Friday Fiction Fix: "A Swiftly Tilting Planet"

5/5 Stars

While A Swiftly Tilting Planet is the third book in the Time Quintet, it should be easy to pick up this volume without having read either A Wrinkle in Time or A Wind in the Door, though that may help you be familiar with some of the concepts explained in the book. Of course, if you haven't read Wrinkle, I would recommend you pick it up, solely for the reason that it's one of my favorite books. 

The world seems to be at the edge of nuclear catastrophe within the next several hours. Even the president isn't sure what to do. However, the heavenly powers have not abandoned Earth to its fate and elect to send Charles Wallace back in time to points when the history of the world has turned on the tiniest of points. Will he and Meg be able to redirect the future? Or will the powers of darkness win as they always have?

This book won a five-star rating from me for the sheer emotions in it. I've read it before and I still teared up at a couple points. It somehow drives home for me the unfairness of life, but the beauty of love and joy shines all the brighter in those dark moments. The time-traveling aspect is a nice framework to the story, without getting bogged down in the details of it overly much. 

That being said, this book does have some iffy theology hidden in it. Seeing as it's framed in a fictional work and it's not overtly religious, I don't mind it overmuch, but proceed with a grain of caution. 

Recommended to: Fans of time-travel and fantasy, middle grade and up.

Sequel Review: "Cry of the Raven"

Hey there, folks! Sorry it's been so long. Life was a little crazy in the fall, but COVID-19 has provided a good opportunity to get back into the blogging and reading world. Now, more than ever, I feel that people could use some great book recommendations. I hope you enjoy!

5/5 Stars

This is the third and final book in The Ravenwood Saga and provides a satisfying ending to a stellar and captivating series. Morgan L. Busse does an excellent job throughout the series of blending together fantastical action, unique story-building, and themes of redemption and forgiveness. I would highly recommend this series to fans of Christian fantasy. If you haven't read the rest of the series, I'll direct you to my reviews of the first and second books before proceeding below.

Selene Ravenwood has finally come into her full power, but nagging self-doubts, the lurking shadow of the Dark Lady, and her own past continue to haunt her. Will she and Damien be able to hold back the Empire, even if it means working separately? And will the two of them be able to navigate the struggles in their own relationship and move past their differences to be able to keep moving forward?

This is an excellent conclusion to the series, though I have to say that it didn't touch me as deeply as the first two installments. I can't put my finger on precisely why, but don't let that hold you back from picking up the series. It's well-written and imaginative, and this certainly is a suitable ending to it. 

Recommended to: Teen and up fantasy fans who enjoy romance and supernatural powers.

Friday Fiction Fix: The 49th Mystic

4.5/5 Stars

I was recently thinking that it would be nice to get back to reading some Ted Dekker when I stumbled across this at the book store. I had completely forgotten that he had released anything after completing the Circle.

Rachelle Matthews might be blind, but she's the only person who can keep two worlds from being permanently blinded--or so she's been told. Can her dreams of an alternate reality help save the modern world from an impending crisis? Or will she not be able to see beyond herself to what God is doing? The resulting story is one of both modern and fantastical action and self-discovery.

As a proudly stodgy Lutheran, there were a few points of theology that made me raise my eyebrows a bit. This wouldn't have been a huge issue, but the theology at play is a central point of the plot and the novel, so the heavy discussions may be a bit of a turn-off for some readers.

Recommended for fans of fantasy, world-traveling, and modern/thriller action who don't mind some theological discussions mid-plot.

Friday Fiction Fix: "Dragonspell"

5/5 Stars (Target Middle Grade to Teen Audience)

Wow, it's been a long time since I've read this book! I credit this series as opening my eyes to the wonderful world of dragons and truly cementing my love for Christian fantasy. It was great to read it again, even if some of the prose seemed overly simplistic as an adult. There's just a sense of wonder and lightness to this novel that still appeals to me. 

Kale is a village slave, without much hope of a future--that is, until she discovers a dragon egg. Her accidental discovery sends her on a quest to the greatest city in all of Amara. However, when an unlikely band of companions sidetracks her to defeat the evil Wizard Risto, she finds herself wondering what her true purpose is and if she's cut out for the questing life at all. 

DragonSpell is definitely targeted toward a middle grade to young teen audience, so if you're looking for a heavy read, you might want to pass this one up. Nevertheless, the adventuresome nature of the book makes for a fun fantasy journey with some thought-provoking themes centered around identity in Christ. 

Recommended to those who enjoy Christian allegorical fantasy geared toward younger audiences. 

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. 

Friday Fiction Fix: "Curse of the Spider King"

I'm trying out a new/abbreviated review format so I can bring you more book reviews! (Err...so I have fewer excuses for neglecting to post them.) Let me know what you think in the comments!

5/5 Stars

If you've been following the blog for very long (granted, I haven't been posting much recently, so maybe it would be more apropos to say, "if you've perused through my archives"), you've likely noticed that I'm quite the fan of Wayne Thomas Batson. He seems to find the right blend of dread, mythicalness, and high adventure to incorporate into his fantasy works. Curse of the Spider King, authored by him and Christopher Hopper, is no exception. 

This middle-grade to YA novel centers on several young people in the present day. Unbeknownst to them, however, they have unbreakable ties to the fantasy world of Berinfell-where elves face off with swords against the dreadful Spider King. Soon, they're caught up in a quest to save a world that none of them even knew existed. 

The resulting tale is one of intrigue, urban fantasy, and self-discovery. While there are many, many characters to follow, the authors do a good job of differentiating the characters and their abilities. The prose occasionally reminds you that this is intended to be a book for younger audiences, but overall doesn't get in the way of the rich worldbuilding and otherworldly adventure. I truly look forward to reading the next installment in the series. 

Recommended for readers who enjoy fantasy novels set for a younger audience that focus on world-traveling and self-discovery/coming of age. Some Christian elements are alluded to. 

What I've Been Reading

I promise I haven't entirely neglected the blog..there's about a half dozen articles and reviews typed out on my computer that I keep stalling on because I can't find the way to say what I actually want to say, if that makes sense. In the meantime, I'm going to follow some advice I heard a while back: if something's worth doing 100%, sometimes it's better to do it 80% than 0% if you can't quite muster full strength. So, here's my 80% post with some thoughts on my recent reads:

Children of the Blood Moon Trilogy

I just finished off this trilogy that I started reading over a year ago. It's an interesting Christian fantasy trilogy that, even if a little heavy handed on prophecies and special powers at times, is worth the read. S.D. Grimm manages to weave a tale that's well balanced with regard to action, character development, and a bit of romance. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future as her writing style continues to develop. Overall, I'd give the trilogy 4/5 stars. (Review of Book 1).

1984

This dystopian classic has been on my radar for a while now; it wasn't exactly on my personal reading list because I wanted to read it (I knew it was depressing), but because I feel it's one of those books that you should read if you claim to be a reader. While I don't think it's something I'll be inclined to re-read anytime soon, I'm glad I did finally pick it up. The story was less horrifying for its ending than its startling parallels to the 21st century--the best way to keep people missing holes in their logic is to keep them shouting about something. Stir up enough emotion and you can have them change which enemy they're facing and completely ignore objective truth. Not a light read, nor for those looking for a clean book, but nevertheless worthwhile to chew on for a bit. 

Rome: A History in Seven Sackings

This was a pure impulse buy; whenever I travel somewhere and find a local bookstore, I feel it's my bookish duty to support them. It's another volume that I won't be rereading for a while, but intriguing in its own right. If you have a general interest in history or in Rome in particular, the author's description of Rome's architecture and culture through the centuries through the lens of seven invasions was captivating enough to get me through the whole volume. 

Kiss of Deception 

My family generally tries to pick me up a new series every Christmas; this was one such book and may eventually make a full appearance on the blog. Although a little heavy-handed on the romance, it was an enjoyable read and I plan on continuing in the series. 

