The Restorer's Son, Swords of Lyric Series #2

Plunged again into the gray world of Lyric and Hazor, Susan and Mark search frantically for their teenage son, Jake, as all signs hint that a trusted ally has betrayed them and threatens their son. Assassins and political intrigue, false leads, and near misses beset their path, which will lead them into the dark prisons of Hazor before the One's purpose is revealed.
Cast out by those he trusts and preferring to cross swords with the One rather than submit to His will, Kieran flees to enemy Hazor, only to find that the One knows no borders. Pursued by his calling, Kieran journeys to Sidian, where he finds a boy without a home, a king with burning questions, and a nation torn by darkness. As he embraces the tasks the One has set before him, this new Restorer learns that the One requires his all-perhaps even his life.

The Restorer’s Son is the second book in Sharon Hinck’s “Sword of Lyric” series. When there is trouble in the country of Lyric, the One has promised to send a Restorer to save His people. The previous restorer was a woman named Susan, drawn to Lyric from our own world. She now has passed that mantle to the half-breed and outcast Kieran. But he would rather die than shoulder the Restorer’s responsibilities. Around the same time, Susan finds that her teenage son Jake has wandered his way into Lyric, where he is clueless and completely vulnerable. Susan’s quest to find her son unwittingly entangles her in Kieran’s flight from the One’s call. And none of them may survive.

Unfortunately, the premise of this story and the actual book that is presented are rather unrelated. That’s not to say it’s a bad book—just that The Restorer’s Son can’t be judged from its back cover copy.

The Restorer’s Son is written from two separate first-person points of view, with Kieran and Susan each narrating their own stories. This isn’t bad at first, but when the two stories intertwine, it slows the book considerably, as the reader is constantly trying to remember whose story is being told. In spite of clear labeling at the beginning of each chapter, it was somewhat confusing at times.

Susan’s plotline, though seemingly the main thrust of the book, doesn’t enter until six chapters in. Even then, it doesn’t make much sense for another three chapters and doesn’t contribute much to the book. She and her husband Mark are rounded but uninteresting characters, and their son Jake really just serves as a convenient device for explaining the story’s world to the reader. Susan’s plotline is predictable and flat and could have been better handled as a secondary story running in the background, as it is clearly just a set-up for Hinck’s eventual third book in the Sword of Lyric series.

The main story in The Restorer’s Son is that of Kieran’s fleeing from, confronting, and finally accepting the mantle of Restorer that the One has laid on him. This story, though also scattered for its first few chapters, is a compelling narrative moving from rebellion to submission. Engaging, interesting, and holding several surprises, it leaves the reader satisfied and hopefully a little wiser.

Kieran is a realistic and relatable character—how many times have Christians in this world wondered what on earth God was trying to do with their lives? His struggles with his calling by the One and his eventual submission are the high points of the story. He changes believably over the course of the story, and the man he is by the end is dramatically different from the man he began as. The one little hitch in Kieran’s character is that at the beginning, the reader is given the general impression that he is around 20 years old, while his actual age is closer to 35. However, considering that Hinck has created a strong, flawed, compelling character for her lead, the age confusion isn’t much of a drawback.

For being the second book in a fantasy series, The Restorer’s Son stands on its own two feet. The world is slightly confusing at first, but that smoothes out quickly. Within a few chapters, Hinck’s science fiction-fantasy fusion (swords and laser-like guns, magnetic locks and magic) is firmly established and serves as an intriguing background to the story. Also, all pertinent plot points from the first book are explained when they are needed, so the reader doesn’t feel completely lost in a continuing series of events.

Hinck’s greatest triumph in The Restorer’s Son is her integration of a true biblical faith into a world-traveling fantasy. The One of Lyric and his people of the Verses are crucial to the story, and very believable. When the spiritual connections between God and the One become apparent, it is never preachy, never unnecessary, and never clumsy. Kieran’s journey into the Restorer’s responsibilities is a journey of faith, and this faith is central to the entire story and world. The scene where Kieran challenges the One is reminiscent of Jacob wrestling with God, and is one of the high points of the book.

All in all, The Restorer’s Son is a decent book. It suffers from some writing issues, but on the other side, the integration of faith and fantasy is superb, and Kieran is a marvelous character. As overtly Christian fantasy, Restorer's Son is well-done. Rachel Niehaus, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

Average Rating:

8 of 12 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)

Reviewed by abbie (dreams I live in Washington :)), December 08, 2009

I love fantasy books and try hard to find good ones and The Restorers Son is definitely a good fantasy book. The writing is very well done and the story is intriguing! I doubt you'll get bored reading this book.

Reviewed by Connie Wolters (Forest, VA), September 21, 2008

The Restorer's Son was just as captivating as the first book in the series. I enjoyed following Kieran on his spiritual journey, even though I wanted to smack him a few times. I can't wait to read the third one, I'm sure it'll be just as good!

Reviewed by Sally (Pembroke Pines, FL), September 03, 2008

Surprisingly, I liked it! Yes, it's a good read, and mind you, I haven't read the first in the series. The characters are well defined. Kieran is a round character with plenty of faults for people like me to relate to. It's awful to say this, but I love his temper. He questions God and why things must be done in a certain way at a certain time, just as I have done. There's a good fight scene, but I can say no more without revealing what I should not. Susan, a nurturing mom, does what I might do and acts as I might act under the same circumstances. There's a couple of realistic roll-their-eyes teenagers in the novel. The plot moves along at a reasonable pace, with a good story line. Yes, it's a good book. I'm glad I finally picked it up.

Reviewed by Makaidos (Vestal, NY), August 15, 2008

This book was just as good as the first one. I can't wait to read The Restorer's Journey!!!

Reviewed by Chandra (Littlestown,PA), March 03, 2008

If you love adventure and traveling to other worlds, this book is for you. The adventure began in book one, The Restorer, and continues with even more excitement and surprises in book two. You haven't read book one? I highly recommend it. But you can also read this one now if you'd prefer. Sharon Hinck created a parallel world of nations and wars and faith. Susan and Mark's son escaped through the portal into the world of Lyric while they were there. Upon returning to our world, they discover their son's absence and once again travel to Lyric in search of their son. Within Lyric they find assassins, political intrigue, and hatred. But they don't find their son, Jake. Kieran, the rebel of Lyric, was thrust into the role of Restorer after Susan's duties ended. He doesn't want the role, but has no choice. Running from his appointment he meets Jake, a lost young man, and a king of a dark culture seeking answers. Will Kieran allow the One to guide him and have his all so that peace may be restored? And will Jake find understanding between truth and lies and return to his family? Sharon appropriately named this country Lyric, for the world truly reads like a ballad, a lovely ballad. Sit down to read this book and travel somewhere else. Along the way, find the strength of faith and love and the healing of forgiveness. This book is a must read.

Reviewed by Janna Ryan (North Platte, NE), February 22, 2008

The Restorer's Son is an amazing book that sucked me into its pages immediately and didn't let me go until I was finished - and then I had to read the bonus chapter at the end that starts the next book! This book is incredible in the way that as much as I recommend that you read The Restorer first - you don't actually have to in order to fully enjoy this book. One thing about Sharon's Sword of Lyric series is that ANYONE will enjoy these books - you do not have to be a fantasy, sci-fi lover to find a world and people where you want to go and be a part of. I have not talked to one person that did not love these books. Do yourself a favor and join us in Lyric!

Reviewed by Virginia Smith (Salt Lake City, UT), December 22, 2007

Last summer I was asked to consider writing an endorsement for this book. That meant the publisher sent me a preview copy months before the October release date, along with a copy of book one, The Restorer. I started with the second book because I had a deadline for deciding whether or not to write an endorsement. I devoured this book in a single day. I got nothing else done all day, because I could not tear myself away from the incredible world Hinck created. The next day I read the first book and loved it, too! I can't say enough about these books. If you like fantasy adventure stories with spiritual truth seamlessly woven throughout, I highly recommend The Sword of Lyric Series. If you want to read my endorsement, buy the book and check out the Endorsement page!

Reviewed by Rel Mollet (Australia), November 25, 2007

Keiran of Braide Wood has always been different. His looks marked as a man of mixed blood, his mother coming from the hated Hazorite clan and forever setting him apart. Banished by the Council, Kieran flees from Lyric and his calling only to find his escape hampered by a strange young man he believes to be a spy. Susan and Mark find themselves journeying back to the other world of Lyric in search of their son, Jake. Fearing he has been captured by the vengeful Chief Council member, Cameron they give little thought to Susan no longer having the special abilities granted to a Restorer and how vulnerable they are. When the One confronts Kieran and his fears, a mighty battle ensues, that draws out all his pride, anger, resentment and aggression, leaving him empty and at the mercy of the One, who he has blamed for the suffering and heartache in his life. Will Kieran seek mercy or surrender his calling and his life? Sharon Hinck’s first novel in this Sword of Lyric series was mind boggling in its originality and substance. I am delighted to say The Restorer’s Son is all that and more! Kieran, the reluctant Restorer with an anguished past, provides the first person voice for most of the story and is a testament to Sharon's talent and insight. Anyone who has struggled with God’s calling on their life will relate to Kieran’s journey. His battle with the One mirrors the Biblical struggle when Jacob wrestles with God - it is the novel's most moving and powerful offering. Susan and Mark’s return to Lyric is fascinating with the loss of her protective powers yet her mother heart drives her to risk everything to find her boy. Revelations regarding Tristan, Kendra and other familiar characters add interest, intrigue and some surprises to this exceptional sequel. The hint of a developing relationship and the inspired spiritual nuances has me eagerly awaiting the final installment in this epic series The Restorer's Journey.

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