Best Books I’ve Read in 2016

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Allison D. Reid, Angela B. Chrysler, Best Books 2016, Book Review, Brandon Sanderson, Elise Kova, George R.R. Martin, Gina Detwiler, J.R.R. Tolkien, Mary Weber, Priscilla Shirer, Scott Westerfeld

**Note: In the interest of consistency, I’m sticking solely to books written after 1900. So while some of my other reads, like Les Mis or Count of Monte Cristo would certainly make the cut I want to make sure to give the spotlight to more recent authors.

10: Dolor and Shadow by Angela B. Chrysler

I was immediately entranced with the premise of the book, since it envisions Viking/Norse mythology from the perspective of the elves. I knew, going in, that there would be a lot to love about the world being built and, in that aspect, I was not disappointed in the least. The worldbuilding here is magnificent and, once you get used to the onslaught of names and places, you can really begin to feel immersed in the world. Things are just so well-developed in this book that it feels reminiscent of the wholeness that Tolkien brought together with Middle-Earth in his books. This is one of the greatest strengths a book can have, that synergy with the wholeness of the world that allows for complete immersion, and is one of the things I love the most about reading fantasy novels. Continue Reading

9: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin

The trio of stories in this collection are absolutely fantastic in every way. In spite of the stories taking place nearly a century before A Game of Thrones, there are many familiar house names and sigils to remind you that you are immersed in the same bloody, conflict-driven world of Westeros that the other books inhabit. Martin is a master at weaving in realistic details of the Medieval world and culture, ranging from the depictions of tourneys to the clothing and armor to the food they ate at the table. Continue Reading

8: King of Ages: A King Arthur Anthology

This is an excellent collection of stories that re-imagine King Arthur through various time periods and acting in various situations. Some of the tales take on a traditional feel, while others are extremely innovative in their approach. Arthur and Merlin are the constants in every tale, although not always with those exact names, and many other gems of Arthurian legend are scattered throughout the thirteen stories in this anthology. It was almost as much fun picking out those references as it was reading the stories themselves, but that is my own love of Arthurian legend talking. Continue Reading

7: Alchemists of Loom by Elise Kova

I love books with dragons in them, and I love it even more when an author does something nontraditional with them. It was why Rachel Hartman’s Seraphina struck a chord with me, and why this book does the same thing. It has dragons, but not in the way you would ever expect. It is interesting how separate the dragon society is from those operating on Loom, yet how critical they are to the magic and technology on Loom. Two thumbs up based solely on the usage of dragons in this book. Continue Reading

6: Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld

Short version: I loved this book. It is exactly the series I needed to read before getting to finish reading Brandon Sanderson’s Reckoners series because I realize now I need a steady flow of new YA superhero novels to keep coming. Because they are awesome and exciting and full of fun in a way that is completely different from watching the latest Marvel movie or binge watching their latest TV show. If this isn’t a thriving subgenre already, Sanderson and Westerfeld will have breathed life into that subgenre. Continue Reading

5: Siren’s Song by Mary Weber

I was so torn for half of this book. I wanted to read this book, because I loved the characters and the world and wanted to know what would happen. Yet part of me wished to delay reading this book even longer in order to prevent my time with Nym and Eogan and Myles and Rasha and the rest to come to an end. This book has seriously sat on my shelf since March, ignored because I didn’t want to conclude this trilogy. Yet, as with all good things, it eventually had to come to an end. And now, looking back, I am so glad I finally got around to reading this book.

I absolutely love Mary Weber’s writing and her fun, engaging characters. The imaginative world. The overwhelming sense of impending doom and dread that casts an overtone upon everything going on. Those things carried through in all three books, each in its own unique way. Yet the sense of despair is at its peak in this book. They even have a timeline, given early on, about when they can expect Draewulf to make his appearance for, what will amount to, their final battle to destroy him and, should they fail, the world will be subjected to his evil plots and armies of wraiths for who in hulls knows how long. Litches, this book still has me hooked. Continue Reading

4: The Prince Warriors/The Prince Warriors and the Unseen Invasion by Priscilla Shirer and Gina Detwiler (Yes, this is two books)

Do not let the ages of the protagonists of this book fool you, this is not just a book for kids. While it is certainly a Middle Grade fantasy fiction book, it excels at being something that people of all ages should be able to read and enjoy. This book’s premise is centered firmly around Ephesians 6:10-18, the Armor of God, but it contains so much spiritual and scriptural depth within these pages that even an experienced Christian could absorb some great insight and practical application from this book.

