fantasy

Book Review: Looking for God in Harry Potter

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Looking for God in Harry Potter
Looking for God in Harry Potter by John Granger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this in-depth analysis of the Harry Potter books, specifically tying together classic Christian themes and symbols. The author has become an expert on Harry Potter and gives lectures at B&N University. He also has a degree in Classical Languages and Literature, so you know he really knows what he’s talking about!

At the time this was written, only the first 5 HP books had been published, so the author also speculates, sometimes with funny results, about what he thought might happen in the final two books. I wish that there were a newer edition of this with thoughts on the final books.

The book begins with a personal story about the author reading HP to his children, and tells how many people in Christian communities have bad-mouthed the books in the past. He addresses concerns some Christians might have about HP enticing children into actual witchcraft, and very thoroughly disproves that notion! He uses Scripture, classic story-telling tools, and quotes from HP to show how the HP books actually give a very clear picture of a Christian world, a loving God, and the everyman’s search for purity through Christ. Continue reading →

Book Review: The Slow Regard of Silent Things

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The Slow Regard of Silent Things
The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is such a beautifully weird book! In this novella (part of the KingKiller Chronicles), we follow Auri through a week in the tunnels of the Underthing, as she sets her vast home to rights, fixes leaky pipes so that no one comes down to repair them, and scrounges for food and necessities. She explores the tunnels and passages of the Underthing, discovering new rooms and hallways, and even ventures on to the Top of Things.

This is not a book for everyone. It’s very strange. It doesn’t follow a regular plot or have conflict or character development. But its sweetness is in the glimpses of brightness and dark, the silly wisdom of a girl hiding from the world and embracing it at the same time. Auri’s little story is charming and haunting and wild! Continue reading →

Book Review: Emlyn’s Moon

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Emlyn's Moon
Emlyn’s Moon by Jenny Nimmo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is utterly enchanting! I liked that instead of being told from Gwyn’s POV, as the first book was, this one is told from Nia’s perspective. Nia comes from a large family, where she feels inadequate as the middle child. But when she is called upon to reunite a broken family, she has to search deep within herself for the strength and talent that she’s always possessed. Nia helps Emlyn search for his lost mother, and with Gwyn’s magical help, they encounter adventure and mystery beyond the world they know. Continue reading →

Book Review: DragonSpell

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DragonSpell
DragonSpell by Donita K. Paul
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book so much! The magic and dragons and quests are just perfect, but the best parts are the spiritual themes and wisdom that run through the book. There is such a depth and beauty to the writing, and I was so pleased with the echoes of Christianity!

Kale is a young slave-girl who is mysteriously drawn to dragon’s eggs. She is sent on a quest to retrieve a valuable egg from an evil wizard, but her mission is not as straight-forward as it seems. Although she has help along the way, Kale is sometimes unsure whether she can trust her new friends, and tensions run high as the group learns to rely on one another in sticky situations. Continue reading →

Book Review: Twilight Tenth Anniversary/Life and Death Dual Edition

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Twilight Tenth Anniversary/Life and Death Dual Edition
Twilight Tenth Anniversary/Life and Death Dual Edition by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have always loved the Twilight series, and I don’t care what anyone says! Meyer’s writing always draws me in and holds my attention and my heart, and this book was no exception.

The story is almost exactly Twilight again, just with all the genders swapped. Most of the dialogue is the same with a few changes, and almost the entire story is copy and pasted from Twilight. The ending is changed, however, and I found that very interesting! I prefer the ending of Twilight, but seeing this “what if?” ending was like a little adventure into the possibilities of the imagination. I liked it! Continue reading →

Book Review: The War at Ellsmere

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The War at Ellsmere
The War at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I adore this graphic novel! Juniper is a scholarship student who attends a fancy girls boarding school. She makes friends (and enemies) on her very first day, and has to hold her own in the new more competitive learning climate. But there is also a mysterious legend about the old forest and whatever monster or myth might be lurking in its dark shadows.
I’m growing to love Faith Erin Hicks work! Her stories are interesting and surprising, and the artwork is just so beautiful! Continue reading →

Book Review: The Book of Merlyn

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The Book of Merlyn
The Book of Merlyn by T.H. White

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I remain unimpressed with the entire Once and Future King series. I love Arthurian legends, but I just can’t stomach all the stupid philosophy and the ramblings about nothing. If only White would just tell a story! But no, he has to go off on these rabbit trails of stupidity. Continue reading →