The True Spirit of Fantasy Fiction

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When you think of fantasy fiction, what comes to mind? The first place my mind goes is down the list of my favorite authors and books such as Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series, pretty much anything by Brandon Sanderson, Stephen Lawhead’s Paradise Wars books, Sharon Hinck’s Sword of Lyric trilogy, R.A. Salvatore’s Saga of the First King series…oh, the list could go on and on. I have way too many favorites to list here.

By Vassil (Own work) Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The second place my mind goes is to the spirit behind fantasy — that special thing that draws me into these fantastical worlds of swords, horses, chivalry, good versus evil. That last one is the clincher for me. Good versus evil. I think that’s the one thing that keeps me coming back.

You see, my faith in God runs deep and what is Christianity based on? Good versus evil. The redeeming power of God in the face of an adversary who seeks to destroy mankind. I love to hear stories of good conquering evil, of hope to be found in dark, oppressive lands, or battles that can be fought — and won — in the face of ultimate evil.

I see fantasy fiction as an illustration of the unseen spiritual wars that influence all of our lives, wars that we become involved in all the time. To me, the good forces found in fantasy fiction provide a light. They remind us that there is good, that there is a God, the true champion of the human race. I believe that if we follow the true spirit behind this light, we will eventually find our way to the feet of God.

I recently received an email from one of my blog followers with a link to an article he and his brother (James Lang and Anthony Lang) wrote for Notre Dame Magazine. The article, entitled Flights of Fancy, explores the perceived good and bad of fantasy fiction. Does it enlighten or corrupt mankind? What do you think?

I found the article to be an interesting discussion of themes that I hold dear to my heart and, I’m the first to admit, the Lang brothers have expressed their thoughts on this topic much more elegantly than I ever could have. As such, I want to provide you a link and I encourage you to check it out.

Flights of Fancy
BY JAMES M. LANG ’91 AND ANTHONY F. LANG JR. ’90
Notre Dame Magazine, Autumn 2011 

What about you? What do you love about fantasy fiction? And science fiction too, for that matter. I think the same applies to this genre as well. Leave me a note in the comments section and let’s talk. I’d love to hear what you have to say.

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Restorer’s Son, Expanded Edition by Sharon Hinck Now Available!

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Today I want to bring you a post about the newly released fantasy novel, The Restorer’s Son, Expanded Edition, as I promised to in a recent trio of posts focusing on The Restorer (Book 1) and author Sharon Hinck. (You can find my previous posts here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.)

The Carol-award winning The Restorer’s Son is Book 2 in The Sword of Lyric trilogy. If you saw my previous posts, you know that I loved Book 1 — and guess what? I loved Book 2 just as much if not more. While Book 1 focused on Susan Mitchell, soccer mom extraordinaire, Book 2 focuses on the rugged Kieran of Braide Wood. This smart-aleck, sarcastic, backwoods scout/fighter is a man who struggles with his own mortality, his heritage, and his less-than-stellar standing in society. Maybe it’s just my own warped sense of humor (What? Me? Sarcastic? Nah), but I really enjoyed following Kieran and his dry wit.

I struggle with how to review this story because if you haven’t read Book 1, the opening chapter of Book 2 is a HUGE spoiler. I can, however, present you with the first couple of paragraphs without risk.

Chapter One — Kieran

“Hills of Hazor take you,” I swore for at least the tenth time since first light. My sword hacked at thick underbrush, but when I shouldered my way forward, a twig snapped back at my face. I cursed the day I’d met the last Restorer. It was because of her that I was battling through this forsaken forest below Cauldron Falls. My blade deserved a more substantial enemy.

A squint-eyed badger rambled out from a thornbush. Sniffing the air, it bristled and ducked back under cover. Wise plan. I was hungry. Stinging beetles landed on me from the low-hanging branches overhead. I swatted them away and stalked onward.

Why hadn’t I convinced Tristan to leave her in Shamgar when she first turned up? A witness to his crime, and he had brought her to our refuge in the deserted city. Typical. He was a naive idiot sometimes.

She hadn’t looked very threatening that day — rain-soaked, bloody, and unconscious. If only I’d known then how much trouble she was capable of causing. What was that old saying? Don’t judge a rizzid’s menace until you see its teeth.

