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 Christian Fiction: Fantasy

The Realms Thereunder - The Ancient Earth Trilogy by Ross Lawhead A vague feeling of Gaiman’s Neverwhere, mixed with Tolkien, a sprig of Stephen Lawhead to flavour it and then throw in a touch of dichotomy as the feel of young adult material mixes in with high fantasy and a timescape crossover, would be my best description of this book. This is not to say that it’s not an enjoyable read, it is, but it doesn’t really feel like an original read. All along you constantly feel that you’ve perhaps been here before – a sense of reader’s déjà vu, and as it’s only book one of a trilogy it certainly doesn’t feel completed either. I do have to admit that it reads well, there is a pacing to the story and a feeling to the characters of Daniel, Freya and others that carries the book along well enough. You do find yourself wanting to know more of what’s going on, what’s happening. It’s a story about choices, faith, end times and the classic battle of good against evil that rages always just out of sight for the most part but nevertheless lurks there waiting. Review by Melanie Carroll  (20/02/12)

Vigilante by Robin Parrish Set not far in the future, in fact so not far in the future that it’s very easy to see today in it, Vigilante depicts a world gone bad, where the rich, corporations, the military, government and organized crime function in such a way that there seems no hope and where crime is the day to day currency. Into this steps Nolan, an acknowledged best of the best soldier who can no longer live where the innocent constantly pay the price for the guilty, and so he stages his death and becomes part James Bond, part Batman – an avenger, a vigilante, a person trying to put right wrongs. So Okay this might not be the most original story out there, it may even not be the best written one ever – although it’s a very long way from the worst written one – but it is nevertheless a fun adventure yarn with a moral point at the heart of it. Do we stand by and let evil and wrong continue or do we stand up and speak out, do we do nothing or do we act? That is the heart of the story, the question Parrish is ultimately trying to pose and it’s an important one wrapped up in a decent airplane holiday read piece of fiction. Review by Melanie Carroll  (09/02/12)

Edge of Apocalypse - The End Series by Tim LaHaye & Craig Parshall If you were a fan of the Left Behind series then you’re probably going to enjoy the latest pseudo thriller from Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall – full of veiled biblical prophecies, born again believers and an unremitting battle against the powers and principalities of darkness as we head towards the end of days. In terms of writing and story style it’s a regular alphabet soup and secret spy adventure thriller, think Matthew Reilly or Tom Clancy and you’re moving in the right stylistic arena, however add in a dash of Dan Brown or David Hewson for the prophecy fulfilment angle and you’re almost but not quite there. On the whole it’s a Christian thriller that is a good way to waste a few hours if you like thrillers and end of days fiction, the writing is not the best but by far not the worst, and the story carries itself along at a decent pace – however beware the ending, this is obviously meant to be another long running serialisation and so I was left feeling a little cheated by the ending. Review by Melanie Carroll  (16/01/12)

Phantastes - A Faerie Romance for Men and Women by George Macdonald Back in 2002 I wrote of the then new edition of this famous book - In recognition of the influence this book has had on authors such as C.S.Lewis and G.K.Chesterton, and the current interest in Tolkien’s Elven realms, SPCK has given us a chance to read this classic of adult fantasy writing. This edition, first published in the year of MacDonald’s death, is beautifully and appropriately illustrated by the pre-Raphaelite illustrator, Arthur Hughes. The story has a dream like quality that holds you entranced to the end. Suspend your modern practical thinking and indulge in a journey of pure imagination, you may find it rewarding. Now Hendrickson Publishers are the latest publishers to issue the same edition using the original layout and illustrations which this time have been tastefully hand coloured in soft pastel shades that I can imagine delighting Arthur Hughes. This is a book that was a pleasure to re-read. Review by Mary Bartholomew  (19/09/11)

I, Messiah by Donald Southey Kinky, quirky, provocative, thought provoking, amusing: these are only a few of the words that spring to mind in the course of reading Donald Southey's quite remarkable little book, I, Messiah. For him to write a story starring a robot with a soul was risky. He could all too easily have failed. He didn't. Sid, Southey's robot, is a wonderfully warm creation: wise, loving, loved ... and different. It is a difference that inevitably presents a threat to those who control the culture into which he was "born", so they "crucify" him by dismemberment. But, of course, Sid lives on in the lives, robotic and human, of those with whom he came into contact, just as Jesus lives on, and just, it is to be hoped, as the message of I Messiah will live on in all who read it in the years to come. It deserves a place in the best seller lists. Review by Bob Page  (06/08/11)

Screwtape Letters - Dramatization by C.S.Lewis adapted by Paul McCusker Four CDs plus a bonus DVD with behind the scenes video featurettes and surround sound mix of the entire programme. The dramatization works superbly, mainly due to the voice of Andy Serkis (Gollum of Lord of the Rings) as the senior devil. The other actors supporting his performance make the whole an exciting experience for those new to the book and for those who have read it time and time again. Faithfully following C.S.Lewis’ words, but with the other characters given voices and words too, I have nothing but admiration for this production. Geoffrey Palmer as C.S.Lewis is just right and Douglas Gresham’s contribution sheds light on ‘Jack’ and his work. I could have done without the songs on the fourth CD, but no doubt others will like them. Review by Mary Bartholomew  (24/11/09)

The Watchers by Mark Andrew Olsen
ISBN: 978-0-764-20468-5 Price: £7.99	Published: 01 April 2008
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The Warriors by Mark Andrew Olsen
ISBN: 978-0-764-20517-0 Price: £8.99	Published: 2008
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Holy War - The Battle for Mansoul by John Bunyan
ISBN: 978-1-845-50394-9 Price: £9.99	Published: November 2008
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The Shack - Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity by William P Young
ISBN: 978-0-340-97949-5 Price: £7.99	Published: 15 May 2007
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Relentless - Book One, Dominion Trilogy by Robin Parrish
ISBN: 978-0-764-20221-6 Price: £8.99	Published: 2006
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For One More Day by Mitch Albom
ISBN: 978-0-751-53750-5 Price: £6.99	Published: 06 September 2007
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House - The Only Way Out is In by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker
ISBN: 978-1-595-54156-7 Price: £9.99	Published: 2006
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The Tattoed Rats by Jerry B. Jenkins & John Perrodin
ISBN: 978-1-591-45541-7 Price: £8.99	Published: 2006
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The Wormwood File by Jim Forest
ISBN: 1-570-75554-X Price: £8.99	Published: Spring 2004
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Prophet by Frank E Peretti
ISBN: 1-856-84222-3 Price: £7.99	Published: 2004
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Soon by Jerry Jenkins
ISBN: 0-340-86248-3 Price: £9.99	Published: 20 November 2003
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The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
ISBN: 0-316-72661-3 Price: £12.99	Published: 25 September 2003
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The Holy War - by John Bunyan A modern English version by Thelma H. Jenkins
ISBN: 0-852-34267-5 Price: £5.95	Published: 2003
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Pilgrim's Progress - Hodder Classics by John Bunyan, Edited by Rhona Pipe
ISBN: 978-0-340-98015-6 Price: £7.99	Published: October 2009
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The Mark by Tim La Haye & Jerry B. Jenkins
ISBN: 0-842-33225-1 Price: £15.99
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The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
ISBN: 978-0-006-28060-6 Price: £7.99	Published: 2002
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Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis
ISBN: 0-006-28059-5 Price: £7.99
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Hind’s Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
ISBN: 0-860-65192-4 Price: £5.99
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