My apologies to Martha Jane Orlando, the author of these wonderful books, for my taking so long to write this review (and the next one!). I finished the books a little while ago, and then got sidetracked when things got busy and interesting here at our house (my son got engaged, stuff like that) and I put it off so long that now I probably need to re-read the book to be sure I don't confuse it with the others! But let me proceed...I believe it will all come back to me...
Just to refresh our memories, this series of adventure stories began back when ten year old Davy Murray absolutely hated the thoughts of having to spend the summer at his step-father's Grandpa's farm in the mountains. The farm and surrounding mountain lands and forest were inherited by Davy's step-father when Grandpa Will passed away. Davy was seriously angry at having to spend the summer where there was no computer, TV, or any of his friends. Not only that, he really didn't like his step-father all that much either, and would not allow himself to show him any kind of love or respect. So the chances of Davy having a good time this summer were pretty low unless something changed drastically in his attitude.
Interestingly, Davy soon discovers that Great-Grandpa Will's farm is much more than just a place to spend the summer without modern conveniences or friends...he meets up with some very interesting "critters", better known as "The Old Ones"...ancient talking creatures who live in The Glade...and only Davy can see or hear them!
The seeming "star" of the group is now known as "Racer"...previously known as Grey..."The True Squirrel of the Old Ones." (photos from my OWN "Old Ones" living here in my own part of the forest...and since reading these books I find that I look at these living creatures much differently than I used to...)
(this giant Barred Owl showed up on our fence one morning recently...I wonder if he could be related?)
And we also meet "Sharp Eyes", the hawk...who has a very important role to play in keeping a "sharp eye" on the villainous Cousin Ronnie and his cohorts...
As REDEMPTION begins, Davy has collapsed and is having a beautiful dream or vision...very real to him...and he finds that he is safe in the arms of "The Good Shepherd". As he is being bathed in the light of the truth of Who this Good Shepherd really is, Davy realizes that this One is the ONLY One who could save his friends and their beautiful glade from total destruction. And as The Good Shepherd anoints Davy with a special oil to bless and protect him, He sends Davy, "The Chosen One", on a mission to bring healing to REVEREND and to restore peace and order back to the Glade once again.
As in the previous stories, wicked cousin Ronnie continues to wreak havoc in the lives of the "Old Ones" and is trying to steal the property that belongs to Davy's step-father, which includes the magical, mystical land of The Glade. If he is able to accomplish this, The Glade will disappear forever, along with the lives of all the marvelous ancient creatures known as "The Old Ones". Davy realizes that he cannot save them in his own strength, but he learns to rely on the power and strength of The Good Shepherd to see him through. And in this story, "The Old Ones" themselves come up with plans that hopefully will stop Cousin Ronnie from carrying out his underhanded schemes...but it could be at great risk of putting them all in serious peril.
Again, Martha Jane Orlando magically weaves this story to make it seem so very real to life that I find myself listening more carefully to what God may be saying to me through His own creation all around us. There is an underlying story here that draws us closer to "The Good Shepherd"...and helps us to realize that He is at work in so many areas of life that we may not have understood before.
As we come to the end of REDEMPTION, we see Davy lying restlessly on his little cot at night, wondering about what was going to happen next. To quote:
"Davy purposely turned his eyes toward the stars twinkling through the towering oaks. What is it, Lord? What will I find? What will I know? The stars winked their comforting acknowledgments, but offered no answers. It's okay. I'll find out tomorrow. Racer will be with me then. I'll find out tomorrow."
And with that, we must close this chapter and wait until next time, when I will pick up where we left off and tell you about the next book in the series, REVELATION.
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace..."
Ephesians 1:7
