Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy and Other Genres

Brandon Barr · at 9:05 AM

Hello everyone. I'm back for another book review! Jeffrey Overstreet's latest novel in the Auralia's Thread series, Raven's Ladder, seemed like a book I would enjoy. I recently discovered that I am definitely a fantasy fan. I love being taken to a new place and feel like I am discovering a new world.
Unfortunately, this book presented some difficulties from the get go.

Difficulty one: It's book three in a series. I didn't realize that when I picked it up.

Difficulty two: On top of jumping in on book three of a series, it's a fantasy novel, which makes it that much harder to take in. Fantasy requires so many more descriptions of the world, how it works and interacts with the creatures living within it. By book three, the author doesn't explain the world as much as in book one, or even book two. So I felt thrown into this world that I didn't fully understand, and that made getting into the story more difficult.

Difficulty three: The story felt dense. It wasn't light reading. The character dialogue, though unique and well-written, didn't allow me to flow through the story as much as if it were more modern English.

I really wanted to enjoy this story. I kept re-reading what I'd just read in hope of understanding it a bit more.

I did like how Overstreet named his creatures, animals and plants in the story. He named them after their characteristics. The puffdragon was a lizard that puffed out a horrid stench. Stingerflies and fangbears weren't described, but you can guess what those are like. The naming of unfamiliar things in this way made it a bit easier for me to catch on.

I thought it was interesting that the book was marketed as a stand alone book. Nowhere on the cover does it indicate that it is a part of a trilogy. When my husband realized that I was having a hard time understanding the story, he clued my in.

My recommendation. Read books one and two before you get to book three. Now check out these other CSFF blog tour sites featuring Raven's Ladder.

Brandon Barr
Rachel Briard (BooksForLife)
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Ryan Heart
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher

Brandon Barr · at 10:32 AM

On Wednesday my lovely wife will be giving her review of Raven's Ladder, but first, I wanted to use the book as a jumping off point to briefly talk about the difficulty of getting your book on the shelves of bookstores.

Early this week I stopped in to our local Barnes & Noble, and as always, I walked into the sci-fi and fantasy section to check out what new titles they had out. I was surprised to find Raven's Ladder placed right in the center of the new releases, and here's why. There are a large number of sci-fi and fantasy publishers like Tor, Daw, Baen, Eos, etc. who usually have rule and reign over any other publishers in the sci-fi/fantasy sections of secular bookstores. AND! Even within those big companies the bookstores usually only stock the bigger name authors who have proven track records. Unknown authors within these large companies aren't given near the promotion as the big authors. So...how did Raven's Ladder find its way on to the exclusive sci-fantasy shelves? Well, I don't know...

But I can tell you this, with its great cover, and its prominent position, it's going to be bought. Exposure is huge in a bookstore. Overstreet, is not a small name in the Christian community, but it's not a big name either. Donita K. Paul and Bryan Davis are about the only Christian spec authors I know that can regularly be found in the exclusivistic sci-fantasy section. But here Overstreet has...overcome. At least in my local Barnes & Noble.

For most new authors--even of big publishers--you're lucky to have your book on a shelf. So how do you get to that point? Self-promotion. Not what any author wants to hear. A combination of hiring a big publicist, lots of money, and hitting up all sorts of events is one way to get big (and I suspect it's a way many authors HAVE gotten big). But what about the average Joe/Jane writer...how can they get on those sacred shelves?

When you find out...let me know.

Actually, I believe there is one thing that can make the impossible possible, and that's God. But then I remind myself, God doesn't care about "getting big," God cares about restoring us and the world through us to Him. So maybe we write a great book and only a few people will ever read it. It's the simple fact that we are doing it to glorify Him that brings a smile to his face. This life is not about us, it is about Him.

Personally, I have to fight my ego and pride daily, and remember my ultimate purpose in life. With friends and family, with work, and with writing, the ultimate fulfillment of life which we were created for is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever. That is human purpose. That is the only place I can find absolute satisfaction and live a fulfilled life, not in selling books.

Brandon Barr
Rachel Briard (BooksForLife)
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Ryan Heart
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher

Brandon Barr · at 10:21 AM

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know I'll be selling pre-order's of American Midnight at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books this Saturday and Sunday (24th-25th). I'll also have When the Sky Fell too. If you're going, feel free to stop by the Whispering Angel booth where I'll be stationed. I was fortunate to have my short non-fiction story "Running for Malaika come out in a Whispering Angel anthology, and was asked to come join them!

