A Word so Fitly Spoken: (The Severed Realms)

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At the end of each podcast we sign off by encouraging you to “walk worthy.” This little nugget comes from Ephesians 4:1-3: Others render, at its (proper) times, i.e. seasonably, perhaps from the idea of times or seasons “revolving,” or “rolling round.” In tempore suo, Vulg. Comp. Proverbs 15:23.

The second book in the series gives us Piper’s story. We meet her toward the end of AWSFS and she is gifted like Asha. Piper, being half-fae and gifted, is abandoned by her family and left to die. When Bronger finds her, he raises her, then begins to manipulate her and her gift, to build an army of stolen children, an army to take down the fae king. She feels she is saving these children from a life of harm and hunger. But in reality they are taken from one dangerous situation to another. Where there is true faith in action, Christians will be the most faithful and loyal of employees. Throughout his epistles, the Apostle Paul is always encouraging servants with these same words (Eph. 6:5–6, Col. 3:23–25, 1 Tim. 6:1–2). Joseph is the archetypal faithful man in Potiphar’s household as well as in the prison. Some may accuse us of being sycophants (or “brown-nosing”), but working with diligence and grace, doing everything with all our heart as unto the Lord, is never wrong. To resort to dishonest flattery or to submit to an employer who would have us break a contract with a customer or undermine our integrity in similar ways is definitively wrong. Yet a man who is out for his employer’s success will find ways to advance the cause of the business without breaking God’s law and thereby bringing God’s curse upon the company. Family Discussion Questions: As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters. It is a slow build and I personally like the overall story line between asha and Kiran, and of course asha magic story mother and Farin. As for the characters, Asha was a fine heroine. She was self sacrificing while working through pride, which was very interesting. I enjoyed seeing her work through the different prejudices she had against Kierian.

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. The 🌶️ factor is definitely a 0 in this book. I would put this in the category of YA rather than NA. But aside from that it’s a unique storyline with strong main and supporting characters. Amity pretty much saves the day. nor with שׂכה, to pierce, infigere (Redslob, vid., under Psalm 73:7); it signifies medal or ornament, from שׂכה, to behold (cf. שׂכיּה, θέα equals θέαμα, Isaiah 2:6), here a vessel which is a delight to the eyes. In general the Venet. rightly, ἐνμορφώμασινἀργύρου; Symmachus and Theodotion, more in accordance with the fundamental idea, ἐνπεριβλέπτοιςἀργύρου; the Syr. and Targ. specially: in vessels of embossed work (נגוּדי, from נגד, to draw, to extend); yet more specially the lxx, ἐνὁρμίσκῳσαρδίου, on a chain of cornelian stone, for which, perhaps, ἐνφορμίσκῳ (Jger) ἀργυρίου, in a little silver basket, is the original phrase. Aquila, after Bereschith rabba c. 93, translates by μῆλαχρύσουἐνδίσκοιςἀργυφίου. Jerome: in lectis argenteis, appears to have fallen into the error of taking משב for משכב, lectus. Hitzig here emends a self-made ἅπαξλεγ. Luther's "golden apples in silver baskets" is to be preferred. The Bible is abundantly clear that our words are important. “The tongue has the power of life and death,” says Proverbs 18:21. What we say can either destroy lives or save them (Proverbs 12:6). Jesus said, “And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you” (Matthew 12:36–37, NLT). As for the storytelling within the story - meh. I eventually started skipping those chapters because I found them boring.

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. Really good! I enjoyed the story and it had a couple of good twists and surprises. I really liked the first book as well, but the story could have benefitted from a little more editing. The author's writing has definitely improved in this book and I am excited to continue with the series and keep reading her work! This book was going to be rated by me around the 3.5 star mark, until I reached the ending. I thought for sure it was a stand-alone, and never saw the connection that was revealed at the end coming.

Customer reviews

The Romantic tension is THROUGH THE ROOF. My only *critique* is that I wish there would've been a few more moments where that was relieved... it just built and built...and built. 😅 But there was a couple moments that had me cheering for the MMC and his boldness 🔥

Like how she only takes the children who need taking—the children who suffer harm and neglect in their current homes, the ones who come with her willingly. Kidnapped as a child for her connection with the Old Magic—the one that grants her the ability to enchant others with her music—Piper knows good and well the rules of the Coup, the underground organization intent on bringing down the fae regime. As the Coup’s first “recruiter,” she’s supposed to take the strong, the good-boned, the clever, the healthy. That being said, wow! I didn't realize how much build up was happening until around the last 20-25% of the book when the revelations started happening. Plots are uncovered, motivations and aspects of characters are revealed and explained, people are revealed to be not what you thought, and you realize how everything and everyone is woven together! A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common weal.I'm not saying this is my favorite book ever or that it's perfect, but I do believe that it's worth the read! But not far behind is the world-building and strong characterization. I immediately rooted for Asha and all she had to endure. And though I hated ( but also loved, simply for the surprise factor) all the twists and turns this story took, it kept me on my toes until the very end. It brought me to tears in some places where I could literally feel the anguish the characters were going through.