Category: Books

Thoughts on Sacred Cat Island

Title: Sacred Cat Island (A Cozy LitRPG Fantasy Novel)
Author: Harmon Cooper
Published by Boycott Books, LLC
Year: 2020
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 646
Language: English
ASIN: B08LDSMGMT
Dates Read: 2025, February 20 to October 14

Introduction
Since I love to play video games, I wanted to read a book from the GameLit genre. I always see books from this genre advertised online. However, in the last few months, I have tried to start reading several recommended novels, but I could only make it to the end of the first chapter – if even that far. There was always something about these books that I disliked so severely! Either the writing was full of typos, there was too much profanity, it was too cheesy, or too wooden. Or, the plot wasn’t interesting, and the characters were not likable. Moreover, the series was unfinished and the author was on a prolonged hiatus, so the series may never be finished. And, the series was too long for me (I didn’t want to commit to 5 books or more right now). Finally, I found this novel, and I was able to complete it!

About
Initially, I assumed this novel was going to be about characters playing a video game or entering a video game as virtual avatars, and the first chapter would serve as an introduction to the characters starting the game. This assumption originated because all of the previous GameLit books that I had sampled had this “otherworld journey” as the main concept. I was taken aback when the character already had the quests and stats flash before him in the first chapter. The characters are already NPCs in an unnamed video game. The two brothers already exist in their “real world,” but the world has gaming elements built into its metaphysical system. Characters in a video game – but it’s their real life!

The first chapter introduces the characters and how the LitRPG elements work, such as the stats, levels, what Rowan and others can do or improve on, and inventory slots. Throughout the story, more information about the world’s RPG system and what can be accessed or how the world works is discovered by the characters or explained by exposition. The different people or NPCs seem to have varying knowledge about how the world or island works. Different quests or personal stats are shown by special formatting throughout the novel, like bold and center alignment. This formatting takes up quite a bit of space, so the book did not feel like 646 pages, as my Kindle version said it was.

Going with the Flow
The characters have unique names, but are not ridiculous or hard to pronounce. Several characters on the island have lots of quirks, but I enjoyed all of the different personalities. These NPCs act realistically, and if not for the LitRPG elements, it would have felt like a story about an actual town. The story deals with realistic issues, and there are deeply tragic parts. However, I would say that, overall, the story still has a lighthearted tone, bubbly and whimsical with elements of suspense, fantasy, and slice-of-life. Although the novel is slow-paced, I would say it was not boring, but I had to embrace the mindset that this was not going to be the action of a portal fantasy story. You have the father and the sons doing daily tasks, completing quests, planning to improve the island, and meeting the villagers. At the same time, you have the big mystery about why the mother did not want to come, why the father left his job, the island cats, and magical happenings. There is a real risk of dying and NPCs who have died or are dying. A very human story.

Among the story, the themes or concepts that stood out are the brotherly bond, the family bond, friendship, moving on with life despite circumstances, discovering the unexpected, hating change, growing to love a place you hated, growing up and balancing life via quests/responsibilities, and changing a life or town for the better!

Overall
Overall, it was an easy book to read and a nice entryway for me into GameLit. The 600+ pages flew by, but it just took me a while to get through it because I was busy with adult tasks in my real life! I wish I didn’t start and stop this book so much. I should have made myself continue on when I initially started in February, not becoming distracted in the evening. I enjoyed reading something different; I liked the elements, the basic plot, the characters, and the accessibility of the story. However, I did have some pet peeves.
-SPOILER WARNING-
The ending did not tie up all the loose ends that I thought would be resolved. Earlier in the novel, I got the impression there would be more information about the kitten that the boys adopted – like they were going to be able to communicate with the kitten and use him to solve a mystery. Also, I’m annoyed that Blanche did not get her happy ending when the story hinted that her problem would be solved if the boys helped her. I also had questions: are the boys returning to school or are they moving to the island for good? I thought there would be a bigger mystery about the mother and father. Not all of the quests were finished, but the boys know that they will have more time. I just thought that all of the quests would be completed by the end of the novel. I felt that the book needed a sequel to flesh out some more people and quests.

