Jordan's Star [Paperback]

Gilbert Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2002

It is Jordan's special star--a celestial token of hope for the life and love she dreams of. How brightly will it shine in the night's darkest hour? A host of stars crowds the desert sky, arching from the east, with its thriving towns, to the western mountains and an unknown future. Bound for the Oregon frontier, Jordan Bryce and her new husband, Colin, a dashing ex-mariner, face danger from both man and nature: a deadly buffalo stampede . . . tragedy at a river crossing . . . hostile Indians . . . and hatred within their wagon train, escalating from bitter words to the point of bloodshed. All that separates the Bryce's party from disaster is seasoned leadership, the skillful guidance of Ty Sublette, and the hand of God. For Jordan, the journey west is more than a trip into an untamed land. It is a passage from a teenage girl's romantic fantasies to the wisdom and character of womanhood. But nothing can prepare Jordan for the testing that awaits her beyond the journey's end. There, in the face of staggering circumstances, she will face an impossible decision . . . as two good men--one wounded by past grief, the other branded by his own impetuousness--struggle with the demands of faith and honor on behalf of the woman they love.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

It is Jordan’s special star--a celestial token of hope for the life and love she dreams of. How brightly will it shine in the night’s darkest hour?

A host of stars crowds the desert sky, arching from the east, with its thriving towns, to the western mountains and an unknown future. Bound for the Oregon frontier, Jordan Bryce and her new husband, Colin, a dashing ex-mariner, face danger from both man and nature: a deadly buffalo stampede . . . tragedy at a river crossing . . . hostile Indians . . . and hatred within their wagon train, escalating from bitter words to the point of bloodshed. All that separates the Bryce’s party from disaster is seasoned leadership, the skillful guidance of Ty Sublette, and the hand of God.

For Jordan, the journey west is more than a trip into an untamed land. It is a passage from a teenage girl’s romantic fantasies to the wisdom and character of womanhood. But nothing can prepare Jordan for the testing that awaits her beyond the journey’s end. There, in the face of staggering circumstances, she will face an impossible decision . . . as two good men--one wounded by past grief, the other branded by his own impetuousness--struggle with the demands of faith and honor on behalf of the woman they love.

About the Author

Gilbert Morris is one of today's best-known Christian novelists, specializing in historical fiction. His best-selling works include Edge of Honor (winner of a Christy Award in 2001), Jacob's Way, The Spider Catcher, the House of Winslow series, the Appomattox series, and The Wakefield Saga. He lives in Gulf Shores, Alabama with his wife, Johnnie.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310227542
• ISBN-13: 978-0310227540
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #928,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gilbert Morris is among today's most popular Christian writers; his books having sold nearly six million copies worldwide. He specializes in historical fiction and won a 2001 Christy Award for the Civil War drama Edge of Honor. Once a pastor and English professor who earned a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas, Morris lives with his wife in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than the previous written review, July 3, 2002

By 

Vera H. Lortie "vjh10679" (GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jordan's Star (Paperback)

The previous review rates this book low and says it left her hanging. It does leave you hanging. I figured that means there will a sequel written soon to accompany this book. That is how it seems Gilbert Morris writes his books. The general makeup of this book is good, excellent even except that it does leave you hanging at the end. It has many twists that you would not think a person would ever have to face in life, but overall I think this book was well-written and definitely worth your time to read especially if you appreciate the work of Gilbert Morris. Another great novel written by him!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but not great, February 11, 2005

By 

Sharon Knutson "chinamomma" (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jordan's Star (Paperback)

Jordan's Star is the story of Jordan, a romatic young lady longing for a knight to come sweep her off her feet. After meeting Colin she swiftly falls in love and they marry. Colin is all she dreamed of, romantic, dashing, and is traveling via wagon train to the wilds of Oregon. Jordan is thrilled to be on an adventure, she slowly realizes the brutality of the long journey. There are deaths and hardships. She sees a side of Colin she never knew and fears what that dark side will turn into.

The story introduces you to many of the families in the wagon train and when they reach Oregon they all decide to settle nearby as they feel they have become neighbors. Colin struggles with the "sameness" of everyday and finally in desparation shocks Jordan by telling her he is returning to sea to make a large sum of money on one trip to Africa on a slaving ship. Jordan is dismayed as she has recently given birth to their son, Michael. Colin asks their good friend Ty Sublette to watch out over his family. Within 2 days Colin leaves her and heads off on the voyage that will take up a year. Two years later there has been no word from Colin and it is believed he is dead. Ty and Jordan marry and start their own family.

The end of the book is too much of a rush and trying to tie up loose ends. The faith part of the story is there, but truly is not a primary focus of the story. I did not like how it ended at all. For the deep turmoil that was happening, it seemed to be resolved very quickly and too neatly. I have read several other Gilbert Morris books and while there were parts of the book I truly liked, it isn't one of his better works.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a page turner, August 3, 2002

By 

S Nyles (Fleetwood, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jordan's Star (Paperback)

I wasn't expecting much after reading one review on Amazon but was pleasantly surprised. There was lots of action which made it a fast read. The ending wasn't as bad (in my opinion) as one review made it out to be. There is lots of drama throughout the book and especially the last 30 or so pages.