Tricia Mingerink

Dare

Hope Brockway

2020 Review

I sort of stumbled across this book in 2015. I had just recently learned about indie publishing and, due to that discovery, my definition of Christian fiction expanded. This series, along with a few other books like Nadine Brandes' Out of Time series, Jaye L. Knight's Ilyon Chronicles, and later Andrew Peterson's Wingfeather Saga completely redefined what Christian fiction could and should be. 

The Blades of Acktar weaves together so many different aspects of the Christian journey seamlessly. It covers topics like courage, standing strong in your faith, being saved by grace, and sacrificial love. Plus there are some fight scenes and plenty of adventure peppered in. Each character grows so much and there is some character arc for almost everyone. 

While this book, and later this series, discuss heavy topics, this sense of joy permeates every book. Sure, there is some violence and death, but it all points to something greater. 

I can't praise this series enough. It's full of fun and action and adventure and quotable moments and I am just as in love with it as when I originally read it. 

Original Review

For some reason, I have a very hard time reviewing books that I love dearly. Maybe I can't seem to find the words to express my deep love for such books, or maybe I think that no one wants to read my fangirlly mush of a review. *shrugs* Whatever the cause, it was very difficult to find the words to describe this amazing book.

Dare started with a bang. Or, to be more accurate, an arrow whoosh. And the pace in this book doesn't really slow until the end. Yeah. It ends in a cliff-hanger. You might want to have a box of chocolates and someone to hug when you finish this book.

Leith Torren is amazing. Yep, I added him to my ever-growing list of fictional crushes. And he's fascinating. I love the mix of vulnerability and strength that makes him so interesting and lovable. Yes, a Blade can totally be lovable. *looks at Renna* #shamelessshipping

Acktar was a really fascinating setting. I loved how Ms. Mingerink didn't use the traditional Medieval European setting for her fantasy story, but instead used a sort of American West setting. I thought it was so cool. I kind of want to live in Acktar now. *cheesy grin* Except for the whole King Respen bit. That wouldn't be so pleasurable.

Can we just talk about the ending? (Don't worry, I'll keep this review spoiler-free.) I mean . . . *shakes head* I made the sort of bad decision to read the ending in public, and my dad thought my panic and facial expressions were hilarious. Let's just say that you'll want to have a couple of free hours while you read the last half of the book. It was really really hard to put down. *scowls at schoolwork*

If I can't drill this into your head enough, this book is amazing. The characters were awesome, the setting was really different and cool, and the plot was super exciting. I totally recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a clean, Christian fantasy book that's very exciting.

Dare

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