Grasping for the Wind

E-zine Review: Mindflights

Mindflights follows the stated purpose of the publishers “to provide quality fiction, poetry, and exposition, all in means that respects traditional values and Christian principles.” With a layout that looks a bit too much like Myspace for my taste, although without nearly as many ads, Mindflights publishes fiction, poetry, articles and columns on or by Christians in the Science Fiction and Fantasy genre.

While this may seem to be an immediate turn off for some, as it would make the reader feel that the stories are then way to full of an agenda to be enjoyable, let me assure you that this is not the case. Many of the writers who have appeared in Mindflights have gone on to publish stories in several of the anthologies I have reviewed before. Many of the stories I have read have little to no agenda, and have in actuality explored the human condition, much as much SF does today, and to tell adventure stories, or feats of heroism, as is the standard for fantasy fiction.

The editors of Mindflights have worked hard to ensure that the stories and poems contained the ‘zine are good as stories first, and that support the values they espouse second. I think no matter where you come from on the spectrum of belief; you can enjoy a good tale, even when you may not agree with the preconceptions of the author.

As I mentioned before, the layout feels a bit like Myspace, and while the reader can choose from 15 different skins to serve as a background, the backgrounds often overwhelm the content, even on the more subtle skins like skin 6. But the reader should be able to find at least one skin that is not too overwhelming.

Like its predecessors, Dragon, Knights, and Angels and The Sword Review, Mindflights continues to require the reader to make two clicks to get to the full story. While some readers might like this option of getting a preview of the tale before downloading a pdf or reading an entire html file, I have always found the need to double click annoying. This is especially true since there is a synopsis on the homepage for each story. Still, it is not difficult to navigate.

The author submission guidelines are clear and comprehensive, and potential contributors would do well to familiarize themselves with them, as they have significant differences from the standard guidelines of other e-zines. The also have an easy to use submission system that allows for pretty quick and easy feedback. I once submitted an article for their review, and the various editors came back with a fair assessment of why they would choose not to publish my work (the biggest issue being it was a republication of work, not an original piece.)

If you are writer looking for a market for your stories, an artist whose work is not finding a home, or a non-fiction writer trying to break into the market, Mindflights might be a good place to look. It is off the beaten path, but is fair, has a significant readership, and caters to a marketplace (Christians and “values voters” specifically) that is very different from the standard readership of science fiction and fantasy. It’s worth a look.

This review is part of the Christian SF&F Blog Tour, others on the tour include the following:

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Kameron M. Franklin
Beth Goddard
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Michael Heald
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Terri Main
Margaret
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Pamela Morrisson
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Mirtika or Mir's Here
Rachelle Sperling
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Robert Treskillard
Linda Wichman
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise

Christianity in Space: An Interview with Chris Walley

Chris Walley is the author of The Lamb Among the Stars a series set in the far future that has a unique setting. His novel discusses good and evil within the context of Christian understanding, something very unlike its contemporaries. Walley was kind enough to answer of a few of my questions about his series, his life as a geologist, and the relationship between science and faith. (You can read my review of his first book here.)

Grasping for the Wind: Tell us a little bit about the genesis of your speculative fiction trilogy, The Lamb Among the Stars. Where did the idea come from?

Chris Walley: I was converted into a Christianity of the sort of reformed tradition that took the Puritans seriously. I was intrigued that many of them held the view that there would be a great and long time of blessing before the End came. As I thought about that the question came to me ‘what it would be like to be at the end of such a Golden Age?’ At the time, I was working in Beirut during the civil war and issues of good and evil were brutally on the agenda. Finally one day, I had this image of my hero walking across the wintery landscape of a made world and things started to come together. But it’s been a long haul!

GFTW: Christians writing science fiction is a rare thing. Why do you think this is?

CW: I don't think it should be a rare thing, but I agree it seems to be. I am very concerned that, unlike our ancestors, many Christians have rather given up on any sort of future. Indeed, there is a slightly despairing mood around that basically says ‘all we need to do is hang on until the Rapture’. Well the end may be imminent – I will be delighted to be wrong – but my reading of Scripture is that we are to prepare for the long haul. We have also become scared of science. Shame on us!

GFTW: On the blog Speculative Faith, you have claimed that science can do a great job in explaining spiritual matters. How is this so?

CW: I think there are several reasons why science is of help. The first is that even if they do not understand science (how many of us can explain the principles on which a cellphone, GPS or even an aircraft operate?) people acknowledge that it must be true because it works. In doing so the great agnostic argument ‘I cannot believe in your God because I cannot understand him’ is undermined. The second reason is that the world revealed by science is very complex and very strange. After you have read anything of modern physics the doctrine of the Trinity or predestination seems far less problematic. A third and related reason is that science is enormously humbling.

GFTW: You are a geologist and teacher by trade. Why did you feel called to study what we here in the US often call “Rocks for Jocks”?

CW: Actually, I never felt ‘called’ to study geology. I was not a Christian when I became a geologist, but despite my repeated attempts to be called to the other things (I am quite open to becoming a successful full-time writer!) God has seen fit to keep me in the rock world. There are actually a lot of parallels between geology and writing fiction. To examine a sequence of dull, dusty rocks and conjure up from that some ancient world of steamy swamps and vanished ecosystems is a considerable exercise of imagination.

GFTW: Your science fiction novel The Shadow and Night is deeply philosophical rather than action intensive. Why did you spend so much time exploring the philosophical implications of the entrance of evil into Farholme society?

CW: I hope the ‘deeply philosophical’ isn’t too off-putting! The action increases in the series and by the time we get to the The Infinite Day any philosophy or theology is largely discussed while the characters are either running or reloading. But I am unrepentant about taking time to set the stage in the first volume. One of the problems of the world that we live in is that we have become utterly blasé about evil. We assume that it is normal and it has lost its shock value. What I have tried to do is paint innocence first so that the true nature of evil is made clearer. It is long-felt belief of mine that by relegating evil to truly monstrous men and women doing appalling acts of bloodshed we overlooked the fact that the vast majority of evil is quite undramatic but equally damning.

GFTW: Merral is both deeply flawed and truly heroic. Was his character modeled on anyone in particular?

CW: Merral’s weaknesses are my own; Merral’s heroism is imagined! I have however tried to make him very much an Everyman; a figure that we can all identify with. What is, I think, particularly compelling about Merral is that this is a man who we first meet in a state of innocence who is forced to become the greatest warrior of his age. He never quite loses the horror of having blood on his hands.

GFTW: Why did you have Merral be so dependent on outside help (i.e. Vero, Anya, Perena, the angel of the Lord) for success?

CW: Another fascinating question! Let me suggest two reasons. One of the problems of action novels is that we tend to create heroes with such mighty abilities that they do not need grace. I can't identify with such people and I'm not sure your readers can either. As an aside, they are not actually very interesting creatures. A second reason is the terrible subtlety of evil; how concentrating on a spectacular external evil may cause us to overlook the no less deadly evil within us. Merral’s greatest enemy is always himself.

GFTW: Did you find it difficult to mesh the science (which is based in what we know in 2008) of the Made Worlds with the Christian culture of the Assembly when you were writing?

CW: Handling advanced science is very difficult. I first started drafting ideas for the first novel 20 years ago, and some of the technology I dreamed of then is now available in the shops today! I have actually largely minimised science innovations; one of the great emphases of the Assembly is that it has a great deal of caution about science and technology. Someone has commented that the Assembly are the ‘Amish in Space’; it's not entirely true, but there is something in it. So other than travel between stars through Gates and gravity modification there is very little that is new in the Assembly technology. However as readers soon find out, there are other cultures about who have no such limits.

GFTW: What can you tell us about how the story progresses in The Dark Foundations and The Infinite Day?

CW: Well I'm not going to give you any plot spoilers, but rest assured that soon enough the action comes fast and furious. There is also a progressive escalation of scale. We start off in a quiet, cosy rural world where nothing has happened and we end up with bloody battles in a war that involves a trillion people and a distance of 600 light years. Someone made the off-the-cuff comment that he thought the series was as if C. S. Lewis had written Star Wars. It’s a bizarre thought, but I take it as a compliment and a reflection on the scale of what happens. What I can promise is that evil is defeated but it is not defeated easily. A price is paid.

GFTW: What speculative fiction novels would you recommend other than Tolkien or Lewis?

CW: Ah, here you have embarrassed me! Because I had always had to squeeze my writing into my spare time I have not read as much as I should of late. Where I have read fantasy recently, I have been rather disappointed. Modern British fantasy, for instance, tends to be either dark and gloomy. That’s partly why I write my own tales! I've promised myself that some day I will go into my local bookshop and buy a great pile of speculative fiction. But in the past I’ve enjoyed both Arthur C. Clarke and Asimov – his Foundation trilogy in particular is a great story and probably a subtle influence on my own works.

GFTW: Any parting thoughts?

CW: Only to say that I'm grateful for all the questions. Writing is a lonely pastime, and sometimes you need external questions to make you think about what you're actually doing and trying to achieve. Oh and if anybody reads the books and wants to comment or contact me they can get me either on what is now becoming a pretty well populated facebook fan site [http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2216305373] or via my own website [www.chriswalley.net].

This interview is part of the February 2008 CSFF Blog Tour. Other participants include:

Brandon Barr; Jim Black; Justin Boyer; Grace Bridges; Jackie Castle; Carol Bruce Collett ; Valerie Comer; CSFF Blog Tour; Gene Curtis; D. G. D. Davidson; Chris Deanne; Janey DeMeo; Jeff Draper; April Erwin; Marcus Goodyear; Rebecca Grabill ; Jill Hart; Katie Hart; Michael Heald; Timothy Hicks; Christopher Hopper; Heather R. Hunt; Jason Joyner; Kait; Carol Keen; Mike Lynch; Margaret; Rachel Marks; Shannon McNear; Melissa Meeks; Rebecca LuElla Miller; Mirtika or Mir's Here; Pamela Morrisson; Eve Nielsen; John W. Otte; John Ottinger; Deena Peterson; Rachelle; Steve Rice; Ashley Rutherford; Chawna Schroeder; James Somers; Rachelle Sperling; Donna Swanson; Steve Trower; Speculative Faith; Robert Treskillard; Jason Waguespac; Laura Williams; Timothy Wise

Book Review: The Shadow and Night by Chris Walley

* Genre: Science Fiction
* ISBN: 1414313276
* ISBN-13: 9781414313276
* Format: Hardcover, 640pp
* Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
* Pub. Date: October 2006
* Series: The Lamb Among the Stars
* Read the First Chapter
* Read an interview with Chris Walley

AMAZING! There is simply no other word to describe Chris Walley’s speculative fiction novel The Shadow and Night. I just could not put this one down. Actually a combination of two books previously published, The Shadow and Night is the first novel in a three part trilogy called the Lamb Among the Stars (originally published in four volumes). Walley spent many years perfecting this series, and his efforts have born fruit in this grand space opera.

In The Shadow and Night mankind has reached the stars. But he has found that only Earth supports any life beyond the minutest of single-celled organisms. Yet man has learned to make worlds suitable for his own life. Due to what is know as the Great Intervention (a spiritual revival of humanity in which all come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ) a great peace has existed for eleven centuries. During this time, Earth and all the many Made Worlds have prospered so that mankind serves one another in peace and love, and evil (as we know it) is a thing of the past. On the far edge of the universe, the Made World Farholme has only just begun its young life.

Merral is a young forester on the Made World of Farholme. In the course of his duties, he comes across some very strange occurrences. Strange, alien beasts are seen on the surface of Farholme, and human beings begin to act strangely, cruelly toward each other, shattering the peace that has existed for millennia. And then the unthinkable happens, and contact with the other worlds is lost. Merral is forced to a take on the mantle of leader, a title for which he is gifted but that he despairs to take.

The Shadow and Night is told entirely from Merral’s perspective. Merral’s inner struggles and outward failures and successes become our own. Walley has excellently crafted a man of great ability but who is flawed at his very core. This is a character anyone with the least humility can identify as themselves. He is a man who understands evil as a concept, but when forced to experience it firsthand, almost crumples under the strain. Merral is an exceptionally compelling character, and I read on mostly because I wanted to know how Merral would deal with the philosophical and physical conundrums Walley forces him to experience.

The novel is long at over 600 pages so reading it is not for the faint of heart. Walley has also chosen to build a slow tension for his story, rather than leaping from action sequence to action sequence. I think some readers might find this dull, although his character study was so intense and engrossing, that I didn’t feel the loss. He takes time to ponder the effect of events on his characters, and to have them grapple and wrestle with philosophy, although in a practical way. For instance, when faced with evil, at what point should a person fight against it, and at what point is diplomacy in order? When confronted with temptations, how should a person react? These are struggles Merral goes through, and to a lesser extent his supporting characters, but it is Merral who we most identify with.

As I have said, there is little action in the story. The story takes place on the planet of Farholme (in a sense reminding me of the way Dune takes place on only one planet) and has little space action. There are three big action sequences, so readers look for epic space battles or hand to hand combat will be disappointed. The Shadow and Night is about the battle between good and evil, mostly within yourself, especially in the face of evil circumstances. It is this that drives the plot. The slow build of the tension only makes the final confrontation all the more epic.

There are some predictable elements. There is an obvious set-up for a particular character to be killed, but I still felt the loss. Walley also overuses the word “suddenly”. As I would read the sentences with the word in it, I felt that many times he could have done without and have been just as effective in communicating his point, sometimes even more so. Some of the early dialogue is a bit wooden, but as the characters deepen from two dimensions to three during the narrative, this feeling disappears.

Some readers will also take exception at the explicitly Christian nature of the novel. Walley creates a setting in which all people believe in the Christian view of Heaven and Hell, and believe in the salvation offered by Jesus Christ. The setting is based in a Christian postmillennial view of history, but the novel is not proselytizing in any way. (For more on the belief system he uses, check out “Puritans in Space”.) Walley himself stated “the purpose of this book is not to open a theological debate nor engage in ‘fictionalized theology’; it is simply to sue this as a setting for a grand tale.” (from an accompanying letter to the book) And I think that he has truly fulfilled that goal. In its way, this novel is no more proselytizing than any book written by a secularist or agnostic. It is simply a narrative that uses one of the great beliefs of our day to create a setting and story set far into the future.

Walley, a geologist and teacher, also weaves great science into the story. His machines are believable, and the science behind them solid. The Shadow and Night weaves religion and science together so that there is continuity between the two. With the culture he has set up, the scientific feats of Farholme make sense. He is also very descriptive, drawing on his Welsh heritage to write a novel as filled with description as the sagas of the ancient Celts. Although perhaps not as poetic as those sagas, his writing shows a love of the land and nature.

This is a not a fast paced novel by any means. Yet, I couldn’t put it down. I sped through the pages, desperate to find out what was to happen to Merral and Vero, Anya and Perena. Walley builds the tension so slowly and subtly, it is like reading a John Grisham thriller. When the final culmination of events came, I was literally sitting upright on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this novel. The Shadow and Night is a literary speculative fiction novel, and needs to be read by anyone trying to understand “the need to fight evil without becoming evil” (from an accompanying letter to the book). The Shadow and Night is a tale that fans of authors like George R. R. Martin, Ursula K. LeGuin, and Frank Herbert are sure to enjoy, if not agree with philosophically. This book is a must read for all science fiction fans.

This review is part of the February 2008 CSFF Blog Tour. Other participants include:

Brandon Barr; Jim Black; Justin Boyer; Grace Bridges; Jackie Castle; Carol Bruce Collett ; Valerie Comer; CSFF Blog Tour; Gene Curtis; D. G. D. Davidson; Chris Deanne; Janey DeMeo; Jeff Draper; April Erwin; Marcus Goodyear; Rebecca Grabill ; Jill Hart; Katie Hart; Michael Heald; Timothy Hicks; Christopher Hopper; Heather R. Hunt; Jason Joyner; Kait; Carol Keen; Mike Lynch; Margaret; Rachel Marks; Shannon McNear; Melissa Meeks; Rebecca LuElla Miller; Mirtika or Mir's Here; Pamela Morrisson; Eve Nielsen; John W. Otte; John Ottinger; Deena Peterson; Rachelle; Steve Rice; Ashley Rutherford; Chawna Schroeder; James Somers; Rachelle Sperling; Donna Swanson; Steve Trower; Speculative Faith; Robert Treskillard; Jason Waguespac; Laura Williams; Timothy Wise

The Manga Bible

Found out about this today. I should have seen it coming. Still, it might be interesting to take a look at it, even if it seems a little off the wall. The Manga Bible is a new product from Doubleday that is trying to bring the Bible relevance, especially to young folks who like Manga style books.

The New York Times article says that:

In the Manga Bible, whose heroes look and sound like skateboarders in Bedouin gear, Noah gets tripped up counting the animals in the Ark: “That’s 11,344 animals? Arggh! I’ve lost count again. I’m going to have to start from scratch!”

Abraham rides a horse out of an explosion to save Lot. Og, king of Bashan, looms like an early Darth Vader. The Sermon on the Mount did not make the book, though, because there was not enough action to it."

Personally I think while it might be entertaining to read (I mean the Bible is chock full of sex and violence, its like Terry Goodkind on steroids) it is sacrificing relevance for truth in a lot of cases. And it isn't complete anyway.

So would you read it? The US edition only costs $12.95.

What do you think of the idea of a Manga Bible?

Book Review: Bound by Iron by Edward Bolme

* Genre: Fantasy, Shared World Fiction
* ISBN: 0786942649
* ISBN-13: 9780786942640
* Format: Mass Market Paperback, 310pp
* Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
* Pub. Date: April 2007
* Series: Inquisitives Series

In Bound by Iron, Edward Bolme has written some unique characters in a plot with a surprising ending for this stand alone novel. In a story reminiscent of a John Grisham thriller, Bound by Iron begins with a murder and leads the heroes into a web of lies, deceit, and greed. Bound by Iron is the first novel in Eberron’s Inquisitives series.

Bolme’s inquisitives are three characters, acquaintances, who are working together to solve the murder of Torval Ellinger. Torval was a former Karnnathi soldier and member of the elite Iron Band company whose body washed up at the Korth docks. The story takes place two years after the end of the Last War. The primary character, Cimozjen is a former Iron Band leader who has the unfortunate luck of discovering the murder. Initially thought to be the culprit, he is exonerated and teams up with Minrah, an elven free lance journalist and extremely observant person. Finally, there is Four, a warforged that the two of them pick up during the search for the murderer of Torval.

Bolme explores the themes of justice, honor and righteousness in this novel. Cimozjen is a paladin, a warrior of the Sovereign Host whose sense of right and wrong is strong. Minrah the journalist, on the other hand, is what is often called a “chaotic good” character. She does not do evil things, but will do whatever it takes to get what she wants, especially in pursuit of a story, even to the point of putting her companions in harm’s way. Four, the warforged, provides a tabula rasa that the other two characters are trying to imprint with their own values. Each character walks away from the story being changed, for better or worse by their contact with each other.

