Fiction Addict

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: September 2010

Jake Chism’s Review:

Dylan Runs Ahead has left behind a war that maimed his body and scarred his soul. As time goes by the only solace that can be found is in pain medication and troubled relationships. The tragic past of his sister’s loss haunts him at every turn, and he is basically an outsider to the reservation he grew up on. When Dylan meets Webb, he knows he has found a kindred spirit, someone who knows the pain of loss, and more importantly someone who knows how to hide from it.

Before he knows it, Dylan is involved in a drug deal gone bad and is now the target of both local law enforcement and jilted criminals. What Dylan doesn’t know is that there is an even greater plan for his life, something beyond mortal comprehension. A mysterious girl names Quinn is also on his trail and she must reach him first to open his eyes to the unseen and the true destiny that awaits him.

T.L. Hines has always been bold in his writing, giving his audience truly bizarre characters, plot twists, and story devices. The Falling Away continues this trend and once again Hines gives us another story that really works. The strong characters carry this novel, and I was especially drawn into Dylan’s relationship with his sister, Joni. I won’t give anything away here, but the way that Joni is introduced into the novel is both unique and brilliant.

The Falling Away will spark a lot of discussion amongst Christian readers about the elements of demon possession and spiritual warfare that Hines explores here. Authors like Frank Peretti and Eric Wilson have put highly original spins on these elements in the past, and yet in typical Hines fashion he has found away to blaze his own trail through familiar territory.

The end of this novel takes bizarre to a whole new level, and I imagine some readers will see genius while others will see confusion and possibly disappointment at how easily the major conflict was resolved. While I’m not sure I completely “get” some parts of the ending, all I know is that I couldn’t put this one down. Days after reading I am still contemplating the final pages, and I’m not so sure that is a bad thing. In this case I think there is beauty behind the bizarre and I had a blast experiencing it.

Hines seems to be oozing with talent and ideas and I’m anxiously looking forward to more from this author who deserves much more attention than he has received.

Tim George’s Review:

Like so many returning from war Dylan Runs Ahead brought a lot of baggage back with him. And like some, the experience is all the worse because he was carrying much of that baggage long before he landed in Iraq taking out roadside bombs. Dylan ended up in the Army trying, unsuccessfully, to run from the inner voice of a missing sister. The sister whose loss he feels responsible for. But the ghost of her memory is not alone. He ran to the Army to escape his guilt and now he has limped home with a mangled leg and yet more guilty memories, those of a soldier who died in his place. Now, living on the outskirts of the Crow Nation reservation in Montana, Dylan and his only friend, Webb, find themselves on the wrong end of a drug deal gone bad. They are marked men with drug suppliers on both sides of the deal looking to kill them and the law hot on their trail.

So far The Falling Away sounds like a fairly standard story. But the author is T.L. Hines and ordinary isn’t in his dictionary. Enter Quinn into Dylan’s life. She tells him a story that is incredibly hard to accept yet increasingly evident to be true. She is a member of a group she calls The Falling Away and her calling in life is to root out evil of the most insidious sort imaginable. Dylan is one of “the Chosen”, something the soldier who died for him used to say. What she doesn’t tell Dylan is her job is to keep him from falling under the influence of a cult whose leader spreads evil like a virus. She must prevent that at all costs.

Hines tackles a story line that Frank Peretti used over twenty years ago in This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness to practically reinvent Christian fiction. Both authors make us think about things most would rather pretend belong in horror movies rather than the real world. But as always T.L. Himes does it in his own distinctive “Noir Bizarre” style. No cross waving exorcists or Bible pounding preachers in sight. Instead, we have Quinn who amounts to a female spiritual enforcer determined to carry out her mission at all costs. That mission leads her and Dylan to a cult called The Hive which just also happens to supply wind generated electricity to much of the surrounding area along with some other darker commodities.

But in the end, it is Dylan Runs Ahead who must defeat evil or be possessed by it. And in that confrontation he finally comes to understand why his friend took his place in Iraq and why he is called a “chosen”. The Falling Away is a story about facing demons both figurative and literal. In many ways, this is one of Hines’ most spiritual stories as he uses dialogue between Dylan and the friend who died for him to explore powerful truths about life, death, and redemption.  Yes, it is a strange story. Hine’s fans would be disappointed otherwise. But it is a powerful story, a tale about running to the battle rather than away from it. Only in encountering the enemy head on does Dylan find everything he has been running from.

If you have never read T.L. Hines I couldn’t think of a better place to start.

Don’t miss our recent podcast interview with T.L. Hines.

Review copies provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Sci-Fi

Publisher: Del Rey

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed by Jake Chism

3,650 years before A New Hope, the Star Wars universe finds itself in a state of unbalance. A Hutt crime lord is holding a mysterious auction that is drawing attention from all over the galaxy. The Republic and the Empire, along with outside forces, are quick to send their delegates to see what all of the fuss is about.  Before long, an unlikely alliance will be made to save the galaxy from a horrible fate.

What happens when a Jedi Padawan, a Sith apprentice, an Imperial spy, a Republic Black Star Trooper, and a Mandalorian crash a Hutt party? All the mayhem, action, and plot twists you could ask for.  Make no mistake about it; Fatal Alliance is a busy story. There are lots of characters to follow, and the story dances around between several arcs. Fortunately, Sean Williams’ skilled hand makes this a lot of fun for the reader.

