Gideon’s Spear by Darby Karchut
(Book #2: The Adventures of Finn MacCullen)
Source: Author
Rating: 4/5 stars

Sometimes the hardest part about being a book reviewer/blogger is being honest especially when that honesty may hurt an author that you consider a friend. But, just as the author stays true to their story and characters, I must stay true to my thoughts and feelings about the books I read and know that my dishonesty would be both disrespectful and unappreciated. So, for the first time ever I have rated a Darby Karchut book at a mere four stars and yes, I feel crappy about it 

Overall, Gideon’s Spear is NOT by any means a bad read and in fact, it is still a very good read BUT I found myself struggling with this read and feeling very frustrated and unsettled by the time I reached the end. As with all of Darby’s books, Gideon’s Spear is driven by its’ characters and this is where the bulk of my frustration comes from. For the first time ever, I can’t see where all of the characters fit into the grand scheme of things nor can I see what their purpose is as related to Gideon, Finn and, the discovery of the Spear. Here’s the character roll call:

Finn: though certainly more experienced than he was in Finn Finnegan, Finn is still just a boy of thirteen and stubborn as all get out. Though he doesn’t set out to defy Gideon, he often does and that creates a far longer list of chores for the young apprentice. His loyalty to Gideon and his friends is as commendable as his commitment to learning and training. But, the road to maturity and acceptance of his new role as Gideon’s Spear is going to be very long and very painful.

Gideon: Still smooth and sexy and rockin’ a fine accent! Gideon’s devotion to and affection for Finn is growing with each passing day which makes his need to protect and prepare his charge even more critical. The stakes are even higher now that Gideon knows Finn is the mythical Spear and his need to protect Finn goes into overdrive. To be fair, Gideon begins to open up to Finn about his own past and why he is so crazed about protecting his apprentice.

Mac Roth: Still smooth and sexy and rockin’ a fine accent! I need more of him and that is all!

Lochlan: Son of goat!! Another O’Neill!!! To be fair, Lochlan has, thus far presented himself in a far, far better light than his deceased cousin but, his role as something other than Mac Roth’s apprentice has yet to be revealed. I find it hard to believe that Darby would sacrifice one character (Asher) and not give the replacement (Lochlan) - a family member no less! – such a minor role. For now, Lochlan remains a bit of a mystery.

Savannah and Rafe: I have absolutely no idea what role these two are to play in either Finn’s life or the grand scheme of things. These kids have this amazing backstory with Zulu warriors and a very, very slight connection, through their grandfather (whom we need more of!) to the Tuatha De Danaan and the hunting of the Amandán but beyond being Finn’s friends, I don’t know why they are a part of the read  I can only assume that Darby is keeping them around for some major purpose down the road . . . .but, we all know what assuming gets us, am I right?

Iona: Bugger all!! I am absolutely clueless where this one is concerned. She is absolutely tied to Gideon and his past (though I don’t think she is tied in the way Gideon has always believed), she knows Finn is the Spear and, she is up to no good. As with many, many other things in this read, I can’t imagine the amount of trouble she caused in this particular read and the relatively small plans she admits to Gideon are even a drop in the bucket compared to what she has planned. Iona is old and very powerful and I can’t believe her ultimate goal for the mythical Spear would be the control of the Amandán. She’s far too prissy to want those smelly bastards around for long.

The Bottom Line: Despite my high level of frustration, I still really liked this read and am, as I always will be, a devoted follower of Darby K.! Darby is an author I can depend on to produce high quality work that I want to return to time and time again and so, this new experience of frustration is confusing, to say the least. Honestly, this whole not knowing and not having a clue about the characters is a new ball game for me. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have to know all the answers and I don’t have to know what’s coming but this not even having a smallish clue is a wholly unexpected event and not something I am at all used to with Darby’s books. So, at the end of the day, I am still going to recommend this read to everyone I know with the assumption that Darby has something really spectacular up her sleeve for the future of Gideon and his Spear. After all, Darby K. has never let me down :) ( )

Being a thirteen-year-old boy is tough enough. Being the thirteen-year-old Spear of the Tuatha De Danaan and apprentice to a Knight, with monsters and a witch after you is challenging to even the bravest young teen.

Author Darby Karchut has written another winner. After reading FINN FINNEGAN, BOOK ONE OF THE ADVENTURES OF FINN MACCULLEN, I didn’t think the series could get any better. I was wrong. GIDEON’S SPEAR, the second book in the series, continues the story of Finn MacCullen and Gideon Lir, the awesome duo I met in book one. Sometimes Finn is just a boy. He makes mistakes. He tests his Knight’s patience. He gets into trouble. Other times he fights a witch and the Amandan creatures, alongside his master, Gideon, with bravery and amazing skills for so young a warrior. What I love most about these novels is the relationship between Finn and Gideon. It’s more than a mentor, apprentice relationship. In addition to teaching Finn the skills of a brave warrior, Gideon also shows Finn the need for good manners and respect of others, the way a father guides his son. Finn reacts the way any teen boy would react: sometimes with anger or resentment, still knowing Gideon is right.

In GIDEON’S SPEAR, secrets are revealed. Neighbors are not always what they seem. And life is never dull for Finn and those around him. Darby Karchut has given each character his/her distinct personality. Mac Roth, Gideon’s oldest friend, is the kind of friend everyone should have, and one of my favorite characters.

Each scene is written with such detail it makes the reader feel like you’re there, fighting the monsters with Finn and Gideon, or at the house while they’re training, or with the neighbor twins and their family. Author’s notes at the end of the story explain the source of many of the names and terms used in the novel. The reader also gets a peek at the third book in the series, THE HOUND AT THE GATE. It looks like another winner. If only we didn’t have to wait a year to read the whole story. Every middle school library and classroom should have copies of Gideon’s Spear. The novel would also be popular in high schools, I think. So now we wait to see where Finn and Gideon take us next. A very nice novel, Ms. Karchut. Thank you.
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GIDEON'S SPEAR was an excellent sequel to FINN FINNEGAN. Finn is still getting used to the idea that he is really Gideon Lir's apprentice and that he has found a home where he is loved and valued. Finn is having a bit of trouble getting used to the idea the he is the legendary Spear that can defeat the Amandan. He is also having some issues with the parents of his friends Rafe and Savannah. Their father is convinced that Finn is being abused by Gideon because he frequently has bruises and cuts. He has called Social Services and set a caseworker on them both.

Rafe and Savannah are African-Americans and come from a warrior tradition themselves. Their African grandfather has given Rafe an assengai and taught him how to use it. Being thirteen-year-old boys they find great humor in saying assengai. Rafe and Savannah have had first hand experience fighting the Amandan and know that they are real. But Gideon has forbidden Finn to tell Rafe and Savannah's parents about what is really going on.

The main conflict in this story comes from a witch - though she prefers "enchantress" - named Iona of the Hills who wants to control Gideon's Spear. She has made an agreement with the Amandan and is working with them. Gideon has a long history with Iona. He is convinced that she is the one who caused his son to take foolish risks and lose his life. He has been trying to get retribution for hundreds of years.

The story is filled with action. Between fights with the Amandan and car wrecks, both Gideon and Finn are in lots of danger. I love the relationship between the two of them. Gideon isn't the gushy kind but Finn's confidence that he will be there for him is growing. I loved Finn. Despite being smart-mouthed, disobedient and given to Celtic rages, he is brave, resourceful, and fiercely loyal to those he loves.

I can't wait to read THE HOUND AT THE GATE to learn more about Finn and Gideon. ( )