Judge

"Child of dust, will you be My servant?"

When both Kien Lantec and the prophet Ela Roeh of Parne receive messages from the Infinite, they will each be called to do His will in different ways and in different lands. For Kien Lantec, it is usually through the voice of Ela the Prophet that the Infinite speaks His words to the people, but now, Kien has heard His voice to journey to the land of ToronSea like the biblical prophet Jonah to bear witness and seek to deliver a message to repent and turn from their evil ways. If they refuse, the Infinite will pour forth his wrath upon their land and destroy them. Kien sets out on his journey to the sea and thinks that he will only be gone for six days. But like the prophet Jonah from the Bible, Kien sets out to deliver the Infinite's message in his terms and without His guidance and suddenly finds himself being disciplined and cast over a cliff into the sea. Ela had warned him that he needed to follow the Infinite's commands and somehow he failed. Now faced with being swallowed by a giant sea beast, Kien wonders if Infinite will hear his pleas of repentance and forgive his foolishness.

Ela of Parne has received a devastating vision of her home of Parne. If her people will not turn back from their idol worship of the goddess Atea and return their faith back to the Infinite their kingdom will be overrun by their enemies from other lands and they will all be destroyed. Along with their precious gold, their enemies have discovered various ores that have been mined in Parne and with them the ability to weld weapons that will wreck havoc on all who come against them, allowing them to become the dominant kingdom and rule all other lands. But when Ela heads to her home, she finds she is not welcomed as one who has the favor of the Infinite. They are even now plotting to kill her and refuse to turn their wicked hearts away from the desires of their evil hearts. Will Ela also face the same vision she has had of her own death in Parne or will somehow the Infinite seek to save her like the lost cities of Sodom and Gomorrah of the Old Testament?

I received, Judge by R.J. Larson compliments of Bethany House Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. Having read the first book in the Book of the Infinite Series which became with the story of how Ela became the Prophet, I couldn't wait to see where R.J. Larson would take the series next. Armed with some serious biblical historical facts, the author weaves such a magical story you are completely captivated until the very end. If you love biblical fiction with a bit of fantasy thrown in for some added flavor and excitement, please consider this series. I think my favorite parts of the book deal with the Destroyers, an overly large horse that senses danger in those in protects and can understand their human owners commands. Oh how I would LOVE to see these beasts in picture. That is my only criticism of the books is they lack pictures of how wonderful the world is that R.J. Larson creates but then again, that's what imagination is for. This one rates a stellar 5 out of 5 stars and has me completely looking forward to the next book, King due out soon!

For more information about Judge, R.J. Larson or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Judge by R.J. Larson 

You can also find R. J. Larson on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest books.

To read more outstanding reviews on Judge from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance book tour, please click here. 

Prophet

If the cover alone on this book, does not make you want to pick this one up and begin reading, I don't know what will. Just the premise alone about a young girl being chosen as a prophet immediately draws me in because we would almost expect a prophet to be a male character instead. So for female readers, this is already an exciting beginning.

The synopsis to the book begins with Ela Roch of Parne who doesn't understand why her beloved Creator, the Infinite, wants her to become His prophet. She's undignified, bad tempered, and only seventeen - not to mention that no prophet of Parne has ever been a girl. Worst of all, as the elders often warn, if she agrees to become the Infinite's prophet, Ela knows she will die young.

What would one think when faced with this choice? At seventeen it would appear that wouldn't be a choice most girls would want to face. That's what makes this such a compelling read that automatically draws you in, especially if you are a young adult picking up this book to read. The storyline falls out of character for your traditional roles and that is what becomes the immediate draw for me. I don't like your follow the path of those that have gone before you books, I LOVE something unique and different for me, this book is speak volumes in that direction.

I received Prophet by R. J. Larson compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and couldn't wait to pick this one up and begin reading it. I was not disappointed. From the very first page, this author grabbed me and won't let go. I didn't want to be let go but raced through this book, turning pages as fast as my eyes would let me go. Since this is the first book in the Books of the Infinite series, I will be looking out for number 2, in anxious anticipation.

Geared for the young adult, historical fantasy fans, even adults can find enjoyment in the pages. It's entertaining in the fact it doesn't take the author half to book to define the fantasy world, she is able to articulate it well enough you buy into it all without question. I would rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and look forward to the second book in the series, Judge, which the reader is given a sneak peek at inside the back of this one.

For more information on this book, the author, some incredible extras like what some of the creatures look like along with maps of the lands, and where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Prophet by R. J. Larson

You can also find out more about R. J. Larson on her Facebook page by clicking here.

Here's the first chapter on video for your viewing pleasure!