Fortune”s Fool by Mercedes Lackey (ISBN-13: 978-0-373-80266-1 or ISBN-10 0-373-80266-8) is another story from the 500 Kingdoms and is published by Luna, an imprint of Harlequin in 2007.

         Like the previous 500 Kingdom stories (one of which I reviewed), Fortune’s Fool is set in a fantasy land that has a magical force called The Tradition that nudges (or pushes) people toward well-known story-paths. The hero and heroine of Fortune’s Fool both come from families who have learned to, if not manipulate The Tradition, at least to influence it to the benefit of their respective kingdoms.

         Sasha’s great-grandfather, while he was still a Prince, procured the help of a Godmother to teach him, made a bargain with a dragon for the needed dragon blood and set about learning all he could about The Tradition. He taught his family that there always needed to be a Scholar, one who studied The Tradition and could predict and guide the family so that they and the kingdom prospered.

         Katya and her Sea-King family also knew of and used The Tradition to aid their kingdom. As magical creatures, mer-people were even more at the mercy of The Tradition. Katya’s father, while still a Prince, determined that they would instead control The Tradition. One such tradition he changed was the one that mermaids would sing sailors to their death. He sent out bards singing songs depicting an alternate story for mermaids, that said sailors merely forgot their One True Loves, at least until the One True Love managed to break the spell. And, soon, because of “seeding” The Tradition this way, that story became prominent.

         Both Katya and Sasha are the youngest in their families, seventh daughter and seventh son. According to The Tradition this was the position of Fool. Both families used this to their advantage. Sasha appeared foolish on the surface, but in reality went about singing songs that manipulated The Tradition and bringing prosperity to his kingdom. Katya, seemingly insignificant to those who bothered to notice her, slipped in and out of the Drylanders and the Sea Kingdoms, watching and listening and bringing reports back to her father, the Sea King of one of the most prosperous and benevolent sea kingdoms.

         Katya and Sasha meet and fall in love while on their many wanderings. Unlike many romances, this is really just the beginning of the story. When Katya is kidnapped by a djinn intent on gathering magical power and taking over neighboring kingdoms, Sasha begins his search. Both face many perils as they struggle to defeat the rising evil surrounding them.

         Mercedes Lackey creates a wonderfully detailed and believable fantasyscape. Her stories are a joy to read, with one exception. Physical intimacy is, while not casual is at least common in the land of the 500 Kingdoms. Sasha and Katya indulge in several explicit encounters. It is refreshing to learn that Sasha is a virgin, but both Katya’s and Sasha’s attitudes in that area are off-center of what is considered moral to a practicing Christian. Fortunately, the bulk of the intimate encounters occur in one short section, about halfway through the story. If you are so inclined, you could easily skip over those scenes. The rest of the story is an enchanting adventure and romance that you might well enjoy. I did.

ISBN: 0-373-80202-1; published in 2004 by Luna (www.luna-books.com).

         Elena Klovis, is a Cinderella-like character in the land of Five Hundred Kingdoms. Instead of a prince and a happily-ever-after, though, she is recruited as a Fairy Godmother Apprentice. As she learns to use magic, and when to use ingenuity and hard work, she also learns of The Tradition. The Tradition is a sort of magical force that is attracted to and influences people whose lives resemble a “tale.” If that “tale” doesn’t happen, as in Elena’s case, where her “prince” was only 10 years old, magic accumulates around that person, continually nudging them toward another suitable “tale.” It will continue to do so unless used or siphoned off by a magical being, preferably a good one, like a Godmother.

         Elena has so much magic around her as a result of her thwarted “happily-ever-after,” she attracts the attention of the current Fairy Godmother, who has been searching for an Apprentice for years. Madame Bella takes Elena as her Apprentice. Elena’s confidence and skill blossoms under Bella’s tutelage. In far too short a time, at least in Elena’s mind, Bella deems Elena ready to Godmother alone. She leaves, to wherever it is retired Godmothers go, and Elena takes over the task of watching and guiding and protecting the people of her kingdoms under her authority. And that is when the story gets really interesting.