Upcoming

I'm looking forward to reading the very-long awaited Forsaken Continent by Wayne Thomas Batson. This third installment of the Myridian Constellation (formerly the Dark Sea Annals) is slated to arrive at my door in paperback on my birthday this week, which is pretty much the best bookish present I could ask for. 

As far as other long-expected books go, I'm working up the courage to open my copy of The Fall of Gondolin. It's the last Tolkien book to be released--probably ever--so it'll take the perfect day to read it. However, I'll probably tackle it just in time for the Tolkien biography movie set to be released in May. 

Friday Fiction Fix: "Mark of the Raven"

The Short

Mark of the Raven
The Ravenwood Saga, Book 1

By: Morgan L. Busse

5/5 Stars

What: In a world where the ruling houses have supernatural gifts, the heiress of one house must decide how to best utilize her family's long-kept secret.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, Christian, Assassins

The Long

Morgan L. Busse doesn't readily come to my mind when I think of my favorite authors, but she really should, especially after this opening to her latest Christian fantasy series. It was absurdly close to making it onto my favorites shelf, and it may eventually work its way there when I re-read it.

Lady Selene of House Ravenwood has a secret that no one can know. Ravenwood, long thought to be the only ruling house without a supernatural gift, holds one of the most powerful gifts of all--dreamwalking. They've been using it to gather information from people's dreams for the past few centuries and Lady Selene is now thrust into the position of using her gift for her house's benefit.

But when the time comes to choose between her house's benefit and the good of the entire kingdom, what will she choose?

This book was darkly captivating and heart-wrenching at some points. I really like Selene and how three-dimensional she is when she has to face the various moral quandries presented to her in this book. She feels real, with conflicted emotions, but she has enough drive that she doesn't come across as wishy-washy.

The world-building in this book is also fantastic. Unlike many Christian books, multiple religions are presented and they aren't so clear-cut as to be unrealistic. The different houses and their heads are fleshed out enough to make it feel like a real world without being overwhelming to the reader.

The Bottom Line: I would highly recommend this book to fans of Christian fantasy who are looking for a darker, richer tale of how to deal with moral dilemmas. Due to some mentions of adult themes, I would recommend it to teens and up.

Looking for more by Morgan L. Busse? Check out my reviews of her other fantasy series  and her steampunk novels. 

Author Interview with Joan Campbell

Give a warm welcome to Joan Campbell, South African author of The Poison Tree Path Chronicles.
Book 3, Guardian of Ajalon is set to release in September (Click here to preorder). In the meantime, you can check out Chains of Gwyndorr (review or purchase) or Heirs of Tirragyl (review or purchase).

The Poison Tree Path Chronicles are traditionally published through Enclave, a small Christian publishing house. What made you choose this route of publication? What makes it challenging or rewarding?

It wasn’t so much that I chose this route as that this was the door that opened for me. I had approached some publishers in South Africa, but the Christian book market is quite a small one and there wasn’t an interest in niche fantasy books. The bigger Christian publishing houses in the States also weren’t interested because I didn’t have a ‘platform’ or following. But Steve Laube of Enclave liked the manuscript and he was the one who finally offered me a contract. My biggest challenge is probably that I live so far away from my main audience in the USA. It’s difficult to do book giveaways with cute prizes, like so many other authors do, or meet up with readers and fellow writers at conferences and events.

 How did growing up in South Africa influence the Poison Tree Path Chronicles? Do you have other life experiences that influence your writing significantly?

A theme that emerged in the books (particularly the first book, Chains of Gwyndorr) is that of class division and discrimination, and also the resentment and hatred that this could foster in the victims thus perpetuating the cycle of hatred. These are very much elements that I see playing out in my own society. I guess a lot of my own personal struggles also play out into the lives of my characters. For instance, the way Shara is drawn to using the alluring Cerulean Dusk Dreamer rock to discover more about her past reflects some of my own temptation to fill the empty places inside myself with the things of the world. 

How does your faith play a role in your writing? Do you ever struggle to balance storytelling and faith? 

