Review of The Bloodstone Chronicles by Bill Myers Part 1

*fanfare* This is the long awaited review of The Bloodstone Chronicles (also known as Journeys to Fayrah or the Imager Chronicles) by Bill Myers. This book can either be together as a whole, or in the four books it is divided into. This review will give a main overview then focus on each book.
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A red stone. What could be so special about that?

The answer: A whole lot.

Meet three teens, Denise, Nathan, and Joshua who are just normal kids, going through life. Little do they know that another world awaits them. One filled of concepts, foreign to them, and love boundless and ever-flowing from the Imager, the story's equivalent of God. Through different adventures and quests, these teens grow in their faith and understanding. A great allegory to further deepen one's faith and an excellent resource for one who doubts God's existence, and loves fantasy.

There are a few plot holes, though. They really irked me as a reader. One is about Denise's uncle who supposedly traveled to Fayrah and had disappeared. It builds much intrigue and anticipation of finding out what happened to him, and, alas, it gives no explanation. Whether it was meant for the reader to dream up or for a sequel to be written much later, I don't know, but I did not like not knowing much.

Book One: The Portal

When Denise gives Nathan, a self-centered brat who she dislikes, a red rock found in her strange uncle's attic, little does she know that the little stone, intentionally given as a petty gift, is much more than it seems. Three strange creatures appear (Aristophenix, a big bear with a bad habit of terrible rhymes; Listro Q, a cool purple fox with mixed up speech; and Samson, a cute little dragonfly/ladybug), speaking of a strange land called Fayrah and of the Imager, a loving king. Soon, the two are whisked away to Fayrah. Into the midst comes Mr. Hornsberry, a stuffed dog given to Nathan, that suddenly comes to life. The Fayrinians give Nathan and Denise a grand tour and they become amazed at all the "strange" ways of living. The people of Fayrah delight in putting others first! They see the bloodstone mountains, where Nathan's rock came from, and discover it is a symbol of the great price that the Imager paid for the humans. The also see a river, where the "water" is words, words spoken by the Imager. Soon, when the others aren't there, Nathan is baited to follow Bobok and the Illusionist, an evil one, who manipulates Nathan to follow him by using Nathan's selfishness. He soon finds himself trapped in a place where selfishness is rampant. Will Denise and the Fayrinians be able to find him? Will Nathan escape? What will happen to Bobok and the Illusionist? Will they prevail? Find out, in The Portal.

I highly recommend this book! It contains a great message in an allergorical fashion that keeps a reader hooked. Filled with fantasy, humor, truth, and a wonderful lesson of selflessness, The Portal is a must-read to start off this amazing series.

God Bless,