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: "Cloak of the Light"

The Short:

Cloak of the Light

Wars of the Realm, Book 1

By: Chuck Black

4/5 Stars

What: A college student suffers a terrible accident that allows him to see into another dimension.

Recommended to those who like: Spiritual warfare, Christian, Teen

The Long:

I’ve been a fan of Chuck Black for quite a while. His Kingdom Series and The Knights of Arrethtrae strongly influenced both my faith and early attempts at writing. When I saw that he had a new series out that was more geared toward my age group, I was elated.

Drew’s life has been chased by tragedy. Those close to him keep dying and just when he thinks things are looking up, his life gets turned upside down again. Little does he know that defending a fellow student against a bully in high school will earn him a friend for life, or that helping him will lead to a freak physics accident that will rob him of his sight.

When Drew returns to normal life, he finds that he can see into another dimension, one with strange invaders that battle each other for the visible realm. Are these the aliens his friend expected? Or are they something else entirely?

At first, I really thought I wasn’t going to like this book. The first fifty pages or so were a bit of a drag. However, once the book really got going, I fell in love with Drew as a character.

Unfortunately, the love interest in the story did not do much for me. (Surprise there!) I really found her quite obnoxious and was a little irritated by how she was chosen to be the spiritual light of the story. For the most part, the Christian aspect of the story was well-played, but it was nearly cringe-worthy at points.

The action scenes and thoughtfulness of the spiritual warfare aspect redeemed the book overall. The realism of spiritual warfare was more thought-provoking than the Bible Study we’re dropped into at one point. The book almost has a dark super-hero feel to it, without being cheesy.

Furthermore, Drew is a great character. I look forward to seeing him developed more fully in future books.

I’ll definitely be picking up the next book sometime soon. The end of this story foreshadowed great things to come.

The Bottom Line: If you don’t mind a stronger Christian message and a slow-starting story, this spiritual warfare novel with super-hero undertones is worth a look. 

Looking for allegorical fantasy by Chuck Black? Check out my reviews of The Kingdom Series here and here.                                                

Who's your favorite superhero?

Sequel Review: "Beneath the Forsaken City"

I've done my best to keep this review spoiler-free. If you're looking for the first book in the series, you can check out my review of Oath of the Brotherhood. I'll have a fresh series next Friday!

The Short:

Beneath the Forsaken City

The Song of Seare, Book 2

By: C.E. Laureano

4/5 Stars

What: Conor and Aine struggle to return Seare to normal when personal tragedies strike and spiritual warfare increases.

Recommended to those who like: Darker books, fantasy, sword fights, Christian, romance

The Long:

You might be able to jump into this book without reading Oath of the Brotherhood, but it would be difficult.

Like Oath of the Brotherhood, this book is very dark. I would recommend it to mature teens and up. It deals with spiritual warfare and sexual temptation in a realistic manner.

As with the previous book, Beneath the Forsaken City was just a little too heavy on the romance for my personal taste, though others may enjoy it.

There were some aspects of the story that I really enjoyed, however. One of the themes of the book is how to rely on God in difficult times, as well as the dangers of pride and thinking one knows better than God. Some people might find the book too spiritually strong/ forthright in nature, but I thought it was necessary to offset some of the darker themes of the book.

I definitely look forward to reading Book 3—there was an unexpected plot twist at the end of this book. I’m looking forward to how it all works out in the end.

Out of a “typical” trilogy, do you tend to like the first, second, or third book the best?

I will be slow to respond to comments/ emails for the next several days. Be sure to stop back in on Tuesday for a guest post from Victoria of The Endless Oceans of My Mind. 

Friday Fiction Fix: "The Shock of Night"

The Short:

The Shock of Night

The Darkwater Saga, Book 1

By: Patrick W. Carr

5/5 Stars

What: A medieval murder investigator is granted the supernatural gift to see what’s inside people—but it comes at a price.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, Christian, darker stories, suspense.

The Long:

Mr. Carr has not disappointed me with a book yet! This one didn’t resonate with me in quite the same way as The Staff and the Sword series, but I would still highly recommend it to fantasy fans looking for something fresh.

Willet Dura was recently elevated to the nobility, but it’s only served to make him more enemies. Although ungifted, he has a knack for getting to the bottom of murders.

That all changes with the scream of a dying man. Now, he lives with the memories of everyone he touches. On top of it, an arcane group seeks his allegiance, various nobles are breathing out death threats, and the evil influence of the Darkwater Forest seems to be growing.

The resulting tale weaves together suspense and fantasy for an intense read.  I would recommend the book for teens and up due to violence and mention of women of ill repute.

The Christian message is loose, but well-executed in the book. It gives some interesting food for thought without being preachy.

The novel also has a prequel novella, By Divine Right, which is free in many ebook formats. Reading the novella does give you some more information on Willet and makes it easier to understand the “gifts” that are so central to the story. It might be worth the read if you're unsure of the series; however, you could easily jump into The Shock of Night first.

The Bottom Line: The Shock of Night is a suitable read for fantasy fans (teen and up) who enjoy a more suspenseful read.

Looking for more books by Patrick W. Carr? I'd highly recommend The Staff and the Sword series. The first book is A Cast of Stones. 

Which author have you most recently added to your “favorites” list?

                                                                                          

Friday Fiction Fix: "The Book of Names"

The Short:

The Book of Names
Legends of Karac Tor, Book 1

By: D. Barkley Briggs

5/5 Stars (And on the favorite series shelf)

What: Two brothers are sucked into a strange world where good and evil are tangible and old legends find new life.

Recommended to those who like: Christian, Fantasy, Teen and up, Sword Fights

The (Really) Long:

This series is partially responsible for the creation of this blog. I was so excited when I found this book in the Christian book section at the store. It had some good characters, great action, interesting world building, mentioned King Arthur, and was like a teenage-geared Chronicles of Narnia (sort of).

It was everything I had been looking for. Granted, my teen self didn't have as much of a problem with occasional head-hopping or a few line-editing errors, so I didn't really notice that. What I saw was a story that spoke to me.

The release date on the next book was approaching rapidly and I looked for the next book every time I went to the store.

Only to find out that the series had been discontinued by the publisher.

How could they do this? Why? How could anyone not like this story? It was one of the few times I came close to being "angsty" in my teenage years. (Another publisher that was a better fit for the story picked it up relatively recently, which resolved the angst).

Thus, the idea that more people should like Christian fantasy so that I could read more of it. (Mwahaha, now you see that my evil plan is working!)

*Ahem*. Enough with the long monologue there.

Natural disasters, demonic forces, and disappearing teenagers threaten to tear Karac Tor apart at the seams, especially without a king.

The Barlows' world has been turned upside down over the last few months after the death of their mother and a cross-country move. The last thing they expected was to be sucked into the politics of a dying kingdom.

This is a loose, somewhat gritty allegory that still makes me think when I read it. The writing alternates between poetic and clunky, but the story still makes it up for me, personally. The worldbuilding is fantastic. It took me a few books to really like the characters, but I love them now (I'm on book 4 of 5).

The Bottom Line: I would recommend this book to those looking for an epic fantasy read with strong good vs. evil themes and who are willing to overlook the occasional passage of less-than-ideal writing.

Do you have any books that you adore in spite of the writing style? 

Have any of your favorite series been cancelled?

Friday Fiction Fix: "Oath of the Brotherhood"

The Short:

Oath of the Brotherhood

Song of Seare, Book 1

By: C.E. Laureano

5/5 Stars

What: A prince falls short of all of his father’s expectations—from not being able to wield a sword to holding fast to a forbidden faith—but it seems that God has a larger, more dangerous plan for him.

Recommended to those who like: Darker reads, Christian, Romance, Fantasy, Sword Fights, Magic

The Long:

Where to begin with this book? Even though I decided to write this review a full day after finishing it, I’m still trying to put my thoughts into coherent words.

Conor Mac Nir is everything he shouldn’t be—a scholar, musician, and member of the Balian faith. When he is sent as a hostage to a neighboring kingdom to cement an alliance, he meets Aine, a young woman who appreciates him for what he is. But war looms on the horizon and everything he’s gained is at stake. Does God really have a purpose for all his suffering?

To start, this is a dark book—it reminds me a lot of Macbeth. There are demons/banshees and magic that can be wielded for good or evil. It would definitely be more appropriate for the teen crowd and up, just because of the darker elements of the story. Violence is probably a PG-13 level but isn’t gratuitous.

This book might have made it onto the favorites shelf, but the love element was a little strong for my personal taste, though many would probably enjoy it. If you’ve been reading the blog for very long, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that I’m not a romantic type of gal.

The Christian element is strong, but is well incorporated into the story without being too preachy.

The book covers three years, so there’s quite a bit of action packed into the story without much fluff in between, which is something I definitely appreciated. I wish I could write more about the plot, but I don’t want to give too much away.

What was the last book that scared you a little? 

Sequel Review: "Third Starlighter"

I would highly recommend reading Masters and Slayers prior to picking up this book. I've tried to make this review spoiler-free in regards to Book 1, but no guarantees. 

The Short:

Third Starlighter

Tales of Starlight, Book 2

By: Bryan Davis

4/5 Stars

What: Adrian must find a way to reunite Marcelle’s spirit with her body while she works in spirit form to rally troops to rescue the human slaves.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, Christian, Dragons, and have read the first book.

The Long:

While I enjoyed many aspects of this book, I also had a few issues with it. I haven’t read anything else in this series for quite some time and it was difficult to hop back in. I think I could have used a summary at the start of the book.

This book has a fair amount of romance in it and deals with having a “Christian” relationship (the story’s an allegory, so it isn’t “Christian” in the strictest sense). It can sometimes come across as a little on the preachy side, so that’s something to take into consideration with this series.

I really enjoyed the action involved in this story. It isn’t as intense as some of Mr. Davis’ other books, but there’s still plenty of action to keep you hooked. Like many sequels, it feels more like we’re building up to some key moment than the events themselves having extreme importance. 

One of the parts about this book I liked the most is the moral dilemmas that the characters must face. I think that we’ll see some more of them in the next book and I look forward to that. The book definitely provides some good food for thought. 

 I think the next book should pick up the pace a little bit and I look forward to reading it.

What’s your favorite dragon book? 

Sequel Review: "The Invaders"

Spoilers may lurk for those who haven't read The Outcasts. You might be able to get away with hopping into the series starting with this book, but I think you'll have a deeper appreciation for the book if you read The Outcasts first. 

The Short:

The Invaders

Brotherband Chronicles, Book 2

By: John Flanagan

5/5 Stars (for intended age group)

What: Following the loss of the Andomal, Hal and the Herons set out on a quest to find Zavac and retrieve the treasure.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, Clean, Sailing, Middle Grade/ Teen, and have read Book One 

The Long:

If you’re ever looking for books for a boy who doesn’t like reading, I’d highly recommend John Flanagan as an author. His books feature young men, are easy, quick reads, and have a ton of adventure and action in them.

Hal and the Herons have set out to retrieve the Andomal and escape Hallasholm. However, storms, pirates, and infighting oppose their progress. Can they overcome their differences to complete their quest and regain their honor?

For adult readers, this book might be a four-star work. It’s not written at a very high reading level. However, for teens and middle grade readers the language and style are perfect. (There is an instance of foul language in the book, so take that into consideration when recommending it to anyone). 

The book’s a bit slow to start, but once the action gets going, it’s quite enjoyable. All of our favorite characters from book one have returned and they show some real character growth between the two books. Themes of the novel include teamwork and leadership.

You might be able to get away with not reading Book 1 prior to starting The Invaders; however, I think you’ll have a much greater appreciation for the characters if you read the books in chronological order. Readers of the Ranger’s Apprentice series will likely appreciate the connections between the two series.

Do you enjoy reading books for younger readers? 

I may be slow to respond to comments this weekend. Happy Valentine's Day/Singles Awareness Day!

