CSFF Blog Tour – The Restorer
This entry was posted on Monday, June 18. 2007 and is filed under CSFF Blog Tour.
What kind of story would excite such diverse authors as Robin Parrish, Karen Hancock, Randy Ingermanson, and Kathryn Mackel? Each is successful in the Christian speculative fiction category, though their works are quite dissimilar. All saw fit to endorse the same book, Sharon Hinck’s The Restorer, first in the Sword of Lyric series.
Here is the official PR blurb about the book (not available at Amazon.com, for some reason):
Surprising is the operative word, I think. Nothing about The Restorer is predictable or retread material.
From Karen Hancock:
From Robin Parrish:
I think that this story is "fresh and compelling—even for a red-blooded, testosterone-driven guy" like Parrish, is one of the surprises of this book.
How did Hinck achieve such a thing when her protagonist is a soccer mom?
Ingermanson says
In addition, the story has a science fantasy flavor, though it is firmly in the fantasy camp.
Mackel, the master of science fantasy, said
If you've enjoyed Robin Parrish's stories, Karen Hancock's books, Randy Ingermanson's science fiction, or Kathryn Mackel's novels, chances are, you will love The Restorer.
If you love Sharon Hinck's mom fiction, the Becky Miller books, chances are, you will love The Restorer.
Earlier this year I posted a review of The Restorer here at Speculative Faith, and a slightly altered version is posted at Amazon's The Restorer page. I stand by my comments and am happy to know that I'm in good company.
Check out what other bloggers on the tour have to say: Trish Anderson
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Frank Creed
Lisa Cromwell
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Russell Griffith
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Heather R. Hunt
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Kait
Karen
Dawn King
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Robin Parrish
Rachelle
Cheryl Russel
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Daniel I. Weaver
Susan, a modern-day soccer mom, is pulled through a portal into another world, where a nation grappling for its soul waits for a promised Restorer to save their people. Can she fill that role? While she struggles to adapt to a foreign culture, she tackles an enemy that is poisoning the minds of the people, uncovers a corrupt ruling Council, and learns that God can use even her floundering attempts at service in surprising ways.
A compelling adventure, an engaging heroine, a unique and fascinating other world The Restorer satisfies on many levels.
[Hinck]'s taken two concepts that have no right to work in the same story — a harried housewife and a sprawling fantasy world with its own science, culture, and rules — and smashed the two together into something altogether fresh and compelling — even for a red-blooded, testosterone-driven guy like me. She zigged every time I expected her to zag, and the world she created is full of mystery and suspense and the awe of discovery.
Loved the swordplay. Loved the spiritual insights. Most of all, loved the main character, Susan Mitchell, a compelling mix of Everymom and Wonder Woman.
I simply loved this book, hated for it to end, and am grateful that there’s another in the Sword of Lyric series coming soon.