Fatal Alliance serves as background for the upcoming, highly anticipated Star Wars: The Old Republic MMORPG from BioWare and LucasArts. No doubt the characters introduced here represent the different types of characters you will be able to choose to play the game. Throughout, Williams does a great job of fleshing out the characters. I actually became so wrapped up in their stories that I completely forgot about the video game connection.

There is plenty of action to go around here and the battles are full throttle and in your face. Hardcore fans will also enjoy another dose of Mandalore lore, which has been a controversial topic of late in the Star Wars EU.

This is a solid effort on Williams’ part, not only giving us a great story, but a fun peek into the background of the upcoming game. With more The Old Republic novels planned, I do hope we get to see these characters again.

Review copy provided by Del Rey.

Jake Chism and Lori Twichell share the line with NY Times Bestselling Author Ted Dekker to discuss his new novel, Immanuel’s Veins. Listen in as we discuss whether or not this is a vampire story, his move to a new publisher, and his love for his amazing fans.

You can listen to our podcast review of IV here and read our print reviews  here.

More about Ted Dekker:

Ted Dekker is the New York Time best selling author of more than 25 novels. He is known for stories that combine adrenaline-laced plots with incredible confrontations between good and evil. You can find him online at TedDekker.com and Facebook.com/teddekker.

You can also subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

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Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Del Rey

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed  by Jake Chism

It’s been five hundred years since the Gypsy Morph, Hawk, led a diverse group of survivors out of the destruction of the Great Wars into a safe haven hidden by magic. Since that time the magic has kept the Men, Elves, Spiders, and Lizards safe from the world beyond. Many have forgotten their roots and distanced themselves from the magic that saved them.

Sider Ament is the last known Knight of the Word and he’s just discovered that the magic barrier has been breached. Now he must team up with two Trackers, Panterra Qu and Prue Liss, to convince an unbelieving people that their safe haven is about to be discovered. The Old World they’ve forgotten is about to collide with their own and nothing can prepare them for the danger that waits.

Continuing his massive undertaking to give us the full history of The Shannara series, Terry Brooks delivers another exciting installment full of new characters, trademark fantasy elements, and heartfelt emotion.

Typically in Brooks’ writing, characters don’t last longer than a book or two, very few having lived through multiple series. This is to be expected since this series in particular takes place over thousands of years. Nevertheless, Brook continues to craft characters that readers can’t help but fall in love with. Sider, Panterra, and Prue certainly fit the bill and readers will be moved and captivated by their journey. We’re also treated to some strong supporting roles throughout that would make fascinating main characters themselves.

As a long time fan of Terry Brooks it has been fun to see how the Shannara history is built, and Bearers of the Black Staff feels more like the Shannara books of old and less like the apocalyptic Genesis of Shannara novels that came previously. Some key elements of the series are revealed here that will satisfy hard core fans, while at the same time piquing the interest of new readers.

While there are still plenty of stories to be bridged, this is continually proving to be a journey that is well worth the ride.

Review copy provided by Del Rey.

Genre: Literary

Publisher: Touchstone Books

Publication Date: August 2010

Anne Barnhill’s Review:

Susan Gilbert-Collins’ debut novel, Starting from Scratch, promises to examine grief and give the reader “insight into the grieving process itself,” according to the promotional materials. That’s a lot of weight for this first novel to carry.

The book begins when Olivia Tschetter, the youngest of four children raised in South Dakota, passes her dissertation defense, yet keeps her achievement a secret from her family.  Only her mother knew Olivia was going to defend, but her mother dies suddenly on the very day Olivia completes her ordeal.  With the funeral and her own grief to manage, Olivia never gets around to letting the others know that she has successfully defended her dissertation, though they keep badgering her about completing it.  The more her brother, Dave, and her sisters, Annie and Ruby, badger, the less Olivia wants to tell them she’s already finished the hard part.

This family of intellectuals is an interesting mix, high-achievers all.  Olivia, the youngest, still has a lot to prove to herself.  After her mother’s death, she stays with her father, cooking him meals from her mom’s old recipes.  She also takes it upon herself to complete her mother’s last newsletter, an epistle which is part-Hints-from-Heloise and part-Dear-Abby.  As Olivia begins to piece together the final edition, she makes a shattering discovery about her mother and the rest of her family.

As Olivia tries to find out the details of this, heretofore, unknown episode in her family’s history, she learns to look at herself and her siblings in a new way.  Rather than whine about being the youngest in the family, which she does throughout the novel, she begins to appreciate herself and the others.

The sections of the novel dealing with food preparation and the inclusion of recipes add to the story.  Gilbert-Collins’ use of mid-western dialect and culture seems authentic.  However, there are a few problems with the book. First, to begin a novel discussing an arcane dissertation does not produce a page-turner.  The bits about the scholarly life fall particularly flat.  But the main problem with the novel is Olivia herself.  She tells the reader over and over how sad she is about losing her mother.  However, there is not real evidence of her grief in the story itself.  It doesn’t feel real.  What is more palpable is the resentment Olivia harbors against all of her siblings, an anger that seems whiny and childish.  Vivian, Olivia’s mother, is the most carefully drawn character in the book and she’s dead–not a good balance.