Sequel Review: "From Darkness Won"

This is a sequel review. You can also read my reviews of books one and two. Spoilers may lurk in this review for those who have not read the first two books. I'll see you next Friday!

The Short:

From Darkness Won

Blood of Kings Trilogy, Book 3

By: Jill Williamson

5/5 Stars

What: Achan must take his rightful place as king of all Er’Rets and banish Darkness from the land. Vrell must come to grips with the web of lies that she’s sown over the past year.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, sword fights, Christian, and have read books one and two.

The Long:

I’m always a little frightened to read the last book in a series. Sometimes, it’s because I don’t want to leave the characters. Other times, it’s because I’m afraid it just won’t be a fitting end for “people” who have meant so much to me in the hours I’ve known them.

From Darkness Won did not disappoint. The action is still well-paced and the character development is beautifully done. It really felt like a fitting end to the series.

I have to tip my hat to Ms. Williamson for the romance in this book, as it certainly isn’t your normal, recycled YA love triangle, which was refreshing. The characters felt authentic in their confused emotions and their ability to make difficult decisions.

While the end, in some ways, felt like it took quite some time to finish, I thought that it was well worth the extra pages. There are very few series that I have finished with such a profound sense of closure.

While I’m sad to leave Achan and his friends behind, I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

Have you read this series? What are your thoughts? 

Don't forget to vote in the poll to the right! (You can select multiple answers.)

Remember that there will be no post next Tuesday. I'll see next Friday!

Friday Fiction Fix: "Mardan's Mark"

The Short

Mardan's Mark

Mardan's Mark Series, Book One

By: Kathrese McKee

5/5 Stars

What: A princess must rescue the heir to the throne before war breaks out between the two kingdoms. But will her heart be ensnared even if she isn't?

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, pirates, some romance, Christian/Clean.

The Long

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

I was pleasantly surprised to receive my first email asking me to review a book (up until now, I've just been wandering around the internet/my personal book collection/book stores to find books). 

Then the worry set in. What if I didn't like it? If I buy a book on my own and don't like the book, it just sort of sits around and I don't review it (I try to only review works that I'm comfortable giving at least 3 stars). But if an author gives me their book...how do you return it? 

Mardan's Mark certainly didn't give me any problems! Although it had a little more romance in it than I would typically pick up, it was still a nice fantasy read. 

Srilani is the First Princess, meaning that she's second in succession to her younger brother. Placed through rigorous training her entire life, she knows how to handle herself. But it seems like all of her decisions are out of her hands--that is, until disaster strikes and she's not only responsible for herself, but for her siblings as well. And can she trust the former slaves of a pirate to protect them?

The book is a well-paced read with plenty of action and high stakes. There is a Christian element to it, but it's more of a background theme. I enjoyed the character development in this book as well. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a more "realistic" fantasy (no magic, dragons, etc.), doesn't mind some romance, and enjoys a clean, well-written book. I'm looking forward to reading more of Ms. McKee's work. 

I'd love to hear from you! Comment below if you have any thoughts or questions. I also take book recommendations. 

Friday Fiction Fix: "Raulin, Rise of the Forest King"

The Short:

Raulin, Rise of the Forest King

By: Benjamin J. Denen

5/5 Stars

What: After his family is brutally murdered, a young man embarks on a quest for revenge. But what will it cost him?

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

The Long:

This is a prequel to TheKeeper of Edelyndia. Those who have read The Keeper will likely enjoy the interconnectedness of the story, but this book stands very nicely on its own. You can also read an interview with Mr. Denen here.

Raulin is a young man who tries to learn from his parents as best he can. But when his family is massacred in front of him, everything he was taught is challenged. Setting out to avenge his parents, he finds himself becoming the very thing his father warned against.

The book has a lot of strong, Christian themes throughout and the character arcs are well-fleshed out. Additionally, there are some nice sword fight scenes (can’t beat a good sword fight, right?)

This book was a little more predictable than The Keeper, so I didn’t enjoy it quite as much. There is a significant level of violence in the books, so that’s something to consider. I would certainly say that it’s well done and not over emphasized or glorified. However, it’s still an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy with Christian themes.

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!

Friday Fiction Fix: "Taliesin"

The Short:

Taliesin

Book 1 of the Pendragon Cycle

By: Stephen R. Lawhead

4/5 Stars

What: The intersection of two worlds—Atlantis and the post-Roman British Isles—sets the stage for the Arthurian legends.

Recommended to those who like: Legends of Arthur, fantasy, Atlantis legends, Christian message

Not recommended to those who dislike: Magic use, discussion of old cults, mild love element

The Long:

I debated a bit about reviewing this one, especially early on in the book. There’s quite a bit of “more realistic” magic use, so if that bothers you, I wouldn’t recommend this as a book for you. However, at the end, there is a really redeeming Christian message. Overall, the book is good (other than it dragging a mite at the start) and I would recommend it to anyone who doesn’t object to magic in books and also enjoys a Christian element.

The book follows two main stories: Charis, an Atlantean princess, and Taliesin, a young man in the British Isles who finds himself a bard in a changing world.

Atlantis is crumbling just as fast as Charis’ own life. Following a personal tragedy, she takes to becoming a bull dancer—one who performs elaborate dance routines with bulls in front of a crowd. The dangerous work suits her disenchanted views of life. (If you read it for nothing else, read the book for these scenes; it’s some of the most vivid writing I’ve ever read. You can see exactly what’s going on and it’s thrilling).

Meanwhile, Taliesin finds that he has more than a few expectations laid upon him. When crisis strikes his village, how will he and his father Elphin respond? And does this really signal the Dark Time so long foretold? Will he help usher in the Light?

As I said, the writing brings life to the old stories. If you don’t mind the few potential issues that I listed at the start, I’d say it’s well worth the read. I plan to continue in the story.

If you’ve read the book, feel free to share your thoughts below. Please remember to be respectful of Mr. Lawhead 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!

Friday Fiction Fix: "The Princess Bride"

The Short:

The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

By: William M. Goldman

4/5 Stars

What: A story within a story following true love and fantastical adventure.

Recommended to those who like: Humor, Clean, literary devices, sword fights, fantasy

Not recommended to those who dislike: some language, vague endings, moderate to strong love element

The Long:

I have to admit that I had a hard time rating this one. The movie is one of my favorites (I watch it pretty much every time I’m sick because it has the ability to make me laugh even when I feel terrible). So, when I went into the book, I might’ve set the expectations a little high.

Don’t get me wrong; it’s still a good book. Just realize that (unlike most cases) the movie is probably better than the actual book. At least, that’s my personal opinion.

The story begins by Mr. Goldman telling us that he’s abridging a work that his father read to him as a young child. If you’re just after the fantasy elements of the story, I would recommend skipping to where he actually begins the abridgement (it might take a while to find where that’s at). Then, since it’s an abridgement of a (fictional) book, Mr. Goldman interrupts the story at several points to note what he’s omitted from the story. It’s a little confusing if you’ve never read a book with that type of literary device in it.

However, the meat of the story is great. There are sword fights, plays on words, kidnappings, and, of course, true love. The “real” story follows Buttercup, a farm girl, and Westley, her family’s helper. At the beginning they fall hopelessly in love and the rest of the story is spent trying to reunite them.

As you’ve probably figured out from most of my reviews, I’m not too keen on love stories. I don't bear them any ill will. I just...can't get into them. This is actually one of the few love stories that I enjoy—mostly because of the humor (and some epic sword fights).

Overall, I would recommend this book to someone who doesn’t mind a little bit of a non-traditional style when it comes to storytelling, a little bit of language, and a strong love element. I would recommend the movie to pretty much anyone (yes, it’s “old” now, but it’s still really good!).

Now, for a special announcement!

This coming Tuesday, October 27th (or Wednesday, depending on where you happen to live), Mr. Benjamin J. Denen will be joining us for an author interview! Mr. Denen is the author of The Keeper of Edelyndia. His next book, Raulin: Rise of the Forest King, is set to release next Tuesday. Raulin is more of a "backstory" book, so definitely check it out, even if you haven't read The Keeper. 

Thanks for putting up with my brief hiatus. I've included links to Amazon for the books, if you're interested (I'm not trying to make promotions for Amazon or anything; it's merely my preferred outlet for ebooks). I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!

Amazon Kindle Link                                                                                       Amazon Kindle Pre-order

Double Feature: "Kingdom's Dawn" and "Kingdom's Hope"

I decided to do a double review on these two books because of how this series is set up (the first two books are really like one story). They're very short, easy reads.

The Short:

Kingdom’s Dawn and Kingdom’s Hope

Books one and two of The Kingdom Series

By: Chuck Black

4/5 Stars

What: A tight allegory highlighting many significant events of the Old Testament in a medieval/fantasy setting.

Recommended to those who like: Allegories, easy/middle grade books, sword fights, fantasy

The Long:

I dusted off this series and sat down for a nice afternoon read. The Kingdom Series is a very tight allegory. In this first post, I’ll be reviewing the first two books of the series (they fit together very well and are pretty much a continuum).

Leinad is just a simple farmer, but his father seems intent on teaching him the way of the sword and a virtuous way of life. When his life is turned upside down, he realizes that there’s much more in the world beyond his hometown. There’s a King who’s much more involved in the history of the Kingdom of Arrethtrae—and his own life—than he could have imagined.

The books follow Leinad through his many adventures and perils. There’s lots of good sword fighting and the vivacious character Tess always makes me smile.

Truth be told, I debated giving this one a five-star rating (I would say that it’s a five-star book for middle grade readers, but adults/more advanced readers may find the vocabulary and character development a little below their liking). The action is great, but sometimes the characters feel a little stiff. All in all though, it’s a good allegorical pair of novels to get the series started and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian, middle-grade books. This was one of my favorite series in Middle School/ High School.

If you’ve read the book, feel free to share your thoughts below. Please remember to be respectful of Mr. Black 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!

Due to travel plans and having multiple tests this upcoming week, I will not be posting on Tuesday. Check back in on Friday for another book review!

Friday Fiction Fix: "The Sword"

The Short:

The Sword

(Book 1 of the Chiveis Trilogy)

By: Bryan M. Liftin

5/5 Stars

What: After the world has been virtually destroyed, Christianity has disappeared—until a Bible is found.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, sword fights, post-apocalyptic, unique world-building, Christian

Not recommended for those who dislike: Moderate to strong love element, some darker themes

The Long:

Miraculously, I actually found a book in a brick and mortar store this time. I was pleasantly surprised by The Sword. It had good action, a believable love element that didn’t consume the story, and a very unique world.

The known world was destroyed by a combination of acts of terrorism and disease. Now, it has reverted to a system of government and technology that resembles the medieval period—nobility, feudal kingdoms, swords, archery, etc. Outside of these kingdoms, in the Beyond, the remnants of twenty-first century civilization can be seen.

Throughout the story, we follow Captain Teofil, a soldier who teaches when he’s not patrolling the borders of the kingdom of Chiveis; and Anastasia, a young peasant woman who has become weary of the gods of her kingdom.

When they are stranded together in the wilderness, they discover a mysterious book. Will they be able to bring the Good News to Chiveis, or will the High Priestess stop them?

Note to readers: the book does deal with the nature of sexual temptation, though it is handled tactfully and in a Christian manner. Witchcraft/ demon worship is also mentioned as an aspect of worship of the gods of Chiveis. Again, this is handled well and actually adds depth to the story. These elements do make the book better suited to mature young adults and adults rather than younger audiences.

The book captured my attention from page one. While there is a love element to the story, it’s reasonable and doesn’t wipe out the action or other parts of the world building. The characters were flawed, but heroic, loveable and relatable. I look forward to getting the next book soon.

If you’ve read the book, feel free to share your thoughts below. Please remember to be respectful of Mr. Liftin 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!

Sequel Review: "To Darkness Fled"

You can find my review of the first book of the Blood of Kings Trilogy here. I would highly recommend reading  the first book before continuing. 

