The Restorer (The Sword of Lyric Series #1) [Paperback]

Sharon Hinck (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 2007

Wife and soccer mom Susan Mitchell enters a portal into a mysterious world grappling for its soul and waiting for a promised Restorer. While she struggles to adapt to a foreign culture full of unfamiliar technologies and taboos, she faces unexpected battles, mind-poisoning enemies, and a profound spiritual journey.

Her adventure will forever change her family, her faith, and how she experiences love?from the One.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Susan Mitchell seems like any other depressed housewife and mother of four needy children. But devout novelist Hinck (also a wife and mother) has destined Susan for a life of fantastic adventure: like the Biblical Deborah, she is a "Restorer," a prophet. She is fated to help Kieran, Tristan, their family, and the people of Braide Wood-a town in the parallel universe where Susan mysteriously finds herself. It is her task to bring the heathens of Shamgar and other warring territories "back to the Verses." Basically, Susan must show how Jesus saves-even in parallel fantasy worlds. Why Hinck didn't situate her protagonist within the parallel universe from the very start is mystifying. This could have saved her audience from overcoming the book's unbelievable premise-that a middle-aged, down-and-out soccer mom lands herself in a parallel world (where she must suddenly carry and use a sword) by opening up a cardboard box labeled "Dress Up" stored in the attic. Hinck only makes the reader's task more difficult with constant, pedestrian references to the world that Susan left, comparing events to popular television shows like Crime Stoppers, scenery to "Play-Doh Villages," and local food to Cheerios. This disappointing and over-long first installment in the Sword of Lyric series adds little imagination to the growing genre of Christian fantasy.
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Review

"From the first page to the last you will be sucked into this alternate dimension along with its strong spiritual message..." -- Armchair Reviews

"Hinck combines adventure with humor in this creative story. The reader is treated to impressive sword battles, an alien mind poison and surprises throughout the book." -- Romantic Times

"The story holds you on the edge of your seat and a number of twists keep you reading." -- Blog Critics

"A compelling adventure, an engaging heroine, a unique and fascinating other world. The Restorer satisfies on many levels. Skillfully incorporating themes of faith, sacrifice and the power of words to deceive or deliver, Sharon Hinck has crafted a tale that resonates in both soul and spirit. A welcome addition to the expanding genre of Christian fantasy. Don't miss it!" -- Karen Hancock

"Just in time for a great summer read . . . There's no better way for an out-of-this-world vacation." -- Novel Reviews

"Sharon Hinck has done a remarkable job in writing a fantasy for people who don't normally read fantasies. A soccer mom finds herself in an alternate universe where she has to save her adopted people from vastly more powerful enemies. Loved the swordplay. Loved the spiritual insights. Most of all, loved the main character, Susan Mitchell, a compelling mix of Everymom and Wonder Woman." ~ Randy Ingermanson, award-winning author of Retribution -- Randy Ingermanson

"This story will keep you panting as you follow its jagged, twisting path, and a constant stream of breathtaking surprises are coiled around every corner." -- GoodReads.com

I knew that Sharon Hinck was a gifted writer, and I knew that her ability to write details was impeccable. What The Restorer showed me is just how big her imagination is! She's taken two concepts that have no right to work in the same story -- a harried housewife and a sprawling fantasy world with its own science, culture, and rules -- and smashed the two together into something altogether fresh and compelling -- even for a red-blooded, testosterone-driven guy like me. She zigged every time I expected her to zag, and the world she created is full of mystery and suspense and the awe of discovery. But it's the characters, especially her soccer-mom-come-prophesied-hero, who keep you coming back for more. -- Robin Parrish

The Restorer by Sharon Hinck (NavPress) is simply too good a book for me to put up a review on my own blog. I want as many people as possible to know about this fantasy.

It's been a long time since I inhaled a book, though of late there have been a couple I've gulped down pretty quickly. One such was Hinck's Renovating Becky Miller.

Fans of the Becky Miller books will also love this first book of The Sword of Lyric trilogy. But so will fantasy lovers.

This story is about Susan, a soccer mom turned Restorer. The characters are wonderfully accessible and engaging. They feel like they could be the neighbors next door or the couple in your Bible study. Maybe she teaches your daughter's Sunday school class. Maybe he is a regular on church work days. Or maybe they are you.

On the other hand, the world in which Susan finds herself is a brand new place. It is NOT Middle Earth or another Narnia. It is a place with a surprising mix of technology and primitive devices, and we see it through the eyes of soccer-mom Susan, so we understand it the way she does.

The novel is a story for Christians, without a doubt, but Hinck communicates the faith elements in a unique way. She does not use symbolism, and she does not put Christianity in the fantasy world ... not exactly, anyway. The parallel place has people of the Verses and they worship the One, creator of the world. They are looking for a Deliverer.

Susan is a Christian and recites Scripture, but she doesn't try to bring Christ to these people. She simply concludes that in her world the Deliverer has already come whereas these people are still waiting for Him. It is as if she is with a group of Old Testament Israelites (though the world bears no resemblance to that of the Promised Land).

The bond she feels with these people is in large part because they both believe in the One who has sent/will send the Deliverer and has made Himself known through Scripture/the Verses.

The worlds may be parallel. God is the same. Very powerful!

The story is outstanding, too--full of tension, conflict, intrigue, suspense, surprises, danger, sadness, triumph, hope, fear ... I can't begin to capture it all and certainly do not want to spoil the story by telling you specifics. The pace is fast but every step is properly motivated and understandable.

I have to qualify that statement because there is a period when Susan is adjusting to the parallel world and nothing makes sense to her. It all fits, but Hinck doesn't tip her hand and show you prematurely where everything belongs.

I enthusiastically recommend The Restorer as a Must Read for fantasy lovers and for Christian women. I highly recommend it for every other reader. -- Rebecca LuElla Miller

The Restorer is a great book for the hero - or heroine - in all of us. Sharon Hinck gives us a beautifully-realized world that demands the best that an everyday, run-of-the-mill Mom doesn't even know she has. Hinck's prose engages us in every moment of the struggle as the strength of the One drives the battle of the faithful against unimaginable odds. Excellent characters and an intriguing plot provide readers with great entertainment along with spiritual inspiration and enlightenment. I simply loved this book, hated for it to end, and am grateful that there's another in the Sword of Lyric series coming soon. -- Kathryn Mackel

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (April 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600061311
• ISBN-13: 978-1600061318
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have a heart for women who feel overwhelmed by their roles. The characters in my books use humor and imagination to cope with pressures and challenges of various kinds, and find that often the worst pressure comes from their own anxiety, perfectionism, comparisons, and skewed focus on life.

I believe that life is a grand adventure, and even the small choices we make each day can be heroic.

When the minutia of modern life wears me down, I write to remind myself of the bigger picture: We have an amazing God who made us, loves us, and invites us to be part of His story. And He is an expert at taking ordinary people and empowering them to make a difference by sharing His grace with others.

So whether I'm playing Cranium with my kids, scrubbing the kitchen floor, hiking in the Minnesota woods with my husband, or driving to my small-group Bible study, I'm often noticing bits of life to weave into my books, and listening for God's still, small voice.

I've been a church youth worker, a musician, a classical ballet teacher and choreographer. I've been on short-term missions trips, and done a few years of home-schooling. I've acted, danced, composed. I've managed a direct sales business, teaching artistic rubber-stamping. And I've written for anthologies and magazines as well as my novels. Clearly, I haven't yet decided what I'm supposed to be when I grow up--but I'm enjoying the exploration. :-)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars, May 8, 2007

By 

Camy Tang "Romance novels with a kick of wasabi" (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Restorer (The Sword of Lyric Series #1) (Paperback)

Since the story blurb isn't up yet on Amazon, here's a short one:

Susan, a modern-day soccer mom, is pulled through a portal into another world, where a nation grappling for its soul waits for a promised Restorer to save their people. Can she fill that role?

While she struggles to adapt to a foreign culture, she tackles an enemy that is poisoning the minds of the people, uncovers a corrupt ruling Council, and learns that God can use even her floundering attempts at service in surprising ways.

Camy here: I really enjoyed this book. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop--I finished it in two days.

I like the fact that the heroine is a soccer mom--it's such an unusual story premise and it made it easy for me to relate to Susan. There were a few times I didn't quite sympathize with her emotions or actions, but on the whole, I enjoyed following her through her story.

She's an ordinary woman whose faith enables her to do extraordinary things. She's not perfect, but she keeps trying. She picks herself up after her mistakes and keeps going. It's inspiring for any Christian woman struggling with purpose and worth.

The plot takes a lot of neat twists that I didn't see coming. I enjoyed the minor characters--they each seemed to have specific roles, and their differing personalities made for interesting dynamics.

