NEW SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY REVIEWS: April 2013

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The Trials and Tribulations of a Telepathic Crime Solver -- Review of "Sharp, Book 2 of Mind Investigations" by Alex Hughes

NEW   SCIENCE   FICTION   AND   FANTASY   REVIEWS

Reviews  Of  Recently  Published  Science  Fiction  And  Fantasy  Books

Reviewer:  Forrest Schultz   schultz_forrest@yahoo.com   770-583-3258

Blog  Address:  http://newsciencefictionandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com 

April 9, 2013

The Trials and Tribulations of a Telepathic Crime Solver

A review of

Alex Hughes Sharp, Book 2 of Mind Investigations (NY: ROC -- Penguin Group, 2013

352 pp $7.99 ISBN 978-0-451-46504-7 ISBN-10: 0-451-46504

[Mass Market Paperback]

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

Solving the crime and catching the criminals is more difficult for Adam the Telepath in this second episode than it was in the first episode, Clean. And the telepathic and telekinetic techniques used in this one are more sophisticated and dangerous than before. The climactic battle between Adam (plus his telepathic allies) versus the telepathic criminals is what I would call the dark urban paranormal science fiction version of an extreme martial arts contest. In my review of Book 1, I used the genre designation of dark urban fantasy minus the werewolves and vampires and dragons. I now believe that it is better to regard this story as paranormal science fiction in a "dark urban" setting. And the sf is neither "hard" nor "opera" but an engineering or technological version of hard rather than a science version of hard. By this I mean that there is discussion of the techniques employed in the telepathy and telekinesis but this remains at the practical engineering kind of level rather than the deep scientific level found in hard sf.

As with the first book, the characters are well drawn and interesting, and the story is intriguing, so as to make a good read, especially if you like criminal suspense and paranormal phenomena such as mental telepathy and teleportation. For those who like to ponder various dystopian near futures, the one presented here is intriguing and thought-provoking, so that the story is a good read for that as well, although I do not believe that is the author's main emphasis. Since most of the action takes place in Atlanta, it will be especially meaningful for those of us who live in or near Atlanta, but I believe that those who live elsewhere can appreciate it just as well. I recommend these Mind Investigations books and am grateful for the addition of this talented writer to the Atlanta and Southside scenes.

Information on the author is available at http://www.ahugheswriter.com/

Alex Hughes Launches Telepathic Criminal Suspense Series -- Review of her "Clean: A Mindspace Investigations Novel"

NEW   SCIENCE   FICTION   AND   FANTASY   REVIEWS

Reviews  Of  Recently  Published  Science  Fiction  And  Fantasy  Books

Reviewer:  Forrest Schultz   schultz_forrest@yahoo.com   770-583-3258

Blog  Address:  http://newsciencefictionandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com 

March 27, 2013

Alex Hughes Launches Telepathic Criminal Suspense Series

A Review of

Alex Hughes Clean: A Mindspace Investigations Novel (ROC -- New American Library, 2012)

$7.99 352 pp ISBN-10: 0451464753 ISBN-13: 978-0451464750

[Mass Market Paperback]

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

In recent years the Emerging Writers Showcase conducted by the Fayette County Public Library has introduced quite a few newly published book authors to the Southside. One of the authors who surfaced at its latest Showcase (on March 23) is Alex Hughes, who is writing a series of "Mindspace Investigations" novels, the first of which, Clean, is the book under review here. The second in the series, Sharp, has been written and is expected to be published next month. These stories are crime thrillers which take place in a dystopian Atlanta in the not too distant future in which many people have telepathic and teleportative abilities: so many, in fact, that they are organized into a Guild. Since very little is said concerning the theoretical basis for these paranormal abilities, I am inclined to regard the stories as fantasy rather than science fiction, but I am not comforable with this designation because other than the tele-abilities, there are no features of the story which are usually characteristic of fantasies. It might be considered as dark urban fantasy minus the werewolves, vampires, dragons, etc.

Like many novels, this one is narrated by the main character but this one is very different in that we do not learn his name until the very last paragraph! His tele-abilities are crucial for understanding his psychological problems and the role he plays in assisting the police in their efforts to identify and catch a notorious serial killer. Interwoven with this is the romance which develops between him and a police officer, his efforts not to lapse back into drug addiction, and his strained relations with the Guild. If you like criminal suspense and if you do not mind a story involving telepathy and teleportation, then I highly recommend this one as a good read.

Information on the author is available on her website http://www.ahugheswriter.com/

Screwtape For The Twenty-First Century -- Review of Richard Platt's "As One Devil To Another"

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Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

Blog Address: http://newsciencefictionandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com

April 16, 2012

Screwtape For The Twenty-First Century

A review of

Richard Platt As One Devil To Another (Tyndale House Publishers, 2012)

208 pp $15.99 ISBN-10: 1414371667 ISBN-13: 978-1414371665

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

C. S. Lewis, who excelled as an author in various forms of literature, wrote one of the best satires of all time -- The Screwtape Letters, in which a senior devil advises a junior devil in the techniques of tempting humans. The book under review here is an update of Screwtape for our time. The theology and style are the same and most of what is satirized is the same. The difference is the inclusion of such modern phenomena as television, computers, silicone implants, and deconstruction. Platt does not provide his senior devil with a name as memorable as Screwtape and the ending of his book is not as good as Lewis's "Screwtape Proposes A Toast" but otherwise, as Walter Hooper says, "it reads as if Lewis himself had written it".

Hooper, who for a long time now has been the top authority on Lewis, wrote the Preface to the book, which includes this plaudit. I join him in recommending Platt's book to any reader who enjoys well written sophisticated satire in the tradition of C. S. Lewis. It is remarkable that Platt, like Lewis, is able to communicate so much of God's greatness and love as well as warnings aganst sin in this literary medium. And even in those discussions where the reader may not agree with all that is said, e.g. about computers, he will find find the writing to be thought-provoking. It is by no means stodgy, though, and some of it is downright silly, such as Hell's University being called "Tempt U.". This is a treat you will definitely want to add to your library.

Clifford Leigh's "The Wordsmith, The Kid, and The Electrolux" Reviewed by Cathi Hassan

NEW SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY REVIEWS

Reviews Of Recently Published Science Fiction And Fantasy Books

Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

Blog Address: http://newsciencefictionandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com

This is a Guest Review by Cathi Hassan on her blog Cathi's Chatter,
http://cathischatter.blospot.com/2010/01/wordsmith-kid-and-electrolux-huh-what.html

Cliff's blog address is www.cliffleigh.com/WKEBlog.html

I made a few comments about this intriguing book on my Van Til Tool blog (http://vantiltool.blogspot.com) but I never got around to doing a review of it.

Sincerely,

Forrest

Monday, January 4, 2010

The Wordsmith, the Kid and the Electrolux---Huh?? The What?

Many of you may have never heard of an Electrolux, so right away the title may strike you as odd. Even knowing what an Electrolux is (a brand of vacuum cleaner), I thought the title was odd. One thing for sure, though, it got my attention. What possible connection could there be? What does it mean?

As it turns out, there is a very strong connection, a very meaningful connection, but it isn't really apparent for a while. Before I actually found out how the Electrolux figured into the story, though, I was already well engrossed in it.

Clifford Leigh's wild fantasy reminds me of Alice in Wonderland in many ways, including the long fall down the rabbit hole. In The Wordsmith, the Kid and the Electrolux, the fall is into a picture in a box and roughly bumping down the branches of a humongous tree. The protagonist of the story meets a number of unusual people in this new place he's fallen into and finds himself in all kinds of difficult and weird situations. It's a world full of living pictures, framed ones, and the people choose whether or not to enter various photos. It seems that at least part of these images are connected with certain people and events running in and out. Corey, the main character, just kind of meanders along and finds himself following twins Benjamin and Ben Endben, who are total opposites in personality and behavior, and yet...well, you'll see if you read the book. Benjamin seems to be the spiritual and ethical brother, but he's always rubbing people the wrong way. He shows everyone these pictures that seem to have special meaning. Most people get annoyed, but a few have an 'aha' moment that changes them. Corey doesn't understand as Benjamin seems to speak in riddles (or parables), yet he is drawn to the strange boy and his pictures. They end up getting in a lot of trouble when...well, again, you need to read the book.

The book takes a while getting to the fall into the box and down the tree, but it's necessary in order to build the back story. Corian "Corey" Griffin is a very selfish boy who doesn't really care for his parents or little sister except for what they can do for him. He starts stealing money from his father's change box so that he can get instant gratification with an ice cream fix. He is oblivious to the family situation, and when his father has to leave home in order to get a job to support the family, Corey's only concern is that his money source won't be replenished. It all comes to a head when the box no longer contains any quarters, and Corey is afraid of being found out. Then the Electrolux starts acting up, and Corey takes off for the adventure of his life.

The main reason I liken this book to Alice in Wonderland is because it is so much more than it seems. With a young boy as a protagonist and a story around his bad behavior and family relationship, it appears to be a middle-grade fantasy. Just like Alice, though, this is quite deceptive. The symbolism and truths that unfold are definitely adult level in a tale with deep corners. I think a younger person can appreciate one level, a teenager another, and adults yet another level. I guess it's kind of like C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia in that way. As you might predict, Corey's relationship with his family will change, but more importantly, he comes to terms with another Father and the Son as well. I don't want to give too much away, but I was awestruck by the way Leigh explains Jesus' sacrifice and so much more.

I'll have more to say about this book later on this week. Granted, it's a bit odd, but if you take a chance on reading it, it will be well worth your while, whether you're 11 or 41.

I received a review copy of this book free for review purposes, but I never recommend a book or give a good review unless I honestly mean it. And I heartily recommend The Wordsmith, the Kid and the Electrolux. In fact, I am going to give away a copy on my own dime. On Sunday, January 10, I'll choose one name from those who leave comments here and elsewhere on the CFRB tour. This will include comments on all my blogs on the tour and all those by other CFRB members.

Visit the author's website and the WKE Blog.

More Adventures, New Characters, and Plot Twists In Latest Bell Mountain Book -- Review of "The Last Banquet" by Lee Duigon

NEW SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY REVIEWS

Reviews Of Recently Published Science Fiction And Fantasy Books

Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

Blog Address: http://newsciencefictionandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com

October 22, 2012

More Adventures, New Characters and Plot Twists in Latest Bell Mountain Book

A review of

Lee Duigon The Last Banquet (Storehouse Press, 2012)

$18.00 338 pp ISBN-13: 978-1-891375-58-3 ISBN-10: 1-891375-58-X

Reviewed by: Forrest Schultz

Jack and Ellayne, who have been with us from the beginning of the Bell Mountain Series, are back again in the latest book (the fourth one), The Last Banquet, which will be followed by two more, The Fugitive Prince and The Palace, according to the publisher, Storehouse Press, whose website is www.chalcedon.edu/store. The other main characters in the previous three books are back and a new one is added, a very delightful and exciting sixteen year old girl, Gurun, who hails from a remote (and hitherto unknown) region of the interesting fantasy land in which these tales take place. Everyone is so in awe of her that she is hailed as a Queen, and it is humorous to note how the Obann boy king Ryons finally reacts to this. There is also an interesting revelation in re the main wicked character, The Thunder King, which is reminiscent of the unveiling of the Wizard of Oz. But, overall, Duigon's fantasy is radically different from Oz because of the great seriousness in the story: eternal matters are at stake and wickedness is no joke. Actually, it is not easy to keep up even with the temporal matters in the story because of the abundance of characters and plot twists. Although this may seem surprising in a book for juvenile readers, the author and the Chalcedon Foundation people support the kind of education which prevailed in the West prior to the twentieth century in which children were expected to accomplish more more than they are in what passes for education in today's typical schools.

The ending of the book is rather strange because at first we are not sure if this is also the ending of the series or not. Surprisingly there is NO indication in the rear of the book of the future books in the series -- I had to go to the publisher's website to find this out!! In a way it seemed like the end but then I had second thoughts -- there does not appear to be a real resolution yet, in the deepest sense. The author very briefly talks of the next two books in his October 9 post on his blog http://leeduigon.com/author.leeduigon, which, by the way, is fun to read.

The Thunder King: The Plot Thickens -- Review of Lee Duigon's "The Thunder King"

NEW SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY REVIEWS

Reviews Of Recently Published Science Fiction And Fantasy Books

Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

Blog Address: http://newsciencefictionandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com

September 30, 2011

The Thunder King: The Plot Thickens

A review of

Lee Duigon The Thunder King (Vallecito, CA: Storehouse Press, 2011)

$14.00 289 pp ISBN: 978-1-891375-56-9

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

Like the second book, the third one in the Bell Mountain saga adds more plot elements to the mix and provides deeper discussions of their significance. Perhaps there are some critics who may judge the result to be too advanced for a juvenile reader, but, in the immortal words of Mortimer Adler, "We need something over our heads to lift us up!".

