Customer Reviews

Hunter Brown and the Secret of the Shadow (Codebearers)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Be Warned: The Secret of the Shadow has serious hooks- this isn't an easy book to put down! The Miller Brothers have created a powerful and engaging world that challenges us all to take a deeper look at who we are and ultimately who is in control. With creative characters, wonderful plot twists, great illustrations, and fun extras (the codes throughout the book were an intriguing challenge) this book is one you're sure to enjoy!

I'm part of the "older teen" crowd and I enjoyed this book so much!
There was so much to think about and it had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I thought it was kind of like a cross between Frank Peretti's " Piercing the Darkness" Series and the Chronicles of Narnia. I cant wait for the next one! Great work guys!

Hunter Brown is an average grade nine student. He plays practical tricks, evades bullies, makes amateur videos and chums around with the geeky Stretch and affluent Stubbs. When he encounters a mysterious book, his life changes irrevocably. Suddenly he is acutely aware of the forces of darkness surrounding him. Not only can he see these beings, they're after him. Plunging through the pages of the book into an alternate dimension he enters the world of Solandria where the Shadow holds the land captive under the leadership of the boy-sorcerer Venator.

Recruited by the Codebearers - the forces of light who stand for the Author, creator of all worlds - Hunter begins his study of the Code of Life only to be swept into the fray far too early in his training. Called apart by the Author's son, Aviad, Hunter soon learns that his destiny is deeply entwined with the fate of this world.

Hunter Brown and the Secret of the Shadow is the first installment of The Codebearer Series published by Warner Press. This inventive new series for tweens is co-written by a pair of brothers - Christopher and Allan Miller - who combine their writing talents and considerable illustrative skills. Raised in a home where their parents operated a CBA bookstore while homeschooling them, they now put their passion for inspiring faith-based books and products into their company Lumination Studios.

Drawing from modern sci-fi symbolism the authors integrate devices reminiscent of The Matrix and Star Wars, while mining the deep allegorical thread that The Pilgrim's Progressis based upon. While the imagery is sci-fi in flavour, the story itself plants itself firmly within the realm of fantasy. While seemingly cobbled together from disparate elements - some fairly common, others unique - this presentation of scriptural truth in a vibrant adventure is surprisingly captivating. The quest that Hunter finds himself on is parallel to the story of mankind's fall into sin and redemption through sacrifice.

The Millers offer a straightforward writing style that never plunges deeply into descriptive prose, akin to the majority of widely read, modern novels for young adults. Modern vernacular and tween-speak are heavily utilized, resulting in a culturally accessible work. The brisk pace and ground covered wouldn't lend itself to deep literary prose in any case; measuring in at 366 pages, Hunter Brown remains a manageable read for its audience. The quick-moving plot captures the attention with twists, turns, and surprising outcomes. While the writing itself is somewhat superficial, the message is thought-provoking.

Having two talented CGI men as co-authors and illustrators certainly comes in handy. From book trailers to the official Codebearers website, and the book itself, all of the images relating to the novel are drawn from the minds of the Miller Brothers themselves. Codebearers.com keeps young readers engaged in the adventure by providing mind-tingling challenges, forums, videos, and more. You can read the entire book for free online, or pick up an autographed hardcopy. The Millers even offer a unique "Good Read" guarantee - if you (or your child) don't love the book they'll buy it back.

While I read one part of me remained skeptical, the other was absorbed. The unusual blend of faith-powered light sabers, a chivalrous knight-like resistance, menacing forces of evil unique to the series and biblical truth work together to draw eager young minds into the tale. While the scriptural nods are strikingly clear to Christian readers, connections to the faith are not as blatantly drawn as to frighten away other readers. The series has great potential as a crossover novel, and a good clean read across markets. In all honesty, I'm looking forward to future installments.

This amazing book is filled with action, love, adventure, and an evil force that's trying to take over the amazing work of the code of life. Once you take one fateful look at this book you will be drawn into the magical realm called Solandria as if you were actually there. In a Quest to help his friends, Hunter Brown has to save the world from the evil monster called the Shadow. With the help of three friends, he goes off to take out Venator , an evil Shadow warrior with the power to command an army of vile creatures. Will Hunter succeed, or will he fail? The only way to find out is to read it for yourself. -CW Small

It was a pleasure reading this book. I enjoyed and appreciated the fact that readers could identify with the characters' struggles and choices. Something else I liked was how there were no instances in which people from Solandria were confused by a reference to an earthly item. (maybe that statement alone was confusing) That seems too cliche in parallel-world fantasy. The book was somewhat engaging, and the ending was almost unpredictable. (stumped me)

Hunter Brown is a fairly ordinary, underachieving kid who has the usual problems with school, bullies, and a fractured family. One day, he acquires a mysterious book under mysterious circumstances that leads him into a world much stranger than anything he ever imagined. He has a special destiny in this world that requires him to complete a quest culminating in a showdown with the forces of darkness. Along the way, he learns a lot about himself and the value of friendship, truth, endurance, trust, and self-sacrifice.

