Reader Response to Beyond the Dead Forest
Beyond the Dead Forest is a page turner. I felt as if I was experiencing an Indiana Jones movie. The characters step into one impossible adventure after another, solve each one, only to step into another one more dangerous for them and more exciting for the reader. The characters seemingly impossible challenges, vividly and honestly described here, are strangely representative of everyday childhood struggles and hardships. Yet, Steve Groll has the wonderful ability to incorporate positive values and morals in a most entertaining way. I found myself totally engrossed in the book to the very end. –Author Edmond P. DeRoussse
I found Steve Groll’s Beyond the Dead Forest to be quite a fascinating read…. The book is well written and the Christian message is found throughout in very interesting symbolism. I heartily recommend it to all readers. –Pastor Doug Metzger
Beyond The Dead Forest was a totally enjoyable book to read,… Hopefully there will be more adventures in store for us. –NyteFyre
Amazing and sometimes spooky tale of two kids and their adventure to a mysterious land where every decision has life-changing ramifications…. This one kept me up past my bedtime on multiple occasions. –Dave Pederson
The partner’s adventure captures one’s imagination and never lets go…. Beyond the Dead Forest is riveting to the terrifying end. –Susan Cook
I have never been a fan of fantasy literature, but I have to admit that I found Beyond the Dead Forest captivating, exciting and just a lot of fun. I enjoyed how the excitement grew with each new chapter. Children and adults of all ages will enjoy the wild ride and hate to see it end. I have read it twice and plan to read it again. –Poly Hart
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“Beyond the Dead Forest” is a page turner. I felt as if I was experiencing an Indiana Jones movie. The characters step into one impossible adventure after another, solve each one, only to step into another one more dangerous for them and more exciting for the reader. The characters seemingly impossible challenges, vividly and honestly described here, are strangely representative of everyday childhood struggles and hardships. Yet, Steve Groll has the wonderful ability to incorporate positive values & morals in a most entertaining way. I found myself totally engrossed in the book to the very end.
I wasn’t expecting too much from this book as it was only after I’d received it that I realised it was based quite heavily around Biblical stories (it’s written by an American preacher) but to my surprise, I really enjoyed it once I got into it. The lead characters are Carter and Kat, who are two lonely children who live in a remote area so spend alot of time together. One day they venture into the Dead Forest of the title to explore it further and encounter two strange men, the Adversary and the Guardian when they attempt to shelter from a sudden storm. The children are then plunged into a strange world where they are both tested in dangerous or misleading situations and required to make the right choice or refrain from the wrong choices in order to survive. They make allies as they go and mostly avoid their enemies with the help of Guard(ian) who occasionally pops up to feed, exhort or encourage them into continuing their journey to the end. Anyone familar with Biblical parables will recognise the parallels instantly although there is a strong whiff of CS Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia running through the whole book, most notably Prince Caspian, The Silver Chair and The Last Battle. An interesting read but not an original concept.
If you’re a fan of C.S.Lewis’, The Chronicles of Narnia, then this action thriller will grab you within the first two or three pages, and you may find yourself unable to extricate yourself from the adventures and snares the children continually encounter and the solutions which they engender. If you’re familiar with your Bible, you will recognize life lessons from the parables and proverbs of the Bible with each encounter with the Adversary. A must read, especially for young hungry impressionable minds. I’ve sent copies to my kids and grandkids.
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