Christian Parent Reviews Cross

Christian Author & Story

Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione

VERDICT: HIGHLY Recommended
 (with caution)

Concern Level: Medium-Low

Book Cover for Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione

Christian Parent Reviews Cross

Christian Parent Review

Concerning & Potentially Concerning Content

There is almost nothing to be concerned about here. As with much of the Christian allegory, the best stories and authors (to which title certainly qualifies) takes evil very seriously. While the audience is carefully kept in mind some parents may wait to provide these types of titles to their very youngest or more sensitive readers. We will share the content from this book that falls into this category to help you decide if your children fall into this category. There are threats by the evil characters to kill or torture. A good character’s wife and kids were said to have been killed. We read a memory where someone says that “Parents had been brutally killed and the four children were missing”. There are a few intense battle scenes, one of which is with a set of evil wolf-like creatures. Blood is mentioned a few times. We read of a few people being killed with swords (careful not to focus on the details). Overall all of this is handled very well, but important to know it is there. One of the best characters at one point says that they would like to wipe a “stupid grin” from an evil character’s face. At one point a horse is killed by a villain and some detail is given.

Christian Parent Reviews Cross

Our Thoughts

This book starts with a beautiful dedication from the author, one of our favorite authors, to his wife and kids saying “May your passion for the Lord consume you”. The positive, scripture-focused content only continues from there. We will share enough of this to help give you a glimpse of the faith-building content your child will take in with this excellent story. In this intro we read, “This is the change, those who love Him (the King and His Prince) must travel to the far reaches of the Kingdom… tell all the people of Him and His imminent return and wage war against Lucius and his shadow warriors”. This is again excellent Christian allegory where, for example, we hear of a veil that keeps the people “from knowing the truth about their Lord… about their Kingdom, about their futures… a great war rages all around them…. And most do not see it” there is a Prince who came to tear the veil and “reveal truth to all who dare to look beyond the comfort of ignorance”. Of people accepted into the Prince’s service, “It has always seemed a little backwards to me — first knighting commoners and then training them. But then the ways always seem contrary to the rest of the Kingdom”. Another great example, “We don’t like to dwell on the plots of Lucius, for our mission is simply to take the good news of the Prince to the entire Kingdom and recruit as many as are willing. However, we can’t ignore or retreat from the direct attacks of the Dark Knight”. In the face of an unthinkably powerful and evil man, Sir Kendrick points to the much more powerful King and His Prince (a theme that comes up again and again). A really powerful line for a child to hear, “everyone makes mistakes. The question is what you do with the situation once you know it… men of character embrace their mistakes and become stronger”. Those of your familiar with the “Kingdom Series” may see this as a much-welcomed continuation of that series. While this book, and the series it launches, has a lot of parallels the major difference is that the “Kingdom Series” focuses on specific allegorical stories communicating portions of scripture this series is focused on key biblical principles, being told through really entertaining stories. This is the great combination of a really interesting and exciting plot combined with a barrage of faith-enhancing content. It correctly points out that we are in a “battle for the souls of men and women, one side to enslave, the other to set them free… ultimately a picture of this choice of freedom or bondage”. To show the author’s intentionality, the book ends with an epilogue that calls young readers into action for this battle, for the Prince. It also has excellent discussion questions with answers. Chuck reiterates his ultimate purpose, that his readers would be “drawn to Jesus Christ and trust Him as Lord and Savior”. This is without question a HIGHLY Recommended title and start of an exciting series.

Plot SummaryNote: This information is typically from the publisher.

A dangerous new order threatens the mission of the Knights of Arrethtrae. Only loyalty to the King can bring victory! As the Knights of the Prince await His triumphant return, they are steadfast in their mission to take His story into the kingdom and recruit as many as are willing. But when a new and dangerous threat is revealed, their mission is jeopardized. Sir Kendrick and his young charge, the impetuous Sir Duncan, are sent on a mission to discover the identity and origin of a secretive new order known as the Vincero Knights. They travel to the city of Bel Lione where Lord Ra has been enticing young people in the kingdom to join his festivals, after which many choose not to return home. Their families keep quiet for fear of repercussion. When Sir Duncan disappears while trying to discover the truth of Lord Ra’s castle, Sir Kendrick attempts to find and enlist the help of a mysterious warrior. Time is short for he must save Duncan and call upon the knights of Chessington to join in the battle against the evil Lord Ra. Journey to Arrethtrae, where these knights of noble heart live and die in loyal service to the King and the Prince. These knights are mighty, for they serve a mighty King. They are… the Knights of Arrethtrae! 169 Pages. Discussion Questions Included

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Other Reviews for this Book

Christian Review
Plugged In
Our Thoughts on this Review

This review has some interesting content in the Christian Beliefs section. Also really like the suggestion in the “Additional Comments”. Good job on the potentially concerning content as well.

Read Review
Christian Review
Squeaky Clean Reviews
Our Thoughts on this Review

Solid review worth reading through.

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Scripture Reflection

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

— Colossians 2:6-8

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