Ana

A quick and easy read that sparks the imagination. I kind of wish this was a little longer. It seems to be a children's book, but as C. S. Lewis once said, a children's book that can only be enjoyed by children isn't a good children's book in the slightest.

This book didn't captivate me quite as thoroughly as most of the others have, but it was interesting and educational all the same. If you like traveling, and books about traveling, this book should do it. I liked the descriptions of the landscape and scenery, just maybe not quite so much of it. I can't focus on pages and pages of nothing but plant/animal information. All that being said though, because I myself do like traveling and learning, meeting new people and discovering new places and cultures, this book is definitely still worth the read. I think the characters will stay with me.

I'm not entirely sure what I make of this one. Can we say hello, ambiguity? wow. It leaves you hanging, that's for sure. I guess I'm not really giving it 2 stars because I didn't like it, but more because I haven't decided yet how I feel. This book is definitely different from the Tomorrow series by the same author.

This was a hard read. The writing at times is so poetic, yet the subject matter is so horrendous. But I agree with with what Ellie says several different times in the course of this book.
“Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, that turned my life into one long night seven times sealed.
Never shall I forget that smoke.
Never shall I forget the small faces of the children whose bodies I saw transformed into smoke under a silent sky.
Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith forever.
Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence that deprived me for all eternity of the desire to live.
Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to ashes.
Never shall I forget those things, even were I condemned to live as long as God Himself.
Never.”

And neither should we.

I don't know if I agree with everything in the book, but it's a good story nonetheless. And it does offer some good insights. However, after giving it more thought, consideration and research, I'm editing my rating down to 2 stars. There are just too many false teachings in this book for me to really feel comfortable with it. There's just enough truth here to make it dangerous. Parts of it are good indeed, but a lot is either too vague or contrary to what God himself has said in his word.

Update May 2017

Back up to 3 stars. I'm more open minded now than I was when I first read this book, and as a result I think I'm able to better appreciate the beauty here. Mr. Young does have some good things to say, things that many broken hearts need.

That said, along with the words of truth and beauty are words that directly or indirectly contradict scripture.

I can recommend this if you're curious and want to see what all the fuss is about, provided you, 1. remember this is fiction, not a theology book, and 2. keep your discernment hat on tight.