My Top 10 Fantasy Books

BIG NEWS! I will be participating in Jack Lewis Baillot's cover reveal for A Test of Loyalty tomorrow, so be sure to mark your calendars for the occasion! 

Well, in honor of the excitement, Jack has asked us to post about our favorite fantasy book. Because I like reading so much, I don't have just one. Just as you'd expect. So, to keep this short, I've decided to compile a list of my top ten favorite fantasy books. And by "fantasy" I mean a made-up land in which there exists a conglomeration of interesting characters. I have to be specific about books otherwise, I'd never get just 10 books onto this list. Also, if you ask me in a week or two, this list will probably change. Probably... no, most likely. And I'm *cough* adapting the list to fit mostly series. What? Don't judge me. I'm sure plenty of you would do the same.

Ready?

10. Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain. 

Very epic tales. There are five books in all, but I think the last one, The High King, is my favorite. Lloyd Alexander is considered a genius in the fantasy field, and I find his books quite enjoyable. His Westmark trilogy is also very fun (with the exception of a few unprintable words).

9. Wayne Thomas Batson's The Door Within trilogy

Truth be told, my favorite books from Wayne Thomas Batson are his Pirate Adventures, and I highly recommend them. However, The Door Within trilogy is also very good. I love the allegory Mr. Batson weaves into the story.

8. Jeri Massi's Bracken Trilogy 

Yet another trilogy: The Bridge, Crown and Jewel, and Two Collars. I can't really say how long these have been some of my favorite books. I must have read The Bridge fifteen times since I was nine. 

7. Andrew Peterson's Wingfeather Saga

Who's familiar with these books? I simply can't wait for the fourth book, The Warden and the Wolf King. Seriously, this guy has a way with words. "Adventure. Peril. Lost Jewels. And the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree." *grins*

6. Jack Lewis Baillot's Loyalty Trilogy

Well, well, well... how in the world did *this* trilogy get onto my list? Hmm... *winks* The more I read of Jack's work, the more I love it. Yes, I'm super excited to be able to show you the cover for the second book tomorrow, and you really need to read these. NOW.

5. Rick Barry's Kiriath's Quest

Hey look! I'm capable of having a favorite fantasy book that isn't a series! Too bad, though, because I'd love to see where Rick Barry would take Kiriath after the finish of this novel. You could say that I'm a little biased toward this book because Kiriath and I almost share the same name. Well, the first four letters are the same. But if you want an epic quest chock full of friendship and adventure (and no magic) then this is the book for you.

4. Chuck Black's Knights of Arrethtrae

Technically, this should include the prequel/sequel/whatever series The Kingdom Series. Short, but powerful, you can't help but love all twelve books. Personally, Sir Dalton and Lady Carliss are my favorite of the twelve, but they're all really good.

3. Donita K. Paul's DragonKeeper Chronicles

My sisters and I found this series in a Christian book catalog, and as we were just getting into fantasy stories, we thought we'd give this a go. The result? We LOVED it! Dragons, quests, humor... what's not to like?

2. C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia

What fantasy list could be complete without the awesome tales from C.S. Lewis? I absobloominglutley love this series in every way. I have great chunks of passages memorized, even though technically I've only read through the series twice. Yeah, twice. I know; it's kinda embarrassing. But I've listened to the audio drama by Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre a dozen gazillion times. And seen the movies. And... yada, yada, yada. Narnia fan all the way.

1. J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings

And what comes in at Numero Uno? Tolkien's epic world of elves, hobbits, dragons, kings, and dwarves. And with The Lord of the Rings comes The Hobbit and The Silmarillion, for no trek through Middle-Earth would be complete without visiting those tales. I'm not an expert on all things Tolkien, but I do consider myself an avid fan nonetheless. 

Be sure to drop by tomorrow to see the cover reveal!

God bless!

Lord Of The Rings And Narnia... My Thoughts

Is it right for Christians to read/watch The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings books/movies?

The question of The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia is one that is quite largely discussed. Petie of Dirt and Dickens just posted her thoughts here, and that, coupled with numerous other posts I've read on many other blogs, has prompted me to write out my own thoughts. 

Lucy at the lamppost

Please understand that what I'm writing here is not meant to refute your opinions and challenge and attack you. I whole heartedly respect your opinion (I realize that's between you, your parents, and the Lord), and I only ask that you read what I say with an open mind. Don't take my word as golden truth, though. I encourage you to study these topics on your own. Discuss them with your parents. 




And of course, I will NOT say that not reading/watching LOTR or Narnia doesn't make you a Christian. That's just plain, old hogwash, and I don't give any credit to the idea. 

