Kingdom's Dawn

I’ve read this book three or four times now. I was first introduced to the story as a pre-teen, and I’ve loved it ever since. I have always been a bit sad that this book has a slow start, because I think that could be a bit off-putting to younger readers (or maybe I’m mistaken, because even though I was a slow reader when I first got the book, I still found it gripping?). I love the way Chuck Black has taken familiar Bible stories and woven them into this clever allegory. Leinad and Tess have always been sweet, relatable characters, and I love how they choose what is right even when it’s hard, and in the process, help other people. A great story, with enough adventure to keep even the more distractible readers entertained. show more Recommended for the 10-13 age range. show less

I made it just passed the beginning of chapter two with this book. Considering all the factors, I think that was a good effort for me. Sadly those few chapters were boring, moralistic, and loaded with long descriptions, which really drag on in an audiobook.
And this brings me to the chief reason I stopped listening so early. The narration was uneven in pace, at times steady, and at others, such as during a sword fight, too fast for my ears. And unfortunately this is more than just an audiobook, this is a dramatisation. And dramatisation equals sound effects. This is probably not an issue for the much younger target audience, but it was highly irritating to me. The clanging and clashing of swords and blacksmithing overwhelmed both my show more ears and the story. I just couldn't take it. show less

I really enjoyed this series! I listened to the audiobooks for the first 3 titles in this series, then bought and read the rest in hard copy form. The audiobooks include not only excellent narrators but also sound effects and music which enhance the tension and action in the books. Each book includes discussion questions (and answers) as well as an author's commentary to explain the symbolism in the stories. The books are not long (about 160-180 pages each; audiobooks are 3-4 hours each). There is a pronunciation guide on the author's website (www.chuckblack.com). Although the author's description says it's for ages 8 and up, I would recommend 12 and up (perhaps for mature 10-year-olds). There is a lot of sword fighting, which can be a show more bit intense at times, though not overly graphic and gory. It almost pushes my limit of tolerance for graphic descriptions, but the value of the story outweighed that for me. I do highly recommend this series for those who can handle the violence. show less

I read this book to my son. He absolutely LOVED it. It comes with discussion questions in the back that we had a lot of fun talking about, too. This series is an allegory of the Bible. It was neat to see my son's eyes lighting up when he would figure out what the event in the book was a representation of from the Bible. There's a lot of sword-fighting and things like that to keep him excited.

He’s just a young man, but that doesn’t chance the truth.
He was chosen…
Sixteen-year-old Leinad thought he was a common farmer’s son, nothing more. He wondered why his father had trained him for years to master the sword, not exactly a tool of the trade for farmers-but one tragic event initiates a world of revelation.
Only then does he begin to understand his calling-a calling no other man in the entire kingdom of Arrethtrae can fulfill-a calling given him by the King Himself.
Teamed with a young slave girl, Leinad is thrust into adversity and danger-for the Dark Knight and his vicious Shadow Warriors will stop at nothing to thwart the King’s plan to restore the kingdom. Leinad will need more than a sharp blade and swift hand show more to fulfill his mission and survive the evil plots of the King’s sworn enemies!!
Journey to Arrethtrae, where the King and His Son implement a bold plan to save their kingdom’ where courage, faith, and loyalty stand tall in the face of opposition’ where good will not bow to evil-and the future of a kingdom lies in the hands of a young man. show less

From christianbook.com:
Sixteen-year-old Leinad thought he was a common farmer's son, nothing more - but one tragic event initiates a world of revelation. Leinad is thrust into adversity and danger - for the Dark Knight and his vicious Shadow Warriors will stop at nothing to thwart the King's plan to restore the kingdom. Includes discussion questions and is a great resource for ages 8 to 12.

Series of 6 books