Genre

Fantasy

Audience

Children, Teens (especially 11-14), Adults

Author’s Worldview

Catholic/Christian

Year Published

2020

Themes

Virtue in real life, Conquering pride, Surrendering oneself to the Will of God, Quest, Heroism, Courage, Adventure, Chivalry

Reviewed by

Corinna Turner

Fed up with first-person, present-tense narratives with modern grammar, bursting with ‘hip’ characters and anachronistic sentimentality? Sandralena Hanley provides the antidote with this traditional epic fantasy fairy-tale.

Alloryn is a shepherd boy who has always dreamed of becoming a warrior. His dream comes true when, for his coming of age ceremony, he finds he must battle a mythical creature to win the Crestin sword. Little does he know that whoever wields the sword has the power—and the obligation—to find the lost princess, who has waited over a hundred years for her chance to free the land from an evil warlord. Together they search for the six stones of power, each of which represents a virtue needed by a good ruler. Throughout their quest they make many allies, but when the final battle for the kingdom comes, will they prevail?

From a literary point of view, reading this book was like stepping back in time. It reads like a cross between a traditional children’s story and a medieval Grail Quest legend. In keeping with both these literary forms, the narrative is third-person, with the point of view very much external (that of the narrator) rather than internal to any of the characters. This gives it the fast-pace but limited character depth that you would expect from an older-style tale. If you prefer the more modern, internalized style of writing, this may not be the book for you.

I was pleasantly surprised by the subtlety of the Christian content. From the description, I was expecting something considerably more overt, but Hanley allows the virtues to be showcased primarily through events and keeps everything within the fantasy world (in which God is referred to simply as ‘The One Who Fashioned All’). Some readers, if not alerted by the description, might read the book without discerning any significant didactic intent.

The princess, who is well over a hundred years old, behaves like a young woman throughout. I did feel that the author could have made better use of her great life experience—or slipped in that she’d been in some sort of emotional stasis as well as bodily, to explain things better.

Refreshingly, treatment of things such as recovery from concussion was realistically portrayed. Most refreshingly of all, viewing horses as fair targets during a battle was actually presented as something okay, even for the hero, thus avoiding (mostly!) the anachronistic sentimentality about animals so typical of modern historical or fantasy fiction. There is, however a loveable and intelligent dog in the story, so dog lovers need not fear!

At one point a horse seemed to be referred to as a mare and then later as a ‘he,’ and there were a few other minor glitches throughout, but not to the point of preventing the book’s enjoyment. 

This book would suit readers of all faiths or none, so long as their religious sensibilities can stand references to ‘The One Who Fashioned All’ and characters who pray during times of danger or trial—a fairly ecumenical bar.

At no point in the book is there any feeling that the main characters are in danger of being seriously injured, let alone killed. The entire book feels very ‘safe’—think Disney rather than Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Therefore this would be a good read for children and more sensitive teens, along with any adults who enjoy gentle, older-fashioned fiction. It seems unlikely to suit fans of tension, suspense, or grit.

In conclusion: This book takes the reader on a squeaky-clean tour of the virtues through a heroic quest undertaken by brave and true characters in a likeable fantasy land (and there’s a nice dog!). Gentle and wholesome fare particularly suited for children and young teens plus those adults who pine for the clean and hearty literature of yesteryear.

Get Catholic Books & eBooks for as little as $1 to FREE

The King’s Prey by Susan Peek

When the king of Ireland goes insane, Princess Dymphna must embark on a harrowing journey to freedom.

Please Don’t Feed the Dinosaurs by Corinna Turner

A series of dino adventures that has been doing better what the mainstream Jurassic Park series only recently attempted.

Finnian and the Seven Mountains (Vol. 1) by Philip Koslowski, Michael Lavoy, and Jim Fern

Join Finnian as his quest for a legendary sword takes him to the monks of Skellig Michael, a real life inspiration for the Jedi temple.

Saving the Statue of Liberty By Andrea Jo Rodgers

Can John save the Statue of Liberty and keep from getting kicked off the team and out of the Academy?

Outlaws of Ravenhurst, by Sr. M. Imelda Wallace, S.L.

The 10-year-old heir of a noble Scottish family must choose between his inheritance and his Catholic faith.

Brave Water by Sarah Robsdottir

What if you had to risk your life for a simple cup of water?

Worth Dying For By Marie C. Keiser

In the shady corporate-ruled galaxy, a man can acknowledge no god. Yet having nothing worth dying for frightens Mark more than death itself.

Siren Spell by Karina Fabian

Immortal dragon Vern can handle anything—until a curse turns him human…

Arrow in Flight by Jane Lebak

If you want a gorgeous read delving into the world of angels that reflects actual accepted beliefs about them then this is the book for you.

Crusader St. Tommy NYPD Book 5 By: Declan Finn

Detective Nolan embarks on a Crusade against demonic sex traffickers trying to raise a demon.

Playing by Heart by Carmela Martino

In this historical drama, Emilia longs for a love as beautiful as her sonata, but the ambitions of her father put her and her sister in great danger. Winner of our 2018 Best of the Year Awards.

Christmas Spirits by Karina Fabian

A dragon PI and a Faerie nun try to save a businessman from the Ghosts of Christmas.

Desperate Forest: The Forest Tales Series, Book 1 By Cece Louise

This RomCom fantasy adventure explores a princess discovering the realities of life outside of her kingdom and what true love is really made of.

Elfling by Corinna Turner

Serapia Ravena is on a mission to find and keep her father, but he has transgressed a boundary that no creature has the right to cross. Only the mercy of God can resolve this tension.

Saving Mt. Rushmore by Andrea Jo Rodgers

John’s summer plans are ruined when he is recruited to a top-secret crime-fighting school, St. Michael’s Academy.

Best of 2020

Yes some good things DID happen this year- Catholic creators have not let turmoil stop their mission.

Shadow of the Bear by Regina Doman

An intriguing story that will enchant with a sweet romance and take you on a thrill ride through the Gothic version of modern-day New York City.

Saint Michael: Above the 38th Parallel by Shanti Guy

The true story of St. Michael, the original punch-communism-in-the-face superhero

The Lost Vessel by Mark Adderley

McCracken joins a treasure hunt for Captain Nemo’s lost ship in this exciting adventure that adds another chapter to Jules Verne’s greatest creation.

Nephilim Corruption by Ann Margaret Lewis

Jedi Adventure meets Christian Epic