Nelson Books

John Maxwell wrote a timely book on how to plan your life. No detail was left unturned in this book. John helps you define your purpose, where do you want to go, how far can you go, how do you get there from here! Then he helps you see your full potential by asking simple questions: What should you pack for your journey, how to handle detours, are you there yet. He than introduces the concept of helping others get to their dreams in route to your dreams. Is it a family trip, who else should be on the journey, and what should you do along the way! John than beautifully ties a bow on the book by asking what you like best about the trip.

This is a great book for planning the rest of your life. Again, I buy it by the case and give to everyone involved in any type of business! My way of helping others grow as I grow myself. A must read!

A popular leadership speaker and prolific author, John C. Maxwell has a great deal of experience in the process of personal growth, and he communicates it well. This book, published as The Success Journey in 1977, is a useful step-by-step guide to plotting your journey to success, right down to the thoughtful exercises at the end of each chapter. Maxwell does a nice job of mixing the personal and professional sides of success and encouraging you to redefine it. His definition is that success is following your true purpose and living up to your dreams and potential, rather than just accumulating wealth and possessions. The book is quite a fast read - probably because a good portion of it is devoted to quoting others - and its evangelical tone may not appeal to all readers. Maxwell also makes frequent use of catchphrases, which help fill a page but say little. We recommend this book to ambitious individuals looking for guidance on creating and following a workable, actionable life plan.

I am definitely a John Maxwell fan. This man is truly gifted and knows how to communicate so all can understand and benefit.This book was great but even better if read as a sequel. Don't get me wrong this is a stand alone book by itself but I am glad that I first read The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. The 21 Laws is much more dry and technical while this book is personal in its application. You will better understand the process by first knowing the driving principles.There are several excellent lists that are explained in detail but my favorite is entitled, "How to Take Others for a (Life Changing) Ride. #2 states to , "Limit Who You Take Along". This one explanation alone is worth the book. It should prevent burn out and minimize disappointments.Page 177 has a chart on communication styles and the results. He applies this not only to the business world but to the family unit as well.I particulary like the chapter, What Should I Pack in My Suitcase. This will help me redeem my "downtime" as I travel. This guy is a genius.

The Roadmap to Success is by far the best motivational book I have ever read. It was the first book that I have read by Maxwell, and since then I have read four others. He teaches us a new way to think about success. Clearly stated success is: knowing your purpose, growing to reach your potential, and sowing seeds to help others. It is amazing how much better you perform and how much more you enjoy life when you view success through this framework. If you have been successful so far in your life, this book will help reinforce any doubts you have about your choices and reaffirm the actions you have taken. If you are committed to growth and development then this book is a great start to helping you put aside your fears to get the most out of your life. If you are closed minded, resistant to change and generally a pessimistic person this book is not for you. While those people that continue to make excuses for their failures or the way their life turned out will never succeed, those who have the right mindset and follow Maxwell's advise will surely go far in life and reap the beiefits and joys of success.

The following is what I liked best:

The section on Goals
They MUST be activities that are: written, personal, specific, achievable, measurable, and time sensitive.

The Quotes:
"You can not make any progress when you are facing the wrong way." & the another one by Charles 'Tremendous' Jones who said "The only difference between the person you are today and who you will be in 5 years come from the books you read and the people you associate with."

The Benchmarking idea:
To attain success you should ONLY pick 3 to 5 areas to work on & grow in at one time.

The section on Choices:
In order to make progress it will involve 3 choices: to gain something, to lose something, or to trade something
and when you choose: pick the former rather than latter:
Achievement over affirmation
Excellence over acceptability
Personal growth over pleasure
Future potential over personal gain
Narrow focus over scattered interests
Significance over security

And finally the Laws on Developing others:
Take someone with you: "There is no success without a successor"

Rating: Strong Buy

Although I wasn't bored with this book, I felt that it missed a lot of potential and ended anticlimactically. What could have become a story of international intrigue was ultimately just another Christian romance novel. It's too bad the Christian book world rarely dares to be more.

Lara is a young woman who just lost her husband to cancer. She desperately wants to have HIS baby. So, after a few months have passed, she approaches her doctors to use frozen sperm and fertilize her egg so she can have this dream child. Unknown to her, a billionaire who wants to live forever, has bought his way into the lives of those around her, and she ends up deceived, used and humiliated.

On the run, Lara never forgets the neighbor man who delivered her baby and she returns to him for help. A high profile trial is probably the peak of this book.

Angela Hunt certainly knows how to write a mystery book!!!

Angela Hunt is one of my favorite Christian authors! THis book keeps you going to the end.

"The Truth Teller" is a great novel. The characters are very believable and the dialogue is well done. The story involves a young widow who wishes to have a baby. Her late husband has left a sperm sample, but he died of cancer. Should she risk the pregnancy? Complicating it all is an evil and rich man. This smooth operator with a hidden agenda plans to use and exploit Lara, by having her become pregnant with DNA from an "iceman" who froze to death thousands of years ago.
The story is GREAT! Many plots twists and turns. I loved it.

This is a fun read for everyone. The fight of the "regular man" against the rich-and-above-the-law is similar to the style of John Grishm. The science fiction resembles a mix of Jurassic Park and Charmed. Theologians are given many deep levels and thoughtful questions to ponder. Christians will appreciate the positive representation of the Bible-believing faith.

What a great book for your pre-teen! Enough "romance" without the nitty-gritty details. I loved the storyline and ordered the 2nd and 3rd books right away. I worked in an elementary school library for 5 years and became good friends with one particular student. She would ask me to suggest books for her. To this day, we have continued our book club of 2! After I finished reading this series, she was delighted to get them. I know she will enjoy reading them over and over! Thanks for such a great series.

Not a typical christian romance. This is "old school" christianity, back when the Bible was a regular part of a family's daily regimen. And, this author has done her research and made the novels historically accurate. Yet, if you aren't a history buff and not into Bible study, you'll still love these novels because they are so well written. You get drawn into loving the characters and caring about what happens to them. One of the few books that have made me laugh, cry, and hope. I devoured this series and went on to the next. Let this review stand for every series this author has written. Great work!

All I can say is this book swept me off my feet. I finished this book which is 300 pages in less then a week it is that good! What a amazing story it is. I highly recommened this book to anyone that loves these kind of stories.

I discovered this book at a used booksale, and since I love stories about the west and Indians, I bought it. And once I started to read it, I couldn't put it down! I even thought of the characters during the day until I could get back to the book! I could even picture them-he was very handsome!! I also read Part 2 of the series, and just now I'm going to start reading the 3rd Part Red Bird! Even though parts are sad and made me almost cry, the happiness is there too, and the love of God! An excellent book in all regards!! I'm going to read everything she has written!

I bought this novel used, not knowing what to expect and not realizing it was the first of a trilogy. I loved this book! It dealt with the relations of the Lakota and whites back in the 1800s. Walks the Fire is a white woman who is captured by Rides the Wind. They are distant at first but a love grows between them that is every woman's dream. Their life together is not easy, but they find joy in their lives. I can't wait to get the rest of this trilogy! I'm hooked! This was my first by this author but it will not be the last. Some of her other series sound interesting and I plan to read several of them. To the author: Thanks for a beautiful....though sometimes sad...story!!!

This series really helped me through a tough time. Reading how these women handled their everyday and not so everday problems ministered to me as I went through a serious illness with my husband. The women are down to earth and practical. Recommend for anyone.

I have been in prayer doldrums recently and this series helped get me perking again. It is delightful and rewarding reading. I recommend this series to everyone. These gals are great! Peggy Touchtone Sholly

I simply gush when I talk about the ladies of the Yada Yada Prayer Group. I love each book. The stories are wonderful. Mrs. Jackson masterfully develops each story so that each book captures you. Then, the books build on one another. You will feel as though you have a vested interest in these wonderful, diverse and perfectly imperfect women. I thank Mrs. Jackson for this labor of love. The books helped me through a rough time in my life. The series helped me forgive someone who hurt me deeply with this line - "God expects us to fogive people. Even the ones that don't say 'I'm sorry'". I was able to move from resentment to forgiveness through that one line. YOU WILL BE BLESSED BY THIS BOOK SERIES!!

The Yada Yada books continue to challenge relational growth, by showing life experiences with diverse characters. Each book has new elements of change and development, which can inspire real life solutions to problems.

This series of books is a MUST read. Excellent stories of love and faith. Very inspirational. I felt like I was there.

Max Lucado addresses a pretty fool-proof section of the Bible here. It's a decent book; however, like serving someone a hard-boiled egg, it's pretty hard to screw up.

It is a helpful book for anyone unfamiliar with Jesus' most simplistic yet profound sermon. But, for those already familiar with the Beatitudes, this book serves more as a good reminder than it does as a provider of new insight into Biblical text.

For that reason, I found the book lacking in intellectual/theological stimulation.

Max Lacudo explains the beatitudes in such a simple yet enlightening way one can't help but say "yes" as you read! He literally changed my life as I realized through this book that I too wanted to be up on the Mountain, and not left in the valley. And King of the Mountain is not the goal! For anyone looking to find the light this is the book! I keep extra copies to pass on and give as gifts. A wonderful book!

Great study on the beattitudes for small groups.
Chapters are short enough not to be a burden on busy people.

I have read this book at least 5 times. Without a doubt this book has the happiest ending a story could ever have!

I read this several years ago, and just read it again. It is a great book over the beattitudes. Max Lucado does a great job of teaching through stories and this book is no exception. It gave me a fresh perspective a very popular Bible passage.

I found this book very intreguing. I have read The Chronicles of Narnia completely several times as an adult and this book is right up there with it. The story was spell binding allegory. The princess, a prophecy, a secret, everything about it kept me reading. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of his sequel, The Devil's Mouth, so that I can continue my journey into the seven kingdoms.

Thomas Williams is truly talented! This book got me from the first page till the last and I neglected much work while reading it as I couldn't put it down.Set in medievil times around two kingdoms and an awsome forrest it's fast paced , exiting and full of adventure.It has strong characters and a fantastic story line that I wished would never end. It will make you believe in love and honour and think about your own morals and strive to be better.I loved every word!

This book has wonderful allegory that compels one to be noble and pure. It is a page turner (especially the last half)that is in ways comparable to Tolkien's works. It has extensive characters which come to life and plot that is quite enjoyable.

I am excited about Tom Williams' new book, "The Crown of Eden," for several reasons. First, for those who enjoy medieval tales of brave knights and fair ladies and enchanted forests, Tom's story will thoroughly delight. The adventures of Princess Volanna and the gallant knight Aradon are woven together in twisting episodes of romance, terror, tragedy and triumph. The story begins by bringing the reader up to date concerning the great empire of Perivale whose victorious battle with the evil Morgultha united seven kingdoms. But Perivale disappears mysteriously and an ancient sage appears out of the enchanged Braegan's Wood to foretells the breakup of Perivale's empire. He delivers also a hopeful yet cryptic prophecy concerning the eventual restoration of Perivale's glory through an heir who will one day take the throne, reunite the kingdoms and reign over days even more glorious than those of his father. "The Crown of Eden" is the exciting story of the fulfillment of that prophecy.

The best thing one can say about "The Crown of Eden" is that it is a wonderfully told story. The chapters are short, revealing just enough surprises in the unfolding story that it is difficult to stop. More than once, as the reader is gaining speed toward some seemingly inevitable conclusion, Tom inserts an unexpected turn in the plot which leaves the reader delightfully off balance. And though one senses near the end of the story how it might end, the twists and turns keep coming even to the last few pages.

Tom has created dozens of wonderful characters in the story including the noble King Tallis, the loyal servants Kalley and Olstan, and the pathetically evil prince Lomar.but the story centers around two main characters, Princess Volanna and the commoner Aradon. Through these two characters Tom is able to not only tell a great story, but teach profound lessons in an effective and unintrusive way. Which is the next best thing about "The Crown of Eden." It does more than just tell a good story.

Interwoven amidst jousting festivals, harrowing escapes through murky swamps, rescues from dark and foreboding castles, there are scenes and conversations which allow Tom's characters to give articulate expression to various truths. King Tallis expounds on the puzzle of balancing God's sovereignty and man's freedom. Father Lucidis eloquently expounds on the virtues of pleasure, delight and ecstasy. Lord Aldemar wrestles with the tension of obedience to law and loving his country. Bogard gives some of the best advice to be found on choosing one's life mate.

Best of all, we find in Volanna and Aradon the embodiment of what it means to be a womand and a man. Tom is at his best when he describes the beauty of Volanna, a beauty that does not inflame illicit passion, but awakens the legitimate passions which lie all too dormant within us. If there is a weakness in "The Crown of Eden," it is that these "philosophical moments" in the story may linger a bit too long and distract at times from the story.

One last observation which made the book enjoyable was the way Tom has blended his own fantasy with the history of scripture. These characters and their kingdoms exist only in our minds, yet they are christians and as such often look to biblical stories to make meaning our of their own experience. The most intriguing example of this is the use of the strange biblical story of King Jephthah and his daughter which finds in "The Crown of Eden" a narrative commentary.

This tale, which hopefully will be the first of many in the The Seven Kingdom Chronicles, is a wonderful addition to the rapidly growing genre of Christian fantasy and as enjoyable as such established authors as Terry Brooks (of recent Star Wars fame.) Though Tom's single story does not merit comparisons with his literary mentors, Lewis and Tolkein, clearly his writing exhibits the best of their influence and the tales of the Seven Kingdoms certainly deserve to be on the same shelves alongside the tales of Narnia and
Middle-earth.

Tom Williams has a marvelous way of telling a story. You will actually fall in love with the main characters--and right along with them--feel their hurts, fears, disappointments, as well as their ultimate joy and exhilaration. There are profound lessons woven into the story, but they emerge from the characters' wrestling with decisions and their actions rather than tedious, preachy dialogs and monologs. Williams addresses some knotty theological questions, such as how the free will of men and women fits into an unfailing providence revealed in prophecy. But not to the detriment of a beautiful love story.

This book is masterpiece. It comes in second to none, including the works of George MacDonald, J. R. R. Tolkein, and C. S. Lewis.

Tammy is an engaging writer with the gift of turning her nightmare into a positive, spiritual gift to all who read her story. Both her family and Trent's are amazing.

This is the best book I have read in years! I think everybody that can should read this book and not take LIFE for granted!!!

Tammy did a wonderful work in describing a pain that many of us face and have to go through. At times I felt like she was describing my own thoughts and feelings when I lost my only child in a car accident. While you are learning to draw breath again, our Lord and Savior truly does literally carry you through the pain until you can begin to see hope again. Life doesn't stop just because a life that means more to you than your own, has stopped. In telling her own story, Tammy helps us to tell ours.

I recently lost my husband suddenly, I have felt all the emotions that Tammy expressed in her book. At 24 I have lost my husband, my father (at 16) and two sisters. Last year my husband and I were expecting a little girl and he was so excited to becoming a father. We had been married for 3 years and just bought a house and another car. Unexpectedly my husband was killed a snowmobiling accident, while on a vacation with his brothers. The area that they were on was about 66 acres and he had gone out alone (this was unusual for him) and hadn't returned after three hours they became worried and went to search for him. There were alot of snowmobile tracks and they weren't sure which ones to follow, so they had formed a search party to look for him. As night fell still no sign of my wonderful husband. The next morning they found my husband who had hit a tree, he was wearing a helmet but somehow it had come off of his head upon the snowmobile hitting the tree sending him flying into the tree, he was gone taking my heart with him. I totally understand why she choose the title "Learning to breathe again: choosing life and finding hope after a shattering loss" because thats just what you have to do, when you lose your husband like that, and being so young you think you have your whole life ahead of you and you make so many plans, When you lose it all like that you feel like you have to learn how to breathe again (Im still learning to breathe again)

Tim was my life, my forever love. I know that when I had our daughter Grace Katheryne (it seemed to fit her she was God's Grace to me in such a rough time in my life and it was also the name Tim picked) I felt his presence as I gave birth to her 6 months ago (just 6 weeks after the accident) I know I will see him again in another time and Another place. As I look at her she looks more and more like her daddy each day she has his dark hair nose mouth and chin and my eyes. I know I have had some days when Ive said "I can't do this alone Lord" but then Im reminded that Im not alone God is with me each day and he will never leave me or forsake me. Tammy did such a beautiful job on this book I share it with other widows I know. No doubt it reached an unbeliever and has made them commit their lives to Christ
From the bottom of my heart thank you so much Tammy

As I read this book I had tears in my eyes. I am also a young widow and I have two children (the last was born 3 months after her father passed away while on a business trip in California the rental car he had been driving was hit by a semi. Being a widow I didn't care for the comments made by Deborah Reece, I thought them to be insensitive and hurtful. saying "be thankful for what you have" is just like saying the pain lessens with time. For me it hasn't. It doesn't appear to me she has read the book (kind of like the other book she "read") but for some reason she had an opinion about it. Finding true love is not hard (once upon a time I thought it was) its just about not settling for second best. We should feel sorry for Tammy as she has been through alot. Yes alot of women go through it but that doesn't make it less painful. Also the book I feel was a testamony I don't think she wrote it to make people feel sorry for her. Trent was an amazing man and I was deeply touched by the book (I lead it out alot sometimes to unbelievers one of whom I believe has come to Christ from being inspired by Tammy's book. I love the title as I too thought I couldn't breathe after Dan's crash, everytime I would take a deep breathe I felt as if I couldn't take another breath.Deborah, If you want a wonderful man just pray about it and try to show that you have a wonderful personality, I think guys like positive girls not ones who have negative things to say where they shouldn't be.

I started Blessed Child but gave it up because of the poor writing. A Man Called Blessed is much better written though there is still much in it which is very improbable or bizarre. However, it did keeps one's interest and moved along quickly.

'A Man Called Blessed' is a great story from start to finish. It contains action, adventure, suspense, and even romance.

It is centered around a quest for the missing Ark of the Covenant. The three main characters are an Israeli agent, a Muslim fanatic, and a Christian who had strayed from his relationship with Christ but regains it in this story. The Christian character, Caleb, is a grown up version of the protagonist in 'Blessed Child'.

The spiritual aspects of the story are intense. There are some amazing supernatural events throughout the book. After one of these, Rebecca Solomon (the Jewish agent) 'wanted to rush over and tell him (her Jewish father) that it was all going to be fine.' After a second of contemplation, she concluded that, 'whatever it was, encountering the Nazarene's power could not be characterized as just fine.'

Although 'Blessed Child' was very good, this story is several notches above the prequel. It should be read by anyone who has read the first book. For anyone else, I would definitely recommend it, but the reader should start with 'Blessed Child'.

This was a very good book. I only gave it a 4 because most of the time I give a 5 only to a book I can't get out of the chair before I finish it, the same day I start it. I did enjoy very much reading about the miraculous events in this book. I couldn't wait to get back to it to find out what was going to happen when they found the Ark of the Covenant, assuming they were going to find it.

A superior story told with interesting history and spiritual quality. It is an excellent sequel to Dekker's "Blessed Child".
Ted Dekker never fails to surprise me. In my opinion, he writes the best and most absorbing christian fiction of our time.

I can see why Ted Dekker can be considered the next big thing in Christian fiction! He has a captivating way of writing, with a carefully thought-out plot. Some books have too much fluff and move too slowly. Ted Dekker's talented story moves at an easy, although exciting pace. He used enough military and political jargon to give it depth and reality. There was a good amount of "spiritual talk" but he (and Bill Bright) says it with a new twist, showing God's presence in our hearts instead of in an artifact, such as the Ark of the Convenant.

What can draw a beautiful assassin and a peaceful man of God together? What one thing can first make a person confused and sorrowful, and next, bring relief and joy? How can a newly discovered relic such as the Ark of the Covenant NOT bring a major war? Read this novel to find out!

While the ending moves too fast for my taste, I did like how there was closure with the Ark. I kept wondering how it could possibly end. But I thought the ending was true to the story and the characters.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes to read Christian fiction. And I would expand that audience to those interested in archaeology. It's a modern story with a historical twist.

Thank you Renee. This book deals with everyday people, not some fantasy character all neat and proper and "spiritual". I'm learning more and more how important it is to live life authentically and that to do so is to stop pulling an Adam and Eve. Living authentically really allows one to open and truthul not just with themselves, but with God and others. It allows God to move in and through us so we are not controlling circumstances but trusting that God is in control. Its a healthy lifefstyle; one that I believe Jesus embraced. He's my hero. I wish more christian authors wrote about flawed people instead of just flawed cirsumstances.

Best!

I have just finished reading "My Life as a Doormat" last night (or to be precise, this morning at 3 am!). I couldn't put it down, I kept on turning pages after pages after pages. The book is funny while made you think at the same time, especially readers who had experienced being 'doormats' in their life (like me!). Rene Gutteridge is a wonderful writer and I highly recommend this book.

