One of my favorite thing about reading is finding new series, authors and subjects in which to engross myself in. When I read a book, I tend to find myself a part of the story. I see the story in pictures and find myself imagining what it would be like to live in the story. I actually retain the scene so if I re-read a book, I see it the same way! Maybe I'm just a little strange or too involved in a story but I my son has inherited the same love of reading and becoming involved with the book:)
I have read a few of Terri Blackstock's books in the past, but recently have started reading them non-stop. The Restoration Series is wonderful! There are 4 books in the series.
The whole series revolves around the idea of what might happen if we lost all electricity. How would our lives change? How would we react? Our culture has become so hooked on technology that the idea of not having it is sometimes terrifying. We don't know how we would continue life as we know it. The series begins with all the electronics losing their power. There's no air or electricity in homes, but even more confusing is the fact that cars fail to run, watches won't keep time. Nothing that needs electric power works. We see how differently people react to the situation.
The first book, Last Light, focuses mainly on the Branning family and the beginning of the loss. People are reacting to the initial struggle...getting home, not being able to call people or find people, and realizing how easy life had been compared to after the catastrophe. We realize by living the story, how much we rely on electronics, and how hard it can be to adapt when things are taken away, not by choice.
In the second book, Night Light, we learn how the longer the people deal with change, and the permanence of it, how people begin to react in survival mode. We learn through circumstances that occur, how little people are trusting in God, and are focusing more on the negatives...what was lost, instead of trusting in God and in family.
In book three, True Light, in the light of recent murders people are on edge. As the neighborhood begins to try and start it's own government and start to provide some sort of normalcy in spite of circumstances. People are really starting to get frustrated which leads to some poor choices and consequences for choices.
In book four, Dawn's Light, the families have really learned to trust God, have accepted life as it is, and have adapted to the idea the lights may never come on. When they find out the power will soon be fixed, how will they deal with everything. As the Branning family comes to grips with a tragedy that comes on the family, will they be able to trust the God they've learned to rely on? Can God really bring good out of something bad?
While these books all follow the lost of electronics, I think a bigger story lies behind it. What are we focusing our lives on? What are our priorities? I think Terri Blackstock gives us a great and very exciting look into a "what if" situation. There is no way to read these books and come out the same. They are filled with excitement, drama, tragedy and love. Most important are the life lessons and helps teach us to trust in God no matter what the circumstances are.
You do not want to miss out on these great books. I stayed up too late many nights because I just couldn't put down the book I was on.
Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this review. I used library books to do the review. My opinions are honest and are completely mine.
The link to the first book on amazon.com is Last Light
I haven't read a Terri Blackstock book in quite a while! Did you find yours at a public library?
ReplyDeleteyes, our library has a lot of her books!
DeleteWe actually live just a couple of blocks away from the city's main library, and I have yet to visit. I'm a little ashamed by it, because I'm actually an avid reader! My baby's getting a little older now, so I'm hoping he might actually find story time interesting soon.
DeleteIt does sound like an interesting series! Thanks for sharing. I'll look forward to hearing about more of your book reviews. :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely an interesting idea for a book! Sounds like a good read
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm familiar with this author. I'll have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteshe is a great storyteller! Really pulls you into the story!
ReplyDelete