Get 50% off Catholic Books & eBooks

Discover the Next Tolkien & O'Connor

Join Here for FREE to Never Miss a Deal

Find new favorites & Support Catholic Authors

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

Freedom & Responsibility in “Citizen of the Galaxy” by Robert Heinlein

One of the masters of science fiction delivers a story exploring the limits of freedom and the ongoing battle against fallen human nature.

Where to Begin with C.S. Lewis

When he was four years old, C. S. Lewis renamed himself Jack and refused to answer to Clive Staples. For the rest of his life, he was Jack to his friends.

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.

The Wish Thief by C.D. Verhoff

Glory steals an unusual gem to save her family but winds up threatening an entire world.

Freeing Tanner Rose by T.M. Gaouette

Hollywood Starlet meets Kung Fu Country boy with a God obsession.

Siren Spell by Karina Fabian

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

Saint Michael: Above the 38th Parallel by Shanti Guy

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

The Mission of Joan Of Arc by Philip Kosloski, Alexandre Nascimento, and Jesse Hansen

Voyage Comics’ dynamic interpretation of the Life of Joan of Arc is based on the play written by St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

The Tale of Patrick Peyton

How a humble, Irish immigrant brought Mary to Hollywood and then the World.

The Bishop of 12th Avenue by Ray Lucit

A street kid gets ordained a Bishop in a post apocalyptic world. Talk about a shakeup in the priesthood.

Infernal Affairs by Declan Finn

St. Tommy finally comes face-to-face with the warlock that has been behind the events of the previous two books while fighting off hordes of everything from gangsters to vampires.

Cinder Allia by Karen Ullo

A political fantasy epic bildungsroman where Allia’s feminine heart becomes as powerful a force has her sword.

From the Shadows by Jacqueline Brown

In a broken world, Bria tries to unite a family even as she struggles to keep hope alive.

Beneath Wandering Stars by Ashlee Cowles

A young girl goes pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago on behalf of her brother and finds her place in the world.

I am Margaret by Corinna Turner

A dystopian nightmare that asks what you really believe and how far will you go to defend it.

The Academy Saga: Book 1 By C.J. Daly  

A thrilling, yet clean, high school romance.

Nun of My Business by Karina Fabian

When a nun hires Vern to prove that a new pop song is evil, the dragon suspects his new client might be hiding something.

Finnian and the Seven Mountains (Vol.2) By, Philip Kosloski and Michael Lavoy

Can one map be the key to stopping the Viking Invasion?

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?

Coven (Book 7 of St. Tommy Series): By Declan Finn

St. Tommy fights the CPS and a group of pagans who have taken over a military base.