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Book Review: Darkfell by Amanda Wright

Book Review: Darkfell by Amanda Wright

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Darkfell by Amanda Wright
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Darkfell is a timeless, refreshing take on classic fantasy tropes that deserves shelf space alongside The Chronicles of Narnia and Dekker’s Circle series. Like the aforementioned works, Darkfell tells a powerful, fantastical tale on the surface, with layers of spiritual depth underpinning the plot. I love finding Christian fantasy that is actually, unabashedly Christian, not simply clean and penned from a Christian worldview. Darkfell is unashamedly Christian. While the plot is propulsive, the characters engaging, and the worldbuilding exemplary, this is a story that would quite literally fall apart without the Creator holding it together. Which is a writing decision that I love, because my story would also fall about without Him. …

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Book Review: Illuminary (The Sceptre and the Stylus, #1) by Chawna Schroeder

Book Review: Illuminary (The Sceptre and the Stylus, #1) by Chawna Schroeder

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Illuminary by Chawna Schroeder
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I’ve been eagerly anticipating Illuminary since it was first announced. A Little Princess is one of my favorite books of all time, so the idea of a fantasy reimagining of that classic story was immediately appealing to me. While I could absolutely see and feel that inspiration in this series opener, it never felt derivative in any way. Illuminary is a refreshingly unique tale, packed with more action and adventure and faith than I expected to find. …

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Book Review: Earthbound (Of Earth and Sky, #1) by Katee Stein

Book Review: Earthbound (Of Earth and Sky, #1) by Katee Stein

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Earthbound by Katee Stein
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Earthbound has been on my radar for a while now. With threads of The Stormlight Archive in its words of power, Dune with its gargantuan subterranean monsters, and even Empire of the Vampire in terms of certain relationship dynamics and quasi-religious political machinations, this sounded like an incredibly promising science fantasy that would harken back to powerful stories I’ve loved in the past while still being a tale wholly its own. And that’s exactly what Stein delivered in this first installment in the Of Earth and Sky duology. What I didn’t anticipate was just how tense and heart wrenching a story it would be. Earthbound is nothing if not intensely unique and totally unforgettable. …

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Book Review: Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett

Book Review: Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett

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Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Above the Circle of Earth is a standalone work of science fiction that explores an aspect of the expansion of the human race into space that we don’t often contemplate: the mission field. Imagine a world that is edging closer to a utopia from a secular perspective, but in which those who practice one of the current world religions find themselves relegated to preserves. These preserves are seen as a blessing by many in these faith communities, as it provides them with protection and insulation from the outside world. But how does this effect the Great Commission? We as Christians were commanded to “go ye therefore,” so should we be content to stay in our own insular bubbles because it’s safe and inoffensive to the outside world? And what about when planets beyond Earth begin to be populated? Do we let entire worlds of people live and die without ever hearing the Gospel of Jesus? When we neglect to share our faith out of fear, do we realize the blood that’s on our hands? …

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Book Review: Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson

Book Review: Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson

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Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Truth Cursed was billed to me as Black Widow by way of Ella Enchanted, and that description honestly isn’t far off. The opening paragraph immediately put me in mind of Ella Enchanted, both in tone and in the condition of our main character. Also, while I’ve never read the Finishing School series by Gail Carriger, I have a feeling this novel would scratch that same itch. There was mystery and suspense and intrigue, with a dash of romance thrown in. Honesty was contrasted with open communication, appreciation for one’s abilities contrasted with acceptance of oneself. But while there were some important themes, couched subtly within the story, it was the story itself and the development of its characters that kept me turning the pages. It was such a fun, romp of a tale. …

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Book Review: Dawn of Vengeance (The Droseran Saga, #2) by Ronie Kendig

Book Review: Dawn of Vengeance (The Droseran Saga, #2) by Ronie Kendig

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Dawn of Vengeance by Ronie Kendig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really respected Brand of Light when I read it, but I have to confess that it stressed me out. For its slim size, and considering that it was put out by a Christian imprint, I found Kersei and Marco’s story surprisingly dark and heavy. Kendig didn’t shy away from the hard, and her characters experienced quite a lot of trauma, both on page and off. She toed the line in terms of content, from language to violence to sexual content, the balance struck managing to feel simultaneously clean and edgy. It was just unlike any other story I’ve experienced in the Christian realm, which led to some cognitive dissonance. However, it’s a story that I’ve thought about often in the months since I read it, so it was only a matter of time before I had to return to the series. Strangely enough, I experienced that same shock to my system all over again in Dawn of Vengeance. This series is not for the faint of heart or the impatient of mind. Once I reacclimated, I was swept away but the continuation of the story. …

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Book Review: Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear (Wayward Children, #10) by Seanan McGuire

Book Review: Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear (Wayward Children, #10) by Seanan McGuire

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Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an advance digital copy of this novel from the publisher, Tordotcom, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

One of the highlights of my reading year always comes right on the heels of Christmas, when I snuggle in and read the newest Wayward Children novella right ahead of its release. Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear is the tenth installment in the series, and marks the seventh year of this tradition I always anticipate. The tone of McGuire’s writing always immediately draws me in. There’s something lovely and soothing and sad about her voice. This entire series is equal parts whimsical and maudlin. …

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Book Review: Brand of Light (The Droseran Saga, #1) by Ronie Kendig

Book Review: Brand of Light (The Droseran Saga, #1) by Ronie Kendig

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Brand of Light by Ronie Kendig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brand of Light is completely unlike anything I’ve ever read. For one thing, it’s such an interesting blend of medieval fantasy and space opera. I’ve never encountered quite this mix of the two. It is also among the edgiest Christian fiction I’ve read. Kendig takes this story to some dark places, but she does so with a respectable amount of tact and grace. You know that some horrible things are happening, but she never revels in descriptions of that darkness. Instead, even when things seem to be at their most hopeless, she finds a way to shine a light into that darkness. If this first book is any indication, the Droseran Saga can hold its own against any sci-fi in the general market. …

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Book Review: The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine (The Rivenlea Sphere, #1) by Lindsay A. Franklin

Book Review: The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine (The Rivenlea Sphere, #1) by Lindsay A. Franklin

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The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received an advance digital copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

When I first saw the cover for The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine, I was intrigued. When I read the synopsis, I was instantly charmed, and had a feeling that this could end up being a lifetime favorite. And I was absolutely correct. From the premise to the setting, from the characters to the references to classic works of fiction, from the voice to the profound musings on the power of story and why stories matter, I was captivated by every page of this book. I dove deep into this story, reading it slowly because I didn’t want it to end. I wish Franklin would write a dozen more books in this series. I would eat up every single one. …

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