Christian Book Review: Till We Have Faces~ C.S. Lewis

“I saw well why the gods do not speak to us openly, nor let us answer . . . Why should they hear the babble that we think we mean? How can they meet us face to face till we have faces?”

I found this book, oddly intriguing. So much that I read it twice. And enjoyed it a second go. Lewis is an author I respect, and admire especially for his understanding of human nature and the depravity of man. Which is why I think I enjoyed Till We Have Faces. It's not your happily ever after story where all the characters live wonderful lives. It shows some of the most despicable, inner sins of the human soul.

"It was when I was happiest that I longed most...The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing...to find the place where all the beauty came from.” Orual~

I will say, I do not agree with Lewis in everything, and some people avoid him entirely because of the seemingly pagan things he brings into his writing. He confessed how much the stories of pagan gods intrigued him, but I believe inherently, Lewis's goal was to teach through a diverse way (by using magic and gods) the deep nature of man and God. And by using stories to mask his allegorical meanings, people were unknowingly being shown a Christian worldview.

"Haunted by the myth of Cupid and Psyche throughout his life, C.S. Lewis wrote this, his last, extraordinary novel, to retell their story through the gaze of Psyche’s sister, Orual. Disfigured and embittered, Orual loves her younger sister to a fault and suffers deeply when she is sent away to Cupid, the God of the Mountain. Psyche is forbidden to look upon the god’s face, but is persuaded by her sister to do so; she is banished for her betrayal. Orual is left alone to grow in power but never in love, to wonder at the silence of the gods. Only at the end of her life, in visions of her lost beloved sister, will she hear an answer." Amazon summary

A good introduction to Lewis's character is to read the book 'Not a Tame Lion'.

Children's Book Review: Adventures in the Big Thicket ~ Ken Gire

Set in the bayous of Texas, and not complete without being read in a drawling Texan accent, these animal tales based off the book of Proverbs will have children enraptured. Each story is told in allegorical form pertaining to a verse out of Proverbs.

Children will get a kick at how ham crazed and anxious the bobcat Hamhock is to devour Mr. McGillicutty's prize hams, be they alive or dead...even if it means a few bullet holes in his breeches.  They will read of the greedy frog Buford T. Suggs and his 'almost' inheritance that caused him to make very unwise decisions. And adding to the fools of the bayou is High Pockets the jackrabbit who learns a thing or two the hard way about pride. And the mail carrying Jabberlips thinks twice about talking after seeing where all talk and no work gets him in the winter. After reading the fourteen short tales of the Texan bayou, kids will be begging to re-read it!

"Y'all don't need a plan," said High pockets. "All y'all need is guts. And from the looks of it, ya ain't got enough to corner a cockroach." "And I suppose you do?" challenged Fussbudget the badger. "Why back where I come from, badger, they call me ' King of the Gators.' "  "Back where I come from they call your kind 'full of marsh mush." Replied Fussbudget. 

Violence: Mostly presented as comical. Hamhock is shot at multiple times. Animals threatened to be eaten by a gator.
Language: Other than incorrect grammar and slang words, none. :)
Age Interest: 5-13 (But again, even I still enjoy listening in.)

The Dragon Keeper Chronicles ~ Donita K. Paul

In Dragon Spell #1 the reader travels to the mysterious land of Amara where creatures and people of all kinds abound, from friendly dragons and curious doneels, and graceful emerlindians to terrifying blimmets, devouring quiss and disgusting mordakleeps. The reader follows Kale, a young orant girl who is trying to make her dull life as a slave as exciting as possible. She could not have imagined what her future held when she soon finds out that she is a Dragon Keeper of Paladin.

In Dragon Quest #2 Kale and an odd assortment of new companions are aiding her on the quest to nurture and train the meech dragon Regidor, as well as serve as an apprentice to the seemingly mindless, but wise wizard Fenworth. But to Kale's disappointment, the Hall is sending a young Knight-to-be whose demeanor is cold and disapproving, to monitor her training as a young wizard. But a new assignment arrives as the companions find out that the Evil Risto has plotted to overtake a meech and use it for his advantage.