Haven't read the first book? Come back next week for more posts and a fresh novel on Friday. In the meantime, check out some old book reviews or my Goodreads page.

The Short:

To Darkness Fled

(Blood of Kings Trilogy, Book 2)

By: Jill Williamson

5/5 Stars

What: Achan finds himself pushed to be king, even though he doesn’t want it. Vrell finds herself tangled in an ever-growing web of lies. Lord Nathak and Esek will stop at nothing to prevent Achan from coming to the throne.

Recommended to those who like: fantasy, internal conflict, sword fights, and have read book 1.

Not recommended for those who dislike: Significant romantic plot line.

The Long:

Warning: Spoilers may lurk for those who have not yet read book 1, which I reviewed here.

To Darkness Fled did not disappoint as a sequel. So many sequels fail to build on character development or feel like they lack a clear goal for the characters, but To Darkness Fled had even better character development and internal conflict than in the first book, in my opinion.

Achan wants nothing more than to escape the throne and the pressures that are put on him—he is pressured to find a suitable wife (even if he doesn’t love her), forge alliances, present himself as a capable prince (even though he hasn’t had experience), proclaim Arman, and otherwise just be perfect. His frustration and division in character grow throughout the book.

Meanwhile, Vrell finds herself wondering if she knows anything anymore. How can she be Achan’s squire when she’s a highborn lady? More disturbing, she’s starting to feel something for him—even though she’s already betrothed. How can she keep her secret when the evidence mounts against her?

Meanwhile, the party must escape to Ice Island to rescue former Kingsguard knights, avoid Esek, and scrape up enough support for the army if Achan is to take his rightful throne.

The plot was gripping and I was really intrigued by the internal conflicts that raged throughout the book. This book does have a stronger love element than the previous novel, but the action still plays the primary role. Also, it’s not sappy.

Ms. Williamson also builds upon the allegorical elements of her work in this novel. Arman comes into play in a more significant manner and the characters are faced with a choice of which god they will serve. This heightens the plot and fits in well. I look forward to reading the final book soon.

If you’ve read the book, feel free to share your thoughts below. Please remember to be respectful of Ms. Williamson and her 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!

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!

Friday Fiction Fix: "Masters and Slayers"

The Short:

Masters and Slayers

(Tales of Starlight Book 1)

By: Bryan Davis

5/5 Stars

What: A fiery sword maiden and chivalrous young man set out to free humans on another world from their dragon captors.

Recommended to those who like: loosely-Christian, fantasy/sci-fi blend, sword fights, dragons, good world building.

Not recommended for those who dislike: More mature subject matter (nothing inappropriate, but definitely more suited to young adults and up)

The Long:

If you like dragon books, Mr. Davis is the author for you. Masters and Slayers is book 1 of the Tales of Starlight series for young adults. The series will be a companion to the Dragons of Starlight series, which is intended for more of a teen audience.

                

This is one of the first “adult” fantasy books I’ve seen come from a major Christian publishing house, and it’s well done. While the story is linked in to a previous series for a younger audience, it stands well on its own. If the series succeeds, I think we can look forward to more books that discuss serious subject matter in a Christian speculative fiction context.

                

Seeing as this is a book for mature audiences, it does discuss some more mature subject matter. It isn’t anything inappropriate, but this is a book more suited to older teens, young adults, and adults due to discussion of adult topics such as sexual sin. This, in my opinion, makes the book more believable and adds some new dynamics to the characters that give them depth and realism. Topics are handled from a Christian worldview.

                

The setting is interesting; while some technology is advanced (video tubes activated by genetic material), others lag behind (much of the fighting is done with swords).

Throughout the story, we follow Adrian Masters, a young peasant from the planet Major Four who seems stuck in the old ways of chivalry. His friend Marcelle is a fiery shield maiden who often lets her emotions get the better of her.