Being a work of Christian fiction, there's a lot of allegory in this story, which will be more or less obvious depending on the reader's background. It makes some very definite statements about God's sovereignty and how God's will and human will interact that have a strong Calvinist tone. There are echoes of the usual spec-fic suspects, including Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars, but nothing that feels like a blatant lift from those works.

As with any book for kids this age, parents ought to look it over to ensure they're comfortable with the content and that it's appropriate for their child. There are some requisite "ew, gross" moments. There's a fair bit of hacking and slashing with swords and claws. People are hurt, and people, including some of the good guys, die. One particular death is rather shocking for a book at this age level, in my opinion, but maybe I just don't get out enough.

Since I have a daughter, I'm always interested in how female characters are portrayed. There are only three or four girls in this story, but they're strong, courageous, and resourceful, with the possible exception of Hunter's annoying kid sister. The female lead is key to the story without becoming Hunter's girlfriend. The Millers state on their webpage that they're focusing on stories boys would enjoy reading, but I think girls would like this story just fine.

I enjoyed it. Any tweener on your gift list will probably like it very much, and if they're not careful, they, like Hunter, might learn something before they're done. The Brothers Miller have created a rollicking adventure that moves at a fast clip, is filled with likable characters, weaves a plethora of puzzles and riddles into the plot, and prepares the way for future installments of Hunter's adventures.

Hunter and his friends play the ultimate prank on the school bully. They hide in a dumpster to avoid his wrath but can't get out. After yelling for help for quite some time, someone finally comes to their aid. This "janitor" promises not to tell the school principal where he found the boys if they'll do him a favor. He hands Hunter a card with the address of a book shop and asks him to pick up an item and bring it back to the boys' bathroom. Feeling as if they have no choice, the boys complete the errand. But when they return to the bathroom with a fancy, old book and a key, the janitor is nowhere to be found.

Hunter takes the things home and discovers that the book is magical. Before he can truly figure out what the book is for, he and his friend are whisked away to Solandria, a realm that is at war with the Shadow. There Hunter discovers that he must complete Codebearer training if he is to help defeat this Shadow and get home again.

With dragons, trolls, giant birds and lizards, and weapons similar to light sabers, this book was truly fun for all ages. I thought the premise and allegory was very powerful. Hunter is a delightful and sarcastic character. The minor characters were also fun. This was the strength of the book, in my opinion. There were some unnecessary backflashes that jerked me out of the story at times and some writing craft issues that teens probably won't notice. There were also many punctuation issues. I was surprised to see such mistakes in a book from Warner Press.

I read it to my seven-year-old son, and he loved it, especially the illustrations. The Miller brothers seem to be quite talented as artists and animators, and now story tellers.

This book is the best book I've ever read. I myself hate reading, but I couldn't put this book down. The other two are also a must read. The Miller brothers do an awesome job with mixing Christian religion with fantasy!

Storyline - When a prank goes south, Hunter is mysteriously sent to this book shop where he ends up with a book. But this is no ordinary book. After reading some of it, he is whisked off to the land of Solandria where he is trained to be a Codebearer and fight the Shadow. Then he is sent on a mission by Aviad, the son of the Author, to recover the Bloodstone. But he doesn't realize how this mission will change him forever. Will Hunter be able to trust the Author, even if it means death?

Writing - Funny, original writing. A laugh even during serious times. You can just attach yourself to the characters and understand what they are going through and are feeling. The analogies are original and fresh and give you deeper meaning on different things on the Christian faith. The pace is good and keeps the story going without leaving out details or slowing down even when details are added. Keeps you laughing and interested and excited and moved through the whole thing. A captivating book series.

Personal Opinion - Okay, take the scene from Tangled were Rupunzel is swinging around the tree by her hair yelling, "Best day ever!" and replace Rupunzel with me and the word "day" with "series" and you pretty much got what I feel for the Codebearer Series. I still laugh when I read the first chapter in the first book (even when I just think about it, a smile comes to my face it is so funny). It is full of humor but it doesn't take anything away from the story. It just adds great laughs. The characters, back stories, description, analogies, and writing was very well done and not too slow, not too fast, or too much or too little information. I was excited (almost obsessed) with each book that came out and would love more on Solandria. Hunter was a character that you just enjoyed getting to know during his journey and seeing his growth in the Author. I can't remember who said it (me or another fan) but the characters seem like someone you could actually meet, they seem so real (okay, it was probably someone else who said that but I totally agree). The Miller Brothers know how to put a good book together and make characters that you can understand and relate to. Will read everything they write. Recommend to practically everyone because there is something that every person can enjoy. A Chronicles of Narnia for a tiny bit older age group. Via, Veritas, Vita.

I love the way the miller brothers put together an awsome story! I finished the entire series in three days!!!!