith, as does Thiery. Thiery then adopts the other titular foundling, Suzie, and makes her his sister, which causes some confusion to those who know who Thiery's father is when they assume that she is his real sister. He is very protective of his adopted sister. I also liked that he had a pet wolf. I personally believe that all growing boys need a pet wolf.
Well, at least a pet dog.
November 8, 2012
While this book starts a bit slow, the story picks up after the first 40-50 pages and becomes more engaging. The author weaves Scripture in throughout; sometimes it flows nicely, but other times it is a bit contrived. It is a good story, but one will need to read volumes 2 and 3 in order to round it out.
February 22, 2021
This is an entirely unique book and series. The premise is a fantastic one, but I found myself conflicted by the end of it. With the promise of a realistic "fantasy" narrative and the inclusion of the creationist version of the ice age as the setting, I had very high hopes for this. Alas, they fell flat with the clearly Anglicized setting of what should have been pre-Middle Eastern cultures. There is enough research and archeological discoveries out there for the author to have spent more time building a conceivably realistic speculation of what life was like between Noah's Flood and Abraham's life. Instead, the author chose to impose a Lord of the Rings derivative storyline and world building on top of a few nods to history under the guise of exploring where dwarfs really came from, the legend of dragons, and so on. These do not mix well.
Unlike the author, I do not believe that creating a make-believe world and including things like magic and pagan cultures is a sinful thing to do in fiction. Doing so can help avoid problems like what I've highlighted above and be a useful way to explore the conflicts of opposing worldviews. Tolkien and Lewis are much more successful at this, and I would recommend giving a child the Chronicles of Narnia first before this set of books.
Unlike the author, I do not believe that creating a make-believe world and including things like magic and pagan cultures is a sinful thing to do in fiction. Doing so can help avoid problems like what I've highlighted above and be a useful way to explore the conflicts of opposing worldviews. Tolkien and Lewis are much more successful at this, and I would recommend giving a child the Chronicles of Narnia first before this set of books.
May 12, 2019
I have never read a book where the author included sooooo much scripture!!!
I absolutely loved that!!!
It fit perfectly with the story line!
I guess, the only down side, was it ended pretty much a cliff hanger so you would have to purchase the next book in the series......which I did.......but I really do not like it when authors do that.
I recommend it because it is not only great for kids, it works well for adults.
It has good characters a good plot and as I mentioned, finally.....
finally a Christian author, not afraid to quote scripture.
Soooooo many Christian authors seem to be terrified of being accused of actually being a Christian author. This author is not afraid!
Still, I was not pleased with the ending. I guess this novel barely squeaks by...almost, as a stand alone....but really......!!!
I did by the next, because, I really want to read it with my grandson, but I am not sure if I can afford, the next books in the series :-(
I absolutely loved that!!!
It fit perfectly with the story line!
I guess, the only down side, was it ended pretty much a cliff hanger so you would have to purchase the next book in the series......which I did.......but I really do not like it when authors do that.
I recommend it because it is not only great for kids, it works well for adults.
It has good characters a good plot and as I mentioned, finally.....
finally a Christian author, not afraid to quote scripture.
Soooooo many Christian authors seem to be terrified of being accused of actually being a Christian author. This author is not afraid!
Still, I was not pleased with the ending. I guess this novel barely squeaks by...almost, as a stand alone....but really......!!!
I did by the next, because, I really want to read it with my grandson, but I am not sure if I can afford, the next books in the series :-(
January 31, 2017
I'd give this 2.5, not really a 2, but not really a full 3 either...
I love a good fantasy book, especially Christian fantasy. But I couldn't get into this. Something about the pacing of the story really turned me off. It is non-stop action and I found the plot very confusing. It's almost as if we're dropped into the middle of a story that's been going on for awhile. Characters and locations are mentioned with no introduction or explanation and I found it really hard to develop any attachment to what was happening.
I imagine this is more a book for kids than adults. I could imagine boys might like it, but it was not for me.
I love a good fantasy book, especially Christian fantasy. But I couldn't get into this. Something about the pacing of the story really turned me off. It is non-stop action and I found the plot very confusing. It's almost as if we're dropped into the middle of a story that's been going on for awhile. Characters and locations are mentioned with no introduction or explanation and I found it really hard to develop any attachment to what was happening.
I imagine this is more a book for kids than adults. I could imagine boys might like it, but it was not for me.
February 2, 2020
This was different. It is kind of like a giant tract. It is a slow burn and ends in a way that will make one feel compelled to purchase the next book in the series. Many of the main characters are young, and there are some good character building opportunities by the time one reaches the end. Still the story so far is fun. I would recommend this book to young adults, fantasy readers, Christian literature lovers, and Dungeons and Dragons nerds (I am a Dungeons and Dragons nerd, so the last recommended need not take offense).
