StarPassage Book Two: Heroes and Martyrs Book Review

While we read a lot in our little corner of the world--we do not often find a middle school aimed series that we want to both keep reading and store our read books away on our already-crowded book shelves.  Last week, I had the opportunity to read and review the first book from the StarPassage series, The Relic, by Clark Rich Burbidge.  I found a series that I want to keep reading--and that I want to save for future readers!   I shared my review of the first book in that series here.  While this series is intended for upper elementary/middle school aged readers--my reading buddies have been too busy with back to school to read these books yet.   The reading has been all up to me at this post! I really enjoyed the first book of the StarPassage series--and I was more than ready to pick up Book Two:  Heroes and Martyrs.  How did the second book of this series stand up to my review?

I received a complimentary copy of this book for use in review.  All opinions are my own.

About the Book

The award-winning StarPassage saga continues with the relic guiding the Carsons to a new and desperate family. Two brothers, Bobby and Mike, are struggling after a tragic accident turns their world upside down.

Join our heroes on a series of dangerous adventures to solve the relic's riddles, save lives, escape the ever-increasing Tracker threat, and experience some of the most dreadful and exciting moments in history.

Will they learn from the past--should they change it if they can? Is there any hope for survival?

My Review

Heroes and Martyrs Continues to Blend Science Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction--and Faith into the Mix.  I think I liked the blend of genre present in this book even more than the first.  This book takes readers on many adventures that touch on many subjects from history, fantasy, and modern day realism.   StarPassage is a great series to read as a family, as it offers many topics to discuss and consider--all while entertaining those middle school aged kiddos.

The Author Creates Age Appropriate Content.  My girls have always loved fantasy/science fiction.  Unfortunately, their reading levels and interest levels have led us to many non-age-appropriate books over the years.  While, my 4th grader was certainly interested in reading many of the young adult, fantasy novels that my cross my desk for review--I rarely found myself able to pass it off to her after my first read through!  The StarPassage series makes me happy.  Readers will find minimal violence, no sexual situations or inappropriate themes.  The difficult subjects addressed are done so at middle-school-age appropriate levels--and the book is written in a way to hold that middle-school-aged-attention span as well!


Expect to Follow the Series.  I love a book that gives me both closure to the current storyline and enough loose threads to keep me ready for another book.  I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the stories--and I look forward to following some of those underlying, subplots through more books!

Would I recommend Star Passage Book Two:  Heroes and Martyrs?  I love books that will make the kids ask questions.  I love books that offer me the opportunity to follow up a reading with some additional conversation--whether it be about historical topics introduced in the text or those real-world issues present in the book that real-world kids face.   This series is well written, well developed and a clean read for families with advanced reading, young middle school aged children.  I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first--and I would recommend this book (and the series) to sci-fi fantasy fans--and to parents seeking to engage a child in discussion outside of the book's reading.  These books are Christian based--and Faith does play a role; however, I did not find the books to be preachy or "over the top."

Buy the Book

 Amazon

 Meet the Author

 
Clark enjoys life in the foothills of the Rockies, near Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife Leah and their blended family of ten children and five grandchildren. Clark has written seven titles and is the recipient of multiple awards, including four Mom's Choice Gold Medals for top Young Adult Fiction. Clark's  StarPassage  series encourages teens to have hope, cope with family struggles and always perserve in the face of obstacles. "I wanted people, especially children who struggle to feel there is real hope that they can overcome family challenges and personal challenges. This book provides such hope and encouragement I believe."