Well, my hubbie pointed out the grammatical error/typo that I made on the first line of yesterday’s blog. Ugh. Yes, I be a writer! Oh, well. It’s a good thing that blogs aren’t graded, right?
Today is “Book Review Friday,” but I’m wondering if I shouldn’t call it “Book Recommendation Friday.” It’s doubtful that I would ever bother to review a book that I didn’t like.
Today’s book is Shade by John B. Olson. While attending the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference this year, I overheard many people refer to a “vampireless vampire book” and I just HAD to find out what that was all about.
There was plenty of buzz about the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. There were two camps. There were those who were terrified and dismayed about the books’ evil influence on our children and how Christian fiction needed to provide suitable alternatives. The other camp felt that we needed to study the books and discover what it was about them that has so captured a generation. With that said, many at the conference held up Shade as Christian fiction’s answer to Twilight. Since I haven’t had the opportunity to read the latter, I can’t really speak to that.
Shade is the story of a young female graduate student who is living a nightmare. Chased by an apparation (real or imagined) into Golden Gate Park, she is rescued by a towering homeless man. Doctors try to prescribe away her alleged hallucinations, but too many questions remain. Who is the strange homeless man and why is she so drawn to him? Are they both delusional or are they being swept up in an ancient terror which is trying to kill them both?
Shade is a twisting, turning, spooky, suspenseful, evocative, romantic and redeeming read. How’s that for lots of descriptive words? John Olson had me drawn in from the first chapter. I spent the entire book guessing as to the true nature of the story’s hero. Was he a maniac or a “chosen one” sent by God to fight evil? I was actually still waffling on this until the last few pages of the book.
My spirits soared when the two main characters discussed the true nature of redemption. Olson does a splendid job of weaving it seamlessly into the story so that the reader does not suddenly feel ambushed by a sermon. Instead it’s a natural progression of the characters’ growth.
The story does get a bit complex in sections, so it’s not a good book to read in a busy airport when you are trying to keep one eye on your bags and your ears peeled for announcements about your flight.
Save it for a time when you can really sink your teeth into it and suck out the…
Oh, wait. That’s right, it’s a vampireless vampire book.
Oh, wait. That’s right, it’s a vampireless vampire book.
Thank you for the book review. I hope to read it someday.
I think it’s interesting that the Twilight series was a big topic at your conference. As someone who read every book, I understand the appeal to both young and older females (of which I’m the latter). Since the writer is a devout Mormon, she integrates her moral beliefs into a seemingly chaste love story (inspired by Jane Austen, Shakespeare, and Romeo & Juliet, among others). She creates her own vampire mythology in order to serve the tension in the love story. The books aren’t filled with the most original or musical prose; however, she does capture what some, if not all, females experience with first love, or the most intense love, in their lives.
It was this series that galvanized my desire to work on my own idea that’s been simmering in my head for a while. The popularity of her series shows the hunger for young females to find characters with whom they can relate. And the Christian YA market definitely seems to have a void.
Hope this is helpful..
The Twilight “phenomenon” was definitenly a hot topic. Most people seemed to feel that the writing wasn’t spectacular, but that she somehow touched readers in a way that hadn’t happened in awhile. I doubt it was as much the vampire storyline as it was the deep, passionate but chaste romance — as you said. Great point, Sonja! But the current obsession with vampires and evil in publishing has many people concerned. I think it’s the fad of the moment and will probably fade with time.
I think it’s a mistake for writers to try to write the NEXT Twilight or the “response” to Twilight. John Olson was in a good position to take advantage of this trend because his story was already going to press (I think) when this phenomenon took off. He couldn’t have known that ahead of time. It was a God thing, I’m sure. We need to focus on the story that God has laid on our hearts. God knows what needs to be written and we just need to follow His lead.
Like you said, girls are looking for strong female characters, to whom they can relate. Keep writing Sonja… He’s got great plans for you!
I agree w/you that people should not try to create the next Christian Twilight. It’s like the film industry trying to make the next Batman: The Dark Knight with Wolverine (the critics don’t seem too impressed).
A lot of girls in our church had either read Twilight or wanted to read it and see the film. Knowing that they would probably read the books and see the film regardless, I suggested that we see the film together and have a discussion afterward re: the dangers in the book or film’s message. I created a Bible study that talked about the false expectations Twilight creates (a seemingly perfect and passionate man), then juxtaposed this with what God has given us as the perfect man / God in our lives: Christ. I’ll have to send you the study sometime, but maybe after you read the book. The study may have a spoiler or two.
As Christians, we have to protect the minds of our children, but I also believe in engaging them in a discussion about some literature, films, etc. to help them build wisdom and discernment. Better to let them see these things through the lens of Scripture, rather than through the eyes of the world.