Outriders
Kathryn
Mackel
Buy
from Amazon.com
Outriders,
by Kathryn Mackel, is one of those books that will grab your imagination
and take it for a wild ride through a familiar, yet alien land.
With full characters that make you care, and excitement that can
get your pulse racing.
Generations
after warfare and pollution poisoned the planet and destroyed
civilization, one group of survivors remembers their heritage,
their birthright. From their sanctuary, the Ark, sunk deep below
the arctic ice they train their young to be outriders who do the
impossible. To return to the surface world and save the original
creation and spread the forgotten Truth. But these young people
face more than a poisoned world.
So
called sorcerers, wielding the last remnant of science that helped
destroy mankind, create abominations by transmogrifying animals
and humans to suit the whims of their warlord masters. Only by
holding to the Truth that they know, can the outriders hope to
overcome the mogs and the greater evil that festers in this poisoned
world.
Kathryn
Mackel has created a tale full of biblical symbolism and imagery,
one of haunting beauty and terrible destruction. All of her characters
come through as full people, who each struggle with their own
human natures (or fully give in to them) while seeking to fulfill
their mission. You come to care for each of the main Characters
as soon as you meet them, even when it is clear they are being
hard headed and foolish.
One
thing I thought Kathryn did extremely well was the "jangle" of
the rookie outriders. It came off as totally believable and fluid,
but not impossible to understand. However, some of the action
scenes felt a bit muddled, and the world-building didn't always
hold up for me, but that was easily forgiven in the scope of the
journey each character took.
If
you like strong action and adventure founded strongly in Christ,
then this book won't let you down. Give it a chance and don't
dismiss it simply because the setting seems so wild. And even
if you don't like it, get it for a young man in your life, a son,
nephew, grandson or just some kid in the youth group. They'll
love it.
As
for me, the sequel can't come out soon enough.
Buy
from Amazon.com
