Archives
This book was so interesting, I didn't even mind reading it again for the purpose of this blog. Plus, in reading again from the beginning I caught foreshadowings of what was to come that I didn't see before.
I thought this book landed somewhere between a Wise rating and Use Discernment, but after examining my notes I am giving it the better Wise rating, I'll explain in my review.
I thought this book landed somewhere between a Wise rating and Use Discernment, but after examining my notes I am giving it the better Wise rating, I'll explain in my review.
This is the first book in a series of what is so far four books. I'll review all of them to make sure that the series doesn't slip into a less than Wise rating.
Let me make a suggestion: There is a movie out based on this book. As with most movies-based-on-books, the book is better. The movie takes some really big creative license, so, if you must see the movie-- read the book first.
The City of Ember
by Jeanne DuPrau
The City of Ember
by Jeanne DuPrau
Age 9-12
270 pages
Library of congress summary: In the year 241, 12-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a messenger, to run to new places in her beloved but decaying city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions.
FOUL LANGUAGE: ZERO occurrences.
SOFT LANGUAGE: ZERO occurrences.
SEXUAL CONTENT: ZERO occurrences.
BLASPHEMIES: ZERO occurrences.
DRUG USE: ZERO occurrences.
REFERENCES TO AND GENERAL ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD: God is not mentioned, but in a couple scenes a character asks Lina several questions which would best be answered with "God". For instance, in the Greenhouse on page 67, Lina's old family friend Clary asks: "Look, something in this seed knows how to make a bean plant. How does it know that?"
Answer: God.
And then, "It knows because it has life in it, but where does life come from?"
Answer: God.
On the next page, she goes on, "They say the Builders made the city. But who made the Builders? Who made us?"
Answer: God.
But these questions just hang, without the characters receiving an answer, for the remainder of the book.
I will say, I'm not sure if this was the author's intent or not, but, at the end of the book it's obvious that nature- as God designed it- is vastly superior to what man could come up with.
Can I get an Amen?
Answer: God.
And then, "It knows because it has life in it, but where does life come from?"
Answer: God.
On the next page, she goes on, "They say the Builders made the city. But who made the Builders? Who made us?"
Answer: God.
But these questions just hang, without the characters receiving an answer, for the remainder of the book.
I will say, I'm not sure if this was the author's intent or not, but, at the end of the book it's obvious that nature- as God designed it- is vastly superior to what man could come up with.
Can I get an Amen?
http://www.logodesignengine.com">FREE Logo Generator!
Create Free Logos with our logo generator
Create Free Logos with our logo generator
Click to view this book on Amazon.com
I think the idea for this first book in the series is very clever: Brother and sister go to Grandparents' estate to find out that they are the caretakers at a preserve for mythical creatures. Magic and danger ensue-- much of it tied to whether the kids obey instructions or not. The struggle to protect family, Fablehaven and perhaps even the world begins.
There are, however, a few precautions I want to make to the Bible-believing reader in the References to and General Attitude Toward God section, so I rate this book with Use Discernment.
FABLEHAVEN
by Brandon Mull
Ages 9-12
351 pages
Library of Congress summary: When Kendra and Seth go to stay at their grandparents' estate, they discover that it is a sanctuary for magical creatures and that a battle between good and evil is looming.
THEMES: Magic; Grandparents; Brothers and sisters; obedience
FOUL LANGUAGE: ZERO occurrences!!
SOFT LANGUAGE (heard on cable TV): ZERO occurrences!!
SEXUAL CONTENT: ZERO occurrences!!
BLASPHEMIES: ZERO occurrences!!
DRUG USE: ZERO occurrences!!
REFERENCES TO AND GENERAL ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD: I think young readers can be protected if they know what issues in their book are Biblically wrong, and situations such as these can be a good tool to strengthening their faith if they see the correction in a Biblical light.
For instance, the preserve is said to be "consecrated ground" but God doesn't seem to be especially welcome there so how could it be consecrated ground? "Then [God] said to [Moses], 'Do not come near here; remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.'" (Exodus 3:5)
And there is a shrine to honor the Fairy Queen and that "similar shrines abound on [the] property, and all can be dangerous" (pg. 78). If you take into consideration the danger of kindling God's wrath against those do no homage to the Son (Psalm 2:12), but allow pagan shrines to abound, then yes, I agree, their presence would be very dangerous.
There is a witch on the preserve who is unsavory and not depicted with any glamour when she is bound, but, though still evil, she appears very attractive when she is set free. The Bible tells us something similar: "No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds." (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)
One of the main characters, Kendra, says a silent prayer when they are facing danger, (pg. 286)but the prayer is pointless if it is not directed to the One True God, from the mouth of one who is His own.
"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
The biggest concern I have is when the housekeeper states on page 114: "No mythology or religion that I know of holds all the answers. Most religions are based on truths , but they are also polluted by the philosophies and imaginations of men." That is true of all but one. The one, true Christianity that God has revealed to those who are His through His unchanging, abiding Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)
