I don’t review many children’s novels, but more because I don’t see that many from Christian publishers than anything else. This one, from Dernier, caught my eye in a post on Instagram. I enjoy historical novels and this one is set in post-Roman England, with the sense of place and time very well described.
Rhiannon is free spirited and adventurous, but some of her adventures go wrong – like the time she and her dog Wolf are almost drowned in the river near their home. They’re rescued by a stranger in a brown robe, but before the mystery of who he is can be answered, there’s the terrifying problem of Torsa and his dog Pilot. Torsa is a violent bully who particularly hates Rhiannon’s friend Donan and his little brother Nico.
Prayers to the Roman gods Rhiannon is familiar with aren’t working. Can the mysterious man in the woods – someone from a new tribe called ‘Christians’ – help them? Will the Father God he speaks of rescue them when Torsa’s hatred reaches its peak? And what is the significance of The Dove Stone?
This is an excellent story for pre-teens and confident early readers. There is plenty of pace and intrigue and the characters are clearly defined and distinct and well pitched for children. It addresses issue of faith, friendship, and overcoming fear very well and completely absorbed within the story. It would be a perfect book for a Sunday school story, and there are useful extra resources on the publisher’s website.
My only negative comment is that it finishes slightly abruptly. I would love to read another story about Rhiannon and her friends, and about Ronin, so I hope another is in the offing.
9781912457519, Dernier Publishing, June 2022, £8.99
Note: for transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own.
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