However, there is much here to be commended as well: believable dialogue, interesting relationships among the siblings, and a setting that is unusual.  It will be interesting to see what Gilbert-Collins does next.

Jaci Miller’s Review:

Olivia Tschetter just finished her doctoral dissertation early and can’t wait to share the news with her family. But a phone call cracks her world apart like a broken egg. Vivian, her mother, has died of a stroke.

As she struggles with her grief, her three overachieving older siblings push her to return to the world of academia. Instead Olivia finds comfort in her mother’s recipes. Stalling for time, she finds a part-time job at a Meals-on-Wheels center and continues work on her mother’s unfinished cooking newsletter. In the process, Olivia uncovers old family secrets and faces new surprises from her siblings. Ultimately, this family “baby” must find the strength to cope and to grow into her place in the family.

Starting from Scratch by Susan Gilbert-Collins transports readers from the world of academia to the gentler, familial world of food—a shift as healing as it is heartening. At the same time, the novel tackles issues of grieving, pain and family dynamics. A very full plate for one novel but Gilbert-Collins handles it smoothly and gracefully. Softly literary and lacking in pretension, the narrative and tone soften as Olivia’s character similarly softens.

Refreshing language lights this book without becoming self-absorbed in flowery prose. Gilbert-Collins offers a fine example on pages 79-80. “Doris … reminded Olivia of the pioneer women she had had to study growing up: large-boned, spare-fleshed women with humorless lips and the grim light of survival in their eyes, with gaunt cheeks and big strong hands that could build log cabins and beat out prairie fires and toss rattlers out of their babies’ beds. Women who could do anything as long as it was hard enough: shoe a horse, or shoot one, or eat one, as circumstances demanded.”

The book also includes recipes of some of the dishes discussed within its pages, written in the style of Vivian’s newsletter.

Review copies provided by Touchstone.

Listen in as Jake Chism talks with Randy Singer about his new novel, Fatal Convictions, his upcoming project, and the challenges of balancing the busy life of a writer, pastor, and lawyer.

You can read our review of Fatal Convictions here.

More about Randy:

Randy Singer believes it’s important to simultaneously hold a number of different jobs so that if he gets fired by two employers the same day, he can still avoid the unemployment line. He splits his time and divides his personality between Randy Singer, critically- acclaimed author, Randy Singer, attorney, and Randy Singer, ministry leader and preacher. When he grows up, he will decide what he really wants to do.

Singer has authored nine novels, including his newest release, Fatal Convictions, The Justice Game (a CBA Bestseller), the Christy-Award nominee By Reason of Insanity, the 2003 Christy-Award winning Directed Verdict, Irreparable Harm, Dying Declaration, Self Incrimination, The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney, and False Witness as well as the novella, The Judge Who Stole Christmas. He has also authored or co-authored three nonfiction titles, including The Cross Examination of Jesus Christ. His books have won critical acclaim from numerous review outlets, including Publishers Weekly, which said, “ … Singer proves himself to be the Christian John Grisham.”

Randy is an adjunct professor at Regent University Law School and also has his own law practice. For several years, he was a litigation partner and head of the trial section at Willcox & Savage—one of Virginia’s largest and most prestigious law firms. He also has served as president of FamilyNet Television and General Counsel of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in Atlanta. He received his law degree from the College of William and Mary School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Houghton College.

Randy has tried numerous cases in state and federal court, and holds the ignominious distinction of participating in the longest bench trial in Virginia state court history. He also served as lead counsel in the first jury trial in Virginia that ever received gavel-to-gavel television coverage. That case, arising out of a shooting spree by a student at the school attended by Randy’s children, also became the subject matter of the book Fatal Passage by award-winning author Erik Larsen (author of National Book Award finalist Devil in the White City).

In addition to his law practice and writing, Randy serves as a teaching pastor for Trinity Church in Virginia Beach, VA. He calls it his “Jekyll and Hyde thing”—part lawyer, part pastor. He also serves on the Board of Legal Advisors for the American Center for Law and Justice. Randy and his wife, Rhonda, have two adult children and live in Virginia Beach, VA, even though Randy is a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan.

More information on Randy is available at: www.randysinger.net.

You can also subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.

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Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: September 2010

Jake Chism’s Review:

Toma Nicolescu has fought many brave battles for the Russian Empress, yet nothing can prepare him for the battle on the horizon. Toma sets out with his trusted confidant, Alek, for the Cantemir estate in Moldavia. There he is charged with protecting the family at all costs, for political reasons no doubt, yet Toma concerns himself not with such things. Duty and honor drive him and he will proudly do whatever his Empress requests.  However, one look at Lucine Cantemir, one of the daughters under his charge, flings Toma head over heels into an inward war between duty and desire.

Matters spend madly out of control when the charming, yet mysterious Vlad van Valerik begins to court Lucine. This union would solidify relations between Russia and Moldavia, and it is Toma’s responsibility to ensure it happens. When Vlad and his minions begin to show their true colors, Toma finds himself in a race against time to save the one he loves and to stop darkness from sweeping the land.  Torn between duty and love, Toma rushes headlong into the greatest battle he has ever known.

Immanuel’s Veins marks a significant milestone in Ted Dekker’s illustrious career. After ten years and twenty-eight novels he is saying goodbye to Thomas Nelson and moving on to Hachette and the mainstream market.  As Dekker’s fans might expect, he refuses to leave quietly, and does so with one of the most unique and powerful stories he has ever penned.

Have you ever wondered what a Ted Dekker novel would be like written in the first person? Wonder no more! Toma Nicolescu’s first person narrative is absolutely brilliant throughout and the perfect device to effectively tell this story that is full of passion, seduction, and heartache. Toma himself might just be Dekker’s most endearing character and his fight to win Lucine’s love will have readers on the edge of their seats, ready to stand and cheer.

Dekker wastes no time in connecting Immanuel’s Veins to the massive Books of History Chronicles. The prologue alone will have die hard fans foaming at the mouth and postulating “otherworldly” theories. Fortunately, new readers will have no trouble following this story. There is plenty here to keep them churning the pages, even if a few references are lost on them. As a fan, it was fun to see the connections and get one final (?) taste of the redemptive history Dekker created years ago in the Circle Series. We even get a nice peek at a huge part of Dekker lore that some of his readers would gouge their own eyes out to behold.

Fantastic characters, gripping storylines, breathtaking imagery. Might as well go out on top right? As Dekker leaves one journey behind to start another, he leaves us with a story that will resonate in our hearts long after reading.  Immanuel’s Veins will spark much discussion amongst readers about such things as vampires, seduction, blood books, and familiar dungeons. I’ll leave that thunder for other reviewers to steal. This one is special to me (and will be for many others) as it reminds me of how great the journey has been and it assures me that the best is yet to come.

Thanks for the journey, Ted. Let’s do it again soon.

Lori Twichell’s Review:

Toma Nicolescu is a warrior for Catherine the Great. He and his friend and fellow warrior, Alec, are sent to protect two young women in a very prominent family. The family is, in fact, key to the power of Catherine’s reign, so their mission is vital. Alec is a lover more than a fighter. Toma is the other half of this equation.  When they arrive at the home of their charges, it’s to find two incredibly delightful and beautiful young sisters named Natasha and Lucine. If these were the only major characters in the book, it would be easy to see where things are headed. Unfortunately, they aren’t. There’s Vlad. And Sofia. And a whole house full of other characters that bring this book to new levels that run far beyond those of simple romance and passion.

Prim. Proper. Perfect. Toma’s always been the warrior who spent more time fighting than considering anything to do with women or romance. Much as Fitzwilliam Darcy has no idea what to do when he meets Elizabeth Bennet (Yes, I did just dare to make a Jane Austen reference in a Ted Dekker review.  And it’s well deserved. So there.) Toma is also plunged into a level of inner conflict and confusion when he meets his beautiful Lucine.  Painfully aware that his duty requires him to not only keep his beloved Lucine safe, but to also keep suitors away from her, Toma struggles with his feelings for her. At the same time, he’s confused by what’s happening with Natasha and Alek. Something very strange and very dangerous is happening. Is it something that he’s even able to fight? Or is it something from beyond this world? And how can Toma juggle his feelings, his duty, and his beloved’s safety? This is far more than just a love story. There’s something deeper and darker hiding within its depths.

Ted Dekker freely admits this is new territory for him. It’s unlike anything he’s ever done before. But honestly, this is Ted Dekker. Very little about Ted is ever like anything that’s been done before. Even when Dekker writes something that’s considered ‘inside the box’, it seems that he likes to take that box, smash it into bits and then warm his hands by the fire built from the parts. So when we venture into this new territory with him, instead of being something odd or uncomfortable, Dekker makes the journey heart achingly rich and beautiful. As Toma stumbles away from his hard line on duty and honor and begins to explore the feelings that are growing and opening within him, you can’t help but feel your own heart squeeze. As you’re reading, it makes you wonder if you, as an outside observer, are feeling this much emotion, what sort of depths could the characters possibly be feeling? At times it threatens to overwhelm the reader and yet you know that this is what Dekker wants to convey. He wants you to feel the overriding overwhelming passion that can nearly drown you with its intensity.

Dekker is a modern day master of the written word. Too often in modern literature, words are forced into creating the visual that the author wants to share. In sharp contrast, Dekker owns every word he uses. The words line up and melt willingly into his creation, eager to play their part in his vision. The story flows so smoothly through your mind that it feels as if the words have flown directly from the Technicolor depths of Dekker’s mind to the page with little effort. Dekker’s style submerges you in the story and even if it feels like you may be drowning in it at times, there’s still few other places you’d rather be.

If you have even a passing interest in Dekker’s work, don’t miss this book. If you’ve never read Dekker, this is a brilliant place to start. If you ever were a Dekker fan and got lost somewhere along the way, this is the book that will bring you back. And if you want mindless entertainment that doesn’t affect you, won’t challenge you, and that you can walk away from unchanged, move along. This isn’t the book for you.

Don’t miss our recent interview with Ted Dekker and our podcast review of Immanuel’s Veins.

Review copies provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Superhero Thriller

Publisher: Ace

Publication Date: June 2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Novelizing Final Crisis is in itself a challenge of epic proportions. Greg Cox has taken the 7 issue crossover mini-series and the year-long 51 issue prelude from the comics and given it the form of a novel, portraying in text the evil Darkseid’s attempt to overthrow all reality. In order to make sense of it all, you have to understand a bit about the uber-complicated maze of universes within DC Comics. I’m no expert, but here’s the sum of it all:

Darkseid is the ruler of the evil planet Apokalips, and he’s gunning for total control of Earth. Human – and alien – free will shall all fall under the power of Darkseid. All shall be indwelt with the evil of Darkseid. All shall be evil. And there is nothing the superheroes of the world can do to stop it.