Content Advisory
Although I would say the overall story is wholesome and has a light tone, there are some mature and intense elements. Some of the NPCs deal with grief, loss, mental illness, aging, and the dying process. The deaths are permanent like in real life, and apparently, there is no respawning mentioned. There is a brief description of a decaying body and the ensuing funeral of this NPC. Furthermore, this is a fantasy novel with supernatural elements like a ghost character and mentions of other ghosts. The word d*mn is used twice by adults. Some adults drink alcohol. Characters eat meat. The violence is generally mild and centered around fantasy fighting. Animals play and fight roughly.

Notes on Johnny Tremain

Title: Johnny Tremain: A Story of Boston in Revolt
Author: Esther Forbes
Published by Clarion Books
Edition: 75th Anniversary ed. edition (September 11, 2018)
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 323
Language: English
ASIN: B07FK993XT
First Published by Houghton Mifflin in 1943
Dates Read: 2024, May 30 to June 16

Sometime in 2023, I developed an interest in the 18th century, especially Colonial America. I don’t remember the exact reason why I gained this sudden interest, but it may have to do with how I’m constantly seeing pins on Pinterest of portraits and clothing from those eras. Additionally, I have been trying to find novels about male friendships and adventures.

I remembered hearing about this book in elementary school, but I had never seen the movie. I knew that the novel is a Newbery Award winner. In college, I had to write a paper on the Newbery award. Although I had not read it, I used a line from the book because I needed more primary sources related to my paper’s topic. Also, I knew that there is a song in the movie about a tree that my parents would randomly sing. Finally, I became curious to actually read Johnny Tremain.

In this edition, there is a comic at the beginning that introduces the characters and a brief overview of the novel’s setting. It does not reveal huge spoilers which is helpful for people reading this story for the first time. First of all, the protagonist is much, much different than I thought. Based on my experience with retro media,  I assumed that Johnny was going to be a goody-two-shoes, archetypal, heroic school boy— naive, innocent, and extremely lovable in every way. He may have been a bit like Dick from the Dick and Jane books, the brothers from Leave It to Beaver, or Opie from The Andy Griffith Show. Instead, the boy is so full of pride and angst— angst and pride— he goes back and forth. He is a bit hot-headed, and teases plenty, but he does grow during the course of the novel. 

Since the book was written in the 1940s, and there are black characters, I was expecting the stereotypes to be cringy, and they are, just a little. I thought it was odd that the author used “black” but never “Negro” and seldom “colored”. I assumed in the ‘40s or 1770s colonial era that these were the terms used, and that “Black” wasn’t used regularly until the 1970s, along with “African American.”

I thought there would be some Indigenous characters, even if they were characterized flatly or stereotypically. However, there are none that I recall, but I could have sworn that it was going to be revealed that Rab is part Native American. This is due to the way that he is described with elements like: “dark boy,” “muscular, brown throat,” “teeth look sharp and white,” “calm demeanor,”  and an odd last name, Silsbee, which sounds like a tribe (although the name is of English origin). It’s like the author is trying to hint at something— that he is not completely white—but it’s never stated. Johnny’s immaturity and angst contrasts with Rab’s collected, methodical, cool outlook, and their differences go together well as good friends. To me, the narrator relays Rab as almost perfect. His portrayal throughout the plot and what happens to him at the end of the story displays that he is almost the hero character and an ideal. The way Johnny idolizes Rab, despite some annoyance and jealousy at his actions, and seems to like him more than Cilla, displays such a deep, endearing friendship.

There is actually quite a bit of humor in this story, despite the fact that the plot culminates in a war. I enjoyed the episodic nature of the story and the slice-of-life adventures of Johnny, which saturate the reader in the setting’s world and provide ample characterization. I was especially surprised at the relay of the Boston Tea Party; it was like manual labor, an arduous task, not a feel-good party with dancing and craziness. How much early American history did I forget? The speech against tyranny and what they are trying to do right before the start of “The Scarlet Deluge” chapter definitely reminds me of WWII and other parallels. I liked this book, and I’m glad I finally read it, especially this version— and not the other published book with the boy and blue background. When I read the beginning of that one after finishing this novel, that introduction spoiled the entire novel, so I was happy to find a version to read without many major spoilers. 

Admiring The Barrister and the Letter of Marque

Title: The Barrister and the Letter of Marque
Author: Todd M. Johnson
Published by Bethany House Publishers
Year: 2021
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 407
Language: English
ASIN: B08LG91Y95
Dates Read: 2024, April 16 to May 15

This novel was mentioned on a blog that I randomly visited. The premise sounded interesting enough so I decided to read it. What a fortunate find! I loved reading this book. I don’t think that I’ve ever read a fiction novel that is categorized as not only historical fiction, but also legal thriller and Christian fiction.