We learn more about the significance of the ringing of the Bell and about the decadence of the Temple, especially that of its First Prester, who is first in wickedness, not in piety. And we see ever more clearly the parallel between the teaching in the Secret Scrolls and the doctrines in the Bible, and between the history of Obann and the history or Israel and the Church.

But it needs to be borne in mind that the story is a fantasy -- a story in its own right -- not an allegory. As the biographical sketch of the author on the rear jacket makes clear, Lee Duigon loves both fantasy literature and sound theology. And, contra much of popular opinion, there is no discord between the two because, after all, God is the greatest story-writer of all -- history is His Story, because it is His fantasy that became reality when He created the world. Amen!

September 30, 2011

The Bell Mountain Saga Continues: The Quest For The Secret Scrolls -- Review of Lee Duigon's "The Cellar Beneath The Cellar"

NEW SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY REVIEWS

Reviews Of Recently Published Science Fiction And Fantasy Books

Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

Blog Address: http://newsciencefictionandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com

December 8, 2010

The Bell Mountain Saga Continues:

The Quest For The Secret Scrolls

A Review of

Lee Duigon The Cellar Beneath The Cellar (Vallecito, CA: Storehouse Press, 2010)

287 pp $ ISBN: 978-1-891375-55-2

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

The quests of each of the first two books in Lee Duigon's children's fantasy series pertain to legacies of the renowned King Ozias which must be activated by two children, Jack and Ellayne. Book One ends with the inaugation of a new age produced when Jack fulfills the first quest by ringing the Bell of Ozias on the summit of Bell Mountain. The second quest is retrieving the secret scrolls of Ozias by descending deep underground into a secret cellar.

The second book opens with a shocker. The Temple official Martis, who was sent forth to assassinate the children now becomes their protector and guide in fulfilling the second quest. This is the first of many plot twists, whose telling could be regarded as a narrative of surprising conversions. The story is also filled with characters and creatures with strange roles. Some of these existed in the first book, and some are new ones introduced in Book Two.

The narration provides insighful portrayals of the "heathen" tribes in the story which enables us to understand how they think, and to give us some idea of the enemy against which the children and the other heroes are fighting. And the depiction of the decadence of the offical Temple religion, which was begun in Book One is continued here. This official religion is analogous to Israel and the Church during their degenerate periods.

There is no indication of how many more books will be forthcoming. However many there are,, they will be welcomed if they are as good as the first two.

Will The Bell Toll?? -- Review of "Bell Mountain" by Lee Duigon

NEW SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY REVIEWS

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Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

Blog Address: http://newsciencefictionandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com

July 13, 2010

Will The Bell Toll ??

A review of Lee Duigon Bell Mountain (Vallecito, CA: Storehouse Press, 2010)

288 pp $14.00

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

Lee Duigon's Bell Mountain is set in a fantasy world in which the survivors of the collapse of a technologically advanced society have fallen back to a civilizational level comparable to that of our Middle Ages. And this world has a religion similar to the one in power in our medieval period, i.e. it had degenerated from the pristine original and its clergy tyrranize the people. Its top official, the First Prester, similar to a Pope, believes that religion's purpose is to prop up the state! That is just one example of its decadence that could be cited!

The only thing the reader is told about what God intends to do to remedy the situation is to send a boy and a girl -- Jack and Ellayne -- to the top of Bell Mountain where they are to ring the Bell placed there in days of yore by the renowned King Ozias. Jack and Ellayne prepare their supplies and then sneak out of town to set forth on their journey where they encounter all kinds of strange beasts and strange people along the way, including the assassin sent forth by the First Prester to terminate them.

Like any good adventure story written for children, this is one which adults will appreciate even more. Lee Duigon has thus far been known for his thoughtful magazine articles. If he continues to write literature such as the book under review here, he will soon become known as a storyteller as well.

Selbrede's Debut Science Fiction Story -- Review of Martin Selbrede's "Hidden In Plain Sight"

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Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

Blog Address: http://newsciencefictionandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com

July 9, 2010

Selbrede's Debut Science Fiction Story

A review of

M. G. Selbrede Hidden In Plain Sight ( Vallecito , CA : Storehouse Press, 2010)

$15.00 334 pp ISBN: 978-1891375514

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

Martin Selbrede's debut novel is one of the most interesting science fiction stories I have read for some time. And it is the only one I know of which includes dialogues in which the gist of the Van Til Perspective is found. This is not surprising when we consider the fact that Selbrede is one of the leaders of the Chalcedon Foundation established by the late R. J. Rushdoony, a distinguished follower of Van Til, who did more in his writings than anyone else to apply the Van Til Perspective to all areas of life.

Although the scientific discovery made by the central character -- the young physicist Dr. Jenna Wilkes -- is the focus of the book, the story itself is about the conflicts it precipitates, which involve some of the nation's leading figures in business, science, academia, and the military. It is these conflicts and what they reveal about the consciences of the participants that constitute the actual story, which consequently overshadows the science of the discovery. And even the science itself is seen as important mainly for the purpose of showing that God is running the Universe. So while the science is interesting and important, the story's purpose is to show us things about God and about ourselves.

In fact, relatively little attention is given to explaining just what was discovered, so that sometimes the reader is not sure precisely what it was. It is clear that the basis of Jenna's experiment was the stopping of time in the core of a device called an isolator which she invented. It is also stated that this means that this isolator core has become a "neutrino shield" because it will stop neutrinos from passing through it, because for any neutrinos which enter it, time will stop for them also. But then at another place it is said that this time stopping actually meant that the matter in this isolator core was cut off and sent into the past, which makes us wonder how it could then serve as a neutrino shield. But it is clear that if that isolator core matter had been cut out of the present and sent into the past that then the present universe would have that much less mass and energy in it. Therefore it is understandable why there is reference to God making up the lost energy, but what does not make sense is why this did not just happen once but is happening continuously, as the book claims!

-1-

However, since Hidden In Plain Sight is only the first volume of a trilogy, we cannot claim that it contains contradictions, as appears to be the case, because future volumes may provide explanatory data. In short, some of what is hidden here is NOT in plain sight! At least not for now. There are clear indications that more will be shown in the future volumes. In fact, this first volume ends with Jenna claiming she will proceed to yet more sophisticated scientific work, which will disprove Einstein's General Relativity Theory!

Now we need to elaborate on what the story says about the relationship between Jenna's experiment and the christian philosophy of science. After pointing out the misleading ideas associated with the usage of the term "supernatural" to refer to God, the point is made that we really should say that God is "infranatural", i.e. that He is the foundation needed for the universe to exist and function, and that we should search for an ultimate scientific law which would prove that God is running the Universe. However, the book takes no note of the fact that there have been claims in the past that such a law already exists. For instance, it has been argued that the Principle of Least Action (discovered in 1764) is such an ultimate scientific law for physics, and that Godel's Theorem (discovered in 1931) is such an ultimate scientific law for mathematics. Therefore what Selbrede needs to do is to set forth the criteria for this ultimate scientific law such that it will exclude these two but include Jenna's law, or else the story's raison d' etre falls to the ground. Another point which needs clarification is the usage of the word "infranatural" because it appears to be making the universe rather than God the ultimate reference point, which violates vantillian principles.

For readers who like symbolism it is interesting to speculate whether the cane given to Jenna may symbolize for her what Moses's staff was to him. Especially in light of the dramatic public spectacle near the conclusion of the book.

I have stated that in this work of science fiction that the science is presented in the context of the story, which is paramount. The story is not contrived for the sake of presenting the science, as, for example, in B. F. Skinner's Walden Two. Likewise, I also now state that in this work of Christian fiction, that the theology and ethics are presented in the context of the story, i.e. as an integral part of the story, rather than the story being contrived as a propaganda vehicle for Christianity.

Well, this volume is a good start and we shall look forward to reading Volumes 2 and 3 in the near future. It will be interesting to seeing how Jenna will refute General Relativity and am hoping for more information which will put into plain sight exactly what happened in Jenna’s first experiment.

-2-

Monday, April 29, 2013

The Inklings In A Novel -- Review of David C. Downing's "Looking For The King"

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Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

Blog Address: http://newsciencefictionandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com

December 29, 2010

THE INKLINGS IN A NOVEL

A Review Of

David C. Downing Looking for the King: An Inklings Novel (San Francisco, CA:
Ignatius Press, 2010)
285 pp ISBN: 978-1-58617-514-6

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and Charles Williams are well knows as authors of stories; and many books have been written about their stories. But, as far as I know, David Downing’s recently published book is the first time these men have been characters in a story. Downing rightly regards this as so important that he subtitles his book “An Inklings Novel”. The Inklings were friends of C. S. Lewis (including Tolkien and Williams) who met regularly in Lewis’s home.

