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Title: Gideon's Dawn by Michael D. Warden ISBN: 1-58660-725-1 Publisher: Barbour & Co Pub. Date: March, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $8.97 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.68 (19 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A Compelling New World to Explore
Comment: There have been many attempts to recapture the magic and majesty of Tolkien's Middle Earth. At best, they've ended up as pale imitations. A cursory glance at Gideon's Dawn might lead readers to believe author Michael Warden is taking his own stab at Tolkien's "brass ring." On the surface, there are some obvious similarities--Warden's work is an epic fantasy (and the first book in a series), it presents a brand new world rich with interesting characters and a compelling backstory, and features loads of action and intrigue. But Gideon's Dawn doesn't purport to be the "new Lord of the Rings" nor does Warden presume to be the second coming of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Gideon's Dawn is a world forged entirely from the mind of a writer who--though clearly inspired by Tolkien--has somehow found a way to create something completely new and unique. It is evident from Warden's detailed prose that he's been living in the Inherited Lands for years himself. Gideon's Dawn is an epic story, to be certain, but its believability rests not on the shoulders of past fantasy writers, but on Warden's own ability to imbue characters with personality and history; his ability to paint a diverse world with detailed, picturesque textures; and his abilty to weave pathos, tragedy, and triumph into an arresting story.
And a great story is what it's all about, right? You may be asking, just what is the story, anyway? Well, there's this guy named Gideon Dawning... Um. No, I'll stop. It's better to live Gideon's story for yourself than to have it explained. Read it. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: 4
Summary: 4 1/2 Stars...A Future and a Hope
Comment: Christian fantasy...To some this is an oxymoron. Although Tolkien and Lewis were forerunners in the genre, the church world has often thumbed its nose at the power of myth and fantasy to paint christological themes. Conversely, some Christian fantasists have gone too far with the insertion of biblical ideas and weakened the power of their stories in the process.
"Gideon's Dawn" is a welcome addition to the short list. It's greatest strength lies in the main character's weakness. Gideon Dawning is a flawed and cynical man. As he struggles in our own world with questions of family and the past, he proves sympathetic, yet hard to reach. When a mysterious earthquake plunges him from the Colorado mountains into another world, he remains aloof to the hopes foisted upon him. Only as his dark secrets come to light do we fully understand his reluctance to be anything other than a man without a purpose. Gideon is a survivor, plain and simple.
Warden succeeds in creating a world both creative and familiar. The depth of his world-making grows as the story moves on, and the glossary in the back of the book is helpful in keeping matters straight. The author's work and the publisher's risk on this novel are well worth it. Although the story has slow patches in the first half, it picks up the pace and leaves us wanting more. With tighter editing, the book could've been 50 pages shorter, but the author refuses to settle for stale narrative and tries to give us more, rather than less.
Warden sets a new tone. Along with Stephen Lawhead, Kathy Tyers, Randall Ingermanson, and Karen Hancock, the Christian fantasy market continues to expand, and, with the upcoming sequel "Waymaker," we fantasy readers once again have a future and a hope. Much like Gideon Dawning himself.
Rating: 5
Summary: 6 stars!
Comment: Once I got into this book, I hated to put it down. I appreciate fantasy with Christian symbolism, and Warden does an excellent job. My only complaint is that I hated to see it end. In addition, Warden leaves you so you have to read the next book! I can't waith until Waymaker is released.
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Title: Waymaker by Michael D. Warden ISBN: 1593101732 Publisher: Barbour & Co Pub. Date: June, 2004 List Price(USD): $8.97 |
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Title: The Light of Eidon (Legends of the Guardian-King, 1) by Karen Hancock ISBN: 0764227947 Publisher: Bethany House Pub. Date: July, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
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