               

Together, the two of them secretly are part of a society that wants to travel to Dracon, a planet in their solar system that is supposedly inhabited by dragons. Though few believe the rumors anymore, the legends say that dragons there once took humans from Major Four captive as slaves. They seek to free these slaves and rescue Adrian’s older brother Frederick, who they believe is lost on the other planet.

              

While the story takes some time to build up in action, it becomes a fast read as you progress. You can also tell that the book is supposed to be linked to another book, as the occasional odd reference to minor characters is made. This doesn’t detract very much from the story. The tale has Christian principles and values and many of the characters speak of the “Creator” and the “Code”, but this certainly doesn’t overwhelm the plot.

If you’ve read the book, feel free to share your thoughts below. Please remember to be respectful of Mr. Davis 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!

Friday Fiction Fix: "Shadow Swarm"

The Short:

Shadow Swarm

(An Epic Fantasy Adventure Novel)

By:

D. Robert Pease

4/5 Stars

What: A king, buried centuries earlier, wakes up to find his kingdom under attack.

Recommended to those who like: Fantasy, time-traveling concepts, moderate love element, sword fights, Christian/clean, good world building

Not recommended to those who dislike: long character names

The Long:

Here’s another one I found lurking in the depths of the Amazon database. I was impressed by the originality of the story.

Aberthol awakes in a tomb, with no idea who, where, or what he is. He discovers that he was a king buried centuries before to travel back in time and discover how he might conquer the Shadow Swarm and its captain, the enemies of his kingdom. But something went wrong—he doesn’t remember anything he learned.

Now, with the Shadow Swarm on his very doorstep, he must escape, try to remember who he is, and bring peace to his kingdom once and for all using a power he doesn’t understand.

The story is a bit on the long side and many of the names are long and difficult to remember. I also found it a bit difficult to relate to Aberthol at times. It may just have been the ebook, but there were also some repeated typographical errors that occasionally interrupted the flow of reading .

However, the story did have a lot of good action and good world building. Mr. Pease’s “species”/races and locations were original, fresh, and vibrant. The action scenes were well done and didn’t drag on or seem to repeat themselves; each battle was unique.

The story does have a love element to it, but it does not overwhelm the book. There is a Christian “feel” to the book, but it certainly doesn’t take over the story and even calling it an allegory is a stretch.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and I would recommend it if you’re looking for something to read over a couple of days.

If you’ve read the book, feel free to share your thoughts below. Please remember to be respectful of Mr. Pease 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!

To those in the U.S., have a safe and blessed Independence Day weekend! See you next week!

Friday Fiction Fix: "Swords of the Six"

The Short:

Swords of the Six

(The Sword of the Dragon, Book 1)

By: Scott Appleton

4/5 Stars

What: A dragon brings six human daughters into the world and tasks them with bringing justice to his six warriors who betrayed him thousands of years before.

Recommended to those who like: Dragons, fantasy

Not recommended for those who dislike: Slower, more narrative plot

The Long:

I’ve long been a fan of any story involving dragons, so I picked this one up at a book fair a while back.

                

The storyline is original and not very predictable, which was a big bonus. Throughout the book, we follow the white dragon and his six human daughters. Dantress, the youngest, is chief among them. 

The dragon was betrayed long ago by five of his six chief warriors ages before. He tasks his daughters with bringing those still alive to justice, as well as to become warriors that will eventually bring justice and peace to the world.

                

I think I would have liked the story more if I had liked the characters more. I really wanted to like Dantress, but it took me some time to become invested in her to the point where I cared about her as a character. The story was strong on plot, but not always as strong on character development, in my opinion. So, if deep character building is a “must” for you to enjoy a story, this might not be the book for you. If you like plot and interesting world building, you will likely enjoy the book.

                

The story has many Christian themes, but these do not overwhelm the story. There is also a minor love element that is worked nicely into the story.

                

I believe Mr. Appleton did a good job with the narrative aspects of this work. Seeing as this is considered a “prequel” to the rest of the series, I’m hoping that the books will continue to improve. I think if we get some more well-rounded characters, the stories will make for gripping reads. 

If you’ve read the book, feel free to share your thoughts below. Please remember to be respectful of Mr. Appleton 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!