Open Book Review... "Rise of the Forgotten" by J.H. Lehr

A few days ago, I was talking a lot about writer's block, how to fight it, and how sometimes, we must resort to desperate measures (aka, taking a break from writing.)

Well, the night after I posted that little ray-of-sunshine blog, I was forced to take a two-day long break after I'd just taken a week-long one. This avoidance of writing wasn't by my choice - I was locked out of my computer. (Yes, there was weeping and gnashing of teeth...)

To put it simply, there was a glitch in the most recent update that caused my computer to view my password as invalid, though I knew for a fact I was entering my password correctly. It wasn't just me that this happened to. Many customers out there who used the same model computer as mine were dealing with the same issues and it was an extremely trying two days. Not because I had to take a break from writing, but because I had to take a break from writing when I had a million things to write about!!! There was no writer's block - only the prohibition of my writing and the possible loss of my entire novel. I was freaking out, a bit.

(In another post, I'll discuss more of what went on during those two days and what I learned.)

Luckily, though, a hot-fix was produced very quickly and I am now able to get into my computer, no problem. Yay!!! Once again, this crazy girl has been tamed with her obsessions of stories and words. Once again, all is well in the world...

Okay, it wasn't all that bad being locked out, especially since I found something that kept me relatively sane for the last 48 hours (Something aside from driving my dad insane!!!)

Novels are powerful things, and I am so happy I found "Rise of the Forgotten," by J.H Lehr to keep me going when I thought all was lost.

"Rise of the Forgotten..."

Raven of Laynia is a young, forgetful princess, stuck in her desires for freedom and independence. Perhaps Raven's aberrant ways are caused by the absence of a mother's guidance, whose death shook the kingdom seventeen years ago, as well as the seemingly cold indifference of a father, whose sole focus is ensuring his kingdom is safe from both enemies of the future, and enemies of the past.

But, when Raven's father, King Wilgaun, decides his daughter should embark on a diplomatic trip across the land of Alarkin to visit and learn about the allied kingdoms, Raven believes this is finally the breath of freedom she's been longing for - a chance to do something, to leave behind the life monotony if only for a short period of time, and see what the world is like beyond the stone walls of her castle.

Little did she know, those in her company had other plans...

With many new enemies and a few unlikely friends, Raven fights to return home and warn her father of the inevitable war, before, this time, with the rise of those forgotten, it is all of Laynia that falls.

Here Are My Thoughts...

(Do not be alarmed - There are no spoilers below...)

From the very beginning, "Rise of the Forgotten" by J.H Lehr, completely captivated me and pulled me into a world so well-developed and carved out, there were times I felt like I was in the forest, listening to the hoof steps of my pursuers, or standing in the midst of a battle, waiting for something to happen to me. I could see the land of Alarkin, the kingdom of Laynia, the castles of various kingdoms, and even details as small as the clothes the princesses were wearing.

Vivid descriptions can make or break a book - If you've got a wonderful story, but no visibility to it, then you've simply got a group of numb and distanced words. Reading a novel without good descriptions is like trying to drive with a foggy windshield - you can kind of see where you're going, but at some point, you'll just get lost or wrecked in the constant onslaught of vague colors and unclear shapes.

Clear, but not overdone, descriptions are key to any great novel, and "Rise of the Forgotten" certainly had some amazing and detailed descriptions.

But, what are good descriptions without good characters - real characters, likable characters, understandable characters?

Oftentimes in reading books, and while I'm writing my own, I'll find a character (or a few) that I don't feel really belong in the story. They're awkward, kind of just distracting, and don't really bring anything valuable to the premise of the book or help the development of the plot. A lot of novels are plagued with this. "Rise of the Forgotten" was one of the exceptions.

Each character was not only beautifully sculpted as far as physical features go, but their actions matched who they were supposed to be, and there was no unneeded character. They had their motivations, which then lead to their actions and, even when their actions completely surprised me, they still drove the plot forward. These characters... I believe they're real, existing in some lost world only readers and writers may access!

Beyond having amazing descriptions and wonderful characters, J.H Lehr did an amazing job at balancing out the solemnity of this story with humor. Even in one of the most serious parts (A rescue that had me pleading for success), Lehr had me smiling, and even laughing a little! It really gave me a mental break from the suspense of that scene!

But, what about the book did I love the most? What really set this story apart, enough that I would take the time to recommend it on my blog?

That is easy...

Aside from being well-written and developed, "Rise of the Forgotten" was both entertaining and powerful in its message.

Through the journey of others, even through loss and fear, Lehr showed what kindness can do to the lost when we offer it, and what Christ can do when we give our lives to Him. Through her story, she teaches us the value of love, friendship, forgiveness, and redemption through the Lord, all without being "preachy." It was woven into the exposition of the plot in a way that was obvious, yet not too "forceful." This was very beautifully done.

But, that wasn't the only message. She shows that, even when we, ourselves, have been wronged in unimaginable ways, it doesn't give us the license to lose hold of our values and take justice into our own hands.

By worldly standards, the very thing Raven didn't do because of her newfound belief in God would have been justified - in fact, the man she was facing was waiting for it! Even I was expecting it, considering what both her and her father had endured, but Lehr reminds us that, as Christians, we are called to follow the law of the land and give justice fairly, even to those who might not deserve it.

Rise of the Forgotten was a truly inspiring read, and I am so excited for the next installment! This was one of the few books I was sad I finished so quickly because I want more!!!

Besides, there's a certain character stirring up trouble towards the end, and I NEED to figure out what they're up to!

My rating:

Five out of five! There wasn't a single thing about this novel that I didn't like.

Would I recommend it?

YES! Absolutely! For anyone out there who is a fan of clean, Christian fantasy, "Rise of the Forgotten" is an amazing read you won't regret!

Where do you find it?

Currently, it is available in paperback and e-book formats on Amazon.

More About The Author:

J.H Lehr is the six-time award-winning author of the self-published, Christian fantasy novel, "Rise of the Forgotten." In addition, J.H Lehr has written several other novels (Unpublished, as of yet, but soon!) and many short stories, some of which can be found on her blog.

"Rise of the Forgotten" is her debut novel.

Much like me, J.H Lehr started her writing journey when she was a teenager, but also like me, she's not sure when the passion for writing began! It seems like something we were both just born with!

"Rise of the Forgotten" was such an enjoyable read, and I am eagerly awaiting more from this author!

Be sure to check out her blog at jhgatesauthor.wordpress.com and find her on FB at J.H. Gates!

More posts and reviews to come!

Until Next Time,

-Elizabeth Mae Wolfram