Fiction Addict

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Orbit, Hatchette Book Group

Audio Book Publication Date: October 2010

Reviewed by P.J. Coldren

Eli Monpress is a thief, a very good thief.  He has a bounty of $20,000 gold standards on his head.  He wants a bigger bounty; the reason for this is not made clear.  So he steals the king of a small county.  Eli Monpress is also a wizard, but not your ordinary wizard.  He doesn’t enslave spirits, as the “bad” wizards do.  He doesn’t trade his personal power for the strength of a spirit, as the Spiritualists do.  He talks to spirits, asks them nicely, and so on.  The kind he abducts, Henrith, is the king of a country that does not allow any kind of wizard inside its borders.

Miranda is a Spiritualist, sent by the Spirit Council to catch Eli Monpress, as he is giving wizards a very bad name.  Her timing is impeccable – she arrives and Henrith is kidnapped.  His brother, a man the Spirit council had neglected to mention to Miranda, ends up on the throne.  Raynaud, the older brother of Henrith, is a wizard, an enslaver.  He has wanted revenge ever since he was banished from the kingdom for being a wizard.

As one might image, there is lots of conniving going on and plenty of action.  Ms. Aaron can weave a story which turns in on itself again and again.  This is the first in (as far as I can tell) a three-volume series.  Luke Daniels reads the Brilliance Audio Unabridged version, and does a stellar job.  No trouble keeping characters distinct, which can sometimes be a problem in audio books.  My one issue with Daniels is simple.  Miranda has a companion, a Hell Hound.  It always sounds like Hell Town.  Other than that, I highly recommend Luke Daniels for your listening pleasure.

Caveat Emptor: No language issues that I recall; some of the battle scenes are pretty bloody.  It is described on the case as “adult fiction”; I think it would be fine for young adults above about fourteen or so.  It lists at 8 hours, 24 minutes.

Review Copy bought by reviewer.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Brilliance Audio, unabridged CDs
Publication Date: June 21, 2011/CD  July 17, 2007/paperback
Reviewed by P.J. Coldren

In this continuation of the Dragon Keepers series, Kale has grown up some and is now married to Bardon.  They have been blissfully ignoring the world around them for a while as they celebrate their marriage and get to know each other better.  It has been a wonderful time for them and now they have to come back into their real world, which isn’t going as well as they’d like.

Amara is threatened by an evil couple, married to each other and not the happiest couple to come down the pike.  Paladin is very ill, perhaps dying.  Amara, as many countries have done in bad times, hopes that if they ignore the evil threatening them, it will just go away all by itself.  Paladin gives Kale and Bardon their missions.  Already Kale is upset; she doesn’t want to be separated from Bardon.  Their connection is deep, and she is afraid that being apart will change that.  She is also unhappy about having to work with her father, a man she barely knows and is not at all sure she trusts completely.

Bardon has his mission, too.  He is also working with people he doesn’t know well, and misses his wife.  He’s not sure her father knows how to handle her, and Bardon thinks he has a lock on that skill.  He does trust Paladin, however, and is sure that good will triumph.  At least he really hopes so.

Paul has, as in previous books, a definite message to send.  Those looking for Christian concepts won’t have to look very hard to find them.  Paul has the grace not to beat the reader over the head, always a pleasant surprise.  Grafton does an excellent job reading this story, as she did with the previous book I listened to on CD.

Caveat Emptor: Obviously fantasy, but nothing else.

Review copy purchased by reviewer.

Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

Publisher: Backlit Fiction

Publication Date: November 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Zoe Calder just wants to survive high school. To make it past the snobby girls who constantly laugh behind her back, or perhaps to find at least one guy worth dating. But so far, it’s been rough going, and she’s just looking forward to the end of her junior year. Because then she’ll join her aunt and uncle in Greece on an archaeological dig. But there is something much more dangerous waiting for Zoe than a few petty high school jerks. Destiny is calling, and it has terrible things in store for her. When Zoe is sent back in time to ancient Greece, she discovers the Greek gods are real. And some of them are just as petty as high schoolers. The only problem is, when a powerful Greek goddess is bent on Zoe’s destruction, the only thing to hope for is a quick and painless death.

Audrey Hart’s The Dig: Zoe and Zeus is the first installment in a three part series, and it definitely starts off perfectly. Hart brings us the most original and probably most fun look at Greek mythology in a long time. I would say her interpretation of the Greek gods and goddesses is better even than Rick Riordan’s take in the Percy Jackson books. She takes the whole cast of them, Zeus, Athena, Hera, and nine others, and turns them into teenagers with emotions, fears, and hormones.

The story is told from Zoe’s perspective, and she has become one of my favorite female characters in a fantasy novel. She’s funny and highly relatable – someone who’s always on the fringes of the group and an underdog. But then she finds herself on a crazy journey back in time. At first she only wants to get home, but later begins to appreciate the adventure she’s on. Most characters put in similar situations only whine about wanting to get home, but Zoe is tough and wants to try and figure things out. It’s a lot of fun to root for her as she battles monsters, outwits crazed goddesses and begins to fall in love.

The chapters are short and quick, and the whole book is pretty easily read. Hart keeps things light, but doesn’t shy away from some darker moments that really shine. Hart has a wonderful grasp of Greek mythology, and uses and twists it in good ways to suit the story. Frequently, she introduces things like the Minotaur, or nymphs, or other creatures, and they play their parts in the story in a natural way. It never felt like a Percy Jackson adventure with random encounters with vicious monsters. Each encounter plays a part to unfold the plot.

Some of the best moments are Zoe explaining life to the reader. Often, she’ll use her time at boarding school as ways to explain what’s happening to her. Some were downright funny, and others were sobering. The story ends up being a blend of fantasy adventure with touches of teenage drama. The mix is good, and the drama never overloads the story or becomes obnoxious.

Readers who enjoy a good Greek mythology story will definitely have some of the best fun they’ve had on Mount Olympus with The Dig: Zoe and Zeus. Others who enjoy coming-of-age tales will have something to like as well. Overall, I can’t imagine Hart giving us a better first entry. And that said, be warned: the ending escalates and leaves the reader waiting for the next installment. It can’t come too soon.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Fantasy                            

Publisher: Center Street             

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Tim George

Imagine a world, our world, where every person on the planet is dead and doesn’t know it. Not zombies according to the current literary fad but rather a planet populated by people who are but shells of what they were created to be. Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee paints a picture of what might happen to a world so bent on eradicating its inner demons that it strips itself of all emotion. All that is, except fear.

Nearly five centuries have passed since a select group of scientists worked to tinker with humanity’s genetic code. Their discovery of a way to eliminate all emotions save fear gave way to a unified world ensured peace by the Order. But then, on one seemingly uneventful day, 24 year old Rom, finds his life altered forever thus beginning the first installment of what will ultimately be a trilogy called The Book of Mortals.

Ironically, Rom is a funeral singer. A funeral in which, like with most of his world, there is no body and no real sorrow. When Rom leaves the funeral he witnesses the unthinkable, a murder. As the old man who has been attacked is dying he gives Rom an ancient vial of blood that can grant something Rom did not even know he was lacking – life. The kind with real emotions: love, hate, jealousy, betrayal, passion, joy, ecstasy and despair. Real life. A life the world does not even know it is missing. To tell more would be to rob the reader of embarking on this journey with Rom and seeing it unvarnished through his eyes.

As with any fantasy or epic there is a fairly large cast of characters. Central to Book One is Rom, the ultimate unlikely hero. With no frame of reference to understand the emotions he now feels all he knows to do is to employ aid from the few friends he has. And he will need them because someone else has discovered the secret of emotions as well. Saric has to be one of the most unsympathetic villains ever created. His discovery of emotion only proves what man’s heart is capable of when all boundaries are removed. Other characters of note include Feyn the soon-to-be Sovereign of the world and sister of Saric, Avra, Rom’s best friend since childbirth, and though only introduced late in the story, the boy Jonathan.

Many collaborations fail miserably but not this one. Read the rest of this entry »

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Brilliance Audio on CD   

Publication Date: March 2011

Reviewed by P.J. Coldren

It is bad times in the land.  There was a brawl in the Inn last night.  The Chronicler is in town, making wills and the like for the townsfolk.  He is also writing down the life story of the innkeeper, Kvothe.  When the tale begins, Kvothe is a student of the Arcana at the University.  He has a small circle of friends, and one major enemy.  He is not wealthy, so his knowledge is what he has to keep his tuition costs down.  Kvothe is of the Edema Ruh, a group that sounds much like the Gypsies of our world, and as tolerated in his as Gypsies used to be in Europe.  He is very bright, both in book learning and in street smarts, but not so learned in the ways of women.

Kvothe has many adventures in WISE MAN’S FEAR, both within the confines of the University and around the country.  He learns from every experience he has.  He learns the art of fighting from the Adem, a tribe of mercenaries.  They use something that sounds very much like Tai Chi as part of their training.  Anyone not of the Adem is considered to by them to be a barbarian; their reasons for this do make sense.  He learns the art of love from Fehlurian, a faerie no man can resist; he is the only man to leave the Faey and live.

I was a little hesitant to take on a 36-CD book; I listen on my way to work, in 20 minutes chunks, most of the time.  I thought I would lose track of the people, the story.  I thought I would get bored.  I was very wrong.  I found myself wondering what Kvothe was going to do next, how he was going to take whatever trouble he was into and turn it around for himself.  The performer (as he is described on the liner notes) is Nick Podehl; he is superb.  I had no difficulty in keeping the characters straight.  His accents were subtle and distinct. I will say that the Adem tend to sound Scandinavian – not unpleasant, just consistent.

After I finished listening to this, I went to the author’s website (www.patrickrothfuss.com) and discovered that WISE MAN’S FEAR is day 2 in the Kingkiller Chronicle, of which there are at least 3 days.  I ordered day 1, THE NAME OF THE WIND, also in audio CD form.  I am looking forward to learning how Kvothe got to the University, among other things.

Warning: Minimal language issues, minor violence, sexual references. 

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Fantasy, Allegory

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Date: February 2011

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

The Chasm takes place during a sliver of time during the events of Alcorn’s book Edge of Eternity. Like the previous book, it follows Nick Seagrave and is an allegory in which Nick appears in another world. It’s a novella, really, much shorter than Edge of Eternity or any of Alcorn’s other fiction titles. It’s a simple, straightforward story about one man’s inability to cross the great chasm on his own, and all the sins and shortcomings that render him unable to do so, and the only means by which he’s ever getting across: the blood of the Woodsman.

For me it was timely, I suppose, dealing with indecision, insecurity, unwillingness to confront your own sins. With the help of a murky guide named Joshua, Nick passes through something akin to Dante’s Inferno, and instead of Purgatorio on the other side, he finds himself completely lost, and the man he thought his friend instead a foe bent on his destruction. But he’s rescued. Then he participates in his redeemer’s murder.

The story’s very classic, and it’s not attempting to hide its symbolic nature. It felt very much written to a readership of believers who’ve lost their way, forgotten they too were once stranded on the edge of a bottomless cliff that led straight to the pit of Hell, with the City of Light tantalizingly in sight but hopelessly beyond reach: in want of life and light and the city of the Great King, in desperate need of the princely Woodsman who commands armies and worlds and men, in great need of redemption from certain death and forgiveness of sin and treason.

It isn’t a new story, but it’s an eternal one, and for those of us who know what the red road means and forever remember the torn and broken body of the Woodsman hung and cursed on a tree, it’s a stark memorial to who we were and who we are, and why. Alcorn’s style follows that of Edge of Eternity and Safely Home, my favorite of his novels.  It’s worth the read, especially this time of year where we’re apt to remember our own moment at the chasm.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Publisher: Living Ink Books

Publication Date: July 2010

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

Fifteen years have passed since the events of The Bones of Makaidos (book four of the Oracles of Fire series), where our four heroes, Billy, Bonnie, Walter, and Ashley entered adulthood and a period of peace. Now, Mr. Davis brings us the beginnings of a new series, Children of the Bard. Book one, Song of the Ovulum, opens up with Bonnie, Ashley, and Billy in prison, dying dragons, and a pair of siblings named Joran and Selah.