Aragorn, Legolas, and Gandalf

And please note that I am NOT one of those fangirls who idolizes characters and swoons every time the name of Aragorn, Legolas, Peter, or Edmund is mentioned. I enjoy their characters in the story, and when it comes to the actors, I don't care tuppence about them. The characters each have their own faults and virtues and are awesome in their own rights, but the only man who will be awesome and swoon worthy in my life shall be my husband. Enough said.

Now that all of that's out of the way, let's continue...

1. Magic

This topic is large in it of itself that I am forced to extract my comments here and address them in a later post. I am currently submerged up to my eyeballs in study, so please, please understand that I WILL write about the magic issue, but it will have to wait for a later post.

2. Paganism

The centaur, Oreius

People have often pointed to the centaurs in Narnia, saying, "Look! These are Greek gods! That's paganism! Narnia's evil!" Before you violently throw your copy of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe across the room, kindly allow me to say a little something on this subject.


Yes, Narnia does include mythical creatures such as centaurs, satyrs, and fauns. And yes, they are said to have a basis in Greek and Roman mythology. While the existence of such creatures is highly doubtful, I won't put God in a box and say that it was impossible for him to make them. He is the almighty God, the awesome Creator of the universe. Actually, the Bible does make mention to some creatures, namely the satyr (Is. 13:21 & 34:14) and the unicorn (Num. 23:22 & 24:8, Deut. 33:17, and more). It may just be that they are referenced to in a figurative light for a comparison, OR did God really create them? It's something to think about. He created dinosaurs, another type of creature we don't see nowadays. And the Old Testament was written far before Greek and Roman culture named those creatures as part of their mythology. In Narnia, these creatures (fauns, satyrs, centaurs, etc.) are not depicted as gods, but rather mortal beings living normal lives. Nor do they possess any powers of the supernatural nature.

3. Christ Figures

Now what of the Christ figures? It is vastly important that we don't set up something other than the Lord Jesus as first and foremost in our lives. There is a slight opinion going around that Tolkien meant for Aragorn to be a Christ figure, but I quench that rumor. Aragorn is a king, and that is basically the only connection to Christ. Reading and studying it, I can see no possible way that Aragorn could be set up as a god figure. Gandalf, also, is not set up as a Christ figure, but resembles a figure more of that like an angel. Indeed, Tolkien himself compared Gandalf to an angel. So this issue comes mainly down to Narnia. 

Aslan

Aslan is a god figure, in a sense, and he represents the idea of monotheism (belief in one god). Jesus is called the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah, and I'm certain that the latter was where C. S. Lewis pulled the idea for Aslan. Lewis also expressly wrote Narnia for the purpose of an allegory. Aslan was supposed to be a Christ like figure. Not Christ Himself, but merely a figure. Please also take into account, Jesus likened Himself unto Jonah (Matt. 12:40). Does that mean Jonah was a god? Jonah? The rebellious runaway? I highly doubt that. And what of the brass serpent in the wilderness (Num 21:9)? God commanded Moses to make that and hang it where all Israel could see it. It was a picture of their suffering and of His mercy. God used many pictures throughout the Bible. Therefore, using a picture is not bad, just as long as we don't worship the picture. 

4. Violence

Another big argument that many people level against mainly LOTR is the darkness of the story and all the violence. “Chirstians shouldn't read about all that fighting and evilness!” I agree that we shouldn't dwell on that which is evil, but darkness is in the world whether we like it or not. Consider this: The last book in the Bible, Revelation, is quite dark and violent. Does that mean we're not to read that book of the Bible? No. It is a picture of the end times. When the world ends, it will be dark and violent, that's what God says, and that's what the world will come to, whether we like it or not. LOTR is, in a sense, an allegorical picture of the end times. Good vs. evil, and good prevails in the end.

Orcs marching to Helm's Deep

Other Thoughts...

You may not enjoy fantasy, and that's why you stay away from LOTR and Narnia. That's okay. That's your preference, and I respect that. Fantasy is a genre that you must learn to like, just as people learn to like romance and adventure and whatever other genres are out there.

Edmund battling Telmarines

I do want to say this: LOTR and Narnia have not, in my life, replaced my Bible. I spend time every morning in the Word of God, and am doing my best to meditate on it day and night. And no, no, no, it is never right to read Narnia and LOTR, in fact ANY book, to treasure it above the Word of God. Our own enjoyment of these stories should never take precedence above the time spent with the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, what think ye of this question? Is there another point that should be mentioned and I have missed talking of? I listed several Bible verses in my post here, and I would encourage you to look them up. Please comment and let me know!


And yes! I will be posting (hopefully) soon a large post on the issue of magic! Please, please keep a watch out for it!

Thanks for reading!