The Power of Storytelling for Christ

C. S. Lewis, Madeleine L’Engle, and the Power of Storytelling

article by Warren Cole Smith

"Artists such as Madeleine L’Engle and C. S. Lewis help us remember that the Bible is more than just a collection of stories. The bible is itself a magnificent story of the creation, fall, redemption, and ultimate restoration of all things...."

— Continue reading at rabbitroom.com

Let's discuss it!

Who are some of your favorite Christian storytellers?

What kind of storytelling do you think is missing from the market today?

Book Review: The Last Battle

The Last Battle // written by C.S. Lewis

The Chronicles of Narnia series

184 pages // published in 1956 // Christian fantasy

BOOK DESCRIPTION

During the last days of Narnia, the land faces its fiercest challenge-not an invader from without but an enemy from within. Lies and treachery have taken root, and only the king and a small band of loyal followers can prevent the destruction of all they hold dear in this, the magnificent ending to The Chronicles of Narnia. The Last Battle is the seventh and final book in C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series, which has been drawing readers of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over sixty years.

My Review...



This series is the best of the best. And this book is a phenomenal way to end The Chronicles of Narnia.

I love how C.S. Lewis brought back our favorite heroes and heroines of Narnia, just one last time. The writing in this volume is vivid. And the Christian allegory is perhaps the most intense it's ever been in the entirety of the series. This is where we get into the "real" Christianity, in permanent, life or death matters.

In this last installment of the series, Narnia is polluted with phony commands from Aslan. The rumors are dividing the land, much like politics. But very few who live there, the ones who show true faith search for a different answer -- that Aslan would never combine his power with a god from the another religion -- they are not the same! Instead, we find that he does give grace to those who need it... and for those who are lost, there is still hope for them to find the way.

The contrast between good and evil is harder to define in this final volume, especially when compared to The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe -- we knew exactly who had the evil gene and who did not. Not so with The Final Battle, the epic finale of Narnia. The lines are blurred. Of course, there may be a few characters who decidedly are on the evil side, such as Swift the Ape, who takes advantage of the good name of Aslan himself...

There's so much packed into this one book to make you think.
About heaven.
About our religion and how we believe.
About the book of Revelation.
About the end times that approach us.
About the day we see our Savior.

This book ranks high on my list of favorites. Now, I still can't decide if I can actually like The Last Battle better than The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, but together they are definitely my favorites in the whole series. One day, I'll have to re-read them all again.

The Last Battle is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, e-book, and audiobook format.

P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads.

*Any Amazon.com purchase made through the links in this post support this humble blogger with a small commission. Thank you!

Book Review: The Magician's Nephew

The Magician's Nephew

written by C.S. Lewis

202 pages // published in 1955 // fiction // Christian fantasy



My Review...




Easily a new favorite book of mine!

The reader gets to experience Narnia for the very first time -- from the exact moment that Aslan breathed Narnia into existence! What a wonderful moment. So similar to the God's own creation of our world, although no description could ever fully share the extent of His creation.

Polly and Digory step into Narnia, and with them seeps in someone from another world called Charn -- someone evil. A beautiful setup for 'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe'. To get to Narnia, they go through a middle landing place, named "Wood between the Worlds"... and I do so wonder how many other worlds that these two charming kids could discover together.

This book provides so much back-story for Narnian fans. Why is there a lamp post in the middle of the snowy woods? Why is the White Witch embody evilness? How do animals get picked to have the talking ability?

I ADORE THIS BOOK. It's beautiful.

The Magician's Nephew is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, audio, or e-book format.

P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.

*Any Amazon.com purchase made through the links in this post support this humble blogger with a small commission. Thank you!

Fantasy Love February -- {Art!}

Fantasy Love February: Mini-Challenge Two

For this Mini-Challenge, I was supposed to create some "fantastic" art about a fantasy book I'm reading this month. It sounded like fun to me!

As a graphic artist, my favorite medium to work with is digital art. So, I put together a piece of blog art, depicting my favorite illustration in The Magician's Nephew, coupled with my favorite passage.

To me, this piece opens up wonderment to a curious imagination. Had Digory and Polly not ventured further, Narnia would never have been discovered!

So, here's my submission in the Mini-Challenge. Enjoy, and you're welcome to re-share it elsewhere if you like it.

