Just finished reading Shadowmancer, by G.P. Taylor (Charisma House, 2004. 275 pages). By at least one account, this book is the Christian analog of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Mixed reviews (here, here, and here) on quality debate the issue, but I feel there is no comparison. The Potter books are simply fantasy that have encouraged a new generation to actually read. Their author doesn't assert a stance on any religion by attributing the wizardly powers of her characters to any source, either diabolical or Heavenly. An article from the BBC recognizes this in it's assertion that "In fact there is very little religion at all in the books. But we can all see ourselves in the characters whether we are witches or not." (Look for more about this topic in another post to come.) Taylor's book bases it's plot on elements of Christian belief but renames them to make the book more appealing to those who would be offended by the themes in their correct guises.
True, it is strange that Rowling's characters celebrate Christmas, but so do many Buddhists, Jews, and other non-Christians, if only for non-religious reasons. That is sad as Christ is the reason for the season, but I think it illustrates why many Christians look toward literature like Shadowmancer -- a marked decline in moral values and/or sources for guidance on moral issues that is creeping into society. They hope that efforts like Taylor's will stop or slow this.
Does Harry Potter feed the decline? I think not. Intelligent people will take the the books for what they are (fantasy, like The Lord of the Rings, though more deliniated from our world) and parents who raise their children with a sound moral plan will have no problems. Will Taylor's book help to inhibit the decline? Again, I think not. It's not very readable and probably won't reach as wide of a fan base as Potter (I hope I'm wrong). Rowling's books make for better reading if only for the better writing. Taylor's book is also aimed at a youth audience (I'm 40-ish), but the Shadowmancer is overly complicated in places for young people, too predictable for anyone in others, and rather varied in it's overall quality. There were no clever bits of prose, ingenious phrasings, or memorable quotes. Each of the characters spoke as if they had one voice. In reading I could almost sense which sections were written when he was very tired. Tom Clancy's novels share this trait. Reading any of these you see that they start off with scenes and subplots written in minute detail only to have the ends of chapters and even the last chapter or two paced off in hurry as if they were only full-sentence outlines instead of polished prose.
What makes the Clancy novels popular despite this flaw and the Rowling books popular even without the better writing is an engaging plot. In most any novel we can assume that the protagonist is going to achieve some sort of victory and probably make it to the end of the book relatively unscathed (if only so the publishers can put out sequels). Shadowmancer is a pre-Armageddon tale mirrors the big event so we know the outcome, but getting there is dull. There is no real drama, the action sequences are as clear as coffee (two lumps & a little cream, if you will), and the transitions are poor.
Another issue is the poorly written characters. In Taylor's book I didn't really feel for them at all. Perhaps this is, in part, because I found it difficult to relate to life in 18th Century England. Well, no, that's not right. I know enough about the times to understand them and people haven't really changed in millennia, only their cultures and traditions. Ah! Taylor doesn't make us want to care. The characters have no real depth. They aren't seen as real people outside the plot or subplot. There is no insight into who they are as people. The best -- and only truly individual -- character in the whole book was an aged (probably 40 years, but that was old for the day) woman who operated a boarding house for miners. Extra care may have been put into her development as the character is the epitome of the novel's focus -- salvation regardless of one's sins. Her story was believable and touching.
All this said, did I waste $14.97 (on sale at my favorite local Christian bookstore or cheaper everywhere else) and a few hours time? Will I go see the movie? Will I read Wormwood, Taylor's next novel? Replies in order: No, but it was money better spent than wasting it on lottery tickets. Yes, I love movies in general and easily appreciate efforts that aren't popularly lauded. Probably, as writers generally improve the more they write. Not Clancy, it seems, but I still have almost all his novels. With luck G.P. Taylor will break that mold.