One by one Darkseid corrupts and takes over the souls of a litany of superheroes and those remaining find themselves warring against their colleagues and friends. As the future of the universe succumbs to the power of Darkseid, Superman and the few remaining heroes must find a way to counter the demon of Apokalips. But an even greater crisis is playing out in the Multiverse. Hushed words that the fallen Guardian Mandrakk has returned just might make this the epitome of the Final Crisis.

Complicated? Yes. Confusing? At times. Like all DC universe crossovers, Final Crisis is written as an epic. Hundreds of superheroes and supervillains converge on the scene, the plot shifts not just between cities, but between time and realities, there is just way too much information to take in – way too much unnecessary information if you ask me. Unless you an absolute DC comics freak, you’re not going to understand it all, so I recommend you just do what I did and just accept it.

At times, the novel sounds like Cox is merely narrating to the reader a description of the comic panels, and at other times his vocabulary gets a little…well…quintessentially florid. All in all, the writing is good. My personal opinion would’ve been to tighten the plot and avoid excessive characters, but I’m sure that would’ve elicited a feral reaction from comic book purists, so perhaps it was best for Cox this was not the case.

Like all modern mythology, the theologian in me searches for the Truth within, and it is that seed of Truth that, to me, makes Final Crisis fascinating. The idea of the removal of free will, the imposition of the will of an evil spirit named Darkseid, and its eventual defeat, primarily orchestrated by the Christic figure of Superman captures me on a thematic level. However, if you’re neither a fan of finding theology in comics, or of the comics themselves, then this is just a decently written book you may or may not enjoy.

Review copy provided by Ace.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date:  August 2010

Reviewed by Jake Chism

All over Europe young couples are being murdered and no clues are left behind. In every city, the killers send a postcard to the local paper before each slaying, but the police remain baffled and confused as the murderers run free. NYPD Detective Jacob Kanon lost his daughter to these monsters and is desperately traveling from city to city hoping to find one more piece to the puzzle. In Stockholm, Sweden, reporter Dessie Larsson has received the latest postcard indicating the murderers are about to strike again. Larsson and Kanon must now team up to stop this insurmountable foe and uncover the darkness that lies beneath.

What do you get when the #1 Bestselling Author in the U.S. (James Patterson) meets the #1 Bestselling Author in Europe (Liza Marklund)? According to the front cover of the book we get “the scariest vacation thriller ever.” While that may be clever marketing, I think the more appropriate tagline would be, “the most disturbing vacation thriller ever.”

Patterson and his co-authors often resort to over the top gimmicks in their writing that amount to nothing more than shock value. The Postcard Killers is a prime example with loads of graphic content, distasteful sex scenes, and an incestuous relationship thrown in our faces to really make us squirm. All these elements are just loud distractions attempting to cover up the fact that the story is mediocre at best.

As always, Patterson’s tight writing and relentless pacing keep the pages flying, but by the end I was just ready for this one to be over. Had more effort been made into fleshing out the characters or actually making this book scary this could have been a fun story. Sadly, the gimmicks and overall lack of depth drag this story down making this hyped collaboration a sore disappointment. Luckily for Patterson fans, after finding a dud we only have a couple of months at most to wait for his next attempt. I’m hoping the upcoming continuations of the stellar Alex Cross and Michael Bennett series will reflect the talent and creativity that Patterson is more than capable of.

Review copy provided by Little, Brown and Company.

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy, Young Adult

Publication Date: July 2010

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

Venom & Song picks up immediately where Curse of the Spider King left off. Our beloved Elves have returned to Allyra, but the immediate problem is getting seven disoriented middle schoolers to safety. (And don’t be fooled: These are some tough little teenagers.) The enemy is, of course, still on their heels (literally), and our band of heroes doesn’t know how to fight yet.

Book two keeps a steady pace, but it’s also paced differently from book one. I know a few people had a hard time with some elements, and a few caught some flaws I missed, but, really, I was pleased with this second installment. As I said, the book takes a natural progression in my estimation.

Whereas Curse dealt with themes of the intricate nature of the past and present, Venom is more concerned with loyalty and self-sacrifice, turning children into men and women, and trust: both in each other and in Ellos. Again, these themes develop naturally from the characters and situations themselves, continuing the same style as its predecessor. Venom & Song does come with its own twist at the end, and, I’ll admit, I can count on one hand the number of books that have struck me as emotionally as this one did.

As always, I’m going to stop before giving any spoilers. I look forward to book three (which, to my knowledge, is at least a year away and, I trust, will answer the questions left at the end of Venom & Song) and whatever Mr. Batson and Mr. Hopper bring next. A word of warning: Make sure you read these books in order…and be prepared.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Dutton

Publication date: June 2010

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Priests are the evil antagonists and outlaws are the heroes in this inconsistent fantasy debut from British film censor Paul Hoffman. The Left Hand of God displays the elements readers expect in a non-supernatural fantasy—warring regimes, a brooding hero, political intrigue, romance, all set in a familiar-seeming but fictional world. But it overreaches in portraying organized religion, complete with a “Hanged Redeemer” who died to save his followers from their sins, as the primary evil of the age.

