Review: The Intrepid Three - Animus Revealed

The Intrepid Three: Animus Revealed book cover on blue background

I confess that I really enjoy YA fiction, which is funny because when I was a young adult, I think I ended up reading a lot more adult titles. Whether this was due to fewer YA titles being written at the time or less awareness of them, I'm certainly glad that I can make up for lost time now! Now that I've been exposed to so many great titles, including The Intrepid Three: Animus Revealed by Brianna and Matthew Penfold, I wish I got to read these books many years ago 😄

Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

Dez, Arabella, and Walter are seemingly ordinary teenagers from different worlds. Dez is a dejected coder living in Euporia under the oppressive conglomerate E-Corp. Arabella skates through life in an Aurelian aristocratic family. And Walter treads a typical path in the technology-obsessed society of Immerxia.

In a day's time, their lives are turned upside down when they meet Author, the writer of the universe, and discover they have gifts to heal the past, alter the present, and foresee the future. Author implores the three teens to restore their broken worlds. Complicating the kids' decision are supernatural forces working to end humanity and free a dark army from their prison known as Animus.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

This book lays the foundation for an epic battle to come through the three (and more!) worlds converging into one ultimate scene. I loved getting to know Dez, Arabella, and Walter as they each faced their own struggles while living in different facets of a societal woe, such as complacency, oppression, or distraction. This is one of the most lyrical books I've had the pleasure of reading where the number three is symbolized so well in themes such as the past, present, and future, and in how the Author creates, continues, and completes the work being done that I found myself looking for triplets all the way through. Even with all of the new concepts being introduced and a large cast of characters and their perspectives, I appreciated how the Author tied everything together.

The spiritual parallels are fascinating with nods to so many teachings in Christian theology that this book made me think even deeper about my own world as I encountered the settings of Euporia, Aurelia, Immerxia, and Animus. I appreciated seeing how the authors translated the creation story and the fall of humanity into a realm where the invisible is made visible. Readers who enjoy spiritual allegories will find much to mine in this book, especially as it sets the stage for the ultimate story to take place. This young adult series has me excited to see what is next for the Intrepid Three!

Book Summary

Format of book: 📖
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommendation: 👍

Comments

Review: Rebuilding His Trust

This is the third book that I chose for the HQN Shameless Romantics Library Reading Challenge this month and this time, I get to read a new-to-me author. Rebuilding His Trust by Jenna Mindel intrigued me as I am largely unfamiliar with equine therapy; however, after reading about it, it sounds like a fascinating field to work in. I love that we get to meet little Tommy and see how Pete and Bella—the horses—play just as important a role in this book. Many thanks to Harlequin Books and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Their surprising connection could be the key to a second chance. Jace Moore has been afraid to love since losing his parents as a teen. But when he meets equine therapist Meredith Lewis and her horse Bella, something shifts inside him. Soon, constructing her indoor riding arena turns into volunteering with her therapy program j...

Theological Backgrounds

Have you ever wondered about the theological background of authors? I am sometimes curious, especially if there are things that pop up in their books that make me pay attention (either positively or negatively). What I've found is that it's not always easy to find out. Some authors will openly share what church or denomination they belong to, whereas others don't seem to mention it—which for privacy concerns, I completely understand. In terms of how important this information may be for readers, or not at all for some, it does make me think about the role that this could play when deciding which books to read and buy. On the one hand, I think not specifically knowing which theological stream an author comes from but still being aware that they fall within the broader evangelical umbrella is fine with me. There's so much to learn as believers and I wouldn't want to be limited to only simply what I know. On the other hand, not knowing much beyond "Christian"...

Diverse Stories

One of the things I've been challenging myself to do this year has been to read more Christian books written by authors from other countries. I love that the body of Christ spans the four corners of the world and that we get to benefit from hearing so many different perspectives. I've also appreciated getting to know some amazing authors and readers online from other nations and continents as it's enriched my understanding of how Christians experience life. It helps me realize that the views I take for granted may only be limited to where I am situated, geographically and culturally. I haven't read all of the authors below yet, but here are a few Christian fiction authors who write from outside of North America if you're interested in reading more: Africa Ann J. David Ivy Emerson Enewerome Anna Jensen Tope Omotosho Vida Li Sik Asia Joanna Alonzo Joy Crain Australasia Narelle Atkins Liz Chapman Amanda Deed Jenny Glazebrook Iola Goulton Jessica Kate Bessie Le Couteur ...