At several points in the novel, Minrah and Cimozjen argue about truth and what is right. Cimozjen is a paladin, but he believes that his faith is freeing, not constraining. Minrah on the other hand, is a free woman, willing to sleep around, lie, and connive to get her story. The two have several debates about pragmatism versus doing the right thing, especially after Minrah tries to seduce Cimozjen, who is a married man. This was an element of the story I thought moved it beyond simple entertainment into the philosophical. Four would often cut in with a humorous comment at the end of Cimozjen and Minrah’s arguments, to add a little levity to the interchanges.

In Bound by Iron Bolme uses, to great effect, flashbacks to Cimozjen and Torval’s time together in the Iron Band. This gives the reader a more heartfelt connection between Cimozjen and the murdered Torval, and provides a reasonable explanation for Cimozjen’s drive to seek justice for his murdered comrade. Bolme also chose not to enter the mind of any of the villains, but only to sequentially tell the story as the three main characters experienced it. Additionally, while Bolme continues to subscribe to the theory that sometimes, things “just happen” in a story his coincidences are better tied into the story than in The Orb of Xoriat. When a key clue is discovered simply due to the characters walking about town, this seems unlikely but plausible. What before could be dismissed as deus ex machina in Bolme’s writing is not so easily labeled as such anymore.

Some readers will find the ending disappointing, but I thought it fit neatly in with the characters Bolme had created. They followed their beliefs to the end, even if that provided for an ending that was anything but the crowning of the hero. In a way, Bolme was reflecting the reality of the situation whenever a crime is committed. The resolution or punishment is never truly satisfying, and never really ends the evil.

This novel was a more enjoyable read that Bolme’s The Orb of Xoriat. The story has better continuity and the characters are more well-developed. I readily identified with Cimozjen and his quest for righteousness and justice, and his unwillingness to always be pragmatic. On the flip side, Minrah’s pragmatism did lead to some success. Four the warforged provided some humorous moments since he had no social graces and limited language skills.

I liked this Eberron novel. Some readers may find the dialogue a little contrived, but I didn’t. The mystery aspect of it was simple, so fans looking for fantasy noir won’t like this novel. It does give a soldier’s eye view of some of the major events of the Last War on the Eberron world. Cimozjen and Torval’s comradeship was a well-written aspect of the story, and in a way reminded me of Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front in the way it delved into the mind of the front-line soldier, if in a more simplified way. Even with the philosophical aspect, it was still a good adventure story with lots of sword action. Bound by Iron is a fun reading diversion. Its unique characters, unusual ending, and detailed fight scenes gave hours of reading enjoyment.

Christian UFOlogist?

Interesting discussion going on over at Worldmagblog, where writer Lynn Vincent discusses her encounter with a UFO and her Christian beliefs. The top comment also has a link to a lecture by a self identified Christian UFOlogist named Michael Heiser who is also a credible academic and author of a novel about Area 51, UFO's and the like called The Facade.

This has kind of been on my mind lately because I am currently reading The Shadow and Night by Chris Walley, an explicitly Christian science fiction novel set eleven thousand years in the future, which so far is absolutely engrossing. Nice to know others struggle with such strange things. After all, how does a Christian write about alien races or genetic science without seeming to be anti-science?

Weaving the Colors: An Interview with Jeffrey Overstreet

In one of the most enjoyable and well-answered interviews I have ever done, Jeffrey Overstreet has covered the gamut of topics from his debut novel Auralia's Colors to Christians in fiction to review writing methods. (Here is my review of his debut novel.) I hope you enjoy his thoughts as much as I did. For more of his thoughts, check out his oft posted to blog.

Grasping for the Wind: How did you become a fan of fantasy fiction, and why did you choose to write in this particular genre?

Jeffrey Overstreet: Do you remember those “long-playing records” that Walt Disney produced for each of their movies? You’d put the needle to the record and listen to a narrator tell the story, while excerpts from the movie’s soundtrack gave the characters distinct voices. That’s how I learned to read — listening to those records over and over again, on a plastic Mickey Mouse turntable. The needle was right under Mickey’s index finger on this plastic arm.

Most of those Disney stories were fairy tales. My family didn’t watch much television, and we didn’t go out for entertainment. So I found drama sitting in my room and listening to Pinocchio and Winnie the Pooh and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

Around the time I turned seven, my neighborhood librarian took me up to the next level, introducing me to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, and Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain. Then came Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings (I’d read it through more than once by the time I was 10), and Richard Adams’ Watership Down, which remains my favorite novel.

I write fantasy today because those stories — whimsical and wild as they are — continue to speak meaningfully to me, as much as any more “realistic” or sophisticated art. Fantasy explores spiritual mysteries through metaphor, giving shape to ideas that we can’t easily express with everyday stuff. We invent fairies, monsters, elves, trolls, dragons, and magic beans to give shape to ideas and virtues and fears and wonders. And that helps us live more fully, engaging with realities beyond what we can see and hear and touch.

GFTW: Before writing Auralia’s Colors you were widely acclaimed for your movie-going memoir Through a Screen Darkly. Why did you choose to write a book about the simple pleasure of going to the movies?

Overstreet: Movies, like fairy tales, have had an enormous influence in my life, shaping ideas, inspiring questions, giving me an appreciation for beauty, and helping me understand how the world looks to my neighbors (who have often had very different experiences).

I grew up in a rather conservative community in which moviegoing was viewed as a suspicious, dangerous, “worldly” activity. But I also came to see that when we cut ourselves off from art for fear of “contamination,” we lose one of the greatest gifts humanity has to enjoy, something that helps us understand each other, something that humbles and inspires us.

So I wanted to share my own story about how movies have changed my life, how conversations with moviegoers, movie makers and movie stars have taught me a great deal about art and life. It was also a way to write a thorough answer to those who send me emails demanding to know how I can call myself a Christian and still be an enthusiastic fan of filmmakers like Woody Allen, Paul Thomas Anderson, Martin Scorsese, and Krzysztof Kieslowski.

GFTW: Auralia’s Colors, your debut novel, is a fantasy with echoes of the traditional fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm or Hans Christian Andersen. Like their stories, your story is also an allegory. What moral or cultural truth are you trying to convey to your readers?

Overstreet: I’m glad you find echoes of fairy tales there. I suppose that’s inevitable, since I grew up on those stories.

But I don’t consider Auralia’s Colors to be an allegory at all. I did not intend to teach moral lessons or write a commentary on culture. I imagined a different world, threw in some characters, and then I started asking “What if?” The characters then led me into a story I hadn’t expected.

Now, that doesn’t mean readers won’t find anything meaningful in the story. The story reveals all kinds of things—and that just goes to show that art sometimes knows more than the artist. The characters in Auralia’s Colors are struggling with questions about freedom, responsibility, power, faith, and art. But I didn’t conspire to put any lessons in there. I discovered them after I stood back and thought about the story I’d written. I keep hearing from readers who are finding implications in the story I’ve never considered. That’s exciting.

I get bored with stories that can be boiled down to a simple meaning. In an allegory, characters are really just symbols. And the reader starts solving the puzzle: “Okay, so this character represents Jesus, this one represents Satan, this one represents a Christian, this one represents Judas, etc.” Allegories are like algebra. I’m more interested in storytelling. I do not have any characters that represent Jesus or God or anybody. Certain characters might behave in a Christ-like manner, or in a devilish way, just as many different characters in everything from The Lord of the Rings to Harry Potter to Buffy the Vampire Slayer have moments of Christ-likeness. But Auralia isn’t Jesus. The Keeper isn’t God.

GFTW: Much of your prose reads like poetry. A lot of the book is given over to descriptions of sight and sound, smell and touch. Why did you focus so much on the sensory aspects of your tale?

Overstreet: I grew up reading stories that had musical, poetic language. Literature wasn’t just meant to be read — it was meant to be read out loud. I want to write paragraphs that taste good and sound good.

Also, I’ve learned that natural beauty can make even the most ridiculous movie worth watching. I believe that nature “speaks.” I believe that the things God made mean something. It makes a difference if Auralia is running through a forest instead of a field or a canyon. And it matters what kind of forest that might be, what trees are there, what they smell like, and what colors are in their leaves.

When I read a story in which the author has paid attention to those details, I feel a much more powerful sense of immersion within that world. I’ve read a lot of forgettable fantasy novels. But I go back to Tolkien’s Middle-Earth, Patricia McKillip’s The Book of Atrix Wolfe, Richard Adams’ Watership Down, and Mark Helprin’s Winter’s Tale, because I feel like I’ve lived in those places.

GFTW: You are a vocal Christian who is unafraid to make your beliefs known. What effect has this had on the reception of Auralia’s Colors both in the Christian and secular marketplace?

Overstreet: It’s too early to say, I think. I’m encouraged, because I’m getting mail from all kinds of readers, all ages, and very different worldviews. Some Christians write stories to “present the Gospel” or “convey a message,” but I don’t. Some people write for Christian readers; I don’t. I want to write books that I would have enjoyed reading, and that I think others will enjoy. I think everybody likes a good story. People are drawn to excellence.

If there is some truth to a work of art, or some beauty, poetry, and passion — that’s can give the audience an encounter with God, even in the artist doesn’t believe in God. I’ve read an awful lot of Christian books that were poorly written, derivative, boring, and sloppy. That doesn’t do me any good. And my faith has been encouraged and transformed by artists who would never call themselves Christians. It doesn’t matter much who is writing the story — it’s the story that matters. It doesn’t matter what color that candle’s made of — it’s the light and the heat the draws people in. You’ve probably heard it said, “All truth is God’s truth.” I would add that all beauty is beautiful because it reflects God’s glory.

I hope that Auralia’s Colors has enough in its pages to give people an engaging and meaningful experience. We’ll see what happens.

GFTW: What effect does your Christian faith have on your writing?

Overstreet: Because I believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead after we killed him, I believe that there’s hope, even hope that death does not have the final word. I believe there’s meaning in the world around me. I believe that there are, as Hamlet said, “powers in heaven and earth” that we cannot fathom.

If I believe those things, how can I write a story that isn’t hopeful? I would have to tell a lie. I can’t help but write stories in which there are powers greater than the characters, powers in conflict.

But no, I don’t deliberately write “Christian stories”, just as I don’t bake “Christian cookies.” I just want to write a good story. And I think all good stories draw us because they reflect God’s glory… even if they’re shelved somewhere outside the “Religion” section at Barnes and Noble.

GFTW: Your novel lacks any clearly defined “evil” characters or clearly defined “good” characters. Why did you avoid the standard good vs. evil theme of fantasy?

Overstreet All of my favorite stories avoid dividing their characters into false categories of “Good Guys” and “Bad Guys.” I don’t believe in “Good” and “Bad” people.

I believe that all of us were designed by God, in God’s image, and that we have “eternity written in our hearts.” That means that everybody will give evidence of goodness in some way, even the worst villains.

But I also believe that we are all broken, deceived, and depraved in our appetites. Thus, even the best heroes will have moments of doubt, make mistakes, and sometimes behave irresponsibly.

When we insist on stories in which there are “bad people,” and suggest that the solution is the elimination of those “bad people,” that can carry over into devastating behavior in the real world. We live in a culture that perpetually abuses labels and categories for the sake of judging other people. Genocides begin with the idea that we can divide people into the “good” and the “bad.”

Now, in stories for small children, I think it’s useful to have simplistic “good guys and bad guys” because you are giving children figures that represent fears they must overcome, or virtues they should strive to imitate. But when storytelling becomes more sophisticated, it’s important to discourage any interpretations that will cause people to judge others and exalt themselves.

GFTW: My favorite quote from the novel is on page 254. “You want a gift from the king? Hear this: if you allow Abascar freedom, some people will choose what they shouldn’t. … But take away that freedom, and no one has opportunity to choose what they should.” Why is having a choice so important?

Overstreet: Wow, that’s a question that would take a book to answer! Here are a few thoughts:

In Auralia’s world, the king and queen of House Abascar take away their people’s power of creative expression. And they also forbid them to tell certain stories. The people of Abascar become resentful, because they are not able to ask certain questions, investigate mysteries, and express the mysteries within themselves. They can’t be human.

The king tells them that the world outside is dangerous, so he makes them stay inside the walls. And the world is dangerous. But if the people are forced to obey the king, without any choice in the matter, they have no chance to develop discernment. And worse, when they become afraid of the world around them, they become starved for beauty. Sure, they might be safer from some dangers inside of Abascar’s walls, but by walling themselves off from the world they’re creating an enclosed space, and new dangers will arise and flourish within that space. Worse, the people remove their chances of making a difference beyond the walls, so the world outside just spirals out of control.

It reminds me a bit of my own experience growing up. I was taught to avoid the world beyond the church because there were so many temptations out there. But as a result, my Christian community became rather isolated and had very little effect on the surrounding culture. We talked about “loving our neighbors,” but in truth, we were repulsed by our neighbors and we tried to create a society in which we could live apart from them. And guess what? Temptations and sins of all kinds festered within that community, so we were fooling ourselves by thinking we could withdraw from “the sinful world.”

We need freedom. And yes, freedom is dangerous, which is why we also need to be responsible and discerning.

GFTW: The ale boy, one of your primary and perhaps most interesting characters, lacks even a name. Why did you choose to make him nameless throughout the novel?

Overstreet: The reason is rather simple: I liked the sound of it.

It kindled my curiosity. And while some storytellers like to solve of the mysteries for the reader, I prefer reading books that leave mysteries, big and small, for me to ponder. This is one of those small mysteries in Auralia’s world.

As I began to write Auralia’s Colors, the ale boy was a minor character. My friend Danny Walter is an actor who pays close attention to characters and their voices. He started asking me questions about the ale boy. I started exploring possibilities, and realized that the ale boy had a much bigger part to play in the story.

I’m finishing the sequel, Cyndere’s Midnight, and I’m still discovering more about the ale boy. He has a particular call that he’s following, and it’s leading him into some rather horrifying places.

GFTW: What has been your favorite reaction to Auralia’s Colors from a reader or critic?

Overstreet That’s a tough question. I’ve been bowled over by the enthusiasm in the letters I’m receiving.

I thought I had made up the name “Auralia.” I experimented with combinations of letters from other names and words I like: aura, Laura, Leah. But then I received a letter from someone named Auralia. She bought the book simply because her name was on the cover! She informed me that the name means “golden lion of God.” That kind of freaked me out. I had no idea.

I had to chuckle when a fellow at Amazon gave the book a low rating because it reminded him of the writing of George Macdonald. Hey, I’ll take that as a compliment!

But my favorite responses have come from two extraordinary artists whose work has not received the kind of attention it deserves. They both wrote to say that they felt related to Auralia, because of her relentless creativity and her frustrations at how others take what she does for granted. That made the whole project worthwhile.

GFTW: What can you tell us about the sequel to Auralia’s Colors, Cyndere’s Midnight?

Overstreet: You could call it my version of Beauty and the Beast. But my version has two beauties and a whole pack of beasts.

Auralia’s Colors focuses on House Abascar. Cyndere’s Midnight takes you into a world of monsters — the ruins of House Cent Regus, where people have fallen under a curse that turns them into murderous beasts. You’ll catch glimpses of these beastmen in Auralia’s story, and you’ll learn about the mysterious monster who crept into Auralia’s hideaway in the first book.

It’s also about House Bel Amica, the wealthy and powerful society beside the sea. You’ll meet the heiress to the throne, Cyndere. Cyndere has the scandalous idea that there is a better way to deal with the beastmen than just hunting and killing them.

Things get out of control quickly when Auralia’s Colors bring together the heiress and a beastman, as well as the ale boy, Cyndere’s beautiful helper Emeriene, an ambitious soldier named Ryllion, and that dreamer from House Abascar named Cal-raven.

GFTW: Beyond the usual authors recommended (like Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Madeline L’Engle) whose works would you recommend that fantasy enthusiasts read?

Overstreet: When I first read Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin, I was enthralled. And I ended up marrying the woman who first recommended it to me. It’s set in New York, but it’s a New York so richly imagined that it’s a whole new wonderland. Helprin writes so beautifully that it could make you want to just give up writing.

I love the way Guy Gavriel Kay tells a story. In books like Sailing to Sarantium and The Lions of Al-Rassan, he imagines new worlds, but they’re firmly rooted in the details of actual human history. He gives us many different perspectives on a single world, from the rich to the poor, the young to the old. That is not only creative, but it’s compassionate. It trains us to consider other people’s perspectives, which is good for our hearts.

I also recommend Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast, for his exaggerated, spectacular descriptions; Mary Doria Russell’s The Sparrow, a powerful work of “theological science fiction”; and a little-known story by Michael Ende called Momo, which is a fairy tale just waiting for someone to turn it into a fantastic feature film.

GFTW: As a professional movie critic, what advice would you give to people (such as myself) on the best way to critique a work of art like movies or literature?

Overstreet: I spend quite a few pages in Through a Screen Darkly telling stories about what I’ve learned about writing film reviews. And I’ve included a guide there for movie discussion groups. I highly recommend starting a movie discussion group. We learn a lot about each other when we compare our responses to a work of art.

There are a lot of questions to consider when watching a movie, or reading a book for that matter: Don’t just ask, “Did you like it?” Talk about what worked and what didn’t. Ask what the artist’s intentions seemed to be, and then weigh whether you thought those goals were achieved. Consider the film’s intended audience: Who are they, how old are they, and will this film serve them? Consider the technical aspects of the film: Whose performance was memorable, and why? What did the filmmaker’s choices regarding color, design, editing, and music do for the film? Did anything in the work draw too much attention to itself?

But I’d also encourage people to examine their own feelings about the film. It may have been powerful, but did it reveal anything true? If it was disturbing, why did it disturb you? Was it a film condoning evil, or was it exposing evil so we can understand both good and evil better? Did it make you feel good? If so, how? Was it sentimental, or honest? Was it telling us what we want to hear, or was it telling the truth? Did it preach its message, or did it show us something and let us think for ourselves?

GFTW: Any parting thoughts or comments?

Overstreet: If anyone is interested in discussing Auralia’s Colors… or movies for that matter… everyone is invited to visit me at LookingCloser.org. That’s where you’ll find my archive of film reviews, and my blog, which I update almost every day.

GFTW: Thanks for taking the time.

For more, read Fantasy Debut's Interview with Jeffrey Overstreet.

