Summary

Historical retellings perfect for the fans of fairy tales! Set in medieval Europe, these stories can be read individually or collectively, many books following the different members of the same family. Each novel gives a head-nod to a familiar fairy-tale: Sleeping Beauty (Healer’s), Beauty & the Beast (Merchant’s), Snow White (Fairest), Cinderella (Captive), Princess and the Frog (Spy), Rapunzel (Braid), the Litter Mermaid (Songbird), Aladdin (Orphan’s), Mulan (Warrior), the Pied Piper (Piper's), and a reversed Cinderella (Peasant's). 

Stats

Genre: Midgrade (8-12 years) adventure/fantasy

Series length: Ten books

Violence:

Magic/Supernatural: 

Romance: None

Christian/spiritual element: Overt Christian content

Recommendation: 

You might like this book if you liked... 

To Purchase

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Opening Lines:

The townspeople of Hagenheim craned their necks as they peered down the cobblestone street, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Duke of Hagenheim's two handsome sons. The top-heavy, half-timbered houses hovered above the crowd as if they too were eager to get a peek at Lord Hamlin and Lord Rupert. 

Rose shifted her basket from her left hip to her right and wrinkled her nose at the stale smell of sweat from the many bodies pressed close, mingled with the pungent scent of animal dung. Chickens and children skittered about, the clucking and squealing adding to the excited murmurs. 

Flight of the Eagles (Seven Sleepers, Book 1)
by Gilbert Morris

Fourteen-year-old Joshua Adams wakes from a fifty-year sleep to find that he has escaped nuclear war and that the genetically altered races of Earth now hail his awakening as the first fulfillment of an ancient prophecy. For of old it was sung that the Seven Sleepers would awaken to unite their strength with Goel and join in battle against the wicked priests of Sanhedrin. But the choice of Josh and each member of the quest is a dangerous one. He must survive not only the peril of the Sanhedrin but the doubt that threatens his faith and, ultimately, his commitment to Goel, his spiritual champion.

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Opening Lines:

Annabel sat in the kitchen shelling peas into a kettle at her feet. A bead of sweat tickled her hairline while only the barest puff of warm air came through the open door. 

"Annabel!"

​Her brother called from the main house. As she hurried to finish shelling the pea pod in her hand and see what Edward wanted, the pot over the fire began to boil over. She jumped up, banging her shin on the iron kettle on the floor. 

The Gates of Neptune (Seven Sleepers, Book 2)
by Gilbert Morris

After a harrowing escape from the army of the Sanhedrin, Joshua Adams and his six young companions are thrust into yet another battle against Elams, Chief Interrogator of the Sanhedrin and sevant of the dark Lord Necros. Fulfilling the legend of old, the Seven Sleepers seek to follow their spiritual leader Goel's instructions and are led into a most beautiful and frightening part of Nuworld. The evil Lord Necros is in control of most of the land; now he desires to conquer it all, even the cities under the sea! Josh and his friends are asked to help fight in the battle to save the lost city of Atlantis, but they must face unbelievable odds: the seven of them against an army of traitors and an ocean of terrifying creatures.

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Opening Lines:

Pinnosa passed through the town square and the cobblestone Marktplatz. Hagenheim Castle loomed straight ahead. Once she passed the guard at the gatehouse, she would need to find her way to the young lord. 

​A chill passed over her thin, old shoulders. This fever, brought on by rain and exhaustion, would probably kill her, but if she could only make it to the castle, could only tell them that Sophie was still alive, Pinnosa's life would have been in vain. Perhaps God would forgive her for helping the duchess perpetuate so many lies.

The Sword of Camelot (Seven Sleepers, Book 3)
by Gilbert Morris

Swords! Shields! Knights! The Sleepers can hardly believe it. The Kingdom of Camelot is an exact duplicate of King Arthur's court from the Middle Ages. Goél, their spiritual leader, has sent the Seven Sleepers on yet another adventure. The Dark Lord is threatening the Kingdom of Camelot, and Joshua Adams and his six companions seek to aid the king in fighting off the invaders.

