Customer Reviews

The Bark Of The Bog Owl (The Wilderking Trilogy)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There is a distinct lack of good fiction geared toward young people, specifically ages 10-14. Harry Potter isn't an option for some families. Artemis Fowl isn't nearly as well-known (which is unfortunate).

Now there's another option. Jonathan Rogers has written The Wilderking Trilogy, and offers us a series for young readers that is fun, exciting, and based on Christian ideals and principles.

Book 1, The Bark of the Bog Owl, was actually released back in 2004. The premise is familiar to Christians -- a young boy, Aiden Errolson, tending his father's sheep, is chosen by a mysterious prophet to be the next King -- the Wilderking, who comes to lead his people back to prominence in the world, and to reclaim the traditional ideals that the people have forgotten.

The only real weakness in this first book is that the main plot is far too predictable. Once I read that Aiden was a shepherd, I had a feeling that this would be the story of King David retold. Then the Phillist -- I mean, the Pyrthens -- show up with their "peace treaty," which leads to war. Then Aiden goes to his brothers at the front carrying cheese and other food. And guess what? There's this giant ...

That said, I really enjoyed this book. The subplots involving the aboriginal "feechies" is very enjoyable, especially the Feechiefeast that Aiden enjoys. The characters are familiar, but still deep. It's going to be interesting to see Aiden mature over the course of the next two books, and it's a relief to read about a boy who is actually boyish -- he likes to roam, play, and have adventures. He's a twelve-year-old who writes to the King volunteering his services as "an adventurer." And suddenly, he's got a huge responsibility dropped on him. He reacts the way any normal kid would react.

Rogers has a Ph.D in 17th Century English Lit, but this book reads as if he'd spent his academic career studying 18th Century American literature instead. The differences in dialect between feechie and 'civilizer' are distinct, American dialects, and the setting certainly reminds me of the American southeast -- fitting, since Rogers grew up in Georgia. The series has promise, and after I finished this book I was relieved that I'd gotten the second one to review as well. THAT review will be up in a half hour or so ...

Three cheers for Jonathan Rogers and Broadman and Holman.

Where to begin my praise for this book?

First of all there is a boy who is all boy--rough and tumble and longing for adventure. This is a boy who calls to our innermost beings, urging us to be good and noble and true without being stodgy and stiff and stuck-up. Aidan delights us with his humility, his appetite for fun, his courage, and his steadfast devotion to God and King.

Add to the mix a wild feechie boy--I won't even try to describe him because I can't do him justice. But you are sorely missing out if you don't buy this book and get acquainted with Dobro Turtlebane.

The pace never stills, the story never lags, and the children never stop begging for "just one more" chapter when you read it aloud.

And the children's plea is mine, also. "More, please, Mr. Rogers." I want to go back to the swamps and do some fishing and feasting. I want to follow Aidan to the caves as he flees from his king. I look forward to an honorable, deep love between Aidan and the king's son (I'm thinking Smike and Nicholas Nickleby).

I can't wait to see where this talented writer takes us next. What relationships will be forged, what sacrifices will be made, what honorable service will be rendered, all while we are romping through Aidan's world and laughing with him and loving him?

Not only was the story enthralling and the prose superb, the book came out in hardback with a well-thought-out cover design. Good for Broadman and Holman. The paper quality, the printing, and the pictures were still substandard but those are minor irritations considering the huge leap that this book makes in the Christian publishing industry.

If you or someone you know loves fantasy, buy this book. You will not be disappointed. Like Harry Potter, this one is going to be loved by adults as well as children.

And, no, I've never met the author and I don't work for Broadman and Holman. I just cannot contain my joy at seeing this kind of quality from Christian publishers. Hurray, hurray, hurray. Or perhaps that should read: Haawwweeee!

I wasn't sure when I bought this book if I would like it. The life of David, which forms the basis for the books in this series, is fascinating in its own right. I doubted that a fictional retelling of David's life story would make for very good reading. Was I wrong!

Now, don't misunderstand what I'm saying. This is not biography, and it's certainly not theology; it's fiction, and it's children's literature. But it's GOOD fiction, and GOOD children's literature. Jonathan Rogers knows how to tell a story. His use of language is descriptive and imaginative. The story is at times poignant or deeply moving, and at other times quite humorous. The characters, while perhaps a little predictable, are nevertheless intriguing and a lot of fun (especially Dobro Turtlebane of the Feechiefolk).

I read this out loud to my boys, who are 6 and 13. My 13-year old is an advanced reader, but he loved hearing this book read. In fact, he's pressuring me to get the next book ordered, so I can read it to them. And that's just what I'm off to do.

I began reading this book to my elementary-aged children, thinking that we would make it through the first couple of chapters before they lost interest and moved on to something else. What I experienced was a very different reaction! Instead of disinterested boredom, I was met with screams of delight and joy! My kid's anticipation of our evening bedtime read has become the discussion topic during the day and especially at the dinner table. They can't wait (and neither can I) for the next page! When is the next installment in the series coming out?