Fourteen-year-old Thomas Cale is a prisoner at the Sanctuary, a religious school where the instructors, called “redeemers,” regularly beat their students within an inch of their lives. The school, basically everyone’s worst stereotype of an abusive Catholic boarding school, is just one part of the redeemers’ “ministry”—which ultimately boils down to world domination. When Cale, who as the result of a childhood head injury has a mysterious ability to physically dominate any opponent, discovers a secret being carefully hidden deep within the Sanctuary’s stone walls, he teams up with an unlikely group of buddies and flees. From there, the book follows Cale and friends as they do their best to elude the pursuing redeemers, make nice with the ruling elites in the nearby city, and try to stop the religious conquerors before they can carry out their sinister plans.

While not anywhere near the level of Robert Jordan or George R. R. Martin or Tolkein, Hoffman still does an admirable job creating the world in which his story takes place. The characters are for the most part believable, and the various cultures explored, particularly within the Great City of Memphis, seem to fit well with the genre and tone of the book. The two main problems are the rather meandering story line (though the plot speeds up and becomes genuinely tense right at the end) and the author’s apparent grudge against religion, which is somewhat peculiar in a genre that typically relies so heavily on moral justice as a theme. The fact that the main characters are all young teenagers might make the book seem like a YA title, but the dark themes of abuse and desperation are probably inappropriate for most younger readers.

The book features a couple of sex scenes and plenty of violence, though nothing over the top or out of the ordinary for modern fantasy literature. The cliffhanger ending sets up book two quite well for readers who identify enough with the ambiguously heroic Cale to want to participate in his continuing story. Fantasy fans will find things to enjoy in this book, but The Left Hand of God seems unlikely to generate the kind of loyal following commanded by top-tier fantasy series.

Review copy provided by Dutton.

Our friends over at Suspense Magazine are giving away 4 free issues. You can download 2 issues at the links below and email editor@suspensemagazine.com to access more. What a great deal!

http://www.suspensemagazine.com/2010JulyEdition.html

http://www.suspensemagazine.com/2010AugustEdition.html

Genre: YA

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: May 2010

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

The America we know lies in tatters; earthquakes have caused whole coasts to slide into the ocean, global warming has caused the oceans to flood the land and people live stacked practically on top of each other. But below the sea in Benthic Territory, life thrives and the resident farmers move, live and work freely there.

This Dark Life, far below the surface, is the only life teenager Ty has ever known. But outlaws threaten to destroy his family’s subsea existence with their marauding and pillaging. While his new Topside friend, Gemma, seeks her long-lost brother, the outlaws attack Ty’s home. As he tries to help Gemma and preserve his way of life, Ty confronts not only the outlaws, but secrets as deep and dark as the canyons that swallowed the States.
Kat Falls’ first novel, Dark Life, offers a mesmerizing account of a futuristic life on the ocean floor with a nod to the past—the Wild West and frontier life are clearly represented in the book. But the story is as much about survival in a harsh political climate as it is about life in an aquatic one. The new colony faces over-taxation and abuse from the Commonwealth, the governing system after the earthquake.

The book feels a little raw in some scenes—as though something deeply emotional is missing from its straightforward prose—but the fast-paced plotting and the wonder of the ocean engage readers so thoroughly that this sensation quickly passes. Abundant twists pepper this exciting tale, propelling the reader from one chapter to another.

Dark Life is an enjoyable read for teen and tween lovers of science fiction and adventure.

Review copy provided by Scholastic.

Genre: Drama

Publisher: Segue Blue

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Jesse Barlow grew up as a preacher’s kid and hated it. At age 18, he booked it to Hollywood destined for fame, fortune, and a movie career. Eleven years later and batting 0-3, Jesse returns to his hometown after a failed suicide attempt. Telling no one, Jesse returns to his hometown to make amends with his father, his former love, and the son he never knew he had. From the Dead is a story of one man’s return from the wayward path.

The story is character-driven, taking the reader on a poignant and well-written journey through Jesse’s life. John Herrick paints Jesse’s life realistically, and uses the language and sexual references to boot, which may trouble some readers. As becomes obvious, this technique serves to contrast with Jesse’s post-return lifestyle, but even to this reviewer it seemed at times a little over the top and I would have preferred that Herrick portrayed a few of the more explicit scenes in a more implicit manner. Herrick could have avoided this while making his point just as well.

While I appreciate the great redemptive arc that Herrick portrays, it just seems a bit too easy for me. In the wake of his suicide attempt, Jesse awakens a new man and the struggle with his past life (the sins of which are so prevalent in the first half) just goes away in a second. While God certainly does change hearts and minds, such a transformation is never that easy.

All that aside, From the Dead is written in a very engaging style, with the scenes between Jesse and his son, who does not yet know Jesse is his father, being very heartwarming and inspiring. Jesse’s love to sacrifice himself for his son is moving and serves as a great climax to the story. But the lack of tension driving Jesse’s transformation earlier in the story ultimately keeps the climax from being all that it could be.

From the Dead is a book with great potential. It is well-written and has a great premise, but a few flaws in the plot keep this good book from being the great read it could have been.

Review copy provided by the author.

Genre: Legal Thriller

Publisher: Tyndale

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Pastor Alex Madison always enjoys killing two birds with one stone. Whenever he makes hospital visits to his church members, he never overlooks the opportunity to gain some new clients for his law practice. You never know what big case is lying in the next hospital bed and Alex even has the double sided “pastor/lawyer” business card for such occasions. During one such visit Alex meets a Muslim woman suffering from a closed head injury after being run off the road. After some reluctance from the woman’s husband, they agree to hire Alex’s firm for the personal injury case.

Meanwhile, a local murder has the nation in an uproar. A Muslim leader’s wife is brutally murdered after converting to Christianity, along with the American man who taught her. As the evidence pours in, all leads point to the husband of Alex’s client, who just happens to be a respected imam in a local mosque. Alex must now decide whether he wants to help a man he feels is wrongfully accused, or give in to the pressures of his community and congregation and walk away.

Randy Singer is at the top of his game with Fatal Convictions. Backed by meticulous research and likable characters, this story is a tightly woven gem that challenges the reader to question stereotypes and perceptions. For readers whose knowledge of Islam is based solely on United States news reports, Singer provides a balanced and in depth look into the Muslim faith and the different factions within. It’s rare to find a novel in the Christian market portraying Christians and Muslims working together, much less a story featuring a Christian pastor standing up for an imam. Singer handles these potentially controversial elements with an honesty and boldness that I can only admire, giving this market a much needed dose of relevancy.

Randy Singer doesn’t set out to provide easy answers or token solutions; rather he focuses on bringing us a story that engages the reader on every level. The courtroom drama, the disturbing honor killing scenes, even the hints of an unlikely romance. All of it works together to only prove what so many have said for years. Randy Singer is hands down one of the best legal thriller writers around. I truly hope the CBA appreciates the talent Singer consistently brings to the table with each offering. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if a “big fish” mainstream publisher scoops up Singer soon and makes him a household name. He is simply that good.

Don’t miss our interview with Randy Singer.

Review copy provided by Tyndale.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Touchstone

Publication Date: June 2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

I don’t think that in my history of book reviewing I’ve ever enjoyed a book I didn’t like as much as The Poet Prince by Kathleen McGowan. I’m quite aware how confusing that statement sounds, and trust me; I myself am still somewhat confused by it. The answer to this enigma lies in separating the story’s theology with its story, and the historical storyline with the present day storyline.

If you read the jacket flap, you’ll learn that this is the story of Maureen Paschal, an author/adventurer who just discovered (and wrote a book of the discovery of) a secret gospel written by Jesus Christ himself. But her celebrations are short when the tabloids report that her lover and soul mate, Berenger Sinclair, is alleged to be the father of another woman’s son. Together, the two set off to refute the claim and through the advice of their spiritual leader Destino, begin to look into Berenger’s royal and ancient bloodline. As it turns out, Berenger is a Poet Prince of the ancient prophecy, and there are those who would stop at nothing to keep Berenger from his role.

But the jacket flap leaves out the incredible historical story that fills most of The Poet Prince. Destino advises Maureen and Berenger to study another Poet Prince, Lorenzo de Medici. Through Renaissance artwork, the two uncover the Medici story and learn of the heretical secrets he kept. These discoveries flashback as McGowan fleshes out the life of Lorenzo de Medici, revealing a life of love, passion, intrigue, and mystery. This is the highlight of the story, bar none. History meshes flawlessly with fiction (secret heresies aside) to create a compelling drama of the life of Medici.

To me, the present storyline only served to get in the way, and was rather weak both in terms of storytelling and intrigue. Of course, since Maureen, Berenger, and Destino are the heroes of The Magdalene Line series, of which this is book 3, from a series standpoint they were necessary, but not a lot of action happens. And the action that does happen, because the lives of Poet Princes intertwine so, the action in the Medici storyline foreshadows the present storyline to the point it seems repetitious. This novel would have been much improved had the present storyline been removed completely in favor of elaborating on the Medici story (secret heresies included).

Ah, yes, the secret heresies. As outlined in The Poet Prince, the Medici are the heirs of a heretical legacy received to them from the descendants of Jesus and his wife, Mary Magdalene. Above all, their Order, called the Order of the Holy Sepulcher, follows the way of Love. The exact teachings of the Order are only vaguely defined; all that’s really made clear is that the Pope would certainly not be happy about it. From a theological standpoint, what is discovered about the Order is classically Gnostic (i.e. Jesus married to Mary Magdalene, secret gospels, hidden knowledge, heiros-gamos or twinned souls), which is a syncretic mix of pagan mystery cult and Christianity, and has been refuted as false quite soundly, but here is not the place to discuss that in detail.

Taken from a purely fictional standpoint, I can live with the idea. I can even live with the idea that in reality, the Medici believed in this Gnostic syncretism. My problem extends to where Kathleen McGowan not only claims this Gnostic belief is valid, but that she herself is a descendant of Jesus. As such, her writing on the “heretical legacy” takes on a new twist as she is basically claiming her fiction to be true. In fact, her initial intent was to publish this series of books as a non-fiction, but found the market less than enthusiastic. Her research on these Gnostic teachings and their relation to the Medici and the Renaissance is supposed to be contained on her website, but this reviewer found that all of that information is now missing.

In the end, while quite amazingly researched from a historical perspective, The Poet Prince carries with it a strange religious agenda that appears to be only another incarnation of Gnosticism. It fails at its self-described attempt at a “spiritual detective story” but is quite strong as a historical drama.

