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Review: Fossil Hunter, by John B. Olson

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Fossil HunterFossil Hunter, by John B. Olson, by John B. Olson (Promise Media Novel, Tyndale House Publishers, 2008)

Paleontologist Katie James, working solo on a fossil dig in Peru, escapes bandits and then goes back to protect her fossil. And that’s just the prologue.

One reviewer tagged Katie as “a female Indiana Jones.” I liked her from the outset, this resourceful young woman who can single-handedly capture villains but is physically unable to face a crowd.

The first few pages inspired me to give myself fully into the story – a risky thing when reading a new-to-me author. John Olson didn’t let me down. I enjoyed Fossil Hunter more than any book I’ve read in a long time. It’s a fun adventure that keeps the reader guessing. The characters are great. It’s emotionally satisfying. And the author’s choice of language is refreshing. In one tense scene, waiting to be shot, Katie counts out “120 nervous alligators”. A secondary character refers to rival scientist Nick Murad’s New York girlfriend as “Miss Guccier-Than-Thou”.

The story of Katie and Nick’s fossil hunt, racing both terrorists and a deadline, keeps tension high. John Olson’s writing lets us hear the multinational accents through word choice and sentence structure, without any clumsily-spelled dialect. And his descriptions had me feeling enough of Iraq’s climate that I’ll never need to visit.

I don’t enjoy “issue stories” and one of Fossil Hunter’s subplots is the evolution/creation/intelligent design controversy, but it’s a natural complication of having a Christian character working in this field. Any discussions and/or explanations fit well into the dialogue without the dreaded information dump or feel of propaganda. I didn’t get any sense of authorial hostility or judgement.

Katie’s father pastors a church on a Native American reservation, and her mother lived there her entire life, yet the cover photo makes Katie look Caucasian to me. Aside from mention of growing up on the reservation, the story shows her as a general, melting-pot American. I don’t often ask for extra back-story, but a bit more here would be nice.

Nick Murad is almost unbelievably non-competitive and sweet. And he doesn’t seem threatened by Katie’s take-charge actions. Even her team-mates struggle with that, and they have past experience to prove her capability. Nick, however, is a fine character and my “realism” doubts did nothing to keep me from enjoying the tale.

The pace, characters, story and writing make one of those rare novels that catch my imagination and renew my sense of wonder and adventure. For that, out of five stars, I have to give Fossil Hunter a five-point-five. And I’ve added the author’s previous books to my Christmas wish list: Shade and Adrenaline, plus Oxygen and The Fifth Man (co-written with Randall Ingermanson).

Review: Eye of the Storm, by Janice L. Dick

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[Note: this review is of the original version of this book, which has now been revised and rereleased. For the review of the 2020 edition, click here.]

eye-of-the-storm

Eye of the Storm, by Janice L. Dick (Herald Press, 2003)

In Eye of the Storm, we follow the characters from Calm Before the Storm through the years 1917-1919. A less compassionate author would overwhelm readers with the cruelty and horror of this part in Russian Mennonite history.

The story centres on the fictional Hildebrandt family, but gives glimpses of historical figures like Trotsky and Lenin – and the execution of Tsar Nicholas’ family. At times the sense of growing tragedy made me put the book aside until the next day, but the characters always drew me back.

Rich in historical and cultural details, the book opens a window into the suffering of both rich and poor – and the faith of the Russian Mennonites. The Mennonite landowners experience raids on their property and possessions, but their faith calls them to a peaceful life. Some choose to learn self-defence, but family head Heinrich Hildebrandt cannot reconcile this with his beliefs. He removes all weapons from his estate, “that I might not be tempted.” Whatever the reader’s personal beliefs on pacifism, this book brings the agony of the Russian Mennonites’ choice to life.

It also demonstrates the struggle to keep hope and live by faith when the world is falling apart. Although the characters usually come to decisions in line with the tenets of their faith, it is never trite or without serious wrestling.

I’m glad I picked up books two and three of the series together – the ending of Eye of the Storm is the beginning of a new adventure, and I can’t wait too long to discover how things work out.

To learn more about the series, or for an overview of Russian Mennonite history and some authentic Mennonite recipes, visit the author’s website.

Praise Habit, by David Crowder

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Praise Habit, by David CrowderPraise Habit, by David Crowder (2004, TH1NK Books, an imprint of NavPress)

Praise Habit is subtitled “Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi”. I picked up this book knowing I needed to recognize and praise God more frequently in my day. David Crowder adds a deeper meaning to the title by linking to nuns’ habits and suggesting the possibility of praise as our garment, of our lives becoming living praise. He calls us to a life larger and more free than the one we usually settle for.

The first part of the book explores the nature of praising God, and then provides a sampling of Psalms from The Message version with the author’s own devotional thoughts. He shares enough instruction to equip readers to encounter God in Scripture on their own.

This is not your stereotypical, formal book about faith and the Christian life. I love the freshness of his language, the new-to-me illustrations he uses – and the humour. This man is brilliantly funny, in an off-beat way. Want proof? Read the copyright page. Read it all, and tell me if you don’t at least giggle. [Find it in the Amazon preview here.]

David Crowder’s reflections on the Psalms often start with an anecdote, and some of those had me laughing out loud. Then he transitions to practical and insightful application of the passage at hand.

What this book gave me was new language and a sense of renewed wonder for the salvation experience: “live the rescue.” I’ll return to it for that, and also for the laughter.

I hope David Crowder continues his music ministry for years to come. I also hope he writes another book soon. It’s long overdue.

If truth brings freedom

And laughter is the best medicine

Then Praise Habit is a tonic worth tasting.