This post is part of the CSFF blog tour for January 2008. Read posts from these other participants in the tour:

Brandon Barr Jim Black Justin Boyer Grace Bridges Jackie Castle Carol Bruce Collett Valerie Comer CSFF Blog Tour D. G. D. Davidson Chris Deanne Jeff Draper April Erwin Marcus Goodyear Andrea Graham Jill Hart Katie Hart Timothy Hicks Heather R. Hunt Becca Johnson Jason Joyner Kait Karen Carol Keen Mike Lynch Margaret Rachel Marks Shannon McNear Melissa Meeks Rebecca LuElla Miller Mirtika or Mir's Here Pamela Morrisson Eve Nielsen John W. Otte John Ottinger Deena Peterson Rachelle Steve Rice Cheryl Russel Ashley Rutherford Hanna Sandvig Chawna Schroeder James Somers Rachelle Sperling Donna Swanson Steve Trower Speculative Faith Jason Waguespac Laura Williams Timothy Wise

(Photos © Fritz Liedtke or Jeffrey Overstreet)

Book Review: Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet

* Genre: Fantasy
* ISBN: 1400072522
* ISBN-13: 9781400072521
* Format: Paperback, 336pp
* Publisher: WaterBrook Press
* Pub. Date: September 2007
* Series: Auralia Strand Series
* My Interview with Jeffrey Overstreet

In the story of Esther, a young woman marries a king and changes the kingdom for the better, at least in the case of the Jews, the lowest caste. Auralia’s Colors, by Jeffrey Overstreet, is reminiscent of this story from the Old Testament. As with Esther, Auralia is a young woman of beauty and talent that changes the society that shuns her so much that it can never return to the way it was.

Overstreet, a nonfiction writer known for his movie reviews and perspectives on art and entertainment, has turned to fantasy for his first foray into fiction. A psychological and emotional story, Auralia’s Colors tells the story of Auralia, a foundling gifted with the ability to weave the items of the forest into beautiful cloths. House Abascar’s attempt at creating equality by removing colored items from all people and only distributing it by the king’s favor has only deepened the gulf between the poor and the rich. People have become more selfish as they have sought to curry the King’s favor an the caste system has only become more deeply striated. Auralia’s ability with color upsets all that the people of Abascar had come to know in the last twenty years since color had been outlawed, and this fragile house, led by a drunken king, is unlikely to withstand the torrent her power unleashes.

More a series of character studies than a comprehensive novel, the narrative follows Prince Cal-raven, his betrothed Stricia, the ale boy, Auralia, and a few others as the seek to live in the deeply broken society of House Abascar. Each character suffers under various pressures and each reacts differently. Some rise to heroism, some devolve into selfishness, and some becoming something more than they thought they were, and all because Auralia had walked through their lives.

The novel focuses on the emotions and reactions of the characters not description of the events that occur. I felt that the narrative was thinly woven together and that I didn’t really know what was going on throughout the story. It made the narrative seem broken and disjointed, as most the action was seen only through a veil of thick emotion, making it harder to understand what was going on. Overstreet prefers to use metaphor and simile to describe what is going on, rather than using direct description. This gives the novel the feel of poetry, but for those readers who are dense with poetry, this is more frustrating than entertaining. Additionally, Auralia’s Colors has lots of things happen, but it seems as if Overstreet kept changing his mind as to what story he was trying to tell. Is it the story of the ale boy? Or Auralia? Or Prince Cal-raven? I couldn’t tell, and the lack of clearly defined hero or heroine was unexpected and difficult for me as a reader. In fantasy, writers usually have a clearly defined evil, and a clearly defined good, even when an anti-hero drives the narrative. Auralia’s Colors is weaving together several lives into a garment of brilliant colors that will change the future of House Abascar irrevocably. The disconnected threads of the story are only brought together in the final few chapters.

But some readers may like this fact. It is often very hard for people to know what is evil and what is good. When should a subject break a king’s laws? At what point has benevolence moved into dictatorship? And is it the place of the king to create equality among his subjects? Overstreet brings this third question to the fore on page 254, “You want a gift from the king? Hear this: if you allow Abascar freedom, some people will choose what they shouldn’t. … But take away that freedom, and no one has opportunity to choose what they should.”

If as a reader you are looking for a philosophical novel this book will be good for you. It addresses themes of right and wrong, government and the people, hope and despair. But it should not be a book the reader picks up expecting to read quickly or easily. It will make its readers think and will challenge them as they turn the pages.

Auralia’s Colors is very well-written. Although its narrative seemed to lack cohesion (it doesn't, it just seems to) for its majority, the questions about life it raises are worth exploring. Although none of the characters are particularly compelling, the interplay between them is. The tapestry woven through their stories is beautiful and is completed through a cataclysmic event that brings all the threads together. The descriptions have the feel of poetry and the narrative is vibrant with color. Auralia’s Colors is the first in a series of books that weave together the threads of different lives, changing the world and society that they are a part of into something completely new. I recommend Auralia’s Colors as a good but challenging read.

You should also read the reviews by Graeme's Fantasy Book Review, Fantasy Debut, Fantasy Book Critic and OF Blog of the Fallen, as their perspectives are quite different from mine.

This post is part of the CSFF blog tour for January 2008. Read posts from these other participants in the tour:

Brandon Barr Jim Black Justin Boyer Grace Bridges Jackie Castle Carol Bruce Collett Valerie Comer CSFF Blog Tour D. G. D. Davidson Chris Deanne Jeff Draper April Erwin Marcus Goodyear Andrea Graham Jill Hart Katie Hart Timothy Hicks Heather R. Hunt Becca Johnson Jason Joyner Kait Karen Carol Keen Mike Lynch Margaret Rachel Marks Shannon McNear Melissa Meeks Rebecca LuElla Miller Mirtika or Mir's Here Pamela Morrisson Eve Nielsen John W. Otte John Ottinger Deena Peterson Rachelle Steve Rice Cheryl Russel Ashley Rutherford Hanna Sandvig Chawna Schroeder James Somers Rachelle Sperling Donna Swanson Steve Trower Speculative Faith Jason Waguespac Laura Williams Timothy Wise

A professor from my tiny alma mater writes a dystopic SF novel

According to my good friend Irresponsible Journalism, a professor who was recently added to the staff of our alma mater, Covenant College, has published a science fiction novel with Xulon Press (a POD Publisher) called The Dreamers of Allianz.

The publisher summarizes the book this way:

"In the aftermath of the Great Digital Meltdown, human culture has been politically and technologically reinvented. The world’s population now stands divided between a fast growing Cognit implanted majority and a nonimplanted minority – respectively, the privileged and the excluded. For the followers of The Name, this means struggling against the evil Allianz Federation and the great deception of its popular dream-based metaphysical teachings, the Path of Transcienz. In the American South, members of a worldwide, faith-based Resistance movement have attracted the wrath of the Allianz leadership. Meanwhile, another type of dreaming – among non-implanted children – threatens the future of the entire Federation. As repression against enemies of the Allianz Code increases, the worldwide Resistance is forced to strategically move underground. Great peril and amazing hope collide in this gripping novel about the global underground Church decades in the future, during a time when non-conformity with the world system means persecution and risking everything for the glory of The Name."

Read a student review here.

You can purchase the book at the college's bookstore The Tuck Shoppe, for cheaper than at the Xulon website if you are interested.

I will be reading it and reviewing it in the near future.

A Year of Reading 2008

This is a continually updated list of all the books I have read in the year 2008. Links are to reviews I have written for some of these books. You can also look at my list for 2007.

January February March April May June
July August September October November December

January

Series 65: Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam Manual by Kaplan Financial
The Prodigal Troll by Charles Coleman Finlay
Instant Knowledge by the editors at mental_floss
The Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes
In The Beginning by the editors at mental_floss
Eberron: Bound by Iron by Edward Bolme
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Bash Down the Door and Slice Open the Badguy edited by W. H. Horner
Hunter's Run by George R. R. Martin, Gardner Dozois and Daniel Abraham
A Bit of Madness by Emmanuel Civiello and Thomas Mosdi
Goblin Hero by Jim C. Hines
The Shadow and Night by Chris Walley
Dragon Outcast by E. E. Knight

February

Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse edited by John Joseph Adams
Breach the Hull edited by Mike McPhail
Confessor by Terry Goodkind
Blood Ties by Pamela Freeman
Sojourn Volume 6: The Bezerker's Tale by Ian Edgington and Greg Land
Forgotten Realms: Neversfall by Ed Gentry
Infoquake by David Louis Edelman
The Golden Cord by Paul Genesse
Grimspace by Ann Aguirre

March

The Death of the Necromancer by Martha Wells
Madhouse by Rob Thurman
The Dead Guy Interviews by Michael Stusser
The Hidden City by Michelle West
Klassic Koalas: Ancient Aboriginal Tales in New Retellings by Lee Barwood
Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
Growingold with B. C. by Johnny Hart

April

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Small Favor by Jim Butcher
Heroes Adrift by Moira J. Moore
Misspelled edited by Jule E. Czerneda
Flash Fiction Online, April 2008 edited by Jake Freivald
Rolling Thunder by John Varley
Empress by Karen Miller
Phytosphere by Scott Mackay
Goblin War by Jim C. Hines
Return of the Sword edited by Jason M. Waltz

May

Shadowmarch by Tad Williams
Forgotten Realms: Obsidian Ridge by Jess Lebow
Iron Man: Beneath the Armor by Andy Mangels
The Court of the Air by Stephen Hunt
Bloodheir by Brian Ruckley
The Martian General's Daughter by Theodore Judson
The Four Forges by Jenna Rhodes
Midnight Never Come by Marie Brennan

June

A Darkness Forged in Fire by Chris Evans
Wizards edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois

July

August

September

October

November

December

January February March April May June
July August September October November December

A Year of Reading 2007

The Year is Done! I hope you had a great one and have high hopes for 2008. Below is a list of all the books I read in 2007 (I like to keep track because I am just that hyper-organized). The final five have reviews written that I just haven't posted because every review deserves a suitable amount of time at the top of the blog. You will see them in January of 2008.

January February March April May June
July August September October November December

January

Tuf Voyaging by George R. R. Martin
Condensed Knowledge by the editors at mental_floss
Crown of Stars by Kate Elliott
In the Ruins by Kate Elliott
Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin
Changing Planes by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson
The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke
Monks and Mystics by Mindy and Brandon Withrow
Outposts: Journeys to the Surviving Relics of the British Empire by Simon Winchester
Dying of the Light by George R. R. Martin
Life@Work by John Maxwell
The Children of Men by P.D. James
Forgotten Realms: Frostfell by Mark Sehestedt
The Druids by Peter Berresford Ellis

February

The Magic of Recluce by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
Forgotten Realms: Sacrifice of the Widow by Lisa Smedman
Dragon Champion by E. E. Knight
Forgotten Realms: Double Diamond Triangle Saga by Various Authors
Outwitting History by Aaron Lansky
Forbidden Knowledge by the editors at mental_floss

March

Three Blind Mice and Other Stories by Agatha Christie
Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories by Agatha Christie
Rome 2006 by Rick Steves
Supplement to the Italian Dictionary by Bruno Munari
Keats and Italy by Various Authors
The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
Teacher Man by Frank McCourt
Night by Elie Wiesel
Dachshunds for Dummies by Eve Adamson
Legend by David Gemmell
Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe by James M. Ward

April

Forgotten Realms: Depths of Madness by Erik Scott de Bie
The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories by Agatha Christie
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Shakespeare's Kings by John Julius Norwich
On Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis
The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain
Black Gate: Issue 10 Spring 2007 by John O'Neill (ed.) and Howard Andrew Jones (ed.)
Forgotten Realms - Unclean: The Haunted Lands, Book I by Richard Lee Byers

May

Dragon Avenger by E. E. Knight
Eldest by Christopher Paolini
Scatterbrained by the editors at Mental_Floss
The Prestige by Christopher Priest
Real Estate Finance for Investment Properties by Steve Berges
The Clerk's Tale by Margaret Frazer
The Bastard's Tale by Margaret Frazer
The Hunter's Tale by Margaret Frazer
Forgotten Realms - The Gossamer Plain: The Empyrean Odyssey Book 1 by Thomas M. Reid
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The King's Buccaneer by Raymond E. Fiest
The King Beyond the Gate by David Gemmell
The Unhandsome Prince by John Moore
A Fate Worse than Dragons by John Moore
Maskerade by Terry Pratchett
The Truth by Terry Pratchett
Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett

June

Interesting Times by Terry Pratchett
The Fifth Elephant by Terry Pratchett
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Night Watch by Terry Pratchett
Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
The Restorer by Sharon Hinck
Another Fine Myth/Myth Conceptions by Robert Asprin
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Father of Dragons by L. B. Graham

July

Black History Through Blue Eyes: The Debt the World Owes to Africa by James Seymour
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Forgotten Realms: Scream of Stone, The Watercourse Trilogy Book III by Philip Athans
The Case of the Missing Books by Ian Sansom
Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees
Dangerous Visions edited by Harlan Ellison
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
The Widow's Tale by Margaret Frazer
A Rhyming History of Britain by James Muirden, David Eccles (Illustrator)

August

More Than A Hobby by David Green
Real Estate Investment Trusts: Structure, Performance, and Investment Opportunities by Su Han Chan, John Erickson, Ko Wang
Tipperary: A Novel by Frank Delaney
Explorer's House: National Geographic and the World It Made by Robert M. Poole
Forgotten Realms: The Howling Delve by Jaleigh Johnson
A Life Well Spent: The Eternal Rewards of Investing Yourself and Your Money in Your Family by Russ Crosson
Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
The Telling by Ursula K. Le Guin

September

Black Gate Issue #11 by John O'Neill (ed.)
The Surrogates by Robert Venditti, Brett Weldele
Shadowstorm by Paul S. Kemp
Forgotten Realms: Swords of Dragonfire by Ed Greenwood
Forgotten Realms: Shadowstorm by Paul S. Kemp
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Honored Enemy by Raymond E. Feist and William R. Fortschen
Murder in LaMut by Raymond E. Feist and Joel Rosenberg
Forgotten Realms: Storm of the Dead by Lisa Smedman
The Elephant and the Dragon: The Rise of India and China and What it Means for All of Us by Robyn Meredith
The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller
Union of Renegades by Tracy Falbe
Winterbirth by Brian Ruckley

October

Wind Follower by Carole McDonnell
The Sagittarius Command by R. M. Meluch
The Summoner by Gail Z. Martin
Making Money by Terry Pratchett
Crystal Rain by Tobias Buckell
Goblin Quest by Jim C. Hines

November

Scarlet by Stephen R. Lawhead
The Princes of the Golden Cage by Nathalie Mallet
Green Rider by Kristen Britain
The Phoenix Unchained by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory
Forgotten Realms: Stardeep by Bruce Cordell
The Awakened Mage by Karen Miller
Forgotten Realms: The Orc King by R. A. Salvatore
Ragamuffin by Tobias Buckell
A Prayer for the Damned by Peter Tremayne
The Blue Haired Bombshell by John Zakour
Hedge Hunters by Katherine Burton
Sails and Sorcery: Tales of Nautical Fantasy edited by W. H. Horner
Shimmer, The Pirate Issue edited by John Joseph Adams

December

Eberron: The Orb of Xoriat by Edward Bolme
Sojourn: The Sorcerer's Tale by Ian Edgington and Greg Land
Across the Face of the World by Russell Kirkpatrick
Forgotten Realms: Crypt of the Moaning Diamond by Rosemary Jones
Fellowship Fantastic by Martin H. Greenberg and Kerrie Hughes
Genetopia by Keith Brooke
The Tales of the Last War edited by Mark Sehestedt
Bad A** Faeries edited by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
Robin Hood and the Beasts of Sherwood by Clayton Emery
Tides by Scott Mackay
Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet

January February March April May June
July August September October November December

Book Reviews by Title

These are the my book reviews, categorized alphabetically by the title. (Click here for categorization by author.) "The" doesn't count towards the title.

You can also subscribe to an RSS feed of my reviews at librarything.

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

A

A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
A Rhyming History of Britain by James Muirden (author) and David Eccles (illustrator)
Across the Face of the World by Russell Kirkpatrick
Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
Are Women Human? by Dorothy Sayers
Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet
The Awakened Mage by Karen Miller

B

Bad-A** Faeries edited by Danielle Ackley-McPhail (et al.)
Badger's Moon by Peter Tremayne
Bash Down the Door and Slice Open the Badguy edited by W. H. Horner
Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
Beyond the Summerland by L. B. Graham
Breach the Hull edited by Mike McPhail
A Bit of Madness by Emmanuel Civiello and Thomas Mosdi
Black Gate: Issue #11 edited by John O'Neill
Black History Through Blue Eyes: The Debt the World Owes to Africa by James Seymour
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Bloodheir by Brain Ruckley
Blood Ties by Pamela Freedman
The Blue-Haired Bombshell by John Zakour

C

The Children of Men by P. D. James
The Clerk's Tale by Margaret Frazer
Confessor by Terry Goodkind
The Court of the Air by Stephen Hunt
The Crown of Stars Series by Kate Elliott
Crystal Rain by Tobias Buckell
Condensed Knowledge by the editors of mental_floss

D

Dangerous Visions edited by Harlan Ellison
The Dead Guy Interviews by Michael Stusser
The Death of the Necromancer by Martha Wells
Dragon Champion by E. E. Knight
Dragon Outcast
The Druids by Peter Berresford Ellis
Dying of the Light by George R. R. Martin

E

Eberron: Bound by Iron by Edward Bolme
Eberron: The Orb of Xoriat by Edward Bolme
Eberron: The Tales of the Last War by Mark Sehestedt
The Elephant and the Dragon: The Rise of India and China and What it Means for All of Us by Robyn Meredith
Empress by Karen Miller
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Explorer's House: National Geographic and the World It Made by Robert M. Poole

F

Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
Fellowship Fantastic by Martin H. Greenberg and Kerrie Hughes
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Flash Fiction Online, April 2008 edited by Jake Freivald
Forgotten Realms: The City of Splendors by Elaine Cunningham and Ed Greenwood
Forgotten Realms: Crypt of the Moaning Diamond by Rosemary Jones
Forgotten Realms: The Gossamer Plain by Thomas M. Reid
Forgotten Realms: The Howling Delve by Jaleigh Johnson
Forgotten Realms: Obsidian Ridge by Jess Lebow
Forgotten Realms: The Orc King by R. A. Salvatore
Forgotten Realms: Road of the Patriarch by R. A . Salvatore
Forgotten Realms: Shadowstorm by Paul S. Kemp
Forgotten Realms: Stardeep by Bruce Cordell
Forgotten Realms: Swords of Dragonfire by Ed Greenwood
Forgotten Realms: Unclean by Richard Lee Byers

G

Genetopia by Keith Brooke
The Gift of Pain by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey
Glory Road by Robert Heinlein
Green Rider by Kristen Britain
Goblin Hero by Jim C. Hines
Goblin Quest by Jim C. Hines
Goblin War by Jim C. Hines
The Golden Cord by Paul Genesse
Grimspace by Ann Aguirre
Growingold with B.C. by Johnny Hart

H

Hedge Hunters by Katherine Burton
Henry V (Classical Comics Edition) by William Shakespeare
Heroes Adrift by Moira J. Moore
The Hidden City by Michelle West
Honored Enemy by Raymond E. Feist and William R. Fortschen
Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Hunter's Run by George R. R. Martin, Gardner Dozois, and Daniel Abraham

I

Infoquake by David Louis Edelman
The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain
The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller
Iron Man: Beneath the Armor by Andy Mangels

J

J. R. R. Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter
The Junior Books by Dave Ramsey

K

Klasssic Koalas: Ancient Aboriginal Tales in New Retellings by Lee Barwood
Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan
The Know-It-All by A. J. Jacobs

L

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
Legend by David Gemmell
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson
Life@Work by John C. Maxwell

M

Madhouse by Rob Thurman
Magician by Raymond E. Feist
The Magic of Recluce by L. E. Moedesitt Jr.
Making Money by Terry Pratchett
Master of Souls by Peter Tremayne
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
Midnight Never Come by Marie Brennan
Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe by James M. Ward
Misspelled edited by Julie E. Czerneda
Monks and Mystics by Mindy and Brandon Withrow
Moon Gate by David Weldon and William Proctor
More Than A Hobby by David Green
The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson
Murder in LaMut by Raymond E. Feist and Joel Rosenberg

N

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Night by Elie Wiesel
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

O

On Becoming A Leader by Warren Bennis
Outposts: Journeys to the Surviving Relics of the British Empire by Simon Winchester
Outwitting History by Aaron Lansky

P

Phantom by Terry Goodkind
The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead
The Phoenix Unchained by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory
Phytosphere by Scott Mackay
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
The Prestige by Christopher Priest
The Princes of the Golden Cage by Nathalie Mallet
The Prodigal Troll by Charles Coleman Finlay

Q

R

Ragamuffin by Tobias Buckell
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
The Restorer by Sharon Hinck
Return of the Sword edited by Jason M. Waltz
The Rick Steves' Travel Guide Series by Rick Steves
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Robin Hood and the Beasts of Sherwood by Clayton Emery
Rolling Thunder by John Varley

S

The Sagittarius Command by R. M. Meluch
Sails and Sorcery: Tales of Nautical Fantasy edited by W. H. Horner
Scarlet by Stephen Lawhead
Shadow in the Deep by L. B. Graham
The Shadow and Night by Chris Walley
Shadowmarch by Tad Williams
Shakespeare's Kings by John Julius Norwich
Shimmer, The Pirate Issue edited by John Joseph Adams
Small Favor by Jim Butcher
Smoke in the Wind by Peter Tremayne
Sojourn: The Bezerker's Tale by Ian Edgington and Greg Land
Sojourn: The Sorcerer's Tale by Ian Edgington and Greg Land
The Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes
The Summoner by Gail Z. Martin
The Surrogates, Vol. 1 by Robert Venditti

T

Teacher Man by Frank McCourt
Thud! by Terry Pratchett
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Tides by Scott Mackay
Tipperary: A Novel by Frank Delaney
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
The Truth by Terry Pratchett

U

Union of Renegades by Tracy Falbe

V

W

Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse edited by John Joseph Adams
Wind Follower by Carole McDonnell
Winterbirth by Brian Ruckley

X

Y

Z

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Wayfarer's Journal

Wayfarer’s Journal is a new webzine that focuses specifically on developing "a venue to publish and review science fiction with a spiritual dimension." There will be no fantasy published by this 'zine.

But Wayfarer's Journal is not message oriented, according to the site. "Nobody's going to "preach at you" or hit you over the head with a Bible." says Terri Main, the founder and editor. While this is true for the most part, the site has a heavy emphasis towards the Christian faith and its non-fiction articles are obviously Christian even if the stories are more subtle. There is also an obvious altar call in the section called "Beyond Infinity". While these are not bad things in themselves, authors looking for places to submit their work ought to know that what Wayfarer's Journal is looking for are Christian science fiction stories, poetry and nonfiction.

Included in their issues are poetry, short stories, novellas, reviews, essays, and industry news. They pay reasonably well for submissions.

The site itself is very new and lacks any real sort of graphic appeal. It is mostly black and white with a header graphic is nice but is slightly busy. A lot of the text in their posts is too long for the container it is in and either runs over into the background, or the borders stop and the white page and gray background run into each other, making it look a bit unprofessional.

Some of the links are broken (the one to the story Memories in particular), so I was not able to even view all of the stories. Additionally, of the stories I was able to view, some of them were posted in different fonts than others. This was probably due to different lengths for the story, but the lack of consistency in font size between stories is a detriment to the readability of the site.

This is a very young site. (At the moment, there are only 4 stories, two poems, one review, and two nonfiction articles.) They are open to submissions, so if you have that strange story none of the big boys will take, you might try here.

Ultimately, this new webzine is trying to meld together science fiction and the Christian faith. There are honest arguments as to whether that is even possible, but at least they are making go of it. I think that for all their assurances that they are not "message-oriented" that in trying to do what they are doing, it is unavoidable to be message oriented. Especially when you include the three steps to Christian salvation as one of your header links.

You might find this site of interest as either a writer or a reader. I'm not sure that another Christian SF webzine is necessary when Ray Gun Revival and The Sword Review have been fulfilling the need well along with several others. Still, it is another venue for writers to publish in, which can be a good thing, and it wants to add a spiritual dimension to science fiction, which in this growing age of faith as a motivator to good and evil, is also a good thing.

We will need to watch and see how this new webzine grows, in the meantime, take a look at Wayfarer's Journal, just for fun.

This review is a part of the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour. Other bloggers on this month's tour are:

Brandon Barr Jim Black Justin Boyer Grace Bridges Amy Browning Jackie Castle Carol Bruce Collett Valerie Comer CSFF Blog Tour D. G. D. Davidson Chris Deanne Jeff Draper April Erwin Marcus Goodyear Andrea Graham Jill Hart Katie Hart Michael Heald Jason Joyner Kait Carol Keen Mike Lynch Margaret Rachel Marks Melissa Meeks Rebecca LuElla Miller Mirtika or Mir's Here John W. Otte John Ottinger Rachelle Steve Rice Cheryl Russel Ashley Rutherford Hanna Sandvig James Somers Steve Trower Speculative Faith Jason Waguespac Laura Williams Timothy Wise

Book Review: The Orb of Xoriat by Edward Bolme

* Genre: Shared World Fiction, Fantasy
* ISBN: 0786938196
* ISBN-13: 9780786938193
* Format: Mass Market Paperback, 310pp
* Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
* Pub. Date: October 2005
* Series: Eberron: War-Torn Series, #2

The Orb of Xoriat is Edward Bolme’s first full length novel in the Eberron shared world. This relatively new Dungeons and Dragons roleplaying world is best described by Bolme himself. ‘Imagine a fantasy world crossed with interwar Europe, and you’re pretty close. Battles and wars are not driven by lofty ideals like “good vs. evil” but rather by basic concepts like “us vs. them.”’ (from his website) As I read The Orb of Xoriat, I couldn’t help feeling like this unique world is something like what late Victorian Europe might have been like if Tolkien’s races had actually existed. Ultimately, the stories contained in Eberron are more about the interplay of nation states and the people who live within them, than about dungeon delving or world saving heroics. Wizards describes the world best at their website. "The world of Eberron is ravaged by centuries of war that have only recently ended. Enemy nations that fought each other to a standstill over countless, bloody battlefields now turn to subtler methods of conflict. The assassin's dagger replaces the warrior's sword, and the conspirator's whisper speaks more loudly than the general's bellow."

The Orb of Xoriat, second in the “War-Torn” series, relates the story of the orb, an artifact of immense power that can open a gateway to Xoriat, the Realm of Madness. When the Orb is stolen from its secret hiding place, a human monk and a gnome illusionist are forced to join forces to track down the thief who stole it. But their relationship is anything but friendly, and even should they recover the orb they will still have to battle each other for control of it.

Teron the monk represents the Monastery of Pastoral Solitude, the ancient order of monks once nearly wiped out by the use of the Orb in the Last War, who have been hiding the orb for many years. Praxle is the gnomish illusionist whose University once possessed the orb, and whose morality leaves him no compunction at using any method to retrieve it. Each of these characters has a support character as well. Teron has a strange cat named Flotsam who is unnecessary to the narrative but provides great side stories and humanizes the remote Teron. Jeffers, Praxle’s butler, is a half-orc more cultured than his master. His role is larger than Flotsam’s and he turns out to be quite an interesting character, even without being one of the leads. The juxtaposition of his orc nature and his cultured attitude and behavior provides a few laughs throughout the story. There is, sadly, no real strong female character, although the thief of the story is female. Yet she only provides a look into the opposing side’s ideology for the reader, and is not a truly strong character in her own right.

Bolme’s two great strengths in this novel are his ability to make a mundane event turn into a crucial one without the reader realizing it and his eloquent battle descriptions. For instance, when Teron snubs a girl in a tavern, most readers will think nothing of it. Yet that snub turns into a crucial event later in the story, without which the plot would have gone completely differently.

As to the latter, it is obvious that Bolme has had some martial arts training, and this comes out in his descriptions of the way that Teron fights. His hand and foot strikes are believable actions. Often in stories with monks as main characters, the monks are superhuman, always dodging blades and rarely getting slashed. Bolme has disdained that to create believable fight scenes in which the unarmed monk is hurt by those with swords and knives. It is a pleasant change from the superhuman monk, whose lack of damage against armed foes can get rather tiresome.

The novel has a couple of faults as well. Firstly, when Bolme is using dialogue to describe the back-story for the world of Eberron, the dialogue can get a bit stilted and wooden. It feels contrived. While that back-story is needed, Bolme’s delivery of it draws the reader out of the story rather than in. This is unfortunate as without it, the reader will be unable to understand the context of the world of Eberron.

Secondly, the thief in the story, called The Shadow Fox, simply disappears from the narrative at one point, with no explanation as to the how or why. Since the thief up to that point had been a major part of the narrative, even a character whose mind the reader had entered, it was odd when the character is simply dropped from the story. It is as if the ending was changed by Bolme, and he forgot to write a conclusion to the role of this particular character.

This was still a good introduction into the world of Eberron. I have not yet read any other novels in this world and it was easy for me to dive right in and understand the context of the world with little to no trouble. Additionally, Bolme has a flair for the dramatic. He even wrote in one scene involving a train like structure and a dragonhawk that put me in mind of the final scenes of the first Mission Impossible movie, and it was near the beginning of The Orb of Xoriat, not the end. The narrative only got more exciting from there.

I would recommend The Orb of Xoriat to anyone looking to enter the Eberron world. It is a good story that deals with themes of trust, duty and feelings of inadequacy. Both Teron and Praxle are flawed characters, but it is the decisions they make that make them good or bad, not events or prophecy. Although there is an element of events being arranged to a pattern, the characters still must make their own choices and live with the consequences, as with Teron’s snub of the tavern wench. Bolme is good at making the incidental have consequence, and creates supporting characters that are as much fun to read about as the leads. That’s a rare skill. The Orb of Xoriat is a fun adventure novel filled with action and intrigue. Sword and Sorcery fans will enjoy it, and anyone playing Eberron ought to read it to add to the depth of their gaming experience.

SIDE NOTE:10% of all proceeds from the sale of this book are given by the author to World Vision to support their work in Darfur, greater Sudan, and refugees in Chad. Wizards of the Coast is giving a matching gift as well. So by buying this volume you get a good read and support a worthy cause. That's a wonderful twofer.

Organic Storyteller: An Interview with Stephen Lawhead

Stephen R. Lawhead, author of The Pendragon Cycle, The Song of Albion Trilogy, and the new King Raven Trilogy, accepted my invitation for an interview. From his home in Britain, he answered a few of my questions about his writing, often disagreeing with the form of my questions. I tried to pin him down and make him give purpose to his stories but he made sure I knew that he is, first and foremost, a storyteller. But don't take my word for it, just read on.

Grasping for the Wind: Thank you for agreeing to an interview, I’ve been a fan ever since my father gave me a copy of The Paradise War when I was twelve. At one point, I was even jealous of my younger brother, who shares your first name. Your work has had a profound effect on me, and spearheaded my own interest in Celtic history.

GFTW: The King Raven Trilogy, your newest epic, is a retelling of the Robin Hood legend. This story has been told and retold in movies and books. What is unique about your take on this age old legend?

Stephen R. Lawhead: I’m trying to take the legend back to the time and place where it began – not where it ended up. As with the legends of King Arthur, the old stories of Robin Hood have passed through many hands and have been used in many ways since they were first told. In King Raven, I show what the original context of the tales might have been and let the political and social realities of post-invasion 11th Century Britain influence the stories we’ve received.

GFTW: You have written science fiction, fantasy, and historical novels. Which genre have you preferred writing in and why?

SRL: I still have a soft spot for good SF. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of it around just now, and the readership for it is miniscule. As a writer, SF is a tough sell in today’s market. I blame the movies and TV. On the one hand, movies can dazzle visually with great effects and convincing sets, etc. – providing a look and atmosphere that is very difficult to compete with on the written page. On the other hand, Hollywood often forgets to tell a coherent, compelling story. In far too many filmic treatments, it’s just the same old shoot-em-up dressed in space gear.

Having said that, I consider fantasy and SF simply different sides of the same coin – imaginatively speaking, there is very little difference. One deals with an imagined future, the other often with an imagined past. The imaginative mechanics, if you will, are very similar even if the conventions driving the two genres are slightly different.

GFTW: Some readers and critics have argued that the King Raven trilogy does not classify as fantasy, although major retailers shelve it that way. What is your opinion on the genre of this trilogy?

SRL: I don’t know why some folks get worked up over this question. If the story is fun to read, exciting to think about, and provides an enjoyable experience that lingers long in the reader’s mind – what difference does it make, in the end, whether it was shelved in the Historical or Fantasy section?

In actual fact, the shelving has a lot more to do with marketing precedence than genre classification. In other words, my books started out being shelved in the fantasy section and that is where people have learned to look for them, so that is where the bookstores will put them no matter what is between the covers.

GFTW: In your novels, you often deal with the themes of honor and faith. What is the relationship between these two, and why do you wrap your stories around them?

SRL:First off, let me say that I don’t ‘wrap my stories around’ anything… at all …. ever. They are not ‘means to an end’ whatever some might think.

I look at my stories as living things, organisms that have grown up out of the soil of their creation and taken on a life of their own. Their make up, personality, or whatever you want to call it, is inherent in their being, it is in their flesh and bones. My stories are not soapboxes for me to stand on and shout my opinions to the world. There are no messages pasted on, wrapped up, or otherwise added on. If they speak to a reader, they speak out of their own organic being. And, I find, that often has more to do with the reader him or herself, than with anything I might have done as a writer.

GFTW: Scarlet, the second book in the King Raven trilogy, is told from the perspective of Will Scarlet. He relates the events to a scribe while awaiting hanging. Why did you choose to write Scarlet from this perspective, when the first book, Hood, was written in a more traditional present tense narrative, as the events occurred?

SRL: Simply put, this is how the story came to me. Contrary to what many people may think, I don’t sit down at my desk one day and say: ‘This story will be cast in the present tense using the second person plural to illustrate the dissociation and fragmentation of modern conscience from communal …’ or whatever. There might be some writers who do that – and academics like to play that game – but I don’t. Instead, I spend a little time listening to the voice of the story and trying to find a way that best captures what I hear on paper. So, Will Scarlet speaks in his own voice in this book and it seemed right to let him do that.

GFTW: In Scarlet, you have Will Scarlet, a Saxon, joining a band of native British against the Normans. Was Saxon and British cooperation common in the days after William the Conqueror’s Norman invasion?

SRL: Extremely common. They were two peoples oppressed by a common enemy, and both suffered as conquered peoples, as victims under a harsh regime.

GFTW: You create and interesting interplay between Will Scarlet, and Odo, the priest transcribing his story. What was the purpose of this back and forth exchange?

SRL: Purpose? That’s a little like asking a painter what was the point of making the sky that colour blue? As an artist, I saw Will and Odo a certain way; how those two characters interacted was part of the story so it had to be told just that way. Again, I don’t think in terms of purposes, of using stories to further some external agenda or advance some message of my own. I’m mainly interested in finding ways to allow them to achieve their full potential as stories.

GFTW: How much time did you spend researching the Robin Hood story before beginning your tale?

SRL: There are two levels of research involved, I think. On one level, I’ve been researching British history for over two decades now, and the result of living, traveling, and working in Britain informs much of the book. On another level, I started reading specifically on Robin Hood about two years before beginning to write, and the research continues even as I go along.

GFTW: You ascribe to the Christian faith. What effect has this had on your writing?

SRL: Faith affects everything! No doubt it has affected my work in ways I’m not even aware of. Among other things, I think it makes me a little more sensitive and empathetic to issues of faith that were extant in the times I write about. I’m able to recognize and explore Christian themes in a way that non-Christian writers simply cannot because they are outside of it, because they nurse a prejudice against it, or because they lack that empathy and intimate understanding. My own faith enables me to embrace certain realities of the human condition that other writers shy away from. Thus, contexts, issues, elements of the medieval world (and religion was a very big part of it) can be woven naturally into the fabric of my stories.

GFTW: What has been your favorite response from a reader?

SRL: Wow!

GFTW: Looking out to the horizon, what projects other do you have in mind? Could we ever see an anthology publication of some of your early short works?

SRL:Not a chance. It isn’t that I’m unwilling, it’s that there are no early short works. I write novels, and everything I’ve written has been published – beginning with the Dragon King Trilogy (now re-issued in hardback) through to Scarlet.

GFTW: What advice would you give an aspiring writer?

SRL: Read! Read everything you can get your eyes on. Read widely. Read deeply. But read, and pay attention to what works in a story and what doesn’t.

GFTW: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Blessings on your future endeavours.


Other Books by Stephen Lawhead:

This post is part of the CSFF Blog Tour for Stephen Lawhead in November 2007. Click the links below to see what other participants are saying about Scarlet and Stephen Lawhead's King Raven trilogy.

Trish Anderson Brandon Barr Wayne Thomas Batson Jim Black Justin Boyer Grace Bridges Amy Browning Jackie Castle Valerie Comer CSFF Blog Tour D. G. D. Davidson Chris Deanne Jeff Draper April Erwin Linda Gilmore Beth Goddard Marcus Goodyear Andrea Graham Jill Hart Katie Hart Sherrie Hibbs Timothy Hicks Christopher Hopper Becca Johnson Jason Joyner Kait Karen Dawn King Tina Kulesa Mike Lynch Margaret Karen McSpadden Melissa Meeks Rebecca LuElla Miller Mirtika or Mir's Here Eve Nielsen John W. Otte John Ottinger Lyn Perry Deena Peterson Rachelle Cheryl Russel Ashley Rutherford Hanna Sandvig Chawna Schroeder James Somers Rachelle Sperling Steve Trower Speculative Faith Robert Treskillard Jason Waguespac Daniel I. Weaver Laura Williams Timothy Wise

Classifying The King Raven Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead

TOMORROW: An Interview with Stephen Lawhead

Historical fantasy might be called the red-headed stepchild of two genres of writing. The first, historical fiction can be straightforwardly defined as a story set in a historical context, using all the strictures imposed by reality, but that has a narrative that cannot be factually substantiated. In essence, historical fiction is fiction within a known historical context. The second parent of historical fantasy is fantasy itself. Fantasy has been broadly defined, but can really be boiled down to the use of magic in fiction. That magic may take many different forms, but ultimately, fantasy has some element in it that goes beyond the borders of science into the spiritual or unknown realms. This is what we call magic or miracle, and is what makes a fantasy different from all other genres.

