by Jason Joyner | Feb 20, 2012 | Blog, CSFF, Ross Lawhead, speculative fiction, The Realms Thereunder
Welcome back to the CSFF Blog Tour, the premiere blog resource for Christian science fiction and fantasy. I’ve missed delving into the mysterious and speculative side of faith-based fiction, so I am excited to have the Tour back.
We’re featuring a new book with a name that may seem familiar…
In the isles of Britain there are connections to an underground, unseen world, protected by knights who slumber. No one knows about this long-forgotten realm.
Except for Freya Reynolds and Daniel Tully.
As youth they stumbled into an adventure that shaped and scarred them. As adults they have gone their separate ways, with Freya studying at Oxford and battling OCD, while Daniel is homeless and waging a war against a foe that he hoped never to see again.
They had hoped the forces from their first journey were behind them. Now they are awakening and finding strength enough to cross into our world. Now Freya and Daniel will have to find a way to re-engage and confront worlds they left behind. Places that are The Realms Thereunder.
This is the first in the Ancient Earth Trilogy by Ross Lawhead. I’ll talk more about the author tomorrow.
But don’t go anywhere! Well, if you’re going to go, check out one of my tourmates below. They’ll tell you more, I’m sure.
Note: In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Gillian Adams
Red Bissell
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Jeff Chapman
CSFF Blog Tour
Theresa Dunlap
Emmalyn Edwards
April Erwin
Victor Gentile
Tori Greene
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Rebekah Loper
Marzabeth
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirriam Neal
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Joan Nienhuis
Crista Richey
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Shane Werlinger
Nicole White
Rachel Wyant
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by Jason Joyner | Dec 7, 2011 | Corus the Champion, CSFF, D Barkley Briggs, fantasy, Karac Tor, young adult
The Christian Sci-Fi and Fantasy tour is highlighting D. Barkley Briggs and his book Corus the Champion from the Legends of Karac Tor series. It is the second of five books. The first book is The Book of Names, and the third is also available, The Song of Unmasking. Anyone who leaves a comment through December 9 will have a chance to win Song.
I’m disappointed that I haven’t had time to read the books yet. Too much going on lately. However, I bought the first three for my boys, and they are working their way through the series. My oldest is reading Corus right now, while my middle son has started Names.
We featured The Book of Names a couple of years ago. In the meantime issues with the original publisher arose, and the series was put on hiatus until this year, when the first three found release and new life.
I can’t comment on the books themselves, but I was willing to buy the first three at once because of what I see of the author, D. Barkley Briggs. I’ve not met him, but from what I’ve gathered online from his blog, Twitter feed, and biography, he is a man with a heart to challenge kids toward a great adventure in the Kingdom.
After losing his wife of 16 years, Briggs decided to tell a tale his four sons could relate to in their own journey through loss. Thus was born The Legends of Karac Tor, a sweeping adventure of four brothers who become enmeshed in the crisis of another world and along the way, must find their courage, battle overwhelming odds, face their pain, and never quit searching for home. (From his bio)
My boys and I have a tradition of reading at night before they go to bed. I am so thankful that even my 11 year old wants to continue this. I am looking forward to reading the Legends of Karac Tor to them, and to keep their love of story going, and stoke the fires of seeking God’s adventure for their lives in all they do.
I wish I had my own review, but I’m hoping that my oldest will do what he was asked and write up a little plug for Karac Tor. There are many more thoughts from my tourmates below. Becky Miller always collects all of the posts for your perusal, so check those out for more!
Gillian Adams Noah Arsenault Beckie Burnham Morgan L. Busse CSFF Blog Tour Carol Bruce Collett Theresa Dunlap April Erwin Victor Gentile Nikole Hahn Ryan Heart Bruce Hennigan Christopher Hopper Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Marzabeth Shannon McDermott Rebecca LuElla Miller Eve Nielsen Sarah Sawyer Kathleen Smith Donna Swanson Rachel Starr Thomson Steve Trower Fred Warren Phyllis Wheeler Nicole White Rachel Wyant
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by Jason Joyner | Dec 7, 2011 | Blog, Corus the Champion, CSFF, D Barkley Briggs, fantasy, Karac Tor, young adult
The Christian Sci-Fi and Fantasy tour is highlighting D. Barkley Briggs and his book Corus the Champion from the Legends of Karac Tor series. It is the second of five books. The first book is The Book of Names, and the third is also available, The Song of Unmasking. Anyone who leaves a comment through December 9 will have a chance to win Song.
I’m disappointed that I haven’t had time to read the books yet. Too much going on lately. However, I bought the first three for my boys, and they are working their way through the series. My oldest is reading Corus right now, while my middle son has started Names.
We featured The Book of Names a couple of years ago. In the meantime issues with the original publisher arose, and the series was put on hiatus until this year, when the first three found release and new life.
I can’t comment on the books themselves, but I was willing to buy the first three at once because of what I see of the author, D. Barkley Briggs. I’ve not met him, but from what I’ve gathered online from his blog, Twitter feed, and biography, he is a man with a heart to challenge kids toward a great adventure in the Kingdom.
After losing his wife of 16 years, Briggs decided to tell a tale his four sons could relate to in their own journey through loss. Thus was born The Legends of Karac Tor, a sweeping adventure of four brothers who become enmeshed in the crisis of another world and along the way, must find their courage, battle overwhelming odds, face their pain, and never quit searching for home. (From his bio)
My boys and I have a tradition of reading at night before they go to bed. I am so thankful that even my 11 year old wants to continue this. I am looking forward to reading the Legends of Karac Tor to them, and to keep their love of story going, and stoke the fires of seeking God’s adventure for their lives in all they do.
I wish I had my own review, but I’m hoping that my oldest will do what he was asked and write up a little plug for Karac Tor. There are many more thoughts from my tourmates below. Becky Miller always collects all of the posts for your perusal, so check those out for more!
Gillian Adams Noah Arsenault Beckie Burnham Morgan L. Busse CSFF Blog Tour Carol Bruce Collett Theresa Dunlap April Erwin Victor Gentile Nikole Hahn Ryan Heart Bruce Hennigan Christopher Hopper Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Marzabeth Shannon McDermott Rebecca LuElla Miller Eve Nielsen Sarah Sawyer Kathleen Smith Donna Swanson Rachel Starr Thomson Steve Trower Fred Warren Phyllis Wheeler Nicole White Rachel Wyant
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by Jason Joyner | Dec 5, 2011 | Blog, contests, Corus the Champion, CSFF, D Barkley Briggs, Karac Tor, The Book of Names, young adult
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| Read me! |
Today the CSFF tour invites you to venture into a far away land. Legend tells of a land of names and songs, of a land waiting for a champion to come. The land of Karac Tor.
Haven’t you heard of it? If not, there’s a guide who can lead you in these hidden lands. Seek out D. Barkley Briggs and he can introduce you to some brave young men who have been to Karac Tor and survived adventures there.
We are focusing on the book Corus the Champion, but the tale begins in The Book of Names. Hadyn and Ewan Barlow are the oldest of four brothers. They are living in rural Missouri, where their father moved them after the death of their mother a year ago.
While clearing out a field of brambles, the brothers stumble upon a portal into a strange land – Karac Tor. They have a story to tell, but that will be for another day.
If you want to learn more, check back on the next two days, or check out my tourmates below.
I have a special opportunity for those interested in this series. The third book is The Song of Unmasking, and if you leave a comment from now until Wednesday, December 7th, you will be entered into a drawing for a free copy of it (U.S. residents only, I’m afraid). So leave a comment, and check back for more!
Gillian Adams Noah Arsenault Beckie Burnham Morgan L. Busse CSFF Blog Tour Carol Bruce Collett Theresa Dunlap April Erwin Victor Gentile Nikole Hahn Ryan Heart Bruce Hennigan Christopher Hopper Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Marzabeth Shannon McDermott Rebecca LuElla Miller Eve Nielsen Sarah Sawyer Kathleen Smith Donna Swanson Rachel Starr Thomson Steve Trower Fred Warren Phyllis Wheeler Nicole White Rachel Wyant
by Jason Joyner | Dec 5, 2011 | Blog, contests, Corus the Champion, CSFF, D Barkley Briggs, Karac Tor, The Book of Names, young adult
|
| Read me! |
Today the CSFF tour invites you to venture into a far away land. Legend tells of a land of names and songs, of a land waiting for a champion to come. The land of Karac Tor.
Haven’t you heard of it? If not, there’s a guide who can lead you in these hidden lands. Seek out D. Barkley Briggs and he can introduce you to some brave young men who have been to Karac Tor and survived adventures there.
We are focusing on the book Corus the Champion, but the tale begins in The Book of Names. Hadyn and Ewan Barlow are the oldest of four brothers. They are living in rural Missouri, where their father moved them after the death of their mother a year ago.
While clearing out a field of brambles, the brothers stumble upon a portal into a strange land – Karac Tor. They have a story to tell, but that will be for another day.