There are so many things that I appreciate about this book. I love that the protagonist is an older man (late 30s during the main thrust of the novel) who is single and that the main female character is past the typical marrying age for the novel’s time period (Regency). I like how the story moves forward at a rewarding pace with enough details to be realistic and ignite the imagination. However, it’s great that there are not too many technical details. The characters convey helpful information. They are introduced and incorporated into the plot smoothly.The plot’s suspense is not stalled by unnecessary quests and information. Every chapter moves along, flows well, and I am grateful that the story stays on track. The language and dialogue are witty and feel early 19th century without many anachronisms or even dense, archaic words. I felt that a reader can enjoy this novel without extensive knowledge of that century or the legal field.

The novel’s suspense was so gripping that I did not want to put the book down. When I had to stop reading, there was a bit of anxiety, tension, and striving inside me for the time to read and finish the novel. At the same time, I did not want the story to end because I had a sensation that I might not be able to find another novel quite like this one again. I don’t know many authors yet that write Regency legal suspense with somewhat of a Christian worldview. Although one of the work’s categories is Christian fiction, I do not recall a very strong evangelical gospel message being preached. What you have instead is at least one strong Christian character who has friendship and influence on the main character, and there are some devout or cultural Anglicans trying to make moral decisions. I think these elements work well with the country and time period.

So when I finished the book, I thought that it was awesome, but then I became curious about negative reviews. While many people liked this novel, others could not seem to get past the historical inaccuracies. I was completely unaware of the historical inaccuracies while reading because there was nothing extreme that stuck out like a 20th century invention or something. I do not have extensive knowledge about the story’s time period. Apparently, some of the real historical figures that the author has in this story would not have been alive or around at the time of the book’s main setting: Regency England, year 1818. Another criticism is that the author uses the wrong titles for certain characters, and they would have been called something different for that time period. Also, a few reviewers criticize details that seem like an alternate reality, and they criticize the mention of inventions that have not been invented yet in the story’s main year. So perhaps the author should have added an author’s note to discuss the historical liberties. Overall, I liked the novel, but I now feel conflicted due to the criticisms from people who are more acquainted with this time period and historical fiction. I would love to find a novel like this with the historical era worked out better.

Reviewing Beauty’s Daughter

Title: Beauty’s Daughter: The Story of Hermione and Helen of Troy
Author: Carolyn Meyer
Published by ‎ HMH Books for Young Readers
Year: 2013
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 353
Language: English
ASIN: B00AUZS6K6
Dates Read: 2024, March 27 to April 14

In the past, I have read In Mozart’s Shadow and Patience, Princess Catherine by Carolyn Meyer. I loved them both. I appreciated her vivid use of first person, how she incorporated many historical figures into the story, and her deep emotional characters. I wanted to read another one of her novels, but I wanted to read a story with an ancient setting. I liked Troy by Adẻle Geras when I read it in middle school, so I decided to try Beauty’s Daughter. 

Hermione is an evocative, inquisitive, and assertive protagonist. This story focuses on Hermione’s perspective before, during, and after the Trojan war. Throughout the novel, her thoughts and feelings of her mother, as well as others, change over time. The characters are used to convey plots of the war and other Ancient Greek stories (in case the reader is unfamiliar with these). Basically, many pages of the story’s first part is a summary of the Iliad and other ancient lore paraphrased from Hermione’s perspective with an emphasis on her relationships to others. I have not read all of these legends or myths, but I am familiar with the basic plot of many. Despite all of the details and references to Ancient Greek stories and characters, this book was still  an easy read, and it is just the right length.

Due to the winding plot filled with many disappointments for the characters, I thought that the novel’s ending would be bittersweet, and I was prepared for the death or disappearance of Hermione or her lover. Also, I had gotten names and prior Greek stories confused. Orestes and Pylades are characters in this book, so I thought they were going to turn into stars or constellations by the end of the story. Fortunately, they do not, but I assumed this because I confused their names with Orion and Pleiades, persons from another myth I’ve either read or heard about. Anyway, the ending was alright, a little bittersweet, but the leads got a good ending. 

There is an author’s note where Meyer explains how she uses myths combined with much of her own imagination and creativity to create this novel. I do think that this book is an easy read for 12 and up, but there is suggestive content in keeping with the spirit of the values and myths. I would recommend it if you like ancient world literature and retellings. I think that I like the other novels that I’ve read by this author better because they seem to have a better structure and more likable extra characters. 

