King's Arrow

This second book of the crown and covenant trilogy is full of suspense, action, and discernment.It is about a young archer named Angus M'kethe. Angus prefers the bow over any weapon because of its stealth, speed, and the ability to reload quickly. Douglas Bond brings these characters together perfectly in this book about the life and choices of Angus who will have to listen to his fathers instructions to love your enemy and fight at the battle of Drumclog for the covenant.

We started reading Duncan's War by Douglas Bond together as a family sometime during the fall. We became so excited about the story that we had to put the children under strict orders not to touch the book during the day, but they had to wait until family reading hour. "No Peeking!" was the command they would hear when their hand would reach slyly for the book on the end table. Duncan's War is followed by The King's Arrow and then finally Rebel's Keep. This series, called the Crown and Covenant, follows the lives of the M'Kethe family during 17th Century Scotland as they endured brutal persecution at the hand of King James and King Charles. Those that remained loyal to King Jesus called themselves the Scottish Covenanters. This is the story of those who must wrestle with honoring God and applying His word while living amidst a government that is trying to obliterate Christianity. As a reader, I was particularly struck with what I would do if I were in this situation with my own family. While reading these stories, I had to grapple with the scriptures as I put myself in their shoes. As a father and a Christian, I want to honor God and obey His word above all else. And yet I desire desperately to protect my children from all outside harm. In the story, the children watch their father's actions as he attempts to obey King Jesus above all others, and while they do not fully understand them at the time, they come to appreciate them more fully later as they grow and mature. The father never compromises his integrity in the midst of war. He clearly keeps the perspective that this life on earth is not the only one we live for. There is one to come. How we live and die here will show Whom it is we honor. This is how I want to live. I want to set a strong example for my children as I live out God's word even during difficult times. While reading these stories, I was struck once again that how we live in this life has implications in the next. We are to live for the Audience of One.

It has been a long time since I read this book. Let us hope I remember enough about it to make a decent review. I would hazard a guess that many of the readers of this review are homeschooling mothers with teenage children very much like me. As a 14 year-old homeschooler myself, I feel qualified to give you some feedback. The main gist of the book concerns Angus M'Keith, younger brother of Duncan M'Keith, who was the hero of the previous work (Which would be helpful to read first, but not, if I remember aright, absolutely essential). He finds himself in the midst of Catholic persecution from the English persecutors of the Scottish Presbyterians. Throughout it all his faith is tested as he follows his father and brother through harrowing adventures. From a purely literary standpoint, these books are not brilliant. They will not be compared to Dostoyevsky or Austen in future years (not that many books can claim the honor of being their equals as it is!). Nevertheless, nothing stands out as achingly bad prose; Douglas Bond is a solid enough writer. From a purely theological standpoint, these books are quite good. The main issues it deals with are keeping one's faith under persecution, and under what circumstances it is right to kill your enemies. It is solidly Christian all throughout, and is a book your lads--and perhaps even some of your lasses--will most likely enjoy.