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Fantasy Book Review: Seven Candles by Melissa and Emily Boverhof

Seven Candles book cover image “New York Times Bestseller List. Not many Christian High Fantasy series are on that list and that is because the shakers and movers in the literary capital of New York and beyond do not view Christian fantasy as something viable and appealing but as something unoriginal, narrow in scope and character development, and single-minded. The “Christian” way of storytelling draws heavy influence from medieval times when simplistic stories of completely evil dragons and completely virtuous champion knights pair off against each other in a battle unto the death. Historical Asian and Middle-Eastern storytelling was more diverse, more gritty and realistic as far as character depth and development. Their characters were not entirely virtuous or absolutely evil (not black and white like many Christian fantasy works today: which might I remind you secular editors summarily detest because of its lack of authentic humanity). The protagonists of Asian and Middle-Eastern lore were both evil and good, like true humans are.”

Melissa and Emily Boverhof are home school’ers from Grant Michigan and Seven Candles (The Reclaiming of Haven) is their debut novel. Unashamedly Christian in theme, the book’s introduction features the following words “Watching friends and teens alike become engulfed in fanaticism involving wizards, witches, dragons, powers, mysteries, magic, and legend inspired Melissa and Emily to write Seven Candles: The Reclaiming of Haven. They wanted to find a way to show these dark arts in their true light – evil – to teens everywhere.”

Read the full review of Seven Candles: The Reclaiming of Haven

Posted: July 15th, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Fantasy Book Review

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