Jordan's Star

Rating:
Summary: Disenchanted
Review: I first discovered Gilbert Morris through The Yellow Rose and was so impressed when I happened upon this from his backlist I jumped on the opportunity. Needless to say I was somewhat disappointed. I guess it's not fair to compare the two different books but this really did not measure up to more recent novels by this author.
First off, I found the action to be so slow it was tiresome to read. I started getting weary at how long I was reading the book, because normally a fast reader this one really drug through the middle.
My second complaint was it was lacking the humor I'd found in his previous work. And one of the funnies written in this one (Colin thinking of names for the baby when he finds out Jordan is pregnant) is directly the exact same joke found in The Yellow Rose when Jersualem tells Clay she's pregnant. Almost word for word. Both want to name a daughter Jezebel.
Third, the inspiration seemed very forced in this one. Most came through Mark's preaching, almost as if Mr Morris was writing his exact Sunday morning sermon into the middle of the story and it really served no purpose in the story except to give inspirational fans the idea that it did include religion to some degree. Also for an inspirational, more than one character struggles with infidelity in this novel which I find hard to fathom. Especially since the preacher's wife is foreshadowed to be lusting after someone long before her husband meets his demise.
If your a true fan of Gilbert Morris, you will find something to appreciate in this novel. IF nothing else, I appreciated the fact that his novel style has seemed to improve drastically with the one I recently read compared to this older one. If you have yet to read anything by this author, stop reading these reviews, stop contemplating this one. Save this one for when you already love this author and go back and read so you can say you've read all his works. If you read this one first, you may not come to appreciate the wonderful works he has written.


Rating:
Summary: Loved the book, until the end
Review: I really enjoyed this book up until the end. It still upsets me that I invested so much time in this book to have it end like that. I think the whole ending sounds like a soap opera....

Rating:
Summary: Loved the book, until the end
Review: I wasn't expecting much after reading one review on Amazon but was pleasantly surprised. There was lots of action which made it a fast read. The ending wasn't as bad (in my opinion) as one review made it out to be. There is lots of drama throughout the book and especially the last 30 or so pages.

Rating:
Summary: a page turner
Review: I wasn't expecting much after reading one review on Amazon but was pleasantly surprised. There was lots of action which made it a fast read. The ending wasn't as bad (in my opinion) as one review made it out to be. There is lots of drama throughout the book and especially the last 30 or so pages.

Rating:
Summary: Good but not great
Review: Jordan's Star is the story of Jordan, a romatic young lady longing for a knight to come sweep her off her feet. After meeting Colin she swiftly falls in love and they marry. Colin is all she dreamed of, romantic, dashing, and is traveling via wagon train to the wilds of Oregon. Jordan is thrilled to be on an adventure, she slowly realizes the brutality of the long journey. There are deaths and hardships. She sees a side of Colin she never knew and fears what that dark side will turn into.

The story introduces you to many of the families in the wagon train and when they reach Oregon they all decide to settle nearby as they feel they have become neighbors. Colin struggles with the "sameness" of everyday and finally in desparation shocks Jordan by telling her he is returning to sea to make a large sum of money on one trip to Africa on a slaving ship. Jordan is dismayed as she has recently given birth to their son, Michael. Colin asks their good friend Ty Sublette to watch out over his family. Within 2 days Colin leaves her and heads off on the voyage that will take up a year. Two years later there has been no word from Colin and it is believed he is dead. Ty and Jordan marry and start their own family.

The end of the book is too much of a rush and trying to tie up loose ends. The faith part of the story is there, but truly is not a primary focus of the story. I did not like how it ended at all. For the deep turmoil that was happening, it seemed to be resolved very quickly and too neatly. I have read several other Gilbert Morris books and while there were parts of the book I truly liked, it isn't one of his better works.

Rating:
Summary: My first Morris dissapointment!
Review: Jordan's Star was a wonderful book, then I started to read the ending. I can't even begin to describe the let down this book offers. If Amazon offered "0" stars, I would give it just that. When I walk away from a book, I want to be satisfied that even if I didn't particularly liked the ending it was still a *good* ending, one that logical, spiritualy, moraly, and plot wise makes sense, this one does not. Before you go out and read or buy this book, think twice.

Rating:
Summary: Better than the previous written review
Review: The previous review rates this book low and says it left her hanging. It does leave you hanging. I figured that means there will a sequel written soon to accompany this book. That is how it seems Gilbert Morris writes his books. The general makeup of this book is good, excellent even except that it does leave you hanging at the end. It has many twists that you would not think a person would ever have to face in life, but overall I think this book was well-written and definitely worth your time to read especially if you appreciate the work of Gilbert Morris. Another great novel written by him!

Rating:
Summary: Better than the previous written review
Review: The previous review rates this book low and says it left her hanging. It does leave you hanging. I figured that means there will a sequel written soon to accompany this book. That is how it seems Gilbert Morris writes his books. The general makeup of this book is good, excellent even except that it does leave you hanging at the end. It has many twists that you would not think a person would ever have to face in life, but overall I think this book was well-written and definitely worth your time to read especially if you appreciate the work of Gilbert Morris. Another great novel written by him!