Scarboy stands, clasping his young brother’s hand, and watches his mother’s funeral pyre blaze at Burning Place. The Enchanter is coming. Now is the time to follow his mother’s last wish…and run!

Scarboy and Little Child flee from the Enchanted City to Great Park. There a world unfolds before them like never imagined. A world where everyone belongs to someone, people become as they truly are, there is such a thing as a King, people are awake in the sun time and sleep when it’s dark, green things grow, and anyone can learn the King’s way.

The story of a Kingdom begins!

Will everything Scarboy learns there prepare him to fight his greatest enemy, or be called back to Enchanted City, or risk his life for the Resistance, or play his part in the Restoration?

In an extraordinary city ruled by an evil, fire-wielding enchanter, who enslaves children, kingslove finds you in the most unexpected places.

It’s the Kingdom Tales Trilogy by David and Karen Mains!

I considered doing a separate review for each book, but it was so hard to separate them, and I couldn’t see you all – after reading the first book – not needing books two and three immediately. So, I figured, might as well dive in and do all three, while I have the chance!

Kingdom Tales is many stories with a cast of interesting, humble, struggling, learning people. Yet, the tales are intertwined and move the story in a united direction, fleshing out the world as we go.

Through the trilogy, three characters remain in front:
Hero – a boy with a scar, but a strong and courageous King’s man;
Amanda – a spirited princess in disguise who has perfect aim; and
the King.

When asked why I enjoy these tales, I reply, “the King.”

In every scene, I smile at his actions, eagerly read his lines. He is portrayed as a relational King – he plays with children, he gently rebukes, he rides into battle, he calls his own by name; he reaches into the darkness, joins the lost in their own worlds, makes life worth playing, and creates a show of natural phenomenon for his friends to enjoy just because he can!

Nonetheless, he is a powerful King to be revered. For he stands up to challenge the evil one, overturns wicked plans in righteous anger, destroys the cruel weapons of the oppressors, and his name makes darkness flee and morning dawn in a place where natural light was never seen.

Hallelu Yah to the King of kings! “He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God.” “He will rule [the nations] with an iron scepter; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of His kingdom.” “Love and faithfulness go before Him.” “Who is He, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty – He is the King of glory!” (Rev. 19:13; Psalm 2:9a; Psalm 45:6b;  Psalm 24:10)

The Kingdom Tales Trilogy is a children’s fantasy. It is a great family read-aloud –that is how I first heard them! My mom loved reading stories to us. There is certainly something less scary about these books when you experience them together. (And when your mom is amazing and reads all the sounds: oo-mb-pha, nay-nay-nay, din-din-da, din-oo-mb-pha, whooo-OSH!)

The first book has milder drama, although with some scary moments and still quite adventurous, but book two definitely takes…hmm, two steps up.

These tales really get you inside the lives of those whom the King rescues. Tales of the Resistance focuses on the individuals and how the King’s touch affects them. It adds a level of connectivity to the pain, sadness, fear, or horror experienced. But, when you read it together, the scary moments seem less intense and the triumphs seem more victorious! For personal reading, I would recommend it for anyone 13 years or older.

Finally, Tales of the Restoration has it all – combining humor, peril, love, courage, and the whole cast of character we’ve come to love – it’s the grand finale adventure that will leave the whole family smiling (and possibly wishing there were more)!

Because of the deep and true mirroring of these tales to the real, Biblical account of Jesus, I find myself more connected and more grateful to the King for the power He displays to rescue the lost and the sacrifice He made to break the grip of the evil one.

How would I sum up the Kingdom Tales Trilogy?

“Not all goes well, but the Kingdom comes.
Not all goes well, but the Restoration is near.
Not all goes well, but the King is always here.”
To the King! To the Kingdom!