I absolutely love a good Middle Grade book, and this one rates right up among the highest. The group of protagonists are all easy to identify with, and all of them have both their flaws and their strengths. Not only will a reader be able to identify with at least one of these main characters in the book, it is geared as well to allow an inward reflection and invites you to personally consider yourself within the scope of the world as a Prince Warrior or a Princess Warrior. Continue Reading and don’t miss my review of Book Two as well.

3: The Wind Rider Chronicles by Allison D. Reid (Yes, this is three books! Review snippet from Journey to Aviad, the first book)

The writing in this book is beautiful, elegant, and masterful. It was enchanting and kept me riveted to the tale. The story came alive as I was reading the words, filling my mind and my soul with the poetical prose laced with Christian themes. This is everything I have always sought for in a Christian fantasy book, and something I have rarely seen pulled off with such excellence.

The main character, a young girl name Elowyn, is one of the best young female protagonists that I have read in quite some time, and I thoroughly enjoyed following her on these early adventures in the book. She is at home among the beauty of nature, marveling at the hand of Aviad in shaping all of the things around her and blessing her with beautiful scenes. She has an awe and reverence that is both child-like and mature, something that places well with the Christian themes. Her inner struggles with not being worthy of being in Aviad’s presence is something we all, as Christians, can relate to. Continue Reading, and don’t miss my review of the sequel, Ancient Voices, as well as her companion novella, Into the Shadow Wood.

2: Calamity by Brandon Sanderson

I wanted to read this book like a kid wants to eat a giant lollipop. I was excited to read the book just like the kid gets excited about lollipops, but I didn’t want it to end too soon just like the kid who gets the giant lollipop so they can savor the experience a little longer. Yes, this series will be full of  intentionally bad metaphors, and Calamity certainly had some memorable ones in there. The humor that Sanderson laced into this book, as well as the previous books, makes this a fun read while the action and intrigue makes it an entertaining romp through a world where superpowers don’t go to the good guys. Or, rather, it seems that everyone who gets superpowers turns bad, and they are known as Epics.

It is difficult to write a spoiler-free review of the final book in a trilogy like this, but I want this to be a comprehensive review for more than just this one book. I want someone to read this and go pick up the entire trilogy (Steelheart, Firefight, Calamity) plus the short between the first two (Mitosis). The Reckoners are back in action in this finale that certainly lives up to every expectation that it promised. The showdown that has been coming is epic. And Epic. Continue Reading

1: Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle Earth by J.R.R. Tolkien

A man who is as thorough in his revisions as Tolkien was will inevitably leave behind tales that never quite reach that state of completion. It is no surprise that there are many stories from The Silmarillion that Tolkien attempted to expand upon and never quite reached the end. After all, he was notorious for not only going through a manuscript thoroughly to revise it if there was any indication of interest in publishing it, but he also would start at the beginning of a tale every time he picked it back up to work on it. This habit led to many great beginnings to work that never quite reached that status of being complete. And thus they find life in this publication, alongside various essays on topics such as the Istari and Palantiri, and that is a great thing for fans of Tolkien and of fantasy.

The collection in here ranges from fascinating narratives to a genealogical listing of the kings written in a style that you would expect to find within a history book. There are some items that will interest certain readers more than others, and the impulse of the reader may be to skip ahead to the things of interest and leave the others unread. Which, in many cases, would be to skip over all of the First Age and most of the Second Age stuff. That, I believe, would be a tragic mistake. The best of the tales appear in those two ages, being longer narratives that, while incomplete, give a flavor of the epic nature of the characters rooted in Middle-Earth history. Fans who have read The Silmarillion will certainly enjoy getting a deeper dive into the adventures of some of these familiar figures, such as Túrin Turambar, and even a reader who has not enjoyed The Silmarillion will still find much to enjoy in some of those tales. I’d argue that they are presented in a far more compelling manner than The Silmarillion, having more development and storytelling than appears in the other work. Continue Reading

So there you have it, my ten favorite books from 2016. What are some of your favorites? Have you read any of the books that appeared on my list?

