Sunday, May 04, 2008


Asulon, the name itself feels natural rolling off the tongue. Gentle, but strong, the name seems to inspire confidence, strength, refuge, even hope and true justice. Where have we heard of this before? Well, although the name is different perhaps one might be thinking of the enchanted kingdom of Camelot. There are similarities between the two. Both are kingdoms ushered into existence through the help of someone greater than it's kings. The idea of the Round Table is also used in both works. For those who aren't aware of Arthurian lore, the reason for the Round Table, which some experts claim was not round at all, was to put all members on the same level. Even the king came down from his throne and sat, equal to all others at this table.

What is the legends of Arthur, but the retelling of the battle of good against evil. It begins with a promised child who later becomes the king of a new kingdom, Camelot. Here also we see similarities, for in Asulon we have the prophecy of a prince who would overcome the evil that threatens to destroy it. Daniel was of noble birth and hunting in the wilds as the book begins. We learn soon enough that the king of Asulon has died without leaving an heir. This has placed Daniel's father on the throne of Asulon, and in doing so finds himself in a history that has already been written. When Daniel's father is assassinated he strikes out for Logres with Master Moor, Simon the priest, and Princess Rachel.

Rachel's presence causes problems for Moor because he too knows the prophecy, and although not one to believe in such things he does understand the political implications of joining with Logres by marrying one of Anak's daughters. The life of Daniel's children seem held in the balance. For should Daniel marry a mortal woman his children would live to be only 60 or 70 years of age. Being a son of one of the Anakim he knows that he will live at least twice that, unless killed. Yet his heart is awakened to this woman, and hers to him. This can cause social as well as political problems. If memory serves me correctly there was a bit of trouble with Arthur and his Guinevere.

Yet I find the more moving parts of this story are those things that align themselves up with Scripture. Again there is the prophecy of a child becoming king. The trouble Jesus has with His Bride is not the same. Yet in ASULON there seems to be a leaning towards a union between the Abramim woman and Daniel. She, like the Church has gifts given her by the Lord. Her love causes her pain, and I've often wondered how Jesus must have wept over me, over my laziness and ingratitude. So I hide myself in Him and His righteousness that I may be found worthy. This Daniel must learn, to hide himself in the Creator.

Now think of the title of this book and ask yourself, "What is the sword of fire?" You have seen it, but it has yet to be mentioned. Of this I am quite sure.

For more be sure to check out the CFRB site at http://cfrblog.blogspot.com You can also find links to other member sites as well as where you can purchase this book.

2 comments:

cathikin said...

As always, you find such interesting content. I really like yur comparisons to the Arthurian legend, which I also thought about but not in the detail that you did. And I totally agree about the parts that align with scripture. Tht's what really makes the book so good in my opinion

David said...

I should have referred to it more in the CFRB posts. It would have kept me on track and kept me away from spoilers. Alas, but hindsight is better than foresight. Most people don't realize that the story of Arthur and Camelot is a Christian story, just as is THE LORD OF THE RINGS. While some have said that Bill has been a lot like C.S. Lewis, I think he has carved out his own niche, different from Lewis, as well as different, although similar, to Tolkien's Middle Earth series.

Tangerine

Tangerine by Marilynn Griffith



This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is posting about Tangerine (Revell, January 2007) by Marilynn Griffith (fellow CFBA member, blogger, writer, and mother of *GULP* seven!)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marilynn Griffith is wife to a deacon, mom to a tribe and proof that God gives second chances. Her novels include Made of Honor (Steeple Hill, Jan. 2006), Pink (Revell, Feb. 2006), Jade (Revell, June 2006), and If the Shoe Fits (Revell, 2007). Her other credits include Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman’s Soul, Cup of Comfort Devotionals and her Shades of Style series (Revell, 2006). She lives in Florida with her husband and children. To book speaking engagements or just say hello, email: marilynngriffith@gmail.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Tangerine is the third book in the Shades of Style Novels.

Fans of Pink and Jade will eat up Tangerine, the third book in the cutting-edge Shades of Style series. Jean Guerra, a designer at Garments of Praise design firm, doesn't like surprises. These days though, the unexpected meets her everywhere. Since Jean's return to the church a year ago, her God-encounters occur with increasing frequency, along with thoughts of her husband-the one she vowed to divorce and gave up on long ago. The one nobody at work knows about, not even her best friend, Lily, or her boss, Chenille. But when the designer assigned to work with Jean on a line of men's suits shows up, her heart flips. It's her husband, Nigel Salvador. Jean is finally rendered speechless. Can her bruised heart become whole enough to love again? Or will she remain in the trenches of loneliness forever?



The book link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0800730429


Marilynn's website link: http://marilynngriffith.typepad.com/rhythmsofgrace/

THE 3RD COVENANT - a Comparison

The following table shows where THE 3RD COVENANT stands against 7 top authors and 14 other books.

Title

Author

Times out

times per month

Judge and Jury

Cold Moon

Death Dance

Promise Me

The 3rd Covenant

The Camel Club

Violet Dawn

3rd Degree

The Collectors

Web of Lies

The 12th Card

Words of Silk

Above and Beyond

Entombed

No Second Chance

James Patterson

Jeffery Deaver

Linda Fairstein

Harlan Coben

David Brollier

David Baldacci

Brandilyn Collins

James Patterson

David Baldacci

Brandilyn Collins

Jeffery Deaver

Sandra Brown

Sandra Brown

Linda Fairstein

Harlan Coben

CHO 9

CHO 17

CHO 17

CHO 16

CHO 11

CHO 21

CHO 4

CHO 34

CHO 2

CHO 2

CHO 17

CHO 29

CHO 30

CHO 19

CHO 31

2.25

2.43

2.43

2.28

1.83

1.71

1.3

1.08

1.00

1.00

.94

.94

.91

.82

.72