My Christian faith and the joy I find in my relationship with God is a large influence in my writing. I see now that this is the bedrock of many of my stories—God’s love for us and our incredible worth in His eyes and the great lengths that He goes to in order to draw us into a relationship with Him. At times I have struggled with the balance of storytelling and faith. I don’t want my writing to feel contrived and forced to impart a specific—Christian—message. First and foremost I want my books to be great stories, which readers can enjoy whether they discern a deeper meaning or not. In this I had to learn to trust myself. My beliefs are such a core part of who I am that they will come through in my writing – I don’t have to force it.

What's your writing routine/habit like? (Do you have a certain time or way you like to write, or just write as inspiration strikes?)

I’m a pretty slow writer really. Somehow late afternoon has turned into a good time to write. So on days where I’m free (I aim for at least 3 afternoons a week) I make myself a coffee at about 4pm and sit down (usually outside) with my laptop and read the last section I wrote. This gets me back into the flow of the story. Then I just immerse myself in the story and begin to write, seeing where it takes me. I don’t do all much planning, although I do have a broad idea of where I want to take my characters. But I enjoy being surprised by my own plot and characters – that’s what keeps the writing fresh and interesting for me. I don’t like writing under pressure which is why NaNoWriMo would never work for me. Rather, I love the slow, gentle and creative unfolding of a tale – the artistry and magic of storytelling.

And finally, if you found yourself alone in a dark, scary alley, what fictional book character would you summon to help you and why?

Without a doubt it would be Lohlyn, my character from Heirs of Tirragyl and the secret protector of the queen. She has incredible reflexes and, in one scene, takes on a whole unit of soldiers. Her father was one of the Charab (King’s assassins) who are known to have unrivaled skills with bows, knives and pretty much anything sharp. He trained his daughter to be as good as—if not better—than the male assassins. So Lohlyn would be fantastic to have at your side in a scary situation!

Sequel Review: "Heirs of Tirragyl"

As with all sequel reviews, I have attempted to keep this review spoiler-free. However, I would recommend picking up and reading Chains of Gwyndorr prior to reading this book. 

The Short

Heirs of Tirragyl

Poison Tree Path Chronicles, Book 2

By: Joan Campbell

4.5/5 Stars

What: Shara's on the run, but she faces a choice about where--and with whom--she will place her trust.

The Long

I was really looking forward to this sequel, and it didn't disappoint. Shara is really growing on me as a character, and I think we need more like her in Christian fiction. She wants to do the right thing, but she frequently trips herself up. It's a freshness much need in a genre that tends to be clogged with paper cut-outs who are too perfect to be true. 

Similarly, many of the characters we're introduced to in this book are just as well crafted. I love reading about their motives behind what they do and what makes them conflicted in their actions. Nyla, The Raven, and Elxa were engaging characters for me to read about. 

I really enjoyed the plot of this book and how it switched between the multiple story lines. It was always hard to tear myself away from the pages and I was almost always eager to return. 

The Christian element in this book was slightly more pronounced in this book, but it avoided hitting you over the head with a sledgehammer or becoming preachy. I look forward to how that plot element will continue to develop in the final installment.

This book does contain some themes that are more suitable to teens and up (visiting bars with scantily clad women to find leads on other characters, trained assassins who have interesting views on morals, etc.). However, the writing style is very straightforward--perhaps a little too much at times. (Okay, so I've been on a Tolkien streak lately with my reading and it's spoiled me). 

The Bottom Line: An engaging fantasy with excellent characters and Christian undertones, I'd recommend Heirs of Tirragyl to fantasy fans who are looking for plot and characters over flowery prose.

Friday Fiction Fix: "Scarlet Moon"

The Short:

Scarlet Moon

Children of the Blood Moon, Book 1

By: S.D. Grimm

4.5/5 Stars

What: Jordan's supernatural powers are the key to delivering the kingdom; the only problem is, the people who want her to use those powers killed her parents.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, loosely Christian, some romance

The Long:

I don't know why it took me so long to pick up this book, but I'm glad that I finally did! I really enjoyed it and definitely look forward to reading the second book in the series. 