November 16, 2022
Halfway through and I can’t convince myself it’s worth finishing. It is very rare that I don’t finish a book, but I’m just not enjoying it and neither are my kids. There are some parts that have piqued my interest, but it jumps around a lot and the writing really lacks clarity. I’ve have to many times stop and try to explain to my kids what’s happening, though sometimes I wasn’t even sure myself! The setting is also really hard to place. I really wanted to love this book, but it’s going back on the shelf, and maybe even into the donation box.
February 14, 2024
An amazing story full of excitement, laughter, and Scriptural Truths! I loved this story and have started reading the second one!!! Highly recommended to anyone who loves fantasy and Bible wrapped together in a creative work….i could only dream of such books.
As an avid reader and writer, this story just really hits the spot….the spot that makes me who I am! I am a book NERD!
Off topic here….sorry… but really… I have one thing to say——READ THIS STORY!!!!
As an avid reader and writer, this story just really hits the spot….the spot that makes me who I am! I am a book NERD!
Off topic here….sorry… but really… I have one thing to say——READ THIS STORY!!!!
January 15, 2025
I enjoyed this series when I was very young, but I had some qualms about it. The plot is excellent and the characters are fun. It often felt too religious though, like they were trying to evangelize me with the series. The world in which it was set did not feel especially creative or as developed as I would have liked it to be. Overall, it was a fun read, but not as creative and original as I had hoped for.
September 28, 2017
I realize that the lighthearted fantasy style is becoming more popular, but it's just not for me. This book is TOTALLY READABLE for people of all ages and that's awesome! It was perfectly clean (10/10) and very quirky and funny at times. However, I myself prefer more darkness/peril/death in my fantasy. So, I probably won't be returning for a reread of this one.
July 7, 2018
Couldn't get past the first chapter. It was bland and I read several sentences multiple times because they were so hard to grasp. Characters were already boring me and the heavy God factor just turned me off, any overly religious book turns me off.
December 4, 2018
A rip-roaring yarn
An imaginative rollick through early earth with dungeons and dragons, knights who are bold and have faith in "the God of Noah". Keen to read book 2. I am not entirely convinced that Job pre-dated the patriarchs but this doesn't detract from the story.
An imaginative rollick through early earth with dungeons and dragons, knights who are bold and have faith in "the God of Noah". Keen to read book 2. I am not entirely convinced that Job pre-dated the patriarchs but this doesn't detract from the story.
December 12, 2025
Great series starter
Fantasy, yet Christian. The beginning of an epic journey and battle. I think my kids will enjoy it immensely, and I'll enjoy the conversations it will provide.
Fantasy, yet Christian. The beginning of an epic journey and battle. I think my kids will enjoy it immensely, and I'll enjoy the conversations it will provide.
September 28, 2022
This book has an amazing world, set place after the flood in a land of man, dwarves, and dragons. Compelling characters strive to survive a very hostile world…
But this is where it falters: the world is hostile to specifically the believers of the God of Noah.
It is hard to word, so I’ll talk about the more easier critiques:
The writing style is hard to follow because it is too vague. In the first chapter you don’t realize the main characters are sitting outside till a dragon suddenly attacks.
Too many good characters, it knows what it’s doing; but then it is hard to follow who’s who when every side antagonist is unmemorable and every hero is distracted by a new side task.
In short, it’s written from the readers perspective: when the kidnapping threat gets resolved by itself before the rescue party even finds them, set rescuing party ended up saving a different person and almost forgets their original goal. That’s the main problem, there is little to no tension, just people trying to find people poorly and slowly: with the only danger being whatever the author is showing you and not what he isn’t showing.
Which is a shame as the world building is Narnia level good, but with terrible writing that leaves so much to the imagination: that there is nothing to imagine.
Now to what I hinted at earlier and my last complaint: it is overzealous use of scripture references in a pre… every Bible book era. The only cool liberty is having the Book of Job be a pre-flood story and the only documented reference to God, that isn’t oral. But this is what I mean it is written for the reader: a character will quote the entirety of Psalm 49, verses from Roman 6, or even half of Romans 1. Every question about God is literally answered with a scripture without book, chapter or verse, that the character knows by heart and no dare asked how God revealed it cause it is never mentioned.
This is the main challenge of the book: how do you live in a world full of paganism and deceit? It’s answer is only a miraculous, unfathomable level of faith that only a written child will have and a type of scriptural parroting that is almost robotic. To dissuade the use of either will be a shallow faith, but an over use feels just as shallow. Some of the best moments is when the characters aren’t quoting pages worth of Bible, but amazingly contemplating God in their own words.
