- book 2 of fantasy series based in a world where dreams (bad & good) come to life
- a plague has taken over, making not only people very sick but also things like buildings and ships
- themes include: friendship, good vs. evil, loyalty, faithfulness and squashing fear
- convo: magic, fantasy creatures (bad & good), main character hears the Satan-type character speaking to her, mentions deaths
Type: chapter book
Ages: 11-15
Author: Kathryn Butler
The main allegorical theme of this series installment is, in my opinion, about trials and wondering why the Creator doesn’t send healing and relief. Why did he leave? Why doesn’t he come back? Can’t he heal like he did in the first book? Various characters struggle with questions such as these.
The more intense scenes are usually quite brief with quick climaxes followed by reliefs. Many of these moments felt forced to me, but I don’t know if younger readers would pick up on that. I am not the target audience, of course, but the book as a whole did not keep my attention well.
However, there was one particular part I loved. In chapter 14, a mentor is teaching our main character, Lily, about how to use the gifts their creator (read: Creator) had given her. Lily learns that her abilities will become more powerful and effective for good when, and only when, she stops trusting in herself more than the gift giver. It ultimately is the creator’s words which help her. Allegorically, we must allow Scripture to have complete authority over our lives! In a later chapter, the creator (I’m staying vague in case you haven’t read book 1) reminds Lily that he was never truly gone, that she needed to rely on him, even when she couldn’t see him. He says, “Remember my words and yours will become clear to you.”
Amidst the difficult journey and challenge they have, to rid the world of the Blight, there is a beautiful redemption of a particular character that readers will know from the first book. Things tie up nicely in the end.
A couple of poignant quotes:
“He promised he would come back… Our job is to do what we can for his kingdom, while we await his return.”
“[He] always keeps his promises. In the meantime, my job is to care for the gifts he’s given me and use them for good.”