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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rocked my socks off!, August 18, 2007
This review is from: The Legend of the Firefish (Trophy Chase Trilogy) (Paperback)
Let's be honest here, when I found out we were going to feature The Legend of the Firefish during the Christian Science Fiction & Fantasy Tour I wasn't too impressed or excited. I've never heard of him and I'm not too into pirates. I've discussed my author loyalty before - once I've read you and I liked you I'll buy pretty much everything you write. Even if it's not my typical genre (which is why I'll buy Wayne Thomas Batson's new pirate book!). For me it takes some pretty high praise from someone I already know and trust before I spend my hard earned money on an author that is new to me. Especially in a genre I don't normally read. Pirates. High seas. I loved Pirates of the Caribbean but not so much love for pirate books.
And um, yeah, I was pretty sure it was going to be lame because well, the whole Firefish thing threw me. And the character and location names kind of threw me as well. But then I read the opening scene and man! WOW! I couldn't put it down and much to my husband's chagrin I totally ignored both the need to clean our house and do our laundry. I fell in love with Packer from the moment he drew is beautiful sword.
Each character is richly developed. The world is a living and breathing creation. Dialog moves smoothly and the action is very well paced. While there were times that I was frustrated by Packer's frequent self-flagellation I was able to stay within the story and continue to feel sympathy for him. Even continue to love and root for him. There is a change in Panna's personality that also threw me, took me a bit out of the story because it seemed so very unlikely and if there was any foreshadowing I totally missed it. But again, I was able to care for her, feel sympathy for her and cheer her on during her trials.
One of the things that really struck me about The Legend of the Firefish is that its one of the most Christian Christian novels I've read in awhile. God is God in this book. And it took me aback and at times I did feel a bit preached at. But for most Christian audiences it's going to be okay! Most of us like outright Christian themes and story lines. I just happen to be one of those who like things a bit more subtle.
In non-writer/story stuff the cover is a real attention grabber. It's beautifully done and the pages of the book itself are nicely detailed. A small ship's wheel on the lower outside corners, next to the page number. And then on the upper outside corners some nice scroll work.
The second in the series, The Hand that Bears the Sword, is already sitting on my desk just waiting for me to dive in. But I wanted to get this post finished first so I kept everything straight in my mind. I'm expecting to enjoy the second book as much as I enjoyed the first.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An adventure with Christ in the action, March 3, 2007
This review is from: The Legend of the Firefish (Trophy Chase Trilogy) (Paperback)
This unusual new book offers a seafaring tale of lands before the time of Internet technology and modern news media. I like ancient parables of northern Slavs, Vikings, and Native Americans, and this story reminds me of all those at some point.
Polivka combines this flavor with science fiction and a fantasy that recalls C.S. Lewis's Narnia. His story is like a foundation myth handed down through generations, without flashing special effects, but more akin to the oral tradition of folktales or Native American lore. This is especially true in character names of Dog, Talon, Duck, Hand, Monkey and Ox, and in legendary fish with personality.
Fantasy can catch the attention of those who might benefit from seeing the values and grace of Christianity work, so this book is a good mix for introducing the Trophy Chase Trilogy. The Legend of the Firefish is strongly Christian by design, but not "in your face." Packer Throme's faith is tested and he does not always make the faithful decision. This is more believably real than a Crusader in shining armor, brandishing a flaming sword against the devil. This caused me to want to expand my compassion to accept Packer and hope for the best. I would want such mercy.
Nearing Vast is Packer's village and I think the name indicates that daily life is approaching the vastness of all that is and can reach for the divine (truth). The Vast Sea contains monsters, just as our lives contain trials to either challenge or accept in their power over us. This setting is much like J.R.R. Tolkien's universe as well as Narnia. Wishing his impoverished fishing village to be blessed with some kind of good fortune, Throme pursues a pirate that chases the Firefish for its meat bounty, with interesting and fun results.
In Packer's love interest Panna, Firefish supports the strength of women. It is interesting that the word "helpmeet" in the English language before King James did not mean "servant" at all. The original English and the Hebrew word mean "defender and warrior." This is the help that "comes from the Lord."
It is swashbuckling, with Christ in action and people in predicament, and very much fun.
Armchair Interviews says: Good for anyone in middle school through adult ages.
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13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good writing, but..., April 2, 2007
This review is from: The Legend of the Firefish (Trophy Chase Trilogy) (Paperback)
First off, the writing was good. The descriptions of the world, the creatures, and the people were well done. The depth of the characters was also good. The firefish, the pirate characters, and the main characters were all intriguing.
So, you are wondering what my "but..." is for? I'll tell you this first--if you are a pacifist, you'll love this book and the theology within it. If you are not, you won't--it's as simple as that. This book holds the stereotypical idea that Jesus and His message are tied to being a limp-wristed whipping boy and God will do everything for you. There are many evidences in scripture that refute this, yet many in modern Christian thought believe that because Christ allowed Himself to been crucified that is a pattern to follow. It was a special circumstance--He had come to die to pay our sin debt. If you read scripture closely, you will see that Jesus didn't even rebuke Peter for defending him with the sword and told Peter that He could have called twelve legions of angels to protect and fight for Him--but He didn't, because His intention was the cross. Just before this, Jesus had told His disciples to take up the sword and to sell their cloak and buy a sword if they didn't have one. Why? To defend themselves and others. Jesus Himself took the time to actually fashion a whip out of cords to beat the moneylenders out of the temple--an active, righteous use of force. God sent David out to fight and battle his enemies--God was behind David's sword arm when the cause was right. God didn't tell David to throw his sword down and God would honor that and do a miracle every time to save him and his people. I believe this line of thought is the same as when Satan told Jesus to jump from the temple, as God had said the angels would catch Jesus. Jesus told Satan it was not right to put the Lord God to the test, basically to presume upon God to intervene and do a miracle by forcing His hand and calling that "faith." Meekness is not weakness, and our being weak is in being yielded to the Lord, not in being a punching bag for the world. Turning the other cheek refers to not having to return an insult for an insult, not in defending yourself or others from harm. The book went beyond being merciful to being spineless, IMHO.
The one decision Packer made that was described as being against God, I saw as the opposite. It was the one time he actually made a stand for something other than just allowing people controlled be evil to walk all over him. And, if I remember correctly, he was also thinking of someone other than himself and of her defense--finally a real moment of selfless honor.
Delaney was the only one I found to truly stand up to defend himself and others when the need arose, while at the same time depending on the Lord.
The way out of most situations in the book where all linked to the mentality of "I'll be a wimp, lay down my arms, and let God do everything for me, not use the skills and will He has given me to stand against evil." It was mentioned a few times about not standing against evil. Yet, it was mentioned that some demons only came out with prayer and fasting, when a priest was praying. If we should not stand against evil, why pray against or cast out a demon? We should wimp out and let them have fun, shouldn't we? God will handle it with a miracle, won't He? Let's presume upon God again.
I am giving this book four stars, as it was well-written, was a good story, and presented the theology of the author well, though it is not one I agree with. I doubt that any Christian in the military, or who believes in standing in defense of family or even themselves, will probably not receive its message well. Many, many of you probably will though, and will therefore probably love this book. This mentality seems to be prevalent in modern, American Christianity today, and is probably one reason a big publisher embraced this novel. Pacifists enjoy--this one's for you.
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