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Book Review: Ancient Voices by Allison D. Reid

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Allison D. Reid, Ancient Voices: Into the Depths, Book Review, Christian Fantasy, Prophecy, Wind Rider Chronicles

Title: Ancient Voices: Into the Depths

The Wind Rider Chronicles, Book #2

Author: Allison D. Reid

Published on: November 12, 2015

296 Pages (Paperback)

Blurb: The Kinship rides victorious into the small village of Minhaven, just in time to celebrate the Winter Festival. Their leader, Glak, brings with him both hope and spoils from battle, but also some distressing news. Though Minhaven’s greatest threat has finally been defeated, a new one is emerging to take its place. The enemy Glak describes has not been seen in hundreds of years, yet somehow it has been haunting Elowyn’s dreams. Has Braeden’s cruel reach followed her from Tyroc’s troubled borders into this remote wilderness? If so, there is no place left to run, and the Kinship is preparing to fight an enemy more sinister and powerful than they can possibly imagine. Past becomes present, as prophecies long buried continue to emerge, revealing their truth to the coming generation. The Era of Peace has ended. The Era of Awakening has begun. While Morganne seeks guidance from the crumbling pages of ancient tomes, Elowyn tries to find her place within a community for the first time. Despite the impending danger, Morganne and Elowyn decide to make their stand with the people of Minhaven. As they plunge into the depths of history, prophecy, the wilderness, love, fear, hope, faith…the girls begin to learn more about who they are, and who Aviad is calling them to be.

My Take: I cannot overemphasize enough how much I truly love the author’s style of writing and the voice that she commands throughout her works. The worldbuilding continues to be among the best of contemporary fantasy authors and the characters she writes are interesting and dynamic. The events of the first book ended with promise for more change in the two main protagonists, and this book delivered on that promise.

The growth and change in both Elowyn and Morganne is perfect, and there are a handful of new supporting characters that appear in Minhaven that add greater depth and intrigue to the book. The character of Glak is that of a powerful hero fighting against the forces of evil with everything he possesses, yet there is a deeper motivation that drives him in this relentless pursuit. Morganne finds some support and mentorship among the monks in Minhaven, but their own lack of urgency about reading old texts drives her to consume the volumes with a fervor that sweeps the reader along. Her scouring of these old tomes of prophecy and history can teach us a lot about our own need to do the same with the prophectic and historical books in the Bible, demonstrating that things tend to have a cyclical pattern and so even things that may have been fulfilled before could remain relevant to our times today. Even characters on the fringe, such as Bane, add mystery about their past and identity that leaves the reader hoping to uncover those secrets in the next book.

Oh, and there is a bit of a love interest that arises for one of these girls, which provides an interesting dynamic with the events happening in and around Minhaven.

Both girls learn to use a weapon, one eagerly and the other reluctantly, but that provides a leap forward in their ability to fend for themselves and sets the stage for them to be far more active participants in events as the darkness they discovered in Tyroc continues to spread. Things are looking bleak for the world around them right now and the margin for victory right now seems to be dangling by a thread. All of this has me eager for the next book to come out, so I can discover what happens next.

If you have not picked up this series, I cannot recommend it enough. The first book, Journey to Aviad, is free. Start reading it today and learn why these books are easily among the top 10 books I’ve read in 2016.

Rapid Fire Book Tag

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Allison D. Reid, Book Tag, C.S. Lewis, Cheryl Koevoet, Mary Weber, reading, Tennyson, Tolkien

My friend Joshua Robertson, author of books such as Anaerfell and Melkorka and owner of Crimson Edge Press, just did a fun little rapid fire book tag on his YouTube channel. Instead of tagging people he left it open for people to answer themselves. And who says a blogger can’t participate in these tags? So check out my answers to these questions and feel free to make a blog post or a video and answer them yourselves. If you comment here with a link to them, I will gladly visit and comment!

So without further ado, and with no explanations whatsoever about any of these answers, here is my response to the rapid fire book tag:

– E-Book or Physical Book? Physical Book
– Paperback or Hardback? Hardback
– Online or In-Store Book Shopping? Online
– Trilogies or Series? Series
– Heroes or Villains? Heroes
– A book you want everyone to read? The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
– Recommend an underrated book? Storm Siren by Mary Weber
– The last book you finished? The Carnelian Legacy by Cheryl Koevoet
– The Last Book You Bought?  Idylls of the King by Alfred Tennyson
– Weirdest Thing You’ve Used as a Bookmark? Another book
– Used Books: Yes or No? Yes
– Top Three Favourite Genres? Fantasy, Science Fiction, Christian
– Borrow or Buy? Buy
– Characters or Plot? Character
– Long or Short Books? Long books
– Long or Short Chapters? Long chapters
– Name The First Three Books You Think Of… The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien, Journey to Aviad by Allison D. Reid, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
– Books That Makes You Laugh or Cry? Laugh
– Our World or Fictional Worlds? Fictional worlds
– Audiobooks: Yes or No? YES!
– Do You Ever Judge a Book by its Cover? Almost always
– Book to Movie or Book to TV Adaptations?  Book to TV
– A Movie or TV-Show You Preferred to its Book? Star Wars
– Series or Standalone’s?Series

