Christian Fantasy – A Love So Wordy

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 R. 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!

Title: The Silver Hand
Series: The Song of Albion
Serial: Book 2
Author: Stephen R. 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.

Title: The Endless Knot
Series: The Song of Albion
Serial: Book 3
Author: Stephen R. 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.

A Review of The Seeker’s Trilogy

I realized that The Twilight Saga is the only fantasy series that I have completed so I decided to find others to read. I was searching for a series without a dark setting, lots of details, and tons of pages. I decided to try this Christian fantasy trilogy.

Title: Seeker’s Call
Series: Seeker’s Trilogy
Serial: Book 1
Author: Cassandra Boyson
Published by Kingdom House Press
Year: 2014
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 334
Language: English
ASIN: B00RDGG30U
Dates Read May 4 to May 12 2022

The protagonist is a young girl named Iviana who lived with her guardian until she passed. They lived as outcasts, and now, she has left the village to discover the world. She meets a dragon and her destiny ensues. She meets several intriguing characters throughout the novel. When the dragon takes her to another realm, a breathtakingly beautiful place full of islands, several mysteries are eventually revealed. The way her questions are initially ignored by the islanders builds suspense; the readers keep trying to figure out the mystery surrounding her, other characters, and the newfound realm. In the novel, a big backstory is revealed about her ancestors, the sorceress, and a war with great dragons. Honestly, this tale of the past was so interesting to read and full of action that I wished it was a book of its own. For the “magic system” the Great One anoints individuals with certain gifts such as super strength, breathing underwater, speaking things into being, healing, etc. The novel has a very Old Testament feel and Charismatic perspective. To me, Iviana is a “Moses” or “prophet” figure. Most people have one gift but Iviana discovers she has three by the end of this novel.

Title: Seeker’s Quest
Series: Seeker’s Trilogy
Serial: Book 2
Author: Cassandra Boyson
Published by Kingdom House Press
Year: 2015
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 302
Language: English
ASIN: B012BJ9QZM
Dates Read May 13 to May 21 2022

The next book starts near the end of the first book. Iviana returns to the islands and is tasked with seeking a mysterious parchment. Her newfound friends decide to go with her on this quest. Eventually she discovers the lost city of Atlantyss which is a city thriving under the ocean where knowledge flourishes. It was sunk by the Great One years ago and its people are waiting for the Chosen One to return. This is such an innovative spin on the Atlantis legend. There, she makes new friends. She finds herself reading an untitled book about a cool guy performing miracles. Later, she has a “dream-otherworldly journey” about this same guy who she learns is the Anointed One and the Great One’s friend. It takes place at his crucifixion; Iviana is distraught that the Great One allows this to happen, and she really struggles with her trust in Him awhile. Although this series is considered Christian fantasy, and it definitely has strong biblical themes, I did not know that the author was going to put the actual the Christian story into the novel, especially since the setting is so fantastical with dragons, etc. By the end of the novel, the gospel message is revealed, and it actually works well with the fantasy setting.

Title: Seeker’s Revolution
Series: Seeker’s Trilogy
Serial: Book 3
Author: Cassandra Boyson
Published by Kingdom House Press
Year: 2016
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 336
Language: English
ASIN: B012BJ9QZM
Dates Read May 21 to 28 2022

This book continues after the events of the previous one. Iviana and her friends carried the gospel message to the islands and of course, the reaction is similar to the tribes of Israel during Christ’s day. While the realms of islands are absolutely stunning with natural beauty, there are dirty things going on with the leadership. A lot of other gifts are discovered. Apparently, Iviana is given several more by the end of the novel. There’s a new character who shares the main stage with Iviana…The ending of the trilogy is good, yet you know Iviana and friends still have a lot of work to do.

Overall Impressions with Mild Spoilers
The books are likable and positive. If someone were looking for Christian fantasy or clean fantasy for the age range of 11 to 18, I would recommend it. I had difficulty discerning the ages of some of the characters. Iviana and company would seem around 14 at times, 18 at others. It was hard to believe that Leilyn was of marriageable age considering how immature and silly she acted. I kept forgetting that Marquen was under 30 because usually, wise hermits with powers are portrayed as 50 or older so kudos to the author for breaking this stereotype. I thought that the side character Laurel’s betrothal in the first book was kind of random, but she and her husband end up playing a bigger role in the second book. I love how Iviana finds love and acceptance from the Great One and also others by the end of the series. The major characters have nice endings. Sometimes, to me, the dialogue was a bit silly. Also, I wanted more action scenes and less talking and pondering. There were a few typos. The series is inundated with romance. Her various friends date, get engaged, marry but she does not. She has no interest right now and she is busy living her best life for the Great One and doing adventures, etc. At one point, she actually considers trying to force an interest in this rich lord only because other people are pushing her towards him. However, he ends up being a villain so she’s glad she didn’t fall for him. It is actually pretty cool to have a strong female main character without a romantic element. However, her future daughter visits her in the final novel so you know she probably does marry eventually. It is never said whether Flynn restores his engagement with the other island girl at the end of the novel, so I wonder if the author is hinting that he and Iviana will become a couple. It’s not alluded to whether she romantically likes any of her single friends at the end of the book. Anyway, If this is the author’s debut trilogy, she will only improve. Moreover, I enjoyed the author’s note about operating in God’s gifts.