Jordan lives a peaceful life with her adoptive family. Her greatest worry is her looming wedding to a man she likes, but doesn't yet truly love. 

Until her special talents bring the Feravolk to her door. Now forced to flee, and her family in tatters, she's faced with a choice: help overthrow the queen that she despises with the help of her family's murderers, or try to make her own way in the wild. 

The resulting story is one of some romance, a healthy amount of action, and some fresh worldbuilding. My only significant complaint was that there were so many questions about the world left unanswered! 

The Christian element to this story is quite loose, but I think it may play into a bigger role in later installments in the series. 

The Bottom Line: This loose Christian fantasy would be a good pick for fantasy fans who enjoy fresh storyworld development and a small bit of romance.

Happy New Year!

Friday Fiction Fix: "Hood"

Beginning next week, posting during November will be reduced. Posts will go up on Fridays, but watch out for pop-up posts during the week, word wars, and other NaNoWriMo fun. 

The Short:

Hood

King Raven #1

By: Stephen R. Lawhead

5/5 Stars

What: A young prince finds that he is his people’s only hope of freedom—but will his brash, strongheaded ways cause him to fail?

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, Robin Hood, Loosely Christian

The Long:

Bran ap Brychan is the reluctant prince of a piece of Welsh countryside. He wants nothing to do with the kingship or his father, but he seems to be doomed to be drawn into the conflict brewing between the Welsh lords and the invading Normans. However, when the conflict comes to a head, he’s forced to step up and become the leader he was born to be.

I remember trying to read this book a few years ago, but I didn’t finish it before the library wanted it back. (Silly libraries—wanting books returned to them). I’m not sure whether it was some maturity I’ve gained in the past few years, the gloomy weather, or the fact that I just wanted to sit down and read a book from start to finish in a couple days that compelled me to finish it this time around.

I enjoyed it, too. The weather has suddenly turned cold here in the Midwest and this was the perfect book to read. It’s relatively realistic fiction for fantasy, but it’s eerie and a bit gritty, perfect for some gloomy, rainy weather. However, that does make this book better suited for teens and older audiences.

The pace is a little slower than many books and takes several Tolkien-esque detours, so if you’re looking for a book that’s fast-paced and action-packed, I would steer you away from this one. (One detour in the middle of the book caused people on Goodreads a certain amount of consternation and star-reduction). The castle politics and larger political scene can also be a bit mind-boggling at times. This is on par with much of Lawhead’s other works, such as Taliesin, so if you’ve read those you have an idea of what to expect.

Also on par with Lawhead’s other work is the somewhat ambiguous Christian nature of the story. I’m expecting him to come out with a bit of a clearer message with the next installment, like he has in his other stories. This story planted a seed of Christian thought, but it hasn’t quite sprouted yet.

The Bottom Line: This grim fantasy story is well-suited for teens and up who are looking for a more ponderous read. 

What's your favorite fall read?

Are you NaNo'ing this year? Find me on the NaNo site under the name R. Lutz!

Sequel Review: "Fortress of Mist"

I would highly recommend reading The Orphan King prior to picking up his sequel. I'l be back with a new series next week!

The Short:

Fortress of Mist

Merlin’s Immortals Book 2

By: Sigmund Brouwer

4.5/5 Stars

What: Two opposing forces have their eyes set on Thomas, new Lord of Magnus, as the centerpiece to their schemes.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, King Arthur/Merlin, intrigue, Christian

The Long:

The tension continues to build right from where The Orphan King left off. While I would definitely recommend reading these books in order, you can easily pick up Fortress of Mist after taking a break from the series; the offer provides enough of a recap to make the story understandable if you have some memory of the characters.

Thomas is placed in an ever deepening web of deceit, intrigue, and plots as the new Lord of Magnus. Two groups seem to have their sights set on his soul and knowledge, but which is worthy of his allegiance? Can he even rely on the wisdom of his departed mother? What if he was wrong about who he could trust all along?