Although Downing’s book is a work of fiction, the ideas expressed in it by these three Inklings are truly theirs. This can be easily verified because Downing has placed in the back of the book a Notes section indicating the sources of these ideas. This is unusual for a novel but is not surprising when we consider the fact that Downing has been a scholar of Inklings lore for many years and has authored four award-winning books on C. S. Lewis.

The focus of Looking for the King is aspiring scholar Tom McCord’s quest for historical evidence to prove the existence of King Arthur. McCord is soon joined by another young American visiting England in 1940 – Laura Hartman, who is searching for the meaning of her mysterious dreams. Their adventures soon morph into another quest – finding the fabled Spear of Longinus. In their conversations with the Inklings, Tom and Laura not only receive help for their quests but also discussions of the relationships of the quests to matters of eternal import.

Like almost all quest stories, this one includes sinister forces; but, unlike most of these stories, this one has no gunfightes, no fisticuffs, no car crashes, and no “woo-woo” stuff. There is sophistication not only in the story’s dialogues, but also in its action.

I concur with Thomas Howard when he says that “…Lewis, Tolkien, and Williams would be mightily pleased with Looking for the King. All Inklings lovers will be highly delighted.” (from rear jacket) I also believe that this story will provide a good introduction to the Inklings for those who have not yet made their acquaintance. It will give those readers at least an “inkling” of what these men were like.

Reviews of All Three Volumes of Bryan Litfin's Chiveis Trilogy: The Sword, The Gift, The Kingdom

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Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

Blog Address: http://newsciencefictionandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com

REVIEWS OF THE CHIVEIS TRILOGY: SWORD, GIFT, KINGDOM

May 11, 2010

A Look at Bryan Litfin's Debut Novel The Sword

A Review of

Bryan M. Litfin The Sword (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010)

$15.99 413 pp ISBN-13: 978-1-4335-0925-4 ISBN-10: 1-4335-0925-3

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

Bryan Litfin is a theologian/church-historian who has just had his first novel published -- The Sword, which constitutes volume I of his Chiveis trilogy. The story clearly fits into the broad category of "speculative fiction", but to classify it any further is problematic. It can be regarded as science fiction in terms of background -- almost the entire population of the world is wiped out by the combination of a super-deadly new virus and advanced nuclear weaponry. The few survivors create a new civilization resembling that of the medieval period, which provides the ambience for the story, which is somewhat similar to an Arthurian fantasy, e.g. the sword referred to in the title is similar in some respects to Excalibur. BUT, there is a big difference because the disenchantment of the world, which was produced by modernity, continues into the days of Chiveis. Although the people re-created medieval structures, they did not re-create an enchanted cosmos.

This is dramatically shown in the actions of the Chiveis priests, who do not DO magic or believe in magic, but actually use explosives to cause catastrophes which they attribute to the supernatural activity of their god (Astrebril), thus indicating that the story, at least in this respect, is not really a fantasy. Because the populace is duped into thinking supernatural acts of a god have occurred, the story can be considered a fantasy in that sense, but not in terms of what really is happening. In fact, it could even be considered as science fiction -- for that age -- because at that time the knowledge of explosives had been lost and was known only to the priests who read about them in what to them were "ancient" documents. There are lots of adventures but it is not actually an adventure story, and there is some Romance but it is not a Romance novel.

One thing which can definitely be said about the novel is that it is a spiritual warfare story. Cheveis was founded under the inspiration of Satan by wicked rulers who are strongly opposed to God and who keep it a secret that many of the "ancients" believed in God and who become enraged when one of the heroes, Teofil, discovers a Bible, which leads to the formation of a small christian circle who meet surreptitiously. And the spiritual warfare is also found within this circle as well because two of the members begin propounding ideas similar to gnosticism, which was a very great danger in the early church and one which is well known to the author, who is an authority in patristics.

The story is full of fast-paced action, interesting characters, and intriguing concepts, and the unexpected. It has a dramatic ending which resolves what looked like an impossible situation and has the reader anxious to read the next volume to see what will happen next. The language and story is explicitly Christian, and the actions contain many illustrations of spiritual principles. The Lost Genre Guild regards The Sword as Christian speculative fiction, and has posted a brief notice of the book on its blog. Litfin has created a website for the book www.chiveis.com.

