Coming Soon: Wings of Revelation!

In the past couple of months, I have received countless messages and emails, all asking one question: when will Aragnar 3 be released? Thankfully, the answer is a good one: very soon! Editing took a little longer this go around, but my editor just finished up her last tweaks, and now all it needs is formatting to make it pretty! Even though I don't have an exact date yet, I'll be sure to let you all know as soon as I do! 

Naturally, this release it but one of the many plates I am spinning. My graduation is rapidly approaching (cue the Jaws music), and I'm quite immersed in the arduous process of writing book 4, Wings of Redemption. Why arduous, you might as? Well...you see, the fourth book is by far the most important, and not just because it is the last installation in the Aragnar series. It also will be the largest book in the series, chock-full of important things that will be even more important when I release my next book (now, cue evil laughter). I already have been having so much fun with it, and I can't wait to share the finale of this crazy story with you all! 

In the meantime, be prepared for book 3 and enjoy the beautiful cover art! Here is the official synopsis!

"For many decades, stories of betrayal, darkness, and blood have surrounded the mysterious land of Aragnar. Now, on the run and in desperate need of refuge, the Aragnarian people are scattered throughout their country, quickly losing their hope for a better future. When a young woman is forced to make the most difficult choices of her life, the consequences will affect her destiny, as well as the outcome of the looming war. 

The mighty Aragnarian kingdom Arinum has fallen, razed to the ground in dragon fire, and the whole world will shudder in its wake. A terrible conspiracy unfolds, and Aleron slowly begins to uncover how deep Lucius's grip on his country runs...at great cost. In Maria’s desperation to rescue him, she must make a choice…would she be willing to forever alter the fates of many to save the man she loves?"

I truly look forward to sharing this story with you all!

Far Side of the Sea: A Gem for any Historical Fiction Lover's Library

I recently was given the wonderful opportunity to read Kate Breslin's newest historical fiction, "Far Side of the Sea" before it was released yesterday. This book was so incredibly good, I had to write a shining review for it and share it with you all!  

"Far Side of the Sea" was a true triumph of a read, and has once again proven author Kate Breslin's skill at penning a story well worth reading. 

Set in WWI like her previous two novels, "Far Side of the Sea" follows the story of Lieutenant Colin Mabry, who happens to be the brother of Grace Mabry, the main character of "Not By Sight". I truly appreciated that she linked both books together, and seeing familiar faces in "Far Side of the Sea" felt as if I were reuniting with old friends. This novel follows the story of Colin as he struggles to adjust to life after receiving a major injury on the front. His relatively safe, predictable post is turned upside down when he receives a message by carrier pigeon...a message written by a young woman he had loved, Jewel Reyer, whom he had thought dead. 

The truth, however, is far more complicated, as Colin flies to war-ridden France only to discover that the note wasn't written by Jewel, but by her half-sister, Johanna. Initially distrustful of the young woman's motives, Colin soon learns that it is believed Jewel is indeed alive...but in the hands of a German agent. Determined to fulfill a promise of love he had made to Jewel, he sets out with Johanna to find her, despite the risks involved. As Colin and Johanna learn to trust each other to survive, not only to they begin to grow fond of one other, but the stakes are raised to an incredibly costly price. With the risk of enemy spies around every corner, every action they make is a potentially life-threatening one. As they draw closer to the truth, which is far more complex then either of them realized, they also grow closer together. 

"Far Side of the Sea" was a truly wonderful read, one that I couldn't put down. It was the perfect blend of suspense and romance, tastefully filled with Christian themes that never were overpowering or cliche. I loved getting to know Colin and Johanna, they were wonderfully fleshed-out characters who were very relatable and understandable. The fact that this story was set against the backdrop of WWI was very interesting, considering that there aren't many historical fiction books focusing on this incredibly interesting time period. Her stories always have been so immersive, and this book is no different. I have enjoyed every single book that Breslin has released, and second to For Such a Time, "Far Side of the Sea" certainly must be my next favorite! 

How to Train Your Dragon 3: An Emotional Climax to an Epic Trilogy

In a world of remakes and underwhelming films, every once and a while, a movie breaks from that stereotype and rises to the occasion, truly setting it apart. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World did just that, and more, in the latest and final installation of the series.

Ever since the first How to Train Your Dragon movie hit theaters in 2010, I have truly loved the storytelling, complex world, and beautiful animation of these films. Ever a lover of a good, well-written fantasy, how could I not? The endearing story of a forbidden friendship forged in adversity truly warmed my heart. The second movie only continued to carry the mantle of the first, and so, with the knowledge that the third was indeed the final chapter in a film trilogy, I knew that it was most likely going to be very good, a little emotional, and well worth the cost to see it in theaters.

The Hidden world not only met those expectations, but exceeded them. Loaded with jaw-dropping animation that definitely took it up a notch from the last film, an emotionally gut-punching score, and a story of growth and life, the film truly was a treasure trove of topics to explore.

Hiccup is a character who I have truly loved, and seeing his growth over the span of three movies was truly special. I believe a lot of people my age can relate to his hesitation to embrace the unknown, and even his immediate denial of the changes rapidly coming his way. These hesitations  are what directs many of his actions in the first half of this film, and bring about consequences that only make things harder for him, as well as every human and dragon who call Berk home.

The following events provide very clear hints of the greater problem at stake: Hiccup's belief that without Toothless, he is nothing, and his inability to let the dragon go. He clings to the belief that the vikings and dragons are meant to live harmoniously no matter what danger their lifestyle attracts, and that letting them go is not even an option. His desperation to hold fast to this belief is obvious, as he suggests wild concepts to keep them all together. However, this isn't just about dragons, not even about toothless. Hiccup truly doubts his ability to lead, and is often seen running away from his more 'boring' responsibilities to be with his dragon. This obviously has caused a rift between him and the others, the most obvious being between him and his love interest, Astrid. Even though she loves him, she is hesitant to marry him when he's so set in his ways. 

We all can tend to avoid the things that scare us, even if it estranges us from those who truly care. And life Hiccup soon experiences, life has a way of pushing us into change, whether we like it or not. When Toothless encounters a female of his species, a natural distance begins to grow between dragon and rider. Even though Hiccup fights it at first, hopelessly believing that the wild, untamed "light fury" will somehow be content with the others in their human/dragon utopia, he soon comes to realize that nature is indeed taking its course, and he must stop fighting against it. 

Ultimately, the things we love the most are the things that we must one day let go. This truth was beautifully illustrated in a touching flashback, reinforcing that love, even though it hurts, is worth embracing. Hiccup learns this through a series of harrowing encounters, battles, and near-death experiences. As long as the dragons remain with the vikings, they will always be in danger from villains like Grimmel, who was responsible for killing off the rest of Toothless's kind. It is then that Hiccup sees the truth; if he truly loves his friend, he has to be willing to say goodbye.

There is something to be said here about friendships. Life has a way of changing relationships, and as we grow, there are times that we must part ways with people, things, places, or even parts of ourselves. However, that doesn't mean that it is permanent or bad...goodbyes don't always last forever. True friendships never die, and from a Christian perspective, we know that goodbyes, however permanent they seem (such as death) aren't final. Whether in this life or eternity, we know that friendships formed by God, trials, and years of closeness aren't broken, even if life causes natural separation for a time.  

The Hidden World truly was a wonderful yet tearful finale to a trilogy that proved that good storytelling still exists, even in Hollywood. Hopefully we will see more original content like this one in the future, because even though I am glad that they ended the series on a glorious note, I wasn't ready to see it end. But that's how all the best stories are, and how they should continue to be.