​Bob Lee Jackson, "Reb" to his friend, finds himself a key player in this frightening game. Having become an expert with shield and sword, Reb takes the fate of the kingdom upon his shoulders. But the situation grows grim as the physical dangers make way for spiritual dangers. The Sleepers must call upon the power of Goél to combat the servants of the Dark Lord.

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Opening Lines:

Gisela huddled by the fire in her attic chamber, clutching the miniature portrait that fit in her hand. The artist had painted it the year before, when Gisela was seven. Father had been so handsome.

Now that Gisela was eight and Father was gone, life could never be the same. If only she had stayed seven forever. 

The Caves that Time Forgot (Seven Sleepers, Book 4)
by Gilbert Morris

​There is not time to be afraid! The Seven Sleepers are on a mission. Goel, their spiritual leader, has given the group an important assignment. The Dark Lord's influence has spread to the Caves of Mondar. Goel asks Dave to lead his six companions through that dangerous territory. The Caves of Mondar are a world unlike anything they have ever encountered. In the face of dangerous enemies, the group learns to stand firm in what they believe. They must stick together and communicate the truth. To survive this perilous mission, the Sleepers must call upon the power of Goel to combat the influence of the Dark Lord.

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Opening Lines:

Colin touched John's forehead with the back of his hand. "Burning hot."

John groaned and looked at him with unfocused, heavy-lidded eyes. 

The sun was low in the sky and the air was getting colder. Colin swept off his red cape and placed it around John's shoulders while they waited for the horses to finishe drinking.

If only he could find someone who knew about healing herbs, a healer who could help bring down John's fever. 

Winged Raiders of the Desert
(Seven Sleepers, Book 5)
by Gilbert Morris

​Evil Lord Necros desires to enlist new soldiers in his army, and he's chosen the People of the Desert. When they refuse, the Dark Lord makes an alliance with the Winged Ones, men who fly like birds. These men steal from the desert people. Even worse, they capture and enslave them. The Sleepers seek peace from the Winged Ones, but as they set out to make a new alliance, they themselves are captured and enslaved. Instead of giving them over to the Dark Lord, the Winged Ones offer them a change to join their ranks, they learn to fly. But in doing so, the Sleepers must take a dangerous step of faith.

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Opening Lines:

"Rapunzel, I wish to marry you."

At that moment, Mother revealed herself from behind the well in the center of the village, her lips pressed tightly togehter.

The look Mother fixed on Wendel Gotekens was the one that always made Rapunzel's stomach churn. 

Rapunzel shuffled backward on the rutted dirt road. "I am afraid I cannot marry you."

"Why not?" I leaned toward her, his wavy hair unusually tame and looking suspiciously like he rubbed it with grease. "I have as much land as the other villagers. I even have two goats and five chickens. Not many people in Ottelfelt have both goats and chickens." 

She silently repeated the words an old woman had once told her. The truth is kinder than a lie.

​"I do not wish to marry you, Wendel." 

Empress of the Underworld (Seven Sleepers, Book 6)
by Gilbert Morris

​​Sent by Goel, the spiritual leader, the Seven Sleepers are off and running on yet another adventure. All are up for it, except for one - Abbey. How can Abbey know she is about to make the biggest mistake of her life? How can she know that the mysterious Empress of the Underworld is even now plotting to destroy both Abbey and her friends? And how can she know that her disobedience will endanger not only her life but the lives of the other Sleepers as well? Through some hard experience, Abbey learns that Goel can be trusted and that his lessons are worth learning.

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Opening Lines:

"Servants may marry whomever they want, but a king's ward has no freedom at all." 

Evangeline broke off the song she was singing. A lump rose in her throat. Through her open window facing the castle bailey she watched the servants talking and laughing and milling about, finishing their morning chores. 

