Good Christian Fantasy Besides Lewis and Tolkien

As much as I love the works of C.S.Lewis and J.R.R.Tolkien, I am getting tired of only their names being mentioned when it comes to Christian fantasy. While the two esteemed authors are rightfully called the fathers of this genre, Christian fantasy is not limited to their books. There are some very promising new authors as well.

Here is my list of good Christian fantasy for those who have finished The Lord Of The Rings and Chronicles of Narnia and want more.

1) Legends of Guardian King series by Karen Hancock:

Book 1: The Light of Eidon
Book 2: The Shadow Within
Book 3: Shadow Over Kiriath
Book 4: Return of the Guardian-King

This is a wonderfully written Christian fantasy series about Abramm Kalladorne, Prince of Kiriath, sold to slavery by his brothers and made gladiator in the first book. The rest of the story is far too complex to even try to re-tell, you will have to read for yourself. *Side note: this is not a children's book. The story contains some adult themes, although they are handled with care and there is nothing explicit.

2) DragonSpell series by Donita K. Paul:

Book 1: DragonSpell
Book 2: DragonQuest
Book 3: DragonKnight
Book 4: DragonFire
Book 5: DragonLight (coming out in June 2008)

Dragons are just one of the many exciting species populating this fantasy world. A young slave girl named Kale finds a dragon egg and becomes a Dragon Keeper... which is only the beginning of her adventures. This is a very imaginative work of fiction that will leave many kids and perhaps some adults wishing for a little pet dragon.

3) Dragons In Our Midst series by Bryan Davis:

Book 1: Raising Dragons
Book 2: The Candlestone
Book 3: Circles of Seven
Book 4: Tears of a Dragon

This series introduces a rather intriguing concept of dragons living among us in a human form. The protagonist is a teenage boy who discovers his dragon heritage, so the series is geared more toward teens, but it will interest adults as well with its unusual concept and tight plot. Well written and not preachy, this is a very good read.

4) Oracles of Fire series by Bryan Davis:

Book 1: Eye of the Oracle
Book 2: Enoch's Ghost
Book 3: The Last Of The Nephilim (coming out in July 2008)

This is a prequel to the previous series. We go back in history and see how everything that takes place in Dragons In Our Midst came about. Arthurian legends weaved together with biblical stories, how about that? Not something easily done, but Bryan Davis manages to pull it off.