A Christian fantasy of prophesy and redemption, with some violent content.
Plot
John never knew what happened to his parents. On his birthday, the day he was finally going to be told the truth, his grandmother had a heart attack; and then John wound up in another world, on an unwanted quest, with two powers seeking his soul.
Morality
Magic-like power comes from either heavenly or devilish sources, and which is right or wrong is clearly differentiated. Characters who are in the service of the enemy or who have not yet come to follow the God-figure behave badly in a number of ways, but their actions are not condoned.
Spiritual Content
In our world, a Methodist minister makes a brief appearance. A character has prescient dreams. In the other place, a character seems wizard-like in dress and abilities, and is sometimes referred to as a magician: he prefers the term “seer,” and explains that his powers come from “the Changer,” the resident God-figure. One character has a habit of botching sayings and clichés in his conversation, and some of these are recognizable as Biblical quotes. Cherubim and monsters do battle. A scene echoes Eden.
The Changer seems to be willing to grant wishes, in some cases, which are telegraphed through mysterious glowing stones. His voice is like thunder, is accompanied by bright light, and demands both belief and respect. He is served by cherubim, who appear to be made of fire.
Characters believe in prophecies, and on occasion prophesy or speak out under the motivating power of the Changer. Doors open in the name of the Changer. A road founded by the Changer is outside of time and space. The Changer can heal and resurrect, although he does not always do so. He never leaves: you only think that he has. He keeps his promises. His gifts can be used without his permission, but when they are, the intention of the user is thwarted. A luminous pigeon appears as a guide. Characters sing about creation and about a prophesied savior.
A being who rules or ruled many of the inhabitants of the other world is known as The Mystery of Abomination, and as Lord Lunacy. Lunacy appears to people in spectral form, seems to grant magic powers to some of his followers, and has at least limited telepathic and empathic abilities. Magic is said to be power stolen from the Changer during the Mystery’s rebellion: its users may think that it belongs to them, but “at last all power will go back to the Changer from whence it first came.” A goblin in Lunacy’s service is said to grow more powerful when the moon is full. Lunacy seeks to “control planets.” He cannot be thwarted by physical defenses. A character's old wound gives great pain when evil is near. A character whose allegiance has gone over to Lunacy believes that he is “forever damned.”
Violence
A woman has a heart attack. A boy is threatened and attacked by a tramp. A man repeatedly falls in a slapstick manner on attempting to teleport. A character is kidnapped, and for a time is in danger of a whipping or execution. Talking animals are murdered by an enemy with superhuman strength. Someone nearly drowns in swamp mud. A dumb animal has to be put down after being injured by hot tar. A character is briefly tempted towards suicide. Characters are, on various occasions, stabbed, mauled by claws, wounded in swordfights, severely electrocuted, and attacked by something like a mass mind of magical flying poisonous eels. Some beings may have been killed in an explosion. Goblin blood is green. A man is threatened with torture.
Drug and Alcohol Content
Characters drink “the wine of free pardon,” which is a literal fluid, but seems to be more of a spiritual symbol than an alcoholic beverage. The berries from which it is made are also a powerful healing agent. Lunacy has a wine of his own. Regular wine is also consumed on occasion, but characters we know do not seem to get drunk on it. One character from earth is referred to as a drunkard.
Sexual Content
Monsters are said to be the spawn of a spirit. A humanoid creature is seen naked, but this is not sexualized. A man claims that “all men want to have sons.” It is said of two characters that the savior will come “from their loins.”
Crude or Profane Language or Content
An angry boy tells a character to “go eat coal.”
Conclusion
Some people I know find the Archives of Anthropos to be too derivative of Narnia to be enjoyed for themselves. While I will not deny that there are definite traces of C.S. Lewis’s influence here, I liked this book, and did not feel like it was too much of a copy-cat.
It can be grim at times. Mr. White creates intimidating enemies; however, he also portrays a very powerful and trustworthy God. I believe that young Christian fans of fantasy adventures can find a great deal here to enjoy.
This review is brought to you by Lily A..