On Abiassa’s Fire

I’m trying to find fiction to read. I’ve heard of this author before in Christian circles. When I browsed this series, the plot sounded incredible.

Title: Embers
Series: Abiassa’s Fire
Serial: Book 1
Author: Ronie Kendig
Published by Enclave Publishing
Edition Year: 2019
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 370
Language: English
ASIN: B07P2N2YQN
Dates Read 2023, September 3 to December 30

The writing is so clear. The story reads smoothly. It reads like a movie. I can perfectly picture characters, their expressions, and movements. I thought this power or “magic system” was really cool, and it’s a gift from a being called Abiassa. Characters who can wield the flames are called Accelerants or Incipients depending on their path.The fantasy names for different characters, places, and ideas in the world are very unique and stylish. However, sometimes, the characters have a mysterious way of talking as if they are referencing events that happened in the world’s history before the novel. Sometimes, the characters talk as if they are referencing something that happened behind the scenes that is unknown to the reader. Moreover, this is probably the most that I’ve seen sentences without pronouns used consistently throughout a novel. Instead of “She mended it,” it’s “Mended it.” I guess writing like this is for the purpose of keeping the action from stifling. The author/editor may also have felt that some pronouns are unnecessary because the reader knows who the action belongs to without the use of the pronoun in the sentence. Additionally, I could grasp biblical themes and outlines of biblical characters in the story and dialogue. I could see echoes of the books by the Old Testament prophets and the Book of Revelation. It’s interesting that the protagonist is a prophesied apocalyptic figure who is hesitant and fleeing from his role. Overall, this first book was a good adventure that ends with a cliffhanger.

Title: Accelerant
Series: Abiassa’s Fire
Serial: Book 2
Author: Ronie Kendig
Published by Enclave Publishing
Edition Year: 2019
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 472
Language: English
ASIN: B07P1J62CX
Dates Read December 30, 2023 to February 23, 2024

After the first chapter, the next several chapters were boring. Haegan is captured (again), but once he is freed, the story gets interesting again. However, he is a reluctant hero the entire novel. He is constantly doubting his identity. There is more information on the different supernatural entities or superpowers in the world. This phrasing that leaves out pronouns is continued into this novel (and the next). By this point, there are too many side characters with cool, but wild fantasy names. Fortunately, there is an index in this book and the next. Anyway, I’m glad to learn more about this world, the powers, and Abiassa.

Title: Fierian
Series: Abiassa’s Fire
Serial: Book 3
Author: Ronie Kendig
Published by Enclave Publishing
Edition Year: 2019
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 433
Language: English
ASIN: B07P1JXS7H
Dates Read 2024, February 23 to March 26

This book is much more fast paced with more characters. Some side characters that were introduced just completely disappeared from the story. There were a few twists and surprises. Although this book in the series mostly kept my interest, I started to get tired of all the battles and strategy dialogue. I just wanted the story to finally finish and stop stalling. I liked the ending, and I believe that most of the big things in the plot did resolve by the end of the novel. Well, I thought the main villain would get a more dramatic end. Also, the final endings for a few key characters seem to be inconclusive after the final battle. I wonder what happens to them? Does the father recover? What happens to Drracien? What happens to the Prince’s other friends that traveled with him this entire time? Do they get an ending to their story?

Overall Impressions and Other Comments

I loved the story’s concept, but I felt that the execution could have been better. I loved the names and magic system. Although there was a boring part and moments that dragged, the series kept my interest. By the third book, there were too many names and side characters for my tastes. I like how the author portrayed the different romantic couples. Each pair had a unique “style” so that the couples did not seem like cookie cutter lovebirds. I liked the ending, but I wish that more information was given about other important characters.The Kindle versions that I read had quite a few typos in each of the books. I loved how the author wove biblical concepts into the story. Like the protagonist, some biblical prophets would doubt God and do their own thing. The series parallels real world questions about mysteries and scriptural truth when it comes to God’s actions in the world, free will, and spiritual empowerment. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

About The Song of Albion

Years ago, I was looking for Christian fantasy or fantasy with Christian themes that people like to read besides The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. First published in the 1990s by a different publisher, I found these Kindle formats published by Thomas Nelson. I had a basic understanding of what this series was about from reading blurbs. Well, these are my prominent thoughts after reading this series.

