by Jason Joyner | Feb 21, 2008 | Blog, CSFF, fiction, sci-fi
I had to chime in a little more on the blog tour for The Shadow and Night by Chris Walley. I confessed on Sunday that I had only read about 125 pages, so I couldn’t give an accurate review of the whole book. I wanted to see what people were saying about the book before I opened my mouth and filled it with shoe leather (doesn’t sound filling this week).
I’m glad that I did. It seems a lot of people really enjoyed the book. One of the major things from other blog posts and the comments to my first post is that, yes the book may start slow, but around page 150 it really picked up. So I’ve determined to read a little farther to see if I can get into it.
In my last post I listed all of my CSFF colleagues for your linkage pleasure. Today there are three that I’d like to highlight.
Author Christopher Hopper had a thoughtful review that discussed both positive and negative aspects, without total gushing or bashing. Also check out the comments to this link, as he’s kind enough to answer a question of mine about catching a reader quick versus a slow burn.
John Otte gave a great primer on end times and millennialism, as this is a major foundation for the plot. A good quick overview even for those just curious about the various types of end times views out there. In other posts he discusses his review and ideas about sin brought up by the book. Well worth reading.
CSFF’s other John, John Ottinger (what are the odds?), gives a very positive review of the book and makes a case in support of the book’s slower start.
I wish I could’ve participated more, both in having read the book as well as having time to check out other blogs. Like I said, I’m going to give the book a little more time to see if I can get into it. I will say that I’m not enamored by his writing style, but perhaps when the conflict really takes off I will see the intensity of the trouble for main characters Merral and Vero, which seems to be a really big part of what others like. Perhaps I can add a follow up post later on.
My one other comment has also been repeated elsewhere in the tour. The book is listed as “A Fantasy in the Tradition of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.” I found this quite misleading and presumptuous, as 1. it is not a fantasy, and 2. I don’t think it is fair or accurate to suggest this book is to the level of Lewis or Tolkien. Not a turn off for me, but hopefully the marketers will be a little more thoughtful in this aspect in the future.
If you’re curious, please go to my last post and check out others’ posts on this book!
by Jason Joyner | Feb 21, 2008 | Blog, CSFF, fiction, sci-fi
I had to chime in a little more on the blog tour for The Shadow and Night by Chris Walley. I confessed on Sunday that I had only read about 125 pages, so I couldn’t give an accurate review of the whole book. I wanted to see what people were saying about the book before I opened my mouth and filled it with shoe leather (doesn’t sound filling this week).
I’m glad that I did. It seems a lot of people really enjoyed the book. One of the major things from other blog posts and the comments to my first post is that, yes the book may start slow, but around page 150 it really picked up. So I’ve determined to read a little farther to see if I can get into it.
In my last post I listed all of my CSFF colleagues for your linkage pleasure. Today there are three that I’d like to highlight.
Author Christopher Hopper had a thoughtful review that discussed both positive and negative aspects, without total gushing or bashing. Also check out the comments to this link, as he’s kind enough to answer a question of mine about catching a reader quick versus a slow burn.
John Otte gave a great primer on end times and millennialism, as this is a major foundation for the plot. A good quick overview even for those just curious about the various types of end times views out there. In other posts he discusses his review and ideas about sin brought up by the book. Well worth reading.
CSFF’s other John, John Ottinger (what are the odds?), gives a very positive review of the book and makes a case in support of the book’s slower start.
I wish I could’ve participated more, both in having read the book as well as having time to check out other blogs. Like I said, I’m going to give the book a little more time to see if I can get into it. I will say that I’m not enamored by his writing style, but perhaps when the conflict really takes off I will see the intensity of the trouble for main characters Merral and Vero, which seems to be a really big part of what others like. Perhaps I can add a follow up post later on.
My one other comment has also been repeated elsewhere in the tour. The book is listed as “A Fantasy in the Tradition of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.” I found this quite misleading and presumptuous, as 1. it is not a fantasy, and 2. I don’t think it is fair or accurate to suggest this book is to the level of Lewis or Tolkien. Not a turn off for me, but hopefully the marketers will be a little more thoughtful in this aspect in the future.
If you’re curious, please go to my last post and check out others’ posts on this book!
by Jason Joyner | Feb 18, 2008 | Blog, CSFF, fiction, sci-fi
This month’s CSFF blog tour is focusing on Chris Walley’s book from a few years ago entitled The Shadow and Night. I actually bought a version that includes books 1 and 2 (The Power of Night) of the Lamb Among the Stars trilogy, although this tour is focusing on just the first book.
I am reluctant to fully dive into discussing the book. I’ve only gotten to about page 125 out of 296, so I don’t feel like I can fully comment on it. However, I have had a particularly hard time getting into the book, and I’ve got some major reservations so far on what I have read. I know that I’ve read other books that took a while to get into, but this one is different so far. I would encourage you to check out my fellow tourmates listed below, as I will be doing this week. I may post more detail about why I’ve had a hard time reading this book depending on my time and what I see on the tour.
