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Nomad
Reviews | Lorehaven Review Team on Mar 5, 2021

Legend of the Storm Sneezer
Reviews | Lorehaven Review Team on Mar 5, 2021

53. How Can Christian Fans React When Fantasy Creators Get Cancelled? Part 1
Podcast | Fantastical Truth on Mar 2, 2021

My Novel ‘The Mermaid’s Sister’ Arose from True Depths of Mourning
Articles | Carrie Anne Noble on Mar 1, 2021

The Icarus Aftermath
Reviews | Lorehaven Review Team on Feb 26, 2021

My Screenwriter Mom Introduced Me to Fantastic Sci-Fi in the 1960s
Articles | Jason William Karpf on Feb 25, 2021

52. Do Christians Really Need Science Fiction? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 3
Podcast | Lorehaven on Feb 23, 2021

Join Our March 11 Livestream Exploring Christian Reactions to Fandom Cancel Culture
News | Lorehaven on Feb 22, 2021

The Hourglass and the Darkness
Reviews | Lorehaven Review Team on Feb 19, 2021

Venus is More Than Just a Love Goddess
Articles | Shannon Stewart on Feb 18, 2021

Introducing Fantasy Enthusiast and New Lorehaven Writer Shannon Stewart
News | Lorehaven on Feb 17, 2021

Stories with Bad Ideas Can Still Help Us Grow
Articles | L.G. McCary on Feb 15, 2021

Gretchen and the Bear
Reviews | Lorehaven Review Team on Feb 12, 2021

The Mandalorian is a Religious Fundamentalist, and Here’s Why That’s Awesome
Articles | Josiah DeGraaf on Feb 11, 2021

Introducing Fantasy Creator and New Lorehaven Writer Josiah DeGraaf
News | Lorehaven on Feb 10, 2021

51. Do Christians Really Need Fantasy? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 2
Podcast | Fantastical Truth on Feb 9, 2021

The Death and Rebirth of Magic in Children’s Fantasy
Articles | R. J. Anderson on Feb 8, 2021

Torch
Reviews | Lorehaven Review Team on Feb 5, 2021

Fictional Magic Systems Can Go Beyond Rules and Reveal Deeper Characters
Articles | Elijah David on Feb 4, 2021

How God Uses Story Villains for Our Good
Articles | Zackary Russell on Feb 3, 2021

Introducing Sci-Fi Creator and New Lorehaven Writer Zackary Russell
News | Lorehaven on Feb 2, 2021

50. Do Christians Really Need Fiction? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 1
Podcast | Fantastical Truth on Feb 2, 2021

Frank E. Peretti to Give Keynote Address at Realm Makers Writers Conference This July
News | E. Stephen Burnett on Feb 1, 2021

Fugue for the Sacred Songbook: In Eb Minor
Reviews | Lorehaven Review Team on Jan 29, 2021

How A Year Without Superhero Films Rebooted Our Universe
Articles | Jason Joyner on Jan 28, 2021

New Book ‘Reading Evangelicals’ Will Focus on Famous Christian Fiction
News | E. Stephen Burnett on Jan 27, 2021

Introducing Superhero Novelist and New Lorehaven Writer Jason C. Joyner
News | Lorehaven on Jan 27, 2021

49. How Can We ‘Terraform’ the Church to Enjoy Fantastic Fiction?
Podcast | Fantastical Truth on Jan 26, 2021

Militant Secularism Could Force Christians to Create New Subcultures
Articles | Mike Duran on Jan 25, 2021

Flight of the Raven
Reviews | Lorehaven Review Team on Jan 22, 2021

Library

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The Mermaid's Sister, Carrie Anne Noble
Etania's Worth, M. H. Elrich
Cinderella Spell, Laurie Lee
When Desperate Measures Are All You Have Left, J. C. Morrows
Fractures, James C. Joyner
Torch, R. J. Anderson
The Terran Summit, Anna Zogg
The Xerxes Factor, Anna Zogg
The Paradise Protocol, Anna Zogg
The Awakened, Richard Spillman
The Ascension, Richard Spillman
Love's Sacrifice, Kelsey Norman
Unbroken Spirit, Kelsey Norman
Seed: Judgment, Joshua David
Reviews

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Nomad
“R. J. Anderson’s fantasy Nomad is a rollicking read with fascinating conflicts and plot twists.”
—Lorehaven on Mar 5, 2021

Legend of the Storm Sneezer
“Teen readers fond of lengthy, lighthearted ghost-and-zombie tales will enjoy Legend of the Storm Sneezer by Kristiana Sfirlea.”
—Lorehaven on Mar 5, 2021

The Icarus Aftermath
“Arielle M. Bailey’s The Icarus Aftermath spins a golden yarn of vivid characters and gripping emotion, set in a world ripe for exploration.”
—Lorehaven on Feb 26, 2021

The Hourglass and the Darkness
“Kyle L. Elliott’s novel The Hourglass and the Darkness posits a world before the great Flood, starting a promising series.”
—Lorehaven on Feb 19, 2021

Podcast

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53. How Can Christian Fans React When Fantasy Creators Get Cancelled? Part 1
Fantastical Truth, Mar 2, 2021

52. Do Christians Really Need Science Fiction? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 3
Fantastical Truth, Feb 23, 2021

51. Do Christians Really Need Fantasy? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 2
Fantastical Truth, Feb 9, 2021

50. Do Christians Really Need Fiction? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 1
Fantastical Truth, Feb 2, 2021

Webzine

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SpecFaith

The original SpecFaith: est. 2006

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The Fantastical Elements of Romantic Fiction, part 2
Parker J. Cole, Mar 4

Settling the Solar System in Science Fiction, part 3: the Moon
Travis Perry, Feb 24

The Fantastical Elements of Romantic Fiction, part 1
Parker J. Cole, Feb 17

Settling the Solar System in Science Fiction, part 2: Venus
Travis Perry, Feb 11

Beyond

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Explore the book The Pop Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage Their World for Christ

Does ‘Engaging Popular Culture’ Include Right-Wing Talk Radio?
E. Stephen Burnett, Oct 9

Join My Livestream This Thursday: Seven Ways to Find Truth in Fantastic Stories
E. Stephen Burnett, Oct 6

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Lorehaven serves Christian fans by finding the best of Christian fantasy. Our free webzine, an online library, positive reviews, a thriving blog and community, and weekly podcast episodes help fans explore fantasy, science fiction, and other fantastical genres for the glory of Jesus Christ.
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Book Reviews

Lorehaven reviews eight Christian-made, fantastical, published novels.
Lorehaven Review Team | 1 comment

The Alien's Daughter, JC MorrowsThe Alien’s Daughter

Teens often feel alienated from their parents. But what if your parent was an alien? The Alien’s Daughter by JC Morrows explores that question, opening with a single significant event: blue-haired Zoe’s discovery that her dad is an extraterrestrial. This not only explains her strange and recently developed powers, but also helps her understand why her dad wavers between friendliness and hostility. Although this development may not match some readers’ normal experience, The Alien’s Daughter presents an intriguing take on how an alien could blend in with earthlings. This novel-length tale is more of an extended short story about discovery, and values emotion over action. Subsequent installments in the series are sure to uncover more half-alien predicaments for Zoe to confront.

Best for: Teens looking for an emotional ride.

Discern: A Christian worldview is neither clearly seen nor ruled out.

Going Back Cold, Kelley Rose WallerGoing Back Cold

Coldness can numb every hurt except heartache, as seen in Kelley Rose Waller’s Going Back Cold, which sets a mother’s bitter struggle with stillbirth against the backdrop of cutting-edge scientific research in Antarctica. When Dr. Jane Whyse’s experimentation with faster-than-light technology discloses the possibility of time travel, her grief forces her to grapple with the implications of altering the past. If she can go back, should she? Though this novel’s prose plods at times, its story is driven by both inner and interpersonal conflict. Jane’s cramped and isolated environment forces her to confront opposing opinions, deal with antagonistic personalities, and contrast her loss with a fellow crew member’s prior abortion. But is her real adversary the God who allowed death to freeze her soul?

Best for: Adults; fans of hard science fiction.

Discern: Traumatic depictions of miscarriage and postpartum depression; some vulgarity; frequent sexual innuendo.

Prelude and Abduction in A Minor, Keith A. RobinsonPrelude and Abduction: in A Minor

Music may have the power to move us metaphorically, but in Prelude and Abduction: in A Minor music also has the power to move people literally, as well as to do other magical things. Keith A. Robinson’s sci-fi/fantasy gives Maestros, from various races across the galaxy, the musical ability to create portals from one place to another, change the form of matter, and control wind and other elements. The story uniquely features no human characters and depicts unfallen races interacting with people from fallen races. The main character, Khalen, is believably imperfect: he struggles to control his temper and deals poorly with his own past. Prelude and Abduction strikes up a distinctive melody in the key of Star Wars by providing music-based powers to alien races in conflict.

Best for: Young adults and adults, sci-fi fans.

Discern: Some fantasy concepts, such as an enormous flow of continuous musical energy connecting every solar system, and musical skills allowing someone to manipulate that energy.

Romanov, Nadine BrandesRomanov

Like a Russian nesting doll, Nadine Brandes’s Romanov contains layers of unexpected meaning. Cased in history, Romanov tells the story of Anastasia Romanov, or Nastya, exiled with her family after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. With her spell master gone and magic outlawed under the Bolsheviks, Nastya can do little to ease her brother Alexei’s secret hemophilia. Complicating matters further, Nastya begins to develop an attachment for one of the soldiers imprisoning her family. When the ultimate betrayal falls upon them, Nastya must put her wits, her faith, and her heart to the test. Can she follow her father’s admonition to forgive her enemies? Or will her heart become as hard and empty as a Matryoshka doll? Wrapping history in layers of humanity and magic, Romanov brings the captivating story of Anastasia to life in a new and vivid way.

