Book Review: Guardian of Ajalon

by Jeanette O'Hagan @JeanetteOHagan

The Book

Guardian of Ajalon is the third and final book in the Poison Tree Path Chronicles.

The poison tree path is Shara’s road home. . .if she and her companions can survive the journey. In the danger and darkness of the forest, the only respite she finds is in the story unlocked in the Old Tongue book. In this vivid world, Shara finally discovers what she has longed for all her life: the key to the secrets of her past. Yet time is running out for Shara—and all of Tirragyl—as Lord Lucian, King Alexor, and the royal army attack the Guardian Grotto to claim the powerful Guardian Rock.
Publisher: Enclave (September 11, 2018)
Available in print and e-book.

The Author

Joan Campbell is the author of Encounters: Life Changing Moments with Jesus, a collection of short stories, reflections, and prayers. She lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband, two daughters, and their Labrador, Tabeal, named after one of the characters in her novel.

My Thoughts

Guardian of Ajalon is a fresh epic fantasy with strong allegorical elements. Campbell intertwines the different stories of Shara, Nicco, and Queen Nyla as their different journeys and actions fasten toward a riveting final battle.  All three draw from the Old Tongue book and it's story of he fabled Kingdom of Ajalon and its Prince ‘Eshua and are assisted by the Goldbreast, Talbeal. 

As the story progressed, the biblical allegory of the poison tree path, of the King Ab'El, his son Prince 'Eshua and the Goldbreast become clear. I was fascinated by nature of the two different kingdoms (fabled Ajalon versus troubled Tirragyl), the time-shift or split between them, the death curse and the poison tree path. It is a fresh and powerful way of representing the biblical story. It reminded me of the Narnia stories (especially the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the Last Battle) and also of Paul Gallico's The Man Who Was Magic. Descriptions of Ajalon and of Ab'El and especially 'Eshua and the Goldbreast are beautiful and the poison tree is an apt analogy.

I hadn't read the first two books, but, except for one or two minor points, I was easily able to understand what was happening and why. The book is full of action, set-backs, danger, desperate situations, and twists, as Shara finds her true identity and Nicco, Nyla and their companions fight to save the Guardian Grotto and Tirragyl. This is not a two dimensional allegory, but a full blooded story with rounded characters, suspense and intrigue. I was moved by Campbell's compelling portrayals of God's love, even the broken and the erring, and the cost of that love.

Of course, now I need to read the first two books (which I understand are less strongly allegorical.)

Overall, a fresh and interesting Christian epic fantasy with strong allegorical tones.
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Jeanette started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children and Ruhanna's Flight and other stories.

Her latest release, Stone of the Sea, is currently on preorder for 31 October release.


Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.


Find her on:

Facebook |Jeanette O'Hagan Writes | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Book Review: Rose of Admirias by Charis Joy Jackson

by Jeanette O'Hagan

The Book

The Rose of Admirias is a full-sized novel retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in a fascinating and fresh fantasy world.  It is currently available as part of the limited release boxed set On the Horizon (available on Amazon, Kobo, ITunes and other retailers).

Averie Rose has lived the life of a peasant, so when she discovers she’s actually the lost princess of a mythical kingdom - Admirias - she must choose between running from a man who seeks to kill her, or run towards him and claim her rightful throne. 

The Author

Charis Joy Jackson works as a missionary with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) a non-profit organization & is part of The Initiative Production Company as both scriptwriter and actor. She loves creating stories, with stories published in three anthologies - Glimpses of Light, Tall People and other collected stories, and Like a Woman. Her first novel, The Rose Of Admirias, was released this May in a limited release box set called On The Horizon - 22 authors, 22 novels. 

www.charisjoyjackson.com

My Thoughts

When Averie's father doesn't return from a sea-trip, she finds herself in deadly danger from those she trusts. Meanwhile, in his beleaguered kingdom, Brun bewails the curse that has given him a beastly form until such time he fulfils the promise he betrayed. Averie and Brun are destined to meet and must choose whether to acknowledge their faults and fight for what is right and the future of a shattered kingdom.

I was entranced by The Rose of Admirias, which is told as a three braided tale, with hidden secrets and past tragedies weighing heavily on the present and the possibilities for the future. I love the characters --- Averie, as she discovers her secret past, her father Dumont with his dour strength, Brun angry and bitter, Boice wise and faithful in service, and mysterious Ilyria. I also loved the settings, from Averie's simple village life by the sea, Brun's brooding and strange fairy-tale kingdom, to the wonder of Admirias floating on the Ocean. The threads of the story are skilfully woven together with several layers all working together to produce an enthralling tale of secrets, betrayals, broken promises, despair and forgiveness.

This is a wonderful story for lovers of fantasy and fairy-tale retellings with deep Christian allegory.

The Book Bundle On the Horizon contains a range of 22 science-fiction and fantasy novels and, while many are definitely not Christian Fiction, I think it was worth buying (for a couple of dollars) just for Charis Joy Jackson's wonderful debut novel The Rose of Admirias. And I'm looking forward to reading others in the bundle like Aiki Flinthardt's 80AD (since reading her Aurealis Awards finalist science fiction short story A Little Faith in Like a Woman anthology), and I have already enjoyed Connor Sassmannshausen's hard-hitting dystopian thriller, From the Ashes, Judith Rook's fascinating Planet Woman and my own Akrad's Children.)

Jeanette recently published a collection of fantasy and sci-fi Nardvan stories, Ruhanna's Flight and other stories. She started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children. Find her on Facebook or at her webpages Jeanette O'Hagan Writes or Jenny's Thread.

Book Review: Land of Britannica

by Jeanette O'Hagan

Land of Brittanica by Jenny Woolsey

Description:

Twelve-year-old Brittney is upset her parents have split up and she wants them back together. After Dad introduces his girlfriend to Brittney and her brothers, she is plunged into a strange world... the Land of Britannica. This kingdom is ruled by the evil Storm Queen and it is Brittney's mission, as stated in the Book of the Kingdom, to defeat the queen and restore the cracked green heart that hangs in the sky. She must face many perils and dangers. Will Brittney be able to fulfil her destiny?

Land of Britannica is an allegory. Brittney must work through stages of grief as she goes on her mission to save the people.

This is a wonderful story of a brave girl who fights evil for good.


Middle Grade Novel
Ages 9 - 12
198 pages
Publication Year: 2017

About the Author

Jenny Woolsey is a writer and blogger, speaker, teacher, youth worker and advocate for people with facial differences, mental illness, and disabilities. She lives in the north of Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia, with her husband, three magnificent children, three spirited cats and her cute fluffy dog.

Jenny started writing stories when she was little. As a teenager, poetry was her favourite genre. In 2014 Jenny decided it was time to begin writing again and published her first novel, Ride High Pineapple. In 2016 she published her second, Brockwell the Brave. Jenny writes to help children and teens who feel different and are going through tough situations. She understands as she's felt this way all through her life.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed Jenny Woolsey's debut novel Ride High Pineapple which dealt with difference (the heroine has a congenital face dysmorphia), bullying and being brave with an engaging story. So I was looking forward to reading Land of Britannica. This book was pitched to a younger audience with clear language.

Twelve-year old Brittney is struggling with the separation of her parents, especially when her Dad introduces his new girlfriend. Unable to sleep, she is transported through a strange green portal and finds herself in a kingdom with a cracked green heart hanging in the sky and an evil Storm Queen. The people of the kingdom believe Brittney is the girl from the Book of the Kingdom, who will mend the green heart and save the realm from the Queen.

Brittney must face her fears as she battles trolls, fierce guards and the Queens magic. She receives help along the way, and there are many strange cross-overs between her normal world and this new one, including her companion, a talking cat called Marmalade almost identical to her cat at home.

Land of Britannica follows the well-tried path of hero's journey, with a quest and many difficulties along the way. Britannica is a world with fantastical elements, including an evil stepmother Queen, a fairy, talking animals, and dragons; elements that connect with Brittany's inner battle. There is plenty of action and a satisfying conclusion. All the while, the story explores the confusion for children when their parents separate.

This is a solid middle-grade book, easy to read and full of adventure. The book is written for the general market, though from with Christian values and worldview. Great for kids that might be struggling with family conflict, change and separation or know someone who is.

Available as an e-book on Amazon or as print book from the author's website.

Book Review: Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

Photo Courtesy of Amazon

Review by Ian Acheson

Blurb

Much-Afraid had been in the service of the Chief Shepherd, whose great flocks were pastured down in the Valley of Humiliation. She lived with her friends and fellow workers Mercy and Peace in a tranquil little white cottage in the village of Much-Trembling. She loved her work and desired intensely to please the Chief Shepherd, but happy as she was in most ways, she was conscious of several things which hindered her in her work and caused her much secret distress and shame. Here is the allegorical tale of Much-Afraid, an every-woman searching for guidance from God to lead her to a higher place.

My Review

A good friend of mine was shocked when I said I’d never even heard of this “Christian Classic”, let alone read it. Having 700+ reviews on Amazon (average rating 4.8) tells me many have read this book that was written in 1955. I expect there are some within ACW who have fond memories of reading it at one time.

I don't read many allegories but this was such a delight and I can understand why so many people read it multiple times. The story takes its title from Habakkuk 3:19 and Much-Afraid’s journey of falling in love with God as she climbs the mountain is tremendously uplifting and inspirational. Here she is, the fearful Much-Afraid, learning to trust her Shepherd as He transforms her.

What is interesting is the significance of her encounters with the Shepherd. It is only through the deepening relationship realised by those encounters and her obedience in stepping out in faith that the transformation occurs. Power is released when we obey and we see very practical examples of this in Much-Afraid's journey.

I took a lot away from this powerful tale and trust some of the key messages will linger in my heart for many weeks. It also reminded me that often it's the simple tales that capture our hearts. One doesn't need to write a literary masterpiece to stir a reader's heart.

It’s a quick read and I'm so appreciative my friend suggested it.