Sequel Review: "Son of Truth"

I would definitely recommend reading Daughter of Light before picking up this book. However, this review should be (relatively) spoiler-free. I'll be back with a fresh series next week!

The Short:

Son of Truth

Follower of the Word, Book 2

By: Morgan L. Busse

5/5 Stars

What: Survivors of recent attacks must band together to rebuild. Rowen and Caleb must learn more about their gifts from the Word.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, allegory, Christian

The Long:

I would strongly recommend reading this series in order. I read Daughter of Light about 3 months ago and loved it, but it was difficult for me to hop back into the series after so long off. This isn’t a series to skip around in.

As such, it did take me a while to get into this book. Once I did, I rediscovered why I loved this series so much. Rowen is still one of my favorite characters. I think a lot of Christians will find it easy to relate to her—she struggles with wanting to do the right thing, but also wanting to be selfish. She struggles with feeling like she’s done everything she could and still being asked to do more. I find her to be a refreshing character in a genre often populated by characters who are either perfect or else who are dealing with a laundry list of problems that magically get resolved at some point in the story.

The supporting cast of characters and other main characters also fulfill their roles nicely.

The plot in this book didn’t quite draw me in as much as the first book did. (What is it with me and the plots of second books? I struggle with liking them, which is odd, considering The Two Towers pretty much ties with Return of the King for my favorite part of The Lord of the Rings.) However, it was still a nice fantasy read with some smaller-scale action.

Sometimes the romance was a little heavy for my taste, but never egregiously so. Most readers will probably enjoy the romantic element or not find it to be a problem. (I'm just decidedly unromantic in my reading tastes, if you haven't figured that out yet.)

The allegorical elements in this installment blew me away once again. It didn’t hit me as hard as Daughter of Light did, but I think that's only because I was expecting it this time around. The spiritual warfare aspect of this book cannot be missed. I’m really looking forward to how that will play out in the final installment of the series.

The Bottom Line: If you’ve read Daughter of Light, don’t miss out on this fantastic sequel. I would highly recommend the series to fans of Christian allegorical fantasy.     

What "stereotypical" character annoys you the most?

Not a fantasy fan? Check out Tainted, the first in a new steampunk series also by Morgan L. Busse. 

Reread, Rewrite, Burn Tag

Thank you to the lovely Liz over at Out of Coffee, Out of Mind for this tag. I'm glad that I finally got around to it. Send up a prayer for her when you think about it; she's had a rough couple weeks, from the sound of things. 

So, this is essentially a fun--if painful--tag wherein I took the last 15 books I read, sorted them into groups of three using a random number generator, and now have to decide which book I'd like to reread, which I'd like to rewrite, and which I'd like to burn (or just not read again).

I've left links to my reviews of books that I've featured on the blog. Others have "upcoming" reviews (you typically don't see my book review until a month or so after I've read it) and others don't fit in with what I review here.

Ready? Here goes:

Group One

Re-read: Kingdom's Edge

Rewrite: Third Starlighter

Burn: The Killer Angels

This group was somewhat difficult, mainly because I couldn't decide which book I would want to re-write more. I love Kingdom's Edge, but it would sort of be fun to see it written at a higher level than its current middle-grad audience. Third Starlighter had some things I'd really like to iron out, so I ended up choosing it. As much as I enjoyed The Killer Angels, which is about the battle of Gettysburg, I could be perfectly happy without re-reading it. 

Group Two

Re-read: Daughter of Light

Rewrite: The King's Scrolls

Burn: Spirit Fighter (Review Upcoming)

The re-read was a no brainer on this one. Daughter of Light is on my real life re-read list. I loved Spirit Fighter, but it's fairly straightforward. I think I could live happily with it in my memory and not worry about leaving it behind too much. *sniffs* On the other hand, Samara's Peril is coming out soon, so I might reread The King's Scrolls beforehand. I'm not quite sure what I'd change about it. Perhaps more internal conflicts within the characters? 

Group Three

Re-read: Beneath the Forsaken City (Review Upcoming)

Rewrite: Isle of Stars

Burn: Storm Front

Again, the struggle between re-reading and rewriting is a challenge. I was tempted to say that I would write out some of the mushy-gushy parts of Beneath the Forsaken City. However, the climax of Isle of Stars irked me more. Storm Front was recommended to me by a friend, but I didn't finish it. I guess I'm not a huge fan of urban fantasy. 

Group Four

Re-read: Auralia's Colors (Review Upcoming)

Rewrite: Oath of the Brotherhood (Review Coming this Friday)

Burn: Hospital Sketches

This was probably the easiest group so far. I can take out some of the mushy-gushiness from Oath of the Brotherhood while also leaving the epic sword fights in tact. Just the thought of trying to touch up Auralia's Colors makes me cringe--I absolutely love the book. Once again, my history class made the decision to burn something easy; Hospital Sketches is interesting, but is definitely something I could live without. 

Group Five

Re-read: The Heir War (Review Upcoming)

Rewrite: The Hunters, Brotherband Book 3

Burn: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

As much as part of me wants to make The Heir War a little less dark, I have to fix the head-hopping in The Hunters. Part of me hurts saying that I would burn Narrative of the Life, just because it's superbly written and I think it's a valuable look into slavery. 

Well, there you have it, folks. I feel a bit guilty for how easy that was; History of the American Civil War really saved me in these groups. I might actually redo this tag down the road; it's sort of a fun way to look back at what books I've read lately. 

Friday Fiction Fix: "Daughter of Light"

The Short:

Daughter of Light

Follower of the Word, Book 1

By: Morgan L. Busse

5/5 Stars (Possibly going on the favorites shelf)

What: A young woman is banished from her village after she discovers she has a mysterious power.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, Christian, Fantasy Battles, Allegory

The Long:

It’s really amazing how many books you can find for free in digital formats (Publishers and authors, you have my eternal gratitude! I couldn’t review as many books as easily without getting a break for my pocketbook once and a while). This one is really quite enjoyable.

Rowen finds a mysterious mark on her hand one day, but she isn’t able to see the far reaching consequences of it at first. Before she knows it, she’s banished from her village and finds herself across the country, embroiled in a war between neighboring countries and between the spiritual forces of good and evil. Will she ever learn to trust the One who gave her such mysterious powers?

This book is raw and emotional in a lot of ways. Rowen functions as a person in real life would—with heartbreak, doubts, fears, anger, and every other emotion you can think of. The book doesn’t sacrifice on action, either. We have political intrigue, assassination attempts, and large scale battles.

The allegorical nature of this book is stunning. I’ve read a lot of allegories, but this one actually made me stop and think about my faith in a different way. It’s rare that a book can do that, so I am very impressed. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Congrats to Ms. Busse on creating such a wonderful work!

What’s the last fictional book you read that made you think about real life (spiritual growth, social issues, or otherwise)?

Ms. Busse also has a new release coming up. You can check out a brief write up on Tainted and some other recent or upcoming releases here. 

The Bibliophile Sweater Tag

This tag was shamelessly stolen from Josiah over at The Steadfast Pen. If you haven't visited his blog yet, you should definitely check it out. He has some great perspectives on Christian writing and also shares some hilarious snippets from his early writing. 

As always with tags, there are rules to follow. Or are they more like guidelines?

1. Give the person who tagged you an endless supply of cookies. (Since I tagged myself, can I still do this?)

2. Answer the questions and use the blog graphic. 

3. Pass along the tag (since I'm following the pirate code and these are more guidelines than actual rules, feel free to pirate this tag from me).

4. Wear a sweater. Does wearing one yesterday count?

Fuzzy Sweater--The Epitome of Comfort

For this book, I'm going to pick A Wrinkle in Time. I know that I bring it or LotR up in pretty much every bookish tag that I do, but I can't help myself. It just really picks me up when I'm feeling blue--just like a fuzzy sweater.

Striped Sweater-A Book which you Devoured Every Line

It's going to sound weird, but Ender's Game. I read it on my Kindle and I think about a third of the book is highlighted."Perhaps it's impossible to wear an identity without becoming what you pretend to be," is one of my favorites.

