Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest (Knights of Arrethtrae Series #6)

Its like the Bible and Mid evil times jamed togther!!!

Awsome Im going to write books like this

A Must Read As Always

Book Summary- Told from the perspective of Cedric of Chessington, Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest, is filled with knights, good and evil, and mystical creatures.

In Cameria, Sir Rowan is the best tournament knight, but he is left for dead after he is attacked. Mariah takes care of Sir Rowan and he rededicates his life to the Prince. As Sir Rowan and his countrymen begin to take back their country from the Dark Knight. Sir Lijah comes and tells him he is needed elsewhere.

What will Sir Rowan chose? Read the book!

About the author- Chuck Black is the author of the Kingdom series and Knights of Arithtrae series. He lives with his wife, Andrea and their five children in North Dakota.

My thoughts- Would I recommend? Yes. I recommend this book to people in the age group listed and also to adults, as the reader can see the consequences of what extreme pride can do to you. I am sad to know the series is ending.

I love reading these books and my favorite part in the book is the "author commentary." After reading the book the commentary pulls everything together and I can then meditate upon the message and how I can apply it in my own life.

Sir Rowan sets a perfect example of how extreme pride can cause your life to change in an instant. His life as a tournament knight was very self-centered. He thought he deserved it, because he had been a street urchin. He thought his heart was still with the Prince, but he had been deceived. We need to be mindful as Christians that we are not living our lives in pride, because life can change for the worse when you least expect it.

I plan on acquiring the books in this series and the Kingdom Series, because I plan on using them as a teaching tool for my children.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the WaterBrook Multnomah "Blogging For Books" program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Hoped for a bit more.

The Story: Sir Rowan, a decorated tournament knight with some serious pride issues, finds his life turned upside down when he's abducted and left for dead. Rescued by the Prince (and a little earthly help), he rededicates his life to the King. But tyranny presses in on all sides of Arrethtrae, and though Rowan feels compelled to save his beloved homeland, Cameria, the mysterious Sir Lijah insists his purposes lie elsewhere, and Rowan is drawn into a conflict far larger than he could have imagined.

Yea: Sir Rowan is the sixth book in Chuck Black's The Knights of Arrethtrae series, so clearly he's doing something right. I think the straightforward story structure and simple storytelling style (wow, say that three times fast...) would appeal to younger guys. I appreciate Black's unabashed allegory, as it's something many Christian authors feel compelled to avoid. I stand by my general assertion that there's a place for straight allegory and more subtle allusions in Christian fiction. Black's use of imagery such as the Prince, the King, Shadow Warriors, and the like is all very obvious and doesn't leave the reader guessing, which is the main reason I've pegged this work for a younger set.

Aside from a smattering of strange creatures and some hard-to-pronounce names, there's not a lot of real hardcore fantasy in this book. If you're the type who enjoys medieval stories but can't get into orcs and elves and dwarves, this may still be a book for you. Let's call it fantasy-lite.

Nay: At times, Black exhibits language with a lovely medieval quality to it that's very enjoyable to read. But much of the book contains repetitive word use in the same sentence or paragraph, which is one of my pet peeves. I've probably just spent too much time critiquing manuscripts (and attempting to edit my own), but these things jump out at me and disrupt the reading experience.

Black establishes early on that this tale is being spun by a "storyteller," Cedric of Chessington. As such, it's told in a rather removed point of view. I didn't dislike it, but it didn't provide quite the same level of enjoyment as those books that take you deep into the point-of-view character's perspective.

I have a feeling that Mr. Black and I have differing opinions in the matter of Eschatology (and probably on some political points), and if that's a sensitive subject for you, be advised that this is an allegorical interpretation of end-times prophecy. But I appreciated Mr. Black's disclaimer in his author note that this is merely one loose interpretation of many with regard to Revelation 11. I find that end-times authors can become dogmatic, even in fiction, so I was very pleased to see Black's acknowledgment that we're all speculating, to some degree, on that topic.

Bottom Line: I'd recommend this book for guys (and action-adventure girls, like myself) aged twelve and up, and anyone else who likes a medieval fantasy. So long as you're not too nit-picky about language (like I am) or sensitive about end-times stuff.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multomah Publishing group in exchange for my honest review.

Skip it.

I do not recommend Chuck Black's "Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest." The introduction and prologue start the book off by ruining the whole story. For anyone who is well acquainted with the Bible, the story is given away. There is no guessing as to what will happen and for what reason. If you are able to get past the intro and prologue and start reading, you're able to enjoy a pretty good story. The first 2/3 of the story are decently written. In fact, Black moves the story along nicely and develops the main character well.

The reader just begins to separate the intro and prologue from the rest of the story and begins seeing a few intricacies of discipleship and faith development when the last 1/3 of the story begins and takes you back to an overly simplified, Christian worldview with an undercurrent of dispensationalism and an argumentative, literally combative evangelistic message. After the story is finished the author offers discussion questions with answers. This may be helpful for the intended audience, and could be good for 7th grade boys. In all I would skip this read because you have no chance to think for yourself. The story does not speak for itself.

Oh, and you should know I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Action-packed and chock-full of meaning

Fifteen year-old Rowan is an orphan who's always dreamed of becoming a knight. This dream comes true when Sir Aldwyn takes him on and teaches him the ways of the blade, as well as the message of the Prince. As time goes on, Sir Rowan becomes a tourney champion, and gradually his pride in his abilities takes over his desire to serve the Prince. While traveling to a tournament, Sir Rowan is attacked, held for ransom, then left for dead. Thankfully a woman finds him and cares for him, and after he has healed a humbled Sir Rowan rededicates himself to the Prince's cause... then sets out to do battle with the Shadow Warriors and retake the land claimed by the Dark Knight.

This is the sixth and final book of The Knights of Arrethtrae series, though each book stands on its own. Chuck Black is at the top of his game this time around, spinning an action-packed allegory chock-full of meaning. I liked watching Sir Rowan slowly realize that he'd been given his gifts for a reason, and that he was expected to use them wisely. Though there were times when the overly simplistic writing frustrated me, all in all the book sucked me in. At the end we're left with the knowledge that the Prince and his Father will ultimately be victorious, and that's a truth well-worth being reminded of.

Great finish!

In this, the sixth and final book of the Knights of Arrethtrae Series, the author has a twofold purpose. First, he explores the concept of pride and the destructive consequences of holding that concept as a personal god. Secondly, the author speculates on the return of the Prince by using prophecy as related by two defenders of the Prince.

The Knights of the Prince are set against the Shadow Warriors. It is an analogy of good and evil and pride versus humility. Pride represents unhealthy attitudes and the focus on material goods and personal achievement. As expected, that focus results in destructive ways which must then be combated in order for the message of the Prince to prevail. When a person, or a nation, focuses exclusively on superficial values, it becomes a difficult beast to get rid of. Basically, the battle is internal, although the author logically makes the conflict one of evil and good knights.

As the final book in the series, the promise of the second coming of the Prince is reenacted as testified to by Sir Rowan and his brother, Sir Lijah. If the reader has not read the first books in the series, it might be beneficial to read the end explanation by the author who explains the characters and the settings.

Although the book does tend to become repetitive in the final chapters, it is a good read for children who are exploring their own feelings of self-worth, as well as their positions in their communities and the world at large. Children that enjoy a little action will really enjoy this book. Chuck Black's use of symbolism really makes this book shine.

Sensational!

"Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest" is book 6 in The Knights of Arrethtrae series by Chuck Black. As a poor stable boy, Rowan dreams of becoming a swordsman and practices with his homemade wooden sword every opportunity he gets. He knows that his chances of ever achieving his dream are nearly impossible, but nothing can stop a boy from dreaming, can it? One day he crosses paths with Sir Aldwyn and begs to buy the chance to merely hold Sir Aldwyn's sword for a moment. Sir Aldwyn obliges and, in the process, recognizes the innate skill that Rowan possesses. Sir Aldwyn takes Rowan under his tutelage and begins to train him to serve as a warrior for the Prince.

However, seeking fame and fortune, Rowan becomes enamored of the glamour of the lifestyle that can be obtained as a tournament participant. Rowan goes on to become the champion of the tournament and amasses a huge fortune and many fans. On the way to the tournament that will prove him to be the champion of all Cameria, he encounters the mysterious knight who warns him that he is on the wrong path and that he should turn back. Turn back from fame, wealth, and all the power of the position? Not likely, Rowan thinks. Soon after, he and his party are attacked, his companions are killed, and Rowan is taken prisoner.
Held captive for many months and left to die by his captors, Rowan repents of his wrong choices and vows to serve the Prince if only he can escape his prison. Following his rescue, he learns that the entire realm has been overthrown by the Dark Knight's forces and people's eyes are blinded to reality. Rowan joins forces with a group of followers of the Prince and prepares for the battle to regain Cameria from the control of Lucius. In an allegorical portrayal of Biblical events found in the prophecies, the battle commences and Sir Rowan sets off to prove his loyalty to the Prince.

I was afraid that, by not beginning with the first book of the series, I would not be able to follow the storyline. Happily, this was not the case. Each book is about a different knight of the Prince and, as such, their stories can easily stand alone. The allegory is an obvious one. The parallels between the Prince and the Dark Knight are very apparent. The stories are outstanding and I can't say enough good things about them. The books are packed full of action and suspense and closely align with the battle that Christians are fighting on a daily basis. The violence is rampant and the clashing of swords quite vividly portrays the battle that is ongoing between good and evil. The books are written for youth but are so well-written and engaging that they will appeal to readers of all ages. I highly recommend this series. On a personal level, it is my intent to procure all previous and future books in this series and make them available to young people who desperately need to see the Battle portrayed in such a convincing manner. This is a Battle in which every one of us is a soldier. The question is, on which side are we fighting?

I received "Sir Rowan and the Camerian Quest" as a GoodReads first reader book. I am under no obligation to write a positive review and opinions expressed are my true and honest sentiments. I receive no compensation, whether monetary or otherwise, for any reviews written by me.

A KNIGHT'S TALE WORTH READING

I am really impressed by this book. I have to admit I felt a little skeptical of it though when I heard it was being sent to me. Knights? Quest? Been there, done that. But this story has a lot of heart, likable characters, and a plot that does a good job at keeping you guessing.

Christian principles are strongly shown in this book which gives it another plus. The author even explains his intentions in the back of the book, that way the reader is helped to understand why certain characters behaved like they do.

This 182 page book is written for ages 10-adult. The cover art is very nice, and the paperback I received was on a nice non-gloss cover that just feels good to hold. I like e-books as much as the next guy, but nothing feels as good as holding a nicely printed book.

This book is actually number 6 in the series. I am very interested in picking up the rest of the books in the series and I suggest that you do too. Chuck Black spends a lot of time making his characters come alive, you grow with them on their journey.

Highly Recommended!

Title: Sir Rowan and The Camerian Conquest.

Author: Chuck Black.

Gene: Christian, Fantasy, Allegory, Action/Adventure, End-Times.

Rowan was a mere lad of twelve or thirteen when he, a poor orphaned stable boy, first met Sir Aldwyn and his life was changed forever. Sir Aldwyn, taking a liking to the boy, took him on as a pupil and became his mentor, teaching him everything he knew from sword-fighting to manners to all about the noble Prince he serves and fights for. Upon Rowan's commissioning, he is presented with a "magnificent sword" and an invitation to join his mentor in the great mission of the Prince. But Rowan has his heart set on competing in Cameria's famous tournaments and when he is eighteen and against Sir Aldwyn's wishes, he enters the lists and seals his fate. Being stronger than the average man and more skillful with the sword than mot men, Rowan quickly rises to fame and fortune, but at a high cost to himself and his character.

One fateful day, when Rowan is traveling to attend his largest tournament yet, he is waylaid by brutal bandits who kill those traveling with him and take Rowan captive, intending to hold him for ransom. Rowan spends nearly a year bond by chains, beaten on a regular bases, left alone for hours and hours in a dark cave, and given only enough food and water to keep him alive. Deep in his darkest moment of existence, Rowan finally realizes that his tournament dreams were wasted time and energy, and he cries out for forgiveness from the Prince before losing consciousness for what he deems the last time. But the Prince isn't finished with him yet. In a vivid dream, He says, "Your life is not over, for you are a mighty knight of the King. Time is short and I have a mission that awaits you in Arrthtrae." Then, while Rowan lies awake trying to figure out what just happened, He sends him the aid of a kind young widow named Mariah who gets him out of the cave and nurses him back to health on her nearby farm.

Eventually and predictably, Rowan and Mariah fall in love and get married. But their happy time together is cut short and they sell the farm before joining up with the Resolutes, the last people of Cameria who defy the new strict laws and continue worshipping the King and His Son anyway. But in one battle and post-battle tragedy, Rowan's heart shatters into shards and he feels like he can't go on. Yet, the Prince is still with him and sends him a new companion in the form of Lijah.

Likes/Dislikes: This is the sixth {and, I believe, the final} book in The Knights of Arrthtrae, the sequel series to The Kingdom Series by the same author. I was sent a free review copy from WaterBrookMultnomah Publishing Group for this review by the way. While the books are all good and clean, they are terribly short! {I'm not use to reading books under two hundred pages anymore. ;)} However, they seem to make up for that with boldly spoken characters, intense battles, and a fast pace overall.

Sir Rowan Review

This book was a very enjoyable read. The characterization of Rowan immediately pulled me into the story, and on that alone I could probably call this one of my favorite books. Throughout the first scenes, Rowan's battle with pride and want of fame is portrayed amazingly well. There are plenty of battle scenes, and several twists that I certainly wasn't expecting. I just had to keep reading it! I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you like adventure.

A well written metaphoric parable

Rowan of Laos in the country of the United Citizens of Cameria was an orphan stable boy with a fascination with swords. He knew it was his destiny to be a great swordsman winning tournaments. He caught the attention of Sir Aldwyn who mentored him using a sword and taught him the code of the Prince. As time passed, he won many tourneys, but his interest in the prince dissipated as he focused on becoming the Champion of Laos.

His joy ends when he is kidnapped and held for ransom for over a year. He is finally rescued by the woman who will become his wife. Even in her small remote home, they learn of Cameria falling to those who crave power at any cost to others. Evil rules the kingdom. They devise a daring attack against the ruler. Rowan meets a long lost brother Sir Lijah who tells him the real battle for the minds and souls of the people of Arrethrae will be fought in Chessington. He asks his sibling to be the Prince's Herald helping the people to believe in the Prince and his Father as one day justice will return with the final battle against Lucius and his Shadow Warriors.

This is the last book in the Knights of Arrethrae saga as Chuck Black uses stories in the bible to tell an action-packed adventure thriller aimed at middle school children although adults will enjoy the well written metaphoric parable. Sir Rowan is a terrific warrior who learns what matters in life and risks death and perhaps worse to achieve his revelations. Fans will appreciate Mr. Black's strong entertaining allegory.

Harriet Klausner

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