Historical fantasy is a mixture of these two genres. From the historical fiction side, it takes a historicity and factuality that is provable through historic writings. From fantasy, it takes the elements of magic and miracle to put a spin on the historical context.

The Arguments For:

Stephen Lawhead’s King Raven trilogy is an arguably an example of historical fantasy. I say this for three reasons.

First, The King Raven trilogy is based on legend. While most of the other elements in the story (the setting of Wales, the politics of the time, many of the characters) are real and did exist, the Robin Hood legend is itself lacking proofs at this time. Legend is itself a subgenre of myth, and while more like a historical fiction than a fantasy, usually contains enough of the ethereal to find a home in fantasy classifications. In this way, The King Raven trilogy is both a historical fiction and a fantasy, as it simply is a unique telling of an age-old legend.

Second, although some might argue otherwise, The King Raven trilogy contains elements of magic. It is subtle, but it is there, and even though its role is limited, the very fact that Hood and Scarlet contain it in them makes them fantasies by default. This is the magic evidenced by Angharad, the banfaith of the Grellon (Robin’s merry men). Banfaith is term used to describe the female Celtic oracles consulted by Druids. They were similar in purpose to the Oracle of Apollo as it was their job to provide divinations and prophecies to those who asked. Angharad provides these very services in Hood and Scarlet, and therefore add the element of magic needed to be classified as historical fantasy. Additionally, when Bran becomes King Raven, he takes a different aspect of something darker and more powerful than a human. This is a magical event as it is described by Lawhead, and William Scarlet notices the marked difference between King Raven and Bran in character, stature, and power. It is that power that adds the magical element needed. Bran becomes superhuman when he becomes King Raven and in that transition is the magic element needed to classify the King Raven trilogy as fantasy.

The final reason that The King Raven Trilogy can be described as historical fantasy is simply the social aspect of the book’s classification. First of all, the publisher has chosen to classify it as such and so the book sellers have placed the books in the fantasy section of their stores. And while some readers may not like that The King Raven trilogy has so much basis in fact and only small elements of magic, the majority of readers have classified the works as fantasies, albeit historical ones. These two subpoints then show that no matter what you may think, the most widely accepted classification among publishers, sellers and readers is as historical fantasy, not historical fiction.

The Arguments Against:

For the first, some would say that legend is just a form of historical fiction. Usually, legends revolve around a real person, for whom the stories simply got out of hand. (Some would argue that Christ, King Arthur, and Buddha are such people.) This then is not fantasy, but rather an out of proportion fiction based in reality. I would argue against this as most fantasies are based in reality, but it is where they depart from the laws of science or add superhuman characteristics to the protagonists that they become fantasies. Robin Hood’s story is debatable, as to my knowledge; there is nothing superhuman or magical about his story, so in truth we still have not answered the question.

The second point, that the depiction of Angharad the banfaith provides the necessary element of magic to call The King Raven trilogy a fantasy may be explained away by calling it common sense or intuition. Much of Angaharad’s divination may seem based in common sense, or the dreams of someone mulling over a problem. I know for me that at times I have gone to sleep with a problem on my mind and woken up with the solution in hand. Was this magic? Not likely, it was probably my unconscious mind working at the problem as I slept. It was only with the fresh dawn that I could see the answer that I already had in mind. This is a valid argument. After all, Angharad’s premonitions are logical conclusions based on the danger they found themselves in. This I cannot dispute other than to say that in creating a Celtic style oracle, Lawhead is equating Angharad with the magical and miraculous art of divination and prophecy and so seeks the fantasy designation. The argument against the superhuman nature of Bran is can be summed up simply as poetic license. Some readers might argue that Lawhead is simply trying to describe how Bran and the Grellon manipulated existing fear and rumor to their own benefit and Lawhead is giving voice to that. This is a valid point as well, but I think the careful reader will note that Lawhead makes a point to show the distinction between Bran and King Raven and in so doing makes the argument against invalid.

Conclusion:

I would conclude that The King Raven trilogy is a historical fantasy, albeit one whose fantasy elements are subtle. As to whether historical fantasy really belongs as a part of the fantasy genre, I leave those arguments to others. My opinion is that once something adds magic or miracle to a story, it becomes a fantasy, not matter the intent of the author or the classification ultimately given it. (i.e. Gregory Maguire’s books are fantasies although they are often placed in the general fiction section of most bookstores.) The King Raven trilogy, although historical in setting and time, primarily following all physical laws, has some element of the mystic and the ethereal, and therefore must be deemed a fantasy.

This post is also part of the CSFF Blog Tour for Stephen Lawhead in November 2007. Click the links below to see what other participants are saying about Scarlet and Stephen Lawhead's King Raven trilogy.

My review of Hood.

My review of Scarlet.

Trish Anderson Brandon Barr Wayne Thomas Batson Jim Black Justin Boyer Grace Bridges Amy Browning Jackie Castle Valerie Comer CSFF Blog Tour D. G. D. Davidson Chris Deanne Jeff Draper April Erwin Linda Gilmore Beth Goddard Marcus Goodyear Andrea Graham Jill Hart Katie Hart Sherrie Hibbs Timothy Hicks Christopher Hopper Becca Johnson Jason Joyner Kait Karen Dawn King Tina Kulesa Mike Lynch Margaret Karen McSpadden Melissa Meeks Rebecca LuElla Miller Mirtika or Mir's Here Eve Nielsen John W. Otte John Ottinger Lyn Perry Deena Peterson Rachelle Cheryl Russel Ashley Rutherford Hanna Sandvig Chawna Schroeder James Somers Rachelle Sperling Steve Trower Speculative Faith Robert Treskillard Jason Waguespac Daniel I. Weaver Laura Williams Timothy Wise

Book Review: Scarlet by Stephen R. Lawhead

Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Historical Fantasy
ISBN: 1595540865
ISBN-13: 9781595540867
Format: Hardcover, 512pp
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pub. Date: September 2007
Series: King Raven Trilogy Series, #2

In literature, there are several key scarlets: The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Scarlet Letter, and Scarlett O’Hara of Gone with the Wind. But none is better known than Will Scarlet, companion to the infamous Robin Hood, the outlaw who robbed from the rich to give to the poor. But in most versions of the Robin Hood story, Will Scarlet is a two-dimensional character. Although his relationship to Robin Hood is often a turning point in many narratives (see Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) his characterization is minimal at best. (Although the Will Scarlet of Robin Hood: Men in Tights is probably the funniest rendition.)

Stephen Lawhead first tackled the Robin Hood story in Hood, the first book in the King Raven trilogy. In it he imagines an earlier Robin Hood who is not a Saxon lord, but a Welsh one. Giving him the name Rhi Bran (meaning King Raven) the outlaw becomes a man thrust from his rightful kingdom, forced to prey on the Norman conquerors who stole his land from within the forest of the March. For Lawhead’s reasoning on why he set this story as a Celtic one, rather than in the traditional Nottingham of the East Midlands, see his essay at the end of Hood.

In Scarlet, Lawhead picks of the threads of his story where he left off in Hood. Bran and his Grellon (or merry men) are in hiding. Meanwhile, William Scatlocke, a forester, is thrust from his livelihood when his lord and master backs the wrong prince for the throne. Forced to become a wandering laborer, Scatlocke (also known as Scarlet) hears rumors of Bran and determines to seek him out. What follows is a series of adventures and narrow escapes reminiscent of the traditional Robin Hood story, but with a realism and historical accuracy lacking in the Errol Flynn version.

Lawhead’s Scarlet is the key protagonist of this novel. While in Hood, the story is told primarily from Rhi Bran’s perspective, here we have the story as told by Will, as he relates the occurrences to a priest named Odo. Three quarters of the novel is told in this way, with a few chapters stepping outside of Will’s memories and into the minds and hearts of the villains, in order to give us a full and round story. The final quarter of the story is told in traditional first person style, as seen through Will’s eyes, because he is no longer in a position to relate his story to Odo. This way of telling us the story gives a picture of Will as a simple and loyal man, a talented archer, who loves a woman very deeply. In this, it seems it was Lawhead’s intention to give us a picture of a common man of the time shortly following the invasion of the Normans into England.

Included in the narrative is a telling of the story of Manawydan and Pryderi, an ancient Celtic tale of the Mabinogion, by Angharad, the banfaith of the outlaws. Lawhead has oft used the old Celtic tales to provide metaphors for the story he is telling. He did it in the Song of Albion trilogy, as well as The Pendragon Cycle. It gives the reader a taste of the Celtic storytelling tradition. Although for some these secondary tales might seem out of place in the novel, or might be decried as just filler, I think that Lawhead is giving us a taste of how much the oral storytelling tradition was a part of life for the Celts and Britons. It informed and changed people, and was a way of passing down wisdom from one generation to the next, much like sermons and wisdom books do today.

Although the storyline is fast moving (helped along by the short chapters) the entire novel does have the feel of filler. Although Bran and his band are still seeking the return of Elfael, his rightful kingdom, not much happens to make us think that might happen till near the end of the book. In the meantime, the outlaws make a few forays against the current rulers of Elfael, Count de Braose, Abbot Hugo and the Sheriff de Glanville, but in truth I as a reader never really felt that the characters were going to meet with any success, in their goals.

The reader will have to read Hood in order to understand even the minutest part of Scarlet. I was disappointed that Bran and Merian’s relationship was not developed more. Bran, after reading Scarlet, seemed a flat character, distant and removed from Will Scarlet. Although I understand Lawhead’s intent to give dimensionality to Will Scatlocke, and to give the reader a feeling of a common man’s lot, I think that by doing so, he lost some of the personality of Bran in the bargain. After Hood, Bran was the person the reader was most in tune with, and the person the reader most identified with. But because we see the world through Will’s eyes, Bran becomes distant, and his struggle is no longer our struggle. That loss hurts the story.

There is gain in knowing more about the historical context and the personal struggles of an average Saxon, as well as learning more about the political and religious machinations of the day, and the story of Will Scarlet does that well.

The novel is well-written; it is fast paced, with excellent fight scenes, and makes a good lunch hour read with its short chapters and varying perspectives. Odo provides a surprising character and interesting plot twist that makes this book even more fun to read. And of course, this is still the legend of Robin Hood, even if the setting is different, so many of the adventures are in the vein that fans of the Robin Hood legend have come to expect. Arrow flights abound, close shaves are common, and brazen acts of valor are to be expected.

Scarlet makes for a good read, although it is not Lawhead's best work. Fans of Robin Hood will enjoy Lawhead’s unique take on the legend, as well as his commitment to historical accuracy. Fans of fantasy will question the novel’s fantasy label, as well they should. But there is an element of magic in the person of Angharad and in the strange King Raven that Bran becomes when on a sortie, so the fantasy fan will not be disappointed. Fans of historical novels of medieval times will find much to love in both Hood and Scarlet, and Lawhead devotees (such as myself) are going to find all of the same things they have always loved about Lawhead’s writing in Scarlet. This is a novel worth your time. The legend of Robin Hood is brought closer to its historical truth, and given an added Celtic flair that only Stephen Lawhead can provide.

Read my review of Hood here. (BE WARNED. It was one of my first, and isn't very good.)

This post is also part of the CSFF Blog Tour for Stephen Lawhead in November 2007. Click the links below to see what other participants are saying about Scarlet and Stephen Lawhead.

Trish Anderson Brandon Barr Wayne Thomas Batson Jim Black Justin Boyer Grace Bridges Amy Browning Jackie Castle Valerie Comer CSFF Blog Tour D. G. D. Davidson Chris Deanne Jeff Draper April Erwin Linda Gilmore Beth Goddard Marcus Goodyear Andrea Graham Jill Hart Katie Hart Sherrie Hibbs Timothy Hicks Christopher Hopper Becca Johnson Jason Joyner Kait Karen Dawn King Tina Kulesa Mike Lynch Margaret Karen McSpadden Melissa Meeks Rebecca LuElla Miller Mirtika or Mir's Here Eve Nielsen John W. Otte John Ottinger Lyn Perry Deena Peterson Rachelle Cheryl Russel Ashley Rutherford Hanna Sandvig Chawna Schroeder James Somers Rachelle Sperling Steve Trower Speculative Faith Robert Treskillard Jason Waguespac Daniel I. Weaver Laura Williams Timothy Wise

A Christian's Thoughts on Pullman's Atheism

I went to school with this blogger, who is now a librarian I believe. She has some interesting thoughts on Pullman's atheism and his antagonism towards C.S. Lewis. However, she also appreciates the books as literature. Read it here.

Book Review: Wind Follower by Carole McDonnell

Genre: Epic Fantasy
Pub. Date: June 2007
ISBN: 0809557797
ISBN-13: 9780809557790
Format: Paperback, 248pp
Publisher: Juno Books an imprint of Wildside Press

The standard fantasy is usually set in a world based on medieval Europe. Sometimes you get a Greco-Roman base, or the rare Asian/Chinese setting as with the Tales of Otori novels by Lian Hearn, or the Arabic tales of the Arabian Nights. But no one, to my knowledge, has ever based their fantasy novel on a medieval Africa. Some have used Africa’s jungles as the setting for a story, but its characters were usually white adventurers and the black natives were the evil ones (think Indiana Jones).

Carole McDonnell (website, blog), in her fantasy Wind Follower, has turned all of that on its head. Based on an African medieval culture (and by medieval I mean between ancient and colonial) with its own kingdoms, culture, and politics, Wind Follower uniquely portrays some very human struggles.

The story follows a married couple, Loic and Satha, as they find themselves embroiled in a cultural and spiritual war. Ancestor worship is common in this world, and politics is a highly complicated affair with many detailed rules and customs. Beyond that, there are three distinct races, with different skin colors and personality types. Each tribe and clan shows a fierce loyalty to the others of their groups, and the smallest slight can lead to petty vengeance. When Satha’s honor is ruined, Loic seeks murderous vengeance.

Wind Follower is so unique in my own experience that I find it hard not to gush all over this novel. The tribal system is vividly portrayed by McDonnell, showing her intimate knowledge of African tribal systems, and the customs she gives the peoples of Wind Follower, while frustrating, are ones commonly ascribed to tribal cultures around the world. As is common with such systems, ancestor and spirit worship rules their daily lives. Loic has rebelled against that system, embroiling him in a spiritual war from which only the Creator can save him.

McDonnell packages the novel as an oral story being told by the same Loic and Satha who lived the events described. But unlike the thin veneer of storytelling common in other fantasy books (i.e. the prologue and epilogue mention the book being written down or transcribed from the words of the characters in their old age, but the rest of the book is standard third person) the oral nature of the telling of the book is embedded into its very fabric. Each chapter is told either from Loic or Satha’s perspective, each one alternating with the other. At times, the storyteller will make an aside that fills in gaps in the story, but doesn’t break the flow of the narrative. Some readers will find this hard to understand, (I had to keep reminding myself that this was an oral history of sorts) especially in the initial pages, but will settle in after the first or second chapter. This is a creative way to structure the novel, and it is done very well. I felt I was sitting at the feet of Loic and Satha as the told me the story of their lives.

The story is sexually and violently graphic. McDonnell has not feared to display wonderful acts of love and gruesome acts of violence in a disturbing and pointed way. She did not shy away from depicting any of the horrors of the evil spirits, or the sinful acts of man. Yet she does it in such a way that you are emotionally wrapped up in both the wonders and horrors of the events surrounding Loic and Satha. When they react in predictably human ways to both good and bad events we empathize to the point of remembering situations our own lives.

Some of the things about the novel that are difficult are its oral storytelling, as I’ve already mentioned, but that can be overcome with familiarity. There are a few major grammatical mistakes towards the end of the story, which interrupt important events, and are jarring for the reader.

McDonnell unashamedly calls this novel a Christian fantasy, and while that is not evident on the cover or in the back blurb, McDonnell's Pentecostal Christianity is part and parcel of the entire story. Those readers who are not Christians may be offended by the obvious references to a Creator and a Savior, a Trinitarian God, and the evil spirits (i.e. demons) who are at war with Him. However, I found that of all the explicitly Christian fantasies I have read, this one has best weaved the author’s worldview into the story without becoming preachy. The story stands alone as a good fantasy, even without the references to God. A Christian will enjoy the Scriptural elements of the novel, and dislike the explicit sex and violence, whereas the non-Christian may find those things powerful, while being offended by the Christian aspects of the story. Wind Follower is not a book that can be pigeon-holed and every person will find something he or she loves, and something he or she dislikes. And that is Mcdonnell’s greatest triumph. No matter your reaction to the novel, you will be called to an emotional response of some kind to the characters.

Other readers may be offended by the portrayal of the Angleni, a white skinned conquering race of people. However, white readers should not be offended. McDonnell does not, in the book hold up any one race as better or worse, In fact, Loic is light skinned and Satha very dark skinned. The theme of the story is the transcendence of the Creator over an above custom, race, and the evil schemes of the spirits. So while race is an important element to Wind Follower, it is not the primary theme of this fantasy.

I highly recommend this book. Wind Follower struggles with the religious nature of man, the effects of racial hatred on belief, the intimacy of a marriage ruled by custom, and ability of forgiveness to transcend all transgressions. If you leave this novel on the bookstore shelf, you will be the poorer for it.

For more, read Fantasy Debut's reaction as she reads through Wind Follower.

Christian Protagonists

Mindy Withrow, a friend of a friend and someone who has quoted me on her website, has some good thoughts on Christian Fiction and Christian protagonists in particular.

On the Use of Swearing in Fantasy and Speculative Fiction

This post is likely to raise some hackles. I debated within my mind whether to put it up. I finally decided that I needed help in thinking this through, and so I appeal to you.

I’d like to discuss with my readers the role of cursing/foul language/swear words in fantasy fiction. I really don’t want to address it generally, as others more qualified than I have done so, and I believe that for other genres, this area is murkier. I know that this is really a matter of personal tolerance for the words or personal preference, but what I would like to do is state my thoughts, explain why I feel this way, and garner your comments on the subject. I’ll admit at the beginning that I am conflicted about this. I have certain Christian beliefs, and a lot of this stems from my inner conflict over enjoying fantasy books that use swearing, but that are otherwise well-written, such as the recently released books by Joe Abercrombie, The Blade Itself (my review), or The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller.

Let me first say that I know that different people have different tolerances, and that the author has the right, nay the duty, to write as he wants and for his target audience. However, there will always be that person in the audience (i.e., me) uncomfortable with certain words or phrases. For purposes of this post, I will use the first letter or letter and blank spaces to denote certain words. (I don’t want the crawlers to pick it up.)

I love fantasy fiction. I have loved it since I was very young and I picked up that first Arthurian fantasy. From there I progressed to epic fantasy, into science fiction, dabbled in some urban fantasy, and have settled on epic and sword and sorcery as my favorite types. Most of the time, these books contain little to no foul language of any kind, not even fanciful, made-up words.

