Review: The Captive by Thomas Locke

The Captive (Legends of the Realm #0.5)
By: Thomas Locke
Publisher: Revell
ASIN: B00O7VZEUO

Review:

The Long Hall serves as both Joelle's refuge and prison, for years earlier she was brought to the wizards and wizards-in-training who called the hall home, near death, one of the last of her kin. Though many wished her dead, a problem best avoided, Joelle found one ally -- Trace, the Master of the mages, her protector, friend, and mentor. A child of two worlds, Joelle may be an outcast, but she possesses the power to see beyond the physical realm. Though the full extent of her powers are untapped, even feared, Joelle resolves to leverage her relationship with Trace to gain the strength to leave the Long Hall forever. For she's seen the future -  malevolent mage is gathering power, threatening the safety of her enforced refuge, leaving Joelle more determined than ever to escape and meet her fate as a free woman.

Thomas Locke is a pseudonym for Davis Bunn, a name that should be familiar to anyone who has followed Christian fiction in the last twenty years. I was thrilled to discover that The Captive and its follow-up marks his first foray into high fantasy in years, and as an avid fan of a genre that seems all too slim in faith-based circles I'm always on the lookout for a fresh voice. The Captive is a wildly promising introduction to Locke's Realm series, whetting readers' appetites for more information about Joelle's mysterious past and the role of magic in the Realm. However, I'm concerned that Joelle isn't the main focus of Emissary, so I'm a bit puzzled by the choice to introduce this world through her eyes only to shift perspective in the first novel. That concern aside, this is an engaging introduction to Locke's world, and I look forward to seeing the seeds of conflict planted here further developed in the follow-up. There is a delicious medieval sensibility to Locke's world-building, a blend suggestive of Middle Earth with a dash of Arthurian legends -- a satisfying, intriguing introduction!

About the book:

The only remnant of Joelle's former life is her name.
The only hint of her future is a foreboding vision of darkness.
And her only hope is a man she has yet to meet.

One of the last of a disappearing race, Joelle spends her days as a prisoner of the Long Hall, sweeping corridors and dusting scrolls while young wizards learn to ply their trade. In the dark of night, she practices the magical arts that are forbidden to one of her kind, hoping to soon break the spell that holds her captive. 

But an evil is growing beyond the enchanted stone walls. Joelle will need much more than her own skills to escape it. Someone is coming for her. And when he arrives, he will change everything.

This short ebook excerpted from Emissary gives you a magical glimpse into the Realm--and the heroes who will stop at nothing to save it.

Review: The Hero's Lot by Patrick W. Carr

The Hero's Lot (The Staff & the Sword #2)
By: Patrick W. Carr
Publisher: Bethany House
ISBN: 978-0-7642-1044-0

Review:

Having helped oust the corrupt reader Sarin Valon from the Judica, the conclave of the church, Errol Stone desperately hopes that at long last his troubles have ended. For in a so short a span of time that his head has been left spinning, Errol's life has been left irrevocably changed by the church's call on his life. Raised from the Callowford ale barrel to an earldom by the king, honored as a captain of the watch, and hailed far and wide as a hero, Errol remains ill at ease in his new skin, still wary of association with the church that he holds responsible for many of his darkest memories. But Errol's respite is destined to be a short one, as with its king on his deathbed and the identity of Deas's (God) appointed heir shrouded in mystery, those who would seek to supplant Deas's direction and the power of the church marshal their forces, eager to strike a blow at the heart of the kingdom at its weakest and usurp the throne. As an omne -- one with the power to read a lot cast by any reader -- Errol's gift marks him as an ally of the church and a threat to be eliminated by those seeking to overthrow the kingdom. It is from the latter quarter where the latest threat to Errol manifests itself, as he is brought before the Judica on charges of consorting the spirits -- specifically, the herbwomen who claim Aurae is knowable -- and more seriously, of seeking to undermine the church's authority by participating in Martin and Luis's efforts to cast for the next king.

In a desperate bid to save Errol from the charge of treason, the Archbenefice arranges to have him convicted on the lesser charge of consorting with spirits -- but the gambit has unexpected consequences. The Judica's consensus is to place a compulsion on Errol, ordering him to follow the traitor Valon into the heart of Merakh and kill him. It's a death sentence in all but name; nevertheless, Errol is forced to obey the compulsion, and gathers an unlikely group of allies to aid him in his quest. Meanwhile, Martin and Luis have fled the capital to Errol's home village, seeking to uncover why Deas has so magnified Errol's importance to the kingdom, weaving the unlikely hero's future with the land's best hope of survival. As their journeys progress, the dangers mount, even as the compulsion Errol is under intensifies, driving him onward. Secrets are revealed and faith is tested, and Errol is forced to decide if Deas's call on his life, greater than any compulsion which the church could place on him, is worth the sacrifice of service, even unto the cost of his very life.

