Christian Book Review: Collide: Birth of a New Race by L. A. Ramsey
OK, I snookered myself into a romance. Under the guise that it is a fantasy, I promised accept a free copy—then read it and review it.
It’s a fun read
Though it’s classed as a historical romance, there’s little history here. What is presented is vague history of an unspecified different world. The cultures are only defined very loosely. There is no map. Seekers of fantasy will be disappointed.
I kept having questions like: How does a two-legged person with hooves for feet ever balance himself well enough to even walk? There are no answers to issues like these. A reader looking for fantasy will be disappointed. But…
As a romance, it’s a fantasy
This is fairytale romance, and well done. Even though I don’t like romances, I enjoyed this one. Two delightful people are prophesied to form a union and it’s a fantastic event. Please remember the definition of fantastic. Modern, informal usage aside, it means: imaginative or fanciful; remote from reality. Yet, Ms. Ramsey pulls it off. It’s just a believable story that the reader accepts. That’s a feat in itself.
The characters are compelling. The romance is joyful. Through all the problems, it’s ultimately very hopeful. As a romance, this one is a lot of fun. It’s good, clean fun.
Spiritually, it’s at the lowest level
This is unspecified deism, with a Creator who is actively working in His world. He communicates with His Creation through prophecy. The centaurs and elves trust Him to bring the prophetic to pass and praise Him for who He is and what he does. They are presented as naturally pure and undefiled believers in the Creator and His power and love. There is no evil spiritual force mentioned. The enemy is human intolerance. The humans in the tale consider prophecy a joke at best. This is a nice story, well told—and that is enough. It gently broadcasts seed, and that is its intent.
If you like your romance with a touch of fantasy, this is a book for you.