         This is an good story, full of likable characters, real struggles and life lessons learned amid a truly unique world. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really only have one objection. It is one that I find in many modern romances. Too much intimacy. It is the current “acceptable standard” and one I find particularly undesirable. There are multiple scenes of extended petting with detailed accounts of the participants’ reactions. To the author’s credit, there is not the usual insinuation that if they are feeling passion, it must be love. Elena and her lover become friends first and it is obvious the relationship is built on more than passion. Even so, the explicit nature of the intimate scenes is disappointing.

         Given that objection, you might wonder why I still give this book a positive recommendation. It is because of the story. The story and the characters. The characters come alive on the page. They are real, some with glaring faults and inadequacies. They learn life lessons and change (or not) while still retaining their own personality. The romance between Elena and her lover, while important to the story, is not the only focus of the story. Overall, this story is about living honorably, even (especially?) in one’s daily life and how that prepares that person if/when supreme and heroic action is warranted. This message is one completely compatible with Christian principles. Ancillary messages, such as “struggles and hardship create character” or “great power is best used in service” or “there is merit in helping others overcome life-muddles” further illustrate and support Christian values.

         This is an uplifting and entertaining story. Just be aware of the intimacy scenes, which are clustered in a couple of chapters in the last third of the book. If you can skip or otherwise not be offended by them, you will probably enjoy reading this as much as I did.

          “Sabriel”, ISBN 0-06-27322-4, was written by Garth Nix and published by Harper Collins Publisher, Australia in 1995. Nix has published at least two other titles in this series, “Lariel” and “Abhorsen.”

         “Sabriel” is a story of a young girl, just graduating from a boarding school in Ancelstierre, a fantasy land similar to ours, but with some major differences. At the beginning of the book, Sabriel is confronted by the disappearance of her father. In order to save him, she must venture into the Old Kingdom, a land totally different from Ancelstierre, ruled by magic and rampant fear. The two kingdoms are separated by The Wall, a border guarded and protected by soldiers and magicians.

         As a citizen of the Old Kingdom, Sabriel crosses The Wall and is thrust into a life and death struggle with forces almost beyond her understanding. Although trained by her father in the lessons of an Abhorsen, she is largely unaware of what that title means. In fact, until well into the story, she thought the title was actually her father’s name. In the course of searching for her father, Sabriel uncovers an ancient mystery, gathers allies and confronts an evil bent on such total destruction it even threatens Ancelstierre.

         Sabriel’s father, Abhorsen, is sort of a reverse-necromancer. An Abhorsen’s most important task in to bind to death those souls who would attempt to leave Death, usually by inhabiting a dead body. When a soul enters Death, it must past through seven gates to The Other Side. A necromancer can contact a soul before it passes the last gate. (This is useful for determining cause of death or when other information is needed from the dead.) Sometimes a soul refuses to walk the path through the seven gates. Sometimes evil necromancers force souls out of the Realm of the Dead to animate corpses or effect other tasks. An Abhorsen’s job is to stop these things from happening.

         At first glance, this would seem a story no Christian should read. Scripture clearly forbids trying to contact the dead. While each person must make his own decision, there are some things that a Christian could find interesting, even intriguing in this story. The writing is good, with character and places coming alive as the story progresses at a fast clip through lots of action and adventure. The struggle to do right and to protect the innocent is clear. The danger of experimenting with forbidden arts is brought out in the development of the main villain. The battle between good and evil is obvious.

         One exception to that would be the Abhorsen’s enchanted imprisonment of an evil being. From the context of the story, it seems this is the only way a creature such as this can be confined. However, in its enchanted state it is a helper-companion of the Abhorsen. As long as the collar remains on the creature, this helper-companion remains controlled, even friendly and helpful. Even when the collar is removed, as is done when the extreme power of the creature is needed for some task, the possession of a ring ensures the creature will be confined immediately after the task is finished. This seems to be a blurring of the lines between good and evil. This creature is malevolent evil, but under the enchantment, transforms into an almost kind creature who perhaps regrets its evilness. There is no sign of that regret, though, when the enchantment is lifted, even after centuries. For those predisposed to see underlying truths in stories, this could be seen as an object lesson on the power of sin over a person. Sin is our master. No matter how much we regret what we do, we are controlled by sin unless we have the power of the Holy Spirit (an enchantment, if you will) confining and destroying the power of our sinful nature.

         As with all books, each Christian must determine and chose for himself to read or reject this story.

         Today’s blog is essentially a continuation of my Friday review of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series Friday, with some personal observations of merit or concern for the Christian. Warning: While there are no true spoilers, some of my comments might reveal enough that major points of plot can be discerned.

         Twilight is essentially a romance between a human and a vampire. On first glance, that might seem inappropriate reading material for a Christian. I was surprised, though, to see many truths illustrated and mirrored in the Twilight series.

         One of significant import to a Christian is the Cullens’ choices in regard to their vampire nature. The Cullens have a clear sense that killing humans is wrong. They separated themselves from others of their kind in order to live according to their conscience. This is a vivid picture of the constant struggle that is (or should be!) evident in each Christian. We are to put off the sinful nature and be controlled by the Spirit. In real life, that means there are many times when we chose to resist the pull of “our old nature”, whatever that may mean to each individual Christian, and chose to live in a way that is hard, but right. In a very real sense, the Cullens’ way of life illustrates that dynamic that should be evident in every Christian’s life. This is seen most vividly in the last book, when we get more intimate glimpses into the vampires’ way of life and daily struggles.

         Another, less “weighty” reason I see value in this series is Bella. Bella is portrayed as a regular down-to-earth teenager. Not angry or rebellious, not extreme or radical, just a normal teen with a slightly above normal maturity, or at least life-awareness. This attribute seems appropriate for this story. A flighty, never-a-serious-thought type of girl would never have been attracted to an 80+ year old vampire. In order for that relationship be believable, Bella needs that maturity, that awareness of human nature and that intellectual and emotional honesty with which she observes the world around her. But even with all that maturity, it is obvious that she is essentially a teenager. A teenager experiencing life changes and emotions and dilemmas. A teenager who, even with her maturity, is still floundering and making less-than-stellar choices.

         Whether designed by the author or not, many things about Bella’s circumstances create a rapport with readers that allow for subtle lessons and observations. In fact, the entire story, the little details as well as major plot circumstances, serve as unobtrusive but clear illustrations of truth. By making Bella a supposedly awkward outcast, she forges a bond with the majority of teens everywhere. Bella’s surprise at the ease in which she is accepted into the school and community life is yet another subtle lesson to all those awkward teens that their perception of themselves might be based on old history and not current fact.

         Some would say the fact that Bella’s parents are divorced and her mother remarried are reasons not to read this book. I disagree. I think Bella’s situation actually allows insights that could not be seen if her parents were still together. In this culture marriages are dissolved. It is not right but it is a fact of life. We could write stories that ignore this fact, but should we? As Christians, we are to impact the world for our King. We are to reveal Him to those we see everyday, to those we talk to, to those we come to love and to those we barely know. This is as true for us who are writers as it is for every Christian. If we ignore the true nature of society and create stories based on that supposed ideal, can we really reach those living in the not-so-ideal?

         Yes, Bella’s mom and dad should not have divorced. If they hadn’t, the events of Twilight would have been different, but probably not by much. The Cullens would still have moved back to Forks. Edward would still have had been blindsided by the way Bella’s blood “sang” to him. Most likely, they would still have fallen in love and Bella would have been put in danger. Stephenie Meyer could have written the book with Bella’s parents still married. But that is not story of Twilight. By making Bella the daughter of divorced parents, she has immediately forged a connection with every teen impacted by divorce. And she shows some of the consequences of that divorce: a child too-soon dealing with issues too big, a child torn between two people she loves, a child forced, albeit by her own choice, to choose which parent needs her more.

         The physical attraction between Bella and Edward is handled well. It is there, but it is held in check. Because Edward is 80+ years old, and he has spent most of his vampire life exercising immense control of his desires in other areas, it is believable that he is the one to set the tenor of their level of intimacy. It is commendable that both are virgins when they finally marry, but it concerns me that Edward routinely spends the night with Bella. While it may seem the epitome of romance for a boy to hold the girl he loves while she sleeps, it is not something to be encouraged. Edward might have honed his self-discipline by the years spent resisting his vampire impulse to feed on humans, but it is unlikely any other teenaged boy has the same level of control.

         While I think Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn make a great series, I recognize that many things in these stories may seem “messy” to Christians. Even if we ignore the vampire aspect of the book, there are still those choices and actions and opinions expressed that are at least slightly off what is pleasing to God. For the most part, though, I think those events and choices make for a compelling and gripping story.

         The truth is, real life, real emotion IS messy. Real life experiences teach us and cause us to mature. Real life experiences engender messy emotions and risk messy choices. Real life experiences give us ample opportunities to choose rightly or wrongly. The emotions we feel may be right or not; they may be fueled by right causes or not; they may motivate right actions or not. That is the nature of the human condition.

         It also seems to be a theme the runs through this entire series. That we all have choices and many times we have to force ourselves to choose the hard thing because it is right. This constant tension, that everlasting struggle to find the best, wisest, most perfect choice, whether in action or emotion or opinion, is a fact of life in this world. And Stephenie Meyer illustrates that well through the “messy” choices made by each of the characters throughout the series.

         In appearance “Till We Have Faces” is a letter of accusation written by Orual, the unattractive eldest daughter of a selfish king in a barbaric land. This “letter” chronicles her life and the seeming injustices of it. She accuses “the gods” of being cruel and capricious; of taking profane glee in giving then destroying love and happiness. As she reaches the end of the letter, and her solitary life, she is brought face to face with the awareness that much of her bitterness stems from choices of her own making.

         This story is set in a pagan society, using pagan rituals and symbolism. In that sense it is not even remotely Christian. C. S. Lewis wrote “Til We Have Faces” as a rewrite of a Greek myth. As such, attributing Christian themes to it is probably not wise. It is, however, a compelling illustration of the twisted mess a life of angst and bitterness can become. Orual believes it is the gods who have betrayed her, when in actuality, her own selfishness and fear of abandonment have brought about the loneliness of her life.

         Although “Til We Have Faces” was not written until later in his life, he mentally rewrote this myth several times. It is worthy of note that, by his own admission, the ending changed after his conversion to Christianity. Before his conversion to Christianity, he was certain the gods would be condemned and Orual stand justified. In the end, though, Orual discovers truth and honesty. A truth and honesty that is consistent with Christianity, even though it is presented amongst the trappings of paganism.

         How can we really come before God until we are honest with ourselves, ie til we have faces? And once we see ourselves in true honesty, our “complaint against God” is silenced. The struggles Orual went through taught her honesty, but at a great price. The thing that made her bitter and compelled her to “protect” herself, was the very thing that should have wooed her to “the god.” Had she made different choices at numerous times throughout her history, her life would have been radically different.

         This is certainly not a story for children, like his Narnia tales, nor a treatise of the Christian faith, as in Mere Christianity, or even a Christian adult fiction, such as his space trilogy (“Out of the Silent Planet,” “Perelandra,” and “That Hideous Strength”). The fact that Lewis uses the pagan setting, with its references to gods and sacrifices and its disdainful, but twisted love for that way of life might turn away some Christians. After all, we know there is one true God, not multiple gods. We know He is merciful and righteous, not capricious and cruel. We know He will be found by any who seek Him, not hide from them and trick them, as Orual accuses. It is, however, this very use of what Christians would call profane that illustrates the irrefutable truths of the story. If you can look past the pagan trappings and see a greater truth, you might enjoy this book. If you just want an entertaining read, however, this is certainly not a book for you.

         Today is a “guest reviewer day.” That’s when I send you to read another’s review of something I’ve read. Enjoy!

         Several months ago I made a remark to someone that I thought the Harry Potter series was one of the most Christian stories I’ve ever read. In terms of illustrating truth in an emotionally powerful way, it succeeds better than many books written specifically for the Christian reader. The themes of good vs evil, of redemption and forgiveness, of sacrifice and honor and the power of love are threads throughout the series. The last book brings them all to a very satisfying conclusion.

