A Vivid Fantasy World To Renew Your Thirst For God
584134
King's Blood is the second book in The Kinsman Chronicles by Jill Williamson, and contains parts 4-6 (Kingdom at Sea, Maelstrom, and Voices of Blood), which were originally released as e-books.

This book begins aboard the Seffynaw, one of the many ships to flee in search of a new land after the destruction of The Five Realms. Here we find three princes, each preparing in his own way for the imminent death of the ailingKing of Armania. Soon we meet the rulers of other nations, each intent on becoming the sole proprietorof the remnants of The Five Realms.

Having not read the first book in The Kinsman Chronicles, King's Folly, I found myself utterly confused for the first several chapters of King's Blood, while Jill wastes no time on explaining backstory and presumes the reader is already familiar with the storyline. Although frustrating at first, I quickly found myself enthralled by the world that she had created -full of magic, false Gods, and champions seeking peace in a time of chaos. While I would highly suggest reading King's Folly first, if you have a little patience then King's Blood is a worthwhile read regardless.

While this book is very long (being that it collects three e-books into one volume), Jill does an excellent job at keeping the story flowing and full of vivid imagery and, at times, intense dialogue. This fantasy novel would be an excellent read for anyone intrigued by stories of magic and other-worlds, while wanting to be left feeling invigorated with a thirst for the one True God. 5/5 stars.

*Disclaimer: I received a free print copy of this book from Bethany House for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*
673775
The authors of this book present an attractive vision of a world in which we revel in the goodness of God. I was drawn to their desire to live in a world where Christianity is assumed, where we understand that beauty comes from God and he wants us to feast on his gifts. It is hard to do this book justice in a short review, the vision soars beyond that. I particularly enjoyed their emphasis on having a poetic view of the world, and I think they must have applied it well as they tackled our need for high views of God, his church, hierarchies of authority, work, family, stories, our relationships, art and theology because I felt myself being carried to a place of greater understanding and appreciation for a full and contemplative view of reality.

I wish they had gone into a few more specifics, particularly on the federal understanding of marriage, and while I agreed with much of the concept they were attempting to communicate as they discussed Bible translation (church authority) I simply cannot stand with them on the AV translation for today nor the textus receptus.
3559934
A unique and futuristic  world that brings your imagination to life
2597851
The Orb of Truth by Brae Wyckoff is Christian based fantasy at its finest.  I loved all the strong, supportive characters and amazing adventures.  'The time is come' and 'Send Me' were such resounding themes throughout this book.  I love the analogies and parables explained in such unique fashion.  Besides...Dragons...who can ever get enough dragons?
2250645
This book is a must read, that will inspire and motivate you to enhance and deepen your communion with GOD. It is packed with gems to know GOD in a new dimension, such as :
+ Transforming your prayer time into a habitual fellowship with GOD
+ Entering GOD's resting place by seeing and experiencing HIM in all circumstances
+ To just enjoy GOD, period
+ Calling to take part in Prayer and Fasting
+ Understanding Prayer in the Spirit, Travail and Intercessory Prayer
+ And many more ...
I highly recommend this book ... it is changing my prayer life !!!
594001
Matt Campbell's Spirit Summoner (The Chosen of the Light), book I, is a grand adventure.  It follows Darr, a spirit summoner, as he learns there is more to his "gift" than just an annoying and useless connection to the spirit world.  He's been chosen to help keep the world from devolving into chaos once more.

Along the way he is presented with those who would see him fail, and those who would help him.  Campbell weaves the story around the family issues we all have and yet presents those simple actions and interactions in a way that makes the characters larger than life, and the choices Darr must make have you wondering what will happen next.

The fantasy elements are familiar, yet, not cliche.  Any fantasy lover will want to read ths one more than once.

This is a great start to a fantasy epic.  I am looking forward to reading the next book.
1115288
Good fantasy books make world's that are only imaginary feel real. Aaron Safronoff has managed to do this in his book Sunborn Rising Beneath The Fall.

The Story

Cerulean once was a world full of brightness and life. But it has slowly become a place that is decaying. Barra finds her father's journal which tells of how the world has decayed and how it needs to stop. She and two of her friends take up her father's cause and begin to change Cerulean.

What I Liked About This Book

There is a lot to like about this book. I really like that the main character of this book is a strong female. She decides to solve a problem, and she doesn't hesitate to set out on an adventure. I like that the author has created a different and beautiful world. And I absolutely love that he used illustrations to show help the reader picture this world.

I also like that the author is kind of making a bigger statement. He is showing what happens when we forget to take care of the world we live in. Through Barra's story he is reminding us all of what happens when we don't heed some of the warnings that are offered

Who Should Read This Book

Because of it's strong female main character this book is a good book for young adult females. But I believe that there are many adults who would enjoy this book too. The world that the author paints is rich. And fans of fantasy fiction will probably enjoy this book.

Disclaimer
I did receive this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review
4673161
Jill Williamson delivers yet another winner in the speculative fiction world.  This complex epic fantasy was a joy to read, the characters are memorable and the plot twists kept me wondering. I especially love how Williamson weaves deep theology throughout the book making King's Blood a thoughful analogy to many of the Old Testament stories.  Come along for the adventure!
4590743
At one point in everyone's life our imaginations will become reigned, made barren that it is.  Whether the reigner was a lost love, a detrimental failure, or just the everyday trials of life, we lose that little piece of us that craves the impossible.  In The Barren Twelve, a Spire is spoken of, and this has the capacity to restore that which is lost. While reading this book, I slowly began to feel my imagination reignite with the wonder and innocence it was once had.  To be able to read a book and have that sense of wonder rekindled through Todd VanHooser's writing is a true gift.  The writing is sensible, you won't get lost in futile Shakespearean wanna-be writing like that of many fantasy writers.  Additionally, each character deals with the temptations, trials, and triumphs like anyone else here on Earth, the only difference is that they are elves, orlocks, drawves, seekers, and magicians.  Nevertheless, the battle between good and evil blurs the lines of black and white, making the story fast-paced with a genuine brush of humanity. You will be missing the chance of a lifetime to enter the Spire of Imagination and Adventure if you do not read this book. Don't cheat yourself.
2976656
Ever wonder what lies ahead for the person who simply believes in Christ for eternal life?  And I don't mean just going to heaven with an foggy eternal future.  What might it be like to live in the restored universe where sin is not allowed but where a sinless human race lives in the vibrant realization of the Savior's grace and presence.  This short novel is set 150,000 years into the future and projects a scenario of human life in the redeemed universe.  It focuses on a meeting with the Lord in the New Jerusalem.  The author uses little realized biblical promises to describe an eternity of meaning, purpose and awe not just for the glorified believers of this age, but also for the continually expanding race of mankind.  The fulfillment of God's plan for the ages and beyond is creatively written and described. It's extremely thought provoking, especially if the reader is a believer in Jesus. Very rewarding indeed. The book will kikely change the way you look at the future and give you hope. Tony B.
1741812
This book is an amazing blessing to the spirit of the imagination that is rooted in faith of Jesus Christ. This book is for anyone who wants to see beyond this mundane life and claim the possibilities that are only found in God and His infinite imagination!
1382400
This epic novel is at once a hybrid of top class science fiction and Biblical/historical  fiction.
It is full of action and adventure while also a philosophical work with a deep spiritual message.
It traces the exploits of Peleg, a descendant of Shem and an ancestor of Avraham Aveinu, the founder of the Hebrew Nation.
Peleg lives in Babylon where he is commissioned by Reu-Nathor, High Minister of the Citadel to be the Chief Cartographer of the Urbat, which is to explore the world to look for the source of life.
The Urbat travels to such exotic locations as the Pacific coast of South America where they encounter the pre-Inca peoples, Antarctica, West Africa where they encounter the Fulani and finally come across a settlement known as the Haganah inhabited by the community monotheists, persecuted by Sargon (Nimrod) as 'Gutians'.
Haganah is the Hebrew for defence and this community serves as the defence of the creed of the true G-D, Yaweh. They are ruled by Noah's son Shem, who teaches Peleg (who is his descendant) about the onew G-D Yaweh, and the seed or Zerah that will produce the Messiah.
Where I (As a Jew) digress form the author is the idea that the Zerah will be born from immaculate conception i.e without a father, which in my opinion destroys the idea of the seed, but I respect the author's theology.)
Peleg defies Sargon's daughter Innana, on whose character many ancient female deities where modelled such as Aphrodite in Greece Shing Moo in China, ,Astarte in the Levant and Hecate in central and northern Europe,  except in Arabia, where she was changed into a male deity known as Allah on whom the Islamic god is modelled.
Innana's pagan theology represents what today takes the shape of post modernism/secular humanism and aspects of the New Age movement, based around a hatred of the concept of Yaweh.
Through a rich, colourful and exciting narrative the author outlines his view of creation and the truth that there is a creator.
He draws on Christian and Jewish hagiography including the Jewish Midrash, as well as ancient Sumerian legend.
Seldom has a work, which at least partially falls into the Science Fiction genre, reflected such a strong theological and philosophical base.

The end of the book takes us to the time of Abraham and his battles with the five kings, to rescue his nephew Lot, followed by his historic meeting with the King of Shalem (later Jerusalem) Melchizedek.
According to this account Shem is buried in the caves of Amud in Israel.
The book is an important defence of the Judeo-Christian world view in a most unusual way.
Slowly from seeming at the beginning more in the Science Fiction class, the pieces fall into place as a religious and historical work.
In some ways it is reminiscent of CS Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia in it's use of science fiction fantasy to spread the word of G-D.
4885417
The King of the Trees is a fun, exciting allegory; especially the first book.  It is about the waiting of God's people for him to come, then the coming, death and resurrection of Jesus or in their story "Wampaganoah" the tree of life.  You follow Rollin and his mysterious, green-cloaked friends as they battle against dragons, Yegs (batwolves), Gorks, magic, and sorcery.  Alongside them join the torsils or passage trees and the great kingdom of the Sorcs (eagle lions).  Rollin, who used to be a simple bee keepers' son turns out to be the royal king of Lunabara and finds himself trapped in many situations throughout the book like:  caves, prisons, enemies, and even love.  But he trusts Galathane to help him through.  I consider this book a must get and an adventure for the whole family young and old.  So hope on your sorc or torsil and fly into this new world with me.  Written by my 10 year old daughter - M.J.
2996164
This is a great collection of short stories set in a new fantasy world...except it is clearly not a 'new' fantasy world. This is a richly detailed world with a number of fascinating cultures.

Unlike many fantasy worlds where a single religion dominates, or where good and evil are clearly defined, this world offers something a bit different. This book is clearly just the first taste of this world, each story offering a tiny kernel, a tasty morsel of a grand meal. Be prepared to settle down and enjoy a nice mug of hot cocoa on a winter night and enjoy this peek into the wondrous world of Threforfar and the people that live there.
1999644
I adored it. I think the top two things I didn't like was that there was too much emphasis on god and praying for my taste, and a character I enjoyed doesn't make it. Those are more personal opinions though, so feel free to take them with a grain of salt.

I understand the religious basis for the story, I really do. It adds a certain amount of intrigue and conflict with the whole whose-side-does-god-support thing. It's simply that I am a non-believer(I spent years studying science, and so the scientist in me demands proof and logical thinking), and therefore so much faith and prayer is a little grating to me. Just seems like there is an underlying message here that belief and prayer will fix all your problems and fill you with purpose, and I don't necessarily agree with that. It's my opinion, and you certainly don't have to agree with me, I don't judge, lol. The fact that this book is clearly fantasy and fictional makes it all a little easier to swallow.

Speaking of it being Fantasy... it's so very refreshing to see a powerful and strong female heroine. Fantasy is usually dominated by male leads, and so I really enjoyed having the tables turned here. There IS still quite a bit of emphasis put on Elisa's weight, and how she is somehow more valuable after roaming the desert caused her to slim down and become more attractive. While that is complete crap, it is also a very minor thing, so I'll try not to nit pick on it anymore.

As for the character dying, well, I'm sure it has it's purpose. I also read an interview with the author where she implied that this particular character was only a love interest because of Stalkholm Syndrome. Now there is some food for thought!

I will say that I'm very intrigued to see where this series goes, and can't wait to pick up the second book.
3104178
The City of God is an enjoyable adventure tale enriched with spiritual philosophy. The reader lives in the mind of Nathaniel Grey, a man with a monumental dilemma: Are his spiritual beliefs a lie? Is the society he has fought to protect all that it seems to be? And are those with contrary beliefs really so wrong?

This fascinating novel amounts to a journey. Serving as an officer in a city akin to a spiritual utopia, Grey witnesses an event that begins to unravel this perfect existence. Worse, he finds himself involved by association with the unraveling, and is forced to flee the city in the company of two outsiders. This exodus spans the desert and its unusual, primitive outposts. Throughout, Grey is compelled to examine his own beliefs while in the company of witches. Binding it all together is the Aether, a spiritual force that's the heart of religion and magic.

I enjoyed this novel. An original plot and solid characterization makes for a memorable read, and the spiritual conflict is pertinent to today's world of religious disparity. The narrative suffers some imperfections of a novice author (for example, a dependence on adverbs and cliches), but most readers will enjoy this work for its powerful story. The City of God, the first book of a series to come, fashions the itinerary well for the upcoming sequels.
674998
Kevin Max's tale set in the world of angels is a thrilling one, with a fresh new wonder or horror to find on the next page. We follow angels who are equally otherworldly and relatable; foreign and familiar. Main characters who face an inner struggle of their own, fighting the legions of demons while struggling to remain loyal to what they are--servants of God. Max uses beautifully crafted language, infused with biblical terminology and phrases to weave chapters that flow almost poetically. His description of the various halls of kingdoms of the angels are beautiful works of the imagination that dare the mind to delves further into this world of Terra One. I very much look forward to the continuation of this saga.