What if the nine Fruit of the Spirit and the Seven Deadly Sins were locked in a battle for control?
Abandoned as infants, Tovi and her twin brother were raised by an eclectic tribe of warm, kind people in a treehouse village in the valley. After her brother’s sudden disappearance Tovi questions her life and her faith in an invisible King. Ignoring her best friend Silas’ advice, she decides to … decides to search for her brother in the kingdom on top of the mountain.
Above the cloud, the Council of Masters receives their orders. Tovi and her brother are the objectives. King Damien has a plan and Tovi is the key. The Council of Masters want her, but will she remain unscathed?
Amidst the glamour of the kingdom above the cloud Tovi is torn between her own dark desires and unanswered questions. It starts with a snake and a crown. When the ring is complete, will her life be over?
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Will her search for answers lead only to danger?
I picked up Kingdom Above The Cloud just because of the first line of the back cover blurb. The idea of the Fruits Of The Spirit battling it out with the Seven Deadly Sins in a fantasy world intrigued me. I do have to say right off that this story was, at least to me, a little more on the allegory side than the fantasy side. I’m one of those people who has a hard time picking up on allegory in a book but Maggie Platt’s writing style is such that I picked up on it fairly quickly which left me enjoying the story more as I had a bit of and idea what to expect.
While I found the story to be a bit simple for an adult, though there were a few older YA scenes, it’s one that I think might make good reading aloud material for parents kids. There’s a lot in there that parents can use for teaching moments, things like Satan’s use of our doubts and anger against us, to subtly lure us down the wrong path, that God is big enough to handle those doubts, that when we have questions and fears, when we feel like God is silent, that’s the time to run TO Him. Hmmm, I also think this tale might make a pretty good audiobook.
I think my favorite thing about Kingdom Above The Cloud was Maggie Platt’s very imaginative descriptions of her characters and their physical features. Nearly every one is different, from navy blue hair to lemon yellow with an aqua stripe to brown, not to mention everything from blue eyes to purple to black. And the markings that indicate their allegiance are quite striking as well.
Kingdom Above The Cloud, author Maggie Platt’s first book in her Tales From Adia series, was a fairly quick read and a much different take on fantasy than usual. If you have kids or grandkids in the right age group you should check this story out.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Thank you Fantastic Flying Fiction for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Kingdom Above The Cloud
By: Maggie Platt
REVIEW
Kingdom Above The Cloud is an allegorical fantasy story and is truly unique. Allegory often refers to religion, and in this case, Christianity is not specifically named but is implied in numerous ways. The heroine, Tovi, is a confused lost young woman. She knows nothing of her parentage, her brother is missing, and she is questioning her belief in a benevolent creator. Tovi lives in Adia, a lovely peaceful place of treehouses at the bottom of the mountain under the cloud. Above the cloud is Mount Damien, a place of vice, degradation and immorality, ruled by a king who lives for pleasure and fun. Basically, Tovi is tempted to go to the top of the mountain, so she does. It’s a timeless tale of good versus evil. When faced with all sorts of temptations, what does Tovi believe? Has she been abandoned by everyone? Does the creator actually exist, or is her belief misplaced? Tovi ponders the tough questions and must decide for herself. This story is utterly absorbing, sharp and insightful. Certainly, anyone who reads this will look at things differently, for a bit, at least. The story beckons you to examine your life. I realize this type of story is not for everyone. If you decide to try Kingdom Above The Cloud, I don’t think you’ll regret the decision.
In the first book in Maggie Platt’s Tales from Adia series, the author spends the first several chapters setting the scenes and introducing many of the characters (aka world building). While that makes the book seem like it’s moving somewhat slowly at first, it quickly picks up as the reader connects with Tovi, Silas, and more.
There is so much symbolism and many faith lessons sprinkled throughout this story. From the temptation of sin and how easy it is to give in to it, to free will, to God’s sacrifice to save us. They enhance Tovi’s journey as she travels to a new place that is beautiful and filled with delights on the surface but dark and dangerous underneath.
Platt throws some unexpected twists in to keep readers on their toes. And while the story does have more violence than I expected, this is a book about sin and the damage it has done to the world and those who dwell in that world.
Fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Chronicles of Narnia will enjoy this book. Put even if you’re not a huge fan of fantasy, this story (like Narnia) is one you will enjoy. I look forward to finding out what’s next for Tovi, Tali, and the others when the battle will begin.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Kingdom Above the Clouds features a complex society. The book starts off a little slow as the culture and people are introduced. It picks up speed as Tovi is introduced to the kingdom above the clouds. There she finds all kinds of vices and depravity.
She is forced to decide if she believes in the creator of their world or if she wishes to follow the beliefs of the King and look at greed and fulfilling your desires as the proper way to live. She is torn because she feels as if she has been abandoned when her twin brother left their home. She grew up with foster grandparents because she and her brother were brought to the simple and beautiful village as infants.
The descriptions of life in a village where everyone lives in a treehouse are beautiful. I could picture the stream, the trees, and the large mountain. It is idealistic and sounds like a lovely way to live. I could also picture the harsh life of the residents of the mountain.
I found a lot of symbolism for Christianity. A loving creator who doesn’t force your decisions but asks for you to follow him. He loves unconditionally. The book was a great contrast between good and evil, the consequences of living in a corrupt society.
I look forward to the next installment following Tovi as she fights between good and evil.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.