The main character is a super tall, awkward, and shy red head with a heart of gold, who is cursed by a witch to die! He tells stories about how each one of his family members one by one die and is the last surviving member, which seems to prove some type of curse! He is willing to help anyone no matter the trouble, which always brings him close to death every time!! This is a lively character who, due to the aforementioned weaknesses of writing, lives in a very stilted world.
There’s a pagan who doesn’t understand why he can’t worship God in his polytheistic culture and the language of demons is foreign and hard to grasp. Having that honest conversation is amazing and one of the best moments when it is not drowned out within to adamant Bible quoting.
The main villain is soooo evil, that he flex’s his muscles in front of a mirror and reminds one of the Princess Brides’s Humperdinck; yet somehow he doesn’t want to be the bad guy any more. He begins to wonder for what end or good is deceit if it hurts those who he doesn't want to hurt? Yet, he gets little to no lime light as the book doesn't even reveal what he really wants which leaves the villain just as clueless as the reader.
But… it’s all show for me, the reader. A world that is lore rich yet poorly presented, so that it can wrap as much scripture and apologetics as possible, with every tenuous moment existing only for the page you are on for all three interwoven story-lines it wants to tell in it's own sweet time , making everyone’s goals and ambitions gets lost to not only the reader, but also the very character.
It can be poorly described as a tale of loud and proud Christian’s fighting in a pagan and dragon cultist world; however, these weaknesses are just as noticeable as the strengths: earning it the best 3/5 I’ve ever given.
If you read this far give it a go! It does everything well so well and every thing poorly done is bearable till the end of part 1 of this trilogy that you can decide whether or not you want to continue.
But this is where it falters: the world is hostile to specifically the believers of the God of Noah.
It is hard to word, so I’ll talk about the more easier critiques:
The writing style is hard to follow because it is too vague. In the first chapter you don’t realize the main characters are sitting outside till a dragon suddenly attacks.
Too many good characters, it knows what it’s doing; but then it is hard to follow who’s who when every side antagonist is unmemorable and every hero is distracted by a new side task.
In short, it’s written from the readers perspective: when the kidnapping threat gets resolved by itself before the rescue party even finds them, set rescuing party ended up saving a different person and almost forgets their original goal. That’s the main problem, there is little to no tension, just people trying to find people poorly and slowly: with the only danger being whatever the author is showing you and not what he isn’t showing.
Which is a shame as the world building is Narnia level good, but with terrible writing that leaves so much to the imagination: that there is nothing to imagine.
Now to what I hinted at earlier and my last complaint: it is overzealous use of scripture references in a pre… every Bible book era. The only cool liberty is having the Book of Job be a pre-flood story and the only documented reference to God, that isn’t oral. But this is what I mean it is written for the reader: a character will quote the entirety of Psalm 49, verses from Roman 6, or even half of Romans 1. Every question about God is literally answered with a scripture without book, chapter or verse, that the character knows by heart and no dare asked how God revealed it cause it is never mentioned.
This is the main challenge of the book: how do you live in a world full of paganism and deceit? It’s answer is only a miraculous, unfathomable level of faith that only a written child will have and a type of scriptural parroting that is almost robotic. To dissuade the use of either will be a shallow faith, but an over use feels just as shallow. Some of the best moments is when the characters aren’t quoting pages worth of Bible, but amazingly contemplating God in their own words.
The main character is a super tall, awkward, and shy red head with a heart of gold, who is cursed by a witch to die! He tells stories about how each one of his family members one by one die and is the last surviving member, which seems to prove some type of curse! He is willing to help anyone no matter the trouble, which always brings him close to death every time!! This is a lively character who, due to the aforementioned weaknesses of writing, lives in a very stilted world.
There’s a pagan who doesn’t understand why he can’t worship God in his polytheistic culture and the language of demons is foreign and hard to grasp. Having that honest conversation is amazing and one of the best moments when it is not drowned out within to adamant Bible quoting.
The main villain is soooo evil, that he flex’s his muscles in front of a mirror and reminds one of the Princess Brides’s Humperdinck; yet somehow he doesn’t want to be the bad guy any more. He begins to wonder for what end or good is deceit if it hurts those who he doesn't want to hurt? Yet, he gets little to no lime light as the book doesn't even reveal what he really wants which leaves the villain just as clueless as the reader.
But… it’s all show for me, the reader. A world that is lore rich yet poorly presented, so that it can wrap as much scripture and apologetics as possible, with every tenuous moment existing only for the page you are on for all three interwoven story-lines it wants to tell in it's own sweet time , making everyone’s goals and ambitions gets lost to not only the reader, but also the very character.
