Rachel Starr Thomson
Author of Worlds Unseen
About the Author
Series
Works by Rachel Starr Thomson
The 13th Enumeration 8 copies
Angelos 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Thomson, Rachel Starr
- Birthdate
- 1983-05-06
- Gender
- female
- Nationality
- Canada
- Birthplace
- Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Occupations
- writer
editor
Members
Reviews
The prologue introduces us to two differing factions, Sacramenti and Puritani (Pure People), who were each convinced in their own minds that they were following the Truth about the Kaion and all mankind. The Kaion consisted of Father, Son, and Fire Within. From the main factions of Sacramenti and Puritani, smaller divisions broke out and the Imitators and Luminaris (Tremblers) were born.
In the New World, Herman Melrose, a Trembler, was weighted with the responsibility for raising up a new order in the unknown land. The Imitators also had their own plans however. Linette Cole opens the first chapter while she embarks into this new land, not knowing who friends or enemies are, and still not yet ready to face her past. And Herman struggles to lead a colony in peacefully welcoming and accepting anyone despite their faction or belief. Serena, too, being lit by the Fire Within receives her own task--one that will take courage, bravery, and sacrifice.
I love this book because I can see how it parallels the truth divisions today. I have personally experienced the difficulty in witnessing to people simply because of their misunderstandings of the different beliefs that all Christians hold. In this book and in the series that will come later, I believe Rachel is trying to address that in Kepos Ge and its citizens. While each of the characters is human having hearts and veins, they also have seeds and vines, showing how they differ and also bringing them a special gift that they can use to benefit others. Of course, like in our real world here and now, there is much darkness and evil to be fought against. There is terror and pain. There is the threatening past and sorrow. But in it all, despite the prisons, the inquisitions, the death, and betrayal, characters learn to love, to sacrifice, and to accept. Rachel also paints a beautiful picture of salvation, and also of renewal in a Christian's life.
The book closes with challenges ahead, with more pain and sorrow, yes, but also with the promise that the Father, Son, and Fire Within would guide and help those who sought to live the Truth of the Kaion.
Another must read from Rachel, and I can't wait to hold the completed series in my hands one day. Well done!… (more)
In the New World, Herman Melrose, a Trembler, was weighted with the responsibility for raising up a new order in the unknown land. The Imitators also had their own plans however. Linette Cole opens the first chapter while she embarks into this new land, not knowing who friends or enemies are, and still not yet ready to face her past. And Herman struggles to lead a colony in peacefully welcoming and accepting anyone despite their faction or belief. Serena, too, being lit by the Fire Within receives her own task--one that will take courage, bravery, and sacrifice.
I love this book because I can see how it parallels the truth divisions today. I have personally experienced the difficulty in witnessing to people simply because of their misunderstandings of the different beliefs that all Christians hold. In this book and in the series that will come later, I believe Rachel is trying to address that in Kepos Ge and its citizens. While each of the characters is human having hearts and veins, they also have seeds and vines, showing how they differ and also bringing them a special gift that they can use to benefit others. Of course, like in our real world here and now, there is much darkness and evil to be fought against. There is terror and pain. There is the threatening past and sorrow. But in it all, despite the prisons, the inquisitions, the death, and betrayal, characters learn to love, to sacrifice, and to accept. Rachel also paints a beautiful picture of salvation, and also of renewal in a Christian's life.
The book closes with challenges ahead, with more pain and sorrow, yes, but also with the promise that the Father, Son, and Fire Within would guide and help those who sought to live the Truth of the Kaion.
Another must read from Rachel, and I can't wait to hold the completed series in my hands one day. Well done!… (more)
Rachel Starr Thomson is an author I learned about just last year. Of the ones I’ve read, her books are often allegories of the spiritual world—the angels, the demons, a Savior, and a kingdom not of this world. Of her books, the Seventh World Trilogy and the Oneness Cycle series are the most popular, and though I don’t have the complete sets of either series, I love the ones I have read. Secular fantasy is sometimes hard to grasp because it’s, well, fantasy, and fiction doesn’t often provide the depth I’m looking for while reading. But allegory is a genre I never tire of, especially when it connects clearly to Scripture and the Gospel.
Rachel also writes shorter works, one of which I’m happy to review today. Magdalene is a short story retelling of the biblical Mary Magdalene: a follower of Christ rescued from demon possession by none other than the Messiah she followed.
In order to understand the references and implications of this story, it is helpful to have a solid knowledge of the whole Gospel picture. In Magdalene, Mary is called Miriam, and that is fitting because the name Mary and Miriam come from the same Hebrew word, and the name Mary is frequently in the form of the name Miriam. Her name, along with the Israelite history, takes us back to the beginning of Exodus to the woman Miriam was named after—Moses’ sister. Beginning with her state under demon possession and ending with the resurrection of Christ, Rachel captures the emotion, imagery, and history of long ago her in her retelling of Mary Magdalene. It’s a beautiful story; the perfect length to read and reread again.
