by Jason Joyner | Jan 23, 2008 | Auralia's Colors, Blog, CSFF, reviews, speculative fiction
An Impressive Palette
At first glance, Auralia’s Colors may have a beautiful cover with an intriguing back copy. I was interested when hearing about the book a few months ago on Becky Miller’s blog. What you get when you open the pages is the literary equivalent of a master tapestry.
Trying to write a book that prominently features colors is an inspiration that I don’t envy. However, Jeffrey Overstreet’s first novel is truly an amazing accomplishment.
It doesn’t really have a comparison in Christian fiction. That is definitely a good thing (as it shows that this “genre” is growing), but it can be a little harder to characterize it then.
I haven’t been to a lot of blogs on this tour yet, but one word that keeps coming up is literary. I think what is meant by that is that the book treats language as a beautiful thing in and of itself, rather than being secondary to the plot or action. The book seems to be carefully crafted, and the choice of words is very picturesque. Even though a major theme is color and beauty, the descriptions of birds taking flight, people’s reactions, and other things that could be mundane paint just as compelling of imagery in the reader’s mind.
The book takes chances aplenty, and it wins on a lot of them. One of the main characters is only called “ale boy” throughout the book. The plot zigs instead of zagging. There are surprises toward the end that I really didn’t see coming. The themes are deeply spiritual, but not clearly allegorical: you can not pin “this is Jesus” on one character and “this is Satan” on another. The mysterious Keeper stays mysterious throughout, and it is not fully revealed. It allows the reader to mine their own conclusions from the book.
Even though this book was very enjoyable, it didn’t quite make my list of top books for 2007. I’m sure part of this is just my taste in books – I am usually drawn to a little more fast and furious. Still, some of the plot took a long time to describe without discernible payoff later on in the book, and overall the book seems a little too much like a set-up for the whole series. I am sure it is a very hard thing to make one book self-sufficient and inclusive when imagining a whole series, but as I think about it, this is the reason that the book didn’t fully resonate with me.
Overall, this book is a very welcome entry into Christian fiction, and is a well-crafted, entertaining work that should be read by any fan of fantasy. This colorful literature is one of the most important books in Christian speculative fiction in a long time, due to its creativity and daring.
by Jason Joyner | Jan 23, 2008 | Auralia's Colors, Blog, CSFF, reviews, speculative fiction
An Impressive Palette
At first glance, Auralia’s Colors may have a beautiful cover with an intriguing back copy. I was interested when hearing about the book a few months ago on Becky Miller’s blog. What you get when you open the pages is the literary equivalent of a master tapestry.
Trying to write a book that prominently features colors is an inspiration that I don’t envy. However, Jeffrey Overstreet’s first novel is truly an amazing accomplishment.
It doesn’t really have a comparison in Christian fiction. That is definitely a good thing (as it shows that this “genre” is growing), but it can be a little harder to characterize it then.
I haven’t been to a lot of blogs on this tour yet, but one word that keeps coming up is literary. I think what is meant by that is that the book treats language as a beautiful thing in and of itself, rather than being secondary to the plot or action. The book seems to be carefully crafted, and the choice of words is very picturesque. Even though a major theme is color and beauty, the descriptions of birds taking flight, people’s reactions, and other things that could be mundane paint just as compelling of imagery in the reader’s mind.
The book takes chances aplenty, and it wins on a lot of them. One of the main characters is only called “ale boy” throughout the book. The plot zigs instead of zagging. There are surprises toward the end that I really didn’t see coming. The themes are deeply spiritual, but not clearly allegorical: you can not pin “this is Jesus” on one character and “this is Satan” on another. The mysterious Keeper stays mysterious throughout, and it is not fully revealed. It allows the reader to mine their own conclusions from the book.
Even though this book was very enjoyable, it didn’t quite make my list of top books for 2007. I’m sure part of this is just my taste in books – I am usually drawn to a little more fast and furious. Still, some of the plot took a long time to describe without discernible payoff later on in the book, and overall the book seems a little too much like a set-up for the whole series. I am sure it is a very hard thing to make one book self-sufficient and inclusive when imagining a whole series, but as I think about it, this is the reason that the book didn’t fully resonate with me.
Overall, this book is a very welcome entry into Christian fiction, and is a well-crafted, entertaining work that should be read by any fan of fantasy. This colorful literature is one of the most important books in Christian speculative fiction in a long time, due to its creativity and daring.
by Jason Joyner | Jan 21, 2008 | Auralia's Colors, Blog, books, CSFF, reading, speculative fiction
Good things this month for the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy blog tour – if you like colorful things. That is because we are highlighting the book Auralia’s Colors, by Jeffrey Overstreet. If you are tired of reading the typical fantasy fare, or if you think that Christian fiction can’t produce unique, striking fiction, then you need to take a look at this book.
