I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Imagine... the Ten Plagues by Matt Koceich Series: Imagine #2
Published by BARBOUR PUB Incorporated on March 1, 2018
Genres: Action & Adventure, Christian, Historical, Religious, Young Adult
Pages: 112
Source: NetGalley
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The Second Release in an Epic Bible Adventure Series for Kids The last thing fourth-grader Kai Wells remembers (before the world as she knew it disappeared) is being surrounded by bullies on her walk home from school. What happens next can't be explained as Kai finds herself on the run for her life in ancient Egypt! Imagine. . .The Ten Plagues is the second release in an exciting, brand-new epic adventure series for kids ages 8 to 12 written by schoolteacher Matt Koceich. The Imagine series brings the Bible to life for today's kids as they ponder what it would be like to live through a monumental biblical event.
Don't miss Book 1 in the Imagine Series--Imagine...The Great Flood
If you haven’t read my review of the first book in this series, ‘The Great Flood‘, then check it out. Not only do I, obviously, review the book but I also talk about what started me down the path to read this series – Munchkin. As we know, access to Munch right now is about nonexistent. There are no more weekends to split with his Mom to which I can abscond with him for a few hours or even days. Trust me, I miss that. His wit, his sense of humor, even his attitude but most importantly his back rubs (kid is a MASTER!). However, I had an investment with this series and this book is sitting on my NetGalley shelf and will not read and review itself.
I’ll just say it, I didn’t love this book as much as the first one. Kia is being bullied at school by someone she once considered friend. With a bit of violence (for Pete’s sake the other girl punched her!) and Kia finds herself back in ancient Egypt, recognizing Moses and Aaron almost immediately. She experiences the plagues, kind of, finds herself at the hands of an Egyptian bully, stands up to him, finds out about previous visitors, and returns home to some weirdness. You could say it left me with some serious mixed feelings. I didn’t get the hint of spiritual understanding that I left the first book with.
The Biblical elements themselves were really glossed over, more a tell me they are happening than a show me they were happening. There was little to no interaction with how other’s were experiencing them. There was no thoughts or feelings or experiences or anything that gave me depth. That and it was laid out like they happened all told in like a weeks span, which doesn’t begin to feel accurate. The weird booklet that Kia was given in the temple with pictures, dates, and names of other ‘visitors’ was weird too. It felt forced and awkward. I mean we are only in book two of the series but apparently Corey, from the first book, was tracked by this guy all these generations later? Or was back again? Or something because he was in the book. Along with someone who visited in the 70’s (our time? again how was this a thing that was so calmly understood and put in a book?). The last part I had issue with was the setup for future supernatural elements. I know spoiler but I gotta go there a minute. These three people that made it into the booklet are brought together as Kia returns and there’s hints and talk of what is to come while a bird hangs out nearby (it references back to the story). First, it’s a middle grade reading level so some of the glossing over I get but again it did these readers a disservice in faith growth. Second, it’s a middle grade reading level, and in book two we are setting up convoluted (and forced feeling) supernatural elements to come that even to an adult reader don’t make sense. Yes there is action and adventure that will draw in the younger reader but it also seems to lose track of where it all started. This book just left this cranky old woman feeling meh.
About Matt Koceich
Matt Koceich is the author of the Imagine series, a brand new, epic Bible adventure for kids. He lives in Mansfield, Texas with his wife Cindi and their four children.
I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to read my stories and leaving your honest reviews. I’m grateful for readers like you because your insights help me grow as a writer! I take all comments to heart and seek to address those issues in future books. So, thanks again for all of your precious time and helpful comments! God bless! -Matt