I liked this book from the first line to the last line! Like Leah, I try to avoid conflict, so it was fun to walk with her through all the happenings of her life. Rene has such a great sense of humor and made me laugh several times throughout the book. I was blessed to be able to meet Rene in person recently and she is so wonderful! If you enjoy reading fun stories with quirky characters and situations, then Rene is the author for you!

This is the first book I've read in this genre, and now I am hooked! Rene Gutteridge's writing spoke to my heart and soul, and had me laughing so much that it was a true relief and blessing. The characters were so real that their struggles and their victories got me thinking about areas of my own life in surprising ways. This unforgettable book is entertaining, inspiring--and healing. You'll be grateful you picked it up, and likely won't want to put it down.

Leah Townsend is a struggling playwright who's trying to regain the momentum from the one hit play she had. She's in a relationship with Dr. Edward Crowse, a physics professor who makes all her decisions for her. Her family always assumes she is the perfect child because she does everything they tell her too. Her best friend thinks that Leah will support her no matter what the situation or what time. Leah has been ok with this until one day she decides to change. This leads to Edward enrolling her into an anger management class. Humiliated and reluctant, Leah goes expecting to blend in. However she soon discovers that being a doormat is not what she really wants to be in life.


This book was really difficult to read at first. I really didn't like the way that Leah was being treated by everyone. I couldn't stand that she wouldn't stand up to anybody in her family and friends and how she would just let them walk all over her. I really hated her boyfriend Edward. That guy was such a jerk especially after enrolling her in the anger management class. I mean what type of person does that just because someone tries out something new or disagrees with you? But then as I kept reading, I liked how Leah was changing. She learned to finally deal and resolve conflict instead of just always giving in. I liked how she knew that this could radically change her life and the relationships she was in. She changed her life completely and finally became happy instead of just settling for mediocrity. The anger management classes were fun to read, some of the characters I would have had problems keeping my temper with! I applauded to her decision with Edward. It was funny though to see how he tried to change for her or at least his thinking of what "change" really was. I enjoyed her relationship with Cinco, it was just what she needed. The title of this book really catches your eye as does the cover. It's a great chick lit book and it's one I think a lot of people should read. Don't be afraid to change.

I love this book and have read it many times. Although I can't seem to find the sequal. Does anyone know the name of the sequal or where to find it?

This book was fabulous! It is an excellent fantasy tale. I wish they would make this into a movie!

Does this version include the ending of the story? I understand that one of the prints has part one and two combined. I too read the first story when it came out in the early nineties (?) and absolutely loved the book. I always wondered if part 2 ever came out and it sounds like it has.

Is this version for sale the complete story, 1 and 2?

I've read the book and it's awesome. To person in Philly, yes there is a second book, i got mine as a birthday gift so i don't where you can get, but it's out there somewhere.
Please make all the books into movies if someone who reads this makes movies. It would be an awesome edition to the LOTR fantasy world.

I first read Book One "The Oneprince" when it first came out in 1992, at the age of 12; I loved it, eagerly awaited Book Two "The Hidden City," and, when the second volume was not forthcoming, eventually the book got tucked away on my bookshelf and temporarily forgotten. Occasionally I would wonder if the sequel had come out yet, but it was not until 2003 that I discovered the author's web site at http://www.infonline.net/~rapideye/bill2/ and found out that a joint edition of both the volumes had finally been published. I have just now finished reading the dual-edition, and it's so wonderful! Essentially, folks, what we have here is a sometimes tongue-in-cheek, sometimes fairy-tale, sometimes burlesque, and sometimes quite cinematic little parable of the Very Word. See, it doesn't take an astute reader long in Part One to realize that the Oneprince of the title--son of the Oneking Above--is the Christ, as incarnated (or however the logistics work out) in this fantasy world of Redaemus, with its Humans and Rats and Badgers, its Laws and its Demons, its King Pentatutinus and its squabbly Hidden City of Yerushela. It's not a perfect parable, not a direct analogy, but that is all the better as it deftly foils your constant games of guessing which character should be Judas, which Peter, which Mary Magdalene...really, they all take turns fitting one role or another. But you know one thing for sure: This delightful, unforgettable Oneprince, now that they've finally found him, is going to turn their world upside down! In a good way. I highly recommend the book to fans of fantasy, especially of the Narnia variety. Now that I've finally managed to read both volumes of the story, it's taken a permanent place on my list of favorites.