Novel on The Techno Scholar Chronicles

Book Review: Come Rack, Come Rope

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 22:00:00 -0500

Come Rack, Come Rope is set in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, a time when practicing Catholicism could bring danger or even death. This historical fiction novel weaves real historical details into a gripping fictional story, following Catholic characters, mainly Robin and Marjorie, in how they respond to persecution and remain faithful to their beliefs.

The book contains rich elements of steadfastness in faith and the temptation to yield to the demands of the state. It explores the tension between religious and civic duties and the secret practice of the faith. The story also highlights hiding places for priests, navigating dangerous circumstances, and the varied responses of Catholics, with some engaging in conspiratorial resistance and others showing principled fidelity.

Book Review: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:49:00 -0500

The Return of the King is another great book in the Lord of the Rings series and the final volume in the epic quest to destroy the One Great Ring of Sauron. I read this book years ago and watched the movie version, but I remembered that there were a number of parts I did not fully understand, such as the Paths of the Dead. This time around, I made sure to pay close attention to the details, re-reading as necessary to fully grasp what was happening and the significance of certain aspects of the story.

Book Review: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 14:52:00 -0500

The Two Towers is the second book in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. After more than 15 years since I last read it, I found it amazing to pick up on more details and themes—and to appreciate just how well-written this series truly is.

The narrative splits into three interwoven storylines: (1) Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli; (2) Merry and Pippin; and (3) Frodo and Sam. We encounter reunions and meetings where characters recount their adventures. For the parts we already know as readers, Tolkien simply summarizes. He only expands on what is new to the reader’s perspective, which keeps the storyline relevant and purposeful.

Book Review: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0600

It has been over a decade since I last read The Lord of the Rings, so I decided to pick it up again. It is amazing how many details stand out upon rereading, even though I am already very familiar with the story. I chose to revisit this book as a way to relax—what could be better than a great novel? This story is filled with adventure, loyalty, fellowship, enemies, and bravery.

Book Review: Lord of the World: A Novel

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Lord of the World was written by Robert Hugh Benson, a Catholic priest, and published in 1907. Benson himself was a convert to the Catholic faith. He wrote this novel about a dystopian society centered around an anti-Christ figure, Julian Felsenburgh. This is a very packed and well-written novel! It shows one way that the Book of Revelations in the Bible and the loss of Christian faith could happen. The central theme is a growing belief in Humanism while denying Christianity and belief in God.

Book Review: The Power and the Glory

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0500

This book was fascinating and mysterious, and it kept me wondering what would happen next. It is a fictional novel about a priest in Mexico during a time of anti-Catholicism when Catholicism was outlawed. This priest had been on the run for years, and the police had been unable to catch him. We start in the story by being introduced to different people, and it is unclear what is happening. However, as we progress through the pages, the story starts to focus on the priest, known as the whisky priest. We learn he has many moral struggles and is pulled between certain vices or sins and his higher calling.

Book Review: Murtagh: The World of Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle)

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

I really enjoyed reading Murtagh as a follow-up story in the Inheritance Cycle. It is essentially a standalone story narrated from the perspective of Murtagh and Thorn, his dragon. We really get into their characters and experience what they both are going through. Murtagh had a difficult life growing up in Galbatorix’s court, and we learn about his backstory in this book. In this story, Murtagh and Thorn uncover a dark plot to undermine the kingdom. Along the way, the characters run into all kinds of problems. I get to feeling sorry for them! Along the way, the characters face several obstacles. Although there was a section in the book that was hard to read through (I don’t want to give any spoilers), it does get much better after that! I loved the ending! This book exemplifies an unsung heroism.