         One day I will expound on that, but for now I’ll refer you to another reviewer who says something similar. (You might also want to follow the links that reveal her growth of opinion.)

         Let me know what you think!

         “Enchanted, Inc”, ISBN 0-345-48125-9, is another magic realism book, this one set in New York City, written by Shanna Swendson and published by Ballantine Books in 2005. It is the beginning of a series that includes “Once Upon Stilettos,” “Damsel Under Stress,“ and “Don’t Hex with Texas.”

         Katie Chandler is ordinary, a trait direly needed by Magic, Spells and Illusions, Inc, the company actively trying to recruit her. Katie, formerly from Texas and living in New York for the past year, is skeptical at first that this is a real job offer, but the months spent surviving an ogre of a boss come to a head and she is ready to seriously consider a closer look at this mystery job.

         Not until her first day at work does she realize she traded a figurative ogre boss for a real one. But by then, that little fact is just one of many that add interest and excitement to her day. As was explained to her when she came to interview at MSI, most people have at least a little magic in them. Some, like those working for MSI, can perform magic, but many only have enough to make them susceptible to spells and illusions. Then there are the few like Katie, called immunes, who are not affected at all by magic. They can walk through magical barriers. They see through the illusions fairies, elves and gnomes wear to escape notice. And, a main reason MSI is recruiting them, they can see magically hidden clauses in contracts and notice suspicious people or actions during business meetings.

         Katie learns soon after starting work at MSI, Inc that the magical community is nervous. Apparently there is trouble brewing, but no one is sure where it will strike next. Because of her astute observations and quick thinking, Katie soon becomes invaluable to MSI, discovering and helping eliminate at least one possible threat to the company. Everything is not all serious, though, as Katie adjusts to her new life in a magical company. She socializes with her new co-workers, rescues a frog-prince, attempts to date with some seriously hilarious results, all the while juggling her new life and her old life in an effort to keep the truth from her roommates.

         This is lighthearted read with quirky characters and a fascinating world to discover. Katie Chandler is a sympathetic, down-to-earth heroine. Her observations and reactions to single life in New York City add levity to an already humorous story. I’m sure subsequent books will see her having even more fun and becoming even more invaluable to the magical community of MSI, Inc.

         “Garden Spells”, ISBN 978-0-553-80548-2, was written by Sarah Addison Allen and published in hardback by Bantam Dell in 2007. Allen has also published “The Sugar Queen” and has at least one other book due out soon. “Garden Spells” is a light, fascinating story. As with most novels published in the current culture, there are some out-of-wedlock relationships and explicit intimacy portrayed. While rare and done tastefully, some Christians might find these offensive. If you are able to overlook that, though, this book could prove to be a satisfying break from day-to-day reality.

         “Garden Spells” is a sweet magical realism story set in the small fictitious town of Bascom, NC. Many of Bascom’s residents have unique quirks (every generation of Youngs has a Phineas who is the strongest man in town, Clark women were great lovers and always married well, or all Hopkins men married older women). The Waverly family, though, was the oddest of the town. Or so it seems for Claire and Sydney, sisters who had drastically different reactions to life in the Waverly house and garden.

         Claire and her mother returned to Bascom when her mother was pregnant with Sydney. Claire relished the safety and security of life under one roof and immersed herself in the life of a Waverly. The house and garden was magical, with flowers blooming without regard to normal seasons and an apple tree that threw apples at you. If you ate one, you saw the most momentous occasion of your life. Claire, and most of the Waverly women, did not like apples as a result. In Claire’s words,

“If it’s good, you’ll suddenly know that everything else you do will never make you as happy. And if it’s bad, you’ll have to live the rest of your life knowing something bad is going to happen. It’s something no one should know.”

         Claire grows up and starts a catering business that capitalizes on the Waverly tradition of the magical garden, using the different edible flowers to impart various magical effects. Sydney, however, cannot get away from Bascom fast enough. She leaves town soon after graduation and does not return for ten years. When she does return, she is running, with her six-year-old daughter, from an abusive relationship. The book explores the tragic and sometimes humorous history and new life as the two women learn to forgive each other and forge a new, more satisfying relationship. In the end, both women find peace with themselves, their history and their new loves.

