Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest

Gr 4—7—With the help of a kind benefactor, young Rowan rises from stable boy to champion tournament knight, gaining fame, fortune, and the admiration of many. But when he is attacked by marauders, held for ransom, and then left for dead, he realizes that there are much more serious battles to fight. With the help of a virtuous woman, Rowan sets out to reclaim the land of Cameria from the Dark Knight and begins doing battle with his own demon—pride. Along the way, Rowan joins forces with Sir Lijah, a mighty warrior who has been seeking Rowan with mysterious messages about his future as well as his past. The story allegorically teaches trust in God and resisting the ways of the world, as well as values such as loyalty, compassion, and humility. Andy Turvey and Dawn Marshall expressively narrate Chuck Black's novel (Multnomah Books, 2010). Moody, ponderous piano music meshes perfectly with each scene. Sound effects such as the cheers of the crowd and the clash of the sword enhance the listening experience. Young Christian listeners will not only enjoy the action, romance, and swordplay, they will delight in pointing out the parallels and similarities to New Testament Bible stories. Purchase for Christian school libraries or where there are large populations of Christian borrowers.—Lisa Hubler, Memorial Junior High School, South Euclid, OH