July 7, 2011

The Quest For Christ and the NT in a Post-Apocalyptic Future

A review of

Bryan Litfin The Gift [Book 2 of The Chiveis Trilogy] (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2011)

411 pp $15.99 ISBN-13: 978-1-4335-2516-2 ISBN-10: 1-4335-2516-X

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

Like any good story, this novel is full of interesting and well-depicted characters and places and events, which have some similarities to other good tales, but none of which are copied. And, if you like adventures and battles, there are plenty of them also. And, like any good work of Christian fiction, this one has plenty of spiritual struggles and several sudden striking Providential twists, including a totally unexpected event where God uses the poor and the outcasts to confound the powerful and the wealthy.

These features alone would make this a worthwhile "read". But what is especially striking, and, as far as I know, unique to The Gift, is the christological discussions by the christians in it who are living in a distant future in which almost all knowledge of christianity has disappeared, mainly from a series of catastrophic events which almost wiped out the human race. These christians know that there is a New Testament but they do not have it: they only have the Old Testament. From this and from the meagre historical knowledge available to them they know that someone named Jesus lived and is the Pierced One of Isaiah 53 but they know almost nothing of His Life and of the doctrine of salvation and they are puzzled about the relationship between Him and the OT prophecies of a Messianic King.

Although this certainly is not a romance novel, there is running as an undercurrent throught this book and its predecessor, a sort of incipient, potential romance between the two main characters, Teofil and Anastasia, who takes turns rescusing each other from danger. It is not until the conclusion of this story that they finally get it out into the open. It will probably have a hard time developing because it looks like providential events will cause their separation at the opening of Book 3, which will be published next year.

The author is a Professor at Moody Bible Institute, which, until fairly recently, would have seemed like a surprise because in the past Bible Colleges and dispensationalists generally had no concern for world and life view. Bryan Litfin is a good illustrative example of the new face dispe has acquired since its development of a concern for the arts and other facets of the Christian world view.

July 9, 2012

Adventures Galore !!!

A review of

Bryan Litfin The Kingdom -- Book Three of the Chiveis Trilogy (Crossway, 2012)

$15.99 448 pp ISBN-10: 1433525208 ISBN-13: 978-1433525209

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

This climactic volume of Bryan Litfin's fantasy trilogy is even more packed with adventures -- both of the usual kind and of adventures in learning -- than the first two books. I am going to depart from my usual practice in writing reviews by making this one very short so as to place especial emphasis on what is great about this book -- it is a very well written tale of all kinds of adventures focussing on the two main characters Ana and Teo, and it is best summed up by this exclamation by Ana of her joy in her man, Teo at the conclusion of their story: "Life with you is one big adventure, Captain!".

Please reread that and then go out and get this book, which will make a great summer read!

For some good info, please visit http://www.chiveis.com/.

Serious and Sophisticated Egyptological Romps in Eifrig's Debut Fantasy -- Review of Jennifer Eifrig's "Discovering Ren"

NEW SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY REVIEWS

Reviews Of Recently Published Science Fiction And Fantasy Books

Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

Blog Address: http://newsciencefictionandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com

April 15, 2013

Serious and Sophisticated Egyptological Romps in Eifrig's Debut Fantasy

A review of

Jennifer Eifrig Discovering Ren, Book 1 (Create Space, 2013)

306 pp $14.99 ISBN-10: 1481801929 ISBN-13: 978-1481801928

Reviewer: Forrest Schultz

Ancient Egypt is well known for its treasure trove of religious ideas, which are so mysterious and fantastic that it almost seems like they were dreamed up by a fantasy novelist! And there are some fantasy authors today who have studied Egyptology in order to use these ideas and these gods and goddesses (and other supernatural beings) in their own stories. Of course, the very idea of such ancient beings and magical practices invading our own time is itself a very common principle of fantasy. Unlike the "realistic" conception of history, the recrudescence of the ancient is often found in fantasy works, the book under review being a good illustrative example.

Like the popular versions, such as those found in the Indiana Jones and Lara Croft films, Eifrig's story is full of dangerous and humorous fantasy battle-romps, but there is a very serious element in her novel, which, in fact, is the dominant theme, namely that the eternal destiny of men are at stake, and this is regarded by the main character, Isadora, as of greater importance than winning a fantasy version of a martial arts contest. This theme assumes especial prominence in the climactic battle near the end of the book -- her prime concern is not beating up the bad guys, but of saving their souls!! And there is a level of sophistication even in the magical clashes in these battles that is rarely equalled in fantasy. And here and there in the story are found thought-provoking discussions of spiritual and theological matters.

