Will Wilder #1: The Relic of Perilous Falls Kindle Edition

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 really wanted to like this series. I expected a lot and did not get it. I purchased 4 sets as gifts before reading the first book. I was shocked when the author included the killing of innocent handicapped children and then had them autopsied. This is not a book for tweens and younger and I would not purchase again for teens. Other posters mention this as a Catholic take on Harry Potter. Truth be told the word Catholic, I do not believe, is even in the book. The children involved do not even attend church on Sunday. At least it is not mentioned. They go to brunch. The father appears to have no belief system. The gifted boy seems to be clueless as to any religious teaching and he is 12. The slim mention of a priest has him as a dullard and he is certainly not even consulted on the fight against supernatural evil. The "gifted" individuals who fight evil ( not identified as the devil) make no mention of who they received the gifts from. There is no mention of God in fighting demons. It is done through the use of objects (relics) and rays of light like Wonder Woman and her bracelets. No mention of prayer or God. I was sad that Raymond attempted to use Catholic relics in what was another version of Harry Potter. There was more hocus pocus than Catholic religion. I could see bits and pieces of Karate Kid ( Mr. Shen in the story), Romancing the Stone (Jack Wilder Vs Will Wilder) Indiana Jones ( on you knees, only a humble man may pass, stone tiles breaking under your feet, blades coming from the walls, flooding caverns, swinging from ropes). There were some virtue lessons but the other stuff buried it. I fear that young people who read this will be spell bound but not enlightened or informed on the Catholic Church or real relics and their value or proper use. In this day and age where Raymond had an opportunity to educate as well as entertain children who have no clue about Catholic religion he missed the mark. The use of murder and gory and comedy mixed together just does no work. The dialog of 12 year old boys in a horrific situation was inane and ridiculous. Sorry I gifted without reading first.

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.

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!

My 11yr old grandson loved these books.

Very good story line

I bought this for my son who I know will really like it. I bought it because I can be confident that there will be nothing in it that would be bad for him as it is written by Raymont Arroyo.

Unable to assess as it was a gift

Grandchildren love hearing hubby read Will Ryder to them.