A Cast of Stones, the first installment chronicling Errol's journey and Carr's debut, was one of my favorite reads of last year. The Hero's Lot avoids the pitfall of the sophomore slump entirely -- every bit as good as its predecessor, here the characterizations and world-building that made Errol's first adventure such a captivating, enriching experience are deepened and expanded. Errol's kingdom is a fully-realized, gloriously imaginative world laced with deeply personal, thought-provoking spiritual truths. This is my favorite kind of storytelling -- absorbing, fast-paced, and breathtakingly original.

Carr is proving to be a master at bringing fresh life to the monomyth, Joseph Campbell's term that defines the universal nature of the heroic journey. That journey consists of three parts: the separation, initiation, and return, and both this and the previous installment of Errol's journey contain elements of this cycle. But as the middle installment of a trilogy, The Hero's Lot delves deeply into what it means for the hero to be initiated -- the process, the cost, and the risk. Having been called out of his former life as Callowford's resident ale barrel-dweller, Errol is no longer who he was, but not yet all he can be, all he shall be if he responds to the call upon his life. And this initiation that Errol endures over the course of this novel is the darkest, most intense test of his mettle yet. This journey is an exploration of the nature of heroism and sacrifice at its finest, richly imagined, and at its center a wonderfully, painfully relatable character whose weaknesses and doubts mirror our own -- but who, in still acting, paints a picture of the best we can be -- and that encapsulates, I think, why stories of this ilk have such enduring power.

I love the world-building in these novels. In the first installment Carr introduces a society peopled by nobles, priests, warriors and peasants, a world at once both instantly recognizable and tantalizingly foreign, enough of a fresh twist on the tropes of a medieval fantasy to fire the imagination and keep one turning pages at a rapid pace. In The Hero's Lot, Carr takes his world-building to new heights, diving deeply into the rich possibilities of the social and religious hierarchy he's created. At the heart of Errol and his companions' journey -- particularly Martin -- is an exploration of what it means to seek to know one's God, to hunger for a deeper relationship. Concurrently with that personal theme is a study of what it means to be part of the church, that glorious mix of human failings and potential. Through Errol, Carr offers an oft-times stark, wrenching exploration of the failings and fall-out of the human side of the church, but also explores that body at its best. It's a thought-provoking call to remember that while man may -- and indeed, will -- fail, the God of that most fragile of organizations, the church, is ever-ready to answer one's call.

That is one of the many reasons I adore fiction of this type, for its ability to illustrate eternal truths through the lens of a compelling story. The Hero's Lot is superb storytelling -- fast-paced, old-fashioned adventure laced with subtly-drawn spiritual truths and unforgettable characters that captivate your heart and stay in your imagination long after the final pages are turned. This is a world I've grown to love and characters so dear, so wonderfully-realized I consider them friends. Much like its predecessor, The Hero's Lot is an experience to savor, and like the best fantasy fiction, it entertains, enlightens, and challenges readers, hooking you with its compelling lead and breakneck pace, leaving you eager for the next installment and loathe to leave its world behind, even briefly. I LOVE this story and am so happy to experience this richly rewarding journey. The Hero's Lot is a hero's tale, worthily, magnificently told.

About the book:

With the king near death, will the kingdom fall?

When Sarin Valon, the corrupt and dangerous church leader, flees the city of Erinon and the kingdom, Errol Stone believes his troubles have at last ended. But he and his friends still have dangerous enemies working against them in secrets and whispers.

In a bid to keep them from the axe, Archbenefice Canon sends Martin and Luis to Errol's home village, Callowford, to discover what makes him so important to the kingdom, and in that journey they discover amazing new secrets about the workings of Aurae.

Back in Erinon, Errol is unjustly accused of consorting with spirits. Convicted, his punishment is a journey to the enemy kingdom of Merakh, where he must find Sarin Valon and kill him. To enforce their sentence, the church leaders place Errol under a compulsion -- he must complete his task, or die trying.

A Cast of Stones Kindle Promotion!

You may recall that earlier this year I couldn't stop raving about Patrick Carr's debut, A Cast of Stones -- and in case you somehow missed out on all that fun, you can read my review of the novel here. After a maddening delay (due to all of the stress that's happened this summer, ergh!), I'm finally well into the sequel, The Hero's Lot, which is AMAZING. Seriously people, SO GOOD. I didn't want to let the entire month of August go by without mentioning that for the entire month of August, the e-book version of A Cast of Stones is available for FREE. This is the perfect way to catch up on Carr's series -- and trust me, you don't want to miss out on this richly-rendered, imaginative, thrilling world peopled with unforgettable characters. Go forth and read! :)

Review: A Cast of Stones by Patrick W. Carr

A Cast of Stones (The Staff & the Sword #1)
By: Patrick W. Carr
Publisher: Bethany House
ISBN: 978-0-7642-1043-3

Review:

Barely on the cusp of adulthood, orphan Errol Stone has been lost to the ale barrel for years, seeking to drown the memories of horrific tragedy coupled with unspoken grief over his loss of a family to whom he could belong. When a church messenger arrives in Errol's backwater village of Callowford with an urgent summons to the capital for the unassuming local hermit priest, Errol volunteers to deliver the missive, as the promised coin in return for completing his mission could keep him in drink for a week. However, en route to the priest's cottage, Errol is attacked and barely escapes with his life. Now just as much a target as the recipient of the summons, Errol is forced to leave the only home he's ever known and embark on a journey with the priest Martin, his associate Luis, and a pair of warriors from the village in a desperate attempt to safeguard the future of their kingdom from those who would see it destroyed.

Like Errol, his homeland stands on the brink of profound change. King Rodran, the last of his line, has no heir, and so the church leaders and their readers stand ready to select the next king to lead Illustra into a new age. But enemies of the church and king are killing the church's readers, those with the gift of casting lots and reading the answers they seek within the wood or stone, seeking to blind the land's leaders and destroy the fragile barrier that has protected the kingdom for years from the intrusion of corruption and anarchy. When Errol's latent gift as a reader is discovered, the erstwhile alcoholic nobody finds himself one of the most wanted men in the kingdom, facing forces that will stop at nothing to prevent him from fulfilling the call on his life demanding the sacrifice of service to Deas (God) and king. A sacrifice this unlikeliest of heroes must decide if he's willing -- and able -- to give when the cost demanded is his very life.

Faith-driven speculative fiction has traditionally been a tough sell in the inspirational market, classics set in Middle-earth and Narnia seemingly making little room for visions of new worlds in mainstream sales channels. Ten-plus years ago I devoured the attempts of faith-driven publishers to expand this genre, when authors such as Kathy Tyers and her Firebird trilogy and Karen Hancock's ambitious quartet Legends of the Guardian-King. Following those releases, the larger part of the market seemed to step back from fantasy fiction -- so I couldn't be more thrilled that the genre is poised for growth with the release of Carr's debut.

Carr's introduction to Errol and his world is a rich, meaty debut sure to find a home on the shelves of fans who hold the like of Tolkien near and dear to their hearts. A Cast of Stones marries the traditional fantasy tropes of exotic worlds and terrifying dangers with a compelling hero-in-the-making and a subtle, deftly-woven thread of faith. Errol's story is one of the best, freshest realizations of the monomyth, Joseph Campbell's term for the universality of the heroic journey. Campbell posits that the heroic journey follows a basic universal pattern -- the separation, initiation, and return, wherein the hero is called to leave his familiar life, venture into the unknown where he is tested, and return, empowered with the strength and wisdom to change his world. Errol's transformation from addict to warrior is fantastically realized. Even at his lowest he is a wonderfully relatable individual with an ingrained sense of honor and compassion that makes his character one you can't help cheering for.

The world-building within Carr's debut is superb. Errol is surrounded by a cast of richly-drawn characters, from the honorable to the villainous, and the secrets and threats he must navigate, even from those he calls friends, add welcome layers of tension and suspense to the plot. While the world of Illustra is recognizable as a medieval construct, with its royal hierarchy, village priests, and watchman knight-warriors, Carr adds a rich layer of religious and political history to the narrative. The church, with its role in society and the hierarchy of priests and readers is particularly well-realized -- the concept of stone-casting, and its attendant powerful and dangerous possibilities holds rich promise for future volumes in the series.

A Cast of Stones marks Carr as an author to watch. With his debut he's delivered a rollicking, compelling, old-fashioned adventure story wrapped in the trappings of a medieval fantasy. From the first, unexpected threat to Errol's life, Carr sets an electric pace that doesn't let go until the novel's finale pages -- and then, only to leave one hungry for more. With its subtly included faith thread, compelling hero's journey, and multi-layered world-building, Carr has crafted an unforgettable, utterly absorbing story whose imaginative impact will stay with readers long after the final pages. This is a story worth losing yourself in, with a hero you can't help but love. Very well-done -- I cannot WAIT for the sequel!

About the book:

In the backwater village of Callowford, roustabout Errol Stone is enlisted by a church messenger arriving with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Eager for coin, Errol agrees to what he thinks will be an easy task, but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.

Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty nears its end and the selection of the new king begins -- but in secret and shadow. As danger mounts, Errol must leave behind the stains and griefs of the past, learn to fight, and discover who is hunting him and his companions and how far they will go to stop the reading of the stones.

Moonblood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Moonblood Bethany House Publishers (April 1, 2012) by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she enjoys her profession as an art teacher, giving private lessons from her personal studio, and teaching group classes at the Apex Learning Center. She is married to the handsome man she met at fencing class and lives with him and a gaggle of cats. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. Heartless is her debut novel.

Anne Elisabeth is also the author of the Tales of Goldstone Wood, a series of fantasy adventure novels told in the classic Fairy Tale style.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Moonblood Draws Near, and Soon the Dragons Will Wake

Desperate to regain the trust of his kingdom, Prince Lionheart reluctantly banishes his faithful servant and only friend, Rose Red. Now she is lost in the hidden realm of Arpiar, held captive by her evil goblin father, King Vahe.

Vowing to redeem himself, Lionheart plunges into the mysterious Goldstone Wood, seeking Rose Red. In strange other worlds, Lionheart must face a lyrical yet lethal tiger, a fallen unicorn, and a goblin horde on his quest to rescue the girl he betrayed.

With the Night of Moonblood fast approaching when King Vahe seeks to wake the Dragon's sleeping children, Lionheart must discover whether or not his heart contains courage before it's too late for Rose Red . . . and all those he loves.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Moonblood, go HERE.

Veiled Rose by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

This week, the

 Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Veiled Rose Bethany House (July 1, 2011) by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she enjoys her profession as an art teacher, giving private lessons from her personal studio, and teaching group classes at the Apex Learning Center. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. Heartless is her debut novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Rose Red trusts no one with her secret. She hides in the forest, her face veiled in rags, shunning the company of all save her old father and her nanny goat. Her life is bleak and lonely.

Until she meets a privileged young man sent to spend his summer in the mountains. Leo, a lonely lad, befriends Rose Red, and together they begin hunting for the Mountain Monster which, rumor says, stalks these lands.

But the hunt which began as a game holds greater risk than Leo supposes. Rose Red can scarcely guess at the consequences should he insist on continuing his search. Dare she trust him with her secret? Or tell him what dwells at the top of the mountain in the cave only she can find?

Above all, when Leo asks Rose Red to leave the mountain and follow him to the low country, dare she agree and risk the wrath of a Monster that is all too real?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Veiled Rose, go HERE.

Review: Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball*
By: Donita K. Paul
Publisher: Waterbrook
ISBN: 978-0-307-45899-5

About the book:

In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. As she searches for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprising discovering of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.

Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together.

This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?

Review:

If you’re looking for a charming, whimsical holiday read to get you in the Christmas spirit, look no further than Donita K. Paul’s delightful contemporary novella, Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball. When long-time co-workers Cora and Simon meet unexpectedly at the delightfully named Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s bookshop, they never expected to receive invitations to a ball that could change the course of their lives forever. But in order for the master matchmaking plan of the Wizards of Sage Street to work, Cora and Simon must each lay aside their preconceived ideas about faith, family, and each other, and risk everything on the possibility of love found in a most unconventional way.

Though Two Tickets is set in the present day, the charm and almost courtly appeal of the Christmas Ball made me feel like I was reading a story set at the turn of the 20th century. And with the rather reserved manner of the main characters and the magical aspect of the storyline this tale would fit comfortably in that time period. Since Paul is primarily known for her fantasy novels, she brings a unique and refreshing spin to this modern-day story of love and new beginnings to be found at Christmas, the most magical time of year in my opinion. The faith element may feel rather overt to some readers, but I found it flowed well within the context of the story and the characters’ personalities. And though brief, Paul’s treatment of Cora’s family troubles really shines in this novel – her struggle to reconcile her faith and her difficult, often outright hostile family felt absolutely genuine and authentic.