Dragon Knight #3 In mountains of solitude, considering the vows he is about to take, Bardon's solitude is suddenly interrupted by an emerlindian and her granddaughter. As the woman pleads aid to free her son, who is in a lone chamber trapped by a spell of sleep, the reluctant Bardon agrees. As the threesome travel, Bardon soon learns that not just one of Paladin's knights lay captive. Finding the chamber, the band discover a dozen knights who lay bound by an unknown spell. And only an age old book, the ink swirling across pages in foreign words, can unlock the captive knights. With no help to this mysterious book, and obstacles arising at every corner, will the quest endure?

In Dragon Fire #4 Three years have gone by since Bardon and Kale have freed the dozen captive knights of Paladin. War rages heavier than before as rival dragons scorch the lands with their fire amid the dual between the husband and wife wizards battle for complete power. Bardon and Kale- now joined in matrimony- are forced to accept separate quests by Paladin. Bardon along with his former companions must bravely lead his troops against the armies of Pretender, while Kale and her father are sent to find dragons and train for Paladin's army against the forces of Risto. Along they way, Kale and her family all learn something about each other that furthers their ability to understand and love.

In Dragon Light #5 as Kale and her father are still at work hatching dragons of all assortments while she develops a stronger affection for her father who she is slowly learning to love. Sir Bardon is a leader among Paladin's knights, and now present in His counsel. But a new search for the meech colony is assembled and Kale and Bardon are part of it. While traveling with their meech friends Regidor and Gilda, their encounters with invisible and dangerous forces are increasing. As the last chapter of the Dragonkeeper chronicles closes, the tale is concluded with all the old friends and an ending touching and victorious!

~My reviews can never do these great works justice, there are so many plots intertwined in one.

These five books are refreshing with an extremely unique plot, and my favorite part, a powerful allegory. None of the content brought any red flags, and it's not filled with inappropriate romance. I don't know if you would even call it this but there is very mild flirting that is far between, and the characters involved in it end up married. From the way the author wrote it, I consider most of it acts of chivalry. Just my opinion.~~~ Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Indecency: None

Violence: Throughout the books there is plenty of fighting but nothing explained too gory

Language: None

Age Interest: 12-16

My Rating: 5 out of 5

The Kingdom Series ~ Chuck Black

I found this series when I was looking for some literature for mere pleasure, but I wanted it to have some depth of morality. Chuck Black rose to the challenge.

Set in the medieval era, these six books are an allegory of Genesis to Revelations and will not disappoint your appetite for action, love, lessons of truth, and the honor of those who trust in Christ.

In Kingdom's Dawn, Chuck Black introduces the reader into the Kingdom of Arrethrae, where he follows the adventures of young, sixteen-year old Leinad, who is beginning to question why he, a mere farmer's son, is being taught to master the sword, and to be a leader who follows the ways of a King that has been long absent from His kingdom. A tragic event soon changes the whole course of Leinad's future, and Leinad slowly understands the calling he was given...by the King himself.

Leinad and his new found friend Tess endure a life of enslavement, and those who called themselves followers of the King abandon Leinad in his quest.

As the adventures continue, new followers of this mysterious King arise, and to the displeasure of men common and wealthy, a peasant who calls himself a prince.

Cedric of Chessington has only known a life of poverty and despair, and it seems the future will remain as such. Until a strange man gives Cedric and his faithful companion hope.

While on a voyage Cedric meets beautiful Talea; a mysterious woman who has some connection with the old man Leinad that Cedric loves dearly. While trying to figure out the elusive Talea, Cedric uncovers even more puzzling mysteries that encamp around the kingdom of Arrethrae.

Gavin is a Knoble Knight devoted to the code of the King, and fully trusts that he and his fellow soldiers are doing what is right in the eyes of the absent King, until followers of the mysterious peasant stand against their code and make him question his mission in life.

Keanna and Kendra both have a painful past and nothing in which to hope. Their hearts are bitter towards the men that tore their families apart. Where can forgiveness and hope be found while in the shadows of the arch enemy Lucius?

Violence- Throughout the series everyone uses swords and various weapons, though fights are not explained in gory detail.

Indecency- None

Language-None

Age interest- 12-15