The kingdom of Abascar has been in drab doldrums since their missing queen decreed that all colorful items be stored at the palace to build the realm’s prestige. This was supposed to be a temporary edict until the time of “Abascar’s Spring,” but since the queen disappeared, the ailing king has continued the cold-hearted rule and drained the people’s spirits as well.
Outside of the walls of the great city is where the Gatherers struggle to survive. Banished to the forest for various crimes, they toil to make amends and perhaps win a pardon from the king. However, one day a mysterious girl is found in the footprint of a monster, and she is raised by the motley ragamuffins who discovered her.
Auralia proceeds to live without abandon, from a young age having a talent for finding or creating colors and decorating beautiful gifts for the Gatherers. As she grows older, her forbidden talent draws unwanted attention, and may be the turning point for the whole kingdom. But will the turning be a blessing – or a curse?
I will offer my review tomorrow. In the meantime, check out the web site for the book, and Jeffrey Overstreet’s insightful blog. Also see my tourmates below for varied opinions and content for the tour. I’m interested to see what people have to say with this one!
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Jackie Castle
Carol Bruce Collett
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Heather R. Hunt
Becca Johnson
Kait
Karen
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
Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachelle Sperling
Donna Swanson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
by Jason Joyner | Jan 21, 2008 | Auralia's Colors, Blog, books, CSFF, reading, speculative fiction
Good things this month for the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy blog tour – if you like colorful things. That is because we are highlighting the book Auralia’s Colors, by Jeffrey Overstreet. If you are tired of reading the typical fantasy fare, or if you think that Christian fiction can’t produce unique, striking fiction, then you need to take a look at this book.
The kingdom of Abascar has been in drab doldrums since their missing queen decreed that all colorful items be stored at the palace to build the realm’s prestige. This was supposed to be a temporary edict until the time of “Abascar’s Spring,” but since the queen disappeared, the ailing king has continued the cold-hearted rule and drained the people’s spirits as well.
Outside of the walls of the great city is where the Gatherers struggle to survive. Banished to the forest for various crimes, they toil to make amends and perhaps win a pardon from the king. However, one day a mysterious girl is found in the footprint of a monster, and she is raised by the motley ragamuffins who discovered her.
Auralia proceeds to live without abandon, from a young age having a talent for finding or creating colors and decorating beautiful gifts for the Gatherers. As she grows older, her forbidden talent draws unwanted attention, and may be the turning point for the whole kingdom. But will the turning be a blessing – or a curse?
I will offer my review tomorrow. In the meantime, check out the web site for the book, and Jeffrey Overstreet’s insightful blog. Also see my tourmates below for varied opinions and content for the tour. I’m interested to see what people have to say with this one!
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Jackie Castle
Carol Bruce Collett
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Heather R. Hunt
Becca Johnson
Kait
Karen
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
Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachelle Sperling
Donna Swanson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
by Jason Joyner | Dec 19, 2007 | Blog, CSFF, sci-fi
Greetings Science Fiction fans! This month’s Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy blog tour is focusing squarely on the sci-fi aspect of our moniker. The highlight is the website Wayfarer’s Journal, a resource for short science fiction that isn’t afraid of the spiritual.
I went to check the site out this weekend, and it was unfortunately having some difficulties and I wasn’t able to access it. The site is fully up and running right now, but between holiday events and my work I have been severely limited with internet access. I’m afraid I don’t have much to contribute, only to point out that there are many others in this tour listed below, and I encourage you to check them out to see what they have to say about Wayfarer’s, and to visit the site yourselves. I hope to peruse it over the weekend, and I’ll try to post a little belated review myself.
Blessings to all of my CSFF tourmates! Have a wonderful Christmas season, and may you all experience the joy and wonder the star of Bethlehem foretold!
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Carol Bruce Collett
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Michael Heald
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika or Mir’s Here
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Hanna Sandvig
James Somers
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
by Jason Joyner | Dec 19, 2007 | Blog, CSFF, sci-fi
Greetings Science Fiction fans! This month’s Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy blog tour is focusing squarely on the sci-fi aspect of our moniker. The highlight is the website Wayfarer’s Journal, a resource for short science fiction that isn’t afraid of the spiritual.
I went to check the site out this weekend, and it was unfortunately having some difficulties and I wasn’t able to access it. The site is fully up and running right now, but between holiday events and my work I have been severely limited with internet access. I’m afraid I don’t have much to contribute, only to point out that there are many others in this tour listed below, and I encourage you to check them out to see what they have to say about Wayfarer’s, and to visit the site yourselves. I hope to peruse it over the weekend, and I’ll try to post a little belated review myself.
Blessings to all of my CSFF tourmates! Have a wonderful Christmas season, and may you all experience the joy and wonder the star of Bethlehem foretold!
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Carol Bruce Collett
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Michael Heald
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika or Mir’s Here
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Hanna Sandvig
James Somers
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