It can be poorly described as a tale of loud and proud Christian’s fighting in a pagan and dragon cultist world; however, these weaknesses are just as noticeable as the strengths: earning it the best 3/5 I’ve ever given.
If you read this far give it a go! It does everything well so well and every thing poorly done is bearable till the end of part 1 of this trilogy that you can decide whether or not you want to continue.
October 25, 2019
Honestly, I found this book to be quite boring and bland. Will still be reading the next two books of this series though.
March 19, 2013
This is one of those books that makes Christians run away from Christian Fiction like it's going to suck all desire to read another book ever again out of you. Not because it's the worse book I've ever read, because it's not. It had an interesting premise (Which it failed to deliver) and... seriously, my mind is blanking right now.
First, it's set in a post flood world. Cool, right? I mean, it's something different (to me at least) and could have been turned into an epic, life giving setting. Instead, it was never developed - at all - and in the end was really just another fantasy world, and a rather flat one anyway. World building is important people!
The characters were all a joke. Like, seriously, they were all completely silly. Except maybe one. Now this wouldn't be so bad, except 1. the book was not sold as a comedy, and therefore was rather harsh to just discover, and 2. with the weak world it just sucked all other life from it, because it removed the last shred of seriousness the book might have had.
Speaking of things the book was sold as, Non Magic was pretty much at the top of the list (which makes sense, since there was nothing else to sell the book on) and it opens with... a witch over her cauldron talking about a curse? O.o Umm, seriously? First of all, you make a big deal about it never being magical, and then you OPEN it with a WITCH and a CURSE. I won't get into the whole no-magic thing, because I don't mind magic in my novels. But if you believe no-magic, isn't a witch worse?
So, if all of this is wrong, there at least has to be a good plot to tie this together, right? Wrong! There is no plot. There's a flimsy sub plot that is pretending to be a plot. It's basically they're all running around trying to find each other... There's no arc to justify it as a series. Which leads to annoying thing number.... 22?
Ending the book on a cliffhanger. First of all, there really isn't a climax. There's the story just moving along slowly, and then bang! Something kinda interesting (but not really deserving of the name climax) happens and book ends. This is a book, not a TV show. Give us something worthwhile to want us to get the second book, not twist our arm to do so (though you kinda have to to get us to, so I can't blame you). I don't mind a bit of one, but some resolution please. (I forgot, there was nothing to resolve. Pardon me)
And last, but not least, the classic issue of "Let's quote huge chunks of Scripture as conversation". My main issue with this, and I didn't check yet so I might be mistaken, but they were quoting parts of the Bible that weren't written yet.
Anyway, I'll read the next, because they already happen to be on my shelf. (A gift. And I kinda stretched the truth and told that person they were fine but with issues. But I digress) But the quality of writing, plot, and story is not worth much to anyone looking for enjoyment. I am probably making it sound much worse than it actually is, as rants have a tendancy to do so, and I could see where some might like it, but alas, tis not much here to like for me.
*CHRISTIAN FICTION BONUS ROUND*
One unbeliever already saved
One unbeliever set up to be saved soon
First, it's set in a post flood world. Cool, right? I mean, it's something different (to me at least) and could have been turned into an epic, life giving setting. Instead, it was never developed - at all - and in the end was really just another fantasy world, and a rather flat one anyway. World building is important people!
The characters were all a joke. Like, seriously, they were all completely silly. Except maybe one. Now this wouldn't be so bad, except 1. the book was not sold as a comedy, and therefore was rather harsh to just discover, and 2. with the weak world it just sucked all other life from it, because it removed the last shred of seriousness the book might have had.
Speaking of things the book was sold as, Non Magic was pretty much at the top of the list (which makes sense, since there was nothing else to sell the book on) and it opens with... a witch over her cauldron talking about a curse? O.o Umm, seriously? First of all, you make a big deal about it never being magical, and then you OPEN it with a WITCH and a CURSE. I won't get into the whole no-magic thing, because I don't mind magic in my novels. But if you believe no-magic, isn't a witch worse?
So, if all of this is wrong, there at least has to be a good plot to tie this together, right? Wrong! There is no plot. There's a flimsy sub plot that is pretending to be a plot. It's basically they're all running around trying to find each other... There's no arc to justify it as a series. Which leads to annoying thing number.... 22?
Ending the book on a cliffhanger. First of all, there really isn't a climax. There's the story just moving along slowly, and then bang! Something kinda interesting (but not really deserving of the name climax) happens and book ends. This is a book, not a TV show. Give us something worthwhile to want us to get the second book, not twist our arm to do so (though you kinda have to to get us to, so I can't blame you). I don't mind a bit of one, but some resolution please. (I forgot, there was nothing to resolve. Pardon me)
And last, but not least, the classic issue of "Let's quote huge chunks of Scripture as conversation". My main issue with this, and I didn't check yet so I might be mistaken, but they were quoting parts of the Bible that weren't written yet.
