Tag Archives: C.S. Lewis

ONCE WE WERE KINGS by Ian Alexander

Be drawn into an epic battle of good versus evil in a world of shape-shifting spirits, deception, and powerful forces in ONCE WE WERE KINGS by Ian Alexander.

Render is a mistreated orphan from the Kingdom of Valdshire Tor. He escapes his life of slavery to seek his true identity and stumbles upon conspiracies.

Ahndien is the sole survivor of a heinous raid on her village in the Eastern Kingdom of Tian Kuo. She sets off in search of her father, who has been captured by Torian troops.

Both discover abilities they never knew existed. Neither realizes their destinies are entwined.

They meet as enemies, but soon discover they have been called to unite their kingdoms against a powerful enemy that threatens to destroy both realms.

I’m not a huge fan of fantasy novels, but I saw this book reviewed at Life in Review in May, and I knew I had to have a copy. Render and his brother Kaine are orphans who live as slaves for different masters; so Render feels alone much of the time. He wants to know more about their parents, but Kaine isn’t too keen on sharing. These boys are plucked out of slavery and brought to the Citadel, where Render finds more than he bargained for: like preternatural powers that allow him to wield the destructive forces of nature.

Ahndien, is a peasant girl living with her family–father, mother, and younger brother. While she is in the woods, her peaceful village is attacked, killing everyone. This pivotal moment will change Ahndein’s life forever. With the help of Lao-Ying, she discovers she can manipulate fire. They make haste to the Sojourners Council, but are hurt and angry by what they find. When Render comes along with his group–his cat, Greifer and Branson, the bratty son of Lord of Argon–Ahndien is quick to assume the worst of those who live in the opposing village.

The influence of C.S. Lewis is clear throughout ONCE WE WERE KINGS. As I was reading, I couldn’t help but think of Narnia. Not that the stories are so similar, but there were moments as the plot unfolded that reminded me of the feel of these classic novels. Valhandra is like Lewis’s Aslan. As I got to know Branson, he reminded me of the Pevensies’ annoying cousin Eustace. Readers of the Bible will find passages that feel familiar as Valhandra speaks to Render.

My only tiny pet peeve in an otherwise perfect young adult fantasy novel, is the use of a third person omniscient point of view. Now, I’ll admit, this is my personal pet peeve, so it’s nothing to do with the book itself. This is a fast-paced, action-filled adventure story that will draw in older teens and adults alike. Using this point of view, however, pulls me out of the story when the narrator tells the reader something a character doesn’t see or know.

I could easily see ONCE WE WERE KINGS on the silver screen. It’s outstanding! Lovers of this genre won’t want to miss this one.

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Publisher: Dawn Treader Press
ASIN: B004URS18W
SRP:  $3.99

I received a mobi version of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation of any kind to provide this review.

The Wolf of Tebron by C.S. Lakin

 Prepare to be swept away into a fantastic new young adult fantasy series that begins with The Wolf of Tebron, the first book in The Gates of Heaven series.

Living with your decisions can be tough.  Once deliriously happy with his wife, Charris, the young blacksmith Joran is now miserable and alone. Disturbing dreams come to him. Joran sets out on a perilous journey to the four ends of the world to rescue his beloved wife. Stumbling upon the wolf, Ruyah, the two become fast friends. Will they be able to unlock the keys to rescue Charris?

Just as C.S. Lewis did with his Chronicles of Narnia series, The Wolf of Tebron by C.S. Lakin serves as a moving tale of God’s love in an eloquently told fairy tale of one man’s journey to save his wife.

I can’t say that I’ve ever been a huge fan of fantasy novels. Mythical creatures and made up worlds just aren’t my thing. But every once in a while something comes along that draws my interest and I decide to give it a try. The Sapphire Flute, Book One of The Wolfchild Saga by Karen E. Hoover is one, and so is The Wolf of Tebron.

Having watched the most recent movie remakes of Lewis’s Narnia books, I felt The Wolf of Tebron, was similar in some ways, but also uniquely its own.  I was almost surprised that the main character was a married man and not a single person. This adds a wonderful quality to the story. It gives readers a glimpse into the love of man and wife. The difficulty of this type of relationship, and how one must live with their decisions.

I have my favorite moments from this book, but many I can’t share because they would give away the plot. The meeting of Ruyah and Joran, however, is one that I can talk a tiny bit about. There is Ruyah, a huge silver wolf, with one paw caught in a rusted trap.  Joran’s love of animals and his ability to communicate with them, serve him well, and he is able to free Ruyah from the trap;  though not in a way in which he would have chosen.

The reader soon discovers that Ruyah has quite a personality and he can easily become one’s favorite character.

The two will meet many interesting characters along the way and receive several gifts. Their journey will conclude with a spectacular ending that will surprise many.

This will soon become a Christian fantasy lover’s favorite. Though geared toward young adults, an older audience will also enjoy this one.  I highly recommend The Wolf of Tebron by C.S. Lakin.

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Publisher: AMG Publishers
  • ISBN-10: 0899578888
  • ISBN-13: 978-0899578880
  • SRP:  $14.99 



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    From the Family Bookshelf

    Is it possible a month has passed since my last From the Family Bookshelf column appeared? I swear it couldn’t have, but the last one is dated September 21st, so I guess time slipped away from me.

    All of us have been busy. Swimming lessons and dance lessons have started. Dad has been working like crazy. I have been up to my eyeballs with promoting my first children’s book, Little Shepherd, coordinating book tours, and reading. Not to mention family stuff.

    Dad finally finished Vince Flynn’s The Third Option. Now he is reading Prince Caspian, which is part of The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. Though I have seen various movie adaptations of this book and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I’ve never read the books. We have the set here, so I’ll have to change that one day.

    The Lil Diva is back to reading thanks to school. She read Ginger the Stray Kitten by Holly Webb again. She’s also read a couple of books on Justin Bieber and one on the Jonas Brothers. Just think of what she’ll be like in five years if she’s already into teenage pop stars now. She is currently reading Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. We saw a stage production of Charlotte’s Web while we were in North Carolina. She came home wanting to read the book, but hasn’t gotten around to it until now.

    The Lil Princess is reading anything and everything. We’re on our second round of Pink Princess Rules the Schoo l by Alyssa Crowne. She has brought home books from her school library every week since it opened. This week she has a nonfiction book about puppies. She’s hoping we buy her Green Princess Saves the Day, also by Crowne. Green is her favorite color.

    As for me, little ole Mom, I’ve been reading and reading and reading. I just finished Invisible Path by Marilyn Meredith.  This is the latest book in her Deputy Tempe Crabtree series. Marilyn is going on a virtual book tour with this book next month.

    I also recently finished A Despicable Profession by John Knoerle, a post-WWII spy thriller, and the legal thriller, Buying Time by Pamela Samuels Young. Both books are excellent and I would highly recommend them.  Before those two I read:

    The Lil Princess and I also plowed through a box of books from tiger tales. These books are all part of their Fall/Winter collection. You’ll see review coming for them soon. Last night I polished off the award-winning  Call Me Kate by Molly Roe. This is a young adult historical. I began reading Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten.

    That’s it for this issue of From the Family Bookshelf. Until next time, keep reading!