Ugly Christmas Sweater--Book with a Weird Cover

Even  though I loved the book, I'm going to have to go with this version of Daughter of Light. It makes more sense once you've read the book, but it's still weird. 

Cashmere Sweater--Most Expensive Book

I didn't buy it, but the most expensive one I own is a really nice copy of LotR that my parents got me for my 21st birthday. 

Hoodie--Favorite Classic

To veer away from LotR, I'll say A Journey to the Center of the Earth, by Jules Verne.

Cardigan--Book Purchased on Impulse

Most recently, The Chronicles of Riddick. I actually enjoyed it a fair bit.

Turtleneck Sweater--Book from Your Childhood

Pippi Longstocking. I'll still read it if I've had a bad day and it doesn't fail to cheer me up.

Homemade Knitted Sweater--Indie Book

I've reviewed a number of Indie books on the blog, so I went searching for one that I haven't given much publicity through book reviews, buttons, or multiple books reviewed in a series. I rediscovered The Collar and the Cavvarach, which I would definitely recommend.

V-neck Sweater--A Book that Didn't Meet Your Expectations

The Messengers: Discovered. I really wanted to like it, but I didn't. It had all the things wrong with Christian apocalyptic fiction and even the spot-on theology wasn't enough to save it. I partially set it up for failure because many of my friends on the internet really enjoyed it and I therefore had similar expectations, especially considering that it came from a publishing house that I trust (albeit more for non-fiction). I'm still debating on reading the sequel.

Argyle Sweater--Book with a Weird Format

I hate myself for even writing the title of this book. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. Apologies if you like it. My opinion on it is that someone was eating far too many mushrooms in the woods. It was the 70's, after all. 

Polka Dot Sweater--A Book with Well-Rounded Characters

There are quite a few that I could pick for this one, but I'm going to choose A Cast of Stones, by Patrick W. Carr.

What would you answer for some of these questions? 

Feel free to steal the tag!

Blogiversary: Top Fantasy

This is where it gets difficult for me. Fantasy is very near and dear to my heart, so picking only a handful out of the couple dozen I've reviewed was painful. But, I did my best to maintain a somewhat narrow field. 

Number 3: Auralia's Colors, by Jeffrey Overstreet

I debated putting this one in the top picks, just because it wouldn't be a very good introduction to fantasy overall; it's a better pick for someone who already loves fantasy as a genre and is willing to try a book that's a little different. 

However, I couldn't not put it it in the article. I love the fresh story, the somewhat mysterious elements to the plot, and the original world-building.  

Number 2: Daughter of Light, by Morgan L. Busse

This is a stunning allegory that I really need to re-read and then promptly find the next book. I loved Rowen and I think she's one of the more realistic and loveable female characters I've come across in a while. Plus, it has some good sword fights. What's not to love?

Number 1: A Cast of Stones, by Patrick W. Carr

Another book that really needs re-read! I loved Mr. Carr's writing style and the concept behind this story was fresh and original. The characters were quite lovable as well. 

Honorable Mention:

The Keeper of Edelyndia. by Benjamin J. Denen

-I really wish I had given myself four slots for books (or a way to create ties between books) so that this one could have gone in the top picks official list. Definitely give it a read--it has fresh ideas and a touch of mystery. If you have time, also be sure to check out my interview with him here. 

Resistance, by Jaye L. Knight

-Okay, so I should have taken five picks for fantasy because I would have liked to include this one, too. If you like fantasy with a Roman flavor, you should definitely check this one out, especially if you enjoy conflicted characters. You can also read my interview with her here.

By Darkness Hid, by Jill Williamson

-This one was another close contender for the top three, especially when considering the second and third book in the series. Between Ms. Williamson, Mr. Carr, Mr. Denen, Ms. Busse, and Ms. Knight, I may very well be flat broke in the near future. They're all excellent writers and this intro to an epic fantasy series is no exception. 

Oath of the Brotherhood, by C.E. Laureano

-If this one hadn't had so much romance, I would have had a really hard time picking books for this list. As it is, I think it makes a good addition to the Honorable Mention list. 