And so it begins. Kieran goes on to find a new calling, an orphan boy, a ruthless king with burning questions, and an enemy land torn apart by darkness. (I can say that since it’s all mentioned on the back cover.)

But Kieran isn’t the only character. Susan and Mark reappear, searching frantically for their teenage son, all the while struggling with suspicions that they have been betrayed by an ally. In regard to Susan and Mark, the publisher puts it best: “Assassins, political intrigue, false leads, and near misses beset their path, which will lead them into the dark prisons of Hazor before the One’s purpose is revealed.”

I’ve read this book a couple of times and thinking back to the first time, I recall turning the pages deep into the night, dying to find out what happened next. And yet, the book focuses on more than just adventure. Intrigue, the dangers of pride, and the mortality of man in the face of an all-powerful God are the first few themes that come to mind.

Now for the best part — if you haven’t read The Restorer’s Son, you should. If you have read it, you should read it again, but make sure you have the Expanded Edition so you can take advantage of the links to extra content, new scenes, and an extensive devotional guide in the back.

I’m sure you’ve figured out by now that I give The Restorer’s Son 5 stars out of 5.

For purchasing information, you can click through here, Marcher Lord Press. The book is currently available from the publisher in trade-sized paperback. I understand e-book versions will be available very soon. I’ll try to keep you posted on that.

You can find Sharon Hinck online at: http://www.sharonhinck.com/

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Best New Science Fiction and Fantasy Links of the Week

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This was one of those mornings where I couldn’t find matching comfy socks, but I couldn’t let that stand in the way of celebrating Friday! Time to kick off the weekend with my favorite links from this week. Enjoy! (and may you find matching socks.)

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Enjoy your weekend, everyone! See you next week.

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

CSFF Blog Tour Begins for Night of the Living Dead Christian by Matt Mikalatos

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Today I’m going to take a minute and spread some love to my other CSFF (Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy) bloggers. This is the first of a three-day tour (wait…there has to be a joke in there somewhere in reference to Gilligan’s Island). Anyways…a blog tour is starting today for Night of the Living Dead Christian by Matt Mikalatos.

I have so many things on my plate this month that I opted not to review the book, but I’d like to call attention to those who have. The bloggers below have committed to participate at least once within the next three days, so if you click through and don’t find a post on the book yet, try again in the next day or two.

Gillian Adams
Julie Bihn
Red Bissell
Thomas Clayton Booher
Thomas Fletcher Booher
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
Theresa Dunlap
Amber French
Tori Greene
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Janeen Ippolito
Becky Jesse
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Leighton
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
Joan Nienhuis
John W. Otte
Crista Richey
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Shane Werlinger
Nicole White
Dave Wilson

Here’s the official blurb for the book:

What does a transformed life actually look like?

In his follow-up to the critically acclaimed Imaginary Jesus, Matt Mikalatos tackles this question in an entertaining and thought-provoking way—with MONSTERS!!! While Christians claim to experience Christ’s resurrection power, we sometimes act like werewolves who can’t control our base desires. Or zombies, experiencing a resurrection that is 90 percent shambling death and 10 percent life. Or vampires, satiating ourselves at the expense of others. But through it all we long to stop being monsters and become truly human—the way Christ intended. We just can’t seem to figure out how.

Night of the Living Dead Christian is the story of Luther, a werewolf on the run, whose inner beast has driven him dangerously close to losing everything that matters. Desperate to conquer his dark side, Luther joins forces with Matt to find someone who can help. Yet their time is running out. A powerful and mysterious man is on their trail, determined to kill the wolf at all costs . . .

By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Night of the Living Dead Christian is a spiritual allegory that boldly explores the monstrous underpinnings of our nature and tackles head-on the question of how we can ever hope to become truly transformed.

For more info, here are a couple of links: Amazon and Barnes & Noble

You can find the author at: http://www.mikalatos.com/

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Links of the Week

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Woo hoo! It’s Friday! Time for my favorite links I found this week. Enjoy!

And here’s my favorite: a how-to video for those of you looking to improve your skills with a lightsaber. I found this tongue-in-cheek video absolutely hilarious.

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That’s it, folks! Have a great weekend!

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”