Download Will Wilder #1 The Relic of Perilous Falls Raymond Arroyo 9780553539622 Books

Product details Age Range 8 - 12 years Grade Level 3 - 7 Lexile Measure 0740 (What's this?) Series Will Wilder (Book 1) Paperback 352 pages Publisher Yearling; Reprint edition (March 7, 2017) Language English ISBN-10 0553539620

Will Wilder #1 The Relic of Perilous Falls Raymond Arroyo 9780553539622 Books Reviews

• What an experience! My 14-year-old grandson was given this book to read this summer. He thought the prologue was boring, so in an attempt to motivate him to read the book, I offered to read the book also and then we could discuss it via Facetime after each chapter. He lives several hundred miles from me. Another grandchild, a 14-year-old granddaughter, in a different location, decided she would be interested in reading the book also. Two 14-year-olds and their grandma--reading and discussing the same book! The book was no longer boring for my grandson once we started talking about it. In fact, I had to read pretty fast to keep up with him as he said he couldn't put it down. And my granddaughter wants to begin the second book in the series as soon as it comes out. An excellent book for the 14-year-olds, and an excellent one for their grandmother also!
• I bought this for my 9-year old grandson. Because the book started out rather dark and gory, my daughter was concerned that he wasn't ready for it, and set it aside. I, then, read it, and thought the same thing, but continued reading. Couldn't put it down. I was fascinated by the symbolism of the characters' names. Parental guidance advised - for the gore at the beginning, and some frightening situations later in the book. Some kids will love it, and others might not be ready for it.
• Great book! It is pretty fast paced, action packed, and takes the reader to another world. I escaped into this book and I'm an adult. I like to read books, when possible, that my kids read. My 11 year old son very much enjoyed this book and he recommended it to one of his friends who also liked it a lot. The storyline is very creative, well written for tweens and young teens (girls and boys). Kids can easily relate to the characters which is terrific. I feel like I got to know the characters which is one of my keys to enjoying a book. I love Aunt Lucille! Perilous Falls is a fascinating place. Will's parents and some of the town's leaders are believable characters. I appreciate all the descriptions as I could easily visualize the scenes. Will has some very good friends and it is wonderful to see that come through in the book. I had a blast reading the book and recommend it.
• What happens when you take [a sometimes literal] leap of faith? What happens when you decide to accept the truth even when it's not tangible?
  The book reminds me a lot of Harry Potter, but with a Catholic take. Faith is magical; evil is in the guise of demons, and good takes the form of angels and saints. In a way, it's more deadly because of how much does rely on faith.
  
  The faith of a child is strong. The gifts that God gives us must be honored and mastered.
  
  Jacob Wilder is a soldier in World War II. He is a Seer - someone who can see spirits - who is searching for a relic of Saint Thomas. His finger, to be exact. Jacob is part of a group called the Brethren, led by Abbot Anthony, who ends up prophesying about one of Jacob's descendants.
  
  Fast forward quite a few years (likely 73, since the book was released in 2016 and the WWII scene was in 1943). Will Wilder is Jacob's 12 year old great-grandson and lives in Perilous Falls, a town that Jacob founded. Will is your typical pre-teen he has a loving family, friends who egg him on, the desire to go on vacation, a bit of a selfish way of thinking especially when it comes to disobeying his parents...
  ...oh, and he sees shadows. Very much like his great-grandfather (not that Will knows that).
  
  I like that there is a Jacob Wilder Day in town, though the mayor wants to get rid of in. Phooey on her! There is a museum with different relics of saints and a church with St. Thomas' finger, both of which Jacob also established. Those buildings, the relics, and other aspects of town have created what Will's great-aunt Lucile calls a stronghold against evil.
  
  And evil it is. The first chapter (the one with Will) is a great example of how we can welcome evil into our lives.
  
  I don't like Father Cash. I feel that he's demeaning and a bit disrespectful.
  I became suspicious of almost everyone not introduced in the first chapter. This includes Captain Balor and Valens Ricard. By the end of chapter 12, I also didn't trust the mayor.
  
  Strange things begin to happen, not only to the Wilders but to the entire town and others around them.
  And the prophecy begins to unfold as the river's secrets come to life.
  
  Will texts in complete sentences! That is awesome.
  
  In the face of danger, friendship rears its head. Due to Sunday school, Boy Scouts, logic, and tenacity, Will and his friends Andrew and Simon make it through their trials.
  Andrew is a borderline bully, especially with Simon. But he grows in this book (probably because of the real evil he faces)! I felt bad for him when Will ragged on him for literally slipping when he tried his best to avoid disaster. Even if he was a horrid person, that alone (an accident) would have made me feel for the kid.
  
  Cami is another of Will's friends. She is awesome, and I enjoy her scenes immensely. Her brother, Max, is quite interesting, and makes the reader's heart warm.
  
  The ending is a great cliffhanger and definitely makes me want to continue reading!
• Meh, strayed from the mediocre to the great, to the mediocre again. The descriptions ranged from the head-scratching to pretty good. The book really had me captivated a couple of times, then the writing became disjointed and unwieldy. Too much explanatory telling, and not enough showing.
  
  You could see where he was patchworking pieces together to make the story parts work, drawing scenes out, and contorting normal reactions to dilemmas into reactions needed to advance the plot. It was painful reading sometimes.
  
  In addition, it's already tough to correctly mix the reality of Catholicism's spiritual warfare and traditional fantasy and get it right. Has it ever been done? It was sort of hit and miss here. I wish he'd waited a few more years to get the story down better, or been able to weave in the spiritual warfare with its real causes, effects, challenges and cautions. Maybe it could be changed to total fantasy with underlying Judeo-Christian themes.
  
  I really wanted to be captivated and enthralled.
  
  Maybe next time.