The Bronze Bow was a wonderful read great for teens. This story was full of delightful characters and the details were accurately told regarding the time of Jesus. The story was about replacing hate with love. Dainel, the main character hated the Romans, but it was his sister who helped him change his heart and also Jesus who worked a miracle when Daniel needed it the most. It changed Daniel forever. I loved Leah, Samson, Joel, and Thacia. Just a fantastic read all in all and I am glad I read it.
Tao Ako
★★★★★
Warning: Not suitable for children.
My children and I read this book together every night for a time since it was a free read for Ambleside Online. I have loved all the books AO has recommended.... until this. I have found every page except the last couple of sentences of the book to be about hate. Hate, hate, hate!!!! Even amidst the kindness, goodness, generosity, wisdom, and sacrifices of strangers and friends, well even Jesus, the response of the protaginist was to continue in his burning hatred against the Romans, an insatiable desire to kill and be rid of them! Even towards a meek and humble German/Roman soldier, his thoughts were "With all the strength of his (my) being, he (I) wanted to hurl himself (myself) at the Roman boy, to feel the throat between his (my) hands, to hear the life gasping out" and "I would rather let her (my sister) die. If you try to walk through that door, I will kill you." Should we let our young children to be exposed to such hatred??? Of course we all know that the protagonist will eventually change, but that did not come until a very abrupt ending!!! It was not until the very last sentence!!!!!!!
We've read the series Wingfeather Saga and Green Ember. The main characters in those books were flawed at the start but there were uplifting and commendable transformations as those stories progressed. Little Duke by Charlotte Younge is another book of a boy whose vow was to avenge his father's death. But unlike Speare, Younge devoted more time and focused rightly on the transformed and redeemed nature of the lead, characteristics and actions you want your children to emulate. Bronze Bow just made me feel so angry up until the end, even when Daniel changed.
I don't think I also agree with how the author represented Jesus, but that's another can of worms.... I'm one of the oddball here, since majority loved the book, I found it to be the worst book I have read. Or maybe because I am just angry (the book is contagious!) I read this with my children when it should have been for an older audience.
The message of freedom from anger, hatred, vengeance and the peace of finally overcoming these "demons" was overshadowed and blurred by the same "demons" by devoting more time in making sure the readers are aware of how much the main character is filled with them. Too much build up of the overflowing contempt towards the Jews. It's like a book expounding on hate in the guise of being about love and forgiveness.