There’s two timelines to follow for a good portion of the book:  Joran and Selah, whose story begins the day before Noah’s Flood, and the 2020s A.D. Chapter one begins with Joran and Selah, who have a gift. They fight demons with a lyre and two sonic rods and use song to capture and destroy them. They’re charged with the task of protecting the ark, but they will not themselves be on the ark. But through a series of events, they are themselves preserved another way. . . for centuries. In the present, Bonnie sees their story unfold while she’s unconscious, and events finally bring the siblings into the present.  Meanwhile, Walter and a pair of teenagers, a boy and girl, carry the action.

I admittedly wasn’t sure, initially, what I thought about a third series. The story felt complete on its own. But Mr. Davis didn’t just drag out a complete story; he started afresh with the twin children of legacy and five-thousand year-old teenagers from Genesis six. Most of Joran and Selah’s arc is from Joran’s perspective, and he’s very well-developed and carries his end of the plot well. He’s hurting and angry, but beneath all that he’s a good kid who matures as the story progresses. His arc is one of redemption, a theme Davis develops beautifully. Read the rest of this entry »

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Audiobook

Publisher: Brilliance Audio & Random House Press

Publication Date:  2004, Random House  2009, Brilliance Audio

Reviewed by P.J. Coldren

Kale, an orphan slave from Orant (all names are a guess, because I listened to this in audio form) is a Dragonkeeper and drawn to the eggs of dragons.  She is sent by her village to be a servant of Paladin.  On her way to the city, she is abducted and escapes.  She is found by other servants of Paladin, and informed that she is now on a quest.  She is to find the Meech egg and bring it to Paladin.  The evil Risto has the Meech egg in his castle, and his minions guard it well.

Kale is accompanied on her quest by the Wizard Fenworth, a Daneel named Dar (that’s the short version), and her mentor LeeTwo.  Along the way this core group acquires some other servants of Paladin, all there to help Kale find and keep the Meech egg.  As with all quests, there are adventures, mysterious happenings, set-backs.  Kale finds out that she knows nothing (as her village mayor told her), and that she has powers she must learn to control.   Her companions help her learn what she must know, as best they can, and work with her on how to control her powers.

This is the first book in a series.  While listening to it, I was reminded of C. S. Lewis’s CHRONICLES OF NARNIA.  Both are fantasies, both are allegories dealing with faith and the pursuit of faith, both can speak to both adults and children old enough to read the books.  ON Kale’s world, Waldur is the supreme authority and Paladin knows what Waldur knows – he is a physical connection to Waldur.  One can communicate with Waldur without knowing Paladin, and Waldur can protect one even if Paladin is not there.  DRAGONSPELL can be enjoyed even if one doesn’t make any connection to the faith aspects of the book; Paul is a very good writer.

Ellen Grafton does a good job reading this unabridged version.  Her voice brings a young girl to mind, although she has no difficulty making Paladin and some of the other older characters seem their age.  I think having someone with a “young” voice makes the story more accessible to young listeners.

Audiobook purchased by reviewer.

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Publication Date: April 2011

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Achan Cham has fully embraced Arman’s will and is ready to take the throne once and for all. As war stirs around him he faces an enemy that is as mysterious as he is dark. To make matters worse, rumors abound that Esek has survived and is still planning to steal the crown. Amidst the turmoil Achan is broken hearted and tossed and turned by his emotions. Even though he is engaged to Lady Averella of Carmine, his heart still lies with Vrell Sparrow. While he questions Arman’s will in regards to his heart, he still has no idea that Lady Averella and Vrell Sparrow are one in the same.

Vrell wants to give her heart to Achan and reveal her true identity, but she refuses to fall in love with a man who does not follow Arman. Seeking to both distance herself from her complicated love life and find a way to serve Arman, Vrell sneaks away to serve as a healer in the upcoming war. Things quickly spin out of control and Vrell finds herself lost in the Veil.

Now Achan and Vrell find themselves in over their heads as darkness is spreading and threatens to overtake all of Er’Rets. They’ve always known that without Arman all would be hopeless, but the sacrifices are greater than they ever imagined and the odds are seemingly stacked against them. Can they find the strength to submit fully to Arman’s will and put an end to the reign of darkness?

From Darkness Won is exactly what I wanted it to be. Throughout this trilogy Jill Williamson has kept us churning the pages with anticipation that answers and closure were coming. Fans of the series get a huge payoff here and not only that, but Williamson also saved the best story for last. Read the rest of this entry »

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Living Ink Books

Publication Date: April 2011

Jake Chism’s Review:

Kr’Nunos has suffered a devastating blow from brothers Hadyn and Ewan Barlow, who have foiled his plans to ruin the youth of Karac Tor. However, Kr’Nunos has his sights set on an even darker plan. Once and for all he will destroy Corus, the great champion of the land that Kr’Nunos keeps imprisoned in Hel. With Corus out of the way, he can finally lead his evil army out to take control of Karac Tor. Unfortunately for Kr’Nunos, Hadyn and Ewan will continue to fight along with their brothers Garrett and Gabe, who have also been called to this mysterious land for a greater purpose. Together they must unite a divided people and confront the one who seeks to destroy them all.

In 2008, D. Barkley Briggs released The Book of Names (Book 1 of The Legends of Karac Tor), only to find out shortly after that his publisher had dissolved their entire fiction line. Fans of the series were shocked and Briggs was left without a publishing home. Four years later fans are rejoicing with the news that Living Ink Books is now publishing the entire series, and has even committed to the five books that Briggs originally intended. It has been a long wait, but faithful fans will be glad to know that it was certainly worth it. Read the rest of this entry »

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Living Ink Books

Publication Date: April 2011

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Hadyn Barlow and his brother, Ewan, have never wanted to live in the middle of nowhere Missouri, but after the tragic loss of their mother that is just where life has brought them. Making the best of the situation they set out to help their father with some chores while on Thanksgiving break. Amidst their work they discover a mysterious stone formation hidden on their land. The discovery is highlighted by a frightening encounter with four large birds that seem to be delivering them a message. It seems the formation they have uncovered is an ancient rune stone that serves as a portal to another world. As the brothers explore this fascinating new land they soon discover that their arrival is anything but coincidence. Darkness threatens to destroy the ancient world of Karac Tor and Hadyn and Ewan have been called to fight it.

The Book of Names is everything you could want in an epic fantasy adventure: Good vs. evil, wondrous landscapes and settings, intriguing characters, mysterious magic, and action scenes galore. D. Barkley Briggs works his own brilliant magic as he weaves all of these elements together into a dazzling journey that leaps off the pages as each new chapter unfolds.

Briggs will no doubt be lauded for his clever writing and delectable prose, but his strength is his ability to tell a story. We are given characters that we care about and clear cut heroes and villains that we love to cheer and loathe. Themes of faith and redemption ring loud and true without seeming manufactured or irrelevant to the story. In the end Briggs gives us a delightful taste of what is to come with a brilliant twist that will surely send this series in an altogether exciting new direction.

Young and old alike will be charmed and captivated by D. Barkley Briggs and his exceptional storytelling prowess. The Book of Names is certainly worthy of your attention and the perfect first installment to what is sure to be a groundbreaking new series.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Publication Date: April 2010

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Having discovered his true identity, Achan Cham flees to Darkness from those who would destroy him. By his side are Vrell Sparrow, Sir Gavin, and his fellow Kingsguard Knights. Their mission is to break into the Ice Island prison to free their imprisoned comrades. Esek is hot on their trail and they will need an army if Achan is to successfully claim his throne.

All the while Achan and Vrell grow closer, which makes it more difficult for Vrell to hide her true identity. She must balance her emotions if she is to help Achan embrace his destiny. Arman’s path has never been easy, but this leg of the journey will test her faith more than anything that has come before.

Jill Williamson is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and this brilliant second offering further proves why. As much as I loved the first book in this series (By Darkness Hid), I found myself even more captivated this time around. Much of this story takes place in the Darkness side of Er’Rets, taking us on a pulse pounding journey filled with new locations, eerie villains, and even more adventure. Indeed, this book is much darker than the first allowing Williams to showcase her uncanny ability to plunge her characters (and readers) into despair without losing sight of the light that is always within reach.

Having Achan and Vrell together for the majority of this story really pays off for fans who want more interaction between the two.  Vrell’s struggle to keep her identity brings just the right amount of humor to the story, balanced with the emotional and spiritual turmoil she finds herself in. In the end, we are left with an intriguing glimpse of what is to come, all but ensuring that the “tension” between Achan and Vrell is only just beginning.

Even though this series is full of lovable characters, grand adventure, and surprising twists it all only works together to display the powerful spiritual messages Williamson has carefully woven throughout. Never preachy, yet always relevant and stirring, this is the kind of faith based fiction I love. The final book in the series, From Darkness Won, is just around the corner and you can be sure that I will fight my way to the front of the line.

Review copy provided by author.

Don’t miss our review of By Darkness Hid and our podcast interview with Jill Williamson.

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Publication Date: April 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Achan Cham has been held captive his entire life, but his heart has always longed to be free. Day after day his master heaps abuse on him, maiming his pride, but never quenching his spirit. When an aged Kingsguard Knight offers to take him as his squire, Achan begins to believe that things are indeed turning around. As Achan takes up the sword to train he also discovers he has the unique gift known as bloodvoicing that allows him to communicate with his mind. Achan’s life is indeed changing, but nothing can prepare him for the journey ahead.

Vrell Sparrow is on the run and has disguised herself as a boy to escape an arranged marriage to an evil tyrant. A strong follower of Arman, the Creator, Vrell longs to serve Him at all cost, even if it means giving up her life of privilege. Vrell also has the ability to bloodvoice and recently she has heard the thoughts of Achan as he tries to master his newfound ability. Even though she doesn’t know him, she can tell he is far more powerful than he realizes. As Vrell sets out on her own journey she begins to sense that Arman has great plans for Achan, and she may be the only one who can help him become who he was born to be.

As a kid I cut my teeth on epic fantasy. Terry Brooks, Tolkien, Terry Goodkind, even a dash of Piers Anthony here and there. I love sweeping adventure, with complex plots, deep characters, and grand battles of good VS evil. I had high hopes for this series going into book one, but I never expected to enjoy it as much as my childhood favs. Jill Williamson has just pulled the rug out from under me with this highly impressive debut.

Solid characters are the backbone for any great story, and Achan and Vrell more than fit the bill. Williamson effortlessly alternates between their story lines throughout the book giving us a balanced approach that never lags or wanders too far off the map.

The pacing of this story is a wonder to behold. Williamson manages to balance the action, humor, suspense, and emotion in such a way that the reader forgets about the massive page count. Indeed, anyone reading this book on an e-reader will be shocked to know that the hard copy is 500 plus pages.

What I love most about this story is how the spiritual message shines through without seeming forced or manufactured. You will find no squeaky clean characters or glossed over violence in this book. However, the portrayal of darkness only makes the light shine brighter, and Jill Williamson does this with a style and grace that is wondrous.

By Darkness Hid does everything the first book in a series should, giving us heroes to love, villains to loathe, and the promise of great story to come. I can’t recommend this one enough.

Review copy provided by author.

Don’t miss our review of To Darkness Fled and our podcast interview with Jill Williamson.

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Dates: September 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Jacob Reckless never planned to enter another world. Even though this one seemed to be crumbling around him with the disappearance of his father and the subsequent decline of his mother’s health, he still didn’t expect to actually leave the life he’d always known. But when the mirror beckoned to him, the pull was too strong for him to resist.

So now Jacob spends his time as a treasure hunter. Renowned in the other world for his abilities, he now knows that all the fairy tales and children’s stories that he’d heard growing up weren’t just stories. He’s experienced the reality of sleeping beauty and seen the home of Hansel and Gretel’s witch.  Through all that danger, he has learned how to take care of himself. What he hasn’t learned is how to keep his brother, Will, safe. And Will is in a miserable situation right now. He’s turning into a Goyl. That’s a person made of stone for those of us who live on ‘this side.’ Each day Jacob can see more and more of the stone taking over his brother’s body.  Legend says that there’s no way to halt the change, but Jacob also knows that legends aren’t always fact. This is why he sets out to reverse the course of his brother’s existence.

Jacob, known as a famous treasure hunter in this world, relies on some of the contacts he’s made over the years to get information that may help his brother. In the meantime, he’s got to fight off people who want to kill his brother for turning into a Goyl, keep his brother’s girlfriend safe, and work with Fox, a beautiful young woman who can change, at will, into a fox. (Actually she prefers this form over her human form.)

Once again, Cornelia Funke has allowed us a glimpse into a new world. As with previous books, it’s a world that is delightful and frightening all at once. As readers, we can sit comfortably in our homes and experience a world that is populated with familiar fairy tales and stories from our childhoods but isn’t quite as bright and cheery as our big picture books might have led us to believe. There are some dark moments that could be scary in these books. For the appropriate age though, they are perfect.

Cornelia Funke has a talent for creating vividly beautiful settings and worlds that are also exceptionally dangerous. Full of intrigue, adventure and a lot of action, this book is certain to kidnap the imagination of the reader and take it on a journey that won’t soon be forgotten.

Funke’s writing seems to live and breathe on its own. With words that wrap around you and tease you deeper and deeper into the story like a butterfly in flight, this is a definite must read for fans of Funke’s work. And if you’re not already a fan, you have no idea what you’re missing.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Publication Date: September 2010

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

Dragons of the Valley is the sequel to Donita Paul’s new series. Book one, The Vanishing Sculptor, introduced readers to the continent of Chiril, a place which, unlike Amara (for those familiar with the DragonKeeper books), knows little to nothing of Wulder. In the Vanishing Sculptor, we followed Tipper Schope as she and a team of questers (including a bog wizard, an artist, and a giant parrot) set out to save both her father and all of Chiril by way of fixing a broken gateway.

Now, the existence of the statues and their nature is, unfortunately, known, and now Chiril’s enemies are invading. Our heroes are forced to once again separate the statues, but they must reunite them quickly in a hidden place to prevent the world—and Tipper’s father—from coming apart again. The invading king, Oddidodex, is a cruel tyrant from Baardack, but the foe we see the most of is a strange, amoral creature with a gray past simply known as The Grawl.

I suggest reading The Vanishing Sculptor first, or you might not understand why it’s so imperative three statues that make up the foundation of Chiril and serve as a gateway are so important, among other things. Dragons of the Valley follows a wider cast but is largely about the young tumanhofer artist Bealomondore turned swordsman. While all Chiril has fallen into gloom and despair, war and oppression and a land ruled by fools who shun wise counsel, Bealomondore works to remind himself that, ultimately, a sword can preserve life as well as a paintbrush.

As I couldn’t help comparing Tipper and Kale (from the Dragonkeeper series) a little, so I couldn’t help comparing Bardon (especially from DragonKnight) to Bealomondore to some extent. But, again, they aren’t the same people, and each is a strong character in his own right. She’s added a few characters, too: I think I saw more kimens in this book than all of the previous books. At least, I’ve gotten to know them better.

Paul retains her prowess with the pen and her subtle blend of wisdom and fantasy. For me, reading her books is always a bit daunting because I could probably read them twenty times and still pick up a thread of symbolism or theology and wisdom I missed the first nineteen. Her characters can be funny and witty, aware of the seriousness of the situation but using humor the way they would a sword.  And, in all, Paul doesn’t disappoint me. Just to reiterate: While her primary audience is young adult, this really is an author I say writes for all ages.

And again, while you won’t be too lost, I don’t think, if you read out of order, I very much recommend reading The Vanishing Sculptor first.

I look very much forward to reading her next book.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Dates: October 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Sir Quinlan has one very good friend in the world. Tav. In fact, when his parents died, he went to live with Tav and his family. Known as Twitch (for the twitch in his cheek when his nerves took over) Quinlan was much loved, but never really respected. He simply did whatever Tav did and he was content with that.

One day, when Tav’s uncle, Sir Baylor, comes to visit with important information about a mission for the prince, Twitch feels something in his soul. He knows that he does not want to spend his life in the same place doing the same things all the time. He chooses to follow Sir Baylor. This is an unreasonable decision according to Tav and his family, so it’s with much difficulty that he leaves them behind. When he does, he leaves behind the name Twitch and takes on his given name, Quinlan.

On the road with Sir Baylor, Quinlan becomes a member of Baylor’s elite group of soldiers though he’s untried in battle and not nearly trained well enough for everyone’s tastes. When Baylor dies while on a mission, Quinlan accepts the man’s dying words, a trinket from him, and full responsibility for the death of his leader. This guilt weighs him down and drags at him from every angle until he’s unable to run away from it anymore.

A seemingly chance encounter with a brilliant soldier named Taras leads Quinlan in a direction he never expected. He trains with Taras until he takes over the leadership of the very team of soldiers from which he’d been running.

This book dealt heavily with guilt, the sin of your past and moving on into what God has planned for your life.  Everyone, at some point, has experienced the burden of guilt for something that hurt someone else. Everyone has to learn to give it to the King and then let Him guide your life. The book resonates on a much deeper level than just good storytelling. It’s a brilliant parable for life, sin, wisdom and the consequences of poor choices.

At this point in the series I had a hard time reading. Not because the books were getting more difficult to read. In fact, the books continued to improve with each successive sequel. Nope, the books were harder for me to read because I couldn’t find them! At this point in the series, I had an 11 year old daughter, an 8 year old daughter and my 40 year old husband all in possession of at least one or more of the books. When it came time to read this one, I had to track it down. Which of my family members had it and more importantly, would they be willing to give it up to mom for her to read and review? It’s safe to say that the readers in my house are huge fans of Chuck Black’s. I couldn’t wait to start the final book in the series, Sir Rowan & the Camerian Quest.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Dates: October 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Rowan knew from the time that he was a young man that he was destined to wield a sword. Though raised in the mean harsh streets and barely able to make enough money to feed himself, it remained his dream to become an amazing swordsman.  One day, he received a bit of money that he could pocket. Upon asking the soldier from whom he’d received the money if he could pay for the chance to merely hold the sword, he received more than he’d imagined. The chance not only to hold the sword became his, but to be trained under the sword’s owner, a Knight of the Prince.

Just as he knew that he would, Rowan grew in his sword abilities until he became one of the greatest swordsmen in the land. He took his talents to the tournaments and soon he was one of the most famous men in the world. He had crowds following him everywhere and he soon became lost in the praise and trappings of men. This is when things got really bad for Sir Rowan.
Taken hostage, beaten, and left to die, he came face to face with the reality that he’d let his Prince down. He’d taken the praises of men over the code of his King and Prince. He rededicated his life to the mission of His Prince and prayed for his deliverance. Soon, it came.

Rowan’s tale takes an interesting turn at this point when he is nursed back to health by a beautiful young woman, goes home to discover that not only his home, but also his town has been taken over by an egomaniac set out to destroy followers of the Prince.

As Rowan struggles with what to do next, he falls in love with the beautiful young woman and vows to become the man she deserves. He marries her and soon, they find themselves in search of the other Knights of the Prince. When they find the knights, everyone is thrilled to have the famous Sir Rowan set to fight for them. But who is that mysterious man who refuses to fight? Why does he watch everyone and what is it that he has to say to Rowan?

As the final book in Black’s Arrethtrae series, I couldn’t see how this story could possibly be better than the others that I’d already read. Yet with each book in the series, it seems that Black’s writing has taken off into a level of its own. The magnitude of Rowan’s tale seems so much bigger and more fulfilling than the 192 pages of the book. Though partway through, I figured out what Black was doing, I was still absolutely stunned at the ending. I finished this book with tears in my eyes, nearly unable to tell my family how good it was. I was overcome with emotion and I think that Black could have honestly written an entire series just based on the story of Rowan.

The Knights of Arrethtrae is a stunning series. It’s beautiful, entertaining and enjoyable for the whole family. My children are fighting over who gets to read the next book next and my husband has several of them stuck in hidey spots around the house so they don’t get lost in the kids’ rooms before he has a chance to read them.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Date: March 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Lady Carliss has passion for her King and his Son. She has always stood strong for her faith and done whatever she needed to do for them. So when she develops feelings of more than friendship for Sir Dalton and she thinks those feelings aren’t returned, she takes a sojourn to a nearby haven to help with the training of their young students. When she’s supposed to be going back home to visit her brother and Sir Dalton, she takes a detour with a friend from school and suddenly finds herself in her own dangerous and life-threatening adventure.

Soon, when Dalton finds her, his life is in danger as well and only she can bring him the antidote that will keep him alive. Threatened with the death of the man she loves, Lady Carliss vows to do whatever she needs to do to save his life.

Along the way, she gets drawn into a dream world that is eerily reminiscent of escape through illicit drugs in our own. Trapped in a situation that becomes far more than just the life or death of Sir Dalton, Lady Carliss must struggle to defeat the evil growing in the region and threatening to take over control of the land.

This book deals in a big way with vices and the disaster that can occur when they take over the mind. Parallels to drugs, alcohol and even gambling and sex can be found in this book. The dangers are not glossed over. Clearly visible in the books is the corruption that comes when these things begin to take over people’s lives and visions.

Chuck Black’s use of Lady Carliss, a female heroine, to visualize the consequences of these vices is fantastic. Lady Carliss is a brilliant young woman who has many of the same thoughts that young girls today have. Am I good enough? Pretty enough? Will I be found lacking? Once again, Chuck Black boggled my mind with the depth and spiritual brilliance to this story. I was delighted with this venture into Arrethtrae and literally nearly devoured this book. Once finished, I couldn’t wait for my eleven year old daughter to dig in to this one. For young people today, I cannot highly enough recommend these books. Brilliantly handled Mr. Black!

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Dates: May 2009

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Sir Dalton is a young knight in training. He’s got the world going for him. He has a beautiful maiden that he’s planning to marry and he’s the best in his class. Everyone at the haven where he learns would like to be like him. So why does he feel like he’s missing something important? And what exactly is going on with the new trainer at the haven? He seems to have some very specific ideas about life and they run counter to some of the things he’s previously been taught and believed.

When Sir Dalton is sent out on a mission, he begins to encounter a series of attacks. As he begins to doubt more and more and step further away from the Prince’s plans for his life, the attacks become more vicious until he ends up near death and in prison.

Unlike the previous books, Dalton doesn’t face an outside temptation or foe. He must battle and struggle with something far more dangerous. It’s within himself. What happens when you don’t really feel your vow to the King? Are you just going through the motions instead of doing that which you are called to do? These are the things Black tackles in this book and this is when I truly became a fan of this series. When I finished this book, I handed it directly to my husband and told him to read it. It was simply too good. The spiritual lessons, the impact, the powerful moments of this book were overwhelming as I was reading. I finished this book with a renewed passion for my own vow to the King and his Son and wondering what adventure God would lead me on next. In fact, after finishing this book, I placed it on the Christmas list for several friends of mine and their sons.  Chuck Black is a master of portraying the spiritual battles we all face and bringing them to a new level of understanding for us.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Date: Feb 2009

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

In the second book of Chuck Black’s Knights of Arrethtrae series, we meet Sir Bentley. He’s a young man with a passion for life and a compassionate heart for others.

Sir Bentley’s tale starts from the gripping perspective of a young man who has been raised to kill and destroy those who serve the King and his Son. His father lived through the death of the great imposter (the Son of the King) and has definite feelings about those who follow him. When Sir Bentley gets into a life and death situation the very men that he was sent to kill step up and defend him. This is when he knows that the life he’s been leading is wrong and he wants to change. In a dramatic twist, he becomes a follower of the prince and, in doing so, becomes an enemy of everything that his father has taught him.

He leaves his family’s fortune to follow the path that the Prince has set before him and soon becomes an invaluable help in a small farming community that’s being run by a tyrant. He learns to farm and sees firsthand how difficult the lives of these simple people are. When he comes before the ruler of the land, he does his best to try and change things for the people. He also meets a beautiful maiden whose heart seems as cold as ice. Is it?

Sir Bentley learns much in this book about appearances, wisdom and loyalty. Closely mirroring the life of Joseph, Bentley shows a brilliant example of what we, as Christians, should be when looking at the suffering around us.

Once again as we dive into Black’s world, we are transported with adventure, beautiful descriptions and most of all, fantastic life lessons. The characters we meet in this book are young, brave and smart, but faced with a lot of the same issues that we deal with today. Appearance, kindness, wisdom…these are lessons that all of us can benefit from as we go through each day. Black’s creation of this universe to share these lessons is spot on, brilliant and relevant.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Dates: June 2008

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

A long time ago there was a Kingdom that had lost its way. The King, able to see his people and see what they were doing, decided to send his son to the Kingdom to bring them the message of his love to his people. The people in the kingdom didn’t recognize the son. They believed that he was an imposter and they killed him. You would think that the story would end there, but the King, who was mighty in power, raised his son from the dead and promised that he would send his son once again in the future to redeem his people. Sound familiar? Indeed. This is the story of the Knights of Arrethtrae.

Pledged to the King and his Son, they travel the land, spreading the good news of his word and battling the evil forces who are determined to destroy all the King holds dear.  Each of the six books in Chuck Black’s series resounds with beautiful allegorical tales that are given new life and breath in the setting of a kingdom with knights and fair maiden poised in battle. And along with each tale is the chance to learn a valuable lesson about life as a member of the King’s family.

Sir Kendrick’s tale comes first in the series and he must take under his wing a young and impetuous new knight, Sir Duncan. The two take off on a mission to investigate Lord Ra and his mysterious festivals where young men and women disappear from neighboring villages.  When Sir Duncan disappears, Kendrick must try to save him. In order to do this, he tries to enlist the aid of a mysterious warrior that he meets not far from Ra’s castle. With this warrior, he learns the truth of Ra’s rise and what he does with the young people who stay with him. But more than that, he also must confront some of his own agonies and hurts from the past.

Kendrick’s battle with his own history, loyalty and faith is an epic one and is bound to enrapture readers with its climactic and stunning ending. This book teaches valuable lessons across the board and is packed with scriptural lessons that anyone of any age can use in their lives.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Humor, Fantasy

Publisher: NAL Trade

Publication Dates: November 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

If the Fates were real and not just myth, what would they be like? Would they have nicknames like Dennis or Fabio? Would they walk around in all red sleazy outfits or would they quietly help and assist their humans along the appropriate path?

When Fabio, (or Fate) becomes fed up with his job of watching humans make miserable life choices and starts to become jealous of Destiny, what should he do? He considers applying to Jerry (God) for another job, but getting that to happen is tough. So he presses on and keeps trying his best to move life ahead without affecting the humans.

And then there’s Sara. The beautiful woman with a great laugh that makes everyone around her take pause and smile before heading back to their incredibly mundane lives. What is it about Sara that has everyone paying such close attention to her? More importantly, why is Fabio running into her all over the city? New York City at that. It’s unusual to run into the same person twice in a year let alone several times over a matter of weeks. And then it hits him. Fate has fallen in love with a human. DISASTER ALERT!  Even Karma can’t figure a way of this one. And trust me. Fate’s asked.

S.G. Browne takes a comedic look at heavy topics of destiny, death, Karma and religion in this book. He gives them a light spin and allows you to laugh at things that most people spend their lives trying to puzzle. There are moments when you can’t help but laugh out loud. (Karma as a loud American tourist being obnoxious in a restaurant and ‘zapping’ people with a point of his finger is one example. Or Dennis, the relatively quiet and generally easy to get along with guy that is really Death.)

Be warned. There are moments that will likely offend. For example, God being referred to as Jerry (a short version of Jehovah) and a continuing commentary of the ‘real’ stories behind the tales we know in the Bible will probably set a lot of readers on edge.  I had a hard time with it and I consider myself relatively open minded, so it’s definitely not a book for all readers.  I wish he’d stuck with the Fates and the Greek Gods and stayed away from religions currently practiced, but then it probably wouldn’t have been the same book and it would definitely not have shared Browne’s feelings on the world.

If you’re passionate about your faith, this isn’t the book for you. Then again, if you’re passionate about your faith, you’ve probably already met at least one or two of these characters personally and have no need for a book to tell you more – even if it is funny.

If you’re looking for a light read and you don’t have any ties to religion or feel deeply passionate about the way the world should be, you will probably like this book and may even want to add it to your Christmas list.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Fantasy/Historical

Publisher: Touchstone Books

Publication Date: September 2010

Reviewed by Anne Barnhill

In Dark Moon of Avalon, the second book of the trilogy, Twilight of Avalon, Anna Elliott continues the tale of Tristan and Isolde, the ill-fated lovers of Arthurian legend.  The fields of Camelot have been mined by many writers throughout the centuries, from Mallory’s Morte D’Arthur to Tennyson’s Idylls of the King to White’s The Once and Future King to Bradley’s Mists of Avalon.  Elliott’s rendition pales when compared to these masters of the tale, both in characterization and writing elegance.  One more run through with a sharp eye to editing would improve the book immensely, dispensing with redundancies.  And while Elliott reinvents the traditional tale in an interesting way, the characters don’t seem particularly authentic–they seem, instead, interchangeable with other like books.

Perhaps the book gave me pause because I did not read the first book in the trilogy, also titled Twilight of Avalon.  As I began the novel, I was impressed with the writing in the Prologue where Morgan, grandmother of Isolde, prepares the reader for the story to follow.  Unfortunately, we don’t see more of Morgan (well, she is dead when the book begins) except in bits of memory when Isolde is struggling to save Britain from King March, her former husband from whom she has escaped.  I confess I was confused by all the names introduced at the very beginning, the complex political alliances and enmities, the sense that much had happened to which I was not privy.  Again, possibly a problem for a reader coming into the middle of the tale.

The story is told from both Isolde and Tristan’s point of view, though Isolde’s perspective bears the heavier load, which is unfortunate because Tristan’s voice is filled with self-deprecating humor and a charming romantic quality.  Elliott’s use of humor is natural and easy and enhances the book a great deal.

Rather than the usual tale where the lovers inadvertently drink a love potion that begins their passion, Elliott uses the true aphrodisiac of youngsters who bond early in life.  Isolde and Tristan grow up together, best friends.  Of course, as they mature, their friendship catches fire.  But there is more to the story than love.  Isolde is a healer and Seer, having traces of her grandmother’s magic.  She is part of the old world, the Druidic tradition.  Some of the characters have embraced the new Christian faith.  Elliott does a good job with this juxtaposition, respectful of both.

By the end of the book, I was at least invested in the love story and found that resolution satisfying.  Given the enormous popularity of Arthurian fantasies, I would rate this one a C+.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Fantasy, Sci Fi

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Kit Livingstone is having a hard time believing everything he’s being told. He’s bumped into his great-grandfather in the middle of an alley in London and now he’s facing the reality of ley lines. These ley lines, the stuff of myth and legend, are pathways to other worlds and it’s possible to use them to bounce back and forth between alternate worlds. Kit doesn’t want to believe it, but after a trip of his own, it’s something he has to accept.

When Kit sees his girlfriend later that evening and realizes how very black and white his world is in comparison to the world he saw by following the ley lines, he knows that he has to prove it to her himself. So he takes Mina back to the alley and that’s where things get really interesting. Mina disappears, Kit tries to follow her. His grandfather shows up. And adventure begins.

Stephen Lawhead is a virtuoso of fantasy. His previous fantasy series, The Song of Albion Trilogy remains one of my favorite reads ever. It’s a series that feels like a friend when you open up the books. Laced with familiar characters, dense mythology and lush descriptions that beg to be read aloud, it remains a hallmark of Lawhead’s writing career.

The Skin Map, the first book in his new series, Bright Empires, has the potential to rival The Song of Albion series.  Lawhead has created a way for his characters to travel anywhere in his imagination. There are no limits or boundaries. The worlds can be traversed easily and yet, rather than keeping it wide open with nothing to pull it all together, Lawhead gives his reader a grounded thread to tie the worlds together. A map created by another ley traveler who realized early on that his travel between the worlds was vital enough to tattoo his journey on his own skin.

The characters in this book are quirky, fun and well rounded enough not to be two dimensional caricatures. In parts of the book, the logic and reasoning behind the ley lines can sometimes be overwhelming. This is not a simple afternoon read on the beach. But I think that the dense description and the grasp that Lawhead has of this story (even when sometimes I felt like I didn’t) helped me to identify with Kit more. After all, he’s been dumped into this world just as quickly as and even more unceremoniously than I was. I mean I knew when I sat down and opened up the book that I was in for a wild ride with Lawhead at the helm. Kit had no idea.  So even though in places it’s difficult to follow and I felt a little slow on the uptake, it didn’t matter. Lawhead was taking me on a journey and I wasn’t about to complain or ask him to slow down so I could keep pace.

The descriptions remain so vivid that you feel like you can taste, touch and hear the worlds in which the characters find themselves. Rich vibrant journeys, witty dialogue and a fast paced adventure all partner to make this one of Lawhead’s more delightful journeys yet. My biggest issue with The Skin Map at this point is that I have no idea when to expect the next installment. Hopefully it’s sooner rather than later. If not, I may need to go searching for my own ley lines so I can hop into a world where the series is already complete.

Review copy provided by publisher.

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.

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.

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: Fantasy, Chick Lit, Comedy

Publisher: Touchstone Books

Publication Dates: June 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Ellie Jerome does not like being old. There isn’t one single thing about it that makes her happy. The only thing she currently loves about her life is her granddaughter, Lucy. She sees Lucy often and knows that the carefree choices Lucy has are miles away from where her life and choices were at that age. So on her 75^th birthday, she wishes that she could have a do-over. She’d like to be 29 again for just one day. And the next morning when she wakes up, she is.

So what happens next? Chaos ensues. With only ‘old woman’ clothes and an ‘old woman’ life, Ellie tries to maneuver the vastly different world of young people nearly half a century after she was that age. Trips to the bakery, dress shop and even underwear shopping are vastly different. It’s one of the most delightful and entertaining journeys I’ve been on in a long time. For those who are sensitive to such things, there is some language in the book and very honest discussion about physical relationships and attributes. It’s not overwhelming, but it is present.

Ellie’s trek through this 24 hour period of being a young woman again is absolutely hilarious. Halpern’s brutal honesty about aging and the feeling of regret is tempered by wry humor and a beautiful exploration of what makes each person the way that they are. How does Barbara, Ellie’s daughter, turn into someone that is so difficult to get along with while Lucy, her granddaughter, is a free spirit?

