Mar 14, 2009

A Book Review

The Forgotten Warrior
Written by: Kathi Oram Peterson

Review by: Christine Bryant

After reading the first few chapters of The Forgotten Warrior, I found several little things that drew me away from the story. The constant comparisons to things like Krispy Kreme Donuts, Disney cartoons and Scrooge, actually pulled me out of what I thought was a good story and sent me trying to visualize those things in my mind to find the comparison. I felt it was distracting. However, after finding Syd in the Book of Mormon times and watching her character change, I realized that those analogies were necessary to show the reader how she’d gone from a typical young girl, still someone child like, to a mature woman. The child like references were replaced with real life dangers and challenges that helped Syd grow into a warrior woman, pretending to be a boy. How creative is that?

I was completely captivated by the strong characters and heavily researched detail from the Book of Mormon. I found myself standing beside Syd, like her trusted pet, Ximon, watching the entire story unfold. The author’s attention to describing the details was a refreshing change from some of the books I’ve read that seem to strip that element from their pages, leaving the readers to fend for themselves.

I also have to admit that, before finishing this book, I read several reviewers’ comments that gave a negative statement about the ending. This did little to encourage me to finish the book, but because of the compelling story and my commitment to give an honest review, I read on. Surprising to say, I have to be the odd man out, or woman I guess I should say. I actually liked the ending. True, it could have satisfied my curiosity a little more by telling me what had happened to everyone in the story, but isn’t that why this book offers a sequel? I think everyone expected this book to stand on its own, like that in a series where each book, although sharing familiar characters, tells its own individual story with a beginning, middle and end. This is not meant to be like that. It is a continuing saga and I can’t wait to read the next one.

It is my opinion that Kathi Oram Peterson is a phenomenal writer and I can’t wait to see her writing career blossom. She can count me as one of her biggest fans.

For more information about The Forgotten Warrior visit Kathi's website at: http://www.kathiswritingnook.com/

To Purchase this book click here.

1 comment:

  1. Christine, thank you for reading and reviewing my book. I appreciate your wonderful insight on Syd's character and how she grows through her journey with the stripling warriors. And also, thank you very much for your comments about the ending. :)

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