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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‘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
Lorehaven Guild · Book Quests · subscribe

Top resources

  • Try These Three Practical Questions to Discern Fictional Magic
  • How Do We Discern Good and Bad ‘Magic’?
  • Three Fantastical Christian Stories to Help Your Kids Head Back to School
  • The Death and Rebirth of Magic in Children's Fantasy

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
Lorehaven Guild · Book Quests · subscribe

Top resources

  • Beware the Real Danger of Entertainment
  • Christian-Made Fantasy Can Shine Light in the Grimdark
  • How to Disciple Your Kids with Dangeous Books
  • How Reading Epic Fantasy Helps Me Be Brave
  • Engaging Fictional Violence in Our Real Worlds
  • Engaging That @&*% Our Stories Often Say

‘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
articles · podcast · reviews · subscribe

Top resources

  • Even If We Like Fantasy and Sci-Fi, We Can Still Practice Accidental Legalism
  • How God Uses Story Villains for Our Good
  • Sensual Scenes in Fiction Pose Unique Temptations for Women
  • Stories With Bad Ideas Can Still Help Us Grow
  • Engaging Fictional Violence in Our Real Worlds
  • Engaging That @&*% Our Stories Often Say

‘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!
Crew manifest Faith statement FAQs
All author resources Lorehaven Guild Subscribe for free

Share your novel with new fans!

Lorehaven is reaching Christian fans, homeschool families, church influencers, and cultural conservatives.

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

More fans want superhero stories to act their age, connect with a larger world, and respect metahuman virtues. · E. Stephen Burnett

Find new gifts for Christian fans

Lorehaven print issues (2018–2020)

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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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/ Magazines / Summer 2020

Captain’s Log

During traumatic times, we need truthful stories to help us heal.
E. Stephen Burnett | No comments

In a world that groans because of sin, people are talking more about trauma. But less often do we consider our need for truth-based stories to help us seek healing.

People suffer trauma from their choices or others’ abuse, or from our sick world.

Alas, some may wear trauma like chic fashion. Others try to weaponize their sense of trauma to go on a vengeance quest. Or at best, they may fall into forming hero complexes, supposing they can cope with trauma by gaining power to help others.

Presuming the trauma is real, all these responses to it are fake. They don’t identify the sin under which the Earth groans (Romans 8:22). They don’t lead to real healing.

Only in the gospel can we confront trauma. This calls for careful counsel, best if done by trained and loving Christians in local churches. (Of course, some churches mishandle trauma, such as by acting like depression is solely a spiritual problem.)

We can also find well-crafted fiction to help us cope with trauma and seek healing.

Some fans prefer darker, complex stories about trauma. For example, I infamously enjoy the “nobledark” DC films (now including Zack Snyder’s Justice League, releasing in 2021!). These stories use deep themes and grayer areas to simulate suffering. They may help us face hard times, and often include reflected promises of light.

Others of us need lighter, simpler stories with clearer happy endings. Fantasy fans often scoff at such “sentimentalist” Christian fiction. But we can’t deny our reality, in which the people who suffer the worst often prefer the “cheesiest” social dramas.

Still others—I’d group myself here—prefer each type, depending on the struggle.

On some days, I need to watch, say, the anime Attack on Titan, to remind myself that “This world is cruel and merciless, but it is also very beautiful.” On other days, I opt for a lighter comedy, and remind myself that it’s okay to retreat—not away from all reality, but to the happier sides of reality that are just as realistic as the trauma.

Either way, if we are seeking true healing in Jesus, rather than indulging in despair or escapism, these stories can help us cope in ways that help us and glorify Jesus.

Here’s hoping this issue’s reviewed novels not only bring you joy, but help you heal.

E. Stephen Burnett creates sci-fi and fantasy novels as well as nonfiction, exploring fantastical stories for God’s glory as publisher of Lorehaven.com with its Fantastical Truth podcast. As the oldest of six, he enjoys connecting with his homeschool roots by speaking at conferences for Christian families and creators. Stephen is coauthor of The Pop Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage Their World for Christ from New Growth Press. He and his wife, Lacy, live in the Austin area, where they serve as members of Faith Baptist Church.
Website | Facebook | Twitter |
E. Stephen Burnett
E. Stephen Burnett creates sci-fi and fantasy novels as well as nonfiction, exploring fantastical stories for God’s glory as publisher of Lorehaven.com with its Fantastical Truth podcast. As the oldest of six, he enjoys connecting with his homeschool roots by speaking at conferences for Christian families and creators. Stephen is coauthor of The Pop Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage Their World for Christ from New Growth Press. He and his wife, Lacy, live in the Austin area, where they serve as members of Faith Baptist Church.
Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter

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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!
Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter