MEMORY’S DOOR, book two in the
Well Springs series by Christy Award-winning author James L. Rubart, cracked opened on creaking hinges. A few ominous bones were thrown out in the first few chapters setting up what was to come—portals to new and terrifying experiences for the Warriors Riding—but those opening moments needed some oil.
The door finally bursts open when all hell breaks loose one-third of the way in. And hell it is. The demon Zennon launches an all-out attack of threats, violence and deception. Some of the team members face their greatest fears and suffer great loss as the fight for the souls of the world and their own. But they are not alone and, at times, they also share in heavenly glories.
The last third of the book brings the most intensity as well as the book’s most defining and emotional moments before the door finally closes. However, it does not slam shut and is left ajar for the third installment of the series. There remains one member of the Warriors Riding who is yet to suffer a sacrificial loss—something we can, uh, I guess, look forward to in the final chapter.
We can also look forward to more healing (possibly more than spiritual?) for the team, an amped up and ramped up battle, and a few surprising twists as Rubart further frames this intriguing tale and finally nails in the header.
Overall, I enjoyed the book immensely. Rubart is certainly one of, if not THE, greatest of Christian authors writing today. Not only is the writing done well, he tells great stories of value, and he tells them very well. All of his books have been great. [His book
ROOMS still tops my list as my all-time favorite work of Christian fiction and, in my opinion, he has yet to best that work.]
However, there were a couple of reasons this book isn’t his best. One reason being the slow beginning that didn’t cover much new ground. Chapter one tried, but was too vague; I
fumbled unmoved through chapter two [reread the chapter Jim, you'll see what I mean]; engaging in the third chapter’s reminders was tedious. Not until chapter four did the story begin to take off for me.
And reason two, while much of chapter fifty-four was wonderful (as is the remainder of the work) Rubart has, at last, stooped to the all too trite “battle against demons with swords” scene. To me that was more than trite, it was disappointing. Beyond that I enjoyed the warrior's ride, learned from the journey, and look forward to what is to come.
Book one in the series is
SOUL'S GATE which also is a great read and ride.