Title: The Paradise War
Series: The Song of Albion
Serial: Book 1
Author: Stephen Lawhead
Published by Thomas Nelson
Edition Year: 2010
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 465
Language: English
ASIN: B003DS6OMO
Dates Read 2023, May 22 to June 25

One of the interesting things that I noticed is the modern setting and how much technology has changed. It takes place in the 1990s, so Oxford students use the landline phone and map instead of GPS. I liked how the narrator and his friend who are graduate students actually talk like they are smart and make neurotic complaints. Reading the first few chapters, I thought this novel was going to be a ‘bro’ adventure/ best buds tale, but the friendship just seemed a bit dysfunctional. I thought that this was going to be a best friend adventure where they end up better friends by the end of the book or even series. Hahaha. Anway, many of the books published by Christian publishers or labeled “Christian fiction” that I have read so far tend to have minimal to no profanity; therefore, I was surprised at the amount of swearing in the first few chapters. The swearing is mild and does make the dialogue between two college students seem realistic/provide characterization. Anyway, the chapters started to drag, and I wondered when the main character would finally enter the otherworld realm. He finally does, then the story gets immensely better. I love the protagonist’s humor and disgust. You can tell that the narrator matures. The swearing really dissipates, and the language is cleaner once Lewis enters the otherworld. It stays minimal throughout the entire three books. However, we have other mature themes such as descriptions of violence, alcohol references, building peril, scenes of war, deaths and some suggestive themes throughout the rest of the series of novels. Yet, the narrator discusses how wonderful the world is- like a New Heaven. He doesn’t want to leave. Being there awakens in himself a deep longing. If I’m not mistaken, this thought echoes writers like Alcorn, Tolkien, and Lewis. The Otherworld is like a Paradise, and fantasy echoes longing for a better world. After reading this first book, I became very curious about the author’s sources, inspiration, and background. Having to worldbuild 2 worlds!

Screenshot 2024-03-30 185251

Title: The Silver Hand
Series: The Song of Albion
Serial: Book 2
Author: Stephen Lawhead
Published by Thomas Nelson
Edition Year: 2010
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 448
Language: English
ASIN: B003DS6OOM
Dates Read 2023, June 27 to July 22

Although the novel is still in first person, it took a moment for me to realize that Tegid narrates this novel. I loved the camaraderie and brotherly affection between Tegid and Llew. There is a recap of the last book, and some mysterious, unexplained things are explained. A minor criticism I have is that there is too much detail in some places like descriptions of the characters traveling, but not enough detail of some of the characters at times when I would like more detail. However, several scenes evoke beauty and transcendence. The story gets a bit gritty and violent with descriptive deaths and mentions of rape. I understand that it’s a war, but I was very annoyed with all of the character deaths. Several of the main likable characters you are introduced to in the first novel end up dead in this novel. There are not a lot of women main characters to begin with, so it’s annoying that some are killed. Moreover, some dialogue and passages seem contrived and wooden. The villains are really monsters, and I finally see that Llew’s buddy from the modern world may not be a redemptive character after all. I’m glad the book ends well, and it’s an actual ending.

Screenshot 2024-03-30 192622

Title: The Endless Knot
Series: The Song of Albion
Serial: Book 3
Author: Stephen Lawhead
Published by Thomas Nelson
Edition Year: 2010
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 465
Language: English
ASIN: B003DS6OGK
Dates Read 2023, July 23 to August 31

In this novel, we return to Llew’s narration. The story is still interesting, but even more hero characters die. I didn’t know what to expect reading this book, and I kept hoping that the ending would be okay. I’m glad the story finally ended, but to me, the ending was a bit bittersweet. Also, I had a few outstanding questions about kingship and the way time works in the worlds.

Overall Impressions and Other Comments

Overall, this was a decent series; however, I didn’t fall in love with it like so many people did. I loved the Celtic alphabet pronunciation guide at the beginning of each book. I also appreciated the interview with the author at the back of each book. It was pretty cool to read an entire fantasy series with first-person narration. The Celtic fantasy with Christian themes was awesome. However, I thought that the villain would be redeemed, not basically become Satan. I probably thought this because so much time is given to his ramblings at the start of the series, and his friendship with Lewis is emphasized. Anyway, another minor matter is that some events happened, and I wanted more explanation. Some random events occurred and there was either not enough detail or too much detail. A major grievance is that too many hero characters died, especially women. Despite everything, I’m glad that I read this series.

