The Iron Sceptre

Archives of Anthropos #4

by John White

Anthropos is in danger. So Wesley, Kurt and Lisa are once again magically transported from their home in Winnipeg to help save this threatened land. The Iron Sceptre, the source of King Kardia's power to rule, is in peril. The children, joined by their cousin Mary, are called on to stop Mirmah and her chief sorcerer, Archimago. But to do so, they must travel beneath the Northern Mountains, around Goldcoffin's Palace and into the very heart of Mirmah's kingdom. What awaits is much more than a mere adventure.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Childrens, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy

408 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

John White was an Evangelical Christian author, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and a pastor of Church of the Way.

Reviews

[Chris Ward]

Great read!

Great fantasy book for the young and young at heart. Part of a series written by John White. Written in the vein of CS Lewis and others with the basis of Christian mythos.

[PoeTheWriter ~Everything is fine.... right...?~]

it's a very good book teaching us how to trust in God for help :D

I enjoyed it.

[Lydia]

The Friesens, Wesley, Kurt and Lisa, return to Anthropos to aid the kingdom against an ice powered sorceress, self styled 'The Lady of Night', who is determined to take King Kardia's Iron Sceptre of rule. They aren't the ones to instigate the adventure though; their cousin Mary happens into Anthropos when she comes to stay with their mutual uncle, John. After a rough first day all in the same house, Mary returns from a brief visit off world with the Sword of Geburah and a message from Gaal: the Friesens are needed to aid Kardia and Suneidesis as the surrounding kingdoms have already fallen under the Lady of Night's power and darkness is covering the world. When catastrophe threatens in our own world, all four children go to Anthropos, however, Mary goes first and is separated from the others, starting a journey in a strange land with unknown perils and after some bad decisions, she is in grave danger. Meanwhile, the Friesens arrive at the palace to find treachery has been at work. King Kardia is still in possession of his sceptre; unfortunately, he's been stabbed by an enchanted dagger which is slowly killing him; Queen Suneidesis and Prince Tiqvah are missing and feared to have been kidnapped by the Lady of Night's minions. And so the quest begins, rescue the Queen and Prince, confront their weaknesses and attempt to save the kingdoms and hopefully, Kardia from the witch.

Frequently, this series reminds me of The Chronicles of Narnia, mostly that is a good thing, though sometimes it borrows plot points a little heavily (for instance, the introduction of the "unpleasant cousin" Eustac… I mean Mary), however, that was the point that reminded me most strongly of Narnia in this book (which is surprising, ice witch and everything, but Mr. White makes her feel very different from Jadis). Overall, the series' tone is more like a mashup of Narnia and The Pilgrim's Progress (much like John Bibee's Bicycle Hills series), as the analogies are more obvious than Mr. Lewis' light touch, but they are still excellent books and I wish I had finished the whole series when I originally picked them up as a young teen; I like them now, I would have loved them then!

Content notes: No language issues, however, Mary has been bullied in the past about her weight, and is going through family re-arranging (finds out her mother isn't really her mother and doesn't want her any more and her father isn't fighting for her), so she has a lot of unkind words in her baggage. Though a few characters talk about getting married, the political implications are all that are mentioned, no sensuality issues. Several drastic enchantments, some turn out okay, others cause death; characters are told that people got beheaded, no details, on page people get carried off to be eaten by demons "off stage"; a character is in danger of being possessed, but escapes; a character is mortally wounded by a dragon trying to crush them; mythical/un-real creatures are killed by stabbing/beheading.

[Kelle]

I really enjoyed this book AGAIN, even being an adult. This is the one where the Friesen children and their cousin Mary travel to the icy north to defeat a witch and keep her from overtaking the kingdoms and causing permanent darkness and cold.

[Melanie]

God’s faithfulness is greater than our folly

[Melinda Yoho]

While it isn't as impactful to my childhood as other books in the Archives of Anthropos, I do enjoy this adventure. I first read it when I was 6, and I've reread it many times. I recommend reading the series in order of publication (making this book 2).

[Christine Ottaway]

I love the Archives of Anthropos books - they are such an inspiring series of books for older middle grade readers - full of Christian truth wrapped up in an exciting adventure story.
Although this is the 4th in the series chronologically - it always feels like the second as it follows The Tower of Geburah, the first written and I think, the best.
King Kardia is in trouble from Mirmah determined to take over their world with her ice and darkness but Gaal is Lord over ice and all. Wesley, Lisa and Kurt are drawn back to Anthropos with their unlovely cousin Mary. She too encounters Gaal and finds his love for her.
The story is realistic in that people make mistakes and have to pay the consequences yet Gaal brings all things together for good. The ending is a little sad but full of hope.

[Stevie Roach]

This was the best book of the series so far. Really looking forward to the next one. In some (not all) ways I'm finding this series better than the Chronicles of Narnia. In particular, Mr. White does an excellent job of presenting realistic characters with realistic fears and desires that get dealt with in real ways. He presents the Christian life in clear detail with all of its ups and downs. Very nicely done.

[Anna]

I had no idea that this was the fourth book in the series until I read the page at the front that tells the names of all the books. If I hadn't, I would've thought this was the second book, since "The Tower of Geburah" could very well have been the starter book! I remember really loving this book (it's been awhile.)

[Douglas Wilson]

Okay.

[Carrissa Cat]

"Look well to the Sceptre..."

Don't leave the path and don't leave the boat! EVER! No matter what world you are in!

[Bonnijean Marley]

Very good story. I could hardly put it down

[Marilyn]

Enjoyed as a teenager. I think it involves graves at some point...

[Wendy Pimm]

My kids loved it. I read it to them. I was a great read.

[Dianna]

Smacks of Narnia. I enjoyed it quite a bit, going to check back to start with Number 1. :)

[Jan]

I love these books. I have read them several times and enjoy the characters and the stories deeper meanings more each time! Highly recommended reading to share with your family!

[Lori Nemitz]

Read between January & June 1985.

Original notes on book from 1985: Very good. Sequel to Tower of Geburah.

[Dr Rick]

Very Narnia like

[Amanda]

This kept me and my six year-old spellbound. It's not written super well, but the action moves along, and the characters, scenes and sequences of adventure are pretty fun.

If reading aloud again, I would skip the parts describing Mary as fat and about her throwing up (purging) all the ice cream she ate. I think for younger children there are parts that are a little heavy and dark, or a little suggestive of more adult themes, but these can be fairly easily edited out or thoughtfully discussed.