         Fridays are normally the days I post a review of a book I have read. It is almost physically impossible for me to read and write a review every week. (One of the reasons I hesitated to even start this site.) That is why I decided early on that I would post a new review 2-3 times a month (on the 2nd, 3rd and 5th Fridays) and link to someone else’s review the other 2 Fridays (1st and 4th).

         Instead of a link to a review of just one book, this week I would like to recommend another reviewing website. A year ago, when searching for similar sites, I could find no one reviewing secular books from a Christian viewpoint. (They might have been on the Web. I just didn’t find them.) This time, though, I found Christian Review of Books. As you see from their About page, their stated mission is similar to mine.

“We decided there should be a Christian review, one that critiqued not only the books in the strictly Christian genre, but those that Christians are more likely to read from the mainstream or literature world, too.”

          What I read was interesting and well-written. A little different from my reviews (or my vision, which doesn’t always amount to the same thing ), but definitely a place to go for a reliable opinion.

         Go check them out. . . . Just don’t forget to come back here next Friday for a “Stephanie’s personal perspective” review. See you next week!

         “The Charmed Sphere”, ISBN 0-373-80203-X, was written by Catherine Asaro and published by Luna, an imprint of Harlequin Books in 2004. Asaro has published several other books with Luna, “The Misted Cliffs,” “The Fire Opal” and “The Dawn Star.”

         “The Charmed Sphere” is set in the fantasy kingdom of Aronsdale. In this kingdom mages rule alongside the monarch. In fact, it is traditional for the most powerful eligible mage to marry the king. That is the reason Della No-Cozen, Shape-Mage Mistress of Castle Suncroft is scouring the countryside. To find a budding mage to train who will also marry the heir of the throne. Chime appears to be that mage.

         Chime reluctantly accompanies Della back to Castle Suncroft and begins her training. Soon after, another mage is discovered and joins the lessons. The two girls struggle, each in different ways, to master the intricacies of using shapes and colors to produce spells. During that time, a long-lost heir is discovered, the kingdom is threatened by a growing evil in the north and Chime marries Muller, the disinherited heir.

         The rest of the story reveals the growing threat from an alliance with the bitter, grasping king to the north and a malignant and corrupted mage. This evil mage has apparently been brutally abused and tortured because of his powerful mage abilities. He lashes out at those he sees as responsible for his fate. The northern kingdom’s monarch uses this to set in motion a plan to conquer Aronsdale.

         Chime, Muller, Jarid, the returned heir and king, and Iris, the mage who found and later married him prepare to meet this growing menace. They attempt to uncover and defeat plots, both inside and outside the castle. This struggle is mirrored by their personal struggles to understand and control their individual powers. Each of them is powerful, but something about them is different and defies known and accepted information and practices. As they grapple with their inner battles, they secure a trust and alliance with each other that allows them to ultimately defeat the threat to themselves and Aronsdale.

         Because this fantasy world is radically different from our own reality, it may seem difficult to compare it to Christian norms. However, the emphasis on personal integrity and responsibility is compatible with Christian principles. There is little that is objectionable and much that is laudable in this story. The importance of compassion and forgiveness is emphasized, as is the need for seeking the motive underlying the action. The need for responsible development in the use of skills and talents is another important concept. The awareness and lessons learned about wielding magic are especially appropriate for a practicing Christian. One such lesson, that when a spell is used which causes pain or damage to another, the wielder is hurt in proportion to that damage, is a theme that runs throughout the entire book.

         The one possibly objectionable portion of the story is when Chime and Muller become physically intimate. While done tastefully, with nothing explicit written in any of the love scenes, this is a clear violation of the Christian command for purity in sexual matters. Within the context of the story, it must be admitted, this action is condemned as wrong by those in authority, if not by Chime and Muller.

         All in all, “The Charmed Sphere” is a fascinating, exhilarating adventure of love, intrigue and personal discovery. For the Christian who enjoys romance in fantasy lands, this book has much good to offer. Enjoy!