Monday, December 18, 2006

Editor Interview at Speculative Faith

Be sure to swing by Speculative Faith today for Becky Miller's interview with Interview with Harvest House Editor Nick Harrison.

Her interview is focusing on their foray into the fantasy realm with The Trophy Chase Trilogy by George Bryan.

Be sure to check it out!

Friday, December 15, 2006

Trackers Giveaway Results

Ok, so maybe I got bit by the Bug of Christmas Spirit, but I have decided that all three people who requested to be entered into the drawing for Trackers deserve to get their own copie. So Eve, Ronie and Rachelle please send me your shipping information at stuart AT ritersbloc DOT com.

I don't know if they'll make it there by Christmas, but I'll do my best. :)

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Trackers: The Review

Trackers is a fun read that goes deeper than one may notice at first glance, but suffers from some minor flaws that kept me from fully falling into the story in the first half of the book.

Kathryn's biggest strength in this book, is without a doubt, her characters. Each one is fleshed out and struggles within and without. Her Christians don't have an easy path to follow, and not every choice is clear cut and simple, her villains aren't 2 dimensional and cardboard, but their evil isn't watered down either. And even when she makes a very startling revelation at the end of the book that I guarantee you won't see coming, but it still makes sense, as she has laid the groundwork early on.

The story itself is fast paced and weaves the separate threads together well to create a tapestry of adventure. You truly do feel a sense of peril for all the heroes at one point, and everyone has their own crucial part to play and struggle to overcome. There were times though, when it felt like I could feel the author pulling the strings a bit, fashioning the events in ways that felt slightly off, though only two were big enough to actually trip me up and pull me out of the story.

The first came when two characters are infiltrating the stronghold of Traxx as a drugde(slave) and owner. The two are waiting in a security line, but are talking as themselves, bickering back and forth, and making reference to what role the other is supposed to be taking. It felt like they were being careless in the midst of a group of self-serving, backstab any stranger to get ahead type people, with no worries or consequences. May be a minor thing, but it broke the scene for me.

The second instance irked me slightly more as it tarnished a very powerful scene of sacrifice, as the actions that take place seem far too drastic without enough of a justification for it. I don't want to go into details, though as the scene deserves to remain unspoiled to retain what power it has.

These probably seem like minor points, but I think the strength of my reaction can go to show the actual power of the writing itself. If the story is bland and the characters weak, then you'll never get into the story to start with. But when you find yourself drawn in and held anything that can shake loose the tale's hold on you becomes irksome.

Also, if you go into the reading of Trackers with the understanding that nearly everything you see in the story is a metaphor for something in the Christian life, then you'll likely find an even richer layer to the tale. Go read Beth Goddard's interview with Kathryn to see what I mean.

In the end, Trackers stands as a fine example of Christian speculative fiction, with a wild and imaginative world, real characters, and a story that will keep you guessing and gasping. Go get it, or leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Trackers Day 2: The Seams are Loosening

Heya,

Main purpose of the post today is to point you all to a great interview with Kathy Mackel over at Wherethemapends.com. You can also find a "deleted scene" from Outriders at the wherethemapends.com if you click here.

Also be sure to check out Speculative Faith, where I have posted the first chapter of Trackers for your reading enjoyment.

As others have stated this is a much darker book than Outriders. Evil is growing bolder and more insidious. But even in the utter darkness of a shattered and twisted world God's light breaks through and triumphs, though not without sacrifice.

I must admit that I'm not a fan of big, convenient miracles being used to save characters from life-threatening peril. But the way Kathryn has done it in these two books manages to sway me over for the most part, especially when I finally let myself just go with her premise.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for my full blow review. Don't forget to comment and get entered into a drawing for a free copy of Trackers. And do go visit the other blogs on the tour.

Jim Black, Jackie Castle, Valerie Comer, Frank Creed, Gene Curtis, Chris Deanne, Janey DeMeo, April Erwin, Beth Goddard , Todd Michael Greene, Leathel Grody , Karen Hancock, Elliot Hanowski, Katie Hart, Sherrie Hibbs, Sharon Hinck, Joleen Howell, Jason Joyner, Karen, Karen's MYSPACE,
Oliver King, Tina Kulesa, Kevin Lucia, The Bookshelf Reviews 2.0 - The Compendium, Terri Main, Rachel Marks, Shannon McNear, Rebecca LuElla Miller, Caleb Newell, Eve Nielsen, John Otte, Cheryl Russell , Hanna Sandvig, Mirtika Schultz , Stuart Stockton , Steve Trower, Chris Walley, Daniel I. Weaver, Lost Genre Guild, Speculative Faith

Monday, December 11, 2006

CSFF Blog Tour: Trackers

December's CSFF Blog tour is featuring Trackersthe second book of Kathryn Mackel's Birthrighters Project, the first of which was Outriders, you can read my review of that book here.


Trackers picks up right where Outriders ended and all the characters from the first novel make a return appearance as they deal with the ramifications of the betrayals and battles. The stakes continue to rise as the Birthrighters struggle against their own inner temptations while their sworn enemy Alrod gains new strength through a mysterious new ally.


I will have a full review posted by Wednsday. Also, I have a copy of Trackers to give away, so just post a comment on any of the Trackers entries between now and Wednesday to be entered. And be sure to visit the other tour particpants:


Jim Black, Jackie Castle, Valerie Comer, Frank Creed, Gene Curtis, Chris Deanne, Janey DeMeo, April Erwin, Beth Goddard , Todd Michael Greene, Leathel Grody , Karen Hancock, Elliot Hanowski, Katie Hart, Sherrie Hibbs, Sharon Hinck, Joleen Howell, Jason Joyner, Karen, Karen's MYSPACE,
Oliver King, Tina Kulesa, Kevin Lucia, The Bookshelf Reviews 2.0 - The Compendium, Terri Main, Rachel Marks, Shannon McNear, Rebecca LuElla Miller
Caleb Newell, Eve Nielsen, John Otte, Cheryl Russell , Hanna Sandvig, Mirtika Schultz , Stuart Stockton , Steve Trower, Chris Walley, Daniel I. Weaver, Lost Genre Guild, Speculative Faith
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