Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Book Review: The Stone Traveler by Kathi Oram Peterson

A teenage boy from our time, troubled by his childhood and seeking to shut it out through outrageous behavior.  A desperate but determined girl from the past, trying to rescue her brother from a terrible fate and live up to the expectations of her father.  Brought together in a miraculous way, Tag and Sabirah may hold the answers the other seeks, but first, they have to overcome their fears and become the heroes of their own story.

Tag's father and brother left, leaving Tag and his mother alone.  He has very little memory of that time.  All he knows is that one day, he had a father and brother.  The next, he didn't, and his mother was crying all the time.  As years passed, she moved on and was able to support Tag, and even began dating again.  But he still carries the scars of deep emotional pain, and he shows those scars on the outside in the way he dresses and treats people.

Sabirah is the daughter of Samuel the Lamanite.  She knows the words her father spoke were true, and she's fought for his cause her entire life.  But as enemy factions seek to lead the believers astray and even destroy them, her mission becomes more difficult.

Step back in time with "The Stone Traveler" and visit the land of Jacobugath right before the coming of Christ to the Americas.  Peterson has done a beautiful job of painting pictures in the mind's eye of the tropical forests, the unique creatures that inhabit the land, the foods created from the plants and meats available, and the clothing worn by the Book of Mormon peoples.  I found myself easily visualizing the entire scene as I read.

There were a few spots where Sabirah's voice and Tag's seemed similar enough that I momentarily forgot whose head I was in, but I considered that a minor thing.

Having enjoyed Peterson's other novels, I can say that I saw growth in this author from her first book to now.  Her descriptions are richer and deeper, and I believe she has done what all authors should do - continually sought to hone her craft.  If every author were to expand and develop their talents from one book to the next as Peterson has done, it would be a beautiful thing for the world of literature.  I did find several sentences that ended with prepositions, and, being an editor, I'm apt to notice things like that, but I'm more than willing to put that aside in my overall enjoyment of the book.  Well, well done, Kathi.

I received a copy of this book from the author, but this gift did not influence my opinion of the book.  If I had been paid off, I wouldn't have mentioned the sentences that ended in prepositions.  Just so you know.


Now, hold your horses ... I'm not done yet!!


How would you like to win this:




How would you like to win this:






Well, you can!!

Visit Kathi Oram Peterson's blog and read this post.  You will learn the secrets of the winning of the prizes, and be directed to awesome blogs all over the Internet ... even as awesome as mine!!  Don't miss out on this chance to win awesome prizes and be known as the Coolest Blog Reader Ever.

30 comments:

Tracy Loewer said...

Excellent review!

Tristi Pinkston said...

Why, thank you! :)

MTeacress said...

Tristi, you reminded me that I need to refresh my memory on the definition of a preposition. Haha! :)

Christina Dymock said...

Great review! I'm also going to add myself to your followers list. What a great blog!

Ben Spendlove said...

Thanks for the insight. It's all too easy for characters to pick up the same voice. Sometimes it's a problem, sometimes not. Have you heard the joke about ending sentences with prepositions?

Laura S. said...

Terrific review! I'm glad the scenes come alive in the reader's mind. I'm looking forward to learning more about the Book of Mormon, the locations and the people!

Angie said...

Thanks for the review. Sounds like a great book.

Glynis Peters said...

I have swum a pool, fell out of a canoe, avoided snakes and Caiman 'logs' to get to this blog.

It was worth the ride. A great review and fascinating blog. You have a new follower. ☺

Redhead said...

I like books in where it seems you are the person you are actually reading about It means the discription is amazing!!!

Anonymous said...

I love books where the setting is as important to the story as the characters themselves, and this sounds like one of them. Nice review.

Kristi said...

Thanks for the review!

Emily M said...

I loved the Stone Traveler!!! It was such a fantastic book and it felt like I was right there along this Tag!! I recommend this book very highly!

Elizabeth Morgan said...

Sounds like an awesome book!

Melissa Cunningham said...

Joining the tour a little late, but count me in!

Annette Lyon said...

I love it when I hear that a writer is growing from one book to the next instead of resting of their laurels. Kudos to Kathi for always upping her game!

Chantele Sedgwick said...

Great review! I finished it over the weekend and really enjoyed it! :)

Why Not? Because I Said So! said...

Tristi, I think that all of us need the lesson on prepositions. That can be your next post.

I also loved to see Kathi's growth as a writer. I felt like this was her best book yet...with more to come. Yeah Kathi!

Danyelle Ferguson said...

Great review Tristi. I really enjoyed The Stone Traveler. Thanks for posting your thoughts about it as well!

M.R.Bunderson said...

Great praise. Sounds like a good book.

Taffy said...

Samuel the Lamanite was one of my favorite people in the Book of Mormon.

Peggy Urry said...

Thanks for the review Tristi! Sounds like a very visual book.

Samantha Vérant said...

Really, what a wonderful review. After reading many, it's nice you talk about the author and her growth.

Anonymous said...

Love the review and can't wait to read the book. I love your blog page and the hominess of it!!

brendajean said...

Thanks for the review. I loved her other books so I can't wait to see her growth now.

Krista Van Dolzer said...

Thanks for your review, Tristi. And congratulations on having SECRET SISTERS picked up by Wal-mart. You know you've arrived once you've infiltrated WallyWorld:)

Jenn Adams said...

Wait, are you saying we shouldn't end a sentence in a preposition??? I thought we were supposed to! ;o) Thanks for your review.

Elise said...

I loved the book and the way the characters developed and grew. Thanks for your review!

Jilly Bean said...

Great stop on the tour. Thanks for your review.

Lori Bottomley said...

Thank you for the honest and well written review.

Valerie Ipson said...

Thanks for your review!

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