As I was reading, I wondered how it was that Halpern had captured the relationship between my mother, grandmother, and myself so succinctly. It was almost as if there was a hidden camera in my home for the past three generations and she was now bringing it to light. I was amazed at how such a fun, lighthearted romp could take such a turn as to be introspective and heart wrenching as well. The relationships between mother and daughter throughout the generations were explored with such insight as to give me pause about my relationships.

Though I started reading prepared for humor and a fun ride, I was surprised at the end by the depth of emotion involved. Rather than just throwing all of her previous decisions in life to the wind and embracing everything wild and crazy, Ellie became introspective. She spent time wondering how her daughter had gotten to be the way that she is and how she could get along with her better. It became much more of a mending and healing journey than just a romp through younger years without consequences. Never heavy handed, she handles hard subject material with grace and style.

29 is the perfect book to tuck into your bag for a read at the beach or for a long car trip. Halpern’s story delights, entertains and may even change your opinions about the relationships in your own life.

Review copy provided by Touchtsone Books.

Genre: Graphic Novel, Suspense, Fantasy

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: December 2009

Reviewed by Josh Olds

The Circle Series Visual is a hardcover 3-in-1 edition of the original graphic novels for Black, Red, and White, which are in turn adaptations of the regular novels of the same name, authored by Ted Dekker. These novels retell man’s redemptive history through the medium of Story in a powerful way.

It all begins when Thomas Hunter falls and reawakens in the colored forest. At first, he thinks he is living in a fantastical dream, but soon comes to acknowledge the reality of both this Other Earth – this dream world – and Real Earth, the world of his present. He finds that when he sleeps in one world, he reawakens in the other. And the future of both worlds has been placed on his shoulders.

With information gleaned from the colored forest, which claims to be the future of Real Earth, Thomas learns that a bioterrorist releases a virulent disease, called the Raison Strain, which ushers in The Great Deception. In the colored forest, Thomas finds an Edenic type of reality, with the saga of man finding itself retold. In three stories of two worlds only one man can bridge the realities and do what is necessary to save both worlds.

New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker first gained major popularity when his publisher, Thomas Nelson, declared it Year of the Trilogy and released the entire Circle trilogy in the space of a year (Dekker has since added a Book Zero, Green, to the saga). Such overwhelming success led to the graphic novel versions, here repackaged in a durable and hardcover format.

The art throughout the graphic novel gets better and better with each page. Ted’s words form pictures and we see the story come to life. Graphic novels are an interesting medium when they are adaptations from regular full-length novels. Obviously, one cannot render every scene or include every bit of dialogue, so the major challenge is deciding how to stay true to the story while yet creating an exciting visual story. The adaptation and editing team – Kevin Kaiser, J.S. Earls, Matt Hansen, Bob Strachan, and Mike S. Miller – did a great job in this respect, so while ardent fans of the series will undoubtedly note what is missing, they should also appreciate that the core storyline is maintained and that Dekker’s vision shines through.

There are many pros about this version and the graphic novel concept in general. From a purely pragmatic standpoint, for those wanting to dive into the Circle in living color, this is probably your best financial option. These graphic novels are great for introducing the Circle series to younger kids who might not have the time or attention span to consume a full-length novel, but will digest works such as this. While slightly smaller in size than the original glossy soft cover editions, this 3-in-1 is just as easily read as the original version. Text size is slightly smaller but barely noticeable.

Dekker fans who do not already have the individual graphic novels will find this a must-have add to the Dekker library. Those new to the Circle will find themselves salivating for more as they close the cover. All in all a great job by a number of people to take an epic trilogy and offer it in an exciting medium.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Fantasy/Allegorical

Publisher: Creation House

Release Date: September 2009

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Allon was a paradise until the Guardians fell to the Dark Way, led by the evil spirit Dagar. But prophecy speaks of a time when the Guardians would return and Allon would be restored, led by the rightful heir to the throne. That heir is Ellis, and pursued by King Marcellus’ soldiers, he must flee. Having fled to the Forest of Dorigirth, he is told his destiny and begins his training, under an ancient master, to overcome the king and the Dark Way he follows.

The story that Allon tries to tell is a good one, filled with intrigue and mystery, romance and great battles, betrayal and loyalty. It’s a story we’ve all heard and read before. It’s a story told in Eragon, Prince Caspian, even Star Wars – all of these considered iconic stories. So while not the most original novel I’ve ever read, Allon had the seed for a story that, if done well, could bear one more incarnation.

The picture of the supernatural as painted by Lamb is vivid and quite allegorical, with the depictions of the Guardians and the Shadow Warriors clearly being representations of the great battle between the angelic and the demonic, of good and evil. The portrayal of the Guardians was by far my favorite aspect of the book.

Despite that, I had a hard time following the storyline at times because at least once every chapter, I found myself introduced to a new character. While some of these characters came and went in the space of a few paragraphs and others stayed on, it proved to be rather disorienting to sort out who was who. It seemed to me like Lamb was attempting to flesh out an entire fantasy world on a grand scope, but trying to do so in one novel made it seem rather cluttered. In addition to this, the book needs better editing. While I realize that one or two errors may creep in amongst the array of words in a full-length novel, some of these errors were just too noticeable to overlook.

In the end, Allon is a story of a boy who discovers that as a Child of the King it is his destiny to defeat Evil. Though Allon tells this story – which I absolutely love – I feel that many other books tell this story much better, for having been derived from a tried and true storyline, that is the standard on which it will be seen. To read this same basic plotline as a part of a classic, I recommend Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis. If you’re looking for a lesser-known author that tells a similar story, I recommend Protect by Paul Watson. Allon has its charms to be sure, but in the end doesn’t deliver.

Review copy provided by Creation House.

Genre: Children’s/Fantasy

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Publication Date: February 2010

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

Flory is a night fairy. But when flying one evening, she loses her wings in an accident with a bat. How does a fairy cope without wings? In Flory’s case, she becomes a day fairy and settles down in the garden of a giantess (human). There, she must battle hungry squirrels, spiders and other predators, all without the aid of her wings. In a huge, dangerous world, can she learn to survive?

In The Night Fairy, Laura Amy Schlitz presents the antithesis to most fairy stories—a feisty, fuzzy-headed fairy with a self-centered streak. Flory experiences remarkable character growth in this book, as she moves from a domineering outlook to one of selflessness. Her exploits fuel this growth.

At the beginning, the book’s voice feels a bit stilted, almost like an adult talking down to a child, as Schlitz sets her scene and fills in back story. But when the actual action begins, this tone seems to vanish as readers absorb the world she has, not so much created, but revealed.

This simply told story features a basic plot line that would serve intermediate readers well. Airy, ethereal illustrations and delicate descriptions emphasize the natural world in which Flory lives, a place both familiar and fantastic. So beautiful are these natural scenes that the reader longs to join Flory in her world to feast on the sights and sounds

Book after book, Candlewick Press continually offers captivatingly surreal language and illustrations: Cloud Tea Monkeys, The Magician’s Elephant and The Tale of Despereaux. The Night Fairy is no exception. An enchanting tale that little girls will cherish, especially at bedtime.

Review copy provided by Candlewick Press.

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: February 2009

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

What happens when a young dispossessed king gets backed into a corner? His people starving, his land filled and possessed by invaders, King Rhi Bran Y Hud has vowed that he will do whatever he can to return his kingdom to his people. After being wronged again and again by the conquering King, Red William, Bran decides that the next thing he must do is go to his mother’s people to see if they will help him regain his stolen throne.

This plan is not infallible though. Bran has not seen anyone from his mother’s family since he was in diapers and it also means that he must leave his people, the Elfael, alone to fend for themselves in the dark wood. Leaving two of his best men in charge, Bran sets off with a Friar Tuck to reacquaint himself with this branch of his family. Upon his arrival, he discovers that things are not as they seem and there is more work ahead for Bran than he realized. To make things worse, back at their home base, Merian has gotten the idea in her head that she should go home and raise an army to assist Bran. She has no idea that her father is no longer in control in her kingdom anymore.
Stephen Lawhead has packed this final chapter of his Robin Hood trilogy with adventure, heartache, glory and a beautifully sewn together ending that brings the fable to brilliant life. Reminiscent of his Song of Albion series and Pendragon Cycle, Lawhead once again uses his mastery of the written word to at the same time breathe life into a legend and create a vivid world that any fantasy reader can enjoy. Anyone who has read and enjoyed the Narnia series or Lord of the Rings will easily fall in love with Lawhead’s universe.

Filled with vividly beautiful descriptions, intricately woven plots and fast paced adventure, Lawhead’s characters are bigger than the legend he’s tackled. They are beyond fantasy, magic and illusion. The characters are elaborate, brilliant and heartbreakingly human. Bran is a young passionate king with a fire that needs to be tamed. Tuck is a faithful man of God struggling to serve his king in the best way he can. Merian is a woman in love who has yet to understand her feelings, yet loves Bran’s people as her own.

Lawhead’s books are a personal time warp into a long forgotten era. Filled with vivid characters, life and death struggles, mystery, intrigue and romance, they take place in a land so vibrant that you can practically smell the rich green moss and hear the cry of birds through the trees. If you have previously enjoyed any of Lawhead’s novels or if you have an interest in history or the Robin Hood legends, this is a series that you do not want to miss.

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: 2008

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

So the last time we saw Bran Ap Brychan he was disappearing off into the woods with the maid Merian held captive and troops of soldiers chasing him. This is, it seems, nothing new for Lawhead’s most notorious outlaw to date.
This story opens in a far different time and place and with a totally new character thrown into the mix. Will Scatloke, or Scarlet, is the main voice of this book, showing us Lawhead’s characters from a different perspective. As an outsider recently joined with the Elfael people, Scarlet isn’t always trusted but we know from his perspective that he is fiercely loyal and will stay faithful to Bran and the people he pledged his life to protect. Even unto death.

As this sequel to Lawhead’s book Hood proceeds, we find out that Merian is still living with the Elfael though not as Bran’s wife. She remains a very annoyed captive who deeply loves the people Bran leads. Glimpses are shown, through Will’s eyes, of the deep love shared by Merian and Bran, though the two remain apart for all intents and purposes.

Once again, Lawhead leads us on a merry chase through the deep dark woods inhabited by Bran and his people. We learn more of the plots that have conspired to keep Bran away from his rightful place as King and his people living in the forest, away from their homes. The plot is deeper and more involved than anyone realizes, putting Bran and his followers in an even more precarious situation than before.

Lawhead’s use of a different voice than those previously heard from in Hood manages to give the story greater depth and eloquence as he shows us beloved characters through another’s eyes. We journey through the ensuing months since Hood ended and follow Bran as he makes his way through the treacherous political landscape of his beloved country.

Sometimes there’s a danger when you have a second book in a trilogy that the story becomes ‘filler’ or only serves to carry us through from the author’s beginning to the end. It’s not unusual for second books to be somewhat boring. Lawhead’s storytelling in this book remains strong and steadfast. When you end this book, you’ll be eagerly reaching for the third book in the series, Tuck, to find out what danger, temptation and adventure waits to meet our beloved hero this time.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: April 2008

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Stephen Lawhead is a master storyteller. From the mind of the man who brought us amazingly vivid characters like Taliesin and Llew Silverhand comes the tale that everyone knows but with a Lawhead twist. Robin Hood. Who was the man who stole from the rich and gave to the poor? How did he become an outlaw that royalty despised and people practically worshipped? Lawhead turns his mind to exploring the legend, the fantasy and the reality of this legendary character.

Bran Ap Brychan is the prince of his kingdom. Literally. His father is the King and Bran has grown up with an abundance of privilege and all of the stressors that come with it. Never feeling like he meets up to his father’s expectations, Bran struggles with being a little bit spoiled, a lot of entitlement and an overwhelming amount of frustration. When his father is killed in an ambush and the kingdom taken over by invaders, Bran has no idea what to do next.

