Review There is something unsettling about the grand home of Creighton Hill. There is something equally unsettling about the Hubbard family, especially if you're twelve years old. Every twenty years, since twelve-year-old George Hubbard mysterious disappeared in 1800, there has been a missing twelve-year-old Hubbard. No one can explain these disappearances, so the accepted version is that they died tragically. Only Grampa knows what really happened. Or, at least he knows the legends. It's up to his grandchildren, after he dies, to discover the link, the disappearing mystery and find the missing Hubbard twelve-year-olds. What they find is another world, one under malicious control, one that they must save before they can return to their own time and place.Morgan Elizabeth Huneke's middle-grade fantasy novel, Creighton Hill, is the first in the Time Captives series. The plot revolves around the current day Hubbard children, Emily, Allan, Jill, Joey, and Anna, as they settle into their ancestral home, Creighton Hill. As the plot develops, the reader learns about the other twelve-year-old Hubbards. Each new story insertion is detailed with a date so the reader can easily follow the jumps in time. As the plot thickens, the adventure draws the Hubbards closer to each other as the family becomes the ties that bind. The characters are all well developed with their own unique childhood qualities. The reader has to wait for book 2 to find out what the Hubbard children will do to complete their mission and find a way home. Like C.S. Lewis's much loved Narnia series, Creighton Hill and its wardrobes and trunks full of mysteries will appeal to the middle grade reading audience. A powerful drama that stresses the importance of family.--Reader's Favorite Read more About the Author Morgan Elizabeth Huneke is a homeschool graduate who lives in Georgia. She has enjoyed creating characters and writing stories since early childhood. Her other interests include reading, playing the piano and violin, and politics. She is the author of Across the Stars and The Experiment. To learn more about Morgan and her work, visit: www.morganhuneke.com or www.morganhuneke.blogspot.com Read more
A**R
Fun Christian Middle Grade
This is a short, adorable Christian middle grade book, and I'm so glad I have the next two books on my shelves waiting to be read!The premise of this story is really interesting. While it has similarities to Narnia, it is still very unique. I love the whole idea of Time Captives. I was worried the number of characters would become confusing, but the author does a good job on focusing on a few of them and making them distinct enough to keep straight.This story, while fantasy, has Christianity portrayed as Christianity is in our world. The mix on the fantasy world side of the portal was interesting to wrap my mind around at first, but then I ended up really enjoying it that it wasn't a fantasy version of Christianity but one that translated even across a portal.If you are looking for a clean, fun, Christian middle grade book for your child, I highly recommend this book (and the rest of the series since I know they will be just as good!). And it is a book that is fun for the whole family to read!I listened to the audiobook version of this book, which the author did herself. She did a good job, and it was an audiobook version that kept my attention all the way through.
R**Z
~~ Trapped in another land, what is their mission? ~~
"When these words are spoken,A land will appear,The wind through the treesBird song loud and clear,Though all this seems pleasant,Things aren't as they seem.A stryte rules this country,But now hope gleams.Ten at the first and four at the last,From foreign parts traveling fast,Defeat the strytes, for this is your quest.You will not go home till you've done your best."Meet the Hubbard's. For the last 200 years a child of the age of 12 has disappeared every 20 years. It is now the year 2000. Who is next? Having grown up listening to Grampa's stories, Allan (12), Jill (11) and Joey (10) all believed his tales. Emily (14), forever the skeptic and a truly obnoxious teenager is very disdainful. Anna, the youngest sibling believes but she is not seeing the magic writing like the other four. With Grampa now deceased, the family is living at Creighton Hall. It is not long before they are going through the portal in the attic to a new and dangerous world. They will meet the kalicans, pirates and most dangerous, the strytes, who are a race that do not like humans or merpeople so capture and enslave them.As the children's story develops, the author also takes us back in time to spend some time with George, the first Time Captive, and Abigail who lived for 40 years with the kalicans. George is imprisoned in Crannig Castle with Camthalion, an elven scholar who has been tasked to study the Time Captives and see why they do not age. The country is ruled by King Mudan and Queen Toarna.A well-written book for youngsters. We read it aloud to our 7, 10 and 14 year old. IMPORTANT to note that this book does not have an ending. It is a part of a trilogy and you will be left begging for more at the end! It is a Christian book but not overly heavy. If you like the Chronicles of Narnia you will most likely enjoy this. We have already started reading the second book in the series so I would definitely recommend this one. I purchased this book for my Kindle. I was not required to write a review but chose to do so. Thanks, Liz
G**A
Creighton Hill
I so enjoyed this book. This was very well done. I am excited to read more by Morgan Elizabeth Huneke!This is the beginning of a trilogy about Emily, Allan, Jill, and Joey Hubbard. They grew up listening to their grandfather’s tales of how every twenty years a twelve year old Hubbard disappeared. When their grandpa dies their parents decide to move to Creighton Hill. Allan, Jill, Joey, and their little sister Anna want to learn more about the mysterious disappearances. Emily thinks its hogwash. But none of them really believe until they start seeing strange writing saying queer things on secret doors. They need to find out what happened to their ancestors and help them, if they can.This was a great book. I mean, great. It also ended fantastically. Why, oh why, did it have to end that way? It has a definitive Narnian flair that I really enjoyed. I don’t read too many books about siblings, and this certainly had that aspect to it. This was such a refreshing read. The storyline and plot were great. I can’t wait to see where this story ends up. I loved how Christianity was added subtly but didn’t sound preachy. It seemed so natural in this book.I loved the characters (I think George was my favorite). They all had a different, unique personality. Then the elves, the kalicans, the mermen, and all the other nonhuman species and creatures were just awesome. It has a really great start to a fun new world. I am excited to read more.This book is absolutely geared more toward kids, but all can read and enjoy this book just the same. I recommend this to anyone who reads any sort of fiction, whether it be fantasy or science fiction, dystopian or romance. This is more of a fantasy book, but you’ll love it.Visit my blog to see this review and more at: aheartredeemed DOT wordpress DOT com!
L**E
Concept of "Time Captives" was incredibly fascinating and literally had me glue to my seat!
I am so excited to dive into the rest of this series!The concept of "Time Captives" was incredibly fascinating and literally had me glue to my seat! It reminded me a lot of Narnia when I first started reading, but it really has its own unique flair. Right along with the Hubbards, I was questioning what things could mean and how it would affect them throughout the novel.Hands down, George is my favorite character! I really liked Abigail as well, but George really grabbed my attention as a character. Plus, his experience in Calhortz made my heart squeeze. I started to understand more of what a Time Captive is while reading his story. I will mention that I am eagerly wanting to hear more of Abigail’s story."Creighton Hill" was a very enjoyable, quick read. I recommend it to fantasy readers who like a story with young, strong heroes.*(I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed are my own and was not required to write a positive review.)*
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