Foul language/swear words and curses are different to my mind. Curses are usally the taking of a god’s name in vain. Curses I see as creative parts of world-building, and are usually in the case of made-up deities. (Forgotten Realms readers will be familiar with curses about Tymora or Mystra.) Neil Gaiman even used this to clever effect in American Gods by having the gods curse on themselves. So, to me, it is acceptable to use a fake deity’s name in vain. This makes sense for an author to do, since some young readers will read these books, and parents will ignore deity curses (other than those of real religions) where they would not ignore d—n or f—k. My belief is that taking a false god’s name in vain allows the author the freedom to come up with creative curses without causing offense. The only line crossing I see between this and swearing is when words like “teats” or other body parts are used.

Swearing, using words like d—n and f—k or b—ch, and c—nt, are offensive to me as a reader. I’ve never made any secret of the fact that I am a Christian, and so my worldview on right and wrong stems from that. But I also like to think of myself as a postmodernist, willing to accept that my values are not necessarily the values of others. I say this only show that while I am a Christian, and there are certain elements within Christianity that read the Ten Commandments and the Bible to include curses and swearing as sins, I view this differently. I understand that the actual words used change from culture to culture and that it is the intent that should be judged not the particular words. Simply put, I believe that cursing and swearing are wrong in their purpose, although I have no problem with the actual words.

However, I have grown up in a Judeo-Christian, Western culture, as most native English speakers have. So within our culture, we have specific words designed to evoke swearing, such as those listed above. I dislike these not for the words themselves, but their intent and the fact that they are in fact our culture’s foul language/swear words. If I were in a different time and place, different words might be offensive to me, but I live now, so I am addressing those words which are used for swearing now.

All right, now let’s move back into why I don’t like swear words/foul language in fantasy fiction in particular.

My primary reason is simple. Because of my background and beliefs, I am often jarred out of enjoyment of a book by particular swear words. While I can gloss over d—n and even b—ch, (I have been known to use those words in anger myself before, something I regret) I am always jarred out of my reading by the word f—k or c—t or some of the less common swear words. Other people might be jarred out of their reading by the words I gloss over. This, I think, is a result of rearing and personality. By jarring I mean that I will be in the flow of the story, and then be thrust back into the real world by the use of a very real and very modern swear word. Fantasy fiction, to me, especially epic or sword and sorcery style fantasy, is about creating another world, one that, while relevant to the culture in which it is published, is also otherworldly and something apart. Good may not always triumph, but the writer is able to tell his story without thrusting me back into the real world. I like to escape, and words that are quintessentially modern prevent that. This true even of non-swear words, but usually only when they come out in the conversation of characters.

My secondary reason is also simple. Young children do read books intended for adults, not matter what categorization or separation we provide to delineate them. Classifications of adult or young adult or children are useful for categorizing, but provide no protection for young minds. I began reading adult fiction at a very young age. (Probably third grade or so.) I had exhausted the children’s fiction, and much of it was babyish and little of it was fantasy. Therefore, I began reading books with very adult themes that I could easily check out at the library. I remember reading The King of YS by Poul Anderson, a story wherein a man has many wives, and his own daughter tries to sleep with him. (Which is, I know, the exact same story as the one about Lot and his daughters from the Bible. I know the Bible is rife with these kinds of stories. However, I did not encounter them in my Children’s Bible, and only tackled them in my teens, after I had already encountered sexuality and swearing elsewhere.) I was probably about 10 years old. The sex scenes were descriptive and used the words we are talking about here. So in essence, I fear some other child doing as I did, and encountering words (and images) that should not be in their vocabulary, were not taught by their parents, and are rare in polite society.

Thirdly, I feel that it is just lazy of the author. If you can’t say it another way, you aren’t really trying very hard. Sometimes it is appropriate, especially in urban fantasy or some of the other subgenres. I can even accept it more so in science fiction since those worlds are built on our own, and we swear with certain words. But it lacks creativity in my opinion.

Sometimes a fantasy novel will use made-up words to denote swearing. Ed Greenwood uses the word “tluin” as a swear word in the Forgotten Realms setting. In all honesty, I am conflicted about this. As an adult reader, I don’t have a problem, I can even think of it as creative, but if I heard a child of mine say it, what would I likely do? Probably punish him, since it is the intent I am punishing not the word itself. I’m reminded of the Friends episode where Ross and Monica made up arm gestures for the bird to try and fool their parents. Parents aren’t stupid, and if it were my kid, I would have caught on and punished the child for the intent, no matter the gesture or word. So should fantasy writers make up swear words? Truth is, I don’t know. I guess I can’t have it both ways. I can’t commend them for creative cursing and then condemn them for creative swearing.

There is another caveat. What if you are writing a book where the characters need to swear as part of their culture? Well, I think that’s okay, and the urban fantasy subgenre is likely to do so. Urban fantasy combines the elements of contemporary fiction and standard Tolkeinesque fantasy together. As a result, some characters are likely to swear, if the come from our modern era. That just makes sense. Overuse of swear words is unnecessary and the author will have to determine to what extent he can or should, but I can see why it is used.

Do I think a fantasy story should have no swearing in it? Yes, except in certain subgenres. Do I think it ruins the story completely? No, I can still enjoy it, but I don’t like the occasional jarring that occurs. Does my Christianity affect this? Yes, I’d be a liar if I didn’t say so. Am I something of a prude? Well, yes, most people would think so. But I still would like to think that my reasons are reasonable and something others not of my faith might agree with.

In all honesty though, I’m conflicted. It’s such a grey area, especially where an art like writing is concerned. Please do not think that I am saying a book is bad because of the use of swearing and/or foul language. There are many other factors that come into play in assessing a book, and this is just one of them, but to me it is one worth study.

Do any of ya’ll have an opinion?

In Memoriam

Famed children's author and essayist Madeleine L'Engle died last week at age 88. Best known for A Wrinkle in Time, a children's science fiction book, she also wrote a great deal on the relationship of faith and art in Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art.

“Why does anybody tell a story?” she once asked, even though she knew the answer.

“It does indeed have something to do with faith,” she said, “faith that the universe has meaning, that our little human lives are not irrelevant, that what we choose or say or do matters, matters cosmically.”

The Positive Use of "Magic" in Scripture

Christian opponents of fantasy novels often point to Leviticus 19:26 “Do not practice divination or sorcery” and the narrative of Saul and the Witch of Endor in I Samuel 28 as God’s command not to have anything to do with fantasy literature, because of its reliance on magic in the story. But the proscriptions against consulting mediums and spirits involved not seeking answers from them and holding themselves as a people apart from using the practices of the Canaanites around them.

In fact, Joseph, son of Jacob, a patriarch and father of two of the tribes of Israel practiced divination. It was his silver divination cup that was placed in the bag of Benjamin in Genesis 44. Joseph calls himself a diviner in verse 15 “Joseph said to them, ‘What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination’” (NIV) It is also thought that the Urim and Thummim described in Exodus 28 as being part of Aaron’s breastplate were used as divination devices to discover the will of God. In Ezra 2:62-63 the Urim and Thummim are used to discover a priest to serve in the temple when none could be found.

The Magi who attended Jesus three years after his birth must have been diviners and sorcerers, for watching the stars was not a scientific exercise, but more likely the practice of astrology, the divining of the future from the alignment of the stars. So we find that even followers of God and His Son practiced divination, or what we would call magic. It was in attempting to know the future, or attempting to answer questions by divining the from some other source than God Himself that was the sin, not the practice itself.

Talk Like a Pirate Contest

For Immediate Release: August 15, 2007
Contact: Dave Bartlett, Harvest House Publishers
Phone: 877-307-0662
Fax: 541-302-0732
Email: dave.bartlett@harvesthousepublishers.com
Web: www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Talk Like a Pirate Contest—Reach Out to a Pirate and Win!

Eugene, Oregon—August 15, 2007— Most pirates routinely plunder and pillage and all that nasty stuff, and have earned the reputation of being an overall mean and grumpy lot with bad teeth. However, pirates are people, too!

Harvest House is pleased to announce the Talk Like A Pirate Contest—Reach Out to a Pirate and Win! Winners will receive copies of The Trophy Chase Trilogy by George Bryan Polivka, and other pirate-related books! Arrgghh! *The rules are simple me hearties! Write a short essay/message (200 words or less) on how you would positively impact a pirate’s life through one or more of the following actions:

a) Friendship/Fellowship (invite a pirate to an activity, outing, concert, church)
b) Prayer
c) Persuasion (as in persuading them to consider another line of work altogether!)
Arrgghh! All you have to do is write up yer message, and submit it between August 20 and Sept. 17 to: talklikeapiratecontest@harvesthousepublishers.com. Make sure to include yer email address and a good phone number (for verification and contact purposes only). Savvy?! We’ll make ye walk the plank if ye submit more than one entry, so if ye wants to avoid an untimely visit to Davey Jones’ Locker, pay attention ye land lubbers and follow the orders o’ yer fearless captain!

To effectively reach a pirate, you need to speak their language. So, your essay must be written in Pirate-speak! (hint: humor is good!) You can even choose a character from George Bryan Polivka’s Trophy Chase Trilogy to write about, or make someone up! Characters include: Fishbait McGee, Skewer Uttley, Conch Imbry, and/or Belisar the Whale—all notorious pirate captains of Nearing Vast (for ideas on pirate-speak, look up National Talk Like A Pirate Day, which is September 19).

Three winners will be selected, with the three winning essays to be posted on author George Bryan Polivka’s blogsite www.nearingvast.com/capspub on September 19. The winners (chosen by a scurvy band of judges whose honor and character are questionable) will receive a veritable pirate’s treasure chest of plunder, including: The Trophy Chase Trilogy (The Legend of the Firefish and The Hand That Bears the Sword, as well as the third book in the series, **The Battle for Vast Dominion). Other titles include When It’s Fourth and Long by Josh Bidwell (punter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arrgghh!), and Captives and Kings by Craig and Janet Parshall.

*Official Rules (NOT just guidelines):
One entry per contestant. Three winning essays will be chosen by a panel of judges based on humor, level of persuasion, and overall creative writing skills. The three winning essays will be posted on author George Bryan Polivka’s blogsite on Sept. 19, 2007. No purchase, entry fee, donation or any other type of payment necessary. Must be a resident of the lower 48 Continental United States to enter (residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada or elsewhere not eligible). Employees and/or family members of Harvest House Publishers not eligible. Must be 14 years or older to enter contest and be able to provide proof of age. Retail value of winning entry: $67.95. **(The Battle for Vast Dominion by George Bryan Polivka releases in January, 2008, and will be shipped to the winning contestants at that time).

Trish Anderson; Brandon Barr; Wayne Thomas Batson; Jim Black; Justin Boyer; Grace Bridges; Amy Browning; Jackie Castle; Valerie Comer; Karri Compton; Frank Creed; Lisa Cromwell; CSFF Blog Tour; Gene Curtis; D. G. D. Davidson; Merrie Destefano; Jeff Draper; April Erwin; Linda Gilmore; Beth Goddard; Marcus Goodyear; Russell Griffith; Jill Hart; Katie Hart; Sherrie Hibbs; Christopher Hopper; Jason Joyner; Kait; Karen; Dawn King; Tina Kulesa; Lost Genre Guild; Terri Main; Rachel Marks; Karen McSpadden; Rebecca LuElla Miller; Eve Nielsen; John W. Otte; John Ottinger; Robin Parrish Lyn Perry; Deena Peterson; Rachelle; Cheryl Russel; Hanna Sandvig; Chawna Schroeder; Mirtika Schultz; James Somers; Steve Trower Speculative Faith; Jason Waguespac; Daniel I. Weaver

An Interview with George Bryan Polivka

As part of this month's CSFF blog tour, I was able to interview (via email) George Bryan Polivka, author of The Legend of the Firefish, first book in the swashbuckling Trophy Chase Trilogy. It is an unusual novel, as it is billed as a fantasy, but is really an alternate 18th century novel. Best comparisons might be Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke or the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik, although those are more alternate histories and do not involve alternate worlds as this book does. It also draws comparison to Pirates of the Caribbean, and James Ward's Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe. But more on that in my review tomorrow. Enjoy the interview, and come back tomorrow to read my review of Legend of the Firefish.

GFTW: Why did you choose to write a fantasy?

GBP: I have always been enamored of the Lord of the Rings. In fact, it played a crucial role in my conversion when I was fifteen. It showed me the stark difference between light and darkness, and convinced me I wanted to be on a path toward the light.

GFTW: Why should Christians read fantasies?

GBP: God gave us imagination in order to apprehend Him. Good fantasy (and by that I mean fantasy in which good battles evil, and prevails through honorable means) stretches that capacity. Mine puts God in the center for that reason. I want people to walk away saying, "I understand God better. And I like Him even more."

GFTW: What themes in fantasy do you think parallel those of the Bible?

GBP: The Christian story, as C.S.Lewis pointed out, is Myth with a capital M. It is the source and culmination of all great themes of literature. The Golden Age, the Fall from Grace, the Desperate Quest, the Great Self-Sacrifice, the Victory of the Underdog, the Redemption of the Lost, the New Beginning... it's all there. It comes from there and finds its meaning there. Any literature that does not delve into these infinite, universal themes will not resonate with humans on this planet.

GFTW: What are your favorite fantasy books/series and/or authors?

GBP: Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle. I have read a lot, but no other fantasy authors have reached me quite like they have.

GFTW: What writer, of any genre, has most influenced you?

GBP: I have had a lot of influences from a lot of genres. The biggest one lately is David McCullough, the history guy. I love his books... can't get enough. All true, all history, and so well told. He gets into the heads of these historical people. I want my fiction to read with the authority of his history. But my biggest influence has to be Tolkien. I've read the trilogy four times, the first three times before I was 21. It helped forge the eternal loyalties of my heart.

GFTW: What is your explanation for the growing fascination of our culture with fantasy?

GBP: Too much ugly reality, in too large a dose. "Escape" is one aspect, but not the whole story. I think people are looking for ways to overcome or rise above evil.

GFTW: Do you see your writing as an evangelistic tool? Why?

GBP: I am not an evangelist, and I do not write to convert people. In fact, I write for a Christian audience. What I mean by that is NOT that I target my books so other Christians will like them. Rather, I write with an underlying message that God has given me for His people... the truth about the nature of power, how evil is to be opposed on earth. And it's not the way the church is generally doing it today. If non-Christians like it and take something away, for me that's a bonus. But it's not my mission. I'm equipping the saints.

GFTW: In writing a fantasy, did you fear writing something that might contradict your own beliefs or lead others to believe something contrary to what you know is true?

GBP: Never.

GFTW: How should Christians react to the inclusion of magic in many fantasies?

GBP: I think it's a delicate balancing act. I actually don't find Harry Potter to be offensive in this regard, because I think Rowling is careful about the uses of magic. Though I know many do have a problem with her. But my kids grew up with Harry, and don't seem to have any illusions that people in the real world who want to become witches and wizards are anything but idiots. My stories do not have magic. They have Firefish, sea monsters that are quite the equivalent of dragons, but they must be dealt with using normal human means. (Unless you consider the grace of God not normal.)

GFTW: You set your story in an 18th century world with large sailing ships and a vast ocean. Why did you choose this setting?

GBP: Nothing captures the longing of the soul, for me, like the sea. And nothing quite captures the sea like tall ships.

GFTW: You chose to quote Scripture directly, rather than allegorically (as in Narnia or Middle Earth). As a reader, I felt this stopped the flow of the narrative a bit abruptly. Did you have a reason for quoting Scripture directly, rather than allegorically representing the Christian life?

GBP: As much as I loved Tolkien, I always felt it unfair that the bad guys had precisely the same motivations as bad guys in the real world, but the good guys couldn't have the same motivations as many, many good guys in history... and that is their faith in God. Why should evil be literal but good allegorical? Who made that rule? Anyway, I broke it. I think it surprises those who are expecting a particular type of fantasy, but not those who are looking for a good read. Certainly, characters in 18th Century settings quoted scripture all the time.

GFTW: Packer Throme was kicked out of seminary, and chose a new vocation of swordsman in order to reach his goals. Why did you choose to have you main character be a person who failed at a spiritual vocation but that finds success in a secular one?

GBP: Because that hits pretty close to home for me, and for a lot of my friends who went to Bible College with me. Not everyone is called into full time Christian work. And when you think you are, and then you don't end up there.. it leaves deep and lasting scars. But there is a reason for it. Packer doesn't find it until the last chapters of Book Three, but he does... eventually.

GFTW: What is distinctive about the Trophy Chase trilogy from other fantasies out there, other than its Christian content?

GBP: I think the lack of magic is distinctive. But also the multiple viewpoints, the "omniscient" point of view. I get into a lot of characters heads, including the Firefish. People have told me the Firefish is their favorite character. The beasts have a motive for everything. Usually it's incorrect reasoning. But that doesn't make it less frightening... like the madman with wild theories that lead him to murder. You get to see this world from lots of different angles.

GFTW: You have been a writer for a long time (since 1981, I believe), tell us a little about your journey.

GBP: I couldn't quit writing and I couldn't get published. That's pretty much the long and short of it. But it was always about His timing. And this is the right time... I can see it in a thousand ways.

GFTW: You use exceptional detail to describe your story, especially the life at sea. Some readers might find that a bit tedious. Did you have a particular reason for describing certain scenes in more detail (even when describing torture*)?

GBP: People mention the torture thing a lot. Actually, I cut a lot of it out. It's important to get to the root of who Packer is, very early, to understand that there is no deception in him and that he is ultimately much weaker than Talon. And in that scene, we get to the root of Talon as well. It's painful, yes, but it sets the whole rest of the story in motion... those two will meet again. As regards detail, I write what I like. What I see. I understand if some people want to "cut to the Chase," (excuse the pun), but it's a book... readers are allowed. A lot of readers have told me they love all that tall ship sea stuff.

*GFTW Caveat: I mentioned the torture scene because people mention it in interviews, etc. but I personally did not find it distasteful as some Christians seem to, only a good example of Polivka's use of description. See here.

GFTW: You try to convey the emotions of the characters in the story, particularly Packer Throme and Panna Seline, but you even get inside the Firefish's head. Why spend so much time on the psyches of these characters, even to the point of analyzing their emotions through the omnipresent narrator in some detail?

GBP: I find it fun to write, and most people find it fun to read. And again, there is some underlying theme here. You can watch someone do something heroic, and think, "Oh, he just did it." But "just do it" is a Nike ad, not a biblical directive. What happened in that hero's mind and heart might be very, very different... doubts, fears, complete despair leading to the power of God. A whole lot can flash through a mind in a few seconds of critical decision-making. You don't always understand how people think by watching externally. You have to get in there with them.

Sometimes I think the passion the publishing industry seems to have for objective 3rd person is just an enormous, well-laid trap... a way to convince the world that everyone's the same and everyone's on their own, and there is no way of thinking that can lead to a better outcome. Just do it. Existentialism at it's worst.

GFTW: Finally, any parting thoughts to potential readers?