My children ages 5 and 7 loved this book so much they begged me not to finish the last chapter so they could drag it out a few more nights. And when we finally finished, my son wanted me to start reading it to him all over again. I myself found the book to be very captivating and hard to put down. There never seemed to be a good place to leave off at, every chapter was so good. Older children will love this book even more as they will understand more of it, but my young children found it to be very exciting and all without pictures. I highly recomend this book to adventure lovers.

What would you do if you were a 12-year-old warrior with a heart for adventure stuck tending your father's sheep all day? Well, if you were Aidan Errolson, you would pass the hours writing letters on palmetto paper to your king. "I specialize in dragon-slaying," Aidan writes, "but would be happy to fight pirates or invading barbarians if circumstances require."

So begins THE BARK OF THE BOG OWL, book 1 in the Wilderking fantasy adventure trilogy. The backdrop is the island kingdom of Corenwald, which fuses the enchanting elements of Narnia with the author's memories of growing up in south Georgia. The result: action-packed fun in the swamps and a castle surrounded by a moat full of mean ol' alligators.

This book is a wonderful family read-aloud, enjoyable to all ages. It's noisy and exciting, and the feechiefolk dialect is often hilarious. These half-civilizers, also known as lizard men or tree alligators, become allies with the civilizer, Aidan. A deep friendship develops between Pantherbane (as Aidan becomes known to the feechies) and Dobro Turtlebane, striking a familiar chord with fans of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.

From the first moment Aidan hears the distinctive bark of the bog owl, his thirst for adventure can't be quenched. Where will his calling lead him? Who is this mysterious Bayard the Truthspeaker, and why does he think Aidan might be the Wilderking, Corenwald's future deliverer?

This book is only the beginning of the great story that lies ahead in the life of Aidan and the kingdom of Corenwald. It's a must-read to add to your collection of classic books that teach strong character and inspire a powerful faith in the unseen.

Jonathan Rogers has done what I thought was impossible. He has written a non-sappy Christian book complete with enough rambunctious violence to appeal to REAL boys and not scare off any REAL girls. (I knew this could be done but rarely has it been.) The humor in the book is superb and appealed to everyone in the family. The book gets its message across without being preachy or sappy and everyone has a good time in the process. Great job Mr. Rogers! Already own book 2 and have pre-ordered book 3. Looking forward to more great books from this author.

My 8 year old daughter and I read the book together in the evenings a chapter at a time. We both couldn't wait until the next evening's chapter... a great story with a great message. We're anxiously awaiting the next book.

Ha-ha-ha-hrawffff-wooooooooo!

Yes! Finally, I've found some Christian children's fiction that isn't corny, after searching for years, besides the legendary "Chronicles of Narnia." For readers looking for some excitement, plus some good insight and life lessons, "The Bark of the Bog Owl" is the way to go! Adventurous, with a rich vocabulary, this tale is what it appears to be...and much more.

Skillfully, the author (Jonathan Rogers) weaves together an unforgetable story of a young boy named Aidan, a shepherd boy, and the youngest of five brothers. Anyone familiar with the story of David in the Bible will find this story immensely thrilling; many fictional stories based off the lives of Bible characters are very disappointing, I must say, but this truly is a diamond among rocks.

The enemies, the Pyrthens, are wonderfully created. And Greidawl, the giant (in place of Goliath) is very well depicted. And I really enjoyed the feechiefolk, the uncivilized wild men living in Corenwald's swamplands. Dobro Turtlebane, a boy Aidan befriends, is quite amusing. Jonathan Rogers also did a very good job of adding humor to this story.

Aidan, as the main character, is extremely likeable--he's neither unhumanly good nor ridiculously dumb, but a perfect in-between. If the story goes on in the next book as predicted, I'm very much looking forward to the friendship between Aidan and Prince Steren. After all, the author almost gives a hint that that's going to happen at the end of book 1.

A must read!

Lately I've been keeping a tab on the Christian fantasy/sci-fi that's been released in the past half year or so. Of the ones that I've read, "The Bark of the Bog Owl" is the one geared for the youngest age group.

The book is perfect for parents to read to their kids. I am a big advocate of kids being read to because some of my fondest memories are of being curled up in the rocking chair with my mom while she read books we borrowed from the library. I would have eaten this up at that age.

The only disappointment I had about "Bark of the Bog Owl" is how the story turned out. Through the first 3/4ths of the book it was developing well. It felt unique and indiviual. Then the story spins into a parallel of the story of David from the Bible. Bible stories aren't a bad thing, but when I want to read them I'll read the Bible. So I found that to be a bit of a letdown.

To Jonathan Roger's credit, however, he allowed himself to add enough unique details that it was still enjoyable. Unfortunately, if he continues with the David parallel, it becomes too easy to guess what trials will happen next.