I realized it’s been a while since I’ve posted a book review, and I’ve been reading and listening to audio books like a mad lady. So here is my review of one of my most recent favorites, The Grounded Trilogy by G.P. Ching, which consists of GroundedCharged and Wired.

Here is the official synopsis of the first book:

In Hemlock Hollow, life isn’t easy, but it is simple. Things in my community haven’t changed much in over three hundred years, since the time my Amish ancestors came to what is now the Green Republic. I milk my cow by hand, make fresh bread every morning, and hope to be courted by Jeremiah, a boy I’ve known since childhood.

When my father falls ill, the English doctor says a hospital outside the wall can heal him. Jeremiah convinces me to go on rumspringa, to experience the outside world as an Englisher in order to be closer to my father during his recovery. Others have gone before me. They claim it’s an adventure. But adventure turns to horror as an ordinary light switch thrusts me into a new world, and revelations about my personal history make me question everything I believe.

All my life I’ve worked to be simple. I can’t pretend anymore. Nothing about me is simple.

Grounded is a sci-fi adventure story that takes place in the future with a whole new set of government and laws. Without giving too much away, that “ordinary light switch” endows Lydia with the ability to manipulate electricity. Hunted by the authorities and lost in a world she knows nothing about, Lydia meets Korwin, who can do what she can do. Where did these abilities come from? Who can she trust? And can she make it back home before the world she thought she understood caves in on itself?

First of all, I love any type of story with special powers. (Which is very evident in my own writing) So this story was right up my alley. It was set in an interesting future, so exploring that new world was exciting itself. It had adventure, super cool powers, and a gripping romance weaved throughout. The characters were great, I found myself instantly attached them. And the story was so enthralling, I found it imperative to have the next book in the series ready and waiting before I finished so as not to have any down time. One thing I must point out: there was never a dull moment in any of the three books. Some novels have lulls in the story, filler content to bridge the gap until the rest of the good stuff. That was not so with this series. It was one exciting thing after another that kept me reading chapter after chapter, and book after book.

Another aspect I enjoyed was the faith message of the story. While I wouldn’t consider this a “Christian Fiction,” Lydia’s faith definitely plays a role in her development as a character. She has to rely on God while going through impossible trials.

Needless to say, I was sad when the series had to come to a close. I wouldn’t be surprised if I found myself re-reading it one day. It was an amazing read and I highly recommend it!