The resulting tale is a quick read and could easily be enjoyed by younger audiences (through early teens—some violent scenes), though older readers will also likely enjoy he captivating, twisting storylines just as well.

The Christian message is more fleshed out in this book than the previous book, but continues to complement, rather than overwhelm, the main plot lines.

The Bottom Line: I would recommend this fantasy series to fantasy fans who enjoy a touch of intrigue.

Friday Fiction Fix: "Chains of Gwyndorr"

The Short:

Chains of Gwyndorr

The Poison Tree Path Chronicles #1

By: Joan Campbell

5/5 Stars

What: A young aristocratic woman is a prisoner in her own home, but maybe the stone she’s found will provide her way of escape.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, Christian

The Long:

Wow, what a pleasant surprise! I picked up this book during an online sale and didn’t expect a whole lot out of it. The worldbuilding, characters, and plot sucked me right in.

Shara is the adopted daughter of two aristocrats. However, she’s not allowed to leave the house and it seems that her parents are interested in just about anything but her. One day, she finds a magical stone that may hold the key to her past—and her future.

But her future looks more uncertain by the day. Her freshly rekindled friendship with the low-born stable hand seems to be causing more trouble than even her headstrong nature could. The law’s on his tail for teaching low-born children how to read and saving them from the raids that send them to the deadly Rif’twine forest. If he’s not careful, he’ll be sent there himself.

The resulting story is one of intrigue, friendship, and excellent worldbuilding. The author opened the story by giving us a load of mysteries and she revealed just enough at a time to keep me drawn in. She left quite the assortment of mysteries to keep me intrigued for the next installment, as well.

The book has some Christian undertones, but nothing strong as of yet. I look forward to seeing how those themes might be explored in the next book, which was just released.

The Bottom Line: This Christian fantasy was a pleasant surprise and has a lot to offer to fans of the genre. I would definitely recommend it!                                                                                                                     

Friday Fiction Fix: "Raising Dragons"

The Short:

Raising Dragons

Dragons in Our Midst, Book 1

By: Bryan Davis

5/5 Stars

What: A boy finds out that he has dragon blood—but he has no idea the trouble it will bring him.

Recommended to those who like: Christian, fantasy, middle grade

The Long:

I had a harder time reviewing this book than I thought I would. This is the book that was responsible for getting me hooked on dragons—a momentous happening, considering probably about ¼ of the books on my shelf involve the mythical creatures.  I read it close to 10 times between middle school and high school. The pages are dog-eared, and my friends and I discussed it in spurts over our lunch breaks. It was one of my favorite stories I had ever read, but I hadn’t read it since probably a year or so before I went off to college.

I approached it with a load of excitement, expecting to dive into one of my favorite stories and come out with a new, fresh perspective on it, the same way that I have with A Wrinkle in Time or The Lord of the Rings.

That didn’t happen.

It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy the book—it was still a good story. It just…isn’t one of my all-time favorites anymore. That hurt a bit. I can’t relate to Billy and Bonnie the way that I used to, my inner editor found some storytelling styles that are perfectly fine for the middle grade audience (but not appealing to my current self), and I left feeling happy that I’d reread it, but oddly discontent.

Alright, enough of me being nostalgic. Let’s get on with the actual review.

Billy Bannister is your normal young man. He attends school, goofs off with his best friend, and seems to always get up too late for breakfast. That all changes in one shocking week, when he accidently sets off a fire alarm with nothing but his breath. The resulting chain of events reveals secrets that nearly everyone has been keeping—from his principal and parents to the mysterious orphan who sits next to him in history class. Everyone has their inner dragons, whether figuratively or startlingly literally. Can he and his friends escape those who will stop at nothing to destroy him?

The resulting tale is likely to resonate most strongly with middle-grade readers, but people of all ages can easily enjoy this fantasy story. The characters are quite vibrant and likable and the premise of the story is intriguing.

The Christian element to this story is definitely strong, but certainly not overwhelming.