Anyway, I'll read the next, because they already happen to be on my shelf. (A gift. And I kinda stretched the truth and told that person they were fine but with issues. But I digress) But the quality of writing, plot, and story is not worth much to anyone looking for enjoyment. I am probably making it sound much worse than it actually is, as rants have a tendancy to do so, and I could see where some might like it, but alas, tis not much here to like for me.
*CHRISTIAN FICTION BONUS ROUND*
One unbeliever already saved
One unbeliever set up to be saved soon
August 27, 2012
Foundlings, book one of Matthew Christian Harding’s Peleg Chronicles is set some time in the post-Flood world in a story that pits the followers of the God of Noah against the Cult of the Dragon.
Harding’s writing reminds me of Beowulf, Tolkein or [to a lesser degree] Hickman and Weis’ secular Dragonlance Chronicles. The back cover promises that there will be no magic, no humanism and no evolution in this fantasy adventure and Harding keeps those promises without sacrificing a good story. He peppers his character’s speech with allusions to the Book of Job and the Psalms and heroic rhetoric praising the God of Noah and the merits of honor and battle. The allusions to Beowulf are quite on purpose; Harding’s book explores the possibility that Beowulf’s exploits reflect actual historical events in a post-Flood world still plagued by dinosaurs, reptilian sea monsters, and lyftfloga [flying pterosaurs]. The characters face numerous foes, both human and otherwise, relying on God’s strength and provenance.
The characters of Foundlings are probably its strongest attribute. The Quixotic Lord McDougal the Friendly, the Just, the Dead; his loyal but emotionally constipated shield-bearer Fergus Leatherhead; the dwarf Gimcrack; the giant Oded the Bear; the intrepid young Ranger Thiery; the brave Susie and her bear Griz; Igi Forkbeard; and all the rest are well-sketched and draw you into the tale very quickly.
Readers should keep in mind that Foundlings is something of an introductory adventure in the spirit of The Fellowship of the Ring. In fact, my only complaint is that the story follows two strong protagonists whose storylines intermingle but never quite meet. I would’ve preferred a stronger antagonist as well. Perhaps in the next book…
I recommend Foundlings especially for young boys and teen readers with a taste for adventure. I look forward to reading book 2 of the series.
You can find out more about the Peleg Chronicles at http://MatthewChristianHarding.com.
-Rev Tony Breeden
From the Bookwyrm’s Lair
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Harding’s writing reminds me of Beowulf, Tolkein or [to a lesser degree] Hickman and Weis’ secular Dragonlance Chronicles. The back cover promises that there will be no magic, no humanism and no evolution in this fantasy adventure and Harding keeps those promises without sacrificing a good story. He peppers his character’s speech with allusions to the Book of Job and the Psalms and heroic rhetoric praising the God of Noah and the merits of honor and battle. The allusions to Beowulf are quite on purpose; Harding’s book explores the possibility that Beowulf’s exploits reflect actual historical events in a post-Flood world still plagued by dinosaurs, reptilian sea monsters, and lyftfloga [flying pterosaurs]. The characters face numerous foes, both human and otherwise, relying on God’s strength and provenance.
The characters of Foundlings are probably its strongest attribute. The Quixotic Lord McDougal the Friendly, the Just, the Dead; his loyal but emotionally constipated shield-bearer Fergus Leatherhead; the dwarf Gimcrack; the giant Oded the Bear; the intrepid young Ranger Thiery; the brave Susie and her bear Griz; Igi Forkbeard; and all the rest are well-sketched and draw you into the tale very quickly.
Readers should keep in mind that Foundlings is something of an introductory adventure in the spirit of The Fellowship of the Ring. In fact, my only complaint is that the story follows two strong protagonists whose storylines intermingle but never quite meet. I would’ve preferred a stronger antagonist as well. Perhaps in the next book…
I recommend Foundlings especially for young boys and teen readers with a taste for adventure. I look forward to reading book 2 of the series.
You can find out more about the Peleg Chronicles at http://MatthewChristianHarding.com.