GBP: This trilogy is a bit of a throwback... it's not the "modern" novel in many regards. It doesn't fit neatly into categories. And that's purposeful. The payoff is a different way of thinking. I had one reader tell me, "I found myself thinking like Packer Throme." That's very satisfying.

Thanks for the opportunity to talk about it a little bit.

George Bryan Polivka's second book in the Trophy Chase Trilogy, The Hand That Bears the Sword is also available. The third book in the series is slated for release in January of 2008. You can keep up with Polivka at his blog, or website.

Check out the other participants in this month's CSFF Blog Tour.

Trish Anderson; Brandon Barr; Wayne Thomas Batson; Jim Black; Justin Boyer; Grace Bridges; Amy Browning; Jackie Castle; Valerie Comer; Karri Compton; Frank Creed; Lisa Cromwell; CSFF Blog Tour; Gene Curtis; D. G. D. Davidson; Merrie Destefano; Jeff Draper; April Erwin; Linda Gilmore; Beth Goddard; Marcus Goodyear; Russell Griffith; Jill Hart; Katie Hart; Sherrie Hibbs; Christopher Hopper; Jason Joyner; Kait; Karen; Dawn King; Tina Kulesa; Lost Genre Guild; Terri Main; Rachel Marks; Karen McSpadden; Rebecca LuElla Miller; Eve Nielsen; John W. Otte; John Ottinger; Robin Parrish Lyn Perry; Deena Peterson; Rachelle; Cheryl Russel; Hanna Sandvig; Chawna Schroeder; Mirtika Schultz; James Somers; Steve Trower Speculative Faith; Jason Waguespac; Daniel I. Weaver

Letter to a Christian Author

Dear Sir/Madam

The trouble with Christian fiction is, it proselytizes to the converted! I'm currently in the process of reading a Christian book, a book that will never make it to the mainstream, yet is written as if some non-Christian will actually pick it up and be converted by it.

The good Christian authors, like Francine Rivers or L. B. Graham, know they are preaching to the converted and so write books that affirm their beliefs or provide support and encouragement to the readers they know will read their books.

The bad Christian authors always want to use their books as missionary tools, to preach the gospel to those who have not heard it yet. But let's be honest, no non-Christian is ever going to pick up your book. And if they did, they would know it for the tract that it is, and lump it in with the hand method for sharing the gospel or the "magazines" of Jehovah's Witnesses. They then point to this as the reason so much Christian fiction is "bad" even when it is quite well-written.

It's a sad fact, but its true.

Other Christian authors a truly great. Flannery O'Connor and J.R.R. Tolkien wrote great stories. Madeleine L'Engle and George MacDonald did the same. Their world view allowed them to delve into what it means to be human, both in the darkness and in the light. They wrote stories of excellence trying to understand the world and its fallen nature, and avoided overt attempts to proselytize in their works.

And so they found success in the mainstream by not allowing themselves to have an agenda, but simply to sought to tell a story.

The same is true of secular fiction with overt agendas. The books may sell for a while, even top bestseller lists, but eventually is seen for what it is and discarded. (Unless, of course, the agenda is the destruction of Christianity, which will always be successful in a sin dominated world. i.e. The Da Vinci Code).

You might point to C. S. Lewis as proof of the opposite in the Narnia books, but I say that one can only attribute the books' success to the notoriety of its author worldwide at the volumes' time of publication.

So many other Christian authors simple churn out bad literature for the sake of trying to make a sale. And what they are selling is Christianity. Sorry folks, but Christian fiction ain't gonna convert nobody. It will be a support and help to the converted and the saved, might make interesting stories or raise interesting questions, but only relationships with unbelievers and the power of the Holy Spirit will convert anybody.

The great Christian authors knew this, so they did their very best to delve into the world, to understand how it ticks, much like the watchmaker knows the gears of the cuckoo clock. In doing so, they gave humanity insights into its own nature, perhaps engendering a look into their soul. And they did so without proselytizing (at least not obviously). They allow the story to do its own proselytizing, without the need to insert Scripture or references to God to ensure that the reader "gets" the Christian nature of the novel.

The great Christian author will let the story God has given him or her unfold. God will use the novel to work on hearts, I don't deny that, but it shouldn't be forced. God's seed will plant without overuse of Scripture or excessive allegory.

(You might point to Bunyan and Lewis as successes, but I don't. Their popularity continues because of successive generations of Christians buying and selling their books. Besides, the exception of the popularity of Narnia does not create the rule for all allegory.)

That does not mean we shouldn't try to write Christian novels. But we should be trying less to ensure that we insert Scripture and more to ensure that we are probing the human mind, the creation of God, and our relationships.

Yours Sincerely,

A Christian Reader

PS: Care to disagree? Leave a comment.

CSFF Special Blog Tour: Promo Video

The Fantasy Fiction Tour

Wayne Thomas Batson – http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/ and http://www.thedoorwithin.com/

Sharon Hinck – http://sharonswriting.blogspot.com/ and http://www.sharonhinck.com/

Bryan Davis – http://dragonsinourmidst.blogspot.com/ and http://www.dragonsinourmidst.com/

Christopher Hopper – http://christopherhopper.wordpress.com/ and http://christopherhopper.org/

CSFF Special Blog Tour: The Fantastic Four

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This month there is a special blog tour for four Christian Fantasy Authors. Lots of people will be blogging about them, but you can also check them out at their websites and blogs. This month, they will be at the Christian Booksellers Convention here in Atlanta.

Wayne Thomas Batson – http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/ and http://www.thedoorwithin.com/

Sharon Hinck – http://sharonswriting.blogspot.com/ and http://www.sharonhinck.com/

Bryan Davis – http://dragonsinourmidst.blogspot.com/ and http://www.dragonsinourmidst.com/

Christopher Hopper – http://christopherhopper.wordpress.com/ and http://christopherhopper.org/

CSFF Day 2: The Restorer

Sharon Hinck writes books for women. Of all the reviews I have read, (at least half of this month's tour participants) almost all the rave reviews have been women and all of the critical or poor reviews have been men (myself included). I think this simply shows who will make the best audience for The Restorer. Wayne has called us to be critical but honest in our reviews, and I think that is a good call. It's obvious that the book is geared towards women and that men will probably walk away unsatisfied. That doesn't make the book bad (something I recently learned while reading my wife's favorite Christian book) just different or designed for a different audience. Quality will transcend genre, and the success or failure of The Restorer will ultimately depend on its longevity and effect, not our response to it.

Pastor John (the male exception so far) loved it but I think getting to interview her made his outlook a little biased, although the interview is great! D. G. D. Davidson hated it, but he is obviously a well read sci-fi reader, especially the harder sf (as evidenced by the comparisons he made). Yet while I thought his attempt to take apart the theology of the book (something best not attempted in a fiction book, I think) was a little rough, he had valid points about the quality of the plot line, the holes in it, and the excessive use of deus ex machina. I hope Sharon Hinck will be able to take all our reviews and improve her writing. She already has skill in integrating Scripture and character development, perhaps plot and setting will be her next hurdles to tackle. After all, as a failed writer turned blog critic myself, I appreciate even her attempt to write such a book, even if it isn't my favorite. But hey, who am I to judge? I like to read shared-world books for goodness sakes.

Perhaps Hinck has asked some of us to suspend disbelief to far. For others it is not far enough. Does this say something positive or negative about our own humility or ability to trust? I don't know. You tell me.

Sharon Hinck Wayne Thomas Batson Trish Anderson Brandon Barr Jim Black Justin Boyer Grace Bridges Amy Browning Jackie Castle Valerie Comer Karri Compton Frank Creed Lisa Cromwell CSFF Blog Tour Gene Curtis D. G. D. Davidson Chris Deanne Jeff Draper April Erwin Linda Gilmore Beth Goddard Marcus Goodyear Andrea Graham Russell Griffith Jill Hart Katie Hart Sherrie Hibbs Heather R. Hunt Becca Johnson Jason Joyner Kait Karen Dawn King Tina Kulesa Lost Genre Guild Rachel Marks Rebecca LuElla Miller Eve Nielsen John W. Otte John Ottinger Robin Parrish Rachelle Cheryl Russel Hanna Sandvig Chawna Schroeder Mirtika Schultz Steve Trower Speculative Faith Jason Waguespac Daniel I. Weaver

Book Review: The Restorer by Sharon Hinck

Title: The Restorer
Author: Sharon Hinck
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Christian Fiction
Pub. Date: May 2007
Format: Paperback, 477pp
Publisher: NavPress Publishing Group

When reading fantasy books, I generally apply two arbitrary criteria that I have found useful in determining books I like. The first is I look for the willingness of the author to kill important characters, not secondary or briefly mentioned characters. I've always felt that to do so was brave and showed a willingness to push the story's limits rather than following a predictable course. The second is actually from Aristotle’s Poetics. Summarized, Aristotle says the primary character must be believable. In essence, the character must be more human than superhuman. No one wants to read about the perfect man doing great things (i.e. early Superman). No, the reader prefers the character to suffer and overcome those sufferings (whether external or internal) thus creating a true hero (i.e. Batman or Spider-man).

The Restorer, by Sharon Hinck, fails on the first criteria but fulfills the second. While no major characters are destroyed or killed in the novel, the author does manage to create a physically superhuman character whose inner struggles keep her human enough to make her sympathetic to the reader.

The story follows a standard plot line first made popular by Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court and used by Stephen Lawhead in his Song of Albion trilogy. Someone from our world and time slips through a portal into an alternate universe. The world is similar to our own, but different enough to make the transition jarring. However, Hinck does through a wrench in by making the world technologically advanced and culturally tribal rather than the opposite. The opposite take is more common in science fiction. Allegorizing the story of Deborah in Judges, Hinck creates the story of a Restorer (Susan of Ridgeview Drive, soccer mom extraordinaire) whose purpose is to bring people back to a belief in the One and a return to following the laws given by Him. Susan finds herself to be the Restorer, a person not unlike the judges of the Old Testament.

The story is fun and interesting and stands up to my wife’s criterion for Christian novels. Her criterion is simple; if the Christian part of the novel is removed, is the book just like the others of its genre? The Restorer is so integrated with Scripture (both conceptually and in quote form) and a Biblical knowledge base that the book could not survive without it. While this does limit the audience (as does the character’s soccer mom status) it might find wide acceptance among the women who enjoy reading Christian novels.

Hinck’s writing is good although some of her plot is confusing. How the portal between worlds came to be is not explained till much later in the book and while the explanation is surprising, I found not knowing to be frustrating and distracting. The easy acceptance of Susan of the existence of alternate universes and her being in one is too ready and pat. I would have thought that she would have been more incredulous. Additonally, deus ex machina is not a sufficient explanation of the translation of a plastic sword into a real one. Finally, the ban on long-range weapons makes no sense. I understand its purpose as a plot device (the allegorizing of Judges and the historical record of the small backward nation of Israel’s fight against technological superpowers like Philistia and Canaan make this clear), but Hinck fails to explain how the guardians could hunt without the use of bows and arrows, even slingshots. Being limited to swords and daggers makes hunting near impossible, unless some unexplained and unmentioned device makes it possible.

However, most readers will gloss over these inconsistencies and enjoy the insights into Susan’s character and the careful weaving of Scripture into the narrative. Often, verses will be dropped into a novel to make it Christian, but it is jarring and out of sync with the rest of the story. Hinck is adept at making the words seem to flow smoothly and in showing the real power that Scripture has.

The odd admixture of science fiction and fantasy of the world building give the story an ethereal quality that adds greatly to its mood. The soul searching of Susan and the lack of any true evil character represent well the truth of the pervasiveness of sin.

I did find it difficult to get into until about chapter five. At that point questions start being answered and the story’s pace picks up. However, as a fantasy, The Restorer works well. As a Christian novel it works even better. While I think the audience is limited and leaves the male portion fantasy readership without a frame of reference, perhaps the sequel, The Restorer’s Son, will allow such readership (of which I am a part) to delve into the setting.

I recommend that Christian novel readers looking to step outside of the more common genres in such novels, and Christian fantasy lovers read this book. It is a good story, strong in morals, and epic fantasy lovers will enjoy it to some extent. However, it is best compared with Stephen Donaldson’s Chronicles of Thomas Covenant in the secular market rather than with Robert Jordan or Terry Brooks.

The Restorer is fun and engaging. Hinck has a gift for surprise and the plot never takes a predictable path. Susan of Ridgeview Drive is a hero whose inner struggles mirror our very own. Christians will understand the sanctification process better, and their own need to surrender much more deeply. Others will enjoy the fantasy elements and interesting world-building. Hinck’s foray into fantasy is a welcome addition to the growing canon of Christian speculative literature.

Sharon Hinck Wayne Thomas Batson Trish Anderson Brandon Barr Jim Black Justin Boyer Grace Bridges Amy Browning Jackie Castle Valerie Comer Karri Compton Frank Creed Lisa Cromwell CSFF Blog Tour Gene Curtis D. G. D. Davidson Chris Deanne Jeff Draper April Erwin Linda Gilmore Beth Goddard Marcus Goodyear Andrea Graham Russell Griffith Jill Hart Katie Hart Sherrie Hibbs Heather R. Hunt Becca Johnson Jason Joyner Kait Karen Dawn King Tina Kulesa Lost Genre Guild Rachel Marks Rebecca LuElla Miller Eve Nielsen John W. Otte John Ottinger Robin Parrish Rachelle Cheryl Russel Hanna Sandvig Chawna Schroeder Mirtika Schultz Steve Trower Speculative Faith Jason Waguespac Daniel I. Weaver

CSFF Day 2: Review of "Tiama"

As part of the Christian science fiction and fantasy blog tour, I would like to take this opportunity to review a story published in this month’s highlight, the e-zine The Sword Review.

The top story for this month’s edition of the ‘zine is David Downing’s story “Tiama”. Billed as a fantasy by the editors of The Sword Review, this story is less a fantasy and more of a legend. In fact, that is its intent according to the author. His goal was to capture the essence of a mythological story, or a history told as legend. The standard fantasy elements are not there for the most part, and realistically even the more fantastic element could potentially be scientifically explained. So don’t expect a standard fantasy.

The story would do well placed in a longer novel as a background story to a character or place but also works as a short story although I think it does less well in that context. The “legend” tells of a city of former glory reduced to a few pitiful families. A mysterious stranger appears and begins to act foolishly. But, as any reader knows, it is the seemingly foolish actions of a character that lead to ultimate success in the story. Such is the case here, and Downing captures the essence of that plot well.

The story has some trouble after the climax though. What should be a shorter conclusion (i.e. the essence of it could be concluded in a paragraph takes two pages in the pdf version) drags on. The final point and moral lesson were well-taken by this reader, and the story lends itself well to the conclusion.

On page 4 of the pdf version there is a gross mistake in the spelling of the main character (Tiama’s) name. This is an understandable oversight, but it was jarring when I read it and nearly snapped me out of my suspension of disbelief so necessary for the reading of fiction.

As I stated before, this would make a good background history or story to a character. Perhaps Leilah might become a greater character, or the man who finally settled the area, what is his story. Or it might make a good setup to the arrival of a group years later into the revived city.

A good story with a worthy moral ending and that earns its top billing in this month’s Sword Review.

Others on the Tour this month are:

Brandon Barr
Russell Griffith
Jason Waguespac
Holly
Jim Black
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Frank Creed
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
April Erwin
Kameron M. Franklin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Heather R. Hunt
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Kait
Karen
Dawn King
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Kevin Lucia and The Bookshelf Reviews 2.0 - The Compendium
Terri Main
Rachel Marks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Robin Parrish
Cheryl Russel
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Daniel I. Weaver

CSFF Day 1: The Sword Review

This month's Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour (CSFF) is highlighting the online magazine (also known as e-zines) The Sword Review.

E-zines are often used in science fiction and fantasy authorship. And they are plentiful, though not often profitable. E-zines exist, and continue to do so, because in truth there simply are not enough print publications for fiction out there, even fewer for science fiction and fantasy, and they usually want established names from reputable publishing houses anyway. There are a few small press publishers, like Black Gate and others who are willing to take on new authors, but they are limited as well. Also, since the growth of the Internet, gaining news and other things is easy and free.

E-zines take advantage of that. Usually donation-driven, the overhead costs are minimal and require only a domain name purchase, perhaps some server space, a person with the know-how to develop the site (which, with the advent of blogs, is even less necessary) and writing contributions.

The Sword Review has taken the idea, and applied it to Christian Fiction, particularly Christian science fiction and fantasy. Paying writers a small purchase fee (up to $25 for submissions) for a one-time online publication, adds credibility to the authors, since they can now say they have been "published".

Additionally, using the upon request printing service of Lulu, The Sword Review will send a reader the fiction, poetry, and some reviews for that latest issue in print format.

They also take illustrations, paying $10.00 per submission.

In its own words, "The Sword Review is a publication project of Double-Edged Publishing, Inc. (ISSN 1556-5416). We strive to provide quality fiction, poetry, valuable reviews, and meaningful exposition, all in a means that respects traditional values and Christian principles. The Sword Review actively seeks works from new and student authors and artists, but holds high standards of quality for all contributions."

The design of the site is simple, and can be off-putting. Its simplicity, and the domination of the brown color seen in the image above are drab and dull. Although the three column format is used for the site, many of the important links must be accessed by scrolling down to the bottom, rather than being found easily at the top of the page. Each page has links back to the main page, but clicking on the image at the top does nothing, when it should be an easy way to navigate back to the home page. This poor navigability is the primary drawback for the site itself.

Most of the longer fiction entries have to downloaded in pdf format, although, after a quick preview page, an html version can also be viewed. The poetry usually appears complete when you click the link from the front page.

The navigation has gotten much better since the last time I visited and the submission guidelines are clearer.

The reader will also find forums to discuss the works published, some regular columns of interest by the editor and his team, and the occasional essay on fantasy and science fiction.

It is a good site, and is one of the best places on the web for a reader to find Christian science fiction and fantasy writing. Although the layout and navigation could be improved, the content is quite good, the continuous updates of the columns throughout the week and the ability to buy print copies for those who like that paper feel in their hands all give a great deal of credibility to the enterprise.

Unlike Jeff's Where the Map Ends, this is a place to publish fiction, poetry, and art created by Christians, rather than highlight what has been published or to assist Christian writers in developing their stories.

All in all, a pleasure to read. I'm glad someone has undertaken the task, and The Sword Review does a good enough job that I am glad to support it through this CSFF Blog Tour.

Others on the Tour this month are:

Brandon Barr
Russell Griffith
Jason Waguespac
Holly
Jim Black
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Frank Creed
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
April Erwin
Kameron M. Franklin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Heather R. Hunt
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Kait
Karen
Dawn King
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Kevin Lucia and The Bookshelf Reviews 2.0 - The Compendium
Terri Main
Rachel Marks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Robin Parrish
Cheryl Russel
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Daniel I. Weaver

Book Review: The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead

A return to a book review of the past year.

The second reading was actually a rereading of books I read in my childhood. Stephen Lawhead really burst upon the stage with his unique look at the Arthurian legend. The Pendragon Cycle, a series of six books five of which are set in Britain after the time of the Romans and one book in the present time (i.e. the Return of Arthur) does an excellent job of both creating a somewhat historical Arthur, and of presenting the Gospel message in an appealing way. The series is really a fantasy, but Jesus is not left out. Merlin becomes the prophet of the true faith and Arthur its fallible defender in the richly detailed and textured Celtic (Welsh/Briton) world. The characterization is superb, and one finds oneself wishing there were there. I am currently in the fourth book in the series called Pendragon which I find is my least favorite, as it tries to insert a story about Arthur into what seemed already completed in the third book. It is not a bad book, only difficult to read right after the trilogy before. I call it a trilogy, because it was completed long before Pendragon was written and the saga had seemed complete. Lawhead does bring us back into the story, but some of the repetition, although necessary, is dull.

CSFF: Where the Map Ends Day 2

Jeff Gerke of Where the Map Ends is starting up a collaborative fiction project. The following announcement is from his email newsletter, which you can sign up for on the website.

On March 1 (3/1/07) I am launching the first-ever WhereTheMapEnds Collaborative Fiction Project.

In collaborative fiction a group of participants (including you, I hope) works together to create a story. Anyone can create characters. Anyone can create settings. Anyone can create plot. And anyone can write the actual scenes that will become the story.

I've always liked the movie 'Krull,' in which fantasy heroes are attacked by laser-toting aliens in their spaceships. So that's the kind of story I've decided we'll tackle together.

Our premise: A medieval fantasy world--with its own problems, histories, cultures, and cast of characters--is suddenly invaded by technologically advanced beings from space--who themselves have their own problems, histories, cultures, and cast of characters.

Now who wouldn't want a piece of that? Whether you like fantasy or science fiction or cyberpunk or the clash of cultures, there's something here for you.

I've got the technical framework for the project all set up. I'm using a forums/message board format, which others have used successfully for projects like this. I've got all the forums and sub-forums ready to go. All I need is the people.

I feel like I've been preparing for a party and now everything's ready: the tables are set up, the punch is mixed, the decorations are up, and the party favors are on every chair. I can't wait to open the doors on March 1 and let the party begin.

I hope you'll join the fun. Whether you're a writer, a reader, or just an intrigued bystander (who might BECOME a writer along the way), you're heartily invited.

I also recommend you check out Mirathon's website, where you can enter to win some useful tools for writers, written by Jeff. And take a look at the fine sites below as well.

Christopher Hopper Jason Joyner Kait Karen K. D. Kragen Tina Kulesa Kevin Lucia and The Bookshelf Reviews 2.0 - The Compendium Rachel Marks Shannon McNear Rebecca LuElla Miller Eve Nielsen John W. Otte Robin Parrish Rachelle Cheryl Russel Hanna Sandvig Mirtika Schultz James Somers Steve Trower Speculative Faith Daniel I. Weaver Timothy Wise

CSFF: Where the Map Ends

This month's CSFF Blog Tour is checking out Jeff Gerke (aka Jefferson Scott) at Where the Map Ends.com.

Jeff is an experienced Christian publisher who has worked for Multanomah, Strang, and NavPress, which are all distinguished Christian publishing agencies.

But even better is his Booklist, a best of his knowledge collection of the works of Christian Fantasy and Science Fiction writers. I have particularly appreciated this list. It has helped me find works both to read and support.

He also regularly interviews people in the field, and has interviewed such notaries as Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti. They are fascinating!

You should also check out what others on the blog tour are doing to highlight Jeff's Website.

Nissa Annakindt Jim Black Grace Bridges Jackie Castle Valerie Comer Karri Compton CSFF Blog Tour Gene Curtis D.G.D. Davidson Chris Deanne Janey DeMeo Tessa Edwards April Erwin Kameron M. Franklin Linda Gilmore Beth Goddard Marcus Goodyear Andrea Graham Todd Michael Greene Leathel Grody Katie Hart Sherrie Hibbs Sharon Hinck Christopher Hopper Jason Joyner Kait Karen K. D. Kragen Tina Kulesa Kevin Lucia and The Bookshelf Reviews 2.0 - The Compendium Rachel Marks Shannon McNear Rebecca LuElla Miller Eve Nielsen John W. Otte John Ottinger Robin Parrish Rachelle Cheryl Russel Hanna Sandvig Mirtika Schultz James Somers Steve Trower Speculative Faith Daniel I. Weaver Timothy Wise

CSFF: The Door Within

I recently joined the CSFF Blog Tour. The goal of the tour is to promote Fantasy and Science Fiction novels written by Christians. In all honesty, such books are not always very good, but as I read through the list of authors who are part of the tour, visited their websites, and looked around I ended up being more impressed than I thought I would be, so I joined. It's a noble goal and one I applaud.

This month, we are looking at the works of Wayne Thomas Batson. I've been enjoying reading his blog Enter the Door Within. Unlike some authors, he posts often and really lets us know something about his writing method. I especially enjoyed his comment about vocation?

"How do you know what God's will is for you? I can't speak for everyone, but it seems to me that if you find something you can do well, something that challenges you, kicks your tail from time to time, and you still can't seem to get enough of it…maybe that's God's will for you. So long as what you do lives up to scriptural scrutiny, that is."

You can read an interview with him at The Sword Review.

I think I'll pick up a copy of his first book of the The Door Within Trilogy, next time I purchase a few. The entire trilogy consists of The Door Within, Rise of the Wyrm Lord, and The Final Storm.

If you want to learn more about the book itself, or read reviews, click the extended entry link to see other participants in the January Tour.

CSFF BLOG TOUR JANUARY 2007

Jim Black

Jackie Castle

Valerie Comer

Karri Compton

Frank Creed

CSFF Blog Tour

Gene Curtis

Chris Deanne

Janey DeMeo

April Erwin

Beth Goddard

Marcus Goodyear

Todd Michael Greene

Leathel Grody

Karen Hancock

Katie Hart

Sherrie Hibbs

Sharon Hinck

Joleen Howell

Kait

Karen

K. D. Kragen

Tina Kulesa

Lost Genre Guild

Kevin Lucia and The Bookshelf Reviews 2.0 - The Compendium

Rachel Marks

Shannon McNear

Rebecca LuElla Miller

Caleb Newell

Eve Nielsen

John Otte

Robin Parrish

Cheryl Russel

Hannah Sandvig

Mirtika Schultz

James Somers

Stuart Stockton

Steve Trower

Speculative Faith

Daniel I. Weaver

Robin Parrish

Tessa Edwards

Book Reviews by Author

These are my book reviews, categorized alphabetically by the author's last name. (Categorization by title is available here.)

You can also subscribe to an RSS feed of my reviews at librarything.

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

A

Abercrombie, Joe The Blade Itself; Before They Are Hanged
Abraham, Daniel Hunter's Run
Ackley-McPhail, Danielle (et al.) Bad-A** Faeries
Adams, John Joseph Shimmer, The Pirate Issue; Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse
Aguirre, Ann Grimspace
Alcorn, Randy The Treasure Principle

B

Barnes, Jonathan The Somnambulist
Barwood, Lee Klassic Koalas: Ancient Aboriginal Tales in New Retellings
Beah, Ishmael A Long Way Gone
Bennis, Warren On Becoming A Leader
Bolme, Edward Eberron: The Orb of Xoriat; Eberron: Bound by Iron
Brand, Paul The Gift of Pain
Brennan, Marie Midnight Never Come
Britain, Kristen Green Rider
Brooke, Keith Genetopia
Bryson, Bill The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid; The Mother Tongue
Buckell, Tobias Crystal Rain; Ragamuffin
Burton, Katherine Hedge Hunters
Butcher, Jim Small Favor
Byers, Richard Lee Forgotten Realms: Unclean

C

Carpenter, Humphrey J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography
Chapman, Gary The Five Love Languages
Civiello, Emmanuel, A Bit of Madness
Cordell, Bruce Forgotten Realms: Stardeep
Cunningham, Elaine Forgotten Realms: The City of Splendors
Czerneda, Julie E. (ed.) Misspelled

D

Delaney, Frank Tipperary: A Novel
Dozois, Gardner Hunter's Run

E

Edelman, David Louis Infoquake
Edgington, Ian Sojourn: The Sorcerer's Tale; Sojourn: The Bezerker's Tale
Edwards, Kim The Memory Keeper's Daughter
Elliott, Kate The Crown of Stars Series
Ellis, Peter Berresford (see also Peter Tremayne) The Druids
Ellison, Harlan Dangerous Visions
Emery, Clayton Robin Hood and the Beasts of Sherwood

F

Falbe, Tracy Union of Renegades
Feist, Raymond E. Magician; Honored Enemy; Murder in LaMut
Finlay, Charles Coleman The Prodigal Troll
Forstchen, William R. Honored Enemy
Frank, Pat Alas, Babylon
Frazer, Margaret The Clerk's Tale
Freedman, Pamela Blood Ties
Freivald, Jake Falsh Fiction Online, April 2008

G

Gemmell, David Legend
Genesse, Paul The Golden Cord
Goodkind, Terry Phantom; Confessor
Graham, L.B. Shadow in the Deep; Beyond the Summerland
Green, David More Than A Hobby
Greenberg, Martin H. Fellowship Fantastic
Greenwood, Ed Forgotten Realms: The City of Splendors; Forgotten Realms: Swords of Dragonfire

H

Hart, Johnny Growingold with B.C.
Heinlein, Robert A. Glory Road
Hinck, Sharon The Restorer
Hines, Jim C. Goblin Quest; Goblin Hero; Goblin War
Horner, W. H. (ed.) Sails and Sorcery: Tales of Nautical Fantasy; Bash Down the Door and Slice Open the BadGuy
Hughes, Kerrie Fellowship Fantastic
Hunt, Stephen The Court of the Air

I

J

Jacobs, A.J. The Know-It-All
James, P.D. The Children of Men
Johnson, Jaleigh Forgotten Realms: The Howling Delve
Jones, Rosemary Forgotten Realms: Crypt of the Moaning Diamond
Jordan, Robert Knife of Dreams

K

Kemp, Paul S. Forgotten Realms: Shadowstorm
Kirkpatrick, Russell Across the Face of the World
Knight, E. E. Dragon Champion; Dragon Outcast

L

Lackey, Mercedes The Phoenix Unchained
Land, Greg Sojourn: The Sorcerer's Tale; Sojourn: The Bezerker's Tale
Lansky, Aaron Outwitting History
Lawhead, Stephen Hood; Scarlet; The Pendragon Cycle
Lebow, Jess Forgotten Realms: Obsidian Ridge
Le Guin, Ursula K. The Left Hand of Darkness

M

Mackay, Scott Tides; Phytosphere
Mallet, Nathalie The Princes of the Golden Cage
Mallory, James The Phoenix Unchained
Mangels, Andy Iron Man: Beneath the Armor
Martin, Gail Z. The Summoner
Martin, George R.R. Dying of the Light; Hunter's Run
Maxwell, John C. Life@Work
McCarthy, Cormac The Road
McCourt, Frank Teacher Man
McDonnell, Carole Wind Follower
McPhail, Mike (ed.) Breach the Hull
Meluch, R.M. The Sagittarius Command
Mental_floss Condensed Knowledge
Meredith, Robyn The Elephant and the Dragon: The Rise of India and China and What it Means for All of Us
Miller, Karen The Innocent Mage; The Awakened Mage; Empress
Moedesitt Jr., L.E. The Magic of Recluce
Moore, Moira J. Heroes Adrift
Mosdi, Thomas A Bit of Madness
Muirden, James & Eccles, David (Illustrator) A Rhyming History of Britain

N

Norwich, John Julius Shakespeare's Kings

O

O'Neill, John (ed.) Black Gate: Issue #11
Overstreet, Jeffrey Auralia's Colors

P

Paolini, Christopher Eragon
Poole, Robert M. Explorer's House: National Geographic and the World It Made
Pratchett, Terry Thud!; The Truth; Making Money
Priest, Christopher The Prestige
Proctor, William Moon Gate

Q

R

Ramsey, Dave The Junior Books
Reid, Thomas M. Forgotten Realms: The Gossamer Plain
Rivers, Francine Redeeming Love
Rosenberg, Joel Murder in LaMut
Rothfuss, Patrick The Name of the Wind
Ruckley, Brian Winterbirth; Bloodheir

S

Salvatore, R.A. Forgotten Realms: Road of the Patriarch; Forgotten Realms: The Orc King
Sayers, Dorothy Are Women Human?
Schlosser, Eric Fast Food Nation
Sehestedt, Mark (ed.) The Tales of the Last War
Setterfield, Diane The Thirteenth Tale
Seymour, James Black History Through Blue Eyes: The Debt the World Owes to Africa
Shakespeare, William Henry V (Classical Comics Edition)
Smith, Alexander McCall The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency
Snyder, Maria V. Poison Study
Steves, Rick The Rick Steves' Travel Guide Series
Stusser, Michael The Dead Guy Interviews

T

Thurman, Rob Madhouse
Tremayne, Peter (see also Peter Ellis) Badger's Moon; Master of Souls; Smoke in the Wind
Twain, Mark The Innocents Abroad

U

V

Varley, John Rolling Thunder
Venditti, Robert The Surrogates, Vol. 1

W

Walley, Chris The Shadow and Night
Waltz, Jason M. (ed.) Return of the Sword
Ward, James M. Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe
Weldon, David Moon Gate
Wells, Martha The Death of the Necromancer
West, Michelle The Hidden City
Wiesel, Elie Night
Williams, Tad Shadowmarch
Winchester, Simon Outposts: Journeys to the Surviving Relics of the British Empire
Withrow, Mindy and Brandon Monks and Mystics

X

Y

Yancey, Philip The Gift of Pain

Z

Zakour, John The Blue-Haired Bombshell

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Book Review: Moon Gate by David Weldon and William Proctor

Genre: Science Fiction, Christian Fiction
Authors: William Proctor, David J. Weldon
Format: Paperback, 324pp
Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Some books are just awful. Sometimes it’s the content (Val mentioned Meg Cabot’s Ready or Not as one of these types) or sometimes the writing. Other times, you can blame it on the publisher, although these are rarer.

Generally, I can finish bad books. No matter how stilted the writing, poor the content, or dull the plot, I can usually finish the entire text. Not this time.

I’ve been trying to read Moongate by William Proctor and David Weldon M.D. Collaborations are notoriously more difficult to write than standard novels, and since Weldon is a U.S. Congressman rather than a professional author I don’t expect much of him. However, Proctor is often hailed as the “Christian Tom Clancy” (oh yea, did I mention that this work is a Christian sci-fi novel?) but fails to live up to the hype.

Moongate follows a U.S. Congressman as he travels to the Moon to lead an expedition that will create an eternal energy source for earth, saving us from a reliance on fossil fuels. Not being a scientist, I cannot comment on whether nuclear fusion is possible, but the plot revolves on it. Meanwhile, the Russians are planning a mission within a mission, which (according to the dust jacket) has the potential to rip the fabric of heaven. I'm not sure if this is a n apocalypse book like Left Behind but I guess I would have to finish it to find that out, which I just cannot do.

The book fails in the latter of the two ways mentioned above. Its writing is stilted, hard to read, lacking flow, and in some cases nonsensical. Motivations for actions were difficult to find, and the characterization was mostly two-dimensional. The plot was then lost in the cringe I got every time I turned a page.

I have to be forthright, I put the book down after about 10 chapters (each of which are about 3 to 5 pages long, by the way) so I don’t know if the book eventually gets good. The plot seemed interesting and had not the writing been so stilted, I might have even finished it, maybe even enjoyed it.

It is unfortunate, as I like Congressman Weldon, and even lived in his constituency for nearly four years, but I cannot endorse this book as worth the time it takes to read.

Book Review: Hood by Stephen Lawhead

Yesterday I finished reading Hood, by Stephen Lawhead. A retelling of the Robin Hood story, it is set in Wales rather than in Nottingham. Lawhead contends that the original Robin Hood stories were in fact re-tellings (like King Arthur) of much older legends. I find that, given my own limited knowledge, that I agree. The themes of the story are universal and could have come from much older stories, much as many mythologies are perverted tellings of Biblical history.

The first book of the King Raven Trilogy, Hood is fast paced, interesting and creative. Rather than just retell the story in a new setting, Lawhead tweaks the plot enough that it is not wholly recognizable as Robin Hood. It is in fact, a new story, fresh and inventive. Although many character's names are similar, they take on a fresh feel. Marian becomes Merien and Friar Tuck's real Saxon name of Aethelfrith is revealed. Although this nod to the original story is obvious, it does not detract at all from the originality of Lawhead's telling.

For those who don't know, Lawhead is a professing Christian and writer of many books, including science fiction, Celtic based fantasies, and historical novels. His novel Byzantium is one of the most well-written and paced books I have ever read. Valerie once asked me which of my fantasy books, if I could only pick one, she should read. I told her that Byzantium was that one.

Also of interest is the fact that his more recent books get to have a soundtrack. Jeff Johnson and Brian Dunning have written a musical score to go with Hood. I own their album based on Byzantium and absolutely love it.

Hood is an excellent book. I know I say that often about books I review here, but this one is special. I can't wait for the release of the rest of the trilogy.

Read my interview with Stephen Lawhead. And my review of Scarlet,
secon in the King Raven Trilogy.

Book Review: Shadow in the Deep by L. B. Graham

SPOILER Do not read unless you have read the first two books.

The third book by L.B. Graham, a Christian and Covenant Seminary grad, is probably one of the most wonderful books I have ever read. Shadow in the Deep picks up where Bringer of Storms left off after the destruction of Col Marena by Malek's followers. The prophet Valzaan is dead, and Benjiah must take his place. Aljeron must lead the people of Werthanin to safety across the sea to Cimaris Rul while the Bringer of Storms continues to use his powers to manifest rain across over Kirthanin.

But this is not what makes this book particularly wonderful. It is a book that has little new happening and more provides a preparation for the next book in the series. It truly is a middle book in a larger series much likeRobert Jordan's Path of Daggers. A good book, but not as exciting as the first or last book. Due to its place in the series, there are very few solutions to problems, only the continuation of those found previously and the addition of a few more.

This still is not what make this book so wonderful. It is the author's ability to just kill main characters in the must mundane of situations. Most fantasy authors become so attached to their characters, or believe that the reader does, that he/ she is entirely unwilling to kill most named characters. Not so, Mr. Graham. He will kill off important characters if the situation calls for it, and never bend over backwards to create impossible heroics in order to save the life of his characters. No healing measures or magic, no frantic life saving techniques. If a character is cut deeply in the chest, he dies from it. It is a simple as that. This ability to kill characters and his very well paced story that makes L.B. Graham one of the greatest fantasy authors ever.

It is too bad he writes for Chrsitian publishing company. The stigma attached to that will probably keep hius dissemination and his subtlely written testimony out of the mainstram fantasy section of your local bookstore. But perhaps I am wrong, even Lawhead found his way eventually into B&N so perhaps with a large enough following, Graham will too. Let us hope so.

Keep writing good sir!

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.