by Jason Joyner | Nov 1, 2010 | Blog, fantasy, sci-fi, Stephen Lawhead, The Skin Map
How do make sure you will never, EVER lose your way?
A map would be nice. Then again, a map can be lost.
What if you put the map on something you could never lose? What would that be? It would be…a skin map.
The Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy Tour is featuring an intriguing book, the latest from well-known author Stephen Lawhead, The Skin Map.
Lawhead is an author I’ve been talking about since my first involvement with the CSFF tour. He has carved out a strong niche writing fantasy and historical novels alike. He loves the mythic aspect of stories, and he has played with some of the big ones in his King Arthur epic The Pendragon Cycle and his unique take on Robin Hood in The Raven King Trilogy.
But to hear Lawhead in his own words, nothing may compare to what he has in store with the planned five volume Bright Empires series:
‘I have not read or written anything quite like it,’ says Lawhead. ‘It’s been forming in my mind for at least fifteen years. Now I am finally writing it, because I think I can finally do justice to such an intricately woven storyline.
BRIGHT EMPIRES is the most challenging work I’ve ever undertaken, and I’m alternately exhilarated and terrified by it.’
I would be challenged too, by a work of time travel and crossing into alternate dimensions involving skin maps, Burley Men, and good coffee.
But more on that later.
Until tomorrow, see what clues you can follow in my fellow travelers below:
Red Bissell
Thomas Clayton Booher
Keanan Brand
Grace Bridges
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
Jeff Chapman
Christian Fiction Book Reviews
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
George Duncan
April Erwin
Tori Greene
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Becca Johnson
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Shannon McDermott
Allen McGraw
Matt Mikalatos
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
John W. Otte
Gavin Patchett
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Kathleen Smith
Rachel Starr Thomson
Donna Swanson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White
Elizabeth Williams
Dave Wilson
by Jason Joyner | Nov 1, 2010 | Blog, fantasy, sci-fi, Stephen Lawhead, The Skin Map
How do make sure you will never, EVER lose your way?
A map would be nice. Then again, a map can be lost.
What if you put the map on something you could never lose? What would that be? It would be…a skin map.
The Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy Tour is featuring an intriguing book, the latest from well-known author Stephen Lawhead, The Skin Map.
Lawhead is an author I’ve been talking about since my first involvement with the CSFF tour. He has carved out a strong niche writing fantasy and historical novels alike. He loves the mythic aspect of stories, and he has played with some of the big ones in his King Arthur epic The Pendragon Cycle and his unique take on Robin Hood in The Raven King Trilogy.
But to hear Lawhead in his own words, nothing may compare to what he has in store with the planned five volume Bright Empires series:
‘I have not read or written anything quite like it,’ says Lawhead. ‘It’s been forming in my mind for at least fifteen years. Now I am finally writing it, because I think I can finally do justice to such an intricately woven storyline.
BRIGHT EMPIRES is the most challenging work I’ve ever undertaken, and I’m alternately exhilarated and terrified by it.’
I would be challenged too, by a work of time travel and crossing into alternate dimensions involving skin maps, Burley Men, and good coffee.
But more on that later.
Until tomorrow, see what clues you can follow in my fellow travelers below:
Red Bissell
Thomas Clayton Booher
Keanan Brand
Grace Bridges
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
Jeff Chapman
Christian Fiction Book Reviews
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
George Duncan
April Erwin
Tori Greene
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Becca Johnson
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Shannon McDermott
Allen McGraw
Matt Mikalatos
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
John W. Otte
Gavin Patchett
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Kathleen Smith
Rachel Starr Thomson
Donna Swanson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White
Elizabeth Williams
Dave Wilson
by Jason Joyner | Jul 21, 2010 | Blog, CSFF, dragons, fantasy
Hey there true believers! (Sorry, thinking about Stan Lee for some reason…)
The Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy blog tour is off to a great start featuring Starlighter, the latest book from Bryan Davis. I’m not off to a great start, as I kinda missed out on this one. I didn’t realize it was the first in a series, so I wouldn’t have been behind from the get-go. Oh well, summer is busy.
The cover there looks great, and I’d still like to point you to some further sources of info if you’re into dragons that kidnaps humans, or heroes named “Jason” (great choice there Bryan!)
Specifically, check out Fred Warren’s excellent (as usual) posts discussing the book: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3.
You can find Bryan’s blog and website at the links.
Below are the links to the others in the tour. For direct links to posts, go to Becky Miller’s blog for the most up-to-date postings.
Brandon Barr
Beckie Burnham
Jeff Chapman
R. L. Copple
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Leighton
Jane Maritz
Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
SarahFlan
Chawna Schroeder
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
Jill Williamson
KM Wilsher
—
by Jason Joyner | Jul 21, 2010 | Blog, CSFF, dragons, fantasy
Hey there true believers! (Sorry, thinking about Stan Lee for some reason…)
The Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy blog tour is off to a great start featuring Starlighter, the latest book from Bryan Davis. I’m not off to a great start, as I kinda missed out on this one. I didn’t realize it was the first in a series, so I wouldn’t have been behind from the get-go. Oh well, summer is busy.
The cover there looks great, and I’d still like to point you to some further sources of info if you’re into dragons that kidnaps humans, or heroes named “Jason” (great choice there Bryan!)
Specifically, check out Fred Warren’s excellent (as usual) posts discussing the book: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3.
You can find Bryan’s blog and website at the links.
Below are the links to the others in the tour. For direct links to posts, go to Becky Miller’s blog for the most up-to-date postings.
Brandon Barr
Beckie Burnham
Jeff Chapman
R. L. Copple
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Leighton
Jane Maritz
Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
SarahFlan
Chawna Schroeder
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
Jill Williamson
KM Wilsher
—
by Jason Joyner | Apr 29, 2010 | Blog, CSFF, fantasy, Jeffrey Overstreet, Raven's Ladder
The Review of Raven’s Ladder
I made it. Almost.
I’ve had a little fun for this blog tour as I’ve tried feverishly to finish Raven’s Ladder by Jeffrey Overstreet, the second book we’ve featured this month. Thankfully, I’ve participated in tours for the two prior titles in the series, so I had “content” to offer while I furiously flipped pages.
I actually finished late Wednesday at work, but I couldn’t blog about this until Thursday morning. I guess that’s cheating. Anyway, I can offer my thoughts on Raven’s Ladder for what it’s worth.
The story:
After the fall of House Abascar, the loss of a young woman named Auralia, and the transformation of one savage beastman, the third book in the Auralia’s Thread series focuses on the ragtag survivors of Abascar. They are lead by Cal-raven, considered a dreamer by many of his people for his belief in a mystical Keeper and for his willingness to lead from visions and intuition.
In the land of the Expanse, where four Houses (dynasties) were established long ago, two of them are in serious trouble. House Cent Regus has been transformed into horrible beastmen driven by animal desires. House Abascar suffered the loss of their home territory, and as they huddle in cliff dwellings, they are once again driven from their residence out into the wild.
Cal-raven longs to find a new, permanent home for his people. In his quest, he and his people will be swept up in the politics and intrigue of House Bel Amica, a place of outward beauty with a rotting core, and the challenge of the Cent Regus with their hidden secrets. All the while, the amazing colors that young Auralia introduced in the first book are a recurrent theme that offer a new way to all in the story, if they are willing to have faith.
My review:
The problem with trying to read Raven’s Ladder quickly is that Jeffrey Overstreet writes dense. This is not a bad thing. His books are written with a lyrical quality that makes one stop and pay attention to the figures of speech used to paint a picture with the words chosen. I would prefer a more leisurely read, but deadlines are what they are!
The book continues the interesting tale of the Expanse. There is a lot to comment on, from the “prosperity” focus of the Bel Amican moon spirit religion to the more explicit faith shown in the Keeper. I would not recommend a reader try to pick up Raven and start reading – the prior books are required reading at this point. In fact, it had been long enough since reading Cyndere’s Midnight that I struggled some with keeping plot and characters straight.
I have said before that this series is an important contribution to Christian (specifically CBA) fiction. Overstreet is trying to paint a beautiful picture, and there are patterns emerging that offer some interesting spiritual insight. He has stated before that he is not trying to push some beliefs, but allow an intriguing story make the reader think. Still, there are pictures coming out that offer a glimpse of where he is coming from.
It is a good fantasy series, but as I read it, there is a distance to the characters that make it hard for me to fully embrace. I can relate better to the noble Abascar captain than the main protagonist King Cal-raven. I have felt the distance throughout the series, but it was a little more noticeable this time, perhaps due to the depth of plot and characters from the prior two books that is hard to keep in mind over two years time.