The Sword, by Bryan M. Liftin

-It's killing me that I can't find the sequel to this! Spiritual warfare, sword fights, and a post-apocalyptic society make for an original read. 

You can read reviews for these books and more by clicking the "fantasy" tag in the left hand column, or by clicking on the "fantasy" link at the bottom of this post. 

Thanks for taking the time to read through this excessively long list! (I'm really terrible at picking favorites and I have no idea why I decided to do four lists for the blogiversary). Tomorrow I'll tackle the last category--miscellaneous speculative. 

Friday Fiction Fix: "The Keeper of Edelyndia"

The Short:

The Keeper of Edelyndia

(The Keeper Chronicles, Book 1)

By: Benjamin J. Denen

5/5 Stars (And possibly going on the favorites shelf)

What: A man wakes up with no idea who—or what—he is; only that he’s powerful and that, somehow, he must cleanse the Church in Edelyndia of the corrupt and protect those who have cared for him.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, Christian, loose allegory, sword fights

Not recommended for those who dislike: Violent scenes (akin to PG-13)

The Long:

I will definitely be looking for more books from Mr. Denen. The Keeper of Edelyndia was well-written, fast-paced, and certainly worth the read.

Throughout the story, we follow Orron. Although powerful almost to the point of being superhuman, he has no memories of where he came from, only troubled dreams. He has a strong drive to protect the innocent.

The Church in Edelyndia has no such desire. Rather, leaders have become corrupt, sending a special group known as “Keepers” to remove 11-year old girls from their families to be taken as tributes to the capital.

Draedon is a Legion Commander of the Keepers who struggles with his duties. Can he justify capturing these young girls when he knows he would never allow his now-teenager daughter Kor’lee to be taken? But, how can he refuse his orders, especially with the violent Captain Valtor placed under his command?

The resulting tale is one of heroism, righteousness, and a quest to purify the land of those who would destroy the innocent. It has a few well-placed plot twists and believable, vibrant characters. The world building is good.

A warning to the reader: Mr. Denen does not shy away from telling the darker side of the plot (which makes the story more believable, and allows the light to shine all the brighter). I would equate it roughly on the same scale as the new Batman movies, to give you an idea. The violence is not glorified and the overall plot line conveys a Christian message.

There is an allegorical element/ strong Christian message to the story, which is one thing that makes the story great. Unlike some stories, it portrays believers as imperfect. There is also a small love element, but it does not crush the rest of the story.

If you’ve read the book, feel free to share your thoughts below. Please remember to be respectful of Mr. Denen and his work, as well as other commentators. I also welcome comments on what you would like to see included in the reviews. I reserve the right to remove vulgar, hateful, or rude remarks from the comments. Thanks for sharing!

I will be out of town this weekend, so it may take longer than normal for me to respond to your comments. I'd still love to hear from you!

Sequel Review: "Flight of the Raven"

This review does contain spoilers for Mark of the Raven, book one in the Ravenwood Saga. 

5/5 Stars

Favorites Shelf

After re-reading Mark of the Raven, I decided that this series just has to go on my favorites shelf. Selene is one of my favorite characters in Christian fiction. She has multiple needs, wants, and desires that all come into conflict with one another. She also has emotions without letting them rule over her like some schoolgirl or entirely quashing them like some woman trying to be a he-man. High marks all around on character development. 

In Flight of the Raven, Selene finds herself thrust into the center of life at House Maris. Between trying to navigate her new marriage, fearing her dreamwalking abilities, and investigating the Light, she seems to have her hands full. But House Ravenwood will stop at nothing to get its lost daughter back--or to stop her permanently. 

Meanwhile, Damien tries desperately to trust his new wife, in spite of growing evidence that she's not all that she seems. It's a distraction he cannot afford as the Dominia Empire encroaches on the doorstep. Will he and Selene be able to trust one another in time to save the kingdom? Or will the Dark Lady and patrons find a way to stop them?

The resulting action and intrigue makes for a captivating, quick read. There is a fair bit of romance involved, but it's framed around a married couple trying to work things out, which is a welcome change of pace from most novels. 

Recommended to teens and up who enjoy allegory, fantasy, swordplay, and a touch of politics.