Official Review: The Asquinn Twins Come To Forest Lake
Posted: 21 Sep 2017, 03:47
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Asquinn Twins Come To Forest Lake" by Grace Brooks.]
2 out of 4 stars
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Stories written for young readers are always among the books top on my list. When I saw the cover of this particular book, I was automatically fascinated.
The Asquinn Twins Come to Forest Lake is a story about the Asquinn Twins, Martin and Martha, who accompany their parents as their father moves the family from Aberystwyth, Wales to Forest Lake, Canada, to follow his life’s mission and answer to his calling of spreading the Gospel. The twins are anxious and excited to leave the only home that they have ever known.
As they travel to Canada, the family encounters opposition and they are forced to continue their journey as they look for a place to settle. The Asquinns are excited when they arrive in Forest Lake and they soon set up their home.
As Mr. Asquinn sets up the Church, the initial meetings are only attended by few congregants. This, however, does not deter him. He continues to preach and spread the Gospel passionately and with time the Church grows steadily. Martin and Martha start school and go on to make new friends and with time, Forest Lake starts feeling like home.
Their life is not without challenges. Conrad Cameron, a distant relative of the Asquinns, seeks to destroy them through the use of witchcraft. Throughout the book, there is a constant strain between the two families.
The book’s main focus is the presentation of the two perspectives of spiritual life that include evil and good and the constant conflict between these two forces. Grace Brooks’ intention is to present the reality of evil and let the reader understand and feel its impact. The book is a work of fiction written with a particular focus on young readers who may be seeking to understand the contrast between good and evil.
As I began reading The Asquinn Twins Come to Forest Lake, I was immediately captivated by the way the story began with the Asquinn family preparing to leave their home and embark on a journey that would change their lives. However, the author failed to maintain this grip of suspense on me and as the story progressed, it turned out to be monotonous and uneventful. Most of the scenes to me were mostly predictable.
Some parts of the book really confused me. An example is the abrupt introduction of Conrad Cameron into the story and his sudden exit from the scenes in the story he appears. As the antagonist in the story, I felt that the author did not sufficiently develop his character. Unfortunately, other key characters are also poorly developed.
Too many aspects that make a good story are lacking in the book, it felt like the author wrote the book in a hurry. Too many grammatical errors are also contained in the book. Yet I feel that The Asquinn Twins Come to Forest Lake has great potential. The author could have easily spun most scenes into action that could easily compel any reader. There are also possible avenues in the book that the author could have exploited to develop each key character.
Despite what the book lacks, Grace Brooks maintains a consistent theme of the constant clash between good and evil, throughout her narration. The story also contains important values that the reader can emulate such as courage, kindness even in the face of cruelty, and consistency in faith. I, therefore, rate the book 2 out of 4 stars.
******
The Asquinn Twins Come To Forest Lake
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like EmunahAn's review? Post a comment saying so!
2 out of 4 stars
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Stories written for young readers are always among the books top on my list. When I saw the cover of this particular book, I was automatically fascinated.
The Asquinn Twins Come to Forest Lake is a story about the Asquinn Twins, Martin and Martha, who accompany their parents as their father moves the family from Aberystwyth, Wales to Forest Lake, Canada, to follow his life’s mission and answer to his calling of spreading the Gospel. The twins are anxious and excited to leave the only home that they have ever known.
As they travel to Canada, the family encounters opposition and they are forced to continue their journey as they look for a place to settle. The Asquinns are excited when they arrive in Forest Lake and they soon set up their home.
As Mr. Asquinn sets up the Church, the initial meetings are only attended by few congregants. This, however, does not deter him. He continues to preach and spread the Gospel passionately and with time the Church grows steadily. Martin and Martha start school and go on to make new friends and with time, Forest Lake starts feeling like home.
Their life is not without challenges. Conrad Cameron, a distant relative of the Asquinns, seeks to destroy them through the use of witchcraft. Throughout the book, there is a constant strain between the two families.
The book’s main focus is the presentation of the two perspectives of spiritual life that include evil and good and the constant conflict between these two forces. Grace Brooks’ intention is to present the reality of evil and let the reader understand and feel its impact. The book is a work of fiction written with a particular focus on young readers who may be seeking to understand the contrast between good and evil.
As I began reading The Asquinn Twins Come to Forest Lake, I was immediately captivated by the way the story began with the Asquinn family preparing to leave their home and embark on a journey that would change their lives. However, the author failed to maintain this grip of suspense on me and as the story progressed, it turned out to be monotonous and uneventful. Most of the scenes to me were mostly predictable.
Some parts of the book really confused me. An example is the abrupt introduction of Conrad Cameron into the story and his sudden exit from the scenes in the story he appears. As the antagonist in the story, I felt that the author did not sufficiently develop his character. Unfortunately, other key characters are also poorly developed.
Too many aspects that make a good story are lacking in the book, it felt like the author wrote the book in a hurry. Too many grammatical errors are also contained in the book. Yet I feel that The Asquinn Twins Come to Forest Lake has great potential. The author could have easily spun most scenes into action that could easily compel any reader. There are also possible avenues in the book that the author could have exploited to develop each key character.
Despite what the book lacks, Grace Brooks maintains a consistent theme of the constant clash between good and evil, throughout her narration. The story also contains important values that the reader can emulate such as courage, kindness even in the face of cruelty, and consistency in faith. I, therefore, rate the book 2 out of 4 stars.
******
The Asquinn Twins Come To Forest Lake
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like EmunahAn's review? Post a comment saying so!
I hope so too GPM
