About the Book

Book: Return to the Fierce Land

Author: N.C. Bolton

Genre: Christian Fantasy

Release Date: March 31, 2020

The Fierce Land…

His escape from there still haunts his dreams with snatches of terror and the smell of blood. Dreams that jolt him awake, his heart pounding a frantic pace in his chest.

No longer a frightened, grieving child, Rikk has a duty—a mission. Myla, Rikk’s little sister, now grown herself, remains trapped in that harsh land.

Can she possibly know he survived his escape, and now, years later, prepares ready to travel back to find her? The village elders and the rest of his adopted people have such confidence in his ability to make the journey. Yet his heart is still divided, and fearful.

He should have faith, as they do.

But dread lurks below the surface of the calm face he shows.

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MY REVIEW

Fantasy books use clever tools to write stories filled with mystical creatures, powers, worlds we have never explored and create an adventure. Sometimes I have a difficult time trying to follow this genre, but every once in awhile I find a book that stimulates my imagination and allows me to get invested in the story.

This book has achieved what I have described above. Now I did question why the names of characters are so hard to say. It just wouldn’t make sense to use an everyday name in the fantasy world so I appreciate the names that the author has cleverly created.

As Rikk travels back to the Fierce Land to get his sister his emotions are all over the place. Watching his parents die was a memory he can’t get rid of. In his heart he wants revenge and his mind wanders from his mission. Has he not learned that the One is in control? The One doesn’t want Rikk to act on his anger, but will he be able to fight off the urge to avenge his parents death?

The powerful lessons about forgiveness and trust are represented well in this story where a character must choose to follow what he has been taught or give in to hate. I loved how the story really touched on many Biblical truths throughout the story. Fear is trying to overtake Rikk as he gets closer to his destination. I thought about how comfortable we are in our world where Jesus is in control. When we step away from Him, we start to feel uneasy and fear slips in. The enemy is crafty at telling us lies and we start to fall for his tricks. Can Rikk fight off his insecurities and trust the One?

I enjoyed reading about the travels Rikk and his sister take to get back to his home where peace and safety is. Myla is quite intrigued by this new home of Rikk’s. Her thirst to learn about the One reminds me of someone who gets saved. They hunger to know God and to have a relationship with Him.

Anek is very unsure of where Rikk is taking him and Myla. He reminds me of an unbeliever who questions everything and walks in doubt. His mind is filled with deceit and continues to try to turn Myla against her brother. I think I liked Anek the most because he reminds me that we all doubt there is a God until we are set free from the lies of the enemy. We learn to trust Him and find peace in His presence. The story ends with a cliffhanger and I will be anxiously awaiting the next book.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

About the Author

N.C. Bolton is a wife, mother, grandmother, jewelry maker, crochet crafter, and of course: a writer! She lives in upstate New York in a lovely scenic region known as The Fingerlakes. Widowed last year, she is comforted by her five sons, two grandchildren and a marvelous array of family and other loved ones. She loves the creative process, and puts her whole focus into the stories she writes. May you be entertained and uplifted by them!
You visit her website here.

More from N.C. Bolton

I’ve always been drawn to the miraculous aspects of life and creation. I think almost all children experience this, but over time we become so busy and distracted that we lose the awareness of how miraculous life really is. I’m no different. Modern life is pretty demanding!

I love good movies, and I realized over time that there were a great many super-hero movies and movies with Messianic-themed heroes. It made me aware of how human beings hunger to reconnect with that sense of awe we had as children. We all need a relationship with God, not just for His abiding love and hope, the promise of eternal life, and help with the challenges of this mortal life, but to be connected to the Author of the miraculous.

That’s what inspired me to write the Fierce Land series. The scriptures are full of miracles and interventions as well as the heartfelt prayers of humans trying to learn God’s ways and overcome their own internal struggles. And that’s what this series explores, within the framework of a world that is not modern but faces many of the same issues people have always faced. I hope the story is a blessing to those who read it, and that it helps to remind us that our lives are full of miracles.