-Rev Tony Breeden
From the Bookwyrm’s Lair
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
September 14, 2012
The Peleg Chronicles
Matthew Christian Harding can tell a gripping tale. This trilogy imagines life on earth after the flood and before Abraham, when real giants and dragons roamed the earth (see Genesis 6:4; Joshua 13:12; Isaiah 27:1; Job 41). He portrays well the antithesis, the intense spiritual and physical battle between the sons of light and the sons of the serpent. There are evil men, followers of the dragon, who persecute followers of Noah’s God. The latter must encourage each other with God’s Words and fight together to save the princess and survive. Orphans discover their real identity. Dragon priests seek to kill and destroy, and they hold great sway over the king. Graveyards, live burials and human sacrifice are involved, but no gratuitous gruesomeness is depicted. Intense for very young ones, but generally if you can read at this level you can handle it. I wouldn’t recommend reading out loud to your 3-5 year old, but it’s perfect for 9-12 year old boys. Girls, too, but… well, it isn’t Jane Austen. Excellent pacing, plot and character development. He holds forth forgiveness and redemption by God's mercy, even after heinous sins.
Harding is keen to show the power of the Word of God to encourage, and so he liberally suffuses the trilogy with Scripture not actually written until later. A bit strange, but suspension of disbelief (ironically!) goes a long way. This shows well how the godly are to meditate on, find strength in, and have the Word much on our lips in our speech with others. Also, he has a strong polemic against magic. The bad guys use it, try it, and entice the good guys with it, but the sons of light must resist it. This is perfectly appropriate and good in a book reimagining the real world of Genesis 10-11.
Though self-published these books deserve more attention from readers. Word to the wise: get all three, because they are one story together, with cliffhangers at the end of the first two. See for yourself, here – www.MatthewChristianHarding.com
Matthew Christian Harding can tell a gripping tale. This trilogy imagines life on earth after the flood and before Abraham, when real giants and dragons roamed the earth (see Genesis 6:4; Joshua 13:12; Isaiah 27:1; Job 41). He portrays well the antithesis, the intense spiritual and physical battle between the sons of light and the sons of the serpent. There are evil men, followers of the dragon, who persecute followers of Noah’s God. The latter must encourage each other with God’s Words and fight together to save the princess and survive. Orphans discover their real identity. Dragon priests seek to kill and destroy, and they hold great sway over the king. Graveyards, live burials and human sacrifice are involved, but no gratuitous gruesomeness is depicted. Intense for very young ones, but generally if you can read at this level you can handle it. I wouldn’t recommend reading out loud to your 3-5 year old, but it’s perfect for 9-12 year old boys. Girls, too, but… well, it isn’t Jane Austen. Excellent pacing, plot and character development. He holds forth forgiveness and redemption by God's mercy, even after heinous sins.
Harding is keen to show the power of the Word of God to encourage, and so he liberally suffuses the trilogy with Scripture not actually written until later. A bit strange, but suspension of disbelief (ironically!) goes a long way. This shows well how the godly are to meditate on, find strength in, and have the Word much on our lips in our speech with others. Also, he has a strong polemic against magic. The bad guys use it, try it, and entice the good guys with it, but the sons of light must resist it. This is perfectly appropriate and good in a book reimagining the real world of Genesis 10-11.
Though self-published these books deserve more attention from readers. Word to the wise: get all three, because they are one story together, with cliffhangers at the end of the first two. See for yourself, here – www.MatthewChristianHarding.com
November 30, 2017
Lord Of The Rings Meets The Bible - that was my first impression as I read through this great book for middle grade readers!
This is, first of all, a Christian book! Characters often stir themselves up with scripture from the Bible or hymns that praise God. They run into obvious challenges and violence, but there's no language, no bad situations and the characters are a lot of fun!
The story takes place some time after the fall of Babylon, when men were dispersed across the planet. It follows a number of interesting characters but all of them are tied together by Lord McDougal, an unlikely hero. McDougal is a lanky, unpolished and sometimes clumsy Lord (that means he's upperclass.) He has recently been cursed by a witch, so he has lost most of his life's possessions. Plus everyone, except McDougal's trusty servant Fergus, have either left him or died. But McDougal keeps trooping along, serving God and his fellow man as he sees fit.
Adventure stirs up immediately as our character fights giants, dragons, priests that serve other gods and more! McDougal has the uncanny ability to stir up trouble because he takes his duty (as Lord, judge and servant of God) very seriously. A team of adventurers is built by the end of this book including the dwarf Gimcrack, Igi Forkbeard, and Oded the Bear.
You and your kids will still love this story.
I have a more in depth review on my blog at http://creationtales.com/blog/155-boo...
This is, first of all, a Christian book! Characters often stir themselves up with scripture from the Bible or hymns that praise God. They run into obvious challenges and violence, but there's no language, no bad situations and the characters are a lot of fun!
The story takes place some time after the fall of Babylon, when men were dispersed across the planet. It follows a number of interesting characters but all of them are tied together by Lord McDougal, an unlikely hero. McDougal is a lanky, unpolished and sometimes clumsy Lord (that means he's upperclass.) He has recently been cursed by a witch, so he has lost most of his life's possessions. Plus everyone, except McDougal's trusty servant Fergus, have either left him or died. But McDougal keeps trooping along, serving God and his fellow man as he sees fit.