If you want to learn more, check back on the next two days, or check out my tourmates below.
I have a special opportunity for those interested in this series. The third book is The Song of Unmasking, and if you leave a comment from now until Wednesday, December 7th, you will be entered into a drawing for a free copy of it (U.S. residents only, I’m afraid). So leave a comment, and check back for more!
Gillian Adams Noah Arsenault Beckie Burnham Morgan L. Busse CSFF Blog Tour Carol Bruce Collett Theresa Dunlap April Erwin Victor Gentile Nikole Hahn Ryan Heart Bruce Hennigan Christopher Hopper Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Marzabeth Shannon McDermott Rebecca LuElla Miller Eve Nielsen Sarah Sawyer Kathleen Smith Donna Swanson Rachel Starr Thomson Steve Trower Fred Warren Phyllis Wheeler Nicole White Rachel Wyant
by Jason Joyner | Oct 26, 2011 | Blog, CSFF, reviews, speculative fiction, Stephen Lawhead, The Bone House
In Which The Reviewer Tries To Judge Fairly Without Being A Raving Fanboy…
I think
Stephen Lawhead is our most toured author at this point in the CSFF Tour. I was a big fan of his prior to being involved with the CSFF, so I am quite familiar with his writing. Still, as we feature the second book in his Bright Empires series,
The Bone House, I have to admire how he continues to grow as an author.
I’ve led each post of this tour off with the phrase “In Which…“, a literary device he uses for each of his chapters. It gives a little tease into what will happen in the chapter, and gives a touch of whimsy at times. A small detail, but it marks this series and helps make it more memorable than the standard chapter titles.
He is writing this series channeling 19th century writing style, like some of the books we’re required to read in high school English. He doesn’t write directly, with prose that hits its point and moves on. He describes things with a leisurely style and it comes across to this American brain as very British (I would be interested in any Brit opinion here.) It gives a different flow, and just the style of writing adds to the creation of the setting.
Lawhead is well-traveled, and it shows in his great description of the locations and settings of the book. From an Etruscan tomb to the Egyptian desert and even a Stone Age camp, the reader always experiences the places in the book almost as a character in the book does.
The concept of traveling through multiple dimensions via ley leaping is very intriguing, and it offers a lot for a novelist to play with in terms of a “sandbox.” Lawhead keeps us jumping around with the various characters, and gives some philosophy to think about while we’re being entertained.
Becky Miller talks about how he puts Christian ideas into the story very naturally. I think Lawhead is one of the best authors out there in doing this, so much so that it feels in a different league than most of what I read for Christian fiction blog tours. The book doesn’t feel “Christian”, but it definitely comes through.
Still, I have to admit that The Bone House doesn’t work as well for me as The Skin Map. This isn’t saying it is bad, because it is an enjoyable read. It is still intriguing, but there’s something that it is missing – a solid meal without the secret sauce? Actually, I can identify the aspects that detracted for me.
1. Plot twists – Done right, plot twists keep the reader turning pages. In the second book, Lawhead doubles back and covers some past ground, filling in the history for certain characters. The series is already challenging with the time/dimensional jumps. When he discusses a character who died at the end of book one as living in book two, it threw me. He ties it up in the end, but it still confused me. There’s other examples of this, enough to be distracting.
2. Heroic heroes – Kit Livingstone is the main protagonist of the book, although others help carry the story. Still, he is the main one, and is just isn’t very…heroic. He is pretty passive, going with the flow of what happens, and is a bit of a dunce. He’s lucky to be alive, and as such, he isn’t impressive in The Bone House. I saw growth in him in the first book that seemed to evaporate in the second.
Overall, these complaints shouldn’t detract from the thought-provoking work Lawhead is doing. He’s one of the best writers in the CBA, and he should get attention for the Bright Empires series in the wider market as well. The Bone House came across to me as a satisfying sequel that got to third base, but didn’t knock it out of the park. A triple is still good, right? I’ll be looking forward to the next book, The Spirit Well, next year to see where/when this goes!
I’m sure there are different opinions from my CSFF tribe. Our intrepid leader Becky Miller keeps track of all of the posts, so go check them out. That’s where I’m going. And maybe we’ll cross paths on a ley leap sometime/someplace.
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Legal mumbo-jumbo: This review is based upon a copy of the book provided to me free of charge by the publisher, a courtesy I appreciate, but which does not guarantee my recommendation. I strive to evaluate every book I review purely on its intrinsic merits. (comment boldly borrowed from Fred Warren, cause he wrote it so well)
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