The Door in the Dragon's Throat

A friend of mine described this book as "what if Indiana Jones had kids". Sold!

This is Peretti in writing, tone, and subject matter through and through. There's a good story here although the conversations are a little stilted in a "Christianese" way. But, boy, does this book move quick! There's almost no time wasted in atmosphere building or any kind of fat. You get an exposition dump right at the beginning in both plot and characters and you're off and running - almost literally.

The best part of this story is the characters' focus. What's interesting is that in a modern story the kids would be a central character and the parent would be off somewhere or knocked out or need rescuing. What's good about this is that you have the father show more as almost the main character and he introduces us to his two children who we do get to follow. The children aren't annoying or bickering characters nor are they naive, sheltered kids who always do the right thing and covered in so much sugar that it's gross. They take part in the action and problem-solving to a high degree of competence alongside their father.

With the fast-moving plot comes some hiccups in getting across what's fully happening or missing out in explanations. Where the team is in the main of the story is a spot where no one has ever returned - but we don't really know specifics of what happened since no one has breached the door. Nor did I have a full understanding of the shaking ground or what mind's eye of the space looked like. For an 80's YA book maybe this was to be expected but it could have utilized a half dozen pages in helping convey those things.

Peretti hasn't always been the best at realistic dialogue and some of that is here. However, it isn't so cheesy that it takes you out of the story or makes you roll your eyes at the characters. The ending is great and in Peretti's wheelhouse of "of course that's what it is" style. And that was fun to read again from him.

Overall, a fun little YA novel that I'll check out the next in the series. Final Grade - B show less

I expected more of a straight adventure with a Christian message. Instead, it had quite the supernatural element to it, but I don't want to say more and spoil anything. I should not have been surprised by how the story turned out, given the kind of books the author is most known for. It wasn't bad, but it was surprising. I'm curious to see how if the rest of the series is similar in that regard.

One thing that I think was strange about the book is that the dad is really the focal point, at least in the first half of the book. I expected the kids to be doing their own investigating and discovering, but that didn't happen for most of the story.

I've read others say that this is not their favorite book in the series, so I'll be interested to show more see how the others are. show less

When teenagers Jay and Lila Cooper and their archaeologist father travel to Nepur, an uninviting land of deserts and danger, they must search to uncover the truth behind an ancient legend. Locals claim that inside a dark cavern called the Dragon’s Throat is a forbidden Door that brings certain death to anyone who tries to open it.

Armed with the knowledge that God is more powerful than any legend or curse, Jay and Lila plunge down into the Dragon’s Throat, determined to find out what awaits them on the other side of the Door. This daring tale will have you on the edge of your seat.

The Cooper Kid Series by Peretti is essentially a Christian Indiana Jones series for elementary kids. And it's marvelous! A bit dated (they were written in the 80s), but still worth reading. In particular, if you have boys who hate reading, this is a good start. They stories are fast-paced, with lots of action and plot twists and imminent danger and daring deeds of courage! I recommend for anyone, but in particular Christian parents who are looking for good books for their children.

Well-written, but dark. Too scary for the target audience of 10-12, in my opinion.

I was intrigued with the Biblical archeology when I first read this book years ago. Upon rereading it, I didn't find it as fascinating as I did that first time through. I am passing this series on to my nephew and hope he likes the adventure in them.

My recollection of this book (and its entire series) is indistinct, but positive. In my memory the stories they tell are a cheesier version of Indiana Jones which include a large family of varied children.