Adventure stirs up immediately as our character fights giants, dragons, priests that serve other gods and more! McDougal has the uncanny ability to stir up trouble because he takes his duty (as Lord, judge and servant of God) very seriously. A team of adventurers is built by the end of this book including the dwarf Gimcrack, Igi Forkbeard, and Oded the Bear.
You and your kids will still love this story.
I have a more in depth review on my blog at http://creationtales.com/blog/155-boo...
September 19, 2013
Touting no magic, evolution or humanism, Harding’s books are a vivid adventure fantasy that will delight readers of all ages. As I was reading, I was transported to this world as surely as I was Narnia or Helm’s Deep. I loved this book. One of my favorite parts of Harding’s writing was the way that he included scripture. It’s always felt like a misstep to me when an author has a character suddenly spouting scripture as if that’s the way we all speak in every day language. But Harding’s characters deftly weave wisdom and knowledge from the Word of God into their every day language without it feeling forced or taking the reader out of the story. In fact, the way that he crafts the tale and the dialogue, it gives the reader a strong connection to the characters that helps draw you deeper into the story.
It’s nearly impossible to explain how very much I loved this story. The characters were a delight. The plot twisted and turned in ways that caught me off guard, but left me completely entertained. I enjoyed everything about the way that Matthew Christian Harding crafted this story and I can’t wait to finish the rest of the series. I cannot more highly recommend this book to anyone – of any age. Parents, this is a perfect book to read with your children. And if you have a teenager who enjoys fantasy? Perfect!
Don’t miss this one. It’s a treasure you’ll be glad you found!
Review copy provided by the author. Thank you!
It’s nearly impossible to explain how very much I loved this story. The characters were a delight. The plot twisted and turned in ways that caught me off guard, but left me completely entertained. I enjoyed everything about the way that Matthew Christian Harding crafted this story and I can’t wait to finish the rest of the series. I cannot more highly recommend this book to anyone – of any age. Parents, this is a perfect book to read with your children. And if you have a teenager who enjoys fantasy? Perfect!
Don’t miss this one. It’s a treasure you’ll be glad you found!
Review copy provided by the author. Thank you!
April 13, 2016
A unrealistic waste of paper passing itself off as good writing.
A pre-flood world without any magic (except that the evil characters totally have magic), in which one dimensional "characters" shuffle around in something that resembles a Fantasy written by Jack Chick after an all night drinking binge.
The main character is a unlikable prick who shuffles around as "the chosen one", meaning he's a pious irritable prick (did I mention he was a prick?) who harasses people about God and quotes huge chunks of Scripture in an attempt to overload the reader.
Seriously, we see at one point a troop of soldiers, our lead runs out and spazzes out at them for being sinners (because as every protestant knows, yelling at people that they're broken is totally going to make them convert), there is appropriately a natural disaster, and the lone survivor is not allowed into our lead's cave until he's willing to talk more about God.
^This. There is just so much wrong about this. Theologically, morally, and literary. And I've not even touched the dinosaurs/dragons (because Young Earthers , you know?)
I probably sound really mean, but this sort of thing does damage to the body of Christ.
Oh, and it's badly written and it's a trilogy.
A pre-flood world without any magic (except that the evil characters totally have magic), in which one dimensional "characters" shuffle around in something that resembles a Fantasy written by Jack Chick after an all night drinking binge.
The main character is a unlikable prick who shuffles around as "the chosen one", meaning he's a pious irritable prick (did I mention he was a prick?) who harasses people about God and quotes huge chunks of Scripture in an attempt to overload the reader.
Seriously, we see at one point a troop of soldiers, our lead runs out and spazzes out at them for being sinners (because as every protestant knows, yelling at people that they're broken is totally going to make them convert), there is appropriately a natural disaster, and the lone survivor is not allowed into our lead's cave until he's willing to talk more about God.
^This. There is just so much wrong about this. Theologically, morally, and literary. And I've not even touched the dinosaurs/dragons (because Young Earthers , you know?)
I probably sound really mean, but this sort of thing does damage to the body of Christ.
Oh, and it's badly written and it's a trilogy.
August 8, 2013
I picked this book up for several reasons, but most importantly because as a Christian author myself I like to read how other Christian authors write so that I can improve upon my own works. The author of Foundlings has created an interesting fantasy world, with the heroes facing danger with the bravery of one who believes in the one true God. It was a bit difficult at first following along as several characters and stories are introduced and woven together, but it is worth it to see how they all work together by the end of the first book. The writing style and descriptions of the characters were well developed and godly principles are given throughout the book making it a great read for children. My only criticisms have to do with the context of the book, where several names don't fit the cultural placement of the story and direct quotes from the Bible that would not have been written yet, both of which took me out of the story several times. I don't think either would greatly upset a child reading the stories, but as an adult it did feel strange. Overall, this would be a great read for young fans of fantasy stories.
