A boy’s call to adventure comes quickly for Connor Enarian, who is recruited to join an ancient order and battle evil in James R. Hannibal’s Wolf Soldier. Four friends join Connor for initially slower-paced training at Lightraider Academy. Later the plot quickens as the party members start their quest versus creeping goblins, corrupt trolls, and one dragon who plans a greater game. Wolf Soldier expands the fantasy world once known as DragonRaid, now recast as the adventure learning system Lightraiders. Simple prose and candid heroes enjoin biblical truth, highlighting Scripture-like verses and faith as means of vanquishing external enemies.

Best for: Older children and teenage fans of allegorical action-adventure.

Discern: Mildly frightening evil creatures, representing sin’s corruptions in the world; moderate fantasy violence, usually against goblins and trolls that get sliced and slain by swords and arrows; prayer– and devotion-based magic-like events, clearly overseen by the Christ-representing Rescuer who works in his own time.