"Passages Manuscript 2: Arin's Judgment" by Paul McCusker

"Arin's Judgment" is another fantastic book by Paul McCusker. This is the second in the "Passages" series, and I guarantee you that I will read all of them.
The story centers around a manuscript that was found by John Avery Whitaker of Odyssey. In the manuscript (which is the main portion of the book), we have the story of young Wade. He is transported from his home during the days following World War II to a different time and place.
The stories in the "Passages" series always parallel a Bible story, but with modern twists. The Biblical story re-portrayed in this book is the story of Noah and God's judgment on the sins of man in Genesis 6....only in this case, God doesn't destroy the earth with a flood, but with a.......... you didn't think I was gonna TELL you, did you? The counterpart to Noah is Arin, the books title character.
Young Wade faces some hard temptations, and we learn a great lesson about the grace of God. Even though Arin and his family are spared from God's wrath, they clearly know that they don't deserve to be spared. As Arin so eloquently points out to Wade near the end of the book, they are only spared because they trusted in the "Unseen One", their name for God.
I would caution that there are some gruesome moments of death and illness. The book is intended for 10 year olds and up. However, the story is a wonderful adventure!
Five out of five stars, with a smile!

"Darien's Rise" by Paul McCusker

***WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!
"Darien's Rise" is the first book in the Adventures in Odyssey "Passages" series. I am so glad to see that Adventures in Odyssey is still providing great entertainment for young people! I have listened to DOZENS of the radio episodes in my lifetime. They have a very good reputation for emphasizing Biblical life-lessons in ways that are easily understood by young people. So, knowing that Paul McCusker had written some great material for the radio shows, I had high hopes for this book (even though it is for ages 10 and up, and I'm 26 years old). He did not disappoint me!
I borrowed this book from a kid in our church. He recommended it to me, knowing that I like to read. So, I dove into it, in between "big books." I must say, it holds up very well, even among other Christian Fiction titles I've read that are geared to adults. Paul McCusker is a very creative and talented man.
The story is basically about a pair of siblings who are miraculously transported from an old abandoned house to a different time and place. As the story unfolds, the reader will recognize that it is a re-telling of the Biblical story of David and King Saul. The parallels are very clever; and even though I knew how the story should end, I was still riveted to the book all the way through. Sure, the story is told in a way that appeals to young readers - and it is told from a young person's perspective. But that doesn't mean adults can't enjoy it!
One word of caution for parents: there is a minor amount of violence, but you should be aware of it. Near the end of the book, the character who represents "King Saul" in the story shoots himself in the head. (Remember, in the Bible Saul fell on his own sword so that he would not fall into the hands of the enemy.)
I highly recommend this book, especially for 10-14 year-olds. (And I'll be reading book #2 shortly!)