So hopefully you now understand what I meant by my first sentence. I loved reading the historical story, but between that had to endure an underdeveloped present day story where the ultimate climax ended up being rather anticlimactic. From a religious standpoint, I do not require the fiction I read to agree with my theology so it did not bother me. But given that McGowan is a serious proponent of such Gnostic theology and that her books have reached the NYT bestseller’s list, I felt the need to iterate that her views are completely without evidence, lest just as in the wake of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, readers be left confused concerning what is fact and fiction.

All theology and heresy aside, McGowan has a way with words and her historical detail is commendable, but ultimately due to the weak present day storyline, The Poet Prince fails to deliver the story it claims.

Review copy provided by Touchstone.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed by Jake Chism

When a Congressman’s daughter is found brutally murdered in Washington D.C., FBI Agent Patrick Bowers is called in to help make sense of the madness. Bowers has a knack for catching high profile killers thanks to his controversial use of geospatial investigative techniques. However, this time around Bowers continually runs into dead ends despite his best efforts. Catching one killer is hard enough, but now all the evidence hints at two.

In Patrick’s personal life things are no less complicated. Tessa’s birth father is back on the scene, Bowers is caught in a dizzying love triangle, and a psychopath from his past pays an unwanted visit. Despite all the obstacles in his path, Patrick Bowers must find a way to do what he does best: catch killers.

Steven James continues his impressive run with his fourth Bowers Files novel.  Series of this nature often run the risk of becoming repetitive and overdone. After awhile familiar characters become stale and the plot twists become less surprising and more manufactured. Steven James shows no signs of falling into these traps, and it only seems his writing is better with each offering.

As always, this novel’s strengths lie in the characters. The first person narrative of Patrick Bowers is nothing short of exceptional, as is James’ depiction of the father/daughter relationship between Patrick and his step-daughter, Tessa. Indeed, Tessa has become a fan favorite of the series with her quick wit and intelligence coupled with a vulnerability that surfaces at just the right moments. This beautifully flawed relationship has been the glue that holds these stories together and that’s certainly the case once again.

The Bishop takes place primarily in the Northeast and its fun to see Patrick working in different locations in each novel. No matter where he finds himself the reader feels like they are there, only proving the level of research that goes into each story. If that wasn’t proof enough, readers will be captivated by the intricacies of geospatial investigative techniques and the procedural elements of FBI investigations. Everything about the story feels real and the reader can’t help but be drawn in.

Steven James continues to impress me with his ability create genuine twists and revelations. While there is nothing mind blowing about the plot execution here, I was still caught off guard by the killer’s identities in the end. James is a master of presenting so many possible angles that it makes it almost impossible to accurately foresee the outcome.

The Bowers Files is in full swing and I am thoroughly enjoying this journey. Up next is The Queen, and I have no doubt it will be well worth the wait.

Don’t miss our recent interview with Steven James.

Review copy provided by Revell.

Genre: Historical, Romance

Publisher: NAL

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Elizabeth I. If you have had a single history lesson on the British monarchy, it’s likely you can spit out several well known details about her. She was the Virgin Queen. The daughter of infamous Henry VIII. The sister of Mary, Queen of Scots. What many people don’t know about Elizabeth is the deep bond that she held with lifelong friend and childhood playmate, Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester. Though she remains firmly ensconced in history as the queen who refused to take a husband and allow a man to steal her power, Elizabeth shared a bond with Robert Dudley that runs deeper than many marriages throughout history.  Certainly it was longer lasting and more substantial than any of her father’s relationships with the many women in his life. Now here is where I must caution that though Elizabeth is known as the Virgin Queen, there is some discussion of a physical nature and some scenes depicting physical acts. Though very sparse throughout the book and nowhere near overwhelming, they are there so for the sensitive reader, be aware.

While doing any research on Elizabeth, you quickly realize that many people know a little about her, but not many know much beyond that.  Fewer still understand or recognize the depth of her relationship with Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester. Author Jeane Westin, based on much research and a deep abiding knowledge of Elizabeth’s life, bases this book on the love story and romance that held during the lifetimes of Elizabeth and Dudley. With beautiful scenes and a fast moving yet easy to follow storyline, Westin masterfully weaves the tale between letters and historical references to fill in the gaps of this breathtaking romance. Though we know in the first moment of reading that Elizabeth will be left mourning Dudley, still, we follow the tale that Westin weaves and fall as deeply in love with the two of them as they fall for each other.  It is a testament to Westin’s writing that when we reach the end of this tale, we’ve become so wrapped in the story and the characters that we can feel Elizabeth’s pain almost as keenly as she does.

For anyone who is even mildly interested in history, the Elizabethan era or the monarchy itself, this book is a delight to read. Westin’s style, pacing and storytelling keep you interested in the story.  Then she wraps little known historical details in well rounded characters and dialogue that give the reader an education while thoroughly entertaining him or her along the way.

If you are a history buff and love to learn while you read or enjoy books that spark questions and imagination in your mind, then you must add this book to your reading list. Westin’s intelligence shines through her work and allows these historical figures to breathe, walk and talk in front of the reader.  His Last Letter is guaranteed to be a pleasure for anyone who has even a passing interest in history or historical figures.

Review copy provided by NAL.