The Bottom Line: This Christian, middle-grade story has great characters and an intriguing premise, making it a worthy pick for fantasy fans of all ages.                                                                                         

Friday Fiction Fix: "The Misadventures of Strylun and Xerk"

The Short:

The Misadventures of Strylun and Xerk

By: Wayne Thomas Batson

4.5/5 Stars

What: Two bounty hunters fatefully meet in a tavern. The only catch is, they each have the warrant for the other.

Recommended to those who like: Fun, Novella, Clean, Fantasy

The Long:

This was a bit of an impulse buy for me a while back. I love Batson’s writing and I thought I would pick up this novella for kicks and giggles.

While I wasn’t so sure of my choice at first, I quickly fell in love with this humorous and fast-paced story. Strylun and Xerk each arrive at a remote tavern with a warrant for a fugitive. The only catch? Strylun has a warrant for Xerk’s arrest, while Xerk has a warrant for his—and that just won’t cut it. After all, there’s gold on the line. But if they can somehow work past their differences, they may eventually find a way to earn enough gold to keep them both out of prison.

The resulting story is a humorous, fast-paced read that manages to balance good character development, a few deeper thoughts, and wit.

While Mr. Batson is a Christian author, this story would fall simply under the “clean” category. I hope he revisits the characters in the future; they’re quite entertaining and he hints at some interesting larger plots afoot in the story world.

The Bottom Line: This humorous novella would be well-suited for fantasy fans out for a (mostly) light-hearted read.                                                                                                                                                                        

Sequel Review: "Exiles"

This is the fourth book in the Ilyon Chronicles. I would recommend reading the previous books prior to picking this one up. I'll be back with a fresh series next week! Also, thanks for helping The Book Hound reach 10,000 page views! 

The Short:

Exiles

Ilyon Chronicles #4

By: Jaye L. Knight

4/5 Stars

What: The Resistance must find new allies to survive the persecution coming their way.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, dragons, Christian, romance

The Long:

I would have loved to have been in on the release party for this book, but it occurred while I was in Germany. Better late than never, I suppose. 

Jace, Kyrin, and the rest of the Resistance are hard pressed against Daican's new advances. Their survival, as well as the survival of their faith may rest in the hands of unlikely allies. Meanwhile, Prince Daniel fights for his newfound faith in spite of his father's protests. Will the Resistance be able to survive?

There were some parts I absolutely loved in this book. Jace (as always), Prince Daniel, and Ann are some of my favorite characters ever. However, I sadly felt rather distanced from many of them. There was so much going on in different parts of the world! As someone who hasn't read any of the prequels in a while, it was a little difficult to hop back into the story.

While Elon's appearance was well-done in the last book, it seemed to have relatively little consequence for the story overall (excepting a few key characters' story arcs). I hope the story returns to his influence in the coming books; His part of the story was quite well written in the previous novel, and I would love to see Him play a bit bigger of a role in the coming installation(s). 

Finally, I hope you're a fan of romance if you pick this one up! While there was definitely enough epic dragon-flying adventure to keep me entertained, it is a little heavy on the romance. However, I will tip my hat to Ms. Knight for exploring some different aspects of romance that prevented the insta-love feeling. That's quite the accomplishment.

The Bottom Line: This Christian allegorical fantasy was a pleasant read that offers hope for a return to stellar character development and plot points in the coming novels.                                            

Friday Fiction Fix: "Orphan's Song"

The Short:

Orphan’s Song

Songkeeper Chronicles, Book 1

By: Gillian Bronte Adams

4/5 Stars

What: An orphan discovers that she has a terrible gift that makes her the target of an invading force.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, Loosely Christian

The Long:

Birdie is just an orphan trying to survive at the hands of her often cruel mistress. But when she discovers that she’s been gifted with terrible power and responsibility, she gains new foes and calls old friends into question. Can she survive long enough to discover the secret behind the song that only she can hear?

Ky is a street thief trying to balance the strict rules of the Underground with his own conscience and sentiments. When push comes to shove, which will he choose?