The first books of both the Seventh World Trilogy and the Oneness Cycle are free [Kindle version] on her website, and I highly recommend you check them out!… (more)
Rachel also writes shorter works, one of which I’m happy to review today. Magdalene is a short story retelling of the biblical Mary Magdalene: a follower of Christ rescued from demon possession by none other than the Messiah she followed.
In order to understand the references and implications of this story, it is helpful to have a solid knowledge of the whole Gospel picture. In Magdalene, Mary is called Miriam, and that is fitting because the name Mary and Miriam come from the same Hebrew word, and the name Mary is frequently in the form of the name Miriam. Her name, along with the Israelite history, takes us back to the beginning of Exodus to the woman Miriam was named after—Moses’ sister. Beginning with her state under demon possession and ending with the resurrection of Christ, Rachel captures the emotion, imagery, and history of long ago her in her retelling of Mary Magdalene. It’s a beautiful story; the perfect length to read and reread again.
The first books of both the Seventh World Trilogy and the Oneness Cycle are free [Kindle version] on her website, and I highly recommend you check them out!… (more)
Rachel Starr Thomson’s fantasy, Abaddon’s Eve – book 1 in The Prophet Trilogy, feels familiar. The names and places of her world are reminiscent of Ancient Israel. The culture, customs and religion are also similar to Israel’s history. But she has created a unique story taking the familiar and expanding on it to intrigue and challenge her readers. If you like fantasy with a faith-based message, then check out Abaddon’s Eve.
The prophet in the wilderness is warning of great destruction for the People by their Great God. Men and women have turned from true worship and pursue foreign gods and selfish gain. Even those who have kept themselves separate have wandered far from fellowship with the Great God. In this time, three unlikely people — a shepherd, a merchant’s daughter, and a wealthy business woman — seem to be on a course with the coming wrath of God and the forces of evil seeking to take over the land.
Thomson uses Abaddon’s Eve to set up the story of The Prophet Trilogy. The characters are well-developed and become real and credible to the reader. Motivations are described and conspiracies are begun. The world she creates is vividly brought to life through great descriptions. This 3 book series is going to be epic, so just a taste of what is to come is shared in Abaddon’s Eve, but enough to make the reader eager to get book 2, Comes The Dragon. A strong faith message is woven throughout the story. I liked one of the character’s assertion that “men are shaped by the gods they worship”. The reader is shown a Great God who has entered a “covenant with justice at its heart”, “a Great God who always calls His people higher”. But few follow Him. Evil has entered through the introduction of blood-thirsty idols. Because of this, judgment for the people seems inevitable. Yet a glimmer of hope is revealed.
A great start to an epic story, if you are a fan of fantasy, I recommend Abaddon’s Eve.
Recommended.
Audience: Older teens to Adults.
(Thanks to the author for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)… (more)
The prophet in the wilderness is warning of great destruction for the People by their Great God. Men and women have turned from true worship and pursue foreign gods and selfish gain. Even those who have kept themselves separate have wandered far from fellowship with the Great God. In this time, three unlikely people — a shepherd, a merchant’s daughter, and a wealthy business woman — seem to be on a course with the coming wrath of God and the forces of evil seeking to take over the land.
Thomson uses Abaddon’s Eve to set up the story of The Prophet Trilogy. The characters are well-developed and become real and credible to the reader. Motivations are described and conspiracies are begun. The world she creates is vividly brought to life through great descriptions. This 3 book series is going to be epic, so just a taste of what is to come is shared in Abaddon’s Eve, but enough to make the reader eager to get book 2, Comes The Dragon. A strong faith message is woven throughout the story. I liked one of the character’s assertion that “men are shaped by the gods they worship”. The reader is shown a Great God who has entered a “covenant with justice at its heart”, “a Great God who always calls His people higher”. But few follow Him. Evil has entered through the introduction of blood-thirsty idols. Because of this, judgment for the people seems inevitable. Yet a glimmer of hope is revealed.
A great start to an epic story, if you are a fan of fantasy, I recommend Abaddon’s Eve.
Recommended.
Audience: Older teens to Adults.
(Thanks to the author for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)… (more)
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Statistics
- Works
- 32
- Members
- 182
- Popularity
- #118,785
- Rating
- 4.3
- Reviews
- 6
- ISBNs
- 39
The protagonists are characters to care for and about. The plot is busy. The denouement is appropriately paced and of a good length. S-T has also managed to avoid creating cardboard characters of absolute goodness...their flaws and foibles add to the story.