Book Review: Into the Shadow Wood by Allison D. Reid

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Allison D. Reid, Book Review, Christian Fantasy, Into the Shadow Wood, Wind Rider Chronicles

Title: Into the Shadow Wood (A Wind Rider Chronicles Novella)

Author: Allison D. Reid

Genre: Christian Fantasy

Publisher: Allison D. Reid

Pages: 90 (eBook)

Blurb: Once a proud member of the Sovereign’s prestigious personal guard, Einar has lost everything: his home, his Sovereign, and his purpose. Most of his closest friends have either been killed in battle or executed. His friend Nevon died trying to fulfill a dangerous oath…one that Einar disagreed with, but now feels honor-bound to take up in his stead. The quest plunges Einar into the depths of the dark and twisted Shadow Wood, testing the limits of his strength, his beliefs, and his sanity. What he finds in the Wood is far more ominous than anything he’d expected. If he’s not careful, Nevon’s fate might end up being his own.

My Take: I absolutely loved Journey to Aviad, the first book in Allison’s Wind Rider Chronicles. When I learned she was writing a novella that takes place at the same time as some of the events toward the end of Journey to Aviad, I knew I had to read it. Journey to Aviad was easily one of the five best books I’ve read this year, and somehow this short novella surpassed even that book. That in itself is among the highest praise I can heap upon “Into the Shadow Wood”.

This novella follows Einar, a character who played a major role early on in Journey to Aviad and who, I understand, does not appear in the sequel to that book. But he had a story to tell, which appears here and is absolutely fantastic. The world building and scene-setting that Allison excels at is present here in this novella. The Shadow Wood feels like a character in itself, exerting its sinister will upon the minds of the men traveling deep into its depths. The supporting cast with Einar, his companion Alaric and his commander Godwin, are both memorable characters in their own right. I loved Godwin’s deeply rooted faith and how it interacted with Einar’s skepticism. That interplay stood out as one of highlights of this novella and helped make Einar a dynamic character throughout this novella.

The one major criticism I had about Journey to Aviad was the lack of action, where it seemed like the girls were being swept along by events rather than taking control and making decisions. That certainly was not the case with this book, which is packed with action during the exploration of the Shadow Wood and then the major battle that takes place near the end. I loved how the events in this overlap with one of the events near the end of Journey to Aviad, providing that continuity and firmly placing the timing of this book into the Wind Riders chronology.

Overall this was a great read and a steal at the price. I’m very much looking forward to getting a chance to pick up the second book in Allison’s series and have a feeling that one will be wonderful as well. She has shown her ability to masterfully craft a living and vibrant world and to create characters who are dynamic in growth and are enjoyable to follow on their journeys. I cannot recommend this book, or Journey to Aviad, enough. If you enjoy fantasy at all, or want to read books that are steeped in faith and mystery and wonder, you won’t want to miss these.

Indie Author Spotlight: Allison D. Reid

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Allison D. Reid, Christian Fantasy, Indie Author, Wind Rider Chronicles

It is time for the May author of the month, and this is one I am excited to share with you. If you haven’t done so, you can read my review of Allison’s first book, Journey to Aviad, which is free on Kindle and Nook devices. Also, don’t forget that you can get a digital copy of King of Ages: A King Arthur Anthology for free for a limited time by signing up for my newsletter (plus some other great books and prizes for signing up to other newsletters!)

 

Welcome! Please tell us your name and a little bit about yourself.

My name is Allison D. Reid—home business owner by day, editor and Christian Fantasy author by night. To be honest, nothing makes me draw a blank faster than asking me this question.  One of the hazards of being an introvert, I guess.  I’d rather talk about anything but myself! I’ve been writing poems and stories since I could first put a string of sentences together on paper.  Kind of like breathing, I just have to do it.  My grandmother used to make up stories to tell me, and even though I can’t remember them anymore, their magic helped me learn how to tell my own stories at an early age.  In my youth, I also got the chance to live in Europe, an experience that had a huge impact on me.  My travels, my love of fantasy literature, and my faith have probably been the biggest influences on my writing.  Though at this point in my life I am unable to travel as I once did, the adventures of my characters take me to incredible places.  That’s one of the joys of being a writer; I can go anywhere, anytime—even to places that don’t really exist—all from the comfort of my imagination.  And I can take other armchair adventurers along with me.

What motivates you to write?

The stories stirring in my heart and mind that just need to be told, whether anyone else reads them or not. I’m a very quiet person who isn’t great with spoken words—writing allows me to fully express myself and my faith, and provides a constructive outlet for my overactive imagination!

What is the title of your most recent book? Give us a brief overview on what the book is about.

My most recent book is the second in my Wind Rider Chronicles series, Ancient Voices: Into the Depths. It continues the journey of my main characters, Elowyn and Morganne, as they settle into the mountain village of Minhaven.

Book Description:

The Kinship rides victorious into the small village of Minhaven, just in time to celebrate the Winter Festival. Their leader, Glak, brings with him both hope and spoils from battle, but also some distressing news. Though Minhaven’s greatest threat has finally been defeated, a new one is emerging to take its place.  The enemy Glak describes has not been seen in hundreds of years, yet somehow it has been haunting Elowyn’s dreams. Has Braeden’s cruel reach followed her from Tyroc’s troubled borders into this remote wilderness? If so, there is no place left to run, and the Kinship is preparing to fight an enemy more sinister and powerful than they can possibly imagine.  Past becomes present, as prophecies long buried continue to emerge, revealing their truth to the coming generation. The Era of Peace has ended. The Era of Awakening has begun. While Morganne seeks guidance from the crumbling pages of ancient tomes, Elowyn tries to find her place within a community for the first time.  Despite the impending danger, Morganne and Elowyn decide to make their stand with the people of Minhaven. As they plunge into the depths of history, prophecy, the wilderness, love, fear, hope, faith…the girls begin to learn more about who they are, and who Aviad is calling them to be.

What makes it unique from the other books out there?

My fantasy characters are grounded in reality—they aren’t fantasy half-breeds, nor do they have superhuman abilities or skills that defy nature. They are just regular people, bound by the era in which they live, facing the same personal and spiritual struggles that all of us do through the courses of our lives…only they face them through the lens of a different world, and a unique set of circumstances.

My stories are also allegorical, something not all that common in current works of fiction. Though my books can stand on their own as entertaining fantasy stories, they are also infused with the core truths of Christianity.  It is my hope to reach readers in a positive and meaningful way that continues on, long after they’ve turned the last page and moved on to another book.

I understand that you chose to self-publish. What made you decide to go that route and what was your experience like?

After doing some research and talking to both traditionally published and self-published authors, I decided that going indie was the right path for me.

Changes in the publishing industry at the time I was finishing my first book would have made the traditional route extremely difficult considering I had no agent, and no industry connections or claim to fame. I understood that I was writing in a niche genre that wasn’t easily marketable on the broad scale wanted by traditional publishers.

Even if I could get someone take a chance on me for my first book, there was never going to be a guarantee of getting a second one published. And I knew from the start that I would be writing an extensive series. The last thing I wanted was to have to fight for my copyright in order to continue writing.

I also wanted to maintain control over my content. Christian publishers were likely to want to strip out some of the fantasy, and secular ones would want to tone down the Christian message.  The idea of being able to write what I felt called to, without any other restrictions, really appealed to me.

I’ve found that I am enjoying the hands-on nature of the indie route, and I know that I would have trouble bringing in the big sales figures publishers are looking for these days. I’m still figuring things out as I go, but I’m OK with that.  The industry just keeps getting better because indie authors are out there helping each other instead of seeing each other as rivals.  It is inspiring to be a part of that community.

At the end of the day I’m writing from my heart (and hopefully the Spirit too), connecting directly with my readers, and having fun doing it. What more could I really ask for?

Are there portions of Scripture you would say have had a strong influence on your writing, either for you personally as a writer or for the stories themselves that you are weaving? Would you mind sharing some of them and how they have helped to shape your writing?