Reading A Tale of Two Cities

Title: A Tale of Two Cities
Author: Charles Dickens
Published by e-artnow Editions
Edition Year: 2013
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 474
Language: English
ASIN: B00GMIM9QC
First Published by Chapman & Hall, in 1859
Dates Read: 2023, February 2 to 24

People rave over this book! The only book I’ve read by Dickens in its entirety is Oliver Twist. I probably should have read more of his works by now, so I decided to give this one a shot. I wanted to watch the movie with Ronald Colman, but it was recommended to read the novel before watching any of the movie versions.

Something cool about this edition is that it has the original pictures from Phiz/H.K. Brown. After reading the famous first line, I struggled to follow some passages of text. I had to reread a few several times. Dialogue is easy to understand, but the narrator’s descriptions can be long and intense. I wonder if this is because I haven’t read 19th century literature in a few years, so I have to readjust to the writing style. Sometimes, I had issues with knowing which character the author was talking about. However, chapters tend to be short (about 10 to 20 minutes to read) which helps. Also, the narrator gradually introduces characters and only focuses on one to a few a chapter which is also helpful. It was interesting to read the descriptions of the miserable conditions with some humor sprinkled throughout the text.

The story’s suspense slowly builds; despite the difficulty reading some sentences, I wanted to continue reading. The story gradually becomes easier and more intriguing to read. The story ends with another famous quote that I would hear, but I had no idea that it was from this book. There were a few side characters that I wish had more of an ending. I liked this novel better than Oliver Twist, but it’s not my favorite novel ever. I look forward to reading other works by Dickens.

Reading The Abbess of Whitby

Title: The Abbess of Whitby: A novel of Hild of Northumbria
Author: Jill Dalladay
Published by Lion Fiction
Year: 2015
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 380
Language: English
ASIN: B0156O6148
Dates Read: 2023, January 7 to 28

I found this book while browsing for different types of Christian books to read. I wanted to read a biography or historical fiction novel about a nun. Although I was unfamiliar with Hild of Whitby or Northumbria, this book seemed interesting.

The story takes place in 7th century Northumbria. This is a prose novel, but like a play, the author lists virtually all of the characters who will be in the story at the start of the book. She also lists maps, a family tree, and well-titled chapters. All of this detail before the story begins made me wonder if I would be able to keep up with all the details through the story, but it ended up being nothing to worry about. I like Dalladay’s writing style. Many sentences are packed full of detail, unusual words, and read rhythmic like poetry.

All types of events and adventures happen fast: conquests, battles, festivals, riding, etc. Many characters are historical figures, and many events that occur are recorded in history. While Hild is the novel’s main character, many others receive ample attention. I’ve never read a novel with so many historical characters, but thankfully, I was able to keep up. I only confused around 3 characters because they had similar sounding names.

The dynamic in the first part of the novel was the most intriguing to me: King Edwin and his people are pagans. Queen Elthelberga is a Christian from another place whom he married. She came to his kingdom with her own chaplain, monks, and other Christian people. Her chaplain is constantly striving for a Christian influence in the kingdom. Hild is growing up during this time. She, her sister, and mother are handmaidens to the queen and serve the king’s court.

Hild and others have to accept a compulsory baptism. She still prays to older gods and believes in them for years. Eventually, she grows to appreciate the Christian teachings and the monks’ gospel work. The dynamic with her husband and son are so fascinating, deep, and tragic that I was surprised that they were some of the few non-historical characters. By the last part of the book, she is helping to lead a double monastery or mixed community. This was cool to read about. You have people who are a part of the order but lay people as well. They help each other out. It seems like an amazing community with people of different stations. The monks spread literacy, travel to other places, and just seem to have so much peace and joy in life. A lot of people visit as well. They trade scrolls of scripture and enjoy teaching. Hild helps operate the community and the infirmary for the sick. The children help, play, and hunt. Caedmon makes a cameo, and he makes music.

This book was amazing to read, and I loved it. I especially enjoyed reading about the love that the different Christians had for each other and the gospel; this made me feel like I was transported far above the daily grind. I read online that the author passed away in 2019; I would have loved to read more of her books.

