Ishtar's Odyssey ~ Review

Ishtar's Odyssey
A Family Story for Advent
By Arnold Ytreeide

Ishtar is a spoiled young prince of Persia, in line to one day assume the throne.  His life is one of study and relative ease.  At least it was until the night he saw the star.

The star Ishtar observed was not just any star, but rather it was a new star - one that had never before been observed.  And this special star is about to take Ishtar on a journey - journey that will lead him to a long prophesied king.

But this is not a journey of ease but one of dangers and hardships.  There are deserts to cross, rivers to ford, and devil sands to avoid.  And always a star to follow no matter where it would lead them.

Ishtar's Odyssey is a journey into the past and a search for a King that will take the reader through the days of Advent.  If you're looking for something a little different for this year's family advent readings Ishtar's Journey might be what you are looking for.  Add this to your Bible readings and take the journey with Ishtar as he follows the star to Bethlehem.  There are several options for reading depending on which day of the week Christmas falls on.  Even if one doesn't have children this is an interesting and educational read that will help one to understand the culture into which the Messiah was born.

I was provided a copy of this book by Kregel in exchange for my honest review and tour participation.

About the book:

A new Advent family devotional from the author of Jotham's Journey! Fourth in a set of Advent adventure books for families, Ishtar's Odyssey follows the ten-year-old son of a Persian wise man as their caravan follows a star across the desert. Ishtar would just as soon stay in the comfort of the palace, but slowly he learns that there's much to see, do, and learn in this world that can't be experienced in school. He eventually meets Jotham, Bartholomew, and Tabitha as he follows his father and uncles in their search for a newborn king.

Arnold Ytreeide's family advent devotionals have become a much-loved Christmas tradition, enjoyed by multiple generations. With over 100,000 in print they include Jotham's Journey, Bartholomew's Passage, and Tabitha's Travels.