Book review: Imagination Station books 3 and 4 and a giveaway!

     Our children have enjoyed the Adventures in Odyssey DVD series, so I was delighted with the opportunity to review books 3 and 4 in this new series. Peril in the Palace and Revenge of the Red Knight continue the series, but are understandable read out of order. There is a continued thread of mystery throughout the series.

From the publisher:

"Calling All Adventure-Seeking Kids!
Imagination Station Travels to 1271 China and the War of the Roses

     Following the successful launch in March of the first two titles in the Imagination Station series, Adventures in Odyssey’s Mr. Whittaker and his two young friends return for all-new adventures in Peril in the Palace and Revenge of the Red Knight, both scheduled to release in May from Tyndale House Publishers and Focus on the Family.
     Alongside cousins Patrick and Beth, young readers board the Imagination Station and travel back in time to China in 1271 where they come face-to-face with Marco Polo and step into the throne room of Kublai Khan, before finding themselves transported to 1450 England to witness a jousting battle they won’t soon forget.

     “In Peril in the Palace, the historical conversations between Kublai Khan, Marco Polo, and his father and uncle, are well documented,” says Marianne Hering, who co-writes the series with Paul McCusker. “I really enjoyed giving readers a glimpse into the head of Kublai Khan. In Revenge of the Red Knight, the drama of the story arc is compelling. The plot is based more on fiction than the other books and full of surprises for the readers.”

     Written for ages seven and up, the series features the virtual reality device the Imagination Station, which is one of the major plot devices used in the Odyssey audio drama series. Nobody knows the inner workings of the mysterious device, invented by Mr. Whittaker, but with a push of a button, it launches users back in time to experience historical events in-person.

     In Peril in the Palace, cousins Patrick and Beth are kidnapped by Mongol warriors. Saved from harm by fellow traveler Marco Polo, they are brought to the Mongol palace, where the Kublai Khan dislikes both their gifts and their message about Christianity.

     The adventures continue in Revenge of the Red Knight, where Patrick and Beth find themselves immersed in the War of the Roses in England."

     “While I am committed to books as a storytelling medium, I think all storytelling should not only entertain but also communicate truth,” says Hering. “One of the taglines for this series is, “The key to adventure lies within your imagination.” I’d like kids to read these books and have their imaginations revved up so that they become the next generation of storytellers.”

     They also shared that the series is going to be expanded to 12 books!



Disclaimer: I was given this set of 2 books for the purpose of this review. 


I am giving away 2 books as a set: Peril in the Palace and Revenge of the Red Knight! (The only requirement from the publisher is that the winner has a US/Canada mailing address.)


To enter, leave a comment.

For an extra entry, follow my blog or tell me that you already do, leave a comment either way.

I'll choose one winner with random.org on Wed. August 17th. Be sure to leave your e-mail address so I can share it with the publisher if you win.