Best Books I’ve Read in 2016

Tags

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?

Advertisement

Book Review: The Prince Warriors and the Unseen Invasion by Priscilla Shirer and Gina Detwiler

Tags

Armor of God, B&H Kids, Book Review, Christian Fantasy, Ephesians 6:10-18, Gina Detwiler, Middle Grade, Priscilla Shirer, The Prince Warriors, Unseen Invasion

I’m celebrating my chance to review a second book off the list I posted two months ago about books I was excited for still in 2016. The first book, Kingdom Prayer by Tony Evans, delivered. How did this book, the second book in a series that I had already enjoyed, turn out? Check out below!

 

Title: The Prince Warriors and the Unseen Invasion

Book Two in the Prince Warriors Series

Authors: Priscilla Shirer and Gina Detwiler

Published by: B&H Kids (October 15, 2016)

288 Pages (Hardcover)

Blurb: In this second book in The Prince Warriors trilogy, the Prince Warriors face new challenges on earth and in the unseen realm of Ahoratos. The enemy, angry about his last defeat, is targeting them with weapons and tactics they had never imagined, including the flaming Olethron. The kids must turn to Ruwach and the Source, who can give them more pieces of armor to help them stand strong against this deadly threat.

My Take: Wow, what a trip this second book turned out to be. The feel of this book was very different from the first in the series, and in a good way. Internal conflicts take the center stage for almost all of the main Prince and Princess Warriors. There are some new warriors introduced over the course of the book, some of them being a welcome surprise.

Perhaps the iconic scene in this book was the early encounter with the Olethrons. It was great to see which of the warriors stepped up, how others followed that lead once the bold decision was made. The different personalities of the warriors provide for extremely unique circumstances that they are being placed in. Some have struggles early in the book, whereas others run into problems later in the book due to their own actions, or in some cases their inactions. I loved the dynamics that each person, and situation, provided as they worked through similar, yet distinctly unique, situations that came up over the course of the book.

It was awesome, of course, to see them gain two new pieces of the Armor of God in this book. The shield, in particular, was executed in an interesting and unique manner. Like Evan, I cannot wait until the Swords come out (I assume in Book 3) but they always have exactly what they need. These warriors are a strong core team, and I am confident that children (and adults) reading this book will find at least one boy or girl in the book that they identify with more than the others. It is a diverse cast that I will be sad to leave behind after the third book because, I believe, that is the final planned book in the series.

The unseen invasion is the last thing I wanted to mention, if only briefly, because it demonstrates the idea that the spiritual war is being waged in our physical world. Most of the people in the world at the time of that unseen invasion were oblivious to what was happening around them, and even were confused by the orders, and actions, of those who could see that invasion. When living out our spiritual walks today, there are often decisions and actions that we will be called to make that will make no sense to those who are living in the world. They might question our choices, perhaps even mock or scorn us for them, yet we are to still engage in that spiritual warfare using the complete Armor of God. It was a nice touch, and something that would lead into some great discussions with the children reading the book.

Like the first book, I highly encourage children and adults to read this. It is engaging for audiences of all ages, from middle grade readers on up. It contains so much scriptural truth in there that are bound to lead into some wonderful discussions and discipleship moments in the home. This series should be on everyone’s radar, and with the final book coming out next year this will be a trilogy that deserves a place in every family’s bookshelf.

**Note: I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Prince Warriors by Priscilla Shirer

Tags

Armor of God, Book Review, Christian Fantasy, Ephesians 6:10-18, Gina Detwiler, Middle Grade, Priscilla Shirer, The Prince Warriors

Title: The Prince Warriors (Book One in The Prince Warriors Series)

Authors: Priscilla Shirer and Gina Detwiler

Published by: B&H Kids on April 27, 2016

288 Pages (Hardcover)

Blurb: The battle is real.

As brothers, Xavier and Evan are used to battling each other. But now they’re discovering that there is a much bigger battle going on all around them. And it’s their turn to fight. Based on Ephesians 6:10–18, The Prince Warriors is the first book in Priscilla Shirer’s epic new series that brings to life the invisible struggle ensuing in the spiritual realm. Xavier, Evan, and their friends have typical lives until they enter a mysterious land called Ahoratos. There they meet their guide, Ruwach, who offers wisdom and direction as the kids’ initial adventure begins—an adventure filled with armor and danger and a very real enemy.

Written by New York Times Best-Selling author Priscilla Shirer, The Prince Warriors series was created for middle-grade readers and will include the fiction trilogy as well as Unseen: The 365 Prince Warriors Devotional and the Unseen app.

My Take: 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.

If it isn’t clear, there is a lot of love for this book and I cannot wait to dive into the second book, which recently came out, and the companion devotional for the series. There is a lot of promise being built up, and certainly room for character growth as the main characters only possess half of the items listed in Ephesians 6:10-18. Yet, as Ruwach often tells them, they have exactly what they need for the times and trials that come their way (which often leads to some interesting and unique things happening).

The final verdict is this: buy the book. Don’t just buy it for your children, or children of your friends, but buy it for yourself first. Buy it, read it, and then pass it along. This would make a great book to read and discuss with your children, as it is an engaging book for all ages and contains a wealth of talking points where you can demonstrate application in their own lives. I imagine that the devotional accomplishes this to some extent, and hopefully that will be a review for another day soon.

I received a free eBook copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.