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Bright Against the Storm
King Fingar of Norkath is planning a brutal war of conquest against neighboring Karolan, allegedly justified by a mysterious betrayal decades old. Karolan has a history full of heroism, but dread weighs heavily on her people now. Aging King Thomas has no Karolan may face Fingar's onslaught without an effective leader.
In beautiful Glen Carrah in Karolan, Jonathan the blacksmith and Naomi the shepherdess exchange pledges of undying love. Confident in his strength, Jonathan promises Naomi that he will find and rescue her, no matter what, if war separates them. The separation comes unexpectedly soon, when young Sir Ilohan asks Jonathan's company on a journey commanded by the king.
From this beginning, Bright Against the Storm enthralls readers with believable characters and a gripping plot. Is Ilohan's mission what it seems, an irrelevant footnote to the gathering storm of war? Why do deadly foes dog his footsteps almost from the beginning? Can Jonathan and Ilohan escape their enemies and finish the king's quest? Will Karolan -- and Naomi -- weather the storm?
Bright Against the Storm has the adventure and wonder typical of good fantasy, but manages without elves or sorcerers -- with a world that seems more real, closer to home. Weariness and betrayal fall on the leading characters as they fall on us, with no magic spells offering an easy way out. Despite the hardness of their lives, they find cause to rejoice. Their heroism and love glow in the midst of their dangerous world. They have confidence that the battles of their times are worth fighting -- and that with care and wisdom they can fight on the right side. Reading Bright Against the Storm re-awakens dreams that our jaded, cynical world beats down -- dreams that heroism is possible in the real world.
In beautiful Glen Carrah in Karolan, Jonathan the blacksmith and Naomi the shepherdess exchange pledges of undying love. Confident in his strength, Jonathan promises Naomi that he will find and rescue her, no matter what, if war separates them. The separation comes unexpectedly soon, when young Sir Ilohan asks Jonathan's company on a journey commanded by the king.
From this beginning, Bright Against the Storm enthralls readers with believable characters and a gripping plot. Is Ilohan's mission what it seems, an irrelevant footnote to the gathering storm of war? Why do deadly foes dog his footsteps almost from the beginning? Can Jonathan and Ilohan escape their enemies and finish the king's quest? Will Karolan -- and Naomi -- weather the storm?
Bright Against the Storm has the adventure and wonder typical of good fantasy, but manages without elves or sorcerers -- with a world that seems more real, closer to home. Weariness and betrayal fall on the leading characters as they fall on us, with no magic spells offering an easy way out. Despite the hardness of their lives, they find cause to rejoice. Their heroism and love glow in the midst of their dangerous world. They have confidence that the battles of their times are worth fighting -- and that with care and wisdom they can fight on the right side. Reading Bright Against the Storm re-awakens dreams that our jaded, cynical world beats down -- dreams that heroism is possible in the real world.
424 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 25, 2013
When I got this book for Christmas 2 years ago, I thought nothing of it. So, I put it on my bookshelf and forgot about it. When I was about to leave for a vacation to Florida (Which I just got back from: It's 2 AM), I decided to do a final check in my room. I was going to read The Count of Monte Cristo, as I'm reading more often than I ever have. Seeing that I was ready to go, I was about to leave when I saw this book, just sitting on my shelf. So, on impulse, I thought, "Why not?" and picked it up.
I'm quite glad I did that.
What I found was not independent doggerel, but a quality fantasy book that is worthy of anyone's time. However, as you have probably already guessed, if you're not a Christian, you probably won't enjoy this book. Christianity is one of the biggest themes in the book, so I suggest that you skip over this if you aren't part of this faith. However, if you are a part of it, like I am, you are in for a treat.
The premise of Bright Against the Storm is this: Karolan is on the brink of war. Fingar, king of Norkath, has stated that Prince Kindrach, son of King Thomas, abdicated his claim to the throne of Karolan before his death. However, many in Karolan believe this to be a lie, as Kindrach was the pride of the nation during his life. As war looms, King Thomas realizes that he must have definite answers to mysteries long hidden. This now brings us to the story.
The story centers around Ilohan, a knight of Karolan, and Jonathan, a blacksmith with a deep yearning for adventure. Illohan is sent on a task by King Thomas to Lake Luciyr, and must bring a companion with him. Recalling that Jonathan beat him in a fencing match when he was a squire, Illohan journeys to the beautiful Glen Carrah in search of Jonathan. He finds him, and Jonathan, realizing that this is his chance for adventure, accepts with great fervor. However, he leaves behind is father, Barnabas, his mother, Hannah, his love, Naomi, and her father, Joseph. Spasmodically throughout the book, we see glimpses into the lives of these four people, particularly the latter two. Naomi copes with the pain which one feels when their beloved is away, and Joseph struggles with his intense hatred of war, though he knows that he must protect his daughter and his country from the armies of Norkath.
