Review: Jack Staples and the Poet's Storm

Jack Staples and the Poet's Storm by Mark Batterson and Joel N. Clark,
Published June 2015 by David C. Cook
Source: eGalley ARC from NetGalley

Our world is more fantastical than we dare imagine…filled with both unbelievable beauty and horrific evil. Just ask Jack Staples and Alexia Dreager. They’re at the epicenter of the conflict that’s been raging since time before time began. Their birth and destiny have long been prophesied—but things aren’t going as planned.

In this epic conclusion to the Jack Staples trilogy, Jack and Alexia must make an impossible choice during their final battle against the Assassin—one that could alter time itself and the fate of the world.

My Thoughts

I eagerly awaited the final chapter in the story of Jack Staples and Alexia Dreger. As Jack said, “I think this might be the perfect ending to the grandest adventure I could have imagined.”

In a world where people have a warped view of reality because everyone is born with invisible scales on their eyes, two children are born without the scales—the Children of the Prophecy. Jack and Alexia aren't sure what it means to be a Child of the Prophecy, but they do know they are to fight against the Assassin and his followers. Standing against the Assassin with Jack and Alexia are the Awakened—those whose scales have fallen away and who follow the Author.

Moving back and forth through time, Jack, Alexia, Arthur, Mrs. Dumbfrey, Wild, and the rest of Awakened must stay a step or two ahead of the Assassin who is quenching all the light in the world. Fighting the Shadow Souled—the followers of the Assassin—they lose ground and it looks like they will lose, leaving the Assassin to gloat over his dominion of a destroyed world. But as they persevere and overcome the obstacles placed in their way, they work their way to the final showdown.

I do have to recommend this series to those who like fantasy adventures. The entire Jack Staples series is allegorical Christian fiction for young adults. For the most part, it's a grand adventure. Yes, the struggle between good and evil is at the heart of the story, but Jack and Alexia are not perfectly good. Rather, they have weaknesses and flaws yet they become heroes because they are willing to admit their faults and try to do better.

★★★☆☆

Disclosure: I received a free copy of Jack Staples and the Poet's Storm from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.