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| Matthew Burden |
By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
Caribou High School graduate (and Class of 2001 valedictorian) Matthew Burden had two books published before he’d even graduated high school, and his writing is still being met with success.
Recently, two more books were published for the 28-year-old — “The Conqueror’s Song” and “Pathways of Mercy” that conclude “The Hidden Kings” fantasy-adventure trilogy Burden created.
Published by OakTara, these two new book finish out the fantasy-adventure trilogy that Burden began with “Freedom Cry” in 2009, which was featured in a Bangor Daily News book review last summer.
Interestingly enough, “Freedom Cry” was based on a novel a young Burden had written as a sixth-grader at the New Sweden Consolidated School.
Since he was first published as a sophomore in high school with “Tactus” in 1999, Burden’s written a handful of additional published works — “Soldiers of the King” in 2000 (his second historical novel) before beginning the “Hidden Kings Trilogy” with “Freedom Cry” in 2009, followed by ‘The Conqueror’s Song” and “Pathways of Mercy” both in 2012.
Burden also currently has a short book currently in draft form, under the working title of “Whispers of Adventure.”
“It’s a winsome little adventure story set as an allegory of the spiritual life,” Burden said, adding that he’s also working on some ideas for a new series of historical fiction novels.
A graduate of Houghton College and Denver Seminary, Burden is currently the pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Calais. (It’s an American Baptist church — the same as the Caribou United Baptist Church, where Burden’s brother, Josh Burden, served in ministry until just last year).
Burden is the son of Steve and Kathy Burden, of New Sweden. He lives in Calais with his wife, Rachel, and his two sons.
His books can be purchased through OakTara fiction, on Amazon.com or through any other online retailers.
