Reviews in Brief

A mesmerizing piece of historical and legend-filled fantasy, The Heron Legacy by Leona Francombe is a complex and genre-blending work of literary suspense. Charles de la Fontaine inherits more than his family’s ancestral home upon the death of his noble father – he is also entranced by an enigmatic spirit of the forest, and a long-buried secret about the foundational lore of his land. This quick-moving read is a delightful burst of magical realism with the perfect blend of historical nuance, linguistic dexterity, and narrative twists. Francombe has a delicate pen and a flair for treasure-hunt energy in her prose, ensuring a wonderfully rich read in a superbly crafted world.

A sudden terminal diagnosis leads to one man’s inexplicable ability to embody another future in The Dreamer 4 by A.D. Plautz, a visionary work of contemporary fiction. When Bob Parker’s persistent headaches turn out to be symptoms of a brain tumor, he assumes the strange new dreams are too, but his nighttime life as Ron Pritchard only gets more intense, revealing tragic events that will befall his family. As the balance between Bob’s tragic reality and Ron’s heroic fantasy blurs, this dual story explores the challenging crossroads of faith, family, loyalty, and loss, for a genre-defying novel that deftly straddles the line of science fiction and character-driven drama.

A deeply researched yet accessible thesis, Christian Orthodoxy: A Closer Look by Joseph Grogan is an unflinching dive into questionable texts and misunderstood traditions within Christian denominations. Impartial and exhaustive in its historical examination of Christian foundations and tenets, this book places an unbiased lens over faith structures from multiple sects, resulting in an “objective and holistic” review for believers and historians alike. By measuring traditional scriptural guidance against contemporary and past practices, the author is able to critically assess contentious issues within the religion, and offer useful frameworks to ameliorate dogma-based paradoxes that have plagued the Church for millennia, resulting in a thought-provoking and eye-opening analysis of Christian doctrine.

A multi-generational family drama exploring the unexpected contractions and expansions in every life, Little Ships by Sandra Scofield is a stirring and heartrending work of literary fiction. Two sheltered sisters move in with their grandmothers after tragedy strikes, forcing them to navigate a suddenly widened world and the emotional collapse of their father in the shadow of overwhelming loss. Relationship reversals, heart-opening connections, and the wisdom of both experience and youth make this sensitively penned novel a powerful meditation on family and independence for readers of every age.

Two rebellious monarchs delay their annual migration and find themselves on a revelatory adventure in The Butterflies, Yero and Boca: 2020 Tetralogy Edition by Allen (Pud) Deters. From charming chats with trees and daring arachnid escapes to getting lost in the immortal world of fairies, outsmarting grumpy toads, and haggling with savvy trader rats, this sprawling adventure parable is whimsical, but also layered with deep meaning and powerful themes for readers of all ages. Concepts of humility, generosity, brotherhood, habit formation, honesty, and moderation are delicately woven into the fantasy narrative, making for an immersive and insightful read.

An intimate and enlightening look at the medical profession and how faith can guide one through personal and professional hardship, My COVID-19 Diary: Practical Tips and Scriptures for Improbable Times from an American Doctor by Theresa Y. Wee M.D. is a compelling combination of medical memoir and spiritual self-help. Shedding new light on the frontlines of the pandemic, the author’s story is particularly powerful in her candid discussion of her husband’s death, illustrating her knowledge of every side of personal tragedy. With the inclusion of specific scriptures as a means of motivation, the book is certainly aimed foremost at religious readers, but her practical advice and personal experience make for a uniquely knowledgeable and uplifting guide.