Risk ~ The Quest for Truth series review

Risk is the 2nd book in The Quest for Truth series by Brock Eastman who is a well known Young Adult Christian author. He has also written a few books in the Imagination Station series as well as The Sages of Darkness series.

Risk

by Brock Eastman

ISBN: 978-1596382466

$ 11.04 (paperback)

$ 6.99 (kindle)

About the book:

The Quest for Truth series follows the four Wikk siblings in their desperate race to find the mysterious planet Ursprung and stop the Übel renegades from misusing its long-lost secrets. Ancient cities, treacherous villains, high-tech gadgets, the Phoenix—encounter all these and more on this futuristic, interplanetary adventure.

Book 2: As Oliver leads his siblings on their search for their parents, they are taken to a remote planet called Evad. Here they must evade the swarming Ubel soldiers, out run stalking black creatures, and stay free of snaking vines, all while trying to unlock the Truth and find clues to set their parents free. In the second installment of The

Quest for Truth series, Risk, the kids will face greater dangers and more complex puzzles. They’ll meet new people, and have to decide to trust them or not. Will the kids rescue their parents or be captured themselves?

My thoughts:

Risk in the 2nd book in the fascinating The Quest for Truth Series for kids 9 and up. You can read my review of Book 1: Taken by clicking here. 

I love this series. It's fast paced, thought provoking, FUN and kept ME on the edge of my seat. It is a great read-aloud series for families to read in the evening or for teachers & librarians to read aloud. 

"Remember those who gave us hope and honor them in all you do."

Risk opens with the kids traveling through space once again. Austin is beginning to be rebellious and strains against Oliver's orders constantly throughout the first 1/2 to 2/3'ds of the book. He's frustrated with being treated like a little kid and wants only to prove himself. Unfortunately Oliver and Tiffany are so busy telling him what to do that they aren't willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He ends up going off on his own and finding himself in hot water more than a few times until he meets Brother Sam who teaches him how to FIND the Truth.

"Sometimes that which sets us free is not visible to the naked eye, yet is there in our time of need. Faith is much that way - it is not seen, but having it leads to the Truth." ~ Brother Sam

Each book is based on a theme and is written to give kids something to think about. Risk is based on The Battle for Truth and uses many riddles, puzzles, keys and games to encourage kids to learn about and realize that we use Truth in many ways and often we must use our Faith when we have nothing else to lean on. There is also a heavy dose of Faith & Trust throughout Risk as well. You'll find a lot of symbolism throughout the story such as a pool of "blood" which turns out to be rubies, cross-shaped keys and a cross-shaped pool. The cross symbolizes Truth. 

So far, I've found this series very action packed, fun to read and I'm sure more than one kid has wished he was on this ride for real. It's part Star Trek and part Cowboy and part Indiana Jones' quest for the grail. Your kid's will immediately identify with the Wikk kids and will totally understand Austin's desire for acceptance - as well as the wild ride they are going through (including the water slides, creepy bugs, crazy riddles that make no sense and the concern the kid's feel for their parents).

I said it in my review for Taken - the only thing missing in this series are a set of discussion questions at the back of the book - although the author does have a chapter by chapter discussion of Risk on his website with some questions scattered throughout. Click here - it might be fun to do a contest where he posts questions on a weekly basis as well as riddles & puzzles for the kids to solve for a prize of some sort - or even just for fun. =D

(One thought that came to me several times as I read Risk is that this series would make a WONDERFUL computer game. Many of the puzzles & riddles could easily be adapted to a more visual form and I personally would love to play the game. The illustrations for the book are beautiful too and the cover of the books are very eye-catching and sure to draw kids right in to the story - wonder if they could be adapted for the game? =D)

This is a FUN series that will hold your kid's attention and that your kid's will want to read in FULL. Unleash is the next book in the series and we will be reviewing Unleash in June, I believe, as part of the 3rd annual Middle Grade Summer Book Club. So please stay tuned for that! 

To keep track of what Brock is working on, visit BrockEastman.com. 

Or connect with Brock at:
Twitter: @bdeastman
Facebook: facebook.com/eastmanbrock
Blogger: thequestfortruthbooks.blogspot.com/
YouTube: youtube.com/user/FictionforAll/videos 

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of Risk to read & review on CCB. I was not required to post a positive review and no money exchanged hands. 

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