I don’t know that my writing was influenced by any specific passages of scripture, but it has definitely been influenced by the message of scripture as a whole. Throughout the books there are themes of truth vs. falsehood/deception, sin and guilt, forgiveness, redemption, prayer, righteousness, eternal hope, spiritual warfare, Godly justice, and the struggle to understand God’s will.  Prophecy, scripture, and the power of truth are all important points that are touched on in various ways.  Yet none of this is brandished like a weapon at the reader—these deeper biblical messages surface naturally through the telling of the story.

What is the title of your current work-in-progress or the most recent manuscript you’ve completed? Would you mind sharing what it is about?

My current work in progress is Into the Shadow Wood, a novella that relates to my Wind Rider Chronicles series.  It follows they journey of Einar, who parts ways with my main characters in Journey to Aviad.  Readers have been hoping he’ll come back, and asking me what happened to him, so this book should settle that lingering question.  While best read after Journey to Aviad, this novella can also stand on its own.  Next year it will be included in a charity anthology to raise money for cancer awareness.

Brief description:

Once a proud member of the Circle, the Sovereign’s prestigious personal guard, Einar has lost everything. The Sovereign has been murdered, the Circle exiled by the realm’s evil Chief Steward, and his closest friends have either been killed in battle or executed. Before he died, Einar’s friend Nevon made an oath…one that Einar disagreed with, but now feels obligated to fulfill. The quest is a dangerous one that takes Einar into the depths of the infamous Shadow Wood. What he finds there turns out to be far more ominous than anything he had expected. If he’s not careful, Nevon’s fate might end up being his own.

I understand you have a bit of an interest in the Medieval time period. What is it about that time period that draws your interest and are there any literary works from that era that you think people should check out?

I’ve been drawn to the medieval era since I was a little girl—I’m not sure that I can really explain why. As a writer, I have found plenty of richness there for the imagination to draw on.  So much beauty remains in the way of music, literature, thought, art, and brilliant, amazing architecture.  Yet by contrast, that time in history was also full of uncertainty, hard work, and suffering.  For all the things that the medieval mind understood well, there was also plenty of mystery and superstition in everyday life.  The medieval adult was able to believe in things like fairies and dragons, curses and miracles, often blending the lines between myth and reality in a way I find fascinating. Perhaps that is one reason why this era lends itself so well to the fantasy genre, which requires a child-like belief that our post-enlightenment perspective doesn’t typically allow us to enjoy.

While there are plenty of great literary works to choose from, my favorite readings from that time are tied to mythology. Tales of people’s supposed encounters with brownies, mermaids, hell hounds and such always seem so real and compelling, that the writer in me can’t help but wonder if such things really once existed…or may still exist, except that we’re too blind to see them.

How often do you write?

I try to write a little every day, though that doesn’t always happen with my busy schedule. The bulk of my writing tends to happen in spurts, when I am feeling really inspired.  It is hard for me to force myself to create, so I tend to wait until it happens naturally on its own.

Who are five of your favorite authors?

I tend to like the older authors. Cliché or not, I can’t help but love C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Lloyd Alexander.  I also love L.M. Montgomery who wrote Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon, and Mary Norton who wrote The Borrowers and Bed-Knob and Broomstick.

What are you currently reading?

Right now I’m reading the King of Ages anthology, after which I will probably read But Kisses Never Hurt Me: A Retelling of Sleeping Beauty by Andrea Lundgren.

 Time for some quick questions:

• Favorite Quote?  “I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia.” – Puddleglum, The Silver Chair
•  Favorite Book? The Dawn Treader and The Silver Chair are probably tied.
•  Favorite Movie? The Lord of the Rings (see how I actually snuck three movies in there?) Incredibly done and unforgettable in all respects. Peter Jackson outdid himself. Wish he had been in charge of the Narnia movies, but don’t get me started on that.
•  Favorite TV Show? My favorite show with a plot is Once Upon a Time. But I’m also a big Deadliest Catch fan. Who would have thought watching a bunch of crab fishermen could be so compelling? I confess to crying the year Phil Harris died. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
•  Coffee or Tea? No question, tea—I get really cranky without my daily cup of decaf. My grandmother and I always drank tea together while I was growing up.       She has passed on now, but I suspect she’ll be waiting for me in heaven with a warm cup and a fresh pot.
•  Favorite Book of the Bible? John is my favorite of the gospels, and Romans beyond that.

• Favorite Bible Verse?

 

Romans 8:35-39  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

•  Narnia or Middle-Earth? Not a fair question! How could I possibly choose between two perfect worlds? Can I live in Narnia but keep a summer home in the Shire? Or maybe Rivendell?