December 13, 2013
This was an excellent book. It surpassed my expectations for a small, Christian book. The author fills the book with Christian imagery. The men quote the Bible on a regular basis, especially the Psalms, even though they not been written yet. But most of all it was a great story, filled with humor, danger, and heroism. The characters are real and the storied kept our attention. We are looking forward to the next two volumes.
There were a couple of things I didn't like. There is an appendix that presents the Gospel. It felt forced and awkward. Second, the book cover declares that it has no magic, which is true to a point. But it has dragons, dwarves, giants, priests chanting things, witches, curses, dangerous swamps, miraculous escapes, giant animals, etc. So there is not magic like Harry Potter. But the book still contains most of the elements of fantasy that readers of Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings enjoy. In other words, it is not as far away from magic as the authors would like us to believe.
There were a couple of things I didn't like. There is an appendix that presents the Gospel. It felt forced and awkward. Second, the book cover declares that it has no magic, which is true to a point. But it has dragons, dwarves, giants, priests chanting things, witches, curses, dangerous swamps, miraculous escapes, giant animals, etc. So there is not magic like Harry Potter. But the book still contains most of the elements of fantasy that readers of Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings enjoy. In other words, it is not as far away from magic as the authors would like us to believe.
January 17, 2013
I really enjoyed this book and wished I'd discovered it sooner. I somehow missed in the reviews I'd read before I started reading that it is a Christian fantasy novel and was rather surprised by the strong message and amount of scripture woven into this story from beginning to end. You can get a real feel for how the author perceives a Christan should live by the way each follower of the God of Noah lives in this book. He has a strong conviction and he's getting his message out in an unusual media. The characters are fun and the world thrilling. I look forward to the rest of the story in books 2 and 3. I think that even non believers can really enjoy the story as I did, although you may skip over some of the scriptures if you're not interested in the religious message. It's an easy read for an adult and I agree with others that it should appeal to children probably 10 and up as well.
It gets 3 instead of 4 stars only because I think the audience it will appeal to is limited.
It gets 3 instead of 4 stars only because I think the audience it will appeal to is limited.
March 9, 2013
This is an exciting adventure with delightful characters.
This is the first book of the Peleg Chronicles. It's set at an unspecified date during the biblical days of Peleg -- sometime after Noah's flood, the tower of Babel and the dispersion. The author blends a thriving feudal society complete with knights, counts, and princesses with the dragons (think dinosaurs), giants, and a cave-dwelling group of men called dwarves with the ongoing attempts of darkness to smother the light. It's much like a biblical fiction meets Tolkien, with no magic, evolution, or humanism thrown into the mix.
One warning: Be sure to have the next book available before you finish the first.
This is the first book of the Peleg Chronicles. It's set at an unspecified date during the biblical days of Peleg -- sometime after Noah's flood, the tower of Babel and the dispersion. The author blends a thriving feudal society complete with knights, counts, and princesses with the dragons (think dinosaurs), giants, and a cave-dwelling group of men called dwarves with the ongoing attempts of darkness to smother the light. It's much like a biblical fiction meets Tolkien, with no magic, evolution, or humanism thrown into the mix.
One warning: Be sure to have the next book available before you finish the first.
February 24, 2013
This was a captivating book. Very God centered with endless adventure and even made me think on a deeper personal level on occasion. I did feel like the spirituality took precedence over a realistic plot at times. I think its intended for younger audience (upper middle school?), but a parent needs to know that while the one true God (the God of Noah) is the focus and the ultimate hero, the occult is very alive and real in this book. If you are not ready to talk to your kids about real evil you may want to wait on this one.
February 25, 2011
Oh my gosh!! This book was amazing!! Written very well, and ends with you sitting on the edge of your seat. It is a wonderrful solution to all the books that contain magic and humanism, and are loaded with evolution. It is a breath of fresh air! Love it, love it, love it!! If you are looking for a book that is "different", this is the one!! (And then you'll have to read the second one of course!!)
June 3, 2014
overall decent book. strong biblical references throughout the story. i found myself "lost" several times in the plot, asking questions like "what just happened?". i think it was intentional in order to keep reader in suspense and engaged. its a quick read, story moves along at a good pace. good development of characters, some with endearing quirks, and a very likable cast. good choice for older children, teens, and adults. i look forward to reading the next books in series.
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