Customer Reviews

The Truth Chronicles: The Rescue

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I had fun with this one. Four smart teenagers go on the adventure of their lives, traveling back in time, discovering what the Bible really says about creation, dinosaurs, and other pertinent elements to the foundation of Christianity. Faced with danger, international intrigue, relationships challenged and deepened, and spiritual devotion--solidified as well as strengthened--this series not only entertains, but is an excellent tool for answering, with a clear and simplistic approach, those questions that have perplexed many. Ideal for the young reader, enjoyable for the old, The Truth Chronicles delivers something wonderful to us all.

Is it possible that dinosaurs might have lived at the same time as large mammals and even humans? Of course, evolutionists say no, but what do Jax Thompson, Izzy Weber, JT Bankers, and Micky Simmons, students at the prestigious Silicon Valley Prep, find out when they return for another thrilling adventure in the time machine that Jax and Izzy invented based on research done by Jax's father who was presumed dead in an explosion at his laboratory three years before. After Jax and JT are swept over a waterfall, they see a mammoth spraying water on itself in the river, and while Izzy and Micky are searching for their friends they rescue a couple of children who are victims of a brutal attack.
In addition, they all still have to deal with a nasty allosaurus, yet they have gone back only 4,500 years. When they return home and start summer school, they are invited by their friend Jonas Ellis to spend the night together with him at the nearby Foothills Observatory to see the Morris-Faulkner comet. The kids tell Jonas about their previous experiences, and he says that what they saw is entirely consistent with a young earth creationist view. Izzy and Micky aren't convinced, so the five of them make one more trip. After having to fix the time machine following a minor accident, Jax and Izzy walk down to the river to wash up and are lost during a huge sudden thunderstorm. Will they be able to make it back to the time machine, or will the others have to go out and find them? And will any of the information that Jax and Izzy found help in explaining what happened to Jax's father?
Like the two previous books in this series, there is a lot of discussion regarding the evidences often presented for both evolution and creationism. Yes, I know that it's "science fiction," but even "fiction" can be used to show truth and to demonstrate that there is just as much truly scientific reason to believe in a young earth than in "billions and billions of years." These books will help teach young believers how to answer many of their friends' most frequently asked questions about the Bible and their faith. Just as Jax's, Izzy's, and Micky's worldviews are challenged and their lives changed, so will readers find their worldviews challenged with the hope that their lives might be changed too. It is wonderful to see Jax's developing faith and the growing relationship between him and JT. This series is a must read for today's young people.

Each of my three kids--ages 8, 10, & 14 -- read all three of the Truth Chronicles and loved them! They enjoyed them so much, they literally could not put them down. What I truly appreciate about this series is that it gives kids (and adults) an awesome tool for discussing and sharing Christianity. The characters are very believable as they tackle real-life faith/science/relationship issues while seamlessly affirming and/or discovering a Biblical worldview. Readers are learning--while being thoroughly entertained with a high-action adventure--very practical ways to defend, discuss and live out the Christian faith. My kids and I highly recommend this series and are hopeful that Tim Chaffey and Joe Westbrook team up again to continue the adventure!

Let me introduce you to Jax, Isaiah (Izzy), JT, and Micky. All four of these teens attend one of the top science schools in the nation. These technology geeks are creating some pretty interesting experiments for their school's science fair. Jax, whose dad was a top scientist, is angry at God after his father's death. Izzy is Jax's best friend and lab partner who doesn't really buy into the whole God thing. JT is Jax's former girlfriend who is a Christian. Micky is JT's friend and lab partner; she doesn't believe in God. Little do they know what God has in store for all of them....

Maybe heading back in time wasn't such a good idea. Jax and JT find themselves in a perilous situation. Jax struggles with wrapping his head around the theories of evolution and creation as he and JT search for Izzy and Micky. Izzy and Micky try not to change the future as they look for their friends, but they can't turn their backs on children in need. Will all of the teens make it safely back home? Will their current actions change the future?

For me, this was very much a don't judge a book by it's cover type of experience. I'm not a big fan of the manga style of art, so I didn't really look too much at the Truth Chronicles series when I first saw it. Once I read what the series was actually about, I thought it was something that my daughter would really enjoy.

This is the third book in the series and picks up right where the second book left off. The hard questions of the Bible, Creation, evolution, and science are woven seamlessly throughout the story. The apologetics in the books are not forced or unnatural.

I appreciate how the books handled the friendship/relationship aspects between Jax and JT. (JT would not date Jax since he was not a Christian. Instead, she prayed for him. The youth pastor gave solid counsel on dating and relationships.) While my daughter (age 11) didn't care for the whole relationship thing, it is something that today's tweens and teens deal with on a regular basis. It was nice to see the issue handled according to the Bible.

The Back to the Future and Jurassic Park moments in the book made me chuckle. The books are packed with action, adventure, and suspense which make readers want to read through the whole book in one sitting. While the story was nicely wrapped up in the third book, I was pleased to hear that there may be more books coming out in this series in the future. I highly recommend these books.

From my daughter (age 11): I thought The Truth Chronicles were really good. I enjoyed the action and adventure, but I could have done without the romantic aspects. I also didn't really care for the style of pictures. The stories were very interesting, and there was a good message. I like how it pointed out the truth about creation, evolution, and science. I would recommend all three books.

Tim Chaffey and Joe Westbrook have done a masterful job of creating a series of books that not only presents answers to real questions that young people have about the Christian faith, but also contains a story that they will WANT to read. The characters are realistic, the dialogue is fun, and the pictures are fantastic.

The concept of this series has been long overdue. Now parents can give their kids something that will spark their imagination AND support their faith at the same time.