Tag Archives: Sci-Fi

Review: Beyond Corista by Robert Elmer

Beyond Corista
Robert Elmer
Zondervan
Published May 1, 2009

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

After a narrow escape from an intense battle on her home planet Corista, Oriannon and her friends head toward a way station, guided by the mysterious pilot stone. Oriannon’s mentor, Jesmet, appears to her and instructs her to take word to each way station, warning the people of an impending attack by the merciless Troikans. Oriannon wants to obey, but there are two problems:  she is saddled with the presence of their enemy, Sola Minnik, blinded in the attack on Corista, and no one seems to believe her visions of Jesmet and his message about the doom to come. Is Oriannon wrong? Are her experiences with Jesmet mere hallucinations? Can she lead her friends in her holy quest or will she have to face this task alone?

Beyond Corista is the third book in the Shadowside Trilogy. The story follows Oriannon, a young girl with a special gift to remember anything she reads, and a love for the Owling people– a humble group who dwell on the dark side of her home planet, Corista. In the footsteps of her father’s leadership, she struggles to make choices that protect the innocent, even in the face of great evil.

I liked this book better than the first book in the series, The Owling. Oriannon remains a sympathetic character, and the story world continues to be interesting. I like that it has kind of a Jesus thing going on with the Jesmet character. Sometimes it felt a little bit like a Star Wars derivative to me, which could be good or bad, depending on your feelings. I wanted some more original spark. But over all, I did enjoy reading the book and would recommend it to fans of light sci-fi.

Profanity/ Crude Language Content
None.

Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Oriannon learns that trusting God and following His instructions is not always easy. Nor does it always look like she expects.

Violence
There are some battle and capture sequences, but those are not graphic or explicit in nature.

Drug Content
None.

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The Owling by Robert Elmer

The Owling
Robert Elmer
Zondervan
Published October 12, 2008

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

On her way home from the Shadowside, Oriannon’s shuttle is hijacked and forced to land on a small way station where a mysterious Owling risks his life to give her a strange stone for safekeeping. Soothed by his allegiance to Jesmet, but still puzzled over the whole thing, Oriannon agrees to keep the stone hidden. When she finally reaches home, things only continue getting more strange. Rumors of earthquakes and warped reports of what is happening to the Owling people, who live in the Shadowside, make Oriannon more and more nervous. But a bright star shines out of the dark. A new voice with an offer of hope she terms her Ultimate Solution for peace catches Oriannon’s ear. Oriannon instantly feels a connection with the new First Citizen, Sola. But there may be more to her promises than meets the eye. Can Oriannon discover the truth before she’s in too deep?

In this second book in the Shadowside Trilogy, Robert Elmer returns to the planet with two sides: The wealthy and advanced Coristans who live on the bright side of the planet, plundering resources from the Shadowside, where the mysterious Owlings live.

The Owling is a story of good and evil, that reminds us that we each have a choice to make, and that things are not always as they seem. I liked Oriannon’s character and found it easy to root for her throughout the story. The story’s world was interesting but didn’t blow me away. I think younger fans of the new Star Wars movies would probably enjoy this story.

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
The story contains a retelling of some of the events in the book of Acts, and a message of pursuing Christ even in the midst of adversity.

Violent Content
There are some battle and capture sequences, but those are not graphic or explicit in nature.

Drug Content
None.


Language: none

Sexual: none

Spiritual:

Violence: There are some battle and capture sequences, but those are not graphic or explicit in nature.

Drug: none

Save