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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

'Why Not Question' - Book Review: 'Whisper A Scream' by Peter Turner

'Whisper a Scream' by newcomer Pete Turner reads like a descent into madness with a spiritual twist. At the end the reader learns it was all a dream? Or was it?

The book has a very promising beginning with a dark spirit entering a revival meeting and continues through the finding of a mysterious box in an underground vault. By the end the reader discovers that the entire thing was perhaps a drug induced delusion while in the hospital. Or was it when the evil thing taps on the window?

With the way it is written if is difficult for the reader to connect with the main character and at times it is rather hard to understand what is really going on.
However, since the Christian horror genre is in short supply - the book is recommended as a potential ground breaker outside of the well known Ted D.

Available on Amazon.


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

'Why Not Question' - Book Review : 'By Darkness Hid' by Jill Williamson

Despite not having yet finished reading 'By Darkness Hid' by Christy Award winner Jill Williamson, the blogger highly recommends the book.

It tells two stories of a young man and woman, both of whom are on journeys - one to be a squire and the other, poising as a boy with the friend of her mother's, to become an apprentice because the woman's husband does not know of the deception. Each has much to learn as they follow the new path set before them.

The story is well written, the world believable and the characters interesting. A great read for any who are fans of Fantasy.

Books in the series
By Darkness Hid
To Darkness Fled
From Darkness Won

Available from Amazon and Marcher Lord Press.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

'Why Not Question' - Book Review : 'Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien

The other 'Father' of Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy is J.R.R. Tolkien. His books 'The Hobbit', 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Silmanrillion' were greatly successful and credited with the rebirth of modern day fantasy. The classic stories remain popular to this day and have been read by millions worldwide.

Although the blogger has not read his works, they are highly recommended. However, it has been said the pace is ponderously slow, there seems to be tons of 'walking' in series, and rumor has it that LOTR was written to show of the Elf language Tolkien had invented.

He was also responsible for C.S. Lewis coming to know Christ and the two were friends as well as belonging to the same writing group called the Inklings.

Sources: Wikipedia & overhead comments from friends who have read the books.

Available on Amazon, Christian and secular bookstores.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

'Why Not Question' - Book Review: 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S. Lewis

One of the classics and written by one of the two 'fathers' of Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy is 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S.Lewis.

Although the blogger has only read 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe', the series is highly recommended. The allegory and symbolism is obvious to any and all who know the story of Jesus in the form of Aslan, the great lion who makes a great sacrifice to save Edward from the wrath of the White Witch. Since she didn't really understand the ancient writing on the stone table, he is able to come back from the dead and save the day. Much like the Bible says, if the devil had really understood what Jesus dying on the cross had meant, he, the evil one, would never have allowed it to happen.

For any reading the books, the language is a bit dated and difficult to follow sometimes. Still, the basic story is excellent and must for both readers and writers of the Christian Speculative genre.

In order:
The Magicians Nephew
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Horse and his Boy
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Trader
The Silver Chair
The Last Battle

Available on Amazon and most Christian Bookstores.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

'Why Not Question' - Book Review - 'Dragons in our Midst' series by Bryan Davies

Welcome to next recommended book for summer reading.

'Raising Dragons' by Bryan Davis

A truly unique approach to dragons and the Arthurian legend. What is dragons could take human form and what abilities would their offspring inherit? This is the main question of the book and is answered beautifully with Billy discovering he can breath fire and Bonnie, who is a Christian, has dragon wings.

Both are pursued by some very evil men and end up in a forest running for their lives. They eventually learn something of their past and accept their unique destiny formed by the actions of their parents long ago in King Arthur's court.

More books in the same series:
'The Candlestone'
'Circles of Seven'
'Tears of a Dragon'

plus a prequel series as well.

A delightful modern fantasy good for young people and adults a like.

Available on Amazon and in local Christian bookstores.