Reviewer: Robyn Roberts
Title: Landon Snow and the Auctor’s Kingdom - 5th in the Landon Snow series
Author: R. K. Mortenson
Publisher: Barbour
ISBN-13: 978-1-59789-976-5
Release Date: May 2008
Genre/Sub-genre: Youth/Juvenille Fiction
Publisher’s Age/Grade Recommendation: Ages 10-15
OUAR’s Age/Grade Recommendation: Ages 9-14
Year/Setting: Present Day Button Up, Minnesota, and Wonderwood
Overall Rating: 5.0
R.K.'s Website: None found
This story picks up right where the last one left off. Landon Snow and his sisters Holly and Bridget need a way to get back to Wonderwood quickly. Landon has seen a verse in his Bible—John 15:13—"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life down for his friends." * He’s worried that he might have to give his own life to save Wonderwood. He also finds out about the giant chess piece in his grandfather’s garage. Turns out that Grandpa knew that something was going on. He didn’t know specifics, but reminds Landon that he was once a young man, too.
Landon, Holly & Bridget use the giant chess piece created by their grandfather to return to Wonderwood. They are forced to fight the Arcans who have joined forces with the fiery dragon Volucer Ignis. They must fight evil to the very end and they begin to realize they are trying to make it to the Auctor’s Kingdom.
While this book is scheduled and noted as the final book in the series, I noticed there is an opening left. I alternately laughed and cried through this book as I could see the ending coming, but didn’t want to leave Landon, his sisters or their friends in Wonderwood. I believe this book could be read alone, but having read prior books—book 4 in particular—really added to the poignancy of this final story in the series.
Landon has to work through his doubts and fears in this book. His struggle mirrors the struggles that both adults and young adults go through. I will slip that someone must lay his life down—but I won’t tell you who. It was one of the times I cried. Landon Snow and the Auctor’s Kingdom is filled with so many moments that stand out, it’s hard to describe. I’m filled with a host of emotions recalling the story.
I know that both young and old will be drawn to Landon Snow and all the books in the series. I am so privileged to have been able to read these books and have loved sharing them with my children as well. Hats off to R.K. Mortenson for finding the perfect ending to Landon’s journeys. The ending was so wonderfully sweet that I cried again from the sheer love expressed in the moment. R.K. Mortenson has given us the gift of a new classic in literature. And while I implore him to write more Landon Snow adventures, I am blessed to have read these.
*Bible reference is from the King James Version of the Bible.
Robyn
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