If you could be one character from your own writing, who would it be and why?

A lot of who I am is already embedded in both Elowyn and Morganne. Morganne is a reflection of my intellectual side; she has a strong sense of responsibility, and is grounded by what she can understand with her mind, but sometimes has difficulty feeling God’s presence in her heart.  Elowyn is more a reflection of my spiritual side; the part of me that craves intimacy with the Holy Spirit, who can get lost in God’s glory when surrounded by the beauty of His creation, and who has a strong sense of empathy.  Both characters are flecked with some of my best qualities, some of my worst, and with those I aspire to develop through my walk with God.

Finally, what advice would you give to other writers?

Forget trying to imitate other writers or follow canned formulas—you’re not producing a “product,” you’re creating a work of art. Dig down and figure out what you really care about.  Write your heart, your inspiration, and with a voice that is uniquely yours, and over time the rest will naturally fall into place.  Amazon sales shouldn’t be your only measure of success; don’t let them define who you are as a writer.

Book Review: Journey to Aviad by Allison D. Reid

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Allison D. Reid, Book Review, Christian Fantasy, Journey to Aviad, Wind Rider Chronicles

Title: Journey to Aviad by Allison D. Reid

Book One of the Wind Rider Chronicles

Published on November 28, 2011

282 Pages (eBook)

Book Blurb: Threatening clouds and fierce storms besiege the city of Tyroc. More frequent and powerful than ordinary storms, young Elowyn, a weaver’s daughter living in the outskirts of the city, senses something disturbing and unnatural about them. She soon realizes that the storms are but a warning sign of much more frightening things yet to come. Terrifying wolf-like creatures emerge from the depths of the wilderness at the bidding of a dark master. His name found only among the crumbling pages of ancient texts, the re-appearance of Alazoth and his Hounds is a dark omen for the people of Tyroc and beyond. Only legends remain of the heroes and prophets whose blood was shed ages ago to banish him into the abyss, which should have remained his prison for all time. How he has been released is a mystery, but all the old stories agree that death and destruction are sure to follow. With the Hounds inching closer each day, the city of Tyroc caught up in religious and political turmoil, and her home life no less turbulent, Elowyn has nothing left to rely on but her meager courage and a budding faith in Aviad, the Creator. She and her sister, Morganne, set out on a remarkable journey that challenges everything they have ever known about themselves, the world, and the path that Aviad has laid out for them.

My Take: The writing in this book is beautiful, elegant, and masterful. It was enchanting and kept me riveted to the tale. The story came alive as I was reading the words, filling my mind and my soul with the poetical prose laced with Christian themes. This is everything I have always sought for in a Christian fantasy book, and something I have rarely seen pulled off with such excellence.

The main character, a young girl name Elowyn, is one of the best young female protagonists that I have read in quite some time, and I thoroughly enjoyed following her on these early adventures in the book. She is at home among the beauty of nature, marveling at the hand of Aviad in shaping all of the things around her and blessing her with beautiful scenes. She has an awe and reverence that is both child-like and mature, something that places well with the Christian themes. Her inner struggles with not being worthy of being in Aviad’s presence is something we all, as Christians, can relate to.

The Christian themes were excellent and really enhanced the story. They were seeped into the heart and soul of the tale, rather than inserted to bludgeon upon a point or deliver a moral message. It is obvious that the author tried to use her talents to give the glory to God in her work, telling a version of His story through her own story. This masterful pairing is something rarely done well in fantasy and made me think of Lewis’ Narnia series as one of the few I could think of which successfully delivered upon that experience. There were scenes in the book that I could envision the set of Scriptures that had provided the source of inspiration, and my own spiritual self felt enriched from the experience.

With all of this deservedly glowing praise, the book still had a flaw or two that I do not doubt will be resolved in future installments in the series. The action within the book itself is minimal, with most of the danger taking place either outside of the walls of their house or being fended off by someone, or something, else while the girls were able to escape. Being the first book in a series, this is forgivable because much of the time is spent delving into character development and giving a vivid impression of the world around them.

Overall this was an outstanding read and an absolute steal because it is free. This one is good for all ages, Middle Grade on up, and I have a feeling that the sequel will be just as great and suitable. While having an understanding of the Christian faith will enhance your experience with parts of the story, it certainly is not a requirement to being able to read and enjoy the story. This is one that I will highly, highly recommend to everyone to read.