The story was a well-woven fantasy tale with many of my favorite fantastic elements—strange creatures, powerful gifts, and a rich story world that feels cozy and familiar. Unfortunately, the book just failed to really strike a chord with me. Some of the characters behaved in ways that I found a little confusing and I felt like I was missing some key elements of backstory that would help to explain events more satisfactorily.

The book did seem to have a Christian slant to it, but I wouldn’t call it a “Christian” book, strictly speaking. Overall, it was just a well-woven, familiar-feeling fantasy tale, suitable for a nice spot in an easy chair with a cup of coffee or tea.

The Bottom Line: While this may not be a ground-breaking book, Orphan’s Song is sure to please fantasy fans looking for an easy read.                                                                                                                      

Sequel Review: "The Sword in the Stars"

The Short:

The Errant King

The Dark Sea Annals, Book 2

By: Wayne Thomas Batson

5/5 Stars

What: A young king must protect his kingdom from attacks from without—and within.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, Darker stories, Teen and up, Christian

The Long:

While this book takes place 20 years after the events of The Sword in the Stars, I would highly recommend reading this book second so as to not miss the intricate details of the backstory.

Loch has recently come to the throne, but, in spite of being king of the known world, he feels dissatisfied. His mother is wasting away in her grief, he has few true friends, distant relatives make plays for his throne, and attacks upon his kingdom have been numerous. And those are just the threats he knows about within his own borders. Will he be able to shoulder the responsibility that his position requires?

Once again, Mr. Batson has spun a captivating and rich tale, full of vibrant characters, rich action, and deep conflict. Like with the first book in this series, there is a significant amount of darkness, so I would recommend it for only teens and up.

The Christian message is a little stronger in this book (it’s an allegory after all), but it doesn’t overwhelm the story. Rather, it weaves nicely through the background. I look forward to seeing how the threads and hints we’ve had up to this point will play out in the rest of the series.

Unfortunately for us, it could be a while before book 3 comes out. Mr. Batson has decided to self-publish the rest of the series. It’s going to be hard to wait much longer for the rest of the series!

The Bottom Line: A high fantasy tale suited for teens and up, this Christian allegory builds upon a rich backstory and well-rounded characters for a gripping read.

Remember, beginning next week, posts will only be put up on Fridays for the next several weeks.

                                                             

Sequel Review: Merlin's Nightmare

I would suggest reading Merlin's Blade and Merlin's Shadow prior to this book. As always, this review should be spoiler-free. I'll be back next week with a new series!

The Short:

Merlin’s Nightmare

The Merlin Spiral, Book 1

By: Robert Treskillard

4/5 Stars

What: It’s time for Arthur to take his rightful place as Pendragon—but can Merlin let go of his hopes and fears to allow him to do it?

Recommended to those who like: Arthurian legend, Christian, fantasy.

The Long:

In the final installment of the Merlin Spiral, Merlin and company have settled into their new lives. Arthur is a growing man, skilled in war, while Merlin has settled into his new life as a bard, raising his family. But when disaster strikes Britain, will Merlin be able to let Arthur go meet his destiny? Or will his old fears keep him from trusting God’s plan?

This was a nice conclusion to the Merlin Spiral, though it almost felt more like the beginning of a new series. Several new characters are introduced, while former main characters begin to take more of a back seat to Arthur and his warband. Even though this book wasn’t my favorite in the series, I thought it set up nicely for the upcoming Pendragon Spiral, which I certainly look forward to reading when it comes out.

I found the action to be exciting, but I felt removed in time from many of the villains since the gap between books 2 and 3 was so large in “story time”. I will give the book that it made me genuinely fearful for the main characters at multiple points—that’s more than many books can do—and the villains were genuinely creepy.

The Christian message was good overall, especially in the aspect that it showed characters struggling with past problems and not just miraculously never relapsing into old doubts and fears. However, I did think that it toed the line toward preachy a couple of times.

Overall, this was a good book, but I thought it was a better transitionary book than a true end to a series. I look forward to reading the next series when it comes out.

The Bottom Line: This series would be well-suited for teens and up who enjoy fantasy and don’t object to magic use by antagonists.