Christian Book Review: Storm Chase by K. M. Carroll Three Stars
OK! Before I get jumped by everyone who loves this book, let me remind you of the focus of this blog. My purpose is to review the level of Christian content.
An imagination & world building tour de force
This is a unique world with a lot of excitement, danger, heroes, heroines, villains, and all the rest. Oh yes, & magic! Lots of magic. Ms. Carroll has made this world come alive with great characters and all the rest of a polished story—very well done.
So, what’s my problem? It’s yet another Godless universe [multiverse in this case]
The world of the book is amazingly complex and multi-layered. But, it’s Godless. The hero is yet another of those reluctant saviors who are forced by circumstances to save the world—even though they have no idea how to do so. This book doesn’t even have the usual supernatural leading of God’s Spirit to show him and him and her and her how to save the world. They just figure it out, pull themselves up by their own bootstraps, and save the multiverse.
Bah! Humbug!
It’s a sad commentary on our culture today that this type of story is told by believers as well as the heathen. Actually, the heathen books are usually more religious than the Christian ones. It makes me want to cry.
I have a book review website for parents too. So keep up the good work, brother in Christ!
http://rjconte.com/books/
Thank you for the encouragement
Interesting site. I specialize in fantasy, science fiction, and action/adventure. I think I read a lot more also. I think I may need to make a list like yours.
Unfortunately, being a wife and mother has taken a toll on my reading. But I want to add to this website slowly but surely!
Slowly, surely and constantly is the best way. I’ve been building my social presence since 2000 or so. It’s finally beginning to show some results.
This seems to me to be a bit of an emotional review. What are your qualifications for Christianity in books? Do you assess morals, subtlety, or godly character? Or does it have to be clear that someone is actually calling on God?
It could be a Christian writing a moral book for a secular audience. Do you think that Christians cannot write moral, secular books that don’t actually call on God? That’s kind of the point of Esther. Showing God’s hand in a mysterious, behind the scenes way without actually mentioning Him.
Is the superhero godly in character? When he sins, are there consequences? Is he a good role model? Is there gratuitous sex, violence, or language? Those are the questions I ask when something is actually not marketed as a Christian book.
I’ve been teaching Scripture, a lot, since 1974. I was a teaching pastor for 13 years. I’ve been an Episcopalian, met the Lord in a Roman Catholic prayer meeting, Episcopalian again, Lutheran, Foursquare [where I was assistant pastor], Assembly of God, non-denominational [where I was teaching pastor], Lutheran again, and more. As far as I can tell my calling is to identify the level of Christianity in novels written by Christians—whether or not they are sold as Christian fiction.
I have trouble seeing why a Christian would bother writing a clean, non-believing book. I can’t imagine writing a book where my faith wasn’t part of it. As for this book, it was clean, pretty much. Non-spiritual entirely.
That’s quite a variety of denominations! I’m curious why that’s the case. Are you firm on a set of doctrines now?
It’s been 40 years and a lot has changed. When we came to the Lord the forefront of the church was the Charismatic Movement of which we were a part. We’ve always been church planters, among other things. Our doctrines have not changed, but the denominations we served definitely did. We fellowshipped with many others also. The Lord has always kept us on the strait and narrow.
David, I reckon you had better start writing fantasy to fill in the gaps and deficiencies you have identified in these books!! I say this half in jest half in serious encouragement! I would love to see you create a universe very much God filled and very much God honouring and a great encouragement to Christian readers and to draw non-believers to Him. Hey, co-author with Guy Stanton III! With just you or with both of you together, I would know I was reading a great novel and have the best fun writing the review!