A kitchen maid was drawing a bucket of water at the well in the center of the bailey. A young man approached her. 

​Alma gave him the dipper, and he lifted it to his lips. 

Voyage of the Dolphin (Seven Sleepers, Book 7)
by Gilbert Morris

How lucky can they get? It's relaxation time, and the Seven Sleepers have the chance to vacation on an ocean-going ship. How much trouble can come their way on a vacation? None, right?

Almost before they can sort out what is happening, Josh, Sarah, and their friends find them entangled with a handsome sea captain who can't find a crew, a maddening rich girl who wants to be queen, a band of friendly--and unfriendly!--giants, and the biggest hurricane of the century!

Where is their powerful friend Goel? Does he know where they are? Does he even care?

​Sail along with Josh and his crew. Watch them handle danger and fear, and see if you can figure out why Goel doesn't rush to their rescue. 

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Opening Lines:

Ala ad'din's mother's eyes were closed as she lay on her funeral bier. 

People whispered and stared, but no one spoke to him. Just a few days ago his mother sat cross-legged on the floor while she sewed. Sometimes she would lay aside her work. He would crawl into her lap and gaze up at her as she sang to him. 

​There was no one to sing to him now. 

Attack of the Amazons (Seven Sleepers, Book 8)
by Gilbert Morris

​Savage beasts roam the dense jungle. Danger lurks at every turn.

oel once again has led the Seven Sleepers to a shockingly dangerous section of Nuworld. More deadly than the brutish animals and terrain, though, are the rulers of this jungle, a fierce race of women who enslave the natives and kill all who oppose them. The Sleepers join the battle, seeking to bring peace and lead these warriors into the house of Goel. 

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Opening Lines:

Galloping her horse past the big oak tree, Mulan pulled the bowstring taut. She aimed at the knothole with one eye closed and sent the arrow flying toward the target. it struck the tree but missed the knothole. 

"Don't shoot behind you!" Andrei flailed his skinny arms. "Keep the target in front of you." 

Shooting from a moving horse was much more difficult than when standing still, but she was improving. At least she'd escaped, for the moment, the cooking and cleaning chores. And practicing war skills kept her from facing the uncertain future--and her mother's grief. 

Escape with the Dream Maker 
(Seven Sleepers, Book 9)
by Gilbert Morris

Something strange and terrible has been happening in Nuworld. Some of Goel's most trusted servants have disappeared. "Find my servants and bring them back," Goel tells the Seven Sleepers, "but be careful, you might be next."

​That could never happen, of course. Josh and the others know Goel too well to be tricked by one of his enemies. Besides, how could anything as fun as a dream machine give them problems? With only a list and a secret password, Goel sends them on their most dangerous mission yet. ​

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Opening Lines:

Did Katerina dare to stay out hunting past dark? The sun was going down, casting long shadows as she skirted the forest on her right and an empty meadow on the left. At least the town gate was visible ahead. 

She checked her crossbow, making sure the arrow was strung and ready. Her unruly brown hair was starting to come free from the leather tie taming it at the nape of her neck. 

She picked up her pace as she passed a particularly dark section of the forest. She could easily imagine the giant wolf, or whatever the beast was that had killed so many, coming out of those dense trees and leaping at her. Would she have time to aim her crossbow before she fired? She would only get one shot. 

The Final Kingdom (Seven Sleepers, Book 10)
by Gilbert Morris

​​Goel, friend and leader of the Seven Sleepers, decides to send his teenage servants on one last mission before the great, final battle with the Dark Lord. Meantime, in his frightful tower, the Dark Lord hears some good news. An informer has been secretly planted somewhere among Goel's followers. The Sleepers set out, unaware of the perils facing them in the frozen Land of Ice, in the Caverns of Doom, and in the mysterious Land of the Magicians. Join Josh and Sarah and their friends as their allegiance to Goel is tested by danger, fear, tragedy, and trickery.

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