You can also check out Chris Walley’s site and blog for more information.
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Jackie Castle
Carol Bruce Collett
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Marcus Goodyear
Rebecca Grabill
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Michael Heald
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Heather R. Hunt
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika or Mir’s Here
Pamela Morrisson
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Deena Peterson
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachelle Sperling
Donna Swanson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Robert Treskillard
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
by Jason Joyner | Feb 18, 2008 | Blog, CSFF, fiction, sci-fi
This month’s CSFF blog tour is focusing on Chris Walley’s book from a few years ago entitled The Shadow and Night. I actually bought a version that includes books 1 and 2 (The Power of Night) of the Lamb Among the Stars trilogy, although this tour is focusing on just the first book.
I am reluctant to fully dive into discussing the book. I’ve only gotten to about page 125 out of 296, so I don’t feel like I can fully comment on it. However, I have had a particularly hard time getting into the book, and I’ve got some major reservations so far on what I have read. I know that I’ve read other books that took a while to get into, but this one is different so far. I would encourage you to check out my fellow tourmates listed below, as I will be doing this week. I may post more detail about why I’ve had a hard time reading this book depending on my time and what I see on the tour.
You can also check out Chris Walley’s site and blog for more information.
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Jackie Castle
Carol Bruce Collett
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Marcus Goodyear
Rebecca Grabill
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Michael Heald
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Heather R. Hunt
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika or Mir’s Here
Pamela Morrisson
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Deena Peterson
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachelle Sperling
Donna Swanson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Robert Treskillard
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
by Jason Joyner | Jan 24, 2008 | Auralia's Colors, Blog, CSFF, reviews, speculative fiction
I just had a couple of final thoughts on Auralia’s Colors.
1. Robert Treskillard described the book as being “poetic”. Dang! That was the word I was searching for all night writing my post, and I couldn’t come up with it. It is definitely a poetic book.
2. Marcus Goodyear commented “Funny that you describe the book as “truly an amazing accomplishment” but then say it isn’t one of your favorites. Did you find yourself appreciating the artistry without being engaged in the story?”
Appreciating the artistry is pretty close. Let me say it this way: I really enjoyed the book overall. When I compare it to books I considered my favorites of 2007, it didn’t quite make the list. However, in my opinion it is a very key book for Christian fiction. Overstreet gives us a book that challenges the boundaries of what Christian sci-fi and fantasy can be. It tells a story artfully and boldly, without having to explain to the reader every detail of what is meant from the story.
I was engaged with the story to a great degree, but there was a little that held back. There was a little distance to it. As I said yesterday, it seemed to be part of a grander vision, but lacked a little of what it needed to stand on its own.
Overall, the use of language and the challenge Overstreet set for himself in telling his story is what made me describe it as an amazing accomplishment. I think I can appreciate that without it being one of my top favorites (not to say that I didn’t really enjoy it). Is it analogous to saying I know that Beethoven is a master, but I prefer Bach? Perhaps.
So, if you haven’t read Auralia’s Color, then I do encourage you to take a look at it and give it a chance. I think you’ll be rewarded if you do.
by Jason Joyner | Jan 24, 2008 | Auralia's Colors, Blog, CSFF, reviews, speculative fiction
I just had a couple of final thoughts on Auralia’s Colors.
1. Robert Treskillard described the book as being “poetic”. Dang! That was the word I was searching for all night writing my post, and I couldn’t come up with it. It is definitely a poetic book.
2. Marcus Goodyear commented “Funny that you describe the book as “truly an amazing accomplishment” but then say it isn’t one of your favorites. Did you find yourself appreciating the artistry without being engaged in the story?”
Appreciating the artistry is pretty close. Let me say it this way: I really enjoyed the book overall. When I compare it to books I considered my favorites of 2007, it didn’t quite make the list. However, in my opinion it is a very key book for Christian fiction. Overstreet gives us a book that challenges the boundaries of what Christian sci-fi and fantasy can be. It tells a story artfully and boldly, without having to explain to the reader every detail of what is meant from the story.
I was engaged with the story to a great degree, but there was a little that held back. There was a little distance to it. As I said yesterday, it seemed to be part of a grander vision, but lacked a little of what it needed to stand on its own.
Overall, the use of language and the challenge Overstreet set for himself in telling his story is what made me describe it as an amazing accomplishment. I think I can appreciate that without it being one of my top favorites (not to say that I didn’t really enjoy it). Is it analogous to saying I know that Beethoven is a master, but I prefer Bach? Perhaps.
So, if you haven’t read Auralia’s Color, then I do encourage you to take a look at it and give it a chance. I think you’ll be rewarded if you do.
