Fantasy and Truth - a review

Disclaimer: Bethany House publishers provided me with a copy of Dragonwitch  by Ann Elisabeth Stengl to read and review.  However, the opinion and review is my own.

When I first began the book, I thought that I had made a mistake in taking this book.  The beginning language was odd and confusing to me. At the end of that small section, the tone changed and I quickly became engrossed in a tale of both human and mystical beings.

I found that I could not stop reading! I soon realized that the first section that I found off-putting was only one angle of the story.  The story contained several themes that seemed separate at first, but eventually they all become woven together in a compelling greater story.  In many ways this is a fairy tale, but also an adventure.  I am reminded in some ways of The Hobbit.  There are prophesies and legends, a mystical gate between worlds, a mysterious Temple of the Flame and many other intriguing things.  This was an adventure that pulled me fully into the story.  I know that I said "Oh no!" aloud several times while I was reading. I also  said "YES!!!" once or twice when something worked out well.

Interestingly, I found theological truths in the book that are far deeper than the story alone.  This was a total surprise to me.  Although if I had realized that the publisher frequently has books on the Christian best seller list, I might not have been as surprised.  I have found similar truths in the works of C.S. Lewis and Madeleine L'Engle.

I highly recommend this fantasy story, although I found much more that that in the pages.  The classical theme of good versus evil is well played and has some surprising twists.  I would love to tell the entire story, but I certainly could not weave it as convincingly as the author did.

This book is due to be released in August 2013.