Joining the Fantasy Love February reading challenge!

My bloggy friend Grace (who blogs over at Fictionally) is hosting a reading challenge this month -- it's called Fantasy Love February!


Fantasy books, or anything related to fairy tales qualifies as part of the reading challenge. I have a few books in mind that I've had on my TBR list -- and this is the perfect time for me to read them!



Fantasy Love February: Mini-Challenge One

Today I'm sharing a list of the books I plan to read for Grace's fantasy challenge this month!

Perhaps you'll find something to read for the challenge too?


The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald


The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis


Quest for the Beast: A Beauty and the Beast story by Sarah Holman


Waltz into the Waves: A Cinderella Story by Sarah Holman


Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Book Review: Advent in Narnia

Advent in Narnia
Reflections for the Season

written by Heidi Haverkamp

96 pages // published in 2015 // Christian non-fiction // Christmas



My Review...




"Advent in Narnia" is the perfect book for casual and fanatic Narnians alike. You're sure to discover new meaning in the story of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe.

Included are 28 short chapters to be enjoyed daily during the Advent season. The chapters encourage you to read it along with the The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe book itself, so that you can refresh your memory on everything that the devotion covers in the original story.

I found the daily readings to be short, sweet and offer a new thought about C.S. Lewis's writings, or other holiday-themed meanings behind the religious symbols in the original story. I do believe it opened my eyes more to some of the hidden definitions of the characters and obscure elements. Although I have personally read several of the Narnia books, I haven't yet researched into Lewis's writings further. Heidi Haverkamp's book helped introduce me to some things I hadn't figured out yet myself, and still put a Christmas twist on it.

"It's easy to be cynical about the holidays, but if we can allow ourselves to feel some deep delight or let our imaginations run wild in the wonder of even the silliness of the season, we might be surprised into seeing both ourselves and God's world differently." (Heidi Haverkamp)

The author even includes additional material for a group study -- helpful to have if your church would be interested in reading this Advent study together, or if you just want to enjoy it with your family members or friends.

{Plus, if I hadn't read this book, I wouldn't know about ALL the movie versions of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe that I could watch!}

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the free review copy & for the opportunity to express my honest opinions.

Advent in Narnia has just been released this holiday season! [Buy your copy from Amazon.]

P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.

2 Book Reviews: The Silver Chair & The Horse and His Boy

I read 2 books this July for Carrie's Narnia reading challenge in July. Check out my reviews for both books below. I'd love to hear about your thoughts too!

The Silver Chair

written by C.S. Lewis

243 pages // published in 1953 // children's fiction



My Review...



The Silver Chair is a wonderful book from the Chronicles on Narnia series. After me having not read a Narnia book in so long, this was like coming home again, having a re-introduction, a breath of magical Narnian air.

Eustace and his school buddy Jill stumble into Narnia, and are given a request from Aslan to complete a mission: to rescue Prince Rillian, son of King Caspian.

All in all, a good plot with a challenge set forth for the characters to complete. A general good vs. evil storyline. And Aslan reigns over all.

Loved it.

>> Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.






The Horse and His Boy

written by C.S. Lewis

254 pages // published in 1954 // children's fiction



My Review...



Another fantastic Narnia novel.

This one is different, I found, because the main character does not enter Narnia from another world. Instead, the characters (while not in Narnia) actually start out in a nearby country. It was a fascinating view of Aslan's country to see it from the eyes of a neighbor, not as a person from our Earth.

Shasta, a young boy adopted by the local Calormenes, is soon accompanied by Aravis, a Calormene girl. Including a pair of Talking Horses, the four journey towards Narnia together, each escaping their life's hardships. A few countries away, Narnia is in its Golden Age, with the beloved Pevensie siblings reigning; from a distance, it looks like the right place to be.

I found Shasta and Aravis to be convincing characters, people I could expect to meet anywhere. They might commit mistakes, but learn from it. They push on towards a common goal, and keep treading the dangerous path even when it hurts. I am equally fascinated by the new facets of Aslan that I saw emerge from the story. He is merciful, but also willing to show a person when they've gone to far in their actions. (How true of Him!)

"Do not dare not to dare." (The Horse and His Boy)

>> Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.



Stop by Carrie's blog to join!