Impulsively, he lets his anger take over and nearly gets himself killed in the process. If he hadn’t been discovered and assisted by a wise woman in the forest, he would have been nothing more than an epitaph in his father’s kingdom. But the woman helps him heal and along with that, teaches him the value of patience, honor and maturity. As Bran works through the long arduous recovery from his injuries, he comes to understand that there are people depending upon him. No longer do they turn to him as a prince, but as his father’s next in line, the King.

What can an angry, impulsive and immature young man do to lead his people when they are stuck in captivity? How can he rescue his father’s kingdom and bring everything back to where it should be?

These are the answers that Lawhead demands of his character throughout the story. He sows the adventure and reaps the rewards with Bran’s growth and development. Following this story breathes more than new life into the Robin Hood legend; it creates a whole new world for Lawhead to shine through in his masterful writing.

In typical Lawhead fashion, the characters are complex and diverse with just enough humor and realism added in to ensure that they aren’t caricatures of themselves. The plot moves quickly and follows several intersecting storylines at the same time and the setting is, as always, gorgeous.

Lawhead’s books cannot be consumed quickly. They are to be chewed thoughtfully, savored over time and allowed to seep into your very marrow until they become a part of you.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Suspense/Fantasy

Publisher: Howard Books

Publication Date: April 2010

Reviewed by Tim George

I am cold …I am not an angel, nor am I demon … I am a Drifter, something God created in his spare time and then forgot on the fringes of reality …Do  you see me?

Drift is the story of two lost souls. One is the adopted daughter of a Mafia enforcer kept more as pet than person. The other is a being so disconnected from time and substance he exists only to be tethered to someone, anyone, more real than he himself is. In some cruel form of control Baby Doll has never been told her real name, though she has begged to be told since a little girl. And on the day, as a young woman, Baby Doll attends the funeral of the man who held her virtual prisoner her entire life everything is changed by those four haunting words, “Do you see me?”

Baby Doll sees a young man whom she can only think to name, Boy. The story he tells her is as fantastic to her as it will be to the reader. Boy has no idea what he is or how long he has existed. His life gains substance only as he remains tethered to one person. Only the person who he becomes attached to can see him and there is no guarantee how long the connection will stay intact. To tell anymore more of the story would be an injustice to both the author and the reader.

At first glance, Drift is a fantasy or perhaps an allegory. Admittedly the concept may at first scare some readers off (it almost did me). But, give yourself half a chance and you will find yourself drawn into as intense a story of redemption as fiction can offer. Boy serves as a surreal picture of what it means to feel invisible as so many people in our culture do. Baby Doll is his alter ego: wealthy, well groomed, well educated, and just as much without substance. In the end, Drift is about discovering our reason for existence.

Baby Doll watched the city roll by outside her window and found herself humming. It was an old song, a church song that told a story about a man who found a pearl and then sold everything he had just to buy it. She couldn’t remember all the words, but she wondered if she was more like that man in the song, or more like the pearl. Part of her desperately hoped to be both.

For those who don’t know, the author, Sharon Carter Rogers, is as much an enigma as Boy and Baby Doll. Ever since her earlier novels, Sinner and Unpretty, first appeared readers have been trying to figure out who Sharon is but even the publisher offers little help. Whatever her true identity, she writes in prose that literally bleed with raw emotion. Sometimes it seems as though the writer herself is whispering along with Boy, “Do you see me?”

Review copy provided by Howard Books.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication Date: September 2009

Reviewed by James Andrew Wilson

In this charming little tale inspired by Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman tells the story of a boy named Odd and his quest to save Asgard, city of the gods. He is accompanied by a bear, a fox, and an eagle—three creatures who are more than their fur and feathers.

The book reads like a fireside story told by an old wise man known for adding a bit of color to his tales. It all seems quite silly, and yet, it is that silliness, that streak of oddness, that gives the book its wonderful charm.

The style is classic Gaiman, with dollops of wit and wonder and the occasional sprinkle of black humor. It is easy reading, and though it is a book designated for a younger audience, adults with an hour to spare will likely find themselves smiling at this fun little escape.

For all that it does right, Odd and the Frost Giants is missing something: more pages! Unlike Gaiman’s Newberry award winning novel The Graveyard Book, Odd and the Frost Giants is over faster than you can say, “The giants of Jotunheim have taken Mjollnir!” Still, the little bit of story that we do get is nearly perfect, and hopefully we will see more stories about Odd in the future.

With some wonderful illustrations by Brett Helquist, the storytelling knack of Mr. Gaiman, and a protagonist who may be a little odd but is completely loveable, Odd and the Frost Giants is an evening of reading well spent and a book that can easily be enjoyed time and time again.

Just make sure to read every page; some of the best laughs are hidden in the biography at the very end.

Genre: Literary/Fantasy

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Publication Date: January 2010

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

Midas Crook is a young loner, happier to photograph life than to live it. Scarred by an emotionally estranged father and a mentally distant mother, Midas is unprepared when he meets Ida McLaird, a strange girl determined to live life fully. Soon, Midas learns of Ida’s horrifying condition—she is slowly turning to glass. Despite his issues with his past, he soon falls for Ida and the two struggle to find a cure for Ida’s strange illness before she becomes wholly transformed.

In this magical tale, author Ali Shaw crafts a world sprinkled with the strange that somehow feels completely at home; the magical elements in the story seem as though they could occur in ordinary life to anyone. St. Hauda’s Land, the setting for The Girl with Glass Feet, could easily be a real island in the frigid, far north. Shaw’s lyrical style paints beautiful pictures of this fictional land while fresh and innovative language characterizes this quiet tale. It’s a book meant to be read slowly and savored, much like Sue Monk Kidd’s work.

However, Shaw appears to love words more than his story. At times, lovely language takes precedence over storytelling and the pacing of the tale suffers for it. Sadly, I felt a strong desire to skim sections of the book as they could have been shortened with no real loss of plot. The author clearly establishes setting and tone so his need for a full description of each setting at the outset of each chapter pulled the story down.

As a first-time novelist, Shaw succeeds in making the mysterious premise of glass metamorphosis plausible to the reader and is clearly a master wordsmith. The book is a strong effort that would benefit from a few editorial snips.

Review copy provided by Henry Holt and Company.

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy, Young Adult

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: November 2009

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

I have a confession. I picked up The Curse of the Spider King without knowing what it was supposed to be about or having read anything by either of its authors. My ARC copy has no back cover description, either. In fact, it includes a handwritten note letting me know it wasn’t the final version and errors were already in correction. But that title just sounds like it’s going to be amazing, so I requested it. Like several I’ve reviewed lately, both Hopper and Batson were suggested to me by other authors whose works I am familiar with. Besides, where in the world is the adventure if I know exactly what to expect?

At any rate, the story fixed its hooks in me from page one, with a group of Elven Sentinels (an elite class soldier) heading through a portal into Earth to retrieve several missing persons after, in Allyra time, eight hundred years of searching. The problem, I soon discover, is twofold: these seven missing thirteen year olds (Earth time) don’t know they’re missing, and the enemy assassins sent to kill them are also closing in.

Two dimensions, two basic storylines. The kids’ stories are simply about their lives, turning thirteen, discovering they’re from another world and have incredible power. They’re each given a book of their own history—a book that comes alive (literally) as they read it. And in their readings we learn how seven Elflings came to be lost on Earth. That is, they learned the story of the Elves. In some ways, however, I felt the story really belonged to the Sentinels searching for them, largely because the kids really don’t know what’s going on for so long, and they join the battle pretty deep into it. Moreover, despite the large cast, for the most part I had no trouble enjoying the characters and keeping up with plot. I confess a couple times I had to flip back, but this was only once or twice.

The themes largely involve the intricate nature of the past and present. I read one review (remember, I read reviews after I read the book) that suggested it was a coming-of-age story, but I must respectfully disagree, for the aforementioned reasons. The book has several strong themes and resists any temptation to beat the reader to death with them, and some of that I fully expect to cross over into book two, Venom and Song.

One small thing regarding a particular review: I read one from a woman  who said she thought a boy would enjoy it better due to the action sequences, and I read a couple who thought adults wouldn’t enjoy it as much or relate to the characters as well. Please note, I am a twenty-six year old female, and I find such assessments poppycock. The story and characters were both engaging. In fact, the only other thing I could find to comment on was, really, that the ending of the story snuck up on me: I wasn’t quite expecting it to end where it did, but, with the primary goal of the story accomplished, that was where it needed to end. It actually reinforced, in my mind, the idea that it’s really about the Sentinels bringing the children home, not simply the children learning they’re Elves in a ‘coming of age’ fashion. Suffice it to say, I’m looking forward to Venom and Song, a bit anxiously, at that.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy, Young Adult

Publisher: Creation House

Publication Date: May 2009

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

There’s a verse in the Psalm 137 that reads, “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.” For some reason, that was the thought I had as three teenagers anxiously spent their summer longing for Aeliana.

Four hundred and fifty years have passed since the last time Ryann, Liddy, and Terell were in Aeliana. At least, Aeliana time. In Mount Dora, it’s been three months. Summer is ending, and they’ve been scattered abroad, wondering when they’ll next receive their call across time and space. Again, Reinhold doesn’t write precisely what we might expect.

First, the opening chapter or two is spent lying in wait. Waiting for answers, it turns out, isn’t passive, but active, and takes every bit as much strength as receiving them.  Second, it isn’t Ryann who first sees the portal back to Aeliana. This intrigued me because, obviously, Ryann is the main character. He’s the one charged with the three gifts and has a guardian archangel named Gabriel.

Third, the kids are not the only ones who must exhibit faith this time, which leads to my next observation. Their parents must also learn trust and obedience in the God who sends their children. As before, what happens in Mount Dora affects what happens in Aeliana and vice versa—something many stories that involve world-hopping don’t have.

Once back in Aeliana, Ryann and his friends find themselves in the middle of a long-brewing fight. They discover two unicorns and a group of cruel half-dragons (Hugons), and a growing, ominous understanding that they understand prophecies the rest of Aeliana can’t yet. Ryann, Terell, and Liddy have matured over three months, both in their thinking and in their behavior. They have new friends—many of whom don’t get along—and a whole new set of problems to deal with. Faith, it appears, involves so much more than simply jumping off a cliff (though cliff-jumping is included).

The Shield of Faith is different than The King’s Sword in that they do spend more time in Aeliana, understandably. It’s longer, and more complicated.  But as with book one, it’s about much more than the physical, literal shield. If book one is about paradise, then book two is about redemption—who to trust, who to distrust; where loyalties really lie, despite what comes out of the mouth. The shield of faith, then, is found in who you follow.

And once again I can’t say too much more without giving things away. Suffice it to say, Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith was a satisfactory sequel to The King’s Sword, and I’ll be looking forward to book three, Ryann Watters and the Belt of Truth.

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy, Young Adult

Publisher: Creation House

Publication Date: May 2008

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

I heard of Eric Reinhold by way of Donita Paul, Bryan Davis, Jonathan Rogers, and several others engaged in a Motiv8 Tour. As a result, I requested both Ryann Watters and the King’s Sword and its sequel at the same time to read and review. Honestly, I didn’t quite know what to expect. For me, the YA genre is simply fun. And a middle-schooler from a Christian home who receives a visit by night from the angel Gabriel giving him a mission from God, well, is fun. The same night, one of said boy’s classmates also receives a night-visitation . . . from a fallen angel. Both boys receive a mission and three gifts. Thus begins a quest for a missing sword.