There is also a sophistication of surprises in the story itself: what looks like a human may turn out to be an Egyptian deity! The author is well equipped for her task -- she has worked in museums and she is widely read in matters Egyptological. AND, she knows how to spin a good tale. The characters and the scenes are as well developed as is her tale. If you like this kind of fantasy, I recommend her debut book. It is the first in a series. The first two sequels are already planned and are works in progress. Information on the author is available at http://www.jennifereifrigauthor.com/ and www.cogwheelpress.net/jennifer-eifrig.php.

Vampires Redefined And Thereby Hangs A Tale !! -- Review of Ellen C. Maze's "Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider, 2nd ed."

NEW SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY REVIEWS

Reviews Of Recently Published Science Fiction And Fantasy Books

Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

Blog Address:http://newsciencefictionandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com

March 18, 2011

Vampires Redefined

And Therby Hangs A Tale !!

A review of

Ellen C. Maze Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider 2nd ed. (Treasure Line Publishers, 2010)

$14.95 320 pp ISBN-10: 1617520314 ISBN-13: 978-1617520310

**This $14.95 2nd Edition is an improvement on the 1st version, but story-wise, is identical.**

Reviewer: Forrest Wayne Schultz

I am quite disappointed in the reviewers of this book for their failure to realize that in it the author has radically redefined the very nature of vampires. Ellen Maze's story is not just "a brilliant and original tale"; it is not just an "original vampire novel"; it does not just deliver "a fresh new twist to vampire lore". It is far more! It challenges the most fundamental conceptions of the vampire -- both classical and modern.

Maze disagrees with the modern notions that vampires can be good or attractive. Like the classical definition, she believes that vampires are very evil, very repugnant, and very horrifying. But, unlike the classical view, she does not believe vampires are irredeemable; she contends that vampires can be converted from evil to good by means of the same salvation (through Christ) by which humans are converted. Her rationale is that vampires are actually humans -- grossly perverted humans, but humans nonetheless. Vampires are not a separate class of beings from humans; they are superdegenerate humans.

Her character Beth Rider explains this by stating that it is a lie to claim that vampires are not human. She says [addressing a group of vampires] "Your people have fed you this lie to perpeturate their life style, but they are human. Mutated and altered by unclean spiritual forces, sure, but humans just the same. ... You have a soul. And you have a choice. If you put your trust in God, He will deliver you. You'll become a new creature. And you'sll serve Him for the rest of your days. When your time is up here, you'll go to be with Him in paradise forever." (P. 137)

In the story when vampires are converted, they cease to be vampires: they no longer suck blood, and sunlight no longer harms them. The result of this conversion is not becoming "good" vampires. What happens in their conversion is that humans who were vampires are now saved from vampirism. Just as a man who was a criminal ceases to be a criminal when he is converted, so a man who is a vampire ceases to be a vampire when he is converted from vampirism.

The story centers on the attack upon Beth Rider launched by the vampire leaders when they learn of the message in the book, and how it is leading vampires to salvation. So, this is really not a vampire tale with a twist. It is a new kind of vampire tale based on a wholly new defintion of vampirism. It is, in fact, the very redefinition of vampirism which generates the tale or is the tale.

This new vampirology is an integral feature of Ellen Maze's world view. Maze is a Christian horror/fantasy writer who is seeking to write her stories in accord with her Christian world view. Since this is something so new, I am not going to be dogmatic at this point, but do wish to say that it sounds to me like her redefinition is the correct one. At the very least, it is certainly a thought-provoking notion, one of the most interesting and thought-provoking concepts in fantasy I have come across in a long time. At this point I would say that the burden of proof rests on those wishing to maintain the classical view and on those who believe in the possibility of "good" vampires.

This redefinition of the nature of the vampire is so important that it really overshadows everything else. I also have found the character of Beth Rider to overshadow the other characters and, at this point, shall only comment on her. She is the one person in the story I would really like to meet. For me, one of the criteria of an excellent novelist is the creation of a character the reader would like to meet. So, in conclusion, for me the main significance of this story is its new defintion of vampires and its introduction of a very attractive character, Beth Rider.

I shall have more to say after I have read and reviewed Maze's other novels, which I shall do shortly.

Information is availble at

www.ellencmaze.com

www.thejudgingnovel.com

www.rabbitnovel.com