I recommend the series, but if you are a fan of rapid action and quick moving scenes, this book may not be for you. It is more of a slow burn, requiring time to appreciate the different threads moving through the series (it is the Gold Strand of the Auralia series after all). The books are aiming high – they may not make it all the time, but the goal is lofty enough that even in “missing” it is still an entertaining yet inquisitive examination of beauty, faith, nobility, savagery, and finding what matters most in life.
For other thoughts on Raven’s Ladder, be sure to check out other participants listed at the bottom of Becky Miller’s Day 1 post.
—
In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of Raven’s Ladder from WaterBrook Press.
—
by Jason Joyner | Apr 29, 2010 | Blog, CSFF, fantasy, Jeffrey Overstreet, Raven's Ladder
The Review of Raven’s Ladder
I made it. Almost.
I’ve had a little fun for this blog tour as I’ve tried feverishly to finish Raven’s Ladder by Jeffrey Overstreet, the second book we’ve featured this month. Thankfully, I’ve participated in tours for the two prior titles in the series, so I had “content” to offer while I furiously flipped pages.
I actually finished late Wednesday at work, but I couldn’t blog about this until Thursday morning. I guess that’s cheating. Anyway, I can offer my thoughts on Raven’s Ladder for what it’s worth.
The story:
After the fall of House Abascar, the loss of a young woman named Auralia, and the transformation of one savage beastman, the third book in the Auralia’s Thread series focuses on the ragtag survivors of Abascar. They are lead by Cal-raven, considered a dreamer by many of his people for his belief in a mystical Keeper and for his willingness to lead from visions and intuition.
In the land of the Expanse, where four Houses (dynasties) were established long ago, two of them are in serious trouble. House Cent Regus has been transformed into horrible beastmen driven by animal desires. House Abascar suffered the loss of their home territory, and as they huddle in cliff dwellings, they are once again driven from their residence out into the wild.
Cal-raven longs to find a new, permanent home for his people. In his quest, he and his people will be swept up in the politics and intrigue of House Bel Amica, a place of outward beauty with a rotting core, and the challenge of the Cent Regus with their hidden secrets. All the while, the amazing colors that young Auralia introduced in the first book are a recurrent theme that offer a new way to all in the story, if they are willing to have faith.
My review:
The problem with trying to read Raven’s Ladder quickly is that Jeffrey Overstreet writes dense. This is not a bad thing. His books are written with a lyrical quality that makes one stop and pay attention to the figures of speech used to paint a picture with the words chosen. I would prefer a more leisurely read, but deadlines are what they are!
The book continues the interesting tale of the Expanse. There is a lot to comment on, from the “prosperity” focus of the Bel Amican moon spirit religion to the more explicit faith shown in the Keeper. I would not recommend a reader try to pick up Raven and start reading – the prior books are required reading at this point. In fact, it had been long enough since reading Cyndere’s Midnight that I struggled some with keeping plot and characters straight.
I have said before that this series is an important contribution to Christian (specifically CBA) fiction. Overstreet is trying to paint a beautiful picture, and there are patterns emerging that offer some interesting spiritual insight. He has stated before that he is not trying to push some beliefs, but allow an intriguing story make the reader think. Still, there are pictures coming out that offer a glimpse of where he is coming from.
It is a good fantasy series, but as I read it, there is a distance to the characters that make it hard for me to fully embrace. I can relate better to the noble Abascar captain than the main protagonist King Cal-raven. I have felt the distance throughout the series, but it was a little more noticeable this time, perhaps due to the depth of plot and characters from the prior two books that is hard to keep in mind over two years time.
I recommend the series, but if you are a fan of rapid action and quick moving scenes, this book may not be for you. It is more of a slow burn, requiring time to appreciate the different threads moving through the series (it is the Gold Strand of the Auralia series after all). The books are aiming high – they may not make it all the time, but the goal is lofty enough that even in “missing” it is still an entertaining yet inquisitive examination of beauty, faith, nobility, savagery, and finding what matters most in life.
For other thoughts on Raven’s Ladder, be sure to check out other participants listed at the bottom of Becky Miller’s Day 1 post.
—
In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of Raven’s Ladder from WaterBrook Press.
—
