So it’s the end of 2010 already, and it’s time for the December blog tour! This month we’re reviewing Jonathan Rogers’ “The Charlatan’s Boy”.
When this book was announced for the tour I remember I was immediately skeptical. We’ve had a few books on the tour that I really did not care for, and something about this book was bugging me. I didn’t really know anything about it, other than the title and a little blurb. I didn’t want to request another copy of a book I was going to give a bad review on, so I considered skipping this one. However, after realizing I had no real reason to be so against this book I thought I’d go for it.
I almost missed one of the best books I’ve read on this tour!
From the very beginning, Jonathan puts you firmly in the mind of Grady, the star of this show. It’s obvious Jonathan is a master of language. At no point in this book do you have to consciously try to see these characters as they speak, they naturally appear vividly in your mind. Add to that the fact that you can’t even pick up the book and look at the cover without the immersion beginning, and you understand this book will hook you.
The world he has created for the story is great! If you’re new to this blog, I’m a sucker for well crafted worlds. I remember a while back someone asking (basically) “what would a fantasy world inspired by the land and heritage of America look like?”. A real good question, I though… one I had no immediate answer for. But I think this book is a good answer to that, especially with the culture and lands of southeast USA. It’s not high fantasy, however it’s not hard to consider this work as being in the genre of fantasy.
The plot, characters and the world around them flow together naturally. It appears Jonathan Rogers created an extremely well done work with minimal effort. I wonder if it was as easy for him to write it as he has made it seem.
I didn’t find a lot of spirituality in this book. It seems like that’s happening more and more in the books we tour for the CSFFBT. I hope it’s not a trend authors are seeking to follow. Again we have a book with potential for spiritual elements, and I hope the next book in the series takes advantage of the groundwork already set in place. With that said, it does support a Christian world view in a limited extent, and in no way (that I can remember) conflicts with a Christian world view.
I though about writing this review from a Feechie’s perspective… but I didn’t want to take away from Jonathan Rogers’ way with words. So I guess you’ll have to read the book to see what I’m talking about.
I recommend this book to all readers of fiction, and especially to my fellow countrymen. I think Andrew Peterson’s growing fan base will love this work as well. Thank you Jonathan Rogers for the thoroughly enjoyable book, and Lord willing I hope to read the next book as soon as it comes out in fall 2011!
Pick up a copy of your own at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0307458229
Also, you can visit Jonathan Rogers’ website at http://jonathan-rogers.com/
Sally Apokedak
Amy Bissell
Red Bissell
Jennifer Bogart
Thomas Clayton Booher
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Jeff Chapman
Christian Fiction Book Reviews
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
April Erwin
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Katie Hart
Bruce Hennigan
Christopher Hopper
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Shannon McDermott
Allen McGraw
Matt Mikalatos
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
Donita K. Paul
SarahFlan
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Tammy Shelnut
Kathleen Smith
James Somers
Donna Swanson
Robert Treskillard
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White
Elizabeth Williams
Dave Wilson
In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Writing for Christ! 