This little book begs to be made into a Christmas movie (Hallmark Channel please take note!). Its blend of faith, charm, and a dash of holiday magic would be the perfect addition to my Christmas movie collection. My only qualm with Two Tickets is that given the novella format, readers aren’t given enough time to see Simon and Cora’s relationship develop, and to further explore the delightful, magical Sage Street shopping district Paul has created. While I do feel that overall the faith and magical elements of the novella were integrated well within the confines of Paul’s contemporary setting, the manners and quirks of the setting and characters make me wish just a bit that this Christmas Ball was set in the early 1900’s. That setting would ideally fit the mood of this story. That qualm aside, Two Tickets is a fun diversion for fantasy and romance lovers looking to add a dash of whimsy to their Christmas reading.

*Side note: Isn't this the most gorgeous cover EVER? :)

Review: DragonSpell by Donita K. Paul

DragonSpell (The Dragon Keeper Chronicles #1)
By: Donita K. Paul
Publisher: Waterbrook
ISBN: 978-1-57856-823-9

About the book:

One dragon egg holds the key to the future.

Once a slave, Kale is given the unexpected opportunity to become a servant to Paladin. Yet this young girl has much to learn about the difference between slavery and service.

A desperate search begins...

A small band of Paladin's servants rescue Kale from danger but turn her from her destination: The Hall, where she was to be trained. Feeling afraid and unprepared, Kale embarks on a perilous quest to find the meech dragon egg stolen by the foul Wizard Risto. First, she and her comrades must find Wizard Fentworth. But their journey is threatened when a key member of the party is captured, leaving the remaining companions to find Fentworth, attempt an impossible rescue, and recover the egg whose true value they have not begun to suspect.

Weaving together memorable characters, daring adventure, and a coore of eternal truth, DragonSpell is a finely craffted and welcome addition to the corpus of fantasy fiction.

Review:

Kale is a young o'rant slave girl, used to taking orders and living a safe, predictable existence, until her world is rocked by the discovery of a unique talent. She possesses the rare and unique gift of discovering valuable dragon eggs. Sent to the city of Vendela to undertake training at The Hall so she can enter the service of Paladin, her carefully laid plans go awry when she's nearly kidnapped and then her rescuers inform her that she must go questing. Kale and her new comrades have been commissioned to discover the location of a rare and valuable meech dragon egg before the evil Wizard Risto can harness the egg's power to cast an evil spell. Feeling utterly unequipped, Kale is thrust into an adventure beyond her wildest dreams as she receives a crash course in managing her new powers (mindspeaking and dragon raising) and discovering the secrets of her destiny. It's a destiny that both terrifies and intrigues Kale as she must decide whom she will serve - if she survives.

I honestly have no idea why I've waited so long to delve into Paul's fantasy fiction. The plus side for me is, of course, that I have the entire Dragon Keeper series ready and waiting for me to devour. I really love speculative fiction, running the gamut from science fiction to fantasy, and it's a thrill to discover an author so adept at crafting a unique fantasy realm like Amara. DragonSpell feels like it was clearly inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's fiction, particularly The Hobbit in both tone and scope. Like Tolkien's Middle Earth, Paul's land of Amara is filled with a wild variety of races, each with their own unique languages and customs. Everything from the fabrics that make up the characters' clothes to the food they consume is unique and inventive, and adds rich detail to Kale's world and her adventures. Like all good fantasy, Paul sets up a classic battle between good and evil - the seven high races in service to Paladin and Wulder, and the seven low races in service to the Pretender and Risto. Paul's Christian worldview is rather obvious in this fantasy's allegorical elements, but it really never feels heavy-handed or preachy. Rather, Paul's superb world-crafting abilities provide the colorful backdrop for characters to live out and learn eternal truths.

It took me a couple of chapters to really get into DragonSpell. It's as if there's so much Paul wanted to accomplish with this first book - establishing the setting, introducing new characters, etc. - that it took a while for the story to find its rhythm and focus. However, once that happens Kale's quest becomes quite the page-turner. Kale is a great heroine-in-training - sure, she's got a lot of growing up to do, but I can't wait to discover more about her hidden history and destiny as Paladin's Dragon Keeper. And Kale's companions are absolutely delightful - from the furry and fastidious doneel Dar and his sly, teasing humor, to the absent-minded hilarity of the Wizard Fentworth, all of Paul's creations are hilarious, unforgettable, and genuine. But the dragons and their unique personalities and gifts are by far my favorite characters. Kale's journey is funny, heart-warming, and suspenseful - I can't wait to lose myself in her world again!