Book Review: The Weight of Mercy

(This book review is being given in exchange for a copy of the book and small monetary stipend. All opinions are my own.)

When life becomes too difficult, I often turn to books to take my mind off my own circumstances. I read lots of non-fiction Christian books, and I have read my fair share of novels written by secular authors. I used to be in a book club with our daughters back in our home schooling days, and we also used numerous literature based curriculums for history, and other subjects like geography. I have read historical fiction, romance, science fiction, and mystery, but my all time favorite has been fantasy. I particularly enjoy faith based books where I don’t have to worry about explicit sex or language. When I read the synopsis for Weight of Mercy (Book 1 of The Chasm Cycle) by Nigel Poh, I was intrigued, so I signed up to do a review. I was not disappointed.

In this alternate historical time period we step into a fantastical world that is somehow both strange and familiar. The year is 1305 AD. The world has changed due to “The Chasms — fissures that birthed a tide of demons…” leaving “…the Holy Roman Empire in ruins and the Kingdom of France a scattered memory. Much of what should be has vanished, replaced by things that shouldn’t exist…” (p. 5, The Weight of Mercy). We see eras trickling together, and timelines upended.

Poh builds a world using a cast of characters; ones we cheer for and ones we want to see vanquished; but all who are part of humanity. In a world that is overrun by demonic entities and powers, humanity is what binds them together. It is in this combined humanity we are immediately introduced to Lord Stephern, a knight of the Church, serious, quiet, but a man with deep principles and faith; his fellow soldier Sir Bessian, a man of humor, and strength; and Captain Dosh, a ranking member of the Crown and commander of Lady Horst’s guards.

Weaving the workings of the Church with the undercurrents of political power mongering, we are drawn into the society of Clairval, home to one of the citadels of the church housing a training ground for new paladins, a great hall able to seat 1,000, an armory stocked with normal and blessed weapons, and several libraries where military strategy and church doctrine are stored. It is in this city where much of Poh’s story unfolds.

As this drama continues a dark weight descends throughout the land. There are skirmishes with otherworldly beasts like ghouls, vampires, massive demonic bears, and revenants, the living armor of knights long dead. The hefty hand of evil shows up all over the city in the form of chanting children drawing strange patterns in the dirt; fists fights between friends, and even a young woman who throws herself off a building. We see our heroes suffering through hunger, wounds, wrongful imprisonment, attempts on their lives, and the pain of seeing their own friends die. However, they know the God of the universe is in it. This faith and the willingness to be humbled in His service is what eventually helps to bring light back into the darkness.

This book was an unexpected treat. It combines fantasy, historically accurate details, exciting battles, close friendships, political intrigue and faith in a tale that moved me from fear, to laughter to tears. If you are a person of faith, and love to read historical fiction, and fantasy combined, The Weight of Mercy is for you. I loved how the author was able to create a feeling of investment in me, the reader from page one. Poh has a talent for description, dialogue, and character building that is so important in any novel, but particularly in the complex layers of the fantasy genre.

I am lookin forward to the next book in The Chasm Cycle.

Book Review: The Ghost of Darwin Stewart

I decided to move this book review over to my Fluff page since it is not a Bible study or Christian self-help book. This is the first fiction book I have done a review on. Once again, this was presented to me by FrontGate Media. I was gifted the book and will receive a small monetary reimbursement for my time.

The Ghost of Darwin Stewart is the first in a three part mystery fantasy series called the Issachar Gatekeeper by L. G. Nixon, and is published by Fitting Words. You can learn more about the author on her website - L. G. Nixon. The intended audience for this book includes teens and young adults. The Ghost of Darwin Stewart is both a mystery and a ghost story written with a Biblical foundation.

Lucy Hornberger and her bestie Schuyler Williams are looking forward to a fun filled, sun soaked summer, completely unaware that both of their lives are about to change in ways they never would have imagined. Unbeknownst to them the forces of good and evil are about to drop right into Lucy’s lap and they will both play an integral part in a battle that has waged for centuries.

We meet Lucy and her single mom at a flea market where Lucy is perusing the wares at a vendor’s booth. Lucy finds an old looking magnifying glass along with a few other items in a trunk. When she looks through the glass she is terrified to see a world of dark spirits swirling and following people. She is mesmerized by it, until one of the hooded beings turns and points his boney finger directly at her.

Lucy learns from the vendor, whose name she finds out later is Iam, that the magnifying glass is actually an ancient tool and it has chosen her to wield its power. Lucy is skeptical, but within the trunk is a bracelet that she knows would be a perfect present for Schuyler’s birthday. The trunk and all its contents, both visible and hidden, including the Spectrescope, end up going home with Lucy. Thus begins an adventure for her and Schuyler that keeps the reader turning the pages to find out what happens.

The girls meet creatures who were present at the foundation of the world from Malpar, the bird-like Hayyothalan, to the Irredaemon, a fallen angel that poses as the ghost Darwin Stewart. All of them want to take the Spectrescope away from Lucy to give to their Master, Darnathian whose ultimate goal is to find The Life Tree and become more powerful than the High King of Ascalon.

Lucy and Schuyler learn to use the weapons and tools contained in the trunk and together work against, not only the evil that Darnathian unleashes upon them, but the frustration and misunderstanding of their parents. Will they be able to close the portal that allows the creatures to transverse back and forth between worlds before the evil steals the Spectrescope from Lucy? You’ll have to read the book to find that out.

When I first started reading the book, like Lucy, I was skeptical. L. G. Nixon does a good job of exploring the idea of the existence of ghosts, and what that looks like for us as Christians. You can read more about her thoughts and hear her interviews by clicking on the link. I personally agree with her in that Satan and his demons can pose as otherworldly entities, and in today’s world can appear to be “good'“. The Bible tells us that Satan himself poses as an angle of light (see 2 Corinthians 11:12-15), but we know his motives are only evil and meant for the downfall of God’s people and His creation.

The Ghost of Darwin Stewart is a great book, especially for young to middle aged teen girls. It reinforces the ideas that girls can be smart, brave and extremely strong even when they face criticism, false accusations, and evil itself. It provides heroines who are real and who struggle to grow up while still being under the headship of their parents. They are not perfect and that makes them easier to relate to. The book is free of bad language, innuendo or sex.

I do feel that due to the innocent nature of the main characters that this might not be as appealing to young adults. Let’s face it, we live in a world where 12 year olds can get an abortion. I appreciate that Nixon may have geared it towards young adults because of the horror aspect to it. However, having seen plenty of horror movies back in the day, I think this is mild by today’s standards. That being said, I strongly recommend The Ghost of Darwin Stewart for teens, especially those who like a mystery with lots of action and plenty of ethereal vibes. I also recommend this series for anyone who likes a good, clean read where good overcomes evil. I will definitely be investing in the other two books soon.