Excerpt from a lengthy review by M.J.Young, author and RPG game designer. (Multiverser system by Vauldron Press)
...the book tells a powerful story in an original fantasy setting that works both as the beginning of an epic and as its own piece. We are left with both the resolution of the major issues raised here and with the anticipation of the next story...
...Also of note are the descriptions of small-scale combat that appear throughout the book. From Rashnir's first and fateful fight with a superior officer in the mercenaries guilds to his one-on-one melee with the Dragon Impervious, the blow-by-blow descriptions capture the action and the violence colorfully and dramatically. We are there in those fights, sometimes holding our breath, truly wondering who will prevail and at what cost.
Schmitz clearly does have talent for writing. The descriptive gems that appear scattered through the pages are something that cannot easily be taught, and there are moments when the scenes are brought vividly to life through these. ... this could be a superior fantasy novel. While even some Christians will find the theology heavy-handed, the unfolding story which is very much the Book of Acts In Another Land should carry the reader through the end and into whatever lies in the books ahead.
Reader Reviews
The Kakos realm mixes the world of fantasy with a Christian worldview. The new origins of such classic creatures as goblins, orcs, and elves are a new look at the motivation behind said creatures. Schmitz does amazing work with his main characters, especially Rashnir. The person of Rashnir is tragic and relatable. As the reader observes Rashnir’s change from slave to servant to second in command of a mercenary’s guild to beggar to powerful believer in Christ, there is almost a kinship that is formed and the reader is tied to the character. Schmitz strong point in his writing is the detail he puts into the battles and the physical setting of the forsaken realm. Also the motivation behind characters is very believable in that it is what a normal person would feel like in that situation. Furthermore descriptions of how certain places in the Kakos realm feel, give the reader a sense of being there and what the place would feel like beyond the normal five senses. All in all this is a terrific book for someone who enjoys D&D or fantasy type books and genres.
Jason Fischer
-College student and all-around nerd of great power
The act of writing faith-based fiction is often the work of the pioneer. True, certain accepted subjects have become well-trodden ground, welcoming the most timid of writers to step out into an Amish or (ironically) western pioneer milieu with a Romance that fits the tight guidelines of the industry. No intrepid spirit needed there. However, most of faith-based fiction is still untested--or at least unproven--ground. Unless a writer means to follow the footsteps of Beverly Lewis, Frank Peretti, or Jerry Jenkins, he steps out alone with no certainty that publishers or readers await him at the end of his journey.
Chris Schmitz is one of these pioneers, attempting to herd Christian fiction into new genres, stories, and ideas. I hope he succeeds. The task before him is one that will require discernment and dual inspiration, both creative and divine. The Bible warns us that our hears are deceptively wicked. The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth, and yet it is from this imagination that the writer attempts to craft his art. It is from this imagination that the reader judges its worth. How then in this affected by the salvation and sanctification process? We are given a new heart--the core of who we are is new in Christ--but we are challenged not to be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. How different will and must the fiction of a renewed mind be? How does it tell a story to captivate the interest of the believer and non-believer both? What is the goal of its writing? It is just to entertain? Is it to create art? Is it to inspire spiritual growth? Is it to bring the good news to the world? The questions overflow as one considers the implications of a transformed life on the art of telling stories.
Fundamentally, the Christian writer's task begins by taking the tainted realm of his imagination and addressing it from God's point of view. The stories he then tells may be careful or they may be bold to the point of walking the edge between righteousness and worldliness. The fiction of Chris Schmitz walks that line. It is not always comfortable, but it is funny, provocative, scary, and inventive. As his career develops, I will be interested to see how this changes--how, really, God will lead him and use the talents He gave him for His purpose.
Wade Ogletree
-Editor/publisher of Better Fiction magazine and owner of the BetterFiction.com writers group
Schmitz has an uncanny knack of mixing religion with fantasy, horror and even comedy, to create readable and entertaining stories.
Karina Kantas
--Author of Heads & Tales and In Times of Violence
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