Most intriguing, though, is that what happens next isn’t what either boy or reader expects. Much of the journey takes place, not in the brilliant paradise of Aeliana, but in the every-day lives of four sixth graders and their families. Part of Ryann’s journey is to learn to use the Word—the Word of God. The use of Scripture in The King’s Sword is natural and thematic—I found myself as moved as the kids. Moreover, having grown up in a Christian home myself, I found Ryann’s life, aside from attending public school (I attended a private Christian school), quite reflective of my own. Their journey is as much spiritual as it is physical, and Reinhold has a unique way of pulling the two together.

As far as the characters go, Ryann and his three friends are busy, active twelve-year-olds, but they’re also well-read and thoughtful. Their maturity shows through (as well as Eric’s non-indulgence in dramatics, which is a plus) in their ability to deal with and get over an issue, so that when one offends another, the situation is either handled in a timely manner or deemed no longer important. Grudges simply don’t have place among friends—something a good deal of contemporary movies and TV shows don’t seem to comprehend. (Likely one reason this struck me is the stark contrast to one such movie, where the characters seem incapable of getting over themselves in stereotypical teenager melodrama.) At any rate, it was simply pleasant to see Ryann remember that his offender is still his best friend.

I could go on about all of them. I found Drake, despite being an antagonist, also somewhat sympathetic. Ekron is dark and cruel; Gabriel is firm and kind. Ryann’s father is a minor character, but fully developed and active in his son’s life.

Alright, I can’t stand spoilers, and possibly have already come too close to a few, so I won’t say much more. Ryann certainly didn’t expect his story to go the way it did; and I didn’t either. Reinhold provided an excellent introduction to Ryann, Mount Dora, and Aeliana—I most definitely am looking forward to Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith.

Genre: Thriller, Dark Fantasy, Mystery

Publisher: Jove

Publication date: August 25, 2009

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Damnable, the surprising debut novel by Hank Schwaeble, is well written, intricately crafted, highly imaginative, and edge-of-your-seat suspenseful. It features a likeable and sympathetic hero, a diabolical villain, and a cast of supporting characters that enhances the fast-paced plot. It’s a quick, enjoyable read.

But the book has a big problem in its sexual content, which is so overdone and explicit that the narrative seems more like erotica than thriller in spots. This unfortunately detracts significantly from the otherwise highly engaging story.

The plot centers on Jake Hatcher, a wrongly imprisoned ex-military man. When he receives word that his brother has died—a brother he didn’t even know he had—he is temporarily released to assist his grieving mother with funeral arrangements. The trouble starts when he begins investigating the circumstances of his mysterious brother’s death. As Hatcher uncovers a series of increasingly confusing and disturbing clues, all signs seem to indicate that something very sinister is unfolding. Soon Hatcher comes face to face with true evil, and when he does, all bets are off as to whether he has what it takes to prevail.

There’s a lot to like about this book. The writing is good. The hero is sympathetic, realistic, and displays an appealing combination of street-honed toughness and cerebral dexterity. Schwaeble does an admirable job of building the suspense and tension from the first pages right to the climactic conclusion. The story contains a nice blend of mystery, fantasy, and dark thriller characteristics. But the positives are seriously marred by the overdone sexuality and crass language. The depiction of evil in the book is stark and graphic as well.

The title is derived from Jake Hatcher’s description of himself when he reveals why he was imprisoned: after a politically sensitive operation, someone in his special-forces unit had to take the fall, and he was chosen—the damnable one.

In the end, the book’s positives don’t outweigh its negatives. Hopefully, with his next book, Schwaeble will focus more on the aspects of his writing that almost make this book really good and less on the explicitness and vulgarity that overshadow it.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: The Chicken House

Publication Date: September 26, 2008

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

What happens when the author of a story loses control of it? Does the story run amok? Or does the author? Does the author control the story or does the story control the author? These are some of the ideas explored by Cornelia Funke in Inkdeath, the stunning conclusion to her much loved Inkheart Trilogy.

When Fenoglio created characters that were evil incarnate and nearly too dangerous to be described, he never expected to find himself living under their rule in their Kingdom.  He never imagined that his world of fiction and fantasy would become life threateningly real to him. Even after arriving in his created world, he still doesn’t understand what bows to his words and what doesn’t, leading to even more mayhem and chaos as the story unfolds.

In this third installment of the Inkheart series, we again become reacquainted with our beloved friends from previous books. Mo, Resa, Elinor, Meggie and Farid all make their appearances in this book and in a much changed manner from how we met them in the previous books.  Where Mo began his journey through this tale as a bookbinder who believed that stories lived and breathed, he now finds himself a very real character in Fenoglio’s tale with danger and death following every breath he and his family takes. In an effort to make sure that Resa and Meggie are safe, Mo goes on a journey that appears to have salvation for everyone but himself.

Just as in her previous books, Funke weaves a gorgeous tale with words that come alive on the page and beg you to read them again and again. Inkdeath holds to the high standard that she set in previous books and delivers an ending that could move you to tears. Not because the ending is so utterly perfect and satisfying (even though it is) but because the story of these amazing characters and this brilliantly created world has come to an end.  It’s nearly heartbreaking to imagine that we won’t hear from Mortimer or Meggie or Resa again, but as Funke reminds us again and again throughout the Inkheart trilogy, stories don’t ever end. We just don’t know what happens once the book closes.

Genre: Fantasy, Thriller

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: September 1^st, 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Elyon’s people are struggling. It seems the Horde have the upper hand and doubt plagues the very people whose belief was once so strong. To make matters worse, Thomas Hunter is facing resistance from his own family. His son, Samuel, has decided to take matters into his own hands instead of waiting for Elyon to take action. War is on the horizon and never has Thomas felt more vulnerable.

Green is easily Ted Dekker’s most anticipated novel to date. The journey began in 2004, when we were introduced to the captivating world of Black, Red, and White. Since then Dekker has churned out eleven more novels (aka The Books of History Chronicles) all revolving around the bestselling trilogy that firmly established his career. If that wasn’t enough fuel for hype, Dekker announced early on that Green would serve as both the beginning and end of the Circle Series. That’s right folks. A bona fide prequel/sequel.

As a fan of this series, I enjoyed this last hurrah into the world Dekker has wondrously crafted. Green is full of the action, suspense, and wonder that were trademarks of Black, Red, and White. It was fun to see all the connections to the Books of History Chronicles, and I was surprised at just how many there actually are. These elements all worked together well from the perspective of someone who is well versed in all things Dekker.

On the other hand, I’m afraid the things that worked for me as a fan, might potentially work against a newcomer to this series. Since Green is being marketed as a prequel and a sequel, I was surprised to find that there is far more sequel then prequel here. In fact, so much of this story hinges on everything that has come before that I think Dekker and company might have been better off just labeling Green as the fourth book in the series. I’ve been such a big fan of this monumental series and I sincerely hope I am proven wrong by countless new readers who are able to pick up Green and smoothly dive headfirst into this saga.

Prequel/sequel business aside, I know Dekker’s hardcore fans will love what he has in store for them here. In the end we are left with breathtaking imagery as redemption is brought full circle in true Dekker fashion.

Click here to read Ted Dekker’s thoughts on writing such a unique novel.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: AMG Publishers

Publication Date: 12 March 2009

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

I read the first three of Bryan Davis’ Dragons in Our Midst series one immediately after the other, and didn’t have long to wait on the fourth installment. It was about a boy who could breathe fire and a girl with dragon wings, a vile slayer, and a sorceress.  I say this because it’s really the beginning. His follow-up series, Oracles of Fire, begins with a prequel that covers the first few thousand years of human (and dragon) existence all the way into the present, overlaps the Dragons in Our Midst series, and ends shortly after. The other three Oracles of Fire books pick up where the DIOM series left off. It’s a lot of ground and a long ride, but worth it. Davis began by taking King Arthur stories and turning them on their heels. Add a little technology, some evil sorceresses, and portals to every dimension from Heaven to Hell to a place called Second Eden, and, as you can imagine, it’s been a wild ride.

All of that to say, I’ve really enjoyed the ride, through all its twists and turns.  I’ve admittedly had reservations about some of the characters, as some don’t fully develop until later. Davis does allow us to watch the characters age and mature on all sides. I admittedly wasn’t sure about the four-year gap, but it was necessary to allow the characters to grow and mature. Our fourteen-year-old heroes from Raising Dragons (Dragons in Our Midst) have left their teens behind and taken their places as warriors, both physically and spiritually.  I think the best development is Elam, the steadfast rock who’s lived a thousand years undaunted and never shaken. In The Bones of Makaidos we really get to see his mettle, as well as the deeper parts of his heart that were touched before but never dwelt on.

Let’s face it; The Bones of Makaidos had the weight of the world riding on it. Fans of the dragon books have followed this series for four years, seven books, and thousands of pages. So, needless to say, the author’s readers were dying of suspense about as badly as his characters.

All that said, I did find myself a little slowed down during part of Bonnie’s (the female lead) story, mostly because she spends so much time in one place. The subplot, to be honest, felt as if it was only there so Bonnie could have one particular scene with another character, mostly for one speech. Her story arc seemed to lack culmination. My concern was, in one instance Bonnie puts pressure on Billy (the male lead) that I really didn’t think either fair, necessary, or truly in sync with who she is. (I leave out the details on purpose.)  Moreover, while she’s turning on Billy to some degree, she’s also offering total, unreserved forgiveness to an abusive father who, in all honesty, still does not deserve it. It didn’t seem fair to me to so easily forgive the father but accuse Billy—who has always defended her, always protected her, and always been there for her—of being presumptuous in their relationship. I felt awful for the poor guy.

On the other hand, however, I did appreciate her learning how to use a sword and fighting back to back with Billy. I think my reaction was “Finally!”

To counter, though, in Billy we see the emergence of a spiritual leader in his coming of age, which has been something of a journey itself.  And Walter and Ashley are always a good read. And I love Clefspeare in dragon form.

The other thing I really would have done different is to go easy on chatty combatants. This is a personal thing on my part, but it’s a little distracting to have two opponents fighting to the death and spending so much time stopping to insult each other. It’s a personal preference, I suppose.

Overall, The Bones of Makaidos wraps up most of the loose ends. I’ve seen a few reviews commenting on the way it ends, but, really, Davis can keep track of multiple plots, subplots, and characters, regardless of what I think about a few nuts and bolts, and pull it all together.

Again, this is book four of The Oracles of Fire Series, so make sure to start with either the Dragons in Our Midst series or with The Eye of the Oracle, which is book one of The Oracles of Fire.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Roc

Publication Date: April 10, 2000

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Storm Front, the first book in the Dresden Files series, is a tribute to the fact that adults can be just as intrigued by the supernatural as prepubescent J. K. Rowling fans. Filled with magic spells, incantations, demons, and rogue magicians, the book does at times seem like the workingman’s answer to the famous boy wizard.

Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a professional wizard working in Chicago. His specialties are lost items and advice on paranormal situations; he also works part-time as a consultant to the Chicago Police Department on crimes with supernatural elements. Dresden’s problems start when he gets a call about the particularly heinous murder of a notorious mobster. What starts out as a routine investigation becomes complicated when Dresden himself is framed for the murder. And with powerful storms buffeting the city and providing ammunition to the forces of darkness, Dresden finds himself in a race against the clock as he attempts to clear his name and identify the real killer before time runs out.

The story’s setting is largely realistic. The action occurs in and around familiar Chicago-area buildings and neighborhoods. But this is without question a fantasy novel. Chicago’s drug of choice is a substance that gives its users the ability to open their “third eye”; magic is accepted by most people as a natural, if inexplicable, part of everyday life. Dresden reports to a mysterious and rather bureaucratic body called the White Counsel, whose agents enforce the Laws of Magic.