Some Quotes:

The chapel looked like a workshop: plain, bare wood, with monks on either side of a cross on a table. The queen knelt, head in hands, soft skirts fanning out in the straw. In a monotone, one group echoing the other, the men chanted softly. Mesmerized, Hild felt herself relax. So this was Ethelburga’s secret. Far from kindred, ill-matched consort of a fierce old warlord, prey to insult and pain, she always shed calm. It came from worshipping her God. There was no climax, none of Thor’s frenzy, no High Priest or sacrifice. The singing simply stopped, leaving an echo in the stillness. Then the monks bustled forward like ordinary men. (pg. 42)

“Erpwald!” Edwin had heard him. “Come and ride with me! About the route…” “Honoured, my lord.” He spurred forward: too eagerly for her liking. He was friendly, funny, and she wanted to know him better. Coifi, the king’s priest, awaited them in a hilltop grove, his white robes shining through the trees. His stance, his stillness, made Hild shudder; someone had told her that, before living memory, Eostre’s maid was herself the spring sacrifice. “Name?” With a start she saw Coifi holding out his arms for the child. “Anfled.” Edwin’s voice rang out. “To Woden’s shrine,” Coifi cried, bearing the baby into the trees. “Follow me!” (pg. 51)

Credo in unum Deum… Surprisingly soon she was, slowly and laboriously, writing the familiar Latin words. I believe in one God… And she really did, she realized with amazement. It had taken an age to shake off Thor and the fear of woods and thunderclaps, but at last she was winning through. Her new God did not mete out erratic punishments. He loved her as his daughter. “The Creed, summary of Christian belief,” Utta explained. “That and Jesus’ model prayer. The two basics.” And with a new clarity she understood why each convert must take them to heart before being baptized. (pg. 253)

A Meander Through The Tahn Saga

I was trying to find Christian fiction to read, and I found this series listed on the www.christianbook.com website. I thought that it was a Christian fantasy series, but it is more of a medieval fiction series with historical liberties.

Title: Tahn: A Novel
Series: The Tahn Saga
Serial: Book 1
Author: L.A. Kelly
Published by Fleming H. Revell
Year: 2005
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 337
Language: English
ASIN: B00B85CMR0
Dates Read 2022 November 24 to November 26

Before the story begins, Kelly includes an author’s note explaining why she wrote the book. She was propelled to write it, and she hoped that the message of God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness are evident throughout the work. She does state that the book cannot be defined as truly historical fiction that takes place in Europe. The story “claimed a place and time all its own…” (page 8).

Within the first chapters, there is a lot of action and violence; Tahn kills a few people just within the first few pages. Tahn has to do the bidding of his evil mercenary master Samis. Samis took Tahn from a city as a child. Samis trained him to steal, kill, and destroy at his request. Even before the woman Netta, who Tahn kidnaps, shares the gospel with him, he is already somewhat redemptive. He had made the decision to disobey Samis and rescue several children from his lair. Tahn is trying to protect Netta’s life, honor, and he is not mercilessly mean. Despite all that she goes through, Netta is very devout: she teaches and preaches about the Christian faith throughout the entire novel. There are a lot of mini sermons and lessons; this book seems like something that Lynn Brooks could narrate on BBN radio during the time slot that they have her narrate a Christian story. There are several characters in this novel that have more characterization and emphasis in the next two novels. Not everyone accepts Christ, but a lot of the characters do. The events do have a good resolution, and a person could stop reading the series at the first novel.

Title: Return to Alastair
Series: The Tahn Saga
Serial: Book 2
Author: L.A. Kelly
Published by Revell
Year: 2006
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 369
Language: English
ASIN: B00B85CN8I
Dates Read 2022, November 27 to December 5

As of writing this, the book series is still out of order on Amazon. The website has this book listed as the last book in the series, but it is the second. There is no author’s note in this one. This book has many of the same characters as the first one, and it introduces some new characters, namely Tahn’s sister Tiarra. You learn how Tahn is related to nobility, and it’s another adventure. However, Tahn is sick for several pages, and it seems like the dreams he has while sick reveals a lot of the plot’s mystery.

Title: The Scarlet Trefoil
Series: The Tahn Saga
Serial: Book 3
Author: L.A. Kelly
Published by Revell
Year: 2007
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 305
Language: English
ASIN: B007TV0VVG
Dates Read 2022, December 9 to December 17

This book was more perilous and darker than the last two. It was hard to pause reading because many chapters end pitifully, and I kept wanting to take a break from reading on a happy note. It was a bit anguishing to read about Netta’s kidnapping and Tahn’s abuse at the hands of the bandits and others paid by Lionell Trent. Throughout the story, there is such an overwhelming amount of thoughts and emotions that to me, it started to get a bit repetitive. I know how all of the characters feel, please let’s continue advancing the plot. In my opinion, it was too much talking and feelings and not enough action.

 

Overall Impressions and Other Comments

This is a decent Christian fiction series. I thought that the series had a lovely ending. Although several priests are mentioned, and the setting is loosely based on Medieval Europe, there is emphasis on general themes of Christianity common to Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. There is no mention of Mary, saints or The Five Solas. There is emphasis mainly on God’s providence, trust, prayer, assurance, forgiveness, stewardship, and redemption.

If any of the characters are memorable to me, they would be Tahn and Lucas. I loved their platonic relationship the most. I appreciated the camaraderie that Tahn, the Trillets, and others had with the children.

The one thing that I found confusing is what dialogue belonged to which character. Usually, when a different character speaks, a new paragraph is started, but here not so:
“What can you tell us?” Netta whispered to Amos. “He rests well. Breathes stronger.” This is on pg 195 of The Scarlet Trefoil and it was hard for me to see that Amos started taking after Netta because both sets of dialogue are in the same paragraph.

There were some unrealistic elements to me. This could be historically accurate, but I did find it weird that people wear boots without stockings, socks, etc. Also, another odd thing is how Tahn’s relative complains about being barefoot throughout several pages, but I kept wondering what does she do during the winter. It was odd that Tahn is forced to walk barefoot for miles, but his feet do not hurt, just other parts of his body from injury. The scene where Tahn takes off Netta’s shoe to examine her ankle just seemed really forward of him, and I felt it could have been written better. The series increasingly has a lot of dialogue with a lot of emphasis on the various characters’ thoughts and feelings; I started to desire more action. The plot and story advancement takes a halt in order for us to review every thought and mental process of various characters.

Unfortunately, the author passed away in 2011 years ago with one of her children in a car accident. She wrote other books under her name Leisha Kelly. They look interesting, and I may try to read her other works.

About Miles Morales: Spider-Man

Title: Miles Morales: Spider-Man
Author: Jason Reynolds
Published by Marvel Press
Year: 2017
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 273
Language: English
ASIN: B071723XCR
Dates Read: 2022, November 17 to November 20

Not only are there superhero comics, but there are prose novels as well. There are several Marvel young adult fiction superhero novels that seem interesting. This one was very highly rated. Honestly, I’ve never read Spider-Man comics. I know about Miles Morales from the movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and the Spider-Man animated series that aired from 2017 to 2020.

In this novel, I liked the vibrant portrayal of his parents, his best friend, and his home life. One of the things that I appreciated the most is the spirituality and religion. To read this in superhero fiction is a rare experience for me. Usually and lately, young characters in animated series, movies, and fiction books are portrayed as living in a secular vacuum: religion is never mentioned and spirituality has no effect on their culture and values. It seems that when organized faith is mentioned nowadays, it’s associated with something negative- fanaticism and anti-progress. I appreciated the mother being a loving, devout Catholic who makes her son attend mass with her. Although Miles does seem to be nominal Catholic, he does not portray the faith negatively, and I do cherish this realistic religious flourish.

This book is extremely detailed about Mile’s school life and classes. Miles is basically emo the whole novel, and half of the novel, it’s like you are taking the class assignments along with Miles and classmates. Peter Parker is not in this novel. Mile’s father, best friend, and the main superpowered villains know his secret identity. The uncle knew as well because it was partly his reason that Miles received the spider bite in the first place. Throughout the story, he constantly has flashbacks and premonitive dreams about his uncle’s death and weird stuff leading up to the confrontation with the villain.

I thought the villain was going to be a notable character in the Marvel universe, but I had no idea who this guy was. I think that he is an original villain crafted by Reynolds. There is no deep explanation of the villain. If I go by his book description, he’s basically a zombie version of Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederate States of America. Reading this book. I see that the author is trying to show the importance of education and trying to overcome obstacles in your path to success. He wants to show the social influences and war shaping America when it comes to helping and not hindering black youth.

There are no more than a dozen mild cuss words and less than a handful of Christ’s name taken in vain, although I had hoped that the language would have been cleaner. Also, there is some coarse talking and mild violence.
This book was okay, but I expected more action and less brooding from Miles and company, but there were a few funny moments.