Grasping for the Wind

Book Review: Beyond the Summerland by L. B. Graham

I've decided that I need to write book reviews of the books I am reading. Not many critics are willing to really write about fantasy novels, and those that do usually read a chapter or two somewhere in the book and believe they can write critically about it. So, as a solution, I will take up that role.

L.B. Graham's first book, Beyond the Summerland, is a magnificent work. It is the first book in The Binding of the Blade series. An adventure story that is compelling, fast-paced, and full of deep and rich characters, it is a work to rival even the writings of Terry Goodkind or George R.R. Martin. Deep in scope, filled with intimate duels and the clash of armies, it is a work that still maintains a sense of what man is and how his choices lead either to ruin or rejoicing. The race to an exciting and suprising conclusion will leave you hungering for more.

The story is seen primarily through the eyes of Joraiem, a young nobleman of the Novaana, who must journey to the town of Sulare to train and learn with fellow nobles the arts of battle, history, and leadership. But unbeknowst by him, Joraiem has been chosen by the Allfather to become something greater. With a love triangle, shipwreck, and battle with evil races bent on destroying those with faith in Allfather on all sides, Joraiem must use his newfound gifts for the benefit of himself, his friends, and perhaps the entire world of Kirthanin.

The Binding of the Blade

A graduate of Wheaton College, Graham is a teacher living in the St. Louis area. Although his bio gives little information, he writes on his website The Binding of the Blade a series of commentaries on writing that provide knowledge as to his character and why he writes. He is a writer in the tradition of Stephen R. Lawhead or even J.R.R. Tolkien himself.

Beyond the Summerland is the first book in a grand series called The Binding of the Blade. After completing reading this first book and it's sequel Bringer of Storms I am thrilled to find a writer, a Christian writer, who writes fantasy well and doesn't simply use it as a vehicle to preach or proselytize. Althought Graham's worldview is apparent throughout the book in obvious ways (such as leadership of the world belonging to the twelve, a fall from grace by humanity and one of those twelve leaders, and an age of suffering to one day be replaced by an age of Eden) he never falls into the trap of creating a world that replicates our own. Graham's world is a world of his own making, not allegory or a replication of the Bible. He follows the style of Tolkien in creating his own world, as a reflection of the creativity shown by our own heavenly Creator.

Although the story itself is intriguing, it is the deep intricacies of human nature that Graham willingly explores that most make this work a masterpiece of writing. No character is without turmoil, but faith in the Allfather's will is what sees them through even in time of greatest peril. This is a great book to share with middle and high school children that they might gain from story what is so hard to teach through lecture or chastisment as Joraiem and his friends act courageously out of faith in a great God.

A book that will show you love, doubt, hate, revenge, courage and faith, Beyond the Summerland is a book whose suprise ending will leave you begging for more.

And if you would read more, read the sequel, Bringer of Storms a work as fascinating yet greater in scope than even the first.

Posted by John on July 19, 2005 08:32 PM | Posted to Christian SF&F | Fantasy
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