The Truth in Fiction: Ministry, not money, motivates these writers
For as long as she can remember, Laura Anderson Kurk…
Award-winning fantasy guides teens through questions of purpose, relationship with ‘the Maker’
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Evie is a Watcher from the room beyond reality: the Control Room.
Her restlessness grows when, from the realm of humans she is observing, a young man catches her attention.
Related: The Truth in Fiction: Ministry, not money, motivates these writers
From the immortal life she leads in the Control Room to walking the human realm alongside the boy, she has to make a choice that will lead her down two distinct paths.
Will she do what’s asked of her? Or what is right?
Sara Watterson. “This Dreamer (The Chronicles of the Marked).” Inevah Press. 2022. 354 pages. $12.99.
Sara Watterson’s “This Dreamer” is a wonderful experience to live through and tells a rather daring story through its lovable and relatable characters.
While an easy read, the depth behind some of the writing is worth taking extra time to dive into!
The Maker offers a soft insight into the omnipotent being who created the book’s universe — and plays the role of the God we know in our reality.
While the story is an odd take on how heaven works — and definitely not an accurate description based off of biblical literature — the morals and lessons presented in the characters’ journeys are nothing short of what a parent would want their child to learn throughout life.
The hardships Evie, Adan and others go through are not overlooked by their Maker but are not as grand as they perceive them to be.
A gentle line in the beginning of the story sets the tone for the demeanor we can expect from the Maker: Evie arrives after some troubling events and is called to meet the Maker, whom she is extremely intimidated by, and is met with a simple statement: “Please don’t break my rules again.”
Listen to an interview with Sara Watterson in Episode 52 of The Christian Chronicle Podcast.
Similar to our Lord, the Maker is a kind, gentle, patient and forgiving being over all of the universe.
This is a good reminder of our God — the maker of our universe who sent his son for us. The entire story is about finding yourself in his work — “his” being the Maker’s, but also our God’s.
The overall question of “What is my purpose?” strikes both Evie and the young man she follows, Adan.
As their paths cross and separate, readers can relate to Evie’s attempt to regulate her new human emotions as well as understand Adan’s desire to find something greater within his current talents.
Struggles of sticking out, following impulsive decisions and fighting for and protecting the people you care about seep throughout the pages of this book.
It’s a wonderful read for anyone who experiences an out-of-place feeling at some point in their life.
This exciting adventure brings us to the revelation both characters have in finding their purpose and strength in their Maker’s universe.
I read this book with an optimistic and hopeful attitude that did not waiver thanks to the nature of the characters’ faith and strength through their trials.
Related: Faithful fiction
Watterson’s tale brought out many wonderful emotions in me as a reader, and it is definitely on my reread list!
It will serve well those looking for a hope-filled adventure and is a perfectly fun, clean read for anyone — especially in the tween to teen years.
NINA BIGHAM is a member of the North Tuscaloosa Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and a sophomore marine science major at the University of Alabama.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn money from qualifying purchases made through the links on this page.
