The Journey (The Adventures of Jecosan Tarres, Book 1) [Paperback]

Laura Lond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 25, 2003

Laura Lond's inspiring and heartbreaking novel unfolds from a different time and a different place. But the truths inside may be all too familiar.

His father killed in war before he was three, his mother unexpectedly dying when he was eight, Jecosan Tarres is young and poor, yet he has something not many men have: a faithful heart, a strong spirit, and the knowledge of truth taught to him by his mother and the priest Shaledan. Alone for a year, but later befriended by a blacksmith, Dalian, he has already beaten the odds of being destitute and forgotten, but clearly something or someone is at work in his life. With his faithful dog Gart, and his friend Dalian, he sets out on a life defining journey after a messenger visits him with a commission to go to Kanavar, the ancient capital of Meoria, where he is to enter the king's service and somehow prevent the war that is about to break out in his country. There are powerful forces interested in his journey, both to fail and succeed. Join young Jecosan as he struggles along, escaping sudden traps, facing prison and captivity, fighting pain and despair, and losing and making friends.

"The Journey" is Book 1 of a trilogy. Book 2, "The Palace," and Book 3, "The Battle," are also available to order.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Superbly written novel which is suitable for readers as young as ten, yet deliberately written to appeal to all ages." -- Midwest Book Review, July 2003

"The premise of the story is intriguing, and the writing shows the author's high level of skill." -- Writer's Digest

From the Author

I have made it a point to uplift strong moral values, and to show that having clear ethical standards does matter. I believe it is very important in our time of moral relativism when good and evil are almost blended together, and there is a quick excuse and justification for almost everything. I remember reading old classics where such concepts as "honor" and "duty" meant the world, and it went without saying that the hero wouldn't lie, or that the heroine would rather live the rest of her life alone and in poverty than marry a rich man she did not love. You just wanted to hold your head up after reading those stories; you admired those people and wanted to be like them. I have tried to bring this back in my book.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Salem Communications (March 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591605296
• ISBN-13: 978-1591605294
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,486,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laura Lond is an internationally published author of several novels and a collection of short stories. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. Having worked for 2 years at a literary museum, Laura entered the world of business, working for large international corporations like Xerox Ltd. and Fluor Daniel. After moving from Europe to the United States, she has been self-employed as a freelancer.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Edifying-What More Could You Want!, March 2, 2006

By 

M. Luttrell "Ransomed" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Journey (The Adventures of Jecosan Tarres, Book 1) (Paperback)

Why would you want to read "The Adventures of Jecosan Tarres" yourself? Because it is full of happy times, suspense, noble sacrifice, heart-thrilling beauty, dramatic rescues, bad guys that get their just deserts, and good guys sticking to their principles against all costs-which brings to them a satisfying reward. Reading this thoroughly enjoyable story will change you, if you let it. It illustrates the basic principles of integrity, honesty, loyalty, and reaping what you sow. After finishing Book #2, I found myself comparing different aspects of the plot to my own life. By experiencing the story I was encouraged to improve myself and my own disciplines. I usually don't read a book again until several years have passed, but within a week after finishing the first two, I gathered my kids together and we have started at the beginning, reading "The Adventures" aloud and discussing its analogies.
All three books will need to be purchased to finish the story, so be prepared for the agony of an unfinished high-point if in your eagerness to dive into this pleasurable tale you begin reading without the final edition in your possession.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Adventures of Jecosan Tarres, January 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Journey (The Adventures of Jecosan Tarres, Book 1) (Paperback)

Jecosan, a young blacksmith's apprentice, lives a quiet and peaceful life in his home village of Chegmer. His days are filled with work and wandering in the forest, looking for mushrooms and berries. Yet when something unusual begins to happen, Jecosan is prepared: he knows that everyone has a calling, and the time has come for him to receive his.

Thus begins the story of Jecosan, and it will keep you turning the pages. The boy's faithful heart and firm determination to do what is commissioned to him is admirable. He seems to be going through one trial after another - and he is not made of stone, he does get hurt and does cry - but he won't give up.

Other characters are also very enjoyable. Each one has a story, and touches you in his own way. One of my favorites is Lord Agassar, a noble old man who finds enough strength of character to do what is right and help Jecosan despite his own personal loss.

I highly recommend this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cute Christian Children's Fantasy, February 20, 2011

By 

Rachel (Houghton, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Journey (The Adventures of Jecosan Tarres, Book 1) (Paperback)

The Journey is a sweet little children's fantasy for Christian readers. It begins the journey of Jecosan Tarres, an orphan boy who has managed to conserve a deep faith in God despite a life of adversity. Jeco gets a message from God telling him to take a dangerous journey to the king's palace--a quest that his friend and caretaker Dalian does not approve of, but accepts because of Jeco's stubbornness. Although Lond's writing style in The Journey is not as mature as it is in her more recent (and adorable) book My Sparkling Misfortune, she has created two loveable human characters and one very lovable canine character. I am eager to see how these characters develop in the next two books and to see where Jeco's mission will lead.