Best for: Fans of Nadine Brandes and historical fiction as well as slow-burning, character-driven stories.

Discern: Some romantic tension and rumors of adultery; multiple scenes of violence and references to assassination, execution, and murder; one character is shown drinking heavily in most of his appearances; references to Jesus, the Bible, and prayer throughout.

Shard & Shield, Laura VanArendonk BaughShard & Shield

A shield is good to have, especially if it prevents an alien race from infiltrating your world and wreaking death and destruction. It is also highly inconvenient to lose. But when people are forced to wield new weapons, sometimes they surprise themselves. Laura VanArendonk Baugh’s Shard & Shield pursues classic fantasy visions of magic, alien creatures, and troublesome royalty. Its alien Ryuven are well-crafted, and similar enough to humans for empathy and dissimilar enough to be interesting. The story explores a variety of relationships. Romance has its place, but so do friendship and familial bonds. Due to such loves, two heroes commit a crime that irrevocably harms innocents, but the story never reckons with this severe offense and engineers a deception to help them escape punishment. Still, Shard & Shield will intrigue readers with its world-building and complex relationships.

Best for: Fans of fantasy and character-driven fiction.

Discern: Several fights, all on a limited scale; abuse and cruel punishment is inflicted on slaves, prisoners, and an adolescent boy; one scene depicts a character deliberately arousing another; someone attempts to pressure an unwilling subordinate into sexual relations; some language, mostly mild.

The Story Raider, Lindsay A. FranklinThe Story Raider

In this brilliant sequel to The Story Peddler, Lindsay Franklin spins the tale of Tanwen and the Corsyth Weavers as they travel the world in search of a cure to the curse that’s slowly killing a member of their company. But Tanwen has a secret—the curse has begun to afflict her as well. Meanwhile, Queen Braith attempts to restore order to Tir, but the puppet master who helped Braith’s father rise to power has a plan to regain control that includes hunting Tanwen and the Weavers and inciting riots amongst the Tirian peasants, putting everyone Tanwen loves at risk. More adventure, higher stakes, and betrayal at every turn make The Story Raider a sequel that exceeds expectations and will leave readers begging for the final story.

Best for: Anyone who enjoys adventure and intrigue in a compelling fantasy.

Discern: Violence and some references to sexual assault.

The Treasure of Capric, Brandon M. WilbornThe Treasure of Capric

When a sacred treasure goes missing from its vault on Capric Hill, the monks sworn to protect it mount a recovery mission. But as they venture farther from home, they’re faced with the fact that their brotherhood shares culpability for the land’s barrenness. With The Treasure of Capric, first installment in the King of the Caves series, Brandon M. Wilborn blends Brother Cadfael with Prince Caspian to conjure a complex, lived-in world populated by fully realized characters. Novices Kurian, Rhys, and Tobin must fight, sneak, and negotiate their way across a derelict and usurped kingdom. But is the outlaw they pursue a dire threat or their only hope of restoration? Biblical allusions flourish without intruding, and, though the plot may grow too convenient toward the end, the story manages to capture a precious treasure indeed: a fantastical feeling of genuine awe.

Best for: Older teens and adults seeking traditional fantasy with vivid worlds and thematic depth.

Discern: Strong bloody violence, mild profanity, some sexual situations involving witches and sirens.

To Ashes We Run, Just B. JordanTo Ashes We Run

Dieon wanted two things: a home and peace. It proved difficult to build a home, and harder yet to stay there. Peace was even more elusive, especially after the Twisted Idzihar—the traitorous lord of spirits—broke into time and then into Dieon’s body. With To Ashes We Run, Just B. Jordan spins a vibrant and complex story. Commerce, culture, and climate add shades of realism to this fantasy world, while ancient lore and otherworldly creatures strike mystic notes. A deep sense of the goodness, follies, and suffering of the characters pulses through the narrative. The timespan of the novel is measured in years, and the needless repetition of known facts occasionally slows the pace. Still, To Ashes We Run is a rich and heartfelt fantasy, crafted with imagination and care.

Best for: Adult readers and fantasy fans.

Discern: Violence, including murder and one gladiator fight; several characters die gruesomely; two incidents of mass slaughter, mostly non-explicit; two instances of self-mutilation; a small child dies from animal venom.

Lorehaven finds the best of Christian fantasy, by reviewing Christian-made, fantastical, published novels. Learn more about our reviews and reviewers.
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Lorehaven Review Team
Lorehaven finds the best of Christian fantasy, by reviewing Christian-made, fantastical, published novels. Learn more about our reviews and reviewers.
Website | Facebook | Twitter |

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  1. Speculative Faith | Shields Among Us says:
    November 22, 2019 at 9:11 am

    […] Read the complete review in Lorehaven magazine’s fall 2019 issue. […]

    Reply

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