In terms of themes, they are these: The biggest theme is, of course, Christianity. Throughout the book, the reader sees many, many prayers. From Glen Carrah to Ceramir, prayer is a central part of life for the inhabitants of Karolan. It's origins, in this case, are that "The Travelers" brought the Gospel from their homelands to Karolan. The current king at the time of their arrival accepted their teachings wholeheartedly, and so did the rest of Karolan. However, there is something that counters this: Jonathan's unbelief. Despite the prayers of his family, his beloved Naomi, the experiences throughout his journey, Jonathan will not accept the faith of Karolan. He believes it foolish to do so, and simply believes that "we should fight for love, justice, and all that is good." He, of course, despises death, whereas the rest of Karolan, though they try to avoid it, have their faith which tells them that life dies not end with death, but is only the beginning. This, I think, was an excellent idea on Heinze's part. With this, it gives a nice flavor to the whole flow of the story, as if Jonathan was a believer, this would not be as enjoyable as it is.
To sum up, my friends: For my fellow believers who loved the Lord of the Rings, or just fantasy in general, and are searching for a quality fantasy saga, look no further than The Epic of Karolan.
I'm quite glad I did that.
What I found was not independent doggerel, but a quality fantasy book that is worthy of anyone's time. However, as you have probably already guessed, if you're not a Christian, you probably won't enjoy this book. Christianity is one of the biggest themes in the book, so I suggest that you skip over this if you aren't part of this faith. However, if you are a part of it, like I am, you are in for a treat.
The premise of Bright Against the Storm is this: Karolan is on the brink of war. Fingar, king of Norkath, has stated that Prince Kindrach, son of King Thomas, abdicated his claim to the throne of Karolan before his death. However, many in Karolan believe this to be a lie, as Kindrach was the pride of the nation during his life. As war looms, King Thomas realizes that he must have definite answers to mysteries long hidden. This now brings us to the story.
The story centers around Ilohan, a knight of Karolan, and Jonathan, a blacksmith with a deep yearning for adventure. Illohan is sent on a task by King Thomas to Lake Luciyr, and must bring a companion with him. Recalling that Jonathan beat him in a fencing match when he was a squire, Illohan journeys to the beautiful Glen Carrah in search of Jonathan. He finds him, and Jonathan, realizing that this is his chance for adventure, accepts with great fervor. However, he leaves behind is father, Barnabas, his mother, Hannah, his love, Naomi, and her father, Joseph. Spasmodically throughout the book, we see glimpses into the lives of these four people, particularly the latter two. Naomi copes with the pain which one feels when their beloved is away, and Joseph struggles with his intense hatred of war, though he knows that he must protect his daughter and his country from the armies of Norkath.
In terms of themes, they are these: The biggest theme is, of course, Christianity. Throughout the book, the reader sees many, many prayers. From Glen Carrah to Ceramir, prayer is a central part of life for the inhabitants of Karolan. It's origins, in this case, are that "The Travelers" brought the Gospel from their homelands to Karolan. The current king at the time of their arrival accepted their teachings wholeheartedly, and so did the rest of Karolan. However, there is something that counters this: Jonathan's unbelief. Despite the prayers of his family, his beloved Naomi, the experiences throughout his journey, Jonathan will not accept the faith of Karolan. He believes it foolish to do so, and simply believes that "we should fight for love, justice, and all that is good." He, of course, despises death, whereas the rest of Karolan, though they try to avoid it, have their faith which tells them that life dies not end with death, but is only the beginning. This, I think, was an excellent idea on Heinze's part. With this, it gives a nice flavor to the whole flow of the story, as if Jonathan was a believer, this would not be as enjoyable as it is.
To sum up, my friends: For my fellow believers who loved the Lord of the Rings, or just fantasy in general, and are searching for a quality fantasy saga, look no further than The Epic of Karolan.
March 18, 2012
Love this book!!! The style of writing Ari Heinze writes in this book is very different, but I still enjoyed it. It was kind of slow in the beginning and towards the end, but how the story was put together was amazing. When I thought I knew what was going on in the story it surprised me by a totally different outcome! Even though the story towards the end was a bite slow it left me wanting to read the next book with more enthusiasm!! It is also a very uplifting christian book.
Iohan who is training to be a knight and is sent by the king of Kariolan on a mysterious quest, but not alone, he is suppose to bring a companion with him on his journey. Iohan chooses Jonathon who is a blacksmiths son, and agrees to join Iohan on the treacherous quest.
Iohan who is training to be a knight and is sent by the king of Kariolan on a mysterious quest, but not alone, he is suppose to bring a companion with him on his journey. Iohan chooses Jonathon who is a blacksmiths son, and agrees to join Iohan on the treacherous quest.
May 6, 2010
My dad read this book aloud to our whole family. It was exciting enough to keep us turning pages and hunting for more family reading time in our schedule. Even with the wide variety of story preferences in my family, each of us found something to like. I love the fairy-tale-like style with the almost allegorical Christian message. Occasionally the writing style gets too wordy. Definitely worth reading. We're looking forward to sequels.
January 24, 2012
Heroic adventure, evocative writing and complex characters, including a "virtuous pagan". Quite intense in some places (not for young children), but courage and faith in God in the face of darkness and despair are demonstrated.
October 12, 2011
I liked the Christian flavor and themes. I think Ari is trying a little too hard sometimes to force that lesson in. Should I read on?
August 31, 2012
Formulaic Christian "epic" with very questionable doctrine. I think Christian should also be in quotes.
March 10, 2014
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars. The book got better as it went along and I got used to the writer's style. Excellent analysis of the human soul!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews