C.S Lakin: Fantasy

The Map Across Time is the second book in the Gates of Heaven Series. When I received this book, I was a little hesitant about it since I have never been very interested in the fairy tale genre. But any misgivings I had quickly gave way to pure enjoyment as I began reading.

The book begins with Reya, the nursemaid, leading Adin and Aletha, young twins-- and the Prince and Princess of the Kingdom of Sherbourne-- to their mother’s deathbed. While Aletha is strong and confident, Adin has some congenital deformities and is physically weak. Evil has been steadily encroaching on this kingdom and family.

After being told of their mother’s death, a stranger meets them in their grief and reassures them that she is not truly dead but lives and they will see her again. Several years later, when they are young adults and their kingdom and family is deteriorating under the curse, Adin is lead to a map that will take him back in time to discover when and how this curse originated against the kingdom and to stop it.

There are so many delightful aspects to this book, I’ve decided to list them:

1) The characters were well-developed and likeable. While some of them were mysterious, none of them turned out to be duplicitous-- which was refreshing.

2) Lakin’s descriptive style sparked my imagination making sounds, smells and sights come alive.

3) The plot moved along nicely and hooked me immediately. The implications of time travel were compelling and thought-provoking, and the classic depiction of good vs. evil, with good winning in the end, is comfortingly inspirational. Though it is not overtly Christian, an experienced reader of the Bible will recognize themes and proverbs.

4) While there are appropriate times for nebulous endings, I am thankful this wasn’t one of them-- since the author tied up all the loose ends nicely.

At the risk of sounding too simplistic, this was an extremely fun reading experience. I know I am not the only one to have shied away from fantasy, and if that is you, this is the perfect opportunity to try something new!


Reviewer: Lisa Norsworthy



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Day two of the CSFF blog tour

I mentioned in my last post, that I don't like Fairy Tales. I meant to say Fables. I don't mind fairies, goblins, trolls, and such, it's just the far fetched "moon and sun being people" thing I don't care for so much.

The basic story is this. Joran is a young man growing up in an out of the way village, where nothing out of the ordinary happens- except Joran speaks with animals. It is a peculiar gift, mostly responsible for why he works as a blacksmith. Hearing complaints while shoeing an irritable horse now and then is preferable to hearing fish beg for their lives. The detail Lakin uses to describe this gift and its effects on Joran is just one of many ways she brings her world to life. Lakin makes it easy for the reader to feel what Joran feels, like for instance, his lonliness. Though he was raised by a loving family, and is surrounded by kind people, Joran still feels out of place. Lakin informs the reader that all of Joran's brothers were strong and burly, and he is thin and lean, with long spindly fingers. These physical differences make it easy to see how Joran, though loved, feels like an outsider.

Joran lives a simple life as a blacksmith, and is married to a beautiful weaver named Charris. From the start of the story Charris is absent from Joran's life, except in his dreams. And, as the puzzle comes together, we find that Charris betrayed her husband, and he sent her away secretly. It is all basically cut and dry-- save for the messy matter of the local witch, who claims Joran locked Charris away in his dreams, and the only way he can save her is to travel to the end of the world and speak to the moon-- yup ... that's where I yawned a little bit.

Joran heads off into the wild and picks up a faithful wolf companion named Ruyah, in a sort of "mouse pulls the thorn from the lion's paw" kind of way. Together they travel on a twisting adventure full of philosophy and whimsy, and deep emotional turmoil. I would give more detail, but I'm afraid anything I say would ruin the story.

There are many Christian elements throughout, including a nice story of redemption. If you enjoy Fables, you won't be disappointed with this one.

Day one CSFF Blog Tour

I'm going to be honest right out of the gate-- I don't like fairy tales. I know that coming from a guy who reads only fiction, this may come as a shock, but I'm not big on the moon being a person one moment, and a celestial body the next. That being said, I absolutely adore C.S. Lakin's writing style. She could write a Wendys menu, and I would be enthralled.

While this story is not my cup of tea, Lakin keeps me hungering for each line, like a starving chiwawa on a pig bone. Her use of the English language is nothing less then magical. She clearly loves what she does, and it shows with each masterfully constructed sentence.

Tune in tomorrow, and I'll give you my take on the story.

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Here are some other websites you can visit to hear about The Wolf of Tebron.

Noah Arsenault
Amy Bissell
Red Bissell
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Grace Bridges
Beckie Burnham
Jeff Chapman
Christian Fiction Book Reviews
Carol Bruce Collett
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
April Erwin
Andrea Graham
Nikole Hahn
Katie Hart
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Dawn King
Shannon McDermott
Matt Mikalatos
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Nissa
John W. Otte
Chawna Schroeder
Tammy Shelnut
Kathleen Smith
James Somers
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler