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‘The Chosen’ Creator Dallas Jenkins Responds to On-Set Pride Flag Criticism

Jenkins: “I don’t celebrate Pride Month. I don’t celebrate the pride flag. If I wore a shirt, it would probably say Humility on it, just because pride has gotten me in trouble.” · E. Stephen Burnett

The Little Mermaid’s Live-Action Remake Fares Better Than Critics Forecast

Some new songs may flounder, but Ariel’s voice and Triton’s character redeem the 2023 Disney film. · Marian Jacobs

Fantastical books for middle grade readers!

Best for older children ages 8–12
Hamelin Stoop: The Eagle, the Cave, and the Footbridge, Robert B. Sloan.
The Oasis King, Mark David Pullen
Bear Knight, James R. Hannibal
boys’ fiction · girls’ fiction · all fiction
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Top resources

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The Little Mermaid’s Live-Action Remake Fares Better Than Critics Forecast

Some new songs may flounder, but Ariel’s voice and Triton’s character redeem the 2023 Disney film. · Marian Jacobs

New books for teens + young adults

Best for readers ages 13–18—and beyond!
Hamelin Stoop: The Eagle, the Cave, and the Footbridge, Robert B. Sloan.
Radiant, Ashley Bustamante
Hunt for Eden's Star, D. J. Williams
young men’s · young women’s · all fiction
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Top resources

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165. How Does Science Fiction Help Us Escape Real-World Gravity? | with B. L. Dean

‘The Chosen’ Creator Dallas Jenkins Responds to On-Set Pride Flag Criticism

Jenkins: “I don’t celebrate Pride Month. I don’t celebrate the pride flag. If I wore a shirt, it would probably say Humility on it, just because pride has gotten me in trouble.” · E. Stephen Burnett

New fiction for adults

Challenging novels for wise readers 18 and up.
The Soul Mark, Jasmine Fisher
The Kingdom of Heaven, Evelyn M. Lewis
War of Torment, Ronie Kendig
men’s fiction · women’s fiction · all fiction
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Top resources

  • Even If We Like Fantasy and Sci-Fi, We Can Still Practice Accidental Legalism
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  • Engaging Fictional Violence in Our Real Worlds
  • Engaging That @&*% Our Stories Often Say

165. How Does Science Fiction Help Us Escape Real-World Gravity? | with B. L. Dean

‘The Chosen’ Creator Dallas Jenkins Responds to On-Set Pride Flag Criticism

Jenkins: “I don’t celebrate Pride Month. I don’t celebrate the pride flag. If I wore a shirt, it would probably say Humility on it, just because pride has gotten me in trouble.” · E. Stephen Burnett

Film, streaming, TV, video games

Help your kids engage their world for Christ!
Explore The Pop Culture Parent

Top resources

  • Let’s Not Excuse Movie and TV Porn For the Sake of ‘Redemptive’ Stories
  • Christians Can’t Consistently Blame Leftist Fiction While Pushing Our Own Propaganda

The Little Mermaid’s Live-Action Remake Fares Better Than Critics Forecast

Some new songs may flounder, but Ariel’s voice and Triton’s character redeem the 2023 Disney film. · Marian Jacobs

‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Hints at Redemption from Postmodern Pain

Marvel’s new space adventure is here to remind us of what the MCU used to be, with clear conflict and competent villains and no political preaching. · A. D. Sheehan
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Lorehaven helps fans of all ages explore fantastical stories for God’s glory. Find the newest fiction for young readers plus teens+YA and adults. Get articles and podcasts that engage the best Christian-made fantasy, sci-fi, and beyond. Subscribe free to join the Lorehaven Guild for monthly book quests!
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Thirty Questions for Critics of ‘The Chosen’ or Other Christian Creators Who Hire Heathens

Yes, we must judge any creative work with righteous judgment, but don’t strain at gnats while swallowing camels. · E. Stephen Burnett

Shazam Sequel Can’t Appease The Fans’ Fury

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Lorehaven helps fans of all ages explore fantastical stories for God’s glory. Find the newest fiction for young readers plus teens+YA and adults. Get articles and podcasts that engage the best Christian-made fantasy, sci-fi, and beyond. Subscribe free to join the Lorehaven Guild for monthly book quests!
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/ Library
Author:
Larry Paris
Ages:
adults
Genres:
fantasy
BookTags:
allegory darkness epic heroes light Seven Towers series
Publisher:
Indie published
Lorehaven may use referral links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
“Larry Paris’s novel is an ambitious work, filled with heroes battling various grotesque monsters.”
—Lorehaven review, winter 2019

The Darkened Land

In a land of darkness, seven people defend one of the seven cities of light against the forces of darkness.
Larry Paris · April 2019 · No comments · fantasy for adults

In a land of perpetual darkness, the city of Agapay stands as a beacon of light in the midst of a raging war. Lachlaniel has never known the light until a man with one of the King’s light-giving stones passes by. Dazzled by the wonders, beauty and gifts it bestows, Lachlaniel leaves Fairvale to find a stone. Accompanied by a friend and aided by some of the King’s finest warriors, Lachlaniel makes his way to Agapay pursued by the creatures of darkness. His quest has roused the enemy unleashing a flood of terror and destruction. The Great City is in peril. Can Lachlaniel obtain a stone before the forces of evil engulf the city? Can he and his friends turn the tide of destruction, or will the light fail and the defenders succumb to the legions of darkness?

Book 1 of the Seven Towers series.

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Review of The Darkened Land

Larry Paris’s novel is an ambitious work, filled with heroes battling various grotesque monsters.
Lorehaven Review Team, winter 2019

Much like The Pilgrim’s Progress, The Darkened Land begins with a conversion journey, but then takes a The Lord of the Rings–style turn as an army of evil creatures lay siege to a city of good people. Larry Paris’s novel is an ambitious work, filled with heroes battling various grotesque monsters. But these heroes, rather than being paragons of perfection, exhibit struggles typical of real people. The story seems to falter upon a few cumbersome devices, such as a trans-dimensional “closet” that characters must enter when they pray, and the titular gloom, which seems to cause darkness or blindness that keeps heroes from seeing. Despite these potential fumbles in the dark, however, the story possesses a good heart.

Best for: Older teens and adults.

Discern: Some allegorical parallels to evangelical practices, such as “prayer closets,” and at least one scene with a character promised a kind of spiritual elitism.

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Lorehaven helps fans of all ages explore fantastical stories for God’s glory. Find the newest fiction for young readers plus teens+YA and adults. Get articles and podcasts that engage the best Christian-made fantasy, sci-fi, and beyond. Subscribe free to join the Lorehaven Guild for monthly book quests!
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