Voyage With the Vikings Book Review

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About the Book

While visiting Mr. Whittaker at Whit's Soda Shoppe, Beth and Patrick find a mysterious letter in the Imagination Station requesting a Viking sunstone. The letter is old and says that someone named Albert will be imprisoned if the sunstone isn't found. Mr. Whittaker sends cousins Patrick and Beth to Greenland circa 1000. On their quest for the sunstone, the cousins meet Vikings Erik the Red and Leif Eriksson--and find the sunstone as they join Leif on his first voyage to North America. But the adventure is just beginning, for when they return to Mr. Whittaker's workshop with the sunstone, there is another note waiting for them, requesting a silver goblet. Join Patrick and Beth as they continue their travel to various lands and time in the Imagination Station book series. (Goodreads)

My Review

Finally! I read the first book almost last. My library had to order all of the books in and they couldn't get this book in until just now. I loved this book, as I have this series. I think I might end up buying the entire set for my nephew. 

This book introduces Beth and Patrick and takes them on their first trip in the Imagination Station. They land on a Viking ship and come very close to a polar bear. After meeting Leif and Erik the Red the two discover what life was like during that time and how Christianity was portrayed a bit differently. In search for the sunstone to take back to Whit, the kids experience their first near death experiences. 

Great story and great series!

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Peril in the Palace Book Review

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About the Book

The place? China in 1271. The quest? The golden tablet of Kublai Khan. The problem? Just about everything The Imagination Station adventures continue as cousins Patrick and Beth are kidnapped by Mongol warriors. Only the friendship of fellow traveler Marco Polo saves them from harm. They are brought to the Mongol palace, where the Kublai Khan dislikes both their gifts and their message about Christianity. The tension grows when the Mongol magicians challenge the cousins to a spiritual power showdown. As war breaks out, Beth and Patrick are locked in a secret room to prevent their escape. How do the cousins get the golden tablet they need to save Mr. Whittaker's friend Albert? How do they escape the city and find the Imagination Station? Enter the perilous palace and find out. (Goodreads)

My Review

Patrick and Beth are on another adventure! This story takes the kids to China to find the golden tablet and continue the story line from the first two books. In each book there is a prologue so that the reader knows what is going on if (like me) you are reading the books out of order.

I like the outfits that they get to wear, they obviously have to look the part so Whit always sends them into the Imagination Station wearing the proper attire. I also found this story interesting because I didn't know much about Marco Polo or China with Kublai Khan. The kids end up talking to the emperor and try to tell him about Jesus.

This story also includes them being picked up by a huge bird? You will have to read the story to find out about that part!

I love this series.

Highly recommend!

Attack at the Arena Book Review

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 About the Book

Patrick and Beth learn that Mr. Whittaker's fancy ring can be seen inside the Imagination Station but not outside of the machine. A mysterious letter leads the cousins to fifth-century Rome in search of a special cup that belongs to a monk. If found, the cup could keep the mysterious Albert out of prison. At the Roman Colosseum, Emperor Honorius is hosting a gladiator battle in celebration of a war victory. Beth attends the event as the emperor's slave; Patrick attends as a monk's apprentice but is taken prisoner and sent to fight in the arena. During their adventure, the cousins meet Telemachus (a true historical figure), a monk who believes that fighting is wrong. Telemachus is willing to risk everything--even his life--to stop the killing. When the cousins return with the cup, they find that a third letter has been sent with more information about Albert's fate. (Goodreads)

My Review

I have gone backward in this series but this second book is really interesting! I don't know much about this time in history with the Roman Colosseum or gladiator battles but this book puts Patrick and Beth right in the middle of things again. I think my favorite part about this book is the strong stand of faith that Telemachus makes. While history blurs a little on what happened at that point in time, he stood up for his faith in God. 

This series is pretty good and great for kids. 

Highly recommend!

Revenge of the Red Knight Book Review

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About the Book

In this Imagination Station adventure, Patrick and Beth find themselves as guests in a beautiful castle in 15th-century England. Through a series of events, the steward of Lord Darkthorn's castle finds the cousins with three artifacts collected in their previous adventures: the stone, the cup, and the golden tablet. They are accused of being thieves and locked in jail. Beth escapes and discovers the identity of the real thief, leading to a jousting contest with a surprising outcome. Set during the War of the Roses in England, "Revenge of the Red Knight" will teach readers about the Crusades, the integrity of knights and the vows they took, and why men would choose to risk their lives to fight for Christianity. (Goodreads)

My Review

I have completely read all of these books out of order. I have been reading them as they come in from the library so for this book in particular I think it would have been better to read the previous book. But at the start of the book it has a prologue that talks about what happened before in the story. This book was not as fun for me but still a good story. Beth and Patrick are on an adventure where there are jousting contests and knights! As usual the two are right in the middle of the action. 

I love this series and can't wait to read the rest!