I'm excited about this event! Whether I sell a few books or not, it'll be a great time. Maybe I'll see you there!

Brandon Barr · at 9:05 AM

Do you remember the Christian militia group that burst into the news when federal authorities arrested them for plotting crimes against the government...a truly frightening thought. Christians? Wasn't Jesus the one who said to "love your enemies," and to "turn the other cheek?"

Scriptures can be twisted, and the lesson this Christian militia group leaves with us is this: We must watch our lives and doctrine closely.

In my novel, American Midnight (due out in a couple weeks!!) small groups of Christians take up arms, plot, and prepare in case the need to fight back should arise. The novel explores the psychology of how a Christian might slip into so militant a stance towards government authority? And even worse, what effects their actions might have on all of Christendom.... In a cultural landscape ripe with tension, how will a secular, relativistic culture begin viewing systems of belief who won't budge because of their adherence to absolute truths.

In American Midnight the government begins flirting with the idea of building an American utopia, and the church digs it's toes in against the cultural shift towards relativism. But then there is the small group of militant believers who threaten to draw the two together and make the situation explode...

Brandon Barr · at 9:11 AM

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Hello! It’s me again, Brandon’s wife, Amanda. This time I’m reviewing Athol Dickson’s Lost Mission for the CSFF Blog Tour.

I began reading Lost Mission right after I finished Faery Rebels. I figured I’d better start reading right away because it didn’t seem like it was going to be “my type of book”. By the cover, I thought it was going to be a boring history story. The back of the book didn’t capture me either.

By the end of the first chapter, there were definitely things I liked. I liked the “storytelling” feel. I liked the description of Fray Alejandro on the first page and I liked the transition from the past to the present. But, I have to say, all that didn’t make me want to keep reading. I read a little here and a little there, but the story still didn’t grab me…yet.

While I was taking my time with this book, my loving husband so kindly informed me that the review was to be posted in a few days. I had planned on just reading as much as I could and reviewing based on that. After all, I was only on page 50. Well, two days after that, I was on page 79 (Chapter 9) and then…I finished the book that evening!!! (A crazy feat, saying I was at home taking care of our 5 month old all day)

Now I can tell you, despite my initial hesitations, that I thoroughly enjoyed Lost Mission. Athol Dickson definitely has skill in the art of storytelling.

I absolutely loved the way he incorporated the past with the present and created parallel characters within the two time settings. The story of friars establishing missions in California was paralleled and interwoven with the story of a Mexican woman, Lupe, and her calling to minister to Americans (which I though was a totally interesting way to go, saying as usually Americans, especially Californians, such as myself, are the ones going on mission trips to Mexico. I never even thought about Mexicans coming and witnessing to Americans). It was also wild that the Americans who needed to be ministered to were actually Christians!! An interesting spin.

Lupe was such an inspiring character. Her faith, optimism and thankfulness were convicting. Lupe endured such hard circumstances, yet she praised the Lord through it all. Even when she was dying in the desert, she praised God for her friends back home, for the beauty of the desert, for saving her from a worse fate. Lupe always wanted to do what was right in serving the Lord. She sacrificed so much of herself for others and for God. If only we could all be like Dona Lupe, so desperate for guidance and wisdom.

I also loved the sense of mystery throughout the book. I never felt like I knew too much—I always was thirsty for more. And at the same time, I never felt like the author was forcefully or unrealistically keeping me in the dark. I think this is a credit to Dickson’s ability as a storyteller.

Dickson brought up some pretty interesting issues. Illegal immigration is, of course, a huge issue in California. I appreciate the way Dickson shed new light on that situation. He made me see it in a new way. He made me feel for the immigrants (in the story) and all they go through to get here and the struggle to make ends meet while supporting the rest of their family in Mexico. The characters of Tucker, Delano, Fray Benicio and Fray Guillermo also caused quite a stir. Their sins, as Christians, were doing what might be called “good” things for the wrong reasons or by the wrong means. It was interesting because even though an all Christian community, providing for people in need, immersing one’s self in a culture in order to witness to them all sound like great things, the reader has to comes to grips with the fact that in this story, they aren’t.

Well, to wrap it up, I loved every aspect of this story; characters, plot, romance, craft, mystery, resolution…all of it! And, I don’t say that lightly, because, like I said, I began the book with low expectations. It is a great book for Christians and non-Christians alike. I highly recommend it.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book through the CSFF blog tour. Please check out these other CSFF tour members for more thoughts and reviews on Lost Mission.