The writing is pretty good, particularly for a debut novel, and its literary quality is more or less commensurate with other books in the genre. The first-person narration provides a fast pace to the story while giving just the right amount of humor. The narrative is also peppered with profanity, sexual innuendos, and violence—some of it rather gruesome—in addition to, of course, lots of magic.

Jim Butcher will probably not be the next Tolkein, but adult fantasy fans who enjoyed Harry Potter and are looking for something a little grittier will appreciate Harry Dresden.

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Publisher: Eos

Publication Date: July 28, 2009

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Dakota Banks’s unexceptional debut features a fair amount of action and displays some creativity but ultimately lacks any real substance.

When 17^th-century herbalist Susannah Layhem is wrongfully accused of witchcraft, she has little opportunity to defend herself before she is hastily and unjustly tried and condemned to death by burning. Luckily (or unluckily) for her, a demon named Rabishu senses her hatred for her accuser and responds to her desire for vengeance by rescuing her from the flames and offering her a deal. If she accepts, she will become immortal and must travel the world, carrying out the demon’s tasks. If she refuses, she will be returned to the fire and will die. She accepts.

Three hundred years later, after killing countless innocents at Rabishu’s orders, Susannah reconsiders. Searching for a way to be released from her obligation, she encounters a handy loophole in the demonic contract: if she saves as many lives as she has taken, she will be free. The catch is that she has to give up her immortality, and if she dies before completing her mission, she will be subject to the demon’s torture for eternity. Susannah, changing her name to Maliha Crayne, embarks on her quest, finding people in danger and saving their lives.

Though the premise is interesting, the story has a number of problems that detract from the book’s effectiveness. The heroine is impossibly and inexplicably wealthy, has meaningless and random sex with just about every man she runs into, is a martial-arts expert, and possesses supernatural powers, which she originally received as a gift from her demon master. Her quest is repeatedly derailed by sidetracks and thus fails to generate real interest; she spends the majority of the book investigating a case of massive corporate fraud rather than actually saving lives. The most interesting scenes are the ones where she finds herself in obscure places around the world, looking for fragments of an ancient tablet that will enable her to destroy Rabishu once and for all.

The other characters are for the most part shallow and uninteresting; most of them are male, and most of them are either sleeping with Maliha or motivated by their desire to do so.

Ultimately, Dark Time is a disappointing book. Though the idea is memorable, the characters are not. The narrative has moments of suspense, and the action scenes are fairly intense, but in the end that’s not enough to make up for the absence of a compelling moral or clear triumph of good over evil—both important components of dark fantasy. All in all, this is a book that even fans of this genre can probably live without.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: April 1, 2007

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

When we last left Mortimer Folchart, his wife had returned from Inkworld, his daughter was home safe and everyone had mostly been given a wonderful ending to a fantastic tale. The exception to this ending would be Dustfinger, the fire eater that Mo had read out of his story nearly ten years earlier.

Armed with the only copy of “Inkheart” still in existence, Dustfinger sets out to find someone to read him back into his beloved Inkworld. Thankfully, we get to join him there. It is a world overflowing with magical creatures. Fairies that flit about constantly and steal your dreams, glass men who eat sand and fire eaters who whisper to the flames and make them obey.

It’s a world full of astounding beauty and magic, but danger equal to the pleasure. This time we find our beloved characters pulled out of their own lives and lost in Fenoglio’s “Inkworld” with far more intrigue, danger and adventure than they experienced the first time. Mo, who already lost his wife to the Inkworld once, is beyond dismayed to discover his daughter’s journey into this fantastical world. As he and Resa follow close behind, he discovers that his presence in the Inkworld is not by accident or mistake. He’s already known there. What does a simple bookbinder have to do with Inkworld? He’s about to find out a larger and deeper destiny.

I didn’t imagine that Cornelia Funke could possibly delight me more than she had when I read Inkheart. Full of passion and adventure, I couldn’t believe that her story could be more intriguing or more fun to read but I am thrilled to report that in this instance, I was wrong. As enamored as Meggie and Farid become with Inkworld, I fell even more in love with the strange land and the characters created by Funke. More adventure, more excitement, more danger and incredible new villains that send the story to heights unrivaled meant that I had a very difficult time even putting this book down. I ended up reading through nearly 500 pages in the course of two days, even sobbing through some parts of it.

I can’t help but shake my head that this is considered young adult or juvenile literature. The storylines are exquisitely crafted, the descriptions are very nearly living breathing creations and the characters are beloved friends.  The final book, Inkdeath, is waiting for me to open the cover and be swallowed into its adventure. I admit that part of me is holding my breath, wondering where Funke will take me this time and the other part isn’t quite ready to start this final volume. I think I will savor this book and taste each word as I experience the end to this fantastical journey.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: June 1^st, 2005

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Mortimer Folchart (Mo) isn’t your ordinary book binder or book doctor as his daughter, Meggie, refers to him. The title fits. He cares for books as gently as any doctor caring for a patient. But Mo has a talent that sets him apart from the ordinary. He can read books to life. Literally.

Years ago Mo discovered his talent for bringing the written word to life while reading the book “Inkheart” to his young daughter. One moment he was quietly reading in the peace of his living room and the next he was surrounded by Basta, Dustfinger, and the evil Capricorn, all pulled from the pages and standing before his family, very much alive. No longer trapped by ink and paper, they were now free to roam through Mo’s world. Horrified, Mo tried to read them back into the book, but it was to no avail. Mo had no control over who came out of the book and, far worse than that, much to Mo’s horror, he discovered that when something came out of the book, something else went back in to replace it. This is when Mo decided that he would never, ever read aloud again.

Now, nearly a decade later, Mo and his now teenaged daughter Meggie cross paths with Inkheart’s characters once more. Capricorn wants Mo to read more of his evil friends out of the book and Dustfinger wants desperately to go back home and both of them need Mo to do this.

The adventure that Cornelia Funke has woven in this tale is beautiful, brilliant and one that every book lover will enjoy without a doubt. (And every author will wish they’d created.) Funke’s reverence and love of the written word fills every page. I couldn’t help but be drawn in as I followed her on this journey. Her description flows around you and pulls you into her world much as Mo’s voice pulls characters from their own world and into his.

I was delighted as I read this book and though I don’t always have as much time for reading as I’d like, I had a very difficult time putting this book down. The adventure is harrowing in places, heart wrenching in others and makes you laugh out loud often. I love the fact that Funke created her own world but that it was grounded in our own geography and great works of literature. The story takes place in Italy and Funke reintroduces us to several major characters from classic works of art, allowing us to experience them in a whole new way. Inkheart is the first in a trilogy of books followed by Inkspell and Inkdeath and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: June 2nd, 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Five years after Elyon’s waters have turned red The Circle is on the verge of extinction. The only ones who know of the plot are The Scabs who are behind it, Johnis, Silvie, and Darsal. Johnis and Silvie have been fighting a war they are ultimately losing, while a newly drowned Darsal has been sent on an impossible mission to love the unlovable. In the background a sinister evil lurks, pulling all the strings and devising a plan that will annihilate the Horde as well as The Circle. Hope can only be found at the bottom of Elyon’s red water, and it’s up to Darsal to convince those she loves to dive in and drown.

Ted Dekker and Kaci Hill have done just what we hoped they would: they’ve saved the best for last. Elyon is everything I wanted in a finale complete with relentless action, gut wrenching tension, and stirring emotion all leading up to a powerhouse conclusion. Dekker has long proven that he knows how to end a story and from the opening lines we know that we are in for another treat.

Again, I was captivated by Darsal in this story as she struggles with the overwhelming task of doing the unthinkable and figuring out a way to save her friends. The villains are nastier than ever here making the journey that much more riveting and wonderfully excruciating.  Pacing is everything in a series like this, and I challenge anyone to stop reading during the final act of Elyon.

Not only has Dekker solidified his standing as storyteller extraordinaire, but he has introduced his fans to the talented writing of Kaci Hill. Together they shine as they give hungry fans exactly what they wanted and more. In the end…well, let’s just say the end has Dekker written all over it. This one is sure to have long time fans foaming at the mouth in anticipation for the highly anticipated beginning and end to The Circle Series, Green.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: June 2nd, 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

It’s been five years since Elyon’s lakes have turned red. Johnis, Silvie, and Darsal arrive back in Other Earth with the Books of History in tow, only to find out life has changed drastically. Thomas and The Circle are nowhere to be found and Middle has been taken over by The Horde. With their lives on the line these three warriors must find a way to thwart the Horde’s evil plans, all the while trying to keep themselves from becoming Scabs. To make matters worse, Johnis comes face to face with a whole new evil that holds power beyond belief. The Chosen One must prevail or all hope is lost.

So you’ve written a best selling series that just happens to tie in to your most beloved work. While the masses are convinced this series is over, you decide to come back in style and deliver two more final installments that no one saw coming. What’s the best way to come back with a bang? I’m not sure I know the answer, but I’m almost certain most authors would not bring on a debut novelist to collaborate with. Fortunately for us, Ted Dekker is not most authors. While this move might seem risky on the surface, I think bringing Kaci Hill on is the best move Dekker has made since he thought up The Lost Books.

Lunatic is a dark story to be sure, but a masterful tale nonetheless. We of course get to spend time with our favorite heroes and I especially loved the personal journey Darsal sets out on in this story. Johnis and Silvie are as engaging as ever as they struggle through a new battle that has the potential to destroy them both. The Horde are given more screen time in Lunatic as we get even more insight into Scab life. Dekker and Hill bring us their best work with the introduction of a new villain that is unlike anything we’ve seen in Other Earth.

In many ways Lunatic feels like The Empire Strikes Back of the series which only bodes well for the conclusion, Elyon. I love the way that Ted Dekker and Kaci Hill have taken a familiar story and upped the ante on all accounts with more action, more intrigue, and ultimately more emotion. Hill somehow manages the daunting task of bringing uniqueness to the story without taking away any of the Dekker feel we all love so much.

Risky? Maybe. A bold move? Sure. The right move? No doubt about it.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Publication Date: June 2011

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

A few years ago I fell in love with Donita Paul’s DragonKeeper Chronicles, recommended to me by a friend. Paul has a unique ability to combine fantasy, adventure, and faith in such a way as to explore deep themes in an inventive way that isn’t overwhelming. Truth be told, she’s one of three writers who really introduced and sold me on fantasy. Her primary audience is young adult, but “all ages” better suits.  The DragonKeeper introduced us to the complex continent of Amara, and The Dragons of Chiril sometime before the DragonKeeper, involves Wulder’s coming to the distant continent of Chiril in the same world. Here, an emerlindian girl named Tipper meets two Amarans who pull her into a plot that involves saving both her father and the world from a broken gateway (which behaves something like a wormhole or portal) threatening to suck everything in itself.

I’ll admit – the cover copy says none of this—it says, in fact, very little of the actual story, for the better, in my opinion. And I’ll admit Paul very cleanly veiled my eyes (either that or the sun fried my thinking abilities) to the ultimate purpose, so that I was just as blind as Tipper and her friends as to what in the world Wulder (and Paul) was up to. Regardless, Paul is a former teacher who has a magnificent command of her stories, weaving in a myriad of tiny details that dare not be overlooked, because those small things are very likely to involve a surprise. Her ability to thread together truth and creativity in such a seamless fashion has been and will be something I admire (and, who knows, maybe I’ll learn a trade trick or two).

The book does seem to rely a little bit on readers being familiar enough with Amara to understand some of the story world, but nothing distracting, I don’t think. The characters supply sufficient information. Also, Paul treated DragonKeeper lovers to two much loved characters (whom I will not name here), a nice little surprise to look forward to. And if you haven’t read either series, you really should.

Donita Paul has been and continues to be one of my favorites, and I look forward to whatever else she has up her sleeve.

(Originally published in 2009 as The Vanishing Sculptor)