The world itself isn't like your typical high fantasy world. It's a mixture of various types of technology, but nothing too high-tech, nothing too esoteric for the reader to grasp.

Unlike Karen Hancock's Arena, The Restorer is NOT allegorical. The world of the Restorer is unique in itself, and exciting to journey through.

Christians as young as junior high school age would enjoy this book, although younger readers might not relate to the older mom protagonist as much as their parents.

The great thing about this book is that it's a story both parents and kids can read and enjoy. Kids who read fantasy and speculative fiction will like the new world, and parents who don't usually read speculative fiction will like the everywoman protagonist, Susan, and relate to her all-too-familiar personal struggles.

I intend to hand this book to the kids in my youth group to see how they like it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Groundbreaking, June 5, 2007

By 

Julie Norman "Julie" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Restorer (The Sword of Lyric Series #1) (Paperback)

I am a long time fantasy lover, yet there hasn't been much in the Christian genre. And here comes this book - not only is it a fantasy but it is about a woman. Susan isn't your average fantasy heroine. She's never described as attractive or strong or even smart. In fact, she starts off suffering from depression, needing a break from it all. This book is unique to the modern Christian fiction market which is why I think this will be a groundbreaking book with (I hope) many others of its kind to follow.

Susan goes from fighting grape jelly stains to fighting assassins and enemies of the One. She becomes a Restorer, sent to help the people of Lyric in time of need. Through the process, she finds a new strength in herself and a growing faith in God. She seeks to restore not only this other dimension, but her family, her faith and the souls of many. What better person to do this than a mom?

The writing seemed smooth and the characters distinct. Though the ending is predictable, there are still a few twists that may surprise you. The only nitpick I could find is that there was more "telling" than "showing." But yet, I finished this 455 page book within two days, and will definitely read the next one. The overall message and symbolism of the story won me over. The way the poison works is a great illustration of what we struggle with today, and the cure is perfect. The sword at her side gave her great strength in times of need - just like in the armor of God. There are many things like this in the book that underlie the main story; and will make it a good book to read over and over again.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The World Needs Restorers, May 27, 2007

By 

Grace Brigette Francis "Irish Kiwi" (Global Wanderer) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Restorer (The Sword of Lyric Series #1) (Paperback)

After hearing a lot of buzz building up about The Restorer, I decided I didn't want to miss out on this one. I'd read Sharon's first novel, The Secret Life of Becky Miller, just one week earlier, and was curious about her new project - which, according to the blurbs, takes mom-lit fantasy into a whole new dimension.

This book reached me at a time when I badly needed a break from my own life. Instead of running away, I ran into its pages and met people - and a woman like me - dealing with tougher things than I've ever had to face. I huddled on my sofa, glancing out at the thunderstorm beyond my window, and relished this balm for the soul - words to comfort and empower.

Susan, prime-aged mother of four, happily married, has struck a crisis and gotten bogged down in a housewife's daily slog. Her thoughtful husband provides a possibility for her to take time-out, but before she can catch her breath, a mysterious portal whisks her into a strange and terrifying place - a land where she has a task she knows nothing of. Randomly memorized Bible verses often provide precise help when she most needs it along her journey of discovery - what it means to be this peculiar land's prophesied Restorer. This story will keep you panting as you follow its jagged, twisting path, and a constant stream of breathtaking surprises are coiled around every corner.

The characters are rough-edged and realistic, carrying their weaknesses with courage, no matter how severely dysfunctional they are. One object lesson stuck particularly in my mind: as Restorer, Susan is given the ability to heal quickly from any injuries she receives. To prove she really is the Restorer, various locals frequently use their knives on her so they can watch the miracle healing take place within seconds. Thus, the proof of one's strength is seen in how your wounds heal. Isn't that true of real life, too?

Susan sees it all with the eyes of a mother, her feelings mirroring what you or I would go through if we were suddenly transformed into another world's heroines. The impossible odds she faced and conquered tell me that although this is a fantasy, God's faithfulness and love are no fairytale and remain the same - in any world.

The only other book I can even remotely compare this to is Karen Hancock's Arena, although it's actually completely different. They share the theme of an ordinary woman being dumped into a hostile fantasy world, so if you enjoyed Arena, you'll love Restorer too. It's a rich feast for the senses, earthy and inspiring. It left me with lots of questions, but of the kind that open a horizon of hope. I ponder: If I trust God to patch me up and make me whole, maybe I can be a Restorer, too. And that's something our own world can sure use plenty of.