Tag: 5 star

Spectacular History – The Church and the Middle Ages {Review}

Posted November 24, 2020 in Reading, Review / 0 Comments

Spectacular History – The Church and the Middle Ages {Review}The Church and the Middle Ages by Steve Weidenkopf
Series: Reclaiming Catholic History
Publisher: Ave Maria Press (2020 (December 25))
eARC (192 pages)
Via: NetGalley
Rating:
Reading Challenges: Read 2020

Synopsis

Few periods of history are more maligned and misunderstood than the Middle Ages—three-hundred years of division, shifting centers of power, and tensions both within the Church and also between the Church and the secular rulers of the time.

In an engaging and easy-to-understand style, historian and author Steve Weidenkopf highlights some of our greatest saints—Francis, Dominic, Anselm, Aquinas, and Catherine of Siena—and dispels nine commonly accepted misconceptions about the era, which was an exciting period of enduring faith, reform, cultural achievement, as well as defeat and division.

With vibrant accounts of pivotal events and inspiring stories of the people who shaped the Church during the eleventh through fourteenth centuries, Steve Weidenkopf provides a clearer picture of an era where critics used events such as the Crusades and the relocation of the papacy to France to undermine the Church. The period also provided the hallmarks of Christian civilization—universities, cathedrals, castles, and various religious orders.

Weidenkopf also chronicles the development of Christian civilization in Europe and explores the contributions of St. Bruno, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Bridget of Sweden.

In The Church and the Middle Ages, you will learn that:

  • Most Crusaders were motivated by piety and service, not greed.
  • Heresy was both a church and civil issue and medieval inquisitors were focused on the eternal salvation of the accused.
  • The Church preached against the mistreatment of Jews.
  • Priestly celibacy was practiced long before the twelfth century.
  • Serfs were never kept as slaves.

Books in the Reclaiming Catholic History series, edited by Mike Aquilina and written by leading authors and historians, bring Church history to life, debunking the myths one era at a time.

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Will Russia Survive? – The Winter of the Witch {Review}

Posted October 21, 2020 in Reading, Review / 0 Comments

Will Russia Survive? – The Winter of the Witch {Review}The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden
Series: Winternight #3
Publisher: Del Rey (2019)
eBook (384 pages)
Via: Library
Rating:
Also by this author: The Bear and the Nightingale, The Girl in the Tower
Also in this series: The Bear and the Nightingale, The Girl in the Tower
Reading Challenges: Read 2020

Synopsis

Following their adventures in The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower, Vasya and Morozko return in this stunning conclusion to the bestselling Winternight Trilogy, battling enemies mortal and magical to save both Russias, the seen and the unseen.

Now Moscow has been struck by disaster. Its people are searching for answers—and for someone to blame. Vasya finds herself alone, beset on all sides. The Grand Prince is in a rage, choosing allies that will lead him on a path to war and ruin. A wicked demon returns, stronger than ever and determined to spread chaos. Caught at the center of the conflict is Vasya, who finds the fate of two worlds resting on her shoulders. Her destiny uncertain, Vasya will uncover surprising truths about herself and her history as she desperately tries to save Russia, Morozko, and the magical world she treasures. But she may not be able to save them all.

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Russian Historical Fantasy! – The Girl in the Tower {Review}

Posted September 18, 2020 in Reading, Review / 0 Comments

Russian Historical Fantasy! – The Girl in the Tower {Review}The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
Series: Winternight #2
Publisher: Del Rey (2017)
eBook (363 pages)
Via: Library
Rating:
Also by this author: The Bear and the Nightingale, The Winter of the Witch
Also in this series: The Bear and the Nightingale, The Winter of the Witch
Reading Challenges: Read 2020

Synopsis

The magical adventure begun in The Bear and the Nightingale continues as brave Vasya, now a young woman, is forced to choose between marriage or life in a convent and instead flees her home—but soon finds herself called upon to help defend the city of Moscow when it comes under siege.

Orphaned and cast out as a witch by her village, Vasya’s options are few: resign herself to life in a convent, or allow her older sister to make her a match with a Moscovite prince. Both doom her to life in a tower, cut off from the vast world she longs to explore. So instead she chooses adventure, disguising herself as a boy and riding her horse into the woods. When a battle with some bandits who have been terrorizing the countryside earns her the admiration of the Grand Prince of Moscow, she must carefully guard the secret of her gender to remain in his good graces—even as she realizes his kingdom is under threat from mysterious forces only she will be able to stop.

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We All Suffer – Living Memento Mori {Review}

Posted August 25, 2020 in Faith, Reading, Review / 0 Comments

We All Suffer – Living Memento Mori {Review}Living Memento Mori by Emily DeArdo
Publisher: Ave Maria Press (2020)
eARC, Paperback (128 pages)
Via: NetGalley
Rating:
Reading Challenges: Read 2020

Synopsis

Emily DeArdo knows what it’s like to live with a keen awareness of her own mortality. She was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age eleven.

DeArdo draws on the medieval Christian practice of memento mori (remember you must die) and shares her personal story with unique and compelling insight into the meaning of Christian life and death. Using the Stations of the Cross to frame her explorations, DeArdo leads us to trust in God’s providence as we confront suffering and death, develop enduring spiritual strength, and courage along the way.

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Biblical Fiction from the Time of the Prophets – Isaiah’s Daughter {Review}

Posted December 26, 2017 in Reading, Review / 0 Comments

Biblical Fiction from the Time of the Prophets – Isaiah’s Daughter {Review}Isaiah's Daughter by Mesu Andrews
Series: Prophets and Kings #1
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (January 2018)
Paperback ARC (384 pages)
Via: Blogging for Books
Rating:
Also by this author: The Pharaoh's Daughter, Miriam, Isaiah's Legacy
Also in this series: Isaiah's Legacy

Synopsis

In this epic Biblical narrative, ideal for fans of The Bible miniseries, a young woman taken into the prophet Isaiah's household rises to capture the heart of the future king.
Isaiah adopts Ishma, giving her a new name--Zibah, delight of the Lord--thereby ensuring her royal pedigree. Ishma came to the prophet's home, devastated after watching her family destroyed and living as a captive. But as the years pass, Zibah's lively spirit wins Prince Hezekiah's favor, a boy determined to rebuild the kingdom his father has nearly destroyed. But loving this man will